Making the Band (MTV)

MAKING THE BAND takes viewers on a multi-season competition as thousands compete for the coveted position of being in a music group created by Sean "Diddy" Combs. Once a band is selected, the "firsts" of their career are turned into a new round of episodes -- ending with the release of their first album. Each group of five bandmates lives together while recording the album, practicing dance numbers, and promoting their upcoming release. Only one band is created at a time, and the show follows them for two to three seasons. Once the band has launched an album, the competition begins again.

The series' most enticing element is that viewers see what happens after the struggle -- a feature that's often lost in programs like American Idol and Project Runway. Making the Band has had many makeovers and lived on a few different networks. O-Town (There and Back: Ashley Parker Angel) -- a boy-band jumping on the bandwagon of 'N Sync and The Backstreet Boys -- was created during the first round of the series on the WB and barely made it off the county fair circuit. When the show landed on MTV, Diddy took it to new heights. After creating Da Band, a collection of male and female hip-hop artists, in Making the Band 2, Diddy decided it was time for the ultimate girl super-group. Invoking the powers of the Spice Girls, Making the Band 3's multi-season journey began, looking for five girls to take over the world.

While each group member's talent is admirable, the series is best for mature audiences. It will appeal to younger teens -- and maybe even tweens -- but keep in mind that some group members are over 21, and they act as most young, hyped, recently signed people might in their position.