When I heard about this show I admit to thinking that it would be pure dreck. Imagine my surprise when it turned out to be only 'semi-dreck' . I really enjoyed it [I mean, come on now, half of Cheech and Chong singing with Randy Travis? Come up with something more outrageously original than that!]. All of it was entertaining, though - nobody ever said these so-called celebs could sing to begin with so all bets are off. The singers themselves were a nice trip down memory lane. Gladys Knight and Smokey Robinson and such. That one guy (who I didn't even recognize by name or appearance) Jai Rodriguez was -in a word- awesome last night. Turns out this morning that I learn he was a singer on Broadway at one time so he really could carry a tune to begin with, the cheater (just kidding). But he was still pretty amazing, especially compared to the others. That little Carlton guy (from "Fresh Prince") did pretty well, too. So 'fess up! Did anybody watch? If not, you have only five more weeks to see the likes of Marie Osmond and Little Richard sharing the Judges' Desk. It's just fun beyond description. And I'm serious!

I assume this is the US equivalent of Australia's "It Takes Two"? Celebrities pairing up with singers in an Idol-like contest? I'm dreading the moment we'll have a Dutch version of the show, but I quite liked the Australian show. Some contestants could actually sing pretty well! Haven't seen the US show though.

It sounds like the same show format, Leau. I should have known that American TV execs just HAD to have snitched the idea from some other country .

Jeez, just like Trading Spaces, Whose Line, etc. Can't they come up with anything but Fear Factor and Survivor here?

Isn't Project Runway an American reality show? I admit I don't know much about reality shows, or about non-US programming (except BBC America, of course) but I don't THINK it's based on another country's programming. And IT is actually one reality show I can watch.

Actually, 'Project Runway' is the first of its kid with 'Project Catwalk' debuting in the UK (with Elizabeth Hurley as the host) in 2005/2006 and a Canadian 'Project Runway' just being announced.

I also watched 'Celebrity Duets'. Don't you think that Wayne Brady was a bit too much for that show? And was it filmed on an 'American Idol' stage? The judge panel and stage set-up looked mighty similar...

Simon Cowell is one of the producers of "Celebrity Duets" (I think) so all similiarities to "Idol" can probably land there. And, yes, Wayne Brady IS a bit much on the show - I normally like him, too, but he's pretty clownish here. Well, he's always sort of a clown but in this format he could mute it more. I pity the guy, though. He probably doesn't know how to act for TV. He was great on "Whose Line" and was choice on his talk show (even winning an Emmy) only to get cancelled so as to be replaced by Tony Danza? Tony Danza! - who turned out to be the most inept talk show host since Chevy Chase . Hopefully Brady will get over the grandstanding schtick as the series moves forward.