Fox taps Brady to host 'Lyrics'

Apploff gameshow to launch in July
By STUART LEVINE


Fox has tapped Wayne Brady to host its new half-hour gameshow "Don't Forget the Lyrics!" launching at 9:30 p.m. on July 11 and then returning the next night at 8:30.

Skein is from reality shingle RDF USA and Brad Lachman Prods., and created by Jeff Apploff, who is exec producer, along with Chris Coelen and Greg Goldman.

After the initial half-hour viewings, Fox will continue to sked the gamer on Wednesdays and Thursdays and eventually increase the running time to an hour starting July 26.

Contestants, backed by a studio band, will be asked to sing along with the studio audience as lyrics are projected on a large screen. Then, suddenly, the band stops playing, the words disappear and the contestant is forced to continue singing.

After each correct response, players must decide to "stay and play" or "take the money and run." If they can recite the lyrics from nine songs correctly, they're presented with a No. 1 hit and a missing lyric. If they can recall that final lyric, they'll win $1 million.

"This is not a talent show -- everyone loves music and anyone can play," Coelen said. "We feel the opportunity to work with great creative partners in (Fox alternative programming chief) Mike Darnell and Fox gives us the chance to deliver a big, broadly skewing demographic hit."

In April NBC committed to a musical-themed gameshow, "The Great American Singing Bee," from producers Phil Gurin and Bob Horowitz.

Fox launched the most successful gameshow of the past season, with "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader" premiering in February after "American Idol" on Wednesdays with 26 million viewers. It continued to play well throughout the season, averaging 13 million viewers, and is now winning its time period on Thursdays at 8.

Brady hosted ABC's improvisational series "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" and won two Daytime Emmys as host of "The Wayne Brady Show." He's also appeared on "Everybody Hates Chris," "How I Met Your Mother" and "30 Rock."