You're reading it here first.
I can exclusively break the news that e.tv is bringing back the reality TV show Popstars that will look for a new pop group ensemble act.
There's not as much as a peep yet from e.tv that's decided to take over Popstars that used to run on SABC3 before it got shifted to SABC1 in 2003 and gave South Africa names like the shortlived Adilah, Afro-Z, 101, Ghetto Lingo and Jamali. Now the broadcaster is getting into the overheated South African reality TV season where Popstars will have to battle it out and compete for some attention and viewers with Idols VI (M-Net), Big Brother All Stars (M-Net), SA's Got Talent II (SABC2), So You Think You Can Dance? II (SABC1), Survivor SA Maldives (M-Net) and now even ONE Gospel looking for a reality star who can sing in that channel's new reality show called Shine.
Of course e.tv is going to have a bit of an uphill climb trying to not only explain why its bringing back an old international reality show concept that was on the SABC, but will also have to get viewers to realize that Popstars has now actually moved to e.tv and will no longer be broadcast on the SABC. I can tell you that e.tv's Popstars plan to kick off national auditions in August and that people between 18 and 28 will be able to audition on an individual basis after which the producers will - as Popstars progress - start to group contestants together. Entry forms can be filled in on the day and contestants only need to take an ID book along. After the countrywide auditions it will be time for a national workshop with the Popstars contestants who will allo converge and have to live together in a secret house while they start practicing, rehearsing and living together as a group. In the house - with cameras filming everything, they will have to come up with a name, an act and songs.
As I've said, not as much as a word from e.tv on any of this yet.
