Nine Girls Earn Their Pink Boas
Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll
Episode 1 Recap by Jenny Lane
March 7, 2007
Last night was the premiere of the CW's new 'music/reality' series, "Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll." Now admit it, you've sung along with the song just as much as I have - in the car, at the bar, even at the mall. Sing it with me now, "don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me…don't cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me.." They're kind of like the Spice Girls but hotter, right? (Oh come on, don't judge me, you sang along with the Spice Girls songs too!)
Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll is a look at the process of selecting a new girl to be the newest member of the Pussycat Dolls. It sounds as if they're adding a new kitten, rather than replacing an existing cat, but I'm not sure about that one. The show's judges include the group's founder Robin Antin, Chairman of Geffen Records Ron Fair, and recording artist/washed-up artist Lil' Kim. The current lead pussycat Nicole Scherzinger will be the participants' 'role model.'
Reality TV junkies like myself will notice a few familiar faces. One of the current dolls is the girlfriend of one of the guys on MTV's 'Dancelife.' In addition, the group's founder/choreographer Robin Antin is the sister of Jonathan Antin from Bravo's 'Blowout.' Jonathan will be featured on this show to perform makeovers on the girls. The host of the show is none other than former lead singer of Sugar Ray (sing it with me - 'I just wanna fly') turned pseudo actor (Scooby-Doo?) turned TV host (Extra) back to singer (recent duet with Shania Twain) and now back to TV host, the ever-hunky Mark McGrath.
After the audition phase, the final nine doll-wannabees will move into a house during the competition. They'll have to sing and dance their way to success, with challenges presented along the way. Cheesy? Definitely. Brain food? Absolutely not. Eye Candy? Uh HUH!
Mark McGrath (looking much less hunky than I remember) opens tonight's premiere. He tells us that this will be a "grueling eight-week journey to find the girl who is not only the best at what she does, but who most embodies what it means to (how he keeps a straight face here I'll never know) truly be a Pussycat Doll."
Next, Mark gives us a bio on the group's creator and choreographer, Robin Antin. Wow, she's had a few too many collagen injections! She says "I've always had an interest in style and music, and I brought all those things together, and that's how I created the Pussycat Dolls." She goes on to say that the Pussycat Dolls are "always evolving" so that's why she decided to go on a nationwide search for the newest Doll. She is looking for someone who is sexy, a good singer, the hottest dancer, and with something unique to bring to the group.
Tens of thousands auditioned, some better than others. Eighteen girls have made it to the semi-finals, which is where we are now. The semi-finalists are waiting on a stage, and Mark greets them and tells them that the auditions are not over. They will have the next few days to have 'personalized instruction and training' and then the final nine will be chosen. The girls are sent to their hotel to get ready.
At the hotel, we get our first look at the girls. Jasmin, age 19, says "it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to become one of the Pussycat Dolls." Natascha, also 19, says "the Pussycat Dolls have had a large impact on my generation and that's why I've gravitated toward their music." Oh boy, here we go. Brittany, age 20, says "the Pussycat Dolls are all about female empowerment and I'm all about female empowerment, being that I've never had to rely on a man for anything."
The background music switches to a sappy, slow tune and we're introduced to one of the oldest of the group, Sandra, age 27. She says that her parents and brother were killed in a plane crash, and she was supposed to be on that plane. Asia, age 18 (and not Asian) says she thinks about singing and dancing is what she does all day and what she wakes up thinking about, and oh yah, she's also a single mom! One of the girls (don't know her name yet, she's got long blonde hair and an overbite) shows off her burping skills by burping out 'Pussycat Dolls' and then cracks up. How charming.
The girls are gathered around a piano, and Robin Antin enters. It's funny how in the flashbacks she looks fantastic, and now she looks completely plastic. What a difference a few years makes! The girls are going to be split into three groups, and each will get a Pussycat Doll song. In four days, they will perform the routines and the nine finalists will be chosen to begin 'Pussycat Doll Boot camp.' She introduces them to her musical director John Beasley and her choreographer Mikey Minden.
The first song is "Buttons" and the girls are (forgive me if I misspell some of the names) Asia, Eva, Kelly, Jamie, Sandra, and Melissa R. The second song is "I Don't Need a Man" and the girls are Jasmine, Natasha, Ryan, Angelia, Anastacia, and Chelsea. The last group will sing "Hot Stuff" and will be Mariela, Katherine, Brittany, Sisely, Melissa S., and Chaunte.
The girls start.....
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