P. Diddy To Oversee 'Making The Band II'

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: