About this season
Celebrity Duets was an American reality television show of the progressive game-show type, which combined celebrities of different backgrounds with professional singers in a weekly elimination competition. The show was a take-off of the Australian series program It Takes Two and its predecessor, the BBC's Just the Two of Us; however, unlike the British and Australian shows, the celebrities sang with different partners each week. Indeed, Celebrity Duets was meant to be transmitted in the UK first, under the title Star Duets, but the BBC bought the format before Simon Cowell got to produce it on ITV, there was even court action which the BBC won; thus, Star Duets never came into production. The show debuted on Fox, with a 2-hour premiere installment on August 29, 2006. It then moved to its normal Thursday timeslot the following week, and stayed there until its season finale on September 29, 2006. Simon Cowell of American Idol and The X Factor fame created the program, and Wayne Brady of Whose Line? fame, who himself is a singer and was the former host of a variety show on ABC, hosted the show. The judges were renowned composer and producer David Foster, rock and roll pioneer Little Richard, and singer Marie Osmond.
Episodes (9)
1. 8 Perform
Aired 29 August 2006 • 60 min
In this special 2-hour series premiere, Chris Jericho, Lucy Lawless, Cheech Marin, Carly Patterson, Alfonso Ribeiro, Jai Rodriguez, Hal Sparks and Lea Thompson are each paired with an established recording artist to compete for a prize of a $100,000 donation to the charity of their choice.
2. 7 Perform
Aired 7 September 2006 • 60 min
The seven remaining celebrities are each paired up with a new established singing star and perform a duet for the judges.
3. 7 Cut To 6
Aired 8 September 2006 • 60 min
One celebrity singer is cut from the competition. Six remain.
4. 6 Perform
Aired 14 September 2006 • 60 min
The remaining six contestants perform.
5. 6 Cut to 5
Aired 15 September 2006 • 60 min
The results of the competition are revealed. One contestant is eliminated leaving five remaining.
6. 5 Perform
Aired 21 September 2006 • 60 min
The remainining five contestants compete. Two will be cut in what is sure to be a dramatic moment on Friday night.
7. 5 Cut to 3
Aired 22 September 2006 • 60 min
The results of the competition are revealed. Two contestants are eliminated.
8. 3 Perform
Aired 28 September 2006 • 60 min
The remaining three contestants compete.
9. 3 Cut to Winner
Aired 29 September 2006 • 60 min
In the season finale we see the results of the top three performers who sang the night before. As well as crowning the big winner (live) we will also see many legendary recording artists and returning celebrities and even some fantastic surprise duets.