"Rock Star: Supernova" Gets Set to Launch

I didn’t get into “Rock Star: INXS” last season. I think it had something to do with Mark Burnett’s cocky attitude about how he was going to get back at FOX for ripping off “The Contender” by ripping off “American Idol.” And I have to admit, I wasn’t too crazy about INXS using a reality show to find a new lead singer.

However, it was hard not to get choked up during the finale when Tim Farris and the rest of INXS thanked winner J.D. Fortune for making them a complete band again (The wounds from Michael Hutchence’s death were obviously still quite fresh.). And though J.D. completely turned me off after I saw him perform in the first episode, he turned out to be exactly what INXS was looking for—a young Michael Hutchence sound-alike. You can find plenty of evidence of that in INXS’ first two singles with J.D., “Pretty Vegas” and “Afterglow”—both excellent songs that hearken back to the band’s “Kick” glory days.

This year’s “Rock Star” will be something completely different. The contestants will be competing to front a totally new band, Supernova, made up of Tommy Lee (Motley Crue), Jason Newsted (Metallica) and Gilby Clarke (Guns ‘N Roses). The trio has already recorded songs without a singer so they will have an idea of what they’re looking for, but we will have no idea. And since we’re talking about guys from three of the wildest metal bands ever, it could get interesting.

But maybe the biggest difference is the prize for the winner. Last year, J.D. Fortune knew exactly what he was going to be a part of—an established band with an established repertoire of hits. But this year’s winner is guaranteed one album with one tour and then…who knows? Tommy Lee has said he is not leaving Motley Crue and plans to tour with them soon, so where will that leave the "Rock Star" winner?

I guess we’ll have to stay tuned…

“Rock Star: Supernova” premieres tonight (Wednesday) at 8 on CBS.