Rattles and Guitars

Surprise!

Well, this afternoon I thought that I would take a break from the so called "Important" things to be pleasantly distracted by something MORE important, hanging out with you!

As I step away from the myriad of emails - I am realizing what is called "Email Creep". My inbox used to be a reasonable couple of messages per day (Back when the Internet first started and it was exciting to get an email).

Then one day, the number of emails became double digit, then a couple hundred, to now well over 1,000 emails per day. Yes, over 1,000 emails per day -staggering. Why I would have to sit in my office reading emails for hours just to catch-up...Ah, that's why I do not actually read them. Yeah, the secret has been revealed - someone else is actually paid to read them:)

Today's Topic: Rock The Cradle
As I sit here in my office floating above Los Angeles, I am watching the re-broadcast of a new reality competition show on MTV called, Rock The Cradle (Produced by FremantleMedia North America aka American Idol producers).

MTV says:
Nine superstars in the making will step up to the mic to Rock the Cradle and prove they have what it takes to become the rock stars they were meant to be. They've got talent running through their veins, but can they put it to good use and make their dreams come true? Every week the contestants will take the stage and give it their all.

Wait, Who's Your Dad Again?
So, the premise of the show is a singing competition between the offspring of celebrity musicians (Rock stars - ?).

The eight featured on the show are Olivia Newton-John's daughter Chloe Rose Lattanzi; Kenny Loggins' son Crosby Loggins; Eddie Money's daughter Jesse Money; Joe Walsh's daughter Lucy Walsh; Al B. Sure's son Lil Al B Sure; Dee Snider's son Jesse Blaze Snider; Tom Johnston's daughter Lara Johnston; MC Hammer's son Akeiba Burrell Hammer; and Bobby Brown's son Landon Brown.

I think this is great idea for a show - however, my concern is that do most people know of their preceding "Rock Star" parent? Meaning, I do not know most of the names on the list (IE. Tom Johnston, Joe Walsh?).

However, I do know that Kenny Loggins sang the theme for was it Top Gun or something? I know Olivia Newton-John (Because of her video on MTV back in the 80's), MC Hammer (Of course, Mr. Baggy Pants) and Bobby Brown (Being Bobby Brown/Whitney Houston).

Really, if they (Rock Star) did not have a video on MTV - not sure many would be able to make a connection.

Which brings me to my point (Yes, finally), Rock The Cradle airs on MTV. Great idea for a show, but is this right network? Most people who watch MTV, such as my young niece, do not know of ANY of the before mentioned names. However, she knows Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus and Hilary Duff - however beyond these popular names it is a blank stare.

Perhaps, Vh1 would have been a more suitable venue - for it is the hip PARENTS who know of the names the show involves.

LA LA LA
During each week of the competition, the celebrity offspring rehearse with accomplished producers, songwriters and choreographers before performing live in front of a studio audience and a panel of judges.

Home viewer votes will ultimately determine which contestant will receive the grand prize of a recording contract. Did I mention, American Idol - Yes?

A Family Affair
The show attempts to provide an Idol style (Everything leads back to Idol) look at the family life, relationships, and dynamic being daughter or son of a rock star.

MTV exec Tony DiSanto says, "The concept for Rock the Cradle is excitingly pure and simple -- is musical talent genetic?"

One could presume there is much pressure to perform musically, but is it fair to presume that just because your parent is a former that the children also have the drive, ambition or talent - or, is it just a presumption? I mean, what if the son or daughter wanted to be an accountant, a lawyer, a scientist, or an electrician? Out of the thousands of rock star offspring - do they all really want to be musicians? Here's a thought, what if they did not even like music for that matter?!

A-ha, I think I have a new idea for a new show...



*The image above is property of MTV Networks and parent company CBS/Viacom.