We've always thought it weird that the Eurovision Song Contest, the widely popular singing competition that pits European countries against each other each year, hadn't yet been adapted for an American audience. That's about to change, according to an official press release.
American Song Contest, as the new franchise has been dubbed, is set to premiere in the United States during the 2021 holiday season.
"The American version of the Eurovision Song Contest will, as it is currently conceived, position the artists head to head against other states' representatives in a series of 5-10 televised qualified competitions, leading to semi-finals and the ultimate primetime grand final," reads the release. Given the fact that Americans have virtually "finished TV," the prospect of an entirely new show—especially one that has already proven to be successful across the ocean—is oh-so-exciting.
As for the panel of judges: expect a group of US-based music professionals from all backgrounds to form the American Song Contest Academy which, in turn, will select "juries of artists and music industry notables who, along with the regional audiences, will select top talent from all 50 states to compete." You can sign up for the show as a solo artist, as part of a duo or as a band of up to six members.
"It’s time for America to experience this spectacle, through its sister competition, the American Song Contest," said Martin Österdahl, the executive supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest in an official statement. "Love of music is universal and celebration of music in different genres and styles can transcend boundaries and unite people. We are excited to have found the right partners to offer another series that our fans across the globe can fall in love with and to share this unique competition with the American people."
Lest you dismiss this as yet-another American Idol replica, think again: the contest helped launch the careers of icon Celine Dion (who won in 1988) and renowned group ABBA (the 1974 winners). This is clearly a serious program, despite Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams' comedic take on it in Netflix's Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.
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