Networks Battle Over Bands

NYPOST:

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June 26, 2004 -- STEPPING squarely into the high-stakes game of chicken that is reality TV, Fox Television Studios is risking war with one of the genre's hottest producers, Mark Burnett, over rival music shows.
Fox Television Studios has clinched a deal with the R&B group TLC for an unscripted series, according to sources.

The show would feature contestants competing to replace Lisa Lopes, who was killed in a car crash in 2002. The winner would join the surviving members, Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas.

But Burnett, of CBS's hit unscripted series "Survivor," has his own tragedy-stricken group, which also needs headhunting help.

On Wednesday, CBS announced a deal with the producer to pick up his new reality series, "Rock Star," which promises to find a lead singer for '80s band INXS, whose frontman, Michael Hutchence, died in 1997. "Rock Star" will debut in the summer of 2005.

Burnett has dismissed the TLC project as the latest attempt to duplicate one of his efforts. He said that his NBC smash "The Apprentice" is spawning imitations from Fox (with billionaire Richard Branson) and ABC (with Dallas Mavericks owner and billionaire Mark Cuban) — and that his coming NBC boxing series with Sylvester Stallone, "The Contender," is inspiring a Fox effort tentatively titled "The Next Great Boxing Champ."

"It just makes me laugh," Burnett said of the TLC project. "All I can do is do good work."



Fox Television Studios declined to comment.

In addition to the flap over the rival boxing series, Burnett had a tense relationship with Fox over the editing of his summer reality series, "The Casino." — Los Angeles Times

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http://nypost.com/entertainment/23844.htm

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"It just makes me laugh," Burnett said of the TLC project. "All I can do is do good work."

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He could try some of that "good work" on the crapfest Casino.

I can't believe the hypocrisy of the remaining members of TLC. Not 2 months ago, I saw a Behind The Music with T-Boz and Chili and they claimed they would never find a 3rd person for the group. They said Left Eye was not replaceable and TLC would be no more;it was too painful to even think about,etc. They even complained about fans writing to them saying that they would like to take Left Eyes place. They said it was 'disrespectful' and 'unbelievable'.I guess the residual money is running out. :phhht

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Originally Posted by mrcorkles

They said it was 'disrespectful' and 'unbelievable'.I guess the residual money is running out. :phhht

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Yeah, and those solo careers aren't going so well are they?

Ugh, I'm just horrified with this entire concept. It just seems so cynical, tacky and disgracious to both these dead performers' memories to have reality shows about replacing them in bands. :ohno

What?! Oh my, I'm horrified as well. I can't believe this. :ohno

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But Burnett, of CBS's hit unscripted series "Survivor," has his own tragedy-stricken group, which also needs headhunting help.

On Wednesday, CBS announced a deal with the producer to pick up his new reality series, "Rock Star," which promises to find a lead singer for '80s band INXS, whose frontman, Michael Hutchence, died in 1997. "Rock Star" will debut in the summer of 2005.

"It just makes me laugh," Burnett said of the TLC project. "All I can do is do good work."

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You're doing a reality show to replace someone who committed suicide.
I think it's time to stop laughing, because this isn't "good work". :nono Let him rest in peace. :ohno

I agree Mrcorkles. In every interview I've seen, they've stated that TLC won't continue without Lisa. It's pathetic that not only are they continuing, they're cashing in on her death by making a show about her replacement :rolleyes. Like JR said, they've realized they're not as successful as they once were and their solo careers are dying a slow death. I think they will lose a lot of fans after this and it's a shame they had to resort to this as they have released some great music.