This Fox network talent contest was inspired by a brace of BBC series, Just the Two of Us and It Takes Two. In each episode, professional singers were teamed with celebrities from other fields (actors, athletes, etc.) and sang duets before a panel of high-profile judges. The viewers at home voted on their favorite "celebrity duets," with those receiving the lowest number of votes eliminated from the competition. At stake was a grand prize of 100,000 dollars, which the winning celebrity donated to his or her favorite charity. Wayne Brady hosted, with Marie Osmond, Little Richard, and David Foster as judges. Among the "real" singers appearing were Michael Bolton, Peter Frampton, Smokey Robinson, Randy Travis, Clint Black, Michelle Williams, Kenny Loggins, and Wynonna Judd; their celebrity teammates included Lucy Lawless, Cheech Marin, Lea Thompson, Alfonso Ribiero, Jai Rodriguez, Hal Sparks, and Carly Patterson. Celebrity Duets launched its first limited run on August 30, 2006.
by Hal Erickson
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