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Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that this reality talent competition is very similar to the producers' hugely popular American Idol. The panel of judges (an Idol-like group of one woman and two men, one of whom has a strong accent and an arsenal of biting comments) do their fair share of both infighting and mocking contestants' appearance, style, and talent. (But overall, the tone is slightly less harsh than Idol's nastiness.) On the upside, the judges make a point not to put their own musical preferences ahead of their impartiality and seem to reward bands based on overall talent rather than sheer marketability and personal taste. Expect plenty of the emotional content -- heartbreak, elation, tears, and turmoil -- that's the bread and butter of reality TV, as well as some bleeped language.

Families can talk about the audition and judging process for contestants. Do all of the bands seem serious about the competition? Why or why not? Do you think some of the participants try out just to get on TV? Why would they do that? Is the judges' criticism always helpful? How much of what they say to the contestants is for shock value and ratings? Teens: Have you ever been judged like these competitors? How did it feel? Would you ever want to compete on a reality show? Why or why not?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Emily Ashby

THE NEXT GREAT AMERICAN BAND is a reality talent competition for musical groups, who are competing not just for the prestigious title, but also for a coveted recording contract that could launch their career.

Modeled after American Idol -- whose producers are also behind this series -- The Next Great American Band has the same look and feel as its popular predecessor. From compilation clips of the weird and wacky bands who failed to impress the judges to behind-the-scenes coverage of some of the more touching stories to make their way onscreen, most of the show's elements will feel strikingly familiar to Idol fans.

Similarly, the show's panel of industry insiders is eerily reminiscent of Idol's Paula Abdul/Simon Cowell/Randy Jackson trio, who -- with their talent for intuition and their penchant for infighting -- are the poster children for the reality-show judging process. In this series, the bands brave feedback from entertainer/music director Sheila E., rock singer/guitarist John Rzeznik of The Goo Goo Dolls, and Australian Idol judge Ian "Dicko" Dickson (who, like Cowell, boasts an accent and his own arsenal of snide comments). New Zealand Idol alum Dominic Bowden serves as the show's host.

Contestants are chosen through an open casting call for video submissions (thousands of bands respond). With no limitations on group size, age, or musical genre, the show boasts competitors who cross the musical spectrum from reggae to big band, country to heavy metal.

Sixty groups are invited to perform in front of the judges; they then narrow the field to the final 12 competitors (all of this takes place in the first episode). From there, the viewers take the reins, voting on their favorites by phone or text message after each episode -- each week, the group with the fewest votes is sent home. The series culminates in a winner-take-all battle among the last three bands standing.

If American Idol is your style, then The Next Great American Band is probably the next best thing for your craving. It doesn't pack the dramatic punch that the long-running Idol does, but it has a dynamic of its own that viewers might find inviting, and the well-rounded group of competitors offers plenty of variety for fans.

But it's worth noting that the judges' comments can seem fairly harsh at times, and there's always the possibility of interpersonal conflict among competitors and judges. Strong language is sporadic, but present; the worst of it (multiple variations on "f--k") is bleeped.

Fans might also like So You Think You Can Dance and America's Got Talent. Or, for some hands-on rocking out, try the video game Guitar Hero.

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