Good Riddance to FOX and Their Show, Nashville
I’m glad that FOX is folding its shabby little tent and leaving town, taking its shabby little music “reality” TV show, Nashville, with it. The first clue about the show’s intentions came early on, when it became quickly known that the show had no budget for Nashville musicians and that the producers planned on coercing local musicians into playing for free, just for the glory of being on Fox. They actually told musicians, “Do you want to be on television? Have you ever been on television?” The musicians’ union finally stepped in but damage had already been done.
One of the show’s “stars,” Clint Moseley, told The Tennessean’s Beverly Keel, “A lot of viewers may look at Nashville and think it's simply country music and rednecks, so to speak. I think Nashville gets a bad stigma for not having very many degrees to it; cut and dried, it's a country town with not a lot of culture or trendy urban things going on. I'm glad that I am able to be a part of the show to show a different side of Nashville, that there's actually a lot of big business in Nashville."
That certainly makes a hell of a lot of sense. A lot of big business is certainly a wonderful thing. What the show mainly proves is that a lot of know-nothing rednecks actually come from L.A.
I have seen some of the shows and agree with Variety’s assessment: “Lacking the excitement of its key timeslot competition, Las Vegas, [Nashville] could quickly be relegated to the sale bin at the Ernest Tubb Record Store."
Here's what happens in the second episode (“Gunfight at Tootsie’s”) airing Friday (Sept. 21): Rachel, Sarah and Lindsey perform for a local talent scout; Mika gets a job at a music venue and befriends songwriter Jamey Johnson. Later, Clint becomes jealous of Mika's new pal.
Here's the third episode (“Red and Blue”) airing Sept.28: Chuck's promotional tour gets off to a rocky start in Philadelphia; Rachel reacts to Mika's performance at a local showcase; Lindsey helps Clint with an emotional dilemma.
In case you -- hopefully -- missed the first episode (“Welcome to Nashville”) here's what happened: Chuck gets a big chance by playing for record executives; Matt and Jeff gravitate toward low-profile gigs; Clint hosts a party; Mika moves to Nashville.
Pretty exciting stuff, eh?
©2008 Country Music Television, Inc., a Viacom company. A division of
mjayhill says:
Sounds like that 70’s flick of the same name by Robert Altman. That was another condescending and hopelessly boring waste of film. The real Nashville is actually way more interesting than any script some dumba$$ from Holly-York can write.
Eddard says:
Good lord, all this town needs is another slap at it’s reputation. There’s a lot of good things here that DO have authenticity (actually, we’re in a some-what renaissance), but instead we get this crap. Good move bowells.
bill powers says:
This show makes Nashville appear quite pathetic.I happen to
know it is not.I love seeing the familiar surroundings in
the show but that is where the love ends.This show needs to
air between Days of Our Lives and All My Children. Please
stop the injustice before O.J.,Brittany Spears,Paris,and
God knows who else wants to relocate to Nashville.
Sincerely, a Nashville fan (fan of Nashville)
The City, not the show……
Tom O’Donnell says:
Please check out http://www.cynicmag.com for a funny article entitled “Country Music Declaration of Free Speech.”
Shonda in Kentucky says:
I am really disappointed that the show has been canceled. I thought it was great. How can I view the 9/28 episode?
Chrissy in Kentucky says:
I agree with Shonda in Kentucky, I really enjoyed the show and hope it returns as do many fans. Its entertainment not a smack in the face to Nashville.
Franc says:
I don’t think the show hurt Nashville at all … because the city wasn’t really featured. I’d like to see more of it.
But the show got off track for me when it turned into a soap that emphasized girls being catty and a sleazy guy who’s not even remotely part of the music scene! If/when “Nashville” returns, hope the focus is more about how new singers and writers break into the country music business.
Mubalicious says:
THIS BLOWS… we love this new show… BRING IT BACKKKKK
Dallas says:
I really loved this show! I can’t belive FOX pulled it without telling us what happened. Please bring it back!
Stacy says:
I LOVED this show!! Bring it back. It’s reality tv (gotta love it) with a new situation, country music. I WANT IT BACK!!
Elizabeth says:
I can’t believe they pulled it. I liked it alot.Maybe MTV should look into playing it. It’s kinda like real world in a way.
Chrissi says:
I was really into the show too..What happened to everyone?
Gary says:
The show would be better if it had more music and less drama. Still it beats Kville, I got tired of hearing about New Orleans and the storm long ago.
Jenny says:
I loved it and looked forward to watching it every week. It was at the top of my Tivo list and really hope that Fox brings it back.
Stephanie says:
I really loved the show too. This makes the second show I loved that was pulled. I also liked the Tuesday Night Book Club from last year that was pulled from CBS. I wish if they pulled a series they’d release it on DVD so those who liked it could at least watch the rest of it. Apparently my taste is different from the rest of America but I loved being different. lol I hope if they do bring it back they lose Clint. He doesn’t even sing. He’s obviously just there to create drama with little Bradshaw girl. Poor girl is going to be so embarrassed and so is father after seeing how she walks around picking up whatever little crumb clint throws at her. I also hope Mika sees his true colors and never gives him the time of day again. I was really hoping Mika would fall from the sweet little guy from Texas who took her on the picnic and to the Grand Ole Opry. Come on girls go for the nice guy for once it’s well worth it in the end.
Marilou says:
I was really looking forward to seeing more of Chuck Wicks and some other new REAL talent. The soap opera bit was given too much weight. Maybe they can resurrect it with a greater emphasis on Nashville’s strong point, its TALENT. I love the new video on CMT Loaded. Chuck Wicks, Stealing Cinderella. When will they start playing it in TV?
PG Humphrey says:
Doors seem really closed in Nashville. A person used to be able to take a song to a publisher and actually talk to a person. Today, you can’t even talk with a person. Check out this song/video if you get a chance. People in Paris, Tennessee love it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrsNrLqSULM
Karen K. says:
I to loved the show but to much emphasis was put on Clint and his shenanigans instead of staying on track with the true talent. I started watching it because Chuck Wicks grew up with my kids in Smyrna De. I love his song “Stealing Cinderella”. He has a great future, hopefully with RCA Records.
Tom O’Donnell says:
If you not had a chance, please check out this satirical piece on country music that just received a “Best Of 2007″ award.
http://www.cynicmag.com/bestof2007.asp?articleid=1844&issueid=58#bkmark1844