The difference, apparently, is that the new show, called Breaking Point, will not feature phone voting a la Pop Idol and Fame Academy. Instead, cameras will follow A&R bods from Island Records as they scour smaller gigs for the next big thing, and then document the recording of the lucky band's first album.
The idea is to expose acts that are slogging their guts out in holes around the country rather than blagging their way to fame through mindless talent shows. The reality is that whatever band that's selected will have to endure exactly the same stick as Will Young et al have since Simon Cowell first lurched onto our screens. What if the A&R guys look in the wrong places? That's right - no show. Chances are they'll only be looking in London too (if you work for MTV or Island and would like to refute this, please do).
Anyway, MTV's Chris Sice stated: "Breaking Point is the antidote to the prime time talent contests that have dominated over the past few years. It's an eye opener for anyone who ever entertained dreams of rock stardom and an entertaining look at the characters behind the hit records."
Yup, and I'm a Tweeny.