‘Rising Star’ hires Josh Groban, Kesha, Ludacris, and Brad Paisley

ABC is getting into the singing competition business (again) with “Rising Star,” and they can at least claim this summer to having an interesting group of on-air personalities on board … including a guy in Brad Paisley who was to one point discussed as a possible “American Idol” judge.

It has been confirmed now that Paisley will be joining Ludacris and Kesha as judges for the show, which is heavily based on real-time in order to make sure that the American public has a direct say in who they like, and who they could care less about. It’s an approach that “The Voice” has used to a certain degree with its “Instant Save,” but never quite on the level that we have seen with the show here.

“Rising Star” will premiere curious on a Sunday night in June 22, occupying the space once held by the great “Whodunnit,” a show that really should have returned since it was all sorts of amazing. With this lineup of judges, it will at least be interesting. Also, you have Josh Groban as a host! He has shown quite a bit over the years that he has no problem having a sense of humor, but the irony here is that when it comes to pure singing, he actually is better than any of the judges. For those of you who are complaining already about Kesha, though, remember that she is there to judge people on the basis of being a star, and not so much their capacity for high notes. That is more of the difference between this show and “The Voice,” which we feel is much more of a pure singing competition.

What do you think about the “Rising Star” panel, and Groban as the host? Let us know below, and click here if you do want to get some further news worth singing about via our CarterMatt Newsletter.

Photo: ABC