Superstar USA
Encyclopedia
The WB's Superstar USA is a television show which spoofed the popular show American Idol
. Essentially that show's polar opposite, Superstar USA told contestants they were looking for the best singer when they were actually looking for the worst. Hosted by Brian McFayden
(Ryan Seacrest
's double), people first audition before three judges (the sarcastic Briggs
, who also produces the show and could be considered the "Simon
" of the show; rapper Tone Lōc
, the show's answer to Randy Jackson
; and singer Vitamin C
, put into Paula Abdul
's role) in four cities across the United States
. Finalists were chosen based on the lie that they were the most likely to be able to parlay their win into a successful recording contact based on talent. However, the audition process was the opposite of American Idol as good singers were mocked and told no while bad singers were given gushing praise and passed to the next round.
Said finalists were subjected to makeovers where they were encouraged to emulate pop stars. Contestants would then be falsely encouraged and praised by the judges as well as the stylists, choreographers and vocal coaches; in particular, they would be encouraged to try and stretch their vocal range far beyond what they could actually reach. Contestants with particularly inflated egos, such as the emphatic cheerleader Nina "Diva", were heavily encouraged to speak highly of themselves to the camera.
Eventually the contest was "won" by a singer named Jamie Foss
, a buxom young blonde girl (who bore a resemblance to Jessica Simpson
) who could barely carry a tune. Throughout the competition she was constantly mocked by judges with thinly veiled references to the largeness of her breasts. She was awarded $50,000 in cash and a $50,000 budget to produce a record, which has not yet surfaced. The truth was revealed to her on stage in front of the audience she had just sung for, but Foss did not seem very upset with the truth.
One producer, worried that the live audience members would not be able to respectfully compose themselves during the final performances, deceived the audience by falsely informing them that the singers were all terminally ill young people, who were having a wish fulfilled by a charitable organization. The LA Times reported the organization named by the producer was the Make a Wish Foundation, which later received an apology from the WB. In an interview with USA Today
, executive producer Mike Fleiss
straightened out the details: "First of all, it was me. But I did not say 'Make-A-Wish.' I said, 'Who's heard of the One Wish Foundation?' and people raised their hands. There is no One Wish Foundation. It was a prank on top of a prank. It was the only way to get it to work."
Runner up
Third
Fourth
Top 8
Top 12
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
. Essentially that show's polar opposite, Superstar USA told contestants they were looking for the best singer when they were actually looking for the worst. Hosted by Brian McFayden
Brian McFayden
Brian McFayden is an American television personality.- Biography :Brian McFayden is an American Television and Radio personality. He is famously known as a host for TRL, MTV VJ, and MTV News anchor. McFayden hosted Cupid on CBS and the host of the first season of The CW's Beauty and the Geek...
(Ryan Seacrest
Ryan Seacrest
Ryan John Seacrest is an American radio personality, television host, network producer and voice actor. He is the host of On Air with Ryan Seacrest, a nationally syndicated Top 40 radio show that airs on KIIS-FM in Los Angeles and throughout the United States and Canada on Premiere Radio Networks,...
's double), people first audition before three judges (the sarcastic Briggs
Briggs
Briggs could refer to:* Briggs cliff, a fictional place in Fullmetal Alchemist manga* Briggs , a lunar crater* Briggs Initiative, either of two pieces of Californian legislation sponsored by John Briggs* Briggs Islet, Tasmania, Australia...
, who also produces the show and could be considered the "Simon
Simon Cowell
Simon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
" of the show; rapper Tone Lōc
Tone Lōc
Anthony Terrell Smith , better known by his stage name Tone Lōc, is an American rapper and actor.-Early life and career:...
, the show's answer to Randy Jackson
Randy Jackson
Randall Darius "Randy" Jackson is an American bassist, singer, record producer, music manager, A&R executive, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is best known as a judge on American Idol and executive producer for MTV's America's Best Dance Crew...
; and singer Vitamin C
Vitamin C (artist)
Colleen Ann Fitzpatrick is an American pop music singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress better known by her stage name, Vitamin C. Her singles include "Graduation ", "As Long As You're Loving Me", "The Itch", and her most successful hit the Top 20 Gold certified "Smile"...
, put into Paula Abdul
Paula Abdul
Paula Julie Abdul is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.In the 1980s, Abdul rose from cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers to highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era before scoring a string of pop music-R&B hits...
's role) in four cities across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Finalists were chosen based on the lie that they were the most likely to be able to parlay their win into a successful recording contact based on talent. However, the audition process was the opposite of American Idol as good singers were mocked and told no while bad singers were given gushing praise and passed to the next round.
Said finalists were subjected to makeovers where they were encouraged to emulate pop stars. Contestants would then be falsely encouraged and praised by the judges as well as the stylists, choreographers and vocal coaches; in particular, they would be encouraged to try and stretch their vocal range far beyond what they could actually reach. Contestants with particularly inflated egos, such as the emphatic cheerleader Nina "Diva", were heavily encouraged to speak highly of themselves to the camera.
Eventually the contest was "won" by a singer named Jamie Foss
Jamie Foss
Jamie Foss is a singer and actress from Erskine, Minnesota. In 2004, she won $50,000, plus a recording contract on The WB's Superstar USA, a parody of FOX's hit show American Idol....
, a buxom young blonde girl (who bore a resemblance to Jessica Simpson
Jessica Simpson
Jessica Ann Simpson is an American recording artist, actress, television personality, and fashion designer whose rise to fame began in 1999. Since that time, Simpson has achieved many recording milestones, starred in several television shows, movies, and commercials, launched a line of hair and...
) who could barely carry a tune. Throughout the competition she was constantly mocked by judges with thinly veiled references to the largeness of her breasts. She was awarded $50,000 in cash and a $50,000 budget to produce a record, which has not yet surfaced. The truth was revealed to her on stage in front of the audience she had just sung for, but Foss did not seem very upset with the truth.
One producer, worried that the live audience members would not be able to respectfully compose themselves during the final performances, deceived the audience by falsely informing them that the singers were all terminally ill young people, who were having a wish fulfilled by a charitable organization. The LA Times reported the organization named by the producer was the Make a Wish Foundation, which later received an apology from the WB. In an interview with USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
, executive producer Mike Fleiss
Mike Fleiss
Mike Fleiss is the creator, producer, and writer of The WB's Superstar USA, The Bachelorette, The Will and High School Reunion. His first reality TV romance show was Who Wants To Marry A Multi-Millionaire...
straightened out the details: "First of all, it was me. But I did not say 'Make-A-Wish.' I said, 'Who's heard of the One Wish Foundation?' and people raised their hands. There is no One Wish Foundation. It was a prank on top of a prank. It was the only way to get it to work."
Finalists
Winner- Jamie FossJamie FossJamie Foss is a singer and actress from Erskine, Minnesota. In 2004, she won $50,000, plus a recording contract on The WB's Superstar USA, a parody of FOX's hit show American Idol....
Runner up
- Mario Rodgers
Third
- Rosa McIntyre
Fourth
- Joseph "Jojo" Crane
Top 8
- John Michael Zimmer
- Nina Oh
- Omar Kramer
- Tamara Lindsey
Top 12
- Ash "The Anglo Assassin" Snyder
- Emily Hobart
- Frank Glynn
- Ross Ecklund