''The WB's Superstar USA'' is a television show that spoofed the popular show ''

American Idol ''American Idol'' is an American Music competition, singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle (company), Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It a ...

'' and aired on

The WB The WB Television Network (shortened to The WB, stylized as "THE WB", and nicknamed the "Frog Network" and/or "The Frog" for its former mascot Michigan J. Frog) was an American television network that ran from 1995 to 2006. It launched on ter ...

from May 17 to June 14, 2004. Essentially its polar opposite, ''Superstar USA'' judges told contestants they were looking for the best singer when in fact they were secretly looking for the worst.

Description

Hosted by Brian McFayden, people first audition before three judges (Christopher Briggs, who also produced the show; rapper

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and singer

Vitamin C Vitamin C (also known as ascorbic acid and ascorbate) is a water-soluble vitamin found in citrus and other fruits, berries and vegetables. It is also a generic prescription medication and in some countries is sold as a non-prescription di ...

) in four cities across the United States. Finalists were chosen based on the lie that they were the most likely to be able to parlay their win into a successful recording contract based on talent. However, the audition process was the opposite of ''American Idol'' as good singers were mocked and rejected while bad singers were given gushing praise and passed to the next round. Eventually the contest was "won" by Jamie Foss, who could barely carry a tune. Throughout the competition she was constantly mocked by judges with thinly veiled references to the largeness of her breasts. She was awarded $50,000 in cash and a $50,000 budget to produce a record, which never surfaced. The truth was revealed to her on stage in front of the audience she had just sung for. One producer, worried that the live audience members would be unable to respectfully compose themselves during the final performances, falsely informed them that the singers were all terminally ill young people who were having a wish fulfilled by a charitable organization. The ''

Los Angeles Times The ''Los Angeles Times'' is an American Newspaper#Daily, daily newspaper that began publishing in Los Angeles, California, in 1881. Based in the Greater Los Angeles city of El Segundo, California, El Segundo since 2018, it is the List of new ...

'' reported the said organization as the Make a Wish Foundation, which later received an apology from the WB. In an interview with ''

USA Today ''USA Today'' (often stylized in all caps) is an American daily middle-market newspaper and news broadcasting company. Founded by Al Neuharth in 1980 and launched on September 14, 1982, the newspaper operates from Gannett's corporate headq ...

'', executive producer

Mike Fleiss Mike L. Fleiss (born April 14, 1964) is an American television producer and writer. Early life Fleiss was raised in Fullerton, California. He attended the University of California, Berkeley. Career He was the creator, producer, and writer of ...

straightened out the details: "First of all, it was me. But I did not say 'Make-A-Wish.' I said, 'Who's heard of the One Wish Foundation?' and people raised their hands. There is no One Wish Foundation. It was a prank on top of a prank. It was the only way to get it to work."

Finalists

;Winner * Jamie Foss ;Runner up * Mario Rodgers ;Third * Rosa McIntyre ;Fourth * Joseph "Jojo" Crane ;Top 8 * John Michael Zimmer * Nina "Diva" Oh * Omar Kramer * Tamara Lindsey ;Top 12 * Ash "The Anglo Assassin" Snyder * Emily Hobart * Ross Ecklund * Frank Glynn * Darren Wright

References

External links

* {{The WB 2000s American reality television series 2000s American parody television series Singing talent shows Television series by Warner Bros. Television Studios 2004 American television series debuts 2004 American television series endings American English-language television shows