CBS's New "reality" series "Rockstar: INXS" is sort of an interesting idea that is . . . well, sort of creepy and weird at the same time.
That it's nicely done and well-produced is almost a given, coming from executive producer Mark Burnett ("Survivor," "The Apprentice"). And, as always, his team has done a great job of casting 15 contestants who move into a fabulous Hollywood mansion and compete to become the next lead singer for the '90s band INXS.
But . . . they're auditioning to replace Michael Hutchence, who committed suicide in 1997.
Oddly, CBS's sister network, UPN, has a show coming in which the surviving members of TLC look for a replacement for Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes, who was killed in a car crash in 2002.
What's next? Will the Doors look for someone to replace Jim Morrison? Will the Grateful Dead look for a replacement for Jerry Garcia?
And there's something sort of weird and nonsequitur about all these twentysomething kids auditioning to join a band whose members are in their 40s — some of them well into their 40s. There are times when the surviving members of INXS look more like disapproving parents than a rock band.
Anyway, "Rockstar," which premieres tonight at 8 on Ch. 2, is almost reality-by-the-numbers. Hosted by Brooke Burn and Dave Navarro (yes, the Dave Navarro who used to be one of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and is in Jane's Addiction), the show opens with the 15 hopefuls moving into the mansion. Almost immediately, they have to perform in front of a live audience. Members of INXS then decide which of the 15 they're voting off the island . . . er, uh, firing . . . er, uh, eliminating.
There's a certain "Real World" element to this show. The contestants take themselves far too seriously; they're far to wrapped up in themselves; they're just sure they're the coolest things ever.
Which isn't surprising, given their age.
As for their abilities, some of them display real talent. Others are, well, clearly out of their league.
You can't help but wonder how a couple of them managed to make the final 15, given that thousands auditioned for the show. Unless they were cast as cannon fodder so INXS would have some easy choices.
After the first elimination, however, viewers will vote on who gets booted. You'll get to vote after Tuesday's episode (8 p.m., Ch. 2) and the results will be announced Wednesday (8:30 p.m., Ch. 2).
Beginning next week, the show will air Mondays at 8:30 p.m., Tuesdays at 9 p.m. and Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m.
While this is the faintest of praise, "Rockstar" is a better show than Fox's "American Idol." No less pointless, I suppose, but more interesting to watch.
As to the reports that Burnett came up with this show because he was mad at Fox over that network pre-empting his reality boxing show with one of its own, well, there's no confirmation that that's true.
But I wouldn't put it past him.
Whatever the case, "Rock Star: INXS" is fairly high up the "reality" ladder. Of course, there aren't a lot of higher rungs on that ladder.
E-mail: pierce@desnews.com