Reality Rockers

Burnett is hoping his latest reality show will captivate audiences in the same manner as his other successful series, which include The Apprentice and Survivor. The as-yet-untitled series will focus on finding a lead singer for an internationally established rock and roll band. The show will be an edgier and grittier American Idol, but it will differ from the pop show in several ways. The band itself is expected to have a hand in determining the end result. Viewers probably won’t be voting via telephone, but they still may have an impact on the show. Also, more "behind the scenes" footage is to be expected. Burnett wants the viewers to get a more intimate view of the aspiring rockers.

Burnett seems to have the Midas touch when it comes to quality programming. Despite The Restaurant, which NBC is likely to scrap, his other shows are thriving. Survivor is set for production on its ninth season and NBC has ordered two more editions of The Apprentice. Burnett has at least five other projects in the works, including the reality series The Casino, which follows the grand reopening of Las Vegas’ "legendary" Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino, and The Contender, his project based on boxing in collaboration with Sylvester Stallone and Jeffrey Katzenberg.

Enough already! When will the reality craze go away? Will we be watching The Bachelor 47? Survivor 92? The Apprentice 36? And let’s face it…reality television is not reality! The shows seem to become more and more scripted with each new show that airs and the people that go on these shows are just vying for their fifteen minutes of fame and a possible career in Hollywood. How long can it last and just how many more outrageous themes can we look forward to? Who Wants to Marry My Dog? Or maybe Who Wants to be My Baby’s Daddy? Where do we draw the line?