Seems like KISS frontman Gene Simmons is no fan of reality show competitions where judges coddle contestants rather than being honest.
“You can’t sugarcoat s–t, pardon me. You can mentor anyone you like, but it’s a waste of time if they don’t have the goods intrinsically,” Simmons told The Hollywood Reporter at MIPCOM where he’s launching his new reality format Coliseum from Sierra/Engine Television.
Simmons is putting his own spin on the TV competition show genre by getting tough on contestants. Why? Because the music industry, like life itself, is cutthroat.
“Your qualification for being on this show is you can sing in the shower? Is that it, without paying any dues or writing songs or any stagecraft?” he questioned. Coliseum sees Simmons, who recently entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, challenging contestants to form rock bands with a winning musical voice and performance.
The KISS bassist will motivate evolving acts before they perform in front of an audience. “We want to open the trap doors of life and get tough. There will be heartbreak, and people are going to cry and their dreams will be shattered, just like in real life,” he said.
Simmons understands what leads singing competition show judges to nurture talent, rather than offer harsh and honest evaluations. “TV shows are fantasy because they’re selling soap suds. It’s family entertainment, it’s primetime, the kids are there, and they [broadcasters] don’t want to get too realistic,” he said.
But Coliseum will prize image over voice when judging talent. “We want to create superstars, not just singers that get record deals,” Simmons said. The other twist is that Coliseum will mix and match artists that contend on the show to find the perfect musical act.
source: hollywoodreporter.com
121 Responses
Hey Gene, California Breed gets zero airplay and is an opening act…..the industry is dead.
Another reality show? JUST STOP ALREADY! This clown focusses on everything but the music! The last two albums sucked balls and ace is putting out the better product. Its almost as if gene is making an effort to piss off the fans! Even though kiss cult members like the losers on the three sides of the coin podcast on youtube will lap up any trash this band puts out!
I’m glad I’m not the only one who hates those jerks at the “Three losers on a coin” snotcast 🙂
Complain all you want, they’re just fans, so don’t pay attention to it. Just as bad as all of those LOSERS with their fantasy football crap that I have to endure at work everyday.
Gene is making every effort to make money outside of Kiss while still using the brand name as promotion because there will soon be an end to Kiss as a band. Look at kissonlinedotcom, half of the entries for some time now have been about the side projects, that says it all.
I agree 100% on that one…
in Israe,l the show will be called challahseum.
Someone should stop coddling Gene about his absurdly fake hair helmet.
LMFAO! Pubes n Glue can do Wonders.
pubes n glue. i have all their albums!!
I have a great idea, Genie, why don’t you put out a really great KISS record? Haven’t had one since Creatures. Better yet, stop touring. Please. The party ended in 2001.
The Monster tour was amazing Joe. Stop telling people to quit/retire/give it up. You’re opinion is just that and also incredibly annoying.
… just as annyoing as your constant biased bashing …
paul’s voice is better than ever.
Get a dictionary and look up the meaning of ‘ever’, please.