TLC Television Series
UPN hopes to put the "L" back in TLC.
The network has teamed with the surviving members of the multiplatinum soul-pop trio, Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins and Rozonda "Chilli" Thomas, for a reality show to find a replacement for the late Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes.
"R U The Girl with T-Boz and Chilli" will follow Watkins and Thomas - who lost friend and rapper Lopes in a car accident in 2002 - during the eight-episode search.
Contestants will battle in a series of presumably musical challenges until one remains. The winner will join Watkins and Thomas for a concert and a recording session.
The series has yet to be scheduled and there is no guarantee the winner will become a permanent fixture of the group.
"We want to find someone with the right chemistry and magic to work with us," Watkins and Thomas said in the UPN press release. "We have been blessed with great success, and this is a chance for our fans to join us as we give someone a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fulfill their dream."
TLC formed in Atlanta in 1991, and over the course of the decade, became one of the best-selling female groups, moving more than 30 million albums, scoring four Grammys and nine Top 10 singles, including "Waterfalls," "No Scrubs" and "Creep."
According to the Hollywood Reporter, "R U the Girl" was developed at the same time "Survivor" producer Mark Burnett was pitching a reality show to CBS to find a replacement singer for Australian band INXS. (Frontman Michael Hutchence died in 1997.) The INXS show is slated to air next summer.
Given the preponderance of knockoff reality shows, this mini- boom could be downright lyrical for bands faced with missing members. Here are a few possibilities:
- "R U the Door?" might seek a replacement for Jim Morrison (if Cult singer Ian Astbury doesn't work out).
- "R U the Moon?" could chronicle The Who's search for a new drummer for their upcoming studio album.
- "R U the Pompous Blowhard with a Messiah Complex?" could follow the members of Creed hoping to replace singer Scott Stapp, who recently went solo.
- Finally, "R U George Michael?" might feature Andrew Ridgeley pointing out that the Brit popster isn't doing so well on his own and it might just be time for that long-awaited Wham! reunion.
