The Singing B-log

What Would a 'Singing Bee' Be?

July 9, 2007 11:40 AM

Walking through Times Square last year, all the signs for "The Spelling Bee" on Broadway got me thinking. If there's a spelling bee on television, and now a spelling bee show on Broadway, this new version has to have some singing in it. But, wouldn't that make it a singing bee? And if so, what, exactly, would a singing bee be?

Well, I figured, if a spelling bee is people on a stage, demonstrating their spelling ability, then a singing bee might feature people on a stage, demonstrating their singing ability. But, there are already a few pretty good TV shows about that. Maybe you've seen them.

But what if you consider that spelling is not so much a matter of talent as it is a matter of knowledge. On the knowledge side of singing, what would happen if we challenged people to prove that they know the words to popular songs? You can look back to the famously misheard Jimi Hendrix lyric "Excuse me, while I kiss this guy" (it was really "kiss the sky") to see that there's fun to be had here. Or, you can click over to the website www.kissthisguy.com, which has built a cottage industry around the misheard lyric phenomenon.

So, with the basic concept of a singing bee in mind, I called my friend Phil Gurin, one of the most prolific game and variety show producers in the business, and uttered two words. I said, "Singing Bee." Phil said, "Got it." (We communicate in shorthand.) Then a bunch of stuff happened. Flash forward to this Tuesday, and our new variety game show, "The Singing Bee," will premiere on NBC at 9:30 pm after "America's Got Talent." As the promos so elegantly intone, "Bee there."

Do you have a favorite misunderstood song lyric that you'd like to share? Let the comments fly, please. And make them funny.

Next week on The Singing B-log... Tantalizing only-in-Hollywood buzz (sorry, I couldn't resist) from behind the scenes of the show.

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Comments (11)

Cheryle:

I watched the show last night, and I loved it.
Well done!

Posted by Cheryle | July 11, 2007 3:42 PM

JB:

I heard one of your women trying out for the show in Calif on Thursday has a child that is Austic and legally blind. I would like very much for your show to sponsor a fundraiser for these children. I think this would ad to your show some heart the women was Julie her son is Roman Miciotta he is only four years old his birthday is November 14th, he loves music that is what he excells in he hears a song once and sings it at his best word for word... She did not mention her son's condition because she wanted to be on because of her own merit. Anyway because she can sing dosen't mean she would not goof... but if you would consider being part of this orginaztion that would be awesome. Thank you very much

Posted by JB | August 18, 2007 8:21 AM

Jessica:

aewdsa saf wefrasf adsf sdaf

Posted by Jessica | January 28, 2008 5:20 AM

boxandwh:

Hi all !!!

End ^) See you

Posted by boxandwh | January 29, 2008 4:20 PM

sweet-yg:

Sorry, but what is mariburjeka?

Jane.

Posted by sweet-yg | March 25, 2008 1:52 AM