According to Billboard, NBC is planning on putting yet another singing contest on TV, only this time, everybody has to sing a cappella.

"This is a fantastic feel-good series that viewers of all ages can enjoy," said Paul Telegdy, executive vp alternative at NBC and Universal Media Studios. "To hear these singing groups re-create a popular song with only the sounds of their voices is truly amazing."

Is it now? Even more than American Idol or Nashville Star I can't begin to describe how dismal a prospect this seems to me. NBC execs, who cite Justin Timberlake as an inspiration, seem to be imagining a parade of wholesome boy bands filling their studios, making music fit for angels. What I see is an endless parade of bad human beatboxers, with bad rappers and hip-hop crooners standing up front. Maybe NBC isn't aware of how technically accomplished you need to be to pull off a decent a cappella performance. 99% of the contestants on American Idol couldn't do it, and that includes most of the winners. Besides, even the greatest a cappella music, including doo wop and gospel, gets boring after awhile. Unless a group is the modern equivalent of the Comedian Harmonists, the lack of instrumentation and the relative redundancy of the arrangements can wear thin fast. As for solo singers, even the greatest I would only want to take in small doses.

I'll be surprised If they even finish their proposed eight week run.