UPN comedy will do its own version of 'Idol'

While the show itself isn't real, the talent contest will be.
ZAP2IT.COM
UPN's comedy "Half & amp; Half" will incorporate a reality-show element into its plot this season, giving aspiring singers a shot at national television exposure.
Several characters in the show work at a record label, and early in the season Mona Thorne (Rachel True) will come up with the idea for a nationwide, "American Idol"-style contest for undiscovered singers or bands. That will then lead to a real contest in which people can submit videotapes of a performance to win a shot at appearing on the show.
As the season progresses, Mona and her co-workers at the fictional Delicious Records, Adam (Alec Mapa) and Spencer (Chico Benymon), will review some of the submissions on the air. They (or, more accurately, the show's producers) will pick five finalists to come to Los Angeles to appear on an episode of "Half & amp; Half" set for February sweeps.
At the moment, a shot at TV exposure is all the contest offers. There's a chance that the winning entrant could get some kind of recording deal, but UPN is still working out those details. The network also hopes to incorporate a celebrity judge or judges into the "Half & amp; Half" storyline.
"Half & amp; Half" opens its third season Sept. 20. Details on the contest will be posted on UPN's Web site after its announcement on the show.