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{{Rquote|right|When America is more factionalized than ever and we are dealing with so many issues that divide us, the one (thing) that truly unites us is our culture. (The American Song Contest) can unite it by celebrating its diversity, its distinctions, and in pulling everyone around its love of music and its love of song.|Ben Silverman, executive producer|speaking to NME.com<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news |last1=Gabbatt |first1=Adam |title=Pop and geopolitics: American Song Contest aims to tap Eurovision formula |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/feb/14/american-song-contest-eurovision-pop-politics |access-date=14 February 2022 |publisher=The Guardian}}</ref>}}
{{Rquote|right|When America is more factionalized than ever and we are dealing with so many issues that divide us, the one (thing) that truly unites us is our culture. (The American Song Contest) can unite it by celebrating its diversity, its distinctions, and in pulling everyone around its love of music and its love of song.|Ben Silverman, executive producer|speaking to NME.com<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news |last1=Gabbatt |first1=Adam |title=Pop and geopolitics: American Song Contest aims to tap Eurovision formula |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/feb/14/american-song-contest-eurovision-pop-politics |access-date=14 February 2022 |publisher=The Guardian}}</ref>}}


Björkman stated during an interview in ''The Euro Trip'' podcast that [[Las Vegas]], [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]], and [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]] were being considered as the first host city.<ref name="Vegas">{{cite web |title=Final Details Decided for American Song Contest, Las Vegas Possible Host City |url=https://eurovoix-world.com/2021/03/22/american-song-contest-las-vegas/ |website=Eurovoix-world.com |date=March 22, 2021 |publisher=Eurovoix |access-date=20 May 2021}}</ref> Despite this, filming for the contest will take place on the Universal Studios lot in [[Universal City, California]].<ref>{{cite web |title=American Song Contest FAQ |url=https://1iota.com/show/1296/american-song-contest |website=1iota.com |publisher=1iota |access-date=15 February 2022}}</ref>
Björkman stated during an interview in ''The Euro Trip'' podcast that [[Las Vegas]], [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]], and [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]] were being considered as the first host city.<ref name="Vegas">{{cite web |title=Final Details Decided for American Song Contest, Las Vegas Possible Host City |url=https://eurovoix-world.com/2021/03/22/american-song-contest-las-vegas/ |website=Eurovoix-world.com |date=March 22, 2021 |publisher=Eurovoix |access-date=20 May 2021}}</ref> Despite this, filming for the contest will take place on the Universal Studios Lot in [[Universal City, California]].<ref>{{cite web |title=American Song Contest FAQ |url=https://1iota.com/show/1296/american-song-contest |website=1iota.com |publisher=1iota |access-date=15 February 2022}}</ref>


An online submissions platform was launched in May 2021, allowing eligible artists aged 16 years and older to apply, with or without recording or publishing deals.<ref name="Submissions">{{cite web |last1=Granger |first1=Anthony |title=Song Submissions Open for the American Song Contest |url=https://eurovoix-world.com/2021/05/28/song-submissions-american-song-contest/ |website=Eurovoix-world.com |date=May 28, 2021 |publisher=Eurovoix |access-date=29 May 2021}}</ref> Participants must list all the states or territories with which they have "an authentic, deep connection" during the casting process, with the producers having the final say on which state or territory the artists will represent. The website stressed that submissions must be original songs in any genre and must not have been released commercially. Songs that were released promotionally, such as on SoundCloud and on social media, can be submitted—given that all posts must be deleted when selected. The producers teased the possibility of filming in [[Los Angeles]] or [[Atlanta]] between February and April 2022.<ref name="Adams">{{cite web |last1=Adams |first1=William Lee |title=American Song Contest opens casting web site and teases production in Los Angeles and Atlanta |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2021/05/29/american-song-contest-opens-casting-web-site-and-teases-production-in-los-angeles-and-atlanta/265568/ |website=Wiwibloggs.com |access-date=29 May 2021}}</ref>
An online submissions platform was launched in May 2021, allowing eligible artists aged 16 years and older to apply, with or without recording or publishing deals.<ref name="Submissions">{{cite web |last1=Granger |first1=Anthony |title=Song Submissions Open for the American Song Contest |url=https://eurovoix-world.com/2021/05/28/song-submissions-american-song-contest/ |website=Eurovoix-world.com |date=May 28, 2021 |publisher=Eurovoix |access-date=29 May 2021}}</ref> Participants must list all the states or territories with which they have "an authentic, deep connection" during the casting process, with the producers having the final say on which state or territory the artists will represent. The website stressed that submissions must be original songs in any genre and must not have been released commercially. Songs that were released promotionally, such as on SoundCloud and on social media, can be submitted—given that all posts must be deleted when selected. The producers teased the possibility of filming in [[Los Angeles]] or [[Atlanta]] between February and April 2022.<ref name="Adams">{{cite web |last1=Adams |first1=William Lee |title=American Song Contest opens casting web site and teases production in Los Angeles and Atlanta |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2021/05/29/american-song-contest-opens-casting-web-site-and-teases-production-in-los-angeles-and-atlanta/265568/ |website=Wiwibloggs.com |access-date=29 May 2021}}</ref>

Revision as of 01:40, 16 February 2022

Not to be confused with Great American Song Contest.

American Song Contest
File:American Song Contest Logo on Super Bowl LVI.png
The logotype as it appeared at a Super Bowl LVI advertisement.
GenreTalent show
Created byEuropean Broadcasting Union
Based onEurovision Song Contest
Presented by
Country of originUnited States
Production
Executive producers
Production locationsNBCUniversal Lot, Universal City, California[2]
Running timeQualifications: 2 hours each[1]
Semi-finals: TBD
Final: TBD
Production companies
  • Propagate Content
  • Universal Television Alternative Studio
Original release
NetworkNBC (streaming on Peacock the next day)
Related
Eurovision Song Contest

The American Song Contest is an upcoming adaptation of the Eurovision Song Contest set in the United States. It will see all 50 U.S. states, five territories, and Washington, D.C. compete for the title of Best Original Song. The contest is set to take place in the period between March 21 and May 9, 2022, and will air on NBC.[3] The show will be hosted by Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson.[2]

Origin

The Eurovision Song Contest is an international song competition organized annually by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) since 1956, which features participants representing primarily European countries. It ranks among the world's most-watched non-sporting events every year, with hundreds of millions of viewers globally.[4]

The earliest known telecast of Eurovision in the continental U.S. was in 1971.[5] Two years earlier, the contest was telecast in Puerto Rico for the first time.[6] The contest was broadcast in both countries in 2003 and 2004.[7][8]

U.S. cable network Logo TV broadcast the finals from 2016 to 2018, featuring commentary from Carson Kressley and Michelle Collins (2016); Michelle Visage and Ross Mathews (2017); and Mathews and Shangela (2018).[9][10][11] Viewing figures were low, ranging from 52,000 viewers in 2016 to 74,000 viewers in 2018.[12] WJFD-FM, a commercial radio station in New Bedford, Massachusetts, broadcast the 2018 and 2019 finals with English and Portuguese commentary.[13][14]

Netflix licensed the video-on-demand rights for the 2019 and 2020 contests.[15] The OTT platform planned to release the musical comedy film Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga together with the 2020 contest. However, because of the contest's cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the film was released a month later, on June 26.[16] The film became the most-streamed content on Netflix in the U.S. on its first weekend.[17] The Story of Fire Saga also introduced viewers to the Eurovision format and its popularity in Europe. A song from the film, "Husavik", was nominated for Best Original Song at the 93rd Academy Awards.[18]

There were plans to develop an US version of Eurovision as early as 2006, with Ben Silverman (then chairman of production company Reveille) developing the contest for NBC to challenge American Idol.[19] Silverman (currently co-CEO and chairman of production company Propagate) admitted in 2020 that he had been trying to pursue this project for 20 years, including when he was chairman of NBC.[20]

Production

Christer Björkman and Ola Melzig, known for their roles as producers of past Eurovision competitions, announced during a press conference in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 2019 that they have acquired the rights from the EBU to produce an adaptation of the format for the U.S. market. Björkman and Melzig would serve as producers along with Anders Lenhoff and Peter Settman.[21][22] In a separate press statement, Silverman hoped that focusing on the mutual love and respect for music would unite a "fractional America."[23]

Settman revealed in an interview with Swedish publication Aftonbladet that "at least 10 big players" had shown interest in broadcasting the American Song Contest, including major television networks.[24]

The European Broadcasting Union announced NBC had acquired the rights to broadcast the competition on May 14, 2021.[22] NBC announced the American Song Contest would have a mid-season or summer premiere in 2022 after releasing their fall schedule for the upcoming 2021–22 network television season.[25][26] Silverman will serve as executive producer for the program.[20] Propagate Content and Universal Television Alternative Studio will serve as the production companies for the program.[22]

When America is more factionalized than ever and we are dealing with so many issues that divide us, the one (thing) that truly unites us is our culture. (The American Song Contest) can unite it by celebrating its diversity, its distinctions, and in pulling everyone around its love of music and its love of song.

— Ben Silverman, executive producer, speaking to NME.com[27]

Björkman stated during an interview in The Euro Trip podcast that Las Vegas, Tampa, and Orlando were being considered as the first host city.[28] Despite this, filming for the contest will take place on the Universal Studios Lot in Universal City, California.[29]

An online submissions platform was launched in May 2021, allowing eligible artists aged 16 years and older to apply, with or without recording or publishing deals.[30] Participants must list all the states or territories with which they have "an authentic, deep connection" during the casting process, with the producers having the final say on which state or territory the artists will represent. The website stressed that submissions must be original songs in any genre and must not have been released commercially. Songs that were released promotionally, such as on SoundCloud and on social media, can be submitted—given that all posts must be deleted when selected. The producers teased the possibility of filming in Los Angeles or Atlanta between February and April 2022.[31]

NBC originally scheduled the premiere for February 21, 2022, but the premiere was postponed in favor of America's Got Talent: Extreme due to COVID-19-related concerns involving the Omicron variant. The first live show has since been rescheduled to March 21, while the finale will be on May 9, which is in the same week as the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.[3][32]

Format

Variety reported in 2020 that the competition would feature professional musical artists such as solo singers, duos, or groups of up to six members from each of the 50 U.S. states. The format will put artists head-to-head against other representatives in a series of qualifier competitions, leading to the semi-finals and the primetime final in "March Madness" style.[33]

The format has since been expanded to include all 50 states, five U.S. territories, and Washington, D.C., the national capital and a federal district of the U.S. The participating territories are American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Each representative will perform an original song in a live television program broadcast across the country.[25] Acts can consist of solo artists, duos, bands or a DJ.[34] The live competition consists of three qualifying rounds, semi-finals, and a final.[1] The winning act will be determined through fan votes and "a jury of music industry professionals," earning the title of Best Original Song.[35]

Episodes

Episodes
No.Title [36]Original air date [36]U.S. viewers
(millions)
1"Premiere"March 21, 2022 (2022-03-21)N/A

Promotion

Snoop Dogg (left) and Kelly Clarkson were introduced as presenters of the American Song Contest during the show's advertisement at the start of the Super Bowl LVI halftime show.[2]

NBC News produced a report promoting the casting process of the American Song Contest, which was then distributed to its affiliate stations across the U.S. and its territories. It featured an interview with supervising casting producer Michelle McNulty, stating that they were "looking for the next big hit single, like those anthem songs... that just get in your head and can't get them out."[37][38] Måneskin, the winning act of the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 from Italy, performed during the Top 10 episode of The Voice season 21, in which host Carson Daly promoted the American Song Contest as "the U.S. version of Eurovision."[39]

On December 15, 2021, NBC posted a promotional video for the American Song Contest on their Twitter account, stating that it'll be "the biggest live music event America has ever seen", with songs from all genres competing.[40]

I am honored to host American Song Contest alongside my lil sis Kelly Clarkson, aka Miss Texas. 🎤🎬👊🏾👊🏾

— Snoop Dogg[41]

An advertisement that introduces rapper Snoop Dogg and pop singer Kelly Clarkson as the show's presenters debuted before the Super Bowl LVI halftime show.[42] In a statement, Clarkson said: "I have been a fan and love the concept of Eurovision and am thrilled to bring the musical phenomenon to America. I’m so excited to work with Snoop and can’t wait to see every state and territory represented by artists singing their own songs."[41] Clarkson previously performed "Arcade" by Dutch singer Duncan Laurence, the winning song from the Eurovision Song Contest 2019, at her talk show.[43]

International broadcasting

The show is also set to be broadcast in multiple European countries:

Reception

The concept of producing a US version of Eurovision was met with lukewarm reactions. Andy Kryza of Time Out wrote that the American Song Contest's biggest challenge is "the relative homogeneity of the American musical landscape," that its pop stars need to be paired with colorful performers like drag queens, wrecking crews, clowns, gospel singers, and the like.[48] Justin Kirkland of Esquire predicted that the contest will be "a colossal nightmare," adding that Americans "lack the self-deprecation, campiness, and selfless energy to pull this off."[49] Chris Murphy of Vulture.com pointed out that the television landscape in the United States is saturated with singing and talent competitions, adding that "no one's gonna write a song as catchy as 'Husavik'."[50]

In an interview with BBC Breakfast in 2020, Cheryl Baker (member of the winning act in the 1981 Eurovision) opined that the competition will not translate well in the U.S., adding that the country "has got a long way to go to get the kitsch, the cheese, and the fun element" of the contest. Baker also suggested that the U.S. should bring a representative to Eurovision instead. William Lee Adams of Wiwibloggs countered that "state identity" (such as in collegiate sports) and the diversity of regional music in the U.S. will play a key role in the competition. Adams also dismissed the notion that Americans take themselves too seriously, referring to camp events such as Miss America.[51]

Writing for The Guardian, Adam Gabbatt is excited about "the mouth-watering prospect of seeing how politically and culturally opposed states rate the musical output of their rivals." Gabbatt explained how conservative viewers in Texas and liberal audiences in New York could express their mutual dislike for one another, or how voters might turn against Florida due to the anti-mask and vaccine-skeptic crusade of the state's current governor.[27]

When asked about the possibility of competing in the American Song Contest, Flo Rida explained that it would be "a dream come true." The Florida-based rapper performed "Adrenalina" along with San Marino's representative Senhit at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.[52]

References

  1. ^ a b c "'American Song Contest' to launch on Monday 21 February, 2022 🇺🇸". Eurovision.tv. November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d "Snoop Dogg & Kelly Clarkson To Host NBC's 'American Song Contest ' Reality Series". Deadline. February 13, 2022. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Mitovich, Matt Webb (January 19, 2022). "NBC's AGT: Extreme Now Set for February Premiere, Four-Week Run". TVLine. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  4. ^ "Culture and Entertainment: Eurovision". BrandEU.eu. Building Brand Europe. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  5. ^ "A África também vai ver o Grande Prémio da Eurovisão". Diário de Lisboa (in Portuguese). Mário Soares Foundation. April 3, 1971. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  6. ^ Roxburgh, Gordon (2012). Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest. Volume One: The 1950s and 1960s. Prestatyn: Telos Publishing. pp. 482–493. ISBN 978-1-84583-065-6.
  7. ^ Barak, Itamar (May 22, 2003). "EBU press conference about the contest's future". ESCToday.com. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  8. ^ "EBU.CH :: 2004_05_11_ESC". April 8, 2005. Archived from the original on April 8, 2005. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  9. ^ Parker, Lyndsey (May 9, 2016). "See Kim Chi, Bob the Drag Queen, and Naomi Smalls Serve 'Realness' in Exclusive 'RuPaul's Drag Race' Music Video Preview". Yahoo!. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  10. ^ Jordan, Paul (April 27, 2017). "Eurovision returns to the United States". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  11. ^ "Logo to air Eurovision 2018 Grand Final live in the United States – Eurovision Song Contest Lisbon 2018". European Broadcasting Union. April 23, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  12. ^ Granger, Anthony (May 16, 2018). "United States: Eurovision Viewing Figures Grow on Logo TV". Eurovoix.com. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  13. ^ McCaig, Ewan (May 6, 2018). "United States: Eurovision 2018 To Be Broadcast On Radio". Eurovoix. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  14. ^ Granger, Anthony. "United States: WJFD 97.3 to Broadcast Eurovision 2019 Final". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  15. ^ "Eurovision 2019 and 2020 are coming to Netflix in the U.S." Eurovision.tv. July 19, 2019. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  16. ^ Stojanović, Nikola. "Netflix Eurovision Movie To Be Released On 26th Of June!". ESCBubble.com. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  17. ^ Mendelson, Scott. "Netflix's 'Eurovision' Is Will Ferrell's Most Successful Movie In Years". Forbes. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  18. ^ Bryan, Scott (May 21, 2021). "A Beginner's Guide to Eurovision 2021". The New York Times. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
  19. ^ "US to emulate Eurovision contest". BBC News. February 11, 2006. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  20. ^ a b Tangcay, Jazz (August 6, 2020). "Eurovision Sets Sail for U.S. Shores as 'American Song Contest' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  21. ^ Lee, Kevin (May 15, 2019). "American Song Contest: Christer Björkman reveals plans to launch as soon as 2021". Wiwibloggs.com. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  22. ^ a b c "American Song Contest Lands on NBC". European Broadcasting Union (Press release). May 14, 2021. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  23. ^ Kreps, Daniel (August 6, 2020). "'Eurovision' Producers Set 'American Song Contest' TV Event for 2021". Rolling Stone. Penske Business Media, LLC. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  24. ^ Diaz, Sebastian (August 18, 2019). "American Song Contest: "at least 10 big players have shown interest, including major US networks"". Wiwibloggs.com. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  25. ^ a b White, Peter (May 14, 2021). "'American Song Contest', U.S. Version Of Eurovision, Tunes Up For NBC". Deadline. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  26. ^ Ausiello, Michael (May 14, 2021). "NBC Fall Schedule: This Is Us' Last Hurrah Pushed to 2022, All-L&O Thursdays, B99 Farewell Gets Olympics Launch, Zoey's and Good Girls MIA". TVLine. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  27. ^ a b Gabbatt, Adam. "Pop and geopolitics: American Song Contest aims to tap Eurovision formula". The Guardian. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  28. ^ "Final Details Decided for American Song Contest, Las Vegas Possible Host City". Eurovoix-world.com. Eurovoix. March 22, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  29. ^ "American Song Contest FAQ". 1iota.com. 1iota. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  30. ^ Granger, Anthony (May 28, 2021). "Song Submissions Open for the American Song Contest". Eurovoix-world.com. Eurovoix. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  31. ^ Adams, William Lee. "American Song Contest opens casting web site and teases production in Los Angeles and Atlanta". Wiwibloggs.com. Retrieved May 29, 2021.
  32. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 19, 2022). "NBC Delays 'American Song Contest', Slots 'America's Got Talent: Extreme'". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 19, 2022. Retrieved January 19, 2022.
  33. ^ Tangcay, Jazz (August 6, 2020). "Eurovision Sets Sail for U.S. Shores as 'American Song Contest' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.com. Variety. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  34. ^ "'American Song Contest' on screens in 2022". Eurovision.tv (Press release). May 14, 2021. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  35. ^ "American Song Contest: NBC secures rights to Eurovision spin-off in the United States". Wiwibloggs. May 14, 2021. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  36. ^ a b "Shows A-Z – American Song Contest on NBC". The Futon Critic. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  37. ^ "American Song Contest". YouTube.com. NBC News. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  38. ^ "American Song Contest". Facebook.com. WVVA News. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  39. ^ "Special guest Måneskin performs "Beggin" and "Mammamia"". YouTube.com. NBC. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  40. ^ "The biggest live music event America has ever seen. 😱🇺🇸 NBC's #AmericanSongContest premieres after the Olympics". Twitter.com. NBC. December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
  41. ^ a b "Kelly Clarkson and Snoop Dogg to host American Song Contest 🇺🇸". Eurovision.tv. February 14, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  42. ^ "Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson Host NBC's American Song Contest". YouTube.com. NBC. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  43. ^ "Kelly Clarkson Covers 'Arcade' By Duncan Laurence". YouTube.com. The Kelly Clarkson Show. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  44. ^ AMERICAN SONG CONTEST 2022 (in Finnish), retrieved February 15, 2022
  45. ^ "🇮🇸 Iceland: RÚV to Broadcast the American Song Contest". Eurovoix World. February 13, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  46. ^ "American Song Contest ce prenositi RTS | TVINEMANIA" (in Serbian). February 14, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  47. ^ Granger, Anthony (January 26, 2022). "🇸🇪 Sweden: SVT Secures Rights to Broadcast the American Song Contest". Eurovoix World. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  48. ^ Kryza, Andy. "Is America ready for its own Eurovision Song Contest?". TimeOut.com. Time Out. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  49. ^ Kirkland, Justin. "America Isn't Wholesome Enough to Pull Off its Own Eurovision Song Contest". MSN.com. Esquire. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  50. ^ Murphy, Chris (August 6, 2020). "The U.S. Will Get Its Grubby Paws on Eurovision with 'American Song Contest' TV Show". Vulture.com. Vox Media, LLC. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  51. ^ "American Song Contest: Can a "Eurovision" contest work in the United States?". YouTube.com. BBC Breakfast. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
  52. ^ "Eurovision Song Contest 2021 - Second Semi-Final - Press Conference". YouTube.com. Eurovision Song Contest. Retrieved May 21, 2021.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_Song_Contest&oldid=1072113290"