PopSyndicate.com

Much like “American Idol,” the judges including Tony- Award winner Kathleen Marshall, “Grease” co-creator Jim Jacobs and theater producer David Ian, choose the best from candidates from all over America. But there’s a big difference between singing pop tunes and being a star on Broadway.

The thing is, after watching the first 90-minutes I’m torn. It’s not that great of a show, but I’m so into theater I know I’ll watch again. For anyone who had gone through the hell of auditions, it’s like a safe way to go through all of that again.

In the end America will choose who moves on to Broadway, which means Marshall, Ian and Jacobs have their work cut out for them.

“We have to get it right,” says Ian. “We have to make sure the people we, the judges, put through to the final around are the best there are. Otherwise it just won’t work.”

Marshall agrees. “Our reputations are on the line and I think it’s one of the riskiest projects I’ve ever been involved with and it scares me,” she says.

While watching the contestants in Los Angeles and Chicago, I found myself cringing, laughing and even getting a little teary-eyed for some of the young hopefuls. So yes, I don’t want to admit it, but I’ll be tuning in next week to see what the candidates in New York have to offer. Co-hosts Billy Bush and Denise Van Outen seem a little stiff, but I’m sure they’ll come around.

One thing I can say is I like this one much better than “The Apprentice.” At least it’s entertaining.

Okay, so the column this week is a little short. There’s a good reason. I’m headed to L.A. first thing tomorrow morning to cover the new TV season at the Television Critics Press Tour and I haven’t watched any of the midseason pilots yet. Nada, nil, nutin’ honey.

Well, except for the “Dresden Files,” which we’ll talk about in just a few short weeks, but here’s a hint about what I think about the show: Dang, Paul Blackthorne is the hottest wizard I’ve ever seen. (Smile) I must get me some of that…

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