New Zealander Dominic Bowden was red-faced when he auditioned for the hosting gig for The Next Great American Band, not because he was embarrassed but because he had a terrible sunburn.
The 30-year-old television presenter, who served as the host for New Zealand Idol, came to Los Angeles for the audition, but decided to work on his tan the day before. “When I got to the interview the next morning, they asked me if I was feeling OK because I looked a bit flushed,” he told New Zealand Woman’s Weekly. “So I launched into the tale of my sunburn and everyone had a good laugh.”
Network executives then told Dominic Bowden the same thing happened to American Idol host Ryan Seacrest when they hired him.
The Next Great American Band is an upcoming reality competition produced by FreemantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment. The show will serve as a vehicle to stardom for aspiring bands across the United States. Each week, the bands will perform in front of a live studio audience, after which viewers will cast their votes for their favorite group. Bowden will announce the results of the voting at the beginning of the following episode.
The Next Great American Band is Bowden’s first foray into American television, and is expected to place the likable Kiwi in the same level as Seacrest. However, Bowden almost did not make it to his final audition, as the date clashed with the filming of an episode for a New Zealand travel series he was set to host. Fortunately, his good friend Shane Cortese (Shortland Street) was able to take over the role.
“Shane saved my bacon big-time and I owe him,” Bowden said.
The Next Great American Band will premiere with three two-hour episodes beginning Friday, October 19, on FOX. The show will feature Goo Goo Dolls frontman John Rzeznik, Australian Idol judge Ian “Dicko” Dickson and renowned musician Sheila E., as judges.
-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: New Zealand Woman’s Weekly, FOX
(Image Courtesy of FOX)
Staff Columnist, BuddyTV
