Rock Rivals- New ITV Drama For The Autumn

[DaVeyWaVey]

The company behind Footballers’ Wives Shed Productions, is joining forces with Simon Cowell to produce a new drama series commissioned by ITV.

Rock Rivals is a fictional look behind the scenes of a TV talent show, and is being produced in association with Cowell's own company, Syco TV.

Brian Park, managing director of Shed Productions, said: "Rock Rivals has a real buzz to it and promises to be a worthy successor to Footballers’ Wives - a blitzy combination of wild characters and pacey plots set against a world of ruthless ambition."

"We are absolutely thrilled that Simon Cowell is on board as only he can provide that unique insight of what it is like to be at the epicentre of a world-wide phenomenon," he added.

The show will tell the story of two celebrity judges whose marriage falls apart and descends into a 'War of the Roses' feud, on and off-camera.

Cowell said: "I am very excited about this show, the idea is brilliant and Shed Productions have a proven track record of making these type of shows very popular - think X Factor meets Dallas."

The series will be shot over the summer and delivered to ITV in late Autumn. With Cowell’s high profile in the US, the producers hope there will be a US commission from the UK format. Talks are presently taking place with US studios.

Sally Haynes, deputy controller of ITV Drama, said: "The ongoing appeal for this type of talent show presents a ripe opportunity for a modern fun drama that transports us backstage into the heady and fabulous extremes of the music business."

Source: Digital Spy.

What does everyone think? I can't wait for this show to start, i've liked all of Shed's programmes so am looking forward to this one. It's good that they have Simon working with them too as he knows what it's like to work on a TV talent show.

[tammyy2j]

Sounds like a TV version of American Dreamz.

[DaVeyWaVey]

An update on this show:

A new ITV1 drama based on talent shows like The X Factor will have its ending decided by viewers.

According to reports, two possible endings to the drama are being filmed by Shed Productions, the makers of Footballers' Wives and Bad Girls. With Simon Cowell on board as creative consultant, Shed are also hoping for a US commission from the UK format, due to Cowell's high profile in the States.

Michelle Collins and Sean Gallagher are to play two celebrity judges, Karina and Mal Faith, whose marriage is falling apart. The pair will see off one act a week over seven weeks, until the viewers get to vote for the final act in the eighth episode. The winner will then go on to have their record recorded and released.

Brian Park, managing director of Shed Productions, said: "Rock Rivals has a real buzz to it and promises to be a worthy successor to Footballers’ Wives – a blitzy combination of wild characters and pacey plots set against a world of ruthless ambition."

Source: Digital Spy

Think it's starting in January now..was meant to start in the autumn, but has been pushed to start later.

[Abigail]

So basically it is like X-Factor but fictional with the problem of a marriage breakdown?

Not sure about the voting bit at the end of the series

:hmm:

[DaVeyWaVey]

Yeah I think that's what it's gonna be all about JB - I think the marriage breakdown will be the focal point of the series, with probably other storylines running alongside it too, but it's going to be like a fictional X Factor. I'm looking forward to seeing Michelle Collins in a character role again, which is one reason why I'm watching, but I also like all the other Shed dramas that have been produced.

The voting thing sounds pretty rubbish though, if i'm being honest. I mean, who's going to spend their money on a fictional character in a television series that won't be getting a record deal anyway as it's all part of the storyline?! I can understand voting on reality shows, but why does it need to be incorporated into television drama? At this rate, every programme we watch on the television will be encouraging us to pick up the phone and spend money on their show. :rolleyes:

[Abigail]

The voting thing sounds pretty rubbish though, if i'm being honest. I mean, who's going to spend their money on a fictional character in a television series that won't be getting a record deal anyway as it's all part of the storyline?! I can understand voting on reality shows, but why does it need to be incorporated into television drama? At this rate, every programme we watch on the television will be encouraging us to pick up the phone and spend money on their show. :rolleyes:

I completely agree. Doesn't really make sense... oh hang on, it does. It's being made by Simon Cowell for ITV.