Speaking strictly alphabetically, the group following in the footsteps of
"Making the Band" success story O-Town would be called P-Town. And as silly
as that sounds, it may be a possibility.
P. Diddy will take the reigns as Svengali for the second season of the
reality series, which goes into production this month, according to an MTV
spokesperson. Instead of the boy-band pop approach taken the first time
around, "Making the Band II" will chronicle the career of a hip-hop R&B
group, offering viewers a behind-the-scenes glimpse as the group goes from
auditions to being a bona fide band.
"This show will be a wild ride. No tricks or gimmicks, just P. Diddy
reality," Diddy said in a statement. "I have been creating stars since I was
19, and this show will give insight into what it takes to be at the top. I'm
excited to be working with MTV and doing what I love to do create and
nurture new talent."
The quest for Diddy's next new thing begins July 22 in Detroit. Auditions
held there and in seven other cities will determine the 20 people who'll
travel to New York to be evaluated by P. Diddy on the merits of their
writing, dancing and performance skills. Applicants must be at least 18
years old.
After undergoing Diddy's scrutiny, the crop will be trimmed to eight
finalists, who'll live together throughout the ordeal. Diddy and select
members of his Bad Boy Entertainment crew will then take the winners under
their wing and provide assistance and advice on such career benchmarks as
writing and recording an album, selecting a single, shooting a video and
performing live.
The 10-episode season of "Making the Band II" premiers October 12.
"Once we committed to a new season of 'Making the Band,' the first person
who came to mind was P. Diddy," MTV programming exec John Miller said in a
statement. "He's a star maker who has created and produced numerous #1
musical acts. He is the perfect person to take 'Making the Band' to the next
level. We're looking forward to debuting the next generation of 'Making the
Band' and watching P. Diddy nurture and cultivate his new group."
After exposing themselves in the series' first season, O-Town sold more than
1.6 million copies of their January 2001 self-titled debut.
"Making the Band" premiered on ABC in March 2000 and moved to MTV in
January.
"Making the Band II" audition dates:
- 7/22 - Detroit, MI @ The State Theater
- 7/26 - Miami, FL @ Billboard Live
- 7/29 - Atlanta, GA @ The Cotton Club
- 8/2 - Los Angeles, CA @ TBD
- 8/5 - Baltimore, MD @ TBD
- 8/6 - Washington, DC @ The VIP Club
- 8/10 - Philadelphia, PA @ TBD
- 8/11 - New York, NY @ TBD