CMT Network’s New Reality TV Show Can You Duet?

Can You Duet? is the latest in the string of new reality television programs. It is another singing show; however this one is a little different. Its focus is finding a duo that can sing country music. The producers of American Idol have gotten together with the CMT network to find a new country music sensation.

There are three judges that decide which duos make it through to the next round. The main judge is Naomi Judd who used to sing with her daughter, Wynona and has gone on to become a spokesperson, entrepreneur, and author. She can be very brutal in her criticisms to some of these contestants. I was shocked to see this mean side of her. The other two judges are Brett Manning (vocal coach) and Aimee Mayo (songwriter). Each of these judges takes turns being mentors to the contestants as they try to help them improve to the next round.

Before they got to the current 8 couples (16 contestants) they had to go through 2,500 people who tried out. Many were asked if they were willing to leave their partners and be matched up with another person. In some cases only one of the partners were good enough to move on which is why they gave the opportunity for certain people to do this. Few accepted the challenge and were matched up with a person they didn’t know. Whoever does win this 11 week contest will get a record contract and $100,000.

The host is someone that has been very familiar hosting shows. His name is Rossi Morreale. He seems to do an ok job with what he is given on Can You Duet. The couples go in to get the good or bad news from the judges and then they come out to be interviewed by Morreale which appears rather corny. You are made to feel as though you are in a place that you shouldn’t be and he is getting a quick response from the contestants before getting booted out of the studio.

Can You Duet is a new twist on a singing contest and could work once they manage to work out the problems. First of all, the duo’s that come in to audition should be kept together. If they cannot sing as a duo then they should leave. I have seen a few couples that one singer was picked out of the other and I thought they were both good together. I understand why they chose to do this but at the same time I don’t think it is something that will be as effective. Not everyone is going to be able to perform well with a person they don’t know and it will leave them at a disadvantage. On top of that, if they win the contest then they will probably have to record together and tour together. They will really have to like each other and it just seems like an accident waiting to happen.

Next thing they should try is to move the show a little faster. There’s only so much we can take of people singing horribly. Skim through the ones that are bad since this has been taken care of by American Idol. Another thing the show could improve is the placing of the host. There’s no need to have him waiting outside a black curtain for the contestants to come out to him in a creepy manner. If the lighting was better and it wasn’t so dark then it may work better. It just needs to be worked on.

If you enjoy listening to country music you might actually enjoy watching Can You Duet? once it gets closer to the top 6 couples. Otherwise, you won’t miss much for now.