Network: CBC Television Network
Broadcast Run: 2006
Broadcast Medium: Television
Launched Tuesdays at 9PM and Wednesdays at 10PM in July 2006. This hour long series was under the banner of “Factual Entertainment”, the new division of CBC Television dedicated to the phenomenon of so-called reality shows. This show, produced by ABC, was simulcast with the American Network. For the CBC’s fall season, a Canadian version was planned. The host was CBC personality George Stroumboulopoulos, who signed up to host the American version of the program while making no commitment to the CBC version. CBC had just decided to add The Hour, Stroumboulopoulos’s contemporary news show, to the network beginning in October.
The show was described by the CBC: “Every singer dreams of making it big and eleven contestants in The ONE…will be one step closer to fame as they train with top industry professionals, competing to win the hearts of experts and you, the audience, each week. Each week contestants will perform live, and you will get the chance to vote to keep your favourite performer in the competition.” On the following night, viewers would find out which contestant got eliminated. This format was basically a combination of American Idol and Big Brother, a voyeuristic show where viewers could see and hear the “private” activities of the players.
On July 28th 2006, the US ABC Network announced the cancellation of the series due to poor ratings. The CBC had not elected to pursue a Canadian version as of April 2011.
Written by John Corcelli – July, 2006