American Song Contest Season 1 Release Date, Cast, And More Information

Brace yourselves, America — a stateside version of the long-running, iconic "Eurovision Song Contest" is heading our way. The show has been a TV staple for 65 years now. An average of 200 million viewers tune in each year to watch the best, worst, and, well... just utterly bizarre musical acts from all across Europe — and one from Australia (don't ask, it's a long story) — compete to take home the glass microphone, per Eurovision TV. Oh, and to enjoy watching the UK be awarded "nil points" by basically everyone pretty much every year for the past three decades.

As ScreenRant reports, Eurovision has spawned some veritable superstars during its history. ABBA's career was launched globally after winning for Sweden in 1974 with "Waterloo." Then Céline Dion competed and won for Switzerland back in 1988, and let's face it, she hasn't looked back since. So, no pressure, USA.

According to a press release, each week, "American Song Contest" will feature musicians from all over the US and surrounding territories as they battle it out on stage to win "Best Original Song." In a twist from the regular Euro format, DJs will also get to throw their hands up in the air — and into the ring — alongside the singers and bands competing. However, each act's performance will still represent their homeland's unique vibe and style. Here's everything we know about "American Song Contest" Season 1 so far.

NBC will be broadcasting "American Song Contest" weekly on Monday nights from 8-10 p.m. ET/PT. The show premieres on March 21. According to a network press release, the competitors will all perform live from the NBC Universal lot. There will be 56 competing musical acts in total: one from every state, one representing D.C., and one from each of the five U.S. territories — Puerto Rico, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Guam.

Atlantic Records is also  partnering with "American Song Contest." The label will release all of the new original material of the night each week at 12 a.m. ET / 9 p.m. PT following the show's broadcast. "Launching a new series is always a massive undertaking but mounting one that involves producing 56 original songs is a herculean task," the program's executive producer, Audrey Morrissey, admitted. "We can't wait for viewers to discover new music from our incredibly talented artists from across the country and help decide America's next big song," she added. 

So, who's going to be up for hosting such a "herculean task"?

Snoop Dogg and Kelly Clarkson will be in the hosting hot seats in addition to being executive producers of the show. They may strike people as an unlikely combo at first. But you have to remember that Snoop's also one half of the hands-down most improbable duo in entertainment ever with Martha Stewart.

Meanwhile, it appears Snoop and Clarkson are already super tight home slizzles. "I am honored to host 'American Song Contest' alongside my lil sis Kelly Clarkson, aka Miss Texas," Snoop told NBC. While the "American Idol" alum raved, "I have been a fan and love the concept of Eurovision and am thrilled to bring the musical phenomenon to America."

"I'm so excited to work with Snoop and can't wait to see every state and territory represented by artists singing their own songs," Clarkson added. The two will be presiding over one heck of a competition, with rising, yet unknown musicians and performers vying against bonafide, established superstars. Like, real A-list superstars.

NBC boasts that the 56 competing acts "span a wide range of performers, from undiscovered talent, up-and-coming new artists, and rising stars to established and legendary icons." And there really are some high-profile performers scattered among the artists taking to the stage.

There's an interactive map available. You can click on it to see who's performing for which location and "learn more" about each of the acts. Jewel, for instance, will represent Alaska, while Michael Bolton will rep Connecticut and Macy Gray will hold it down for Ohio. Sisqó is bringing the thongs for Maryland and The Crystal Method is on a trip home for Nevada.

"We're always looking for new ways to discover and showcase talent, and 'American Song Contest' is the perfect stage for America to see the best of the best from each state and territory," Kevin Weaver, the West Coast President of Atlantic Records shared. The show's competitors will vie for a place in the semi-finals during three weeks of qualifying rounds. The winners of the semis will then go head-to-head in the Grand Final, resulting in the ultimate winner.