Fox Plotting Celebrity Idol

It seems that even the most successful entertainers harbor rock star dreams (Lindsay Lohan, Bruce Willis, even Eddie "Party All the Time" Murphy) and now Fox has found a way to exploit those pop-music desires. Variety says the network is planning "Celebrity Idol."

It's exactly what it sounds like -- an "American Idol" spin-off featuring celebrities. The show hasn't been formally announced, but Fox is already talking the series up to the press. "We're going to go for the biggest talent possible," says Fox reality programming head Mike Darnell in a Variety interview. "We're looking for people who can sing but aren't known for singing."

Darnell says it's the network's "hope" that "Idol" regulars Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and host Ryan Seacrest will perform similar duties on "Celebrity Idol." In the entertainment world, "hope" can quickly become reality when there's boatloads of cash involved. The "Idol" cast must be licking their chops over this one.

Variety says "Celebrity Idol" could premiere as early as this fall. -- Mac Slocum

Posted by Mac at June 23, 2005 2:49 PM | TrackBack