Dish Of Salt: ‘Idol’ Meets ‘Gong Show’ (June 20, 2006)

by Laura Saltman

Don’t think since “American Idol” ended last month, Simon Cowell has been busy counting the millions he earns from Idol. Nope. Simon has been busy this summer working behind the scenes as creator and executive producer of NBC’s new variety show “America’s Got Talent.”

It’s no secret that NBC is in dire need of a major hit show. Will this be the hit that saves the network? Probably not but it might help ease the pain a little bit with Regis Philbin taking on hosting duties. Regis joked to our Tim Vincent, “That’s right I’m going to save NBC then I’m going to move on to CBS!” You’ll recall he likes to tout how he helped “save” ABC when “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” struck mega success for them several years back.

According to Simon, “Regis Philbin is show business. That’s why he is doing this show.” Actually, the truth of why he is doing this show is that Regis asked Simon if he could host. Seems Reege had been wanting to do a variety style show for a long time and when he heard about the show, he made the call and threw his name into the mix. Simon wasn’t convinced at first though and told Regis this, when we got the two together face to face, on the first day of filming, “I wasn’t sure, I thought you were always on automatic pilot on “Regis and Kelly,” then I realized how good you were.”

NBC has not sent out screeners for the show, which usually spells trouble. I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt since I was told production is scrambling last minute to get the best show on the air they can Wednesday night. From what I have seen, via promotional clips, the show is a lot of fun. I’d call it “American Idol” meets “The Gong Show.” Talent acts ranging from jugglers to clowns, singers, tap dancers, magicians and pretty much any bizarre thing you can think of audition for a panel of three judges and a live studio audience. The judges have the ability to let them finish the audition or they can hit a big red X button, on the console, to get them to stop. Three red X’s and your done.

In this business, I’ve learned that anybody can have a comeback and should this show become a success look for David Hasselhoff to be back in a big way. The former “Baywatch” star joins the show as one of the judges along with pop singer Brandy, who seems to take on the Paula Abdul cheerleader type role. Apparently Simon, who Brandy worked with once as a guest judge on “Idol,” has been trying to get her to be a bit more like him on this show, “Each time we see someone, he comes over and you know, tells us to be a little bit more critical.”

Brandy’s just trying to be fair and not crush people’s dreams. So, enter the cranky Brit. The third judge is controversial newspaper editor and TV presenter Piers Morgan, who is legendary across the pond for his run-ins with the Royals. If the show does well, I’m sure you’ll be hearing a lot more about him. As for the talent on this show, Piers told Tim Vincent, “I thought I was being punk’d by Simon Cowell. He promised me the next Whitney Houston but so far the acts are less than what’s expected to put it mildly.” As for the inevitable comparisons to Simon, “It’s pretty obvious to this audience that I’m better looking. I’m funnier and I’m smarter.” At least he’s just as cocky as Simon.

The show premieres Wednesday night at 9pm. Beginning July 12th, America gets to vote for their favorites and a Thursday Results show will be added starting July 13th. The winner gets a cool million dollars.

HappyTV Watching. Got a show you want us to know about at “Access Hollywood”? E-mail me and let me know at salt.dish@nbcuni.com