Reality TV World wrote:CBS' 'Rock Star 2' to feature members of "existing or defunct bands"
By Steve Rogers, 03/14/2006
CBS still hasn't announced anything about the identity of the band that will front this summer's second edition of Rock Star, but according to executive producer Mark Burnett, the new season will feature a brand new group comprised of members of existing or defunct bands.
According to Burnett, an official announcement should be made by week's end. "(They are) very complicated agreements. You have a TV agreement, record agreement, a tour agreement, and there are a few people in the band," the reality TV producer told The London Free Press during an interview promoting yesterday's open casting call in Toronto.
In addition to revealing that despite all the rumors, Rock Star 2 won't be fronted by an existing lead singer-less band like Van Halen or Alice in Chains, Burnett also disclosed that unlike other reality talent competitions like American Idol, some of Rock Star's first season finalists will be allowed to once again compete on the show's second season. According to the Free Press, Suzie McNeil, a Toronto singer who finished fourth on Rock Star's first season, will be among those returning for a second chance at fronting a Rock Star band.
After getting off to a rocky ratings start and an (eventually dropped) awkward thrice-weekly broadcast schedule in its first season, Burnett expects the CBS reality show to take off in its second season. "Last year was the year to prove ourselves and the integrity that we stood for to the rock community," Burnett boasted to the newspaper. "We're gonna really, really grow this year."
Suzie McNeil
