On March 21 NBC will add American Song Contest to its roster of unscripted series. Inspired by the hugely popular international Eurovision Song Contest (an annual Olympics of songwriting that sees nations of the world competing for the best song), American Song Contest pits artists (each representing a state that forms the United States) against each other, all vying to win the title of greatest song. Long before American Idol set the benchmark for singing competitions in the U.S., series producer Ben Silverman had been percolating the idea of an America-centric Eurovision; sadly, few others shared that vision. "I've pursued the rights for this for over 25 years," he recently explained while promoting the show. "I've always loved this incredible show, [it's] the granddaddy of all music competition shows.
"I think this is the ultimate in broadcast television," he added, explaining that the rights for the show "are controlled by the European Broadcasting Union, one of the largest conglomerates of different broadcasters from around the world and a not-for-profit. Eurovision remains arguably the most popular and important entertainment television show in the world. I think it translates beautifully to America, and our diverse culture, which is only unified through music and song, so I'm thrilled to be a part of it. It's two hours. It's live. It's filled with regional passion and state-by-state brilliance, and I think [viewers] are going to be amazed to see some professionals, some amateurs and all different kinds of music genres."
Hosting the show (alongside Snoop Dogg) is Kelly Clarkson, who is no stranger to singing competitions after competing on (and winning) American Idol and being a judge -- first on ABC's Duets and now, of course, on NBC's The Voice. Clarkson also competed in a Eurovision song contest of sorts in 2003, representing America on World Idol, where she sang against global Idol winners. (She lost to a singer from Norway.) However, it wasn't until after she won Idol that she heard about Eurovision. "I actually found out about [it] when I was 20 and traveled overseas for the first time," she explained. "Simon Fuller was the head of all of the Idol artists that came out, and everywhere I went, because of Idol, people kept bringing it up. Everybody talked about Eurovision. I was, like, 'What is this contest?'
"I finally ended up finding out about it, and thought it was the coolest thing ever," she continued. "I had no idea some of the artists I'd heard of were from it. Honestly, in the very beginning, a lot of people thought [Idol] was a joke. I was in the first season, and nobody knew anything would come of it. It was a thing I had to defend basically everywhere I went. So, it was awesome to find out [about Eurovision]. Europe was very accepting, with open arms, about the whole idea of, 'Hey, yeah, you compete your way up here. Then you earn your way to possibly having a career.'"
It was her passion for the Eurovision format that sparked Clarkson's enthusiasm for American Song Contest and made her want to be a part of it. "Here we were shooting The Voice and I let all the coaches know that the show is happening. Kelly was like, 'Oh, my God, wait! Eurovisionin America? That's the best idea I've ever heard!" recalled executive producer/showrunner Audrey Morrissey. "Then she started sending ideas. Honest to God, I couldn't come to a taping without her mentioning it."
"It was a really cool thing to me," Clarkson added. "I loved how all of the countries were represented. I'm very much an inclusive person and love any kind of team sport. I had this conversation with Audrey before a Voice taping one night. I was like, 'This is such a cool concept for this country.' We are so, unfortunately, divided, and with COVID, it's been a very hard couple of years. Now it's getting even more serious in the news. Feeling like you are not isolated, and you are a part of something bigger than your everyday world is so important. People thank me every day for the songs I do on my talk show, as they make them happy. That's what this show is going to do for people. They won't feel left out, and everyone is being represented.
"It's a great concept, but I also think one that's very needed right now," she continued. "It was awesome they asked me and Snoop to be a part of it, as we're fun-loving, easygoing and are going to be so passionate and involved. People need to be lifted up because the world is heavy right now, so how [Eurovision] started 65, maybe, years ago, is what is needed now in America as far as I'm concerned."
American Song Contest will be telecast Mondays at 8 p.m. on NBC.
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