New series chronicles creation of boy band

ABC’s new offering tonight, “Making the Band,” is a case of art filming life that has pretentions of being art.

The new series, which debuts from 9-10, is an extension of that which should be a dying genre — reality-based programming. However, the show scores points for not feeding those voyeurs who crave crime, punishment and mayhem. Instead, “Making the Band” follows the effort of Lou Pearlman, the man behind such groups as the Backstreet Boys, ‘N Sync and LFO, as he works to create his latest boy band, O-Town (this series rests on the extremely faulty assumption that there’s any need for any more such groups).

The series, which will air 8:30-9 p.m. Fridays starting next week, opens as Pearlman holds auditions in eight cities. The drama is heightened, however, after those 1,000 are cut to a semifinal field of 25. Those men, ages 18 to 25, are then flown to Orlando, Pearlman’s base, where they are put through a few days of vocal and dance training before tryouts.

Those trying out tell their life stories in their own sincere and honest words. All the old sports cliches about wanting to do something for their parents and how this is all they ever wanted to do are trotted out (these are, first and foremost, all children of TV). At this level, most are skilled vocalists and-or dancers, so viewers will find themselves picking their favorites based on their comments and philosophies, much akin to a beauty pageant (or whatever the politically correct phrase should be).

Before long, the final eight are chosen, to be cut down to a final five in 18 days. Tears of joy and heartbreak are shed, then the finalists go home to pack and say their goodbyes. They’re quickly wowed by the palatial house they’ll be inhabiting during their stay. It’s also rapidly impressed upon them that they can be replaced if they’re not willing to work hard.

“Making the Band” comes off like a special from E! (“Tonight: `Anatomy of a Boy Band.’ Only on E!”), only without the healthy dollop of sleaze which makes those shows guilty pleasures. While “Making the Band” is an interesting idea, this topic is really something that should be wrapped up in two hours, tops, not left open-ended. How many screaming teenyboppers and heartfelt statements about how “fame won’t change me” can the average viewer take?