Despite Competing Against Unsigned Talent, Michael Bolton Is an Underdog in This Week’s ‘American Song Contest’

NBC’s American Song Contest can’t seem to land a high note, continuing to fall behind American Idol on ABC, which remains Monday’s highest-rated program.

Will Ferrell has become a big player in the fledgling podcast world and he’s just getting started.

Anne Hathaway could moonlight as a karaoke lounge singer if the acting thing fizzles out. The "WeCrashed" star, 39, proved her pipes when she made an appearance on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" Tuesday and beat the "American Idol" winner at her own game of "Sing That Name That Tune" by performing part of one of Clarkson’s big hits. It all started when Hathaway jumped out to a 3-0 lead on Clarkson and the talk show host hilariously tried to get Matt Iseman and her band to "play a fricking song I'll know." On came Clarkson’s 2004 smash "Since U Been Gone." Within seconds, Hathaway stepped up to the center podium and let her voice rip, singing the song’s chorus to the live studio audience.

The United States finally got its first look at its own version of the Eurovision with NBC’s American Song Contest, which made a two-hour debut on Monday night. The new singing competition on the block, however, fell behind the latest episode of American Idol on ABC.

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterNBC’s “American Song Contest” series premiere was topped by a new episode of ABC’s “American Idol” Monday, according to early Nielsen data.The two-hour debut of NBC’s U.S. adaptation of the European mega hit “Eurovision Song Contest” averaged a 0.5 rating among adults 18-49 and 2.892 million viewers while airing live from 8-10 p.m., per Nielsen’s fast-affiliate ratings. Meanwhile, “Idol” averaged a 0.7 key demo rating and 5.1465 million viewers during that same window.“American Song Contest” is a live show for the East Coast, but airs tape delayed for the West Coast.

As the very first winner of American Idol, Kelly Clarkson is bound to have advice for the contestants of her new show, American Song Contest, but her words of wisdom are actually what she tells every musician in the industry.

American Song Contest premieres tonight!

Jennifer Maas TV Business WriterWith the 65 years “Eurovision Song Contest” has under its belt, NBC’s U.S. adaptation of the worldwide phenomenon has a lot to live up to on day one. Luckily, “American Song Contest” also has the full-backing of the OG show’s production powerhouse  and a team of Eurovision fanatics preparing for its weekly two-hour live shows hosted by Kelly Clarkson and Snoop Dogg, beginning with Monday’s 8 p.m.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer“American Song Contest” has revealed its detailed online and TikTok voting procedures and the 56 members of its expert jury panel, including Isaac Slade, Matt Pinfield and Jose Tillan, ahead of the U.S. adaptation of “Eurovision’s” big two-hour debut Monday on NBC, Variety has learned exclusively.Hosted by Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson, the all-live “American Song Contest” will feature 56 artists representing the 50 states, five U.S.

Things are about to get territorial on NBC. Kelly Clarkson — a Texas girl at heart — and Snoop Dogg — straight out of Long Beach — will play host to the network’s new competition series, “American Song Contest”, where it’ll all boil down to home pride.

Kelly Clarkson -- a Texas girl at heart — and Snoop Dogg -- straight out of Long Beach — will play host to the network's new competition series,, where it'll all boil down to home pride.In a supertease of the new show, the Southern California-bred rapper represents his hometown while the  legend echoes her home state's rallying cry of «go big or go home.» She adds, «And every musician in this country feels the same way about where they come from.»And therein lies the premise of the new series — eight-weeks of live original musical performances from performers representing all 50 states, the five U.S. territories as well as the nation's capital.

Michael Buble is making an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert!

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeFormer Propagate president Greg Lipstone is making the move over to oversee American Song Contest Inc. as its president and COO, just days before the ambitious NBC competition series launches on March 21.An offshoot of the long-running global phenomenon Eurovision, “American Song Contest” will attempt to try something similar in the United States, via song writing and performer competitors representing 56 U.S.

EXCLUSIVE: Former Propagate President Greg Lipstone has been appointed President and Chief Operating Officer of American Song Contest Inc., one of the companies behind NBC’s upcoming music reality competition series of the same name, which premieres March 21.

one — and there can only ever be one — first “American Idol”: Kelly Clarkson. Catapulted to fame by winning the first season of the hit series, the living legend has stayed at the top of pop culture since the first day she crossed the world’s television screens. The multitalented, multiaward-winning powerhouse has touched the entire globe with her voice, personality and heart — becoming one of the most successful artists in history.

Naman Ramachandran Singer-songwriter Sam Ryder will represent the U.K. at the 66th Eurovision Song Contest, to be held in Turin, Italy in May 2022 with the song “Space Man.” With over 12 million followers and 100 million likes on TikTok, Ryder is currently the most followed U.K. music artist on the platform.