Reality show news: Firstly NBC in the US are to launch two new talent shows – 'The Search for the Most Talented Kid in America' and 'The Search for the Most Talented Senior in America'. The two shows recognise that the US version of Pop Idol limited itself to auditioning wannabe popstars in the 16 – 24 age bracket (leading to those age discrimination charges from media professor and would be pop idol Drew Cummings). NBC Exec Jeff Gaspin explains: "American Idol has been a huge success, and we tip our hat to the job they’ve done. But, they’ve only identified great talent between the ages of 16 and 24. We’re going younger and older, and we’re sure we’ll find a lot of talent."
Second: VH1 have confirmed former Sony Music boss Tommy Mottola will be leading its talent search to find a new diva, and that search has begun here in the UK. Two UK based Sony execs auditioned 1000 wannabe divas in London last week, videos of the best will now be sent to Mottola as part of his global search for contenders – the finalists of which will attend what is being dubbed by the network as "diva boot camp". But don't expect a military style routine, finalists will be pampered and preened ready for a TV special where viewers will vote for their favourite diva. Assuming the winner wishes to follow in the footsteps of contemporary diva Mariah Carey they will presumably be required to have a brief marriage to Mottola after series completion.
And finally the BBC is planning a celebrity version of Fame Academy for the Comic Relief festivities in March. The show will run for the week leading up to Red Nose Day and each day one of the celebrity contenders will be voted out by the public. "We're really going to find out what our celebrities are made of," executive producer Richard Hopkins reckons. "Schedules are tough and lessons are long but there's a real treat in store for the winner of the public vote on Red Nose Day. Or at least some record vouchers." The first Celebrity Big Brother also ran as part of the Comic Releif festivities and won big audiences as the nation tuned in to watch Vanessa Feltz have a nervous breakdown live on air. The celeb line up for the latest charity match are yet to be announced.