The excitement was palpable and there was not an empty seat in the house as Ricky Martin took the stage at the Paley Center in Beverly Hills on the second night of PaleyFest, a celebration of the best in television.
Martin was there–his first time at the festival– as the executive producer and one of the three judges of Univision’s upcoming musical competition show “La Banda,” which premieres Sunday, September 13 at 8 p.m.
A cry of “I love you, Ricky!” went out from one of the audience members before the presentation got underway as he answered questions from Dominic Patten about the new program, of which Simon Cowell is also a producer.
But first, a lengthy preview which gave an inside look as to how five members of a boy band that Martin will manage will be chosen during the run of “La Banda.”
Contestants have just one minute to make an impression on fans who vote with their smart phones on whether the artists can continue into the judge’s room for a shot at one of the slots. They need a 75% approval rating to get in the door.
“The Beatles were a boy band,” Martin said. “So were the Rolling Stones. And of course, I was in one. We’re in this for longevity and we hope that in 20 years you’ll still be talking about this band.”
A fourth judge, who will join Martin, Alejandro Sanz and Laura Pausini, will be chosen by viewer interaction.
Martin said he hopes 25 million people will watch the show.
