American Song Contest Season 1: Details We Know So Far
The United States is getting its very own version of the Eurovision Song Contest with NBC's latest singing competition series, "American Song Contest" (via Entertainment Weekly). The show is set to feature solo artists, duos, and bands. Each act will represent one of America's 50 states, as well as the five territories and the nations' capital Washington D.C. The acts will compete against one another singing and performing only original songs, and the country will vote to choose the winner.
The show will be a mixture of all different styles and genres of music, which will be performed on live television. The show is also set to consist of three rounds that will last eight weeks, as the 56 contestants begin to dwindle down until the grand finale where one state or territory will officially be crowned the winner of Season 1.
The show could prove to be a big hit among fans who enjoy other singing competition shows such as "The Voice" and "American Idol." Of course, many will also want to root for their home states or territories during the course of the show.
Kelly Clarkson and Snoop Dogg are set to host the new series
"American Song Contest" will officially make its debut on March 21 at 8 p.m. on NBC. The show will kick off Season 1 with a big premiere that will consist of fans being introduced to many of the acts performing, and being given a rundown of the rules. "American Song Contest" is being hosted by music icons Kelly Clarkson and Snoop Dogg, who will guide fans through the experience, per Entertainment Weekly.
"I am honored to host 'American Song Contest' alongside my lil sis Kelly Clarkson, aka Miss Texas," Snoop said in a statement about the hosting gig. Meanwhile, Clarkson added, "I have been a fan and love the concept of Eurovision and am thrilled to bring the musical phenomenon to America. I'm so excited to work with Snoop and can't wait to see every state and territory represented by artists singing their own songs."
The contestants will be required to be at least 16 years of age, and the voting will be done by fans as well as a "jury of music industry professionals," (via Gold Derby).
Over the years, Eurovision has launched the careers of heavy hitters such as ABBA and Celine Dion, so there is no telling what type of untapped talent "American Song Contest" will dig up. Fans may just get to watch the country's next big musician rise to victory during the journey.