Inside Eurovision’s U.S. Adaptation ‘American Song Contest’ — and Why NBC Didn’t Go With ‘Amerivision’

EXCLUSIVE: The Masked Singer creator Wonwoo Park is developing a Eurovision Song Contest-style format that will “bring people together regardless of nationality” and has addressed the Fox Masked Singer Rudy Giuliani controversy for the first time, stating it wouldn’t have happened in Korea.

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.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentItalian TV host Alessandro Cattelan will be among the three MCs of the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, along with Italy’s Grammy-wining singer Laura Pausini and Lebanese/British pop star Mika. In addition to preparing for the biggest night for music in Europe, he recently made his debut on Netflix with one-man show “One Simple Question.” In the show, Cattelan embarks on a road trip in pursuit of a seemingly simple answer to a question from his daughter, Nina: “Daddy, how do you find happiness?” The quirky six-episode series, which dropped in 190 countries on March 18, sees the showman display his trademark deadpan humor as he searches for happiness through interviews and set-pieces with celebrity guests ranging from retired Italian soccer star Roberto Baggio, who is a practicing Buddhist, and Oscar-nominated director Paolo Sorrentino (“The Hand of God”), to a couple who are amateur porn stars and former Google X exec Mo Gawdat, author of a book titled “Solve for Happy.” Cattelan, who cut his teeth working for MTV and subsequently hosted the talent show “The X Factor” on Sky in Italy, talked to Variety about making the leap into the global streaming arena ahead of his gig for Eurovision, for which his main aspiration is “to make people laugh.” A dozen years ago I had an idea for a show where I would go on a road trip around the U.S.

With his signature track Grace Kelly, infectious energy and bouncy curls, Mika was one of the standout stars of the noughties.The popstar, now 38, was hailed as the "next Freddie Mercury" and topped the charts both in the UK and the US. His most famous hits include Love Today, (Big Girls) You Are Beautiful and We Are Golden. However, more recently the singer had slipped off our radar until the news arrived that he would be hosting this year's Eurovision song contest in Italy.

Michele Amabile Angermiller How are we supposed to live without Michael Bolton? “American Song Contest” doesn’t have to answer that question just yet, as Connecticut-based Bolton and his song “Beautiful World” could still place next week through a combination of votes through fans and jurors. But the early lead on night one of NBC’s U.S.

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 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.

The key to Jadon Sancho's recent good form has been revealed by an ex-United striker.

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.

Manchester United supporters have been airing their bemusement over Jadon Sancho's omission from the latest England squad after an interesting statistics comparison between the winger and Jack Grealish was highlighted.

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.