TV’s grim reality

A new reality show has been described as Idol meets the All Blacks.

First it was Popstars, then came the Idol juggernaut, and who could forget the show you wished had never started, Kiwi talent search Showstoppers.

Just when you thought the world was out of wannabe stars and the texting thumbs of teenagers had suffered enough voting fatigue, our state broadcaster is bringing us a new reality television show with a uniquely antipodean twist.

Best described as Idol meets the All Blacks, The Rookie will pit athlete against athlete to compete for the ultimate prize - a place in a professional rugby team.

As the weeks go by, the athletes will be coached, critiqued and culled, with viewers having the opportunity to take part in all the excitement by voting for their favourite competitor.

For those interested in taking part, the winner will need to display strength, speed, dexterity, grit, determination and - wait for it - intelligence, according to TVNZ's 2005 season premiere booklet, a tome heavy with reality television fodder.

The baby of Mitchener Cammell Limited, a strategic business consultancy headed by former Touchdown CEO, TV3 advertising manager and ex-Saatchi and Saatchi media director Cindy Mitchener and her former TV3 colleague Sue Cammell, The Rookie is still a work in progress.

But although the details of the show are yet to be finalised, Ms Mitchener said the idea had been very well received and it was 99 per cent certain the show would hit our screens next year.

And for those who prefer rock to rugby, do not despair.

Reality TV creator-extra-ordinnaire Mark Burnett, the man to blame for hit series such as Survivor and The Apprentice, has just launched Rock Star, a global search for the world's next rock 'n' roll sensation.

Auditions will be held in more than 20 cities worldwide across six continents, including New Zealand, with participants competing to become the lead singer of the world-famous Australian band INXS.

The New Zealand auditions will be held in Auckland on Tuesday March 1, 2005.

Still to be announced is the venue, and which New Zealand network will broadcast the resulting show.

Also unknown is whether former frontman and epitome of rock, Michael Hutchence, who died in 1997, is turning in his grave over this new sensation.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY