NASHVILLE STAR
NBC · June 9 · 9:30 PM
Number of episodes: 9
Covered in that sticky American Idol film that just won't wash away? Now there's a better way to get your talent-show fix: NBC has rescued Nashville Star from USA, giving the charmingly ramshackle country competition a network home for its sixth season. What's not to love about a show where full-grown adults are invited to compete, no one has to pander with patriotic Jesus songs because it's basically implied from the start, and the ability to play an instrument and write songs isn't a novelty but the norm? Why, it's as refreshing as a glass of sweet tea on a sultry summer's day!
It could be argued that the Star talent pool (Grammy-nominated first-season alum Miranda Lambert aside) has never been all that deep, but they auditioned twice as many people this season, and spiced up the mix with duos and trios. And the contagious hokeyness of the hosts persists — please welcome Billy Ray Cyrus and his soul patch (pictured) to the mic! — as does the actual industry relevance of the judges. So come June 9, tune in to see John ''Big '' Rich, Rascal Flatts songwriter Jeffrey Steele, and crossover yodeler Jewel (who co-emceed season 5) help dig up a down-home diamond in the rough, without the aid of ugly audition rounds, recording-contract controversies, or the word dawg. Short of running over your Taylor Hicks CD with a backhoe, it's the best Idol antidote I know. —Whitney Pastorek
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