Pop Culture: Rock Star: INXS

This summer, Mark Burnett and CBS present the most ambitious show in the history of unscripted television, "Rock Star:INXS."

http://rockstar.msn.com/

Created by the executive producer of "Survivor" and creator of "The Apprentice," Mark Burnett, "Rock Star:INXS" brings 15 of the best undiscovered talents from around the world to Los Angeles for the opportunity of a lifetime: to become the new lead singer of INXS, one of the world's most successful rock bands.
The Australian-based INXS has played over 4,000 live shows, sold over 30 million albums, and had No. 1 hit singles on four different continents before the tragic death of lead singer Michael Hutchence. Now, one talented new artist will become INXS' frontman or woman, record an album with the band and lead its next worldwide tour.
But the unbelievable prize at stake isn't the only thing that makes "Rock Star:INXS" unmissable event TV. As the centerpiece of the competition, the contestants will perform the best rock music in history (including songs by The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Nirvana, ,The Police, R.E.M., The Doors and more), much of which has never been made available to a television show until now. Because all 15 contestants will also be living together in a Hollywood mansion steeped in rock-and-roll history, the human drama infused into the mix may be just as intense as the performances, especially as one competitor is eliminated each week.
These aspiring rock stars will be guided and mentored by legendary rocker Dave Navarro (Jane's Addiction, Red Hot Chili Peppers), and the performance segments of the show will be hosted by Brooke Burke ("Wild On").
"Rock Star:INXS" is such a huge undertaking, it demands a huge presence on air. That's why, beginning on Monday, July 11, 2005, "Rock Star:INXS" is airing an unprecedented three consecutive nights per week.
Every Sunday, from 8-8:30p.m. (ET/PT) on VH1, we'll see the unscripted drama that comes from the competitors' lives together, and then join them as they undergo a series of rock-and-roll clinics that teach every aspect needed to become an international rock superstar. Featuring top professionals from the music world, as well as many of the greatest rock icons of all time, these clinics will test the competitors' versatility, musicianship, poise and strength of character. Here, they'll learn that being a rock star is much more than just having a great voice. Then, at the end of each clinic, the competitors will choose songs and rehearse for their live performances the next night.
Every Tuesday, from 10-11 p.m. (ET/PT) on CBS, "Rock Star:INXS" becomes an all-out music competition shot on a brand-new stage at CBS studios in Los Angeles. This plush, ultra-cool rock-and-roll club is the ideal environment in which to play and experience the best rock-and-roll songs ever written. With Brooke Burke leading the proceedings and an all-star house band of the music industry's top musicians backing them, each contestant will have a chance to perform a song from the classic and current rock canon before INXS, Dave Navarro, a live audience and the millions of people watching around the world.
Here's where your job begins. After the concert on Tuesday night, audiences from around the globe will be asked to vote on that night's performances, either at rockstar.msn.com or via Verizon Wireless text messaging.
The results will be tabulated overnight. Then, every Wednesday, from 9-9:30 p.m. (ET/PT) on CBS, the week's round of competition comes to its intense conclusion. Each contestant deemed eligible to leave that week will have to battle for survival by performing an INXS song in front of a live audience and the band itself. Ultimately, INXS will choose who to eliminate each week.
Over the course of the summer, this process will highlight a new crop of talented rock and rollers, give INXS a brand-new lead singer, and turn this one talented musician into a bona fide Rock Star.
"Rock Star:INXS" is produced by Mark Burnett Productions in conjunction with INXS. Executive producers of the show are Mark Burnett, David Goffin, Lisa Hennessy and David Edwards and Michael Murchison from INXS. The live show executive producer is Al Berman. The co-executive producer is Conrad Riggs.