Dear people who claim to be "Internet Famous": Nigel Lythgoe wants you to put your money where your mouth is this summer on E!.
The American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance super-producer's new show, Opening Act, will comb the Internet to find the Web's most talented amateurs, then give them the once-in-a-lifetime chance to open for a top superstar.
We caught up with the very-busy Lythgoe at E!'s Upfront presentation in New York to chat about the exciting new series and find out which music superstars will be featured on it. Plus, which contestant does Lythgoe predict will make it to the American Idol finale? Find out...
So how does Opening Act work? "What we're doing is looking down through the Web, the artists that have placed themselves on the Web...and we're going to say, 'Listen, you're very good on the Web in your bedroom, in your front room, but in five days' time, you're actually opening for Nicki Minaj.'" Talk about pressure!
Some of the other artists that the show's talent will be opening for include LMFAO, Brad Paisley, Gym Class Heroes, Jason Mraz and Jason Aldean, "so we got a load of people," Lythgoe says.
"These kids that have never done anything in their lives, never actually performed in front of anybody, have got five days to get themselves ready," Lythgoe explains of the new series. "We've got an artist development team that will help them, but it's going to be very exciting."
Something this show lacks that viewers might actually appreciate? There's no judging panel, or as Lythgoe puts it, "Nobody saying, 'You suck, you're going home next week!'"
Of course, with season 11 being arguably one of American Idol's most talented group of contestants ever, we had to ask its producer if he has any predictions about who will make it to the finale.
"Even if I did have a prediction, I wouldn't be saying anything, but I really don't and I'll tell you why," Nigel said. "There's never been somebody who has won two weeks on the trot," he explains. "One of them will win this week, someone else will win the following week, so nobody there is actually guaranteed a place in the finale, which is exciting." Translation: it's anyone's game, people!
Opening Act premieres July 9 at 10 p.m. on E!.
To hear more from Lythgoe, including why So You Think You Can Dance fans shouldn't worry about the show moving to only one night a week, watch our interview with him above!