Making Menudo is an American relity competition television produced by Reveille for MTV which aims to find five new members for the formerly successful Latin American boy band Menudo.
The series premiered in the USA on MTV on 25 October, 2007. There are 10 half-hour episodes in the series.
Making Menudo premiered in South Africa on DStv's GO channel on Friday 12 September 2008, at 18h00.
Repeats
Sundays: 10h30
Fridays: 06h30
Synopsis
Making Menudo is a reality talent search for the next Menudo superstar group.
Menudo is a legendary five-member, all-Latino boy band that exploded in the 1980s and gave superstars like Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony and Robi Draco Rosa their start. After several years of dormancy, Menudo is being revived for a big comeback - but we're not talking about a reunion.
Thirty years and 60 million albums ago, Menudo was born. The group was unique because it had a revolving door of young members who moved on once they turned 16.
All those original members are all grown up and MTV is looking for a whole new generation of young, talented Latino performers to Make Menudo a household name again.
In early 2007, MTV held auditions in various cities to find the best male singers and dancers between the ages of 13 and 19. Hundreds of hopefuls auditioned but, in the end, only 15 had the right stuff.
The 15 finalists were flown to Miami, where they were immersed in a Making Menudo boot camp where manager Johnny Wright (*NSync, Backstreet Boys), vocal coach David Coury and a team of choreographers whipped the hopefuls into shape to see if they had what it takes.
Each week, selected finalists were grouped together and had to learn a song and dance routine, which they performed for a live audience. Then Johnny Wright and his team of judges decided who stays and who went.
In the end, only five boys will make it into the group and have the chance to make their dreams come true by recording an album and touring the world.
The show follows the process from the start until the final five are chosen.
Format
Each week of the competition, three of the finalists will be grouped together and given 72 hours to learn a song and accompanying dance routine, which they'll have to perform on-stage in-front of an actual audience.
Wright, Coury and their team will then evaluate each performance and at least one of the finalists will be eliminated following each performance.
In addition, special guests including Backstreet Boys' member Howie Dorough; former That 70s Show actor Wilmer Valderrama; record producer Danja; songwriting team The Clutch; and Epic Records president Charlie Walk will all make appearances to help coach the finalists.
At the conclusion of the 10-episode series, five of the finalists will become members of the "new Menudo," which includes a recording contract with Epic Records; a studio album expected to drop in December; and the opportunity to tour.
Contestants
Antony (Age: 15 - Miami, FL)
Carlos (Age: 17 - Chicago, IL)
Christopher (Age: 15 - Bronx, NY)
Dennis (Age: 19 - New York, NY)
Eric (Age: 15- Valencia, CA)
Hansel (Age: 18 - Miami, FL)
Henry (Age: 18 - North Bergen, NJ)
JC (Age: 17 - Bogota, Columbia)
JG (Age: 13 - Miami, FL)
Jorge (Age: 15 - Miami, FL)
Jose (Age: 15 - Manati, Puerto Rico)
Monti (Age: 18 - Caguas, Puerto Rico)
Carlos (Age: 17 - Westin, FL)
Thomas (Age: 16 - Dallas, TX)
Trevor (Age: 14 - Tustin, CA)