Rock Star: Supernova (CBS)

It might be tempting to pigeonhole Rock Star: Supernova as another American Idol wannabe, since both series feature the "right" music industry influencers. But the average face of the competition in Rock Star is a lot more rocker than Clay Aiken. Contestants are usually tattooed with highlighted hair and plrnty of pierces. But in the end, whether they have more talent than meets the eye or their career peaked at the high school talent show, most of them come across as mature performers hoping to make their dreams come true. Heart is the name of the game, and both fans and judges have compassion for the underdog wannabes.

The show's atmosphere is good-natured and supportive, and the number of positive comments from the judges far outweighs the negative -- almost suspiciously so, in fact, considering the fact that the folks on stage and in the judges' seats are hardcore rockers. Fans used to seeing Lee, Clarke, Navarro, and Newsted thrashing about onstage will most likely find themselves bemused at the compassionate, pleasant demeanors they display in the judges' chairs.