Of the many “American Idol” knockoffs that have premiered since the Fox juggernaut took off, only USA Network’s “Nashville Star” has showed any staying power.
ABC’s “The One,” CBS’s revamped “Star Search” and even Fox’s own “American Idol Junior” and “Duets” left the air quickly, all failing to duplicate “Idol’s” winning mix of sniping judges, appealing contestants and soaring vocals.
But “Nashville,” which showcases country singers, has gotten it right. Now entering its fifth season, the show has gone through several hosts, including second-year host Cowboy Troy and new co-host Jewel, who debut tonight at 10 p.m. Yet “Nashville” has been a solid performer because it keeps the focus on the music and not the hosts or even the judges.
And “Nashville” has also been fortunate to find singers who are actually talented, another thing that separates the show from other “Idol” imitators. Miranda Lambert, a contestant during season one, has become the Clay Aiken of “Nashville” graduates.
While, like Aiken, she did not win the show, she’s its bestseller. Her 2005 album “Kerosene” debuted No. 1 on the country charts and has sold more than 800,000 copies to date.
Her season one mate Buddy Jewell, who did win the competition, has sold more than a half million copies of his first two albums. And season three winner Erika Jo’s 2005 CD rose to No. 5 on the country charts.
While most reality series decline as they get older, last year “Star” actually grew. Season four, won by 20-year-old Chris Young, averaged 2.5 million total viewers, up 27 percent over the previous year.
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A look at this week’s top TV draws |
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 11 |
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Time |
Network |
Program |
Description |
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8 p.m. |
NBC |
"My Name is Earl" (C) |
Earl's treasure is gone, and Joy, Darnell and Randy all have different stories about what happened. |
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8 p.m. |
ABC |
"Ugly Betty" (D) |
Betty finds some dirt that puts Daniel's relationship with Sofia in jeopardy. |
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8 p.m. |
CW |
"Smallville" (D) |
Tori Spelling guests as a gossip columnist working for the Daily Planet. |
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9 p.m. |
ABC |
"Grey's Anatomy" (D) |
George's dad is forced to endure heart surgery followed by surgery for his cancer. |
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9 p.m. |
NBC |
"Scrubs" (C) |
Dr. Cox and the janitor move in together, and Turk thinks Carla should get some help for her depression. |
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10 p.m. |
MTV |
"Real World/Road Rules Challenge" (R) |
After a challenge involving swimming, the final two male and females are identified. |
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10 p.m. |
NBC |
"ER" (D) |
Abby gives a patient some extra attention, which irks Luka. |
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 12 |
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Time |
Network |
Program |
Description |
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7 a.m. |
NBC |
"Today" (N) |
Author Ann Brashares guests, as does Jill Hennessey. |
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8 p.m. |
CBS |
"Ghost Whisperer" (D) |
A ghost who doesn't want to be reincarnated threatens the health of Melinda's friend's unborn baby. |
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8 p.m. |
NBC |
"1 vs. 100" (G) |
Fabio and a host of child geniuses take part in tonight's panel. |
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9 p.m. |
CBS |
"Close to Home" (D) |
A woman dies during routine plastic surgery. Her husband suspects murder, not malpractice. |
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9 p.m. |
G4 |
"G4 Presents the Adult Entertainment Expo 2007" (A) |
A two-hour celebration of the adult entertainment industry's annual love-fest. |
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10 p.m. |
NBC |
"Law & Order" (D) |
The husband of a daytime soap star turns up dead. |
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 13 |
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Time |
Network |
Program |
Description |
|
1 p.m. |
CBS |
"College Basketball" (S) |
Nice matchup between Tennessee and Ohio State. |
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2 p.m. |
NBC |
"NHL Hockey" (S) |
Regional action as the NHL comes back to NBC. |
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4:30 p.m. |
CBS |
"NFL Football" (S) |
An AFC divisional playoff game. |
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8 p.m. |
Fox |
"NFL Football" (S) |
No “Cops” tonight, but Fox should do better with an NFC divisional playoff game. |
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9 p.m. |
Sci Fi Channel |
"Grendel" (M) |
A made-for-cable version of the classic epic “Beowulf.” |
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10 p.m. |
HBO |
"Louis C.K.: Shameless" (A, C) |
A taped performance of the comic at Henry Fonda Theater. |
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SUNDAY, JANUARY 14 |
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Time |
Network |
Program |
Description |
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1 p.m. |
Fox |
"NFL Football" (S) |
Another divisional playoff game in the NFC. |
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4:30 p.m. |
CBS |
"NFL Football" (S) |
More AFC divisional playoff action. |
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7 p.m. |
ESPN2 |
"Tennis" (S) |
Early-round coverage of the year's first major, the Australian Open. |
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8 p.m. |
Fox |
"24" (D) |
Season premiere. Picks up 20 months after last season ended, with Wayne Palmer now president and terrorists still wreaking havoc in the U.S. |
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8 p.m. |
Univision |
"Bailando por la Boda de Mis Suenos" (R) |
A new incarnation of Univision's highly rated Sunday night show. |
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9 p.m. |
ABC |
"Desperate Housewives" (D) |
Gaby's secret admirer comes to light and Tom's pizza business is in trouble. |
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9 p.m. |
HBO |
"Rome" (D) |
Season premiere. The new season begins right after Caesar was murdered. |
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A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show. |
