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http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-08-21-duets_x.htm

Celebs, singers croon a 'Duets' tune

By Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY

American Idol judge Simon Cowell launches a new singing competition next week that he hopes will be "Idol for autumn."

Celebrity Duets, premiering Aug. 29 on Fox (8 p.m. ET live/PT tape-delayed), pairs recording stars with celebrities not known for their singing.

The host is Wayne Brady. And the judges, in a mix only Cowell could have devised: wild rocker Little Richard, serious music producer David Foster and — just signed Monday — singer and doll-seller Marie Osmond.

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The legends signed for Duets: Clint Black, Michael Bolton, Belinda Carlisle, Taylor Dayne, Dennis DeYoung, Peter Frampton, Macy Gray, James Ingram, Wynonna Judd, Chaka Khan, Kenny Loggins, Richard Marx, Brian McKnight, Aaron Neville, Smokey Robinson, Randy Travis, Dionne Warwick, Michelle Williams, Lee Ann Womack, Knight and LaBelle.

The celebs: Wrestler Chris Jericho, Xena's Lucy Lawless, actor Cheech Marin, gymnast Carly Patterson, actor Alfonso Ribeiro, Queer Eye's Jai Rodriguez, actor Hal Sparks and actress Lea Thompson.

Cowell says the celebs are serious. "Deep down they've dreamt of being No. 1 in the charts." He adds, "No one was booked for comedy value."

Posted 8/21/2006 10:19 PM ET