Fuse Provides Singers With Shot At ‘Redemption’

Fuse will give several down-on-their-luck singers a chance at music stardom in the new reality competition series Redemption Song, debuting Oct. 29.

The series, hosted by WWE Superstar Chris Jericho, will pit 11 singers with troubled backgrounds a chance to win a record deal with Fuse/Geffen Records, according to Fuse executives.

The contestants, whose backgrounds encompass alcoholism, abandonment and/or abuse, will compete weekly in a series of transforming challenges that will test their vocal abilities, performance skills and charisma. Guest stars expected to appear on the show include Geffen Records chairman Ron Fair, hip-hop artist Shwayze, R&B star Mya and former N’Sync member Chris Kirkpatrick.

“Presenting viewers with our first-ever talent competition is an exciting way to broaden the scope of music programming Fuse provides,” said Matt Farber, executive vice president, programming, development and digital, in a statement. “Musical stardom is no easy task and Fuse was eager to provide an original, compelling competition with a talented crop of unconventional contestants, proving that everyone deserves one last chance to make a second impression in the music industry.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.