"American Idol" divided by "The Biggest Loser" equals your "Nashville Star" winner

So there was a happy ending to "Nashville Star" last night, as Melissa Lawson, a 32-year-old mother of five who dropped 45 pounds during the competition, overcame a dreadful hosting performance by Billy Ray Cyrus to win (see below). She'll now perform on another NBC series, the reality show being made in Beijing with a cast of thousands.

There are three big questions coming out of this season of "Nashville Star," the first that "crossed over" to network television after six successful seasons on cable.

Will this burst of fame do our winner any good? Miranda Lambert, who didn't even win, continues to be the standard by which all "Star" contestants will be measured -- and her career pales that next to country star Carrie Underwood, who won the mainstream "American Idol." The Hackers, last year's brother-sister finalists (she won), have vanished.

I have reasons to think, though, that Lawson actually will succeed.

For one thing, Lawson is a woman with some mileage and issues. That has endeared her to her new fan base -- which, now that I think about it, sounds a lot like David Cook's new fan base -- and made her a little "stickier" than your average TV game show champion.

For another thing, "Nashville Star" reached a lot more people this season. It averaged just under 6 million viewers during its short season, and topped off with 6.3 million for the finale. That's about twice what the show was doing on cable, and that means there are twice as many people out there to go to Melissa's concerts and buy her CDs.

Finally, as one of the judges I think said when listening to Melissa's original song, that girl can write. Not having to rely on other people's ideas of what her fans want to hear her sing about, Lawson can chart her own career in a way David Cook (who got a ton of mileage out of other people's previously lame songs) can't.

Is "Nashville Star" ready for network TV? Almost certainly. NBC didn't hype the show nearly as much as "American Gladiators," and yet "Gladiators," averaging in the low five millions, never came close to "Star's" ratings. Though beaten by a "CSI Miami" repeat last night, "Nashville Star" is one of the best things NBC has going this summer, and besides, current NBC entertainment co-chief Ben Silverman created it!

And finally....

Can we get Cowboy Troy back for next season? Seriously. If Billy Ray were made out of balsa, would he be any more wooden than he was reading the prompter on "Nashville Star"? I understand why NBC decided to shake up the judging panels (again), and this group is the best the show's had. But nobody is tuning in to see Hannah Montana's dad.

Comments

[Thorg]

Can we get rid of All the host? John Rich turned it into American Idol with his own pop mafia, Jewel Great voice but Folk pop Jeff Steal can write but Nashville Star was for Singer/Songwriters back in the first season and has gone downhill ever since. I did'nt hear much "Country" music on the show this season and nobody on the show really had any talent at all (which is why it reminds me of idol). Get the origional judges back on and stop all the drama! I could'nt care less about their personal lives, I just want too hear some GOOD music like ALL the original contestants of the 1st season have recorded.

[Miffed and then some!]

You have seriously got to be kidding! This season of Nashville Star was so far removed from the original version that I had a hard time stomaching the rare occasions I tuned in....I watched simply for the "shock" value if anything. First and foremost the judges...a pop princess and a "country CLOWN" who is the self proclaimed Messiah of Music without predjudice...and a Legend in his own mind! Not to mention he's a hypocrite elite. With that being said bring back the Anastacia's the Robert K Oreman's the Tracey Gershong. Hell BRING BACK THE TALENT!
As for hosting "bring back Cowboy Troy"???? Seriously I'd prefer to watch Munchkins perform
"Lollipopkins" in Spanish before that happens.

SHAME SHAME on Nashville Star for succumbing to the pop music influences that are ruining Classic Country today, but then what would one expect with "Legendary John Rich" at the helm??? What a joke

[ces]

I totally agree on Billy Ray. He was talking to someone and looking away from them into the teleprompter. Real spontaneous. How did he ever get to be a star? also, the songwriter judge dude was absolutely Terrible... He did not offer anything to the show. jewel was awesome...

[todd]

Miranda Lambert is the only thing that has kept this show on the air, In my honest opinion.The hope that they will find "another Ran", which can't happen is what is keeping it afloat.

[yaya]

Facts are not correct here. Have you ever heard of Analog Heart??? Do your research before you make your comments on others. David Cook wrote the songs on that cd, sang them and produced it. He's had remarkable sales.

[lovesmusic]

I watched Nashville Star for the first time this season probably as a result of watching AI for the first time too. I've never been into reality shows before AI7. I was happy that Melissa won. She has an amazing voice and I loved her original song. I really enjoyed Gabe Garcia's voice also and hope to hear more from him. Overall I thought the show was a little cheesy, kind of a budget version of AI. As others have posted, I thought Billy Ray was horrendous; that man is lucky to have a daughter in the spotlight because without her he would be just an average guy who had 15 minutes of fame.
Just a side note to the author's comments on David Cook...since AI does not have a week that includes original music, David could not show off his songwriting skills. Please seek out his self-produced album, Analog Heart, to hear what a talented songwriter he is. Also, it is reported that he is co-writing all of the new material on his new CD and it may include some songs he wrote before AI7.

[Lisa Warner]

I know nothing of this show, but please do your research before slamming David Cook. I am so tired of people slandering him based on patently false information. David Cook has been writing songs since he was a teenager. He co-wrote songs for his former band, Axium, and wrote, sang and produced every single song on his pre-Idol record, Analog Heart, by himself. This record was the number 1 downloaded album on itunes until Idol had it pulled. He also won some local awards for it. Additionally, he wrote and recorded another entire album's worth of songs for a second solo album that was never released due to his Idol run. Furthermore, EVERY contestant on idol sings cover songs. I can't believe everyone doesn't already know this. They don't even allow them to perform original music (with the one exception being the lame coronation song that is written especially for the winner). I am sure many of the contestants (David Cook included) would rather sing original music, but they have no choice. Please correct your false assertions with the correct information.

[confused]

I need to correct one of the errors in your story. David Cook, either alone or with previous bands, has written or co-written almost all of the songs on at least 5 albums of music. His fans are pretty clear about the type of music he'll make.

I know Ms. Lawson said she was new to songwriting; I thought she did well for someone at her level of experience. I wish her every success in her future.

[Aaron Barnhart]

I have just one word for the Cook freaks:

Hello?