The network has won the rights to a new-style variety show that will star Ozzy Osbourne and his brood, to be produced by FremantleMedia North America ("American Idol"). The project was first reported by TVWeek.com last month.

Fox will produce at least six episodes of the show. Fox Alternative Entertainment President Mike Darnell said he is mulling launching the franchise with a Christmas special; the series likely will premiere in late winter or spring 2009 and could be paired with "American Idol."

All four networks offered a six-episode commitment to the project—the first time that's happened since Mark Burnett's "The Contender" and possibly the 2000 sale of "Big Brother," according to a person familiar with the offers.

The show's working title is "The Osbournes: Loud and Dangerous," though Mr. Darnell said he might go retro with a name such as "The Osbournes' Super-Terrific Happy Hour" (an homage to a "Seinfeld" episode).

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This message has been edited. Last edited by: TV-aholic,

All four networks battled over this? And we wonder why programming is so bad. Going after American Idol may save it from having absolutely abysmal ratings, but there is no way a show like this is going to survive. The Osbourne's aren't engaging enough. They are good in small doses but a whole hour of it? I don't think so.

While it's great to see the variety genre making a comeback, I'm not so keen on the Osborne family as hosts. FOX has a good track-record for edgy variety (MAD-tv, In Living Color, The Jamie Foxx Show), so whatever is produced will certainly be interesting viewing.

If the other three networks are anxious to pick-up a variety show, they should survey their galaxies of stars for an appropriate song and dance personality to build a musical-comedy-variety show around.

My suggestions for:

• ABC: Miley Cyrus has the je ne sais quoi to carry a primetime variety series, perhaps readied for next summer on ABC?
  
• CBS: I would love to see a variety skein built around Mr. Mandy Patinkin, formerly of Criminal Minds...something that captures the best of Broadway and the arts, perhaps on Sundays at 8 pm in Mr. Sullivan's old slot.
  
• NBC: Since the beginning of television, the Peacock has always been the groundbreaker for innovative variety series: The Nat King Cole Show (first African-American variety series), Rowan & Martin's Laugh In (first "topical" variety show), The Richard Pryor Show (too controversial for tv at the time), Saturday Night Live (longest running skit variety).

WOW. That would get almost NO audience. Even with a November Sweeps, Hyped up CSI as a lead in, It would barely get 1/3 of the ratings Viva Laughlin did behind CSI.

quote:

Originally posted by dumont:

• CBS: I would love to see a variety skein built around Mr. Mandy Patinkin, formerly of Criminal Minds...something that captures the best of Broadway and the arts, perhaps on Sundays at 8 pm in Mr. Sullivan's old slot.

That's why dumont wants it. LOL

quote:

Originally posted by TV-aholic:
WOW. That would get almost NO audience. Even with a November Sweeps, Hyped up CSI as a lead in, It would barely get 1/3 of the ratings Viva Laughlin did behind CSI.

quote:

Originally posted by dumont:

• CBS: I would love to see a variety skein built around Mr. Mandy Patinkin, formerly of Criminal Minds...something that captures the best of Broadway and the arts, perhaps on Sundays at 8 pm in Mr. Sullivan's old slot.

Any time somebody offers a member of that family a chance to be infront of the camera, they don't say "no," do they?

Well, with the OzzFest Tour no longer around, they have to make their money somehow.

quote:

Originally posted by Ginger:
Any time somebody offers a member of that family a chance to be infront of the camera, they don't say "no," do they?