Okay, so maybe that headline is a bit harsh. But honestly: Washed-up R&B crooner Brian McKnight is getting his own weekly variety show? At this rate, who else of his ilk can we expect to come out of the woodwork next with half-baked plans for some sort of TV-fueled rebirth: K-Ci & Jo Jo? Seal? Blackstreet? Hell, Montell Jordan? Monifah? Or wait: Maybe these folks will just be the guests on McKnight’s show. That actually sounds about right in context.
Truly, my uneasiness about this news comes from a place of love and concern. I respect Brian McKnight. "Anytime" was one of my jams in high school. The guy has a discography that goes on for days, if not weeks. (Another gem: "Back at One.") He’s worked with everyone under the sun — Mary J. Blige, Mase, Diddy, and Christina Aguilera, to name just a few. He’s been nominated for dozens of awards and taken home statues from the American Music Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and the Soul Train Awards.
But, while I do still respect him, I’m wondering if he respects himself enough to realize how pathetic such a move seems. I was a fan back in the day. Repeat: Back in the day. Like, nearly 10 years ago. The show is set to feature comedians, musicians, and entertainers. Sounds very familiar. So myquestion is: If Rosie O’Donnell can’t revive the variety format, whatmakes Brian McKnight — who’s got far less cultural cache than her, especially now — thinkhe can?
The only thing that quells my fears about this truly bad ideais that it’s weekly and it’s syndicated. Translation: It’s easily avoidable and probably won’t make much of a splash.When the news was released, the show’s executive producer Dave Morgan was quoted as saying, "We think television needs a fresh, hip face predisposed to succeed with millions and millions of built-in fans." Oh, the delusion. And, oh, if it were only 1999.
But, now that I’ve ranted, I’m interested in what you guys think: Good, bad, or inspired? When’s the last time you even thought about Brian McKnight? And a larger question: Do you think it’s worth trying to even revive the variety format? And is Brian McKnight really the person to do it?
More TV and Music News from EW:
Rosie Live recap
Coldplay responds to Joe Satriani
Bobby Brown’s tell-all drops
‘Grey’s Anatomy’: T.R. Knight wants out!
Comments (1-30) of 30 Add your comment
either give arsenio hall a new show or give wayne brady the opportunity to show all he can do. but brian mcknight? the last time i thought about him was when i noticed al b sure! at the bet awards. we started talking about all the people we liked way back when.
Washed-up, Tanner? It is better to be a hasbeen or washed-up than a never was. As a writer, you really need to watch the words you choose. There are struggling artists, hundreds of thousands of them, who would kill to be Brian McKnight or any other one hit wonder. A career is a lifetime not just one moment. The greatest stars in the history of the world had downtimes and moments where they were on the downside of their careers. Washed-up is a word of an ignorant person, not a person who knows how difficult it was and is to succeed in the creative world. By the way, in terms of journalism, where are you in the pecking order?
This show might not have a large U.S. audience but in the Philippines, Brian McKnight is huge
Very few can pull off a variety show. It takes a natural talent for comedy, timing and diversity which few possess. Brian McKnight does not fit this bill. He can sing, but the real question is if anyone, at all, really cares about this show. Doubtful. BTW, the Rosie Variety deal was absolutely awful, and I was just hearing it from another room. Could not imagine actually viewing it!!
I liked Brian McKnight until he was on the Oprah show a few years ago on a panel of “what guys are thinking” and he kind of ditched the sensitive crooner thing and just ended up looking like a bit of a pig.
Ok, your first paragraph was just harsh. Unnecessarily so. Yes, Brian Mcknight hasn’t been on the fore-front of things for a while, but the man deserves a little respect. He defined an era in RnB, and I feel he still has something to offer his fans. Now, about a Variety Show – thats a whole different ball game. Variety shows are so yesterday, NOBODY should even attempt them. This is a terrible decision by Brian. I bet even I will have lost my respect of him by the time he’s done with this madness.
For the record, Brian not only hosts his own radio show, but he continuously sells out concerts in major venues with $100 tix. So, he may not be on YOUR radar, Tanner, but he’s far from “washed-up.”
I think “washed up” is pretty harsh for a talented guy like Brian. He is consistant in his music and style, and does churn out a hit every 2 or 3 years. Is he bland, yes. Should he have a variety show, not at all, but he’s still a very talented, and in some R&B circles, relevant artist.
First up: what a rude way to slam a talented artist. Tanner, grow up, step outside your narrow mind, and learn to be respectful. As for your article, put it this way: one Brian McKnight variety hour is worth five nights of Leno.
Monifah….ha!
Anyone who remembers the Michelob Sunday night show from about a decade ago hosted by Dave Sanborn won’t have a problem with this. McKnight was solid on the David Foster and Friends PBS special. I think there is a market for adult contemporary music on TV. I really don’t think this is a stupid idea.
I have all of Brian’s Cds..including one released in 2006 (not 1999) and I LOVE his music. I’m hopeful this variety show might replace the void the decline of Soul Train has left in my life, but I fear it won’t. I’ll give it a chance just because I think Brian has never gotten the full amount of respect for his talent that he deserves. And PW items such as this one proves that point.
Maybe per EW standards Brian McKnight is a wash-up… Brian isn’t Britney… He can sing, play multi instruments, produce and also host shows. I am a HUGE fan of his since his 1st album and I am under 30 and live NYC so he is STILL relevant. If he centers it toward the urban music market that doesn’t have an outlet to showcase music it could be great. Something like an Arsenio Hall show meets TRL but with live performances (not BS lip-synch Britney et al. crap). There is tons of music that gets pushed out this no promotion and it would be great to have a spotlight show to showcase them.
Wow, this is kind of cruel and mean. I mean it’s an odd thing for sure, but I’m willing to give any new idea in syndication a chance that is not suffixed by Judge… or involves yet another “chairs and stage” talk show. The genre has been suffering for years because no one has come up with an original idea, and though a Brian McKnight reality show isn’t a slam dunk idea, it is an original idea.
Plus it wasn’t like McKnight did anything to lose his fame; he would be doing well if his style of music was still doing well and the focus of MTV and radio, but they’ve moved on to different things (for the worse). There will be a demand for this show and I think it’ll do pretty well. I’m willing to give it a shot.
Also, don’t be hating on mid-90’s R&B. I loved it and it’s certainly more creative than what Usher and his ilk call “music” these days.
Um, Brian McKnight can still sell out concert venues and he is a very well respected artist. I think that AC and Adult Urban market is in desperate need of more entertainment outlets. TV One is trying, but they have no music element. I think Brian is perfect in terms of his appeal to those markets, so I am totally open to the idea. I think the challenge is his personality, which at times seems aloof. Not what you want from a TV host, but maybe he can pull it off.
brian its a singer , songwriter ,producer,play eight instruments,actor (chicago,cheathers),radio host etc… and all do well , he lost part of his popularity but not his quality doing thinks ,please respect for him , remenber jaime foxx sing and sell 2.9 millions copies ,never compare the voice with brian thats is more good than jaime .
Jealousy is an ugly thing to have, but so many of your type air their ugly head when only wishing if this could be me.
Brian McKnight is so above those that think they have talent, that they don’t even know what real talent is. I grew up playing several different instruments in Junior. high and high school. The discipline one has to have in order to play nine different instruments dose not exists in what so many of to day’s so-call talent think talent is. For one, Parents had to be involved and that shows in Brian as a person, as a Professional and as A MAN. So before we go throwing hate balls. Stop and think where you would be if you had learned how to play just one instrument well, not the mention very dame well.
If Brian McKnight wants to stand on his head once a week and I get to see him do this, Well, not only will I watch him, I will be recording him when I can’t watch. Just to get to see him weekly, and listen to his music not to mention what a great since of humor he got. Oh, this is going to be big!
I have all of his music. I love to listen to his Radio show on The Wave, {I stream from Iowa)
Best of wishes and God speed Brian.
Salister
Funny…Brian is the “washed up” point of interest in your article, but who’s EVER heard of you?? In a celebrity circuit, or any other? So, who made you the authority on entertainment/musical relevance? In fact, had I not been googling this multi-talented, omnibrilliant, handsome, intelligent, gifted man of countless talents, I never ever would’ve heard your name. I digress…pardon me…back to Brian…He’s been a renaissance man of sorts since he entered the entertainment world and I will always fully support his endeavors. He posseses the gifts and this world is his oyster with which to share them. By the way, Mr. Author, once his show reaches high ratings, I’m sure his staff of many will allow you to be a guest, despite this hate you’ve displayed. Who knows, maybe you can write a nice poem for the show.
So often these writers fail to realize that artists, actors, and singers can be hugely successful in other places outside of the U.S. Who knows, this variety show could catch fire in America. Regardless, neither EW online nor its writers determine the fate of tv series, movies, or other famous artists and their vehicles for entertaining. All the hype in the world won’t make Twilight the next Harry Potter if the majority of America assesses it as garbage and all the negativity won’t kill this tv show if it’s indeed good. Thank God most Americans demonstrate the ability to think for themselves and not cow down to one person’s opinion.
How exactly is McKnight washed up? He has solidified his place in R&B for all time. Regardless of his current career decisions, that is a harsh way to describe him. I’d like to see Ne-yo make half the great songs he has, because he can’t!!!
It’s good! rolex watch?
luxury watch?
I can’t believe that anyone would think that Brian McKnight is washed-up. I listen to his cd’s every day and I am so inspired by such a God given talent. His magnificent voice is still pleasing to my ears. He is 100 times better than those fake new studio singers who are now appearing on BET, MTV etc.
Saying mean things about Brian is like disrespecting God’s gift to him.
Check yourself and stop all of the hating on my beloved Brian McKnight!
Denise
Terrible, poorly written article. My boy B is definitely not washed up. I will say his incredible music does not align with the pop RB or pop music today. Music in this generation sucks. But McKnight is just unbelievable. His voice, lyrics, beats they all match perfectly. I’m only 21 and I’ve been listening to him for years. People today need to listen to his music and understand his music instead of the crap we hear today.
I cannot believe that after all of Brian Mcknight’s accomplishments, that anyone would doubt his ability to carry a variety show. His diversity and intelligence are evident . His career accomplishments are a testiment to the fact.To say that all he can carry is a song is insulting.How do you think he has done all that he has?He is intelligent, articulate,personable and has longevity in the intertainment field, and the icing on the cake is that he is fine and sexy as hell! So stop hating and start supporting this man who is always striving and evolving.
I would like to disagree with you, but hey, you can have your opinion. I am in my early 20s and have been a fan of Brian McKnight for a little under half of my life. I am one of the those people who thinks about Brian quite often because his music is ALWAYS in my disc changer. I have ssen him in concert five yes 5 times and have hunted him down to take pics with me. TV show host…..not sure….damn great singer….affirmative. In fact, way better than MOST of the music out today. He has no Roger and Zapp over his voice at concerts and he can blow anyone out of the water with his vocals. No matter what….I will be tuning in!
I think that your opinion reveals how shallow your idea of talent is. Brian Mcknight is possibly the best all around musical talent, short of Stevie Wonder, that is still alive. Anything that he does should be watched.
I was a Brian McKnight fan until I read where he left his wife and kids, the very people who were there for him during his struggles to make and when he made it, he made off. Shame on you Brian!!! I won’t knock your show, but I won’t watch it either.
What are you talking about, Brian rasied his kids…I read where he and ex have joint custody, so there.
You may feel more comfortable with a mental health professional who is a woman or with a support group for women. ,
Before you call someone especially Brian Mcknight “washed up” you should probably do your homework. Just because he is not all out in the limelight and doesn’t make a million videos doesn’t make you washed up! Do you have any idea how many hits, he has written and produced for other artists? If he never did another thing for the rest of his life, he would never be washed up!