B InTune TV

Conception

The show's idea was initially conceptualized by creator Eugene Maillard^[9] who has a long history of Music and Arts Education high-profile projects for children,^[10] including an Emmy Award-winning television special From The Heart (also known as The Kennedy Center Honors - A Celebration of the Performing Arts) for mentally challenged and handicapped children he executive produced with Gary Smith, which starred icons like Michael Douglas, U2 and Pope John Paul II that aired on NBC in 1989.^[11]

Mr. Maillard's vision was based on one of its existing B InTune Media properties, InTune Monthly magazine for children, which came with a teacher's guide on music-related subjects that circulated throughout 50,000 middle and high schools in the United States.^[12] The goal was to bring hipness to the show like an MTV channel however, combined it with leading educational excellence programs like PBS Kids to produce a signature formula for the series that teen viewers will embrace. With similar interests in educating youth and her background as a musician opening in concerts for famous acts like the Goo Goo Dolls, the popular teen show was co-developed by singer-songwriter Zarah who brought 'freshness' to the show and became the host, the co-executive producer and the contributing writer.^[13][14]

The project is to simply use music as the vehicle to impact youth commercially and socially along with their idols as a form of edutainment in a variety of meaningful segments, spearheaded by a relatable host and various teen correspondents, which is filmed from an inside studio located in Hollywood, California as Mr. Maillard mentions, we want to be the coolest television show in America.^[15]

In July 2005, Mr. Maillard announced a tentative title for the TV series called; In Tune TV while musician Zarah was set as the host.^[16]

Overview

The half-hour show begins with its theme song as host Zarah introduces popular musicians and/or stars in the entertainment industry with interchangeable segments and occasionally corresponding with teens within 22 minutes, to teach 13- to 18-year-olds the basic skills and necessities in life through music but in a fun and entertaining way^[17] that meets the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) standard rules and regulations for educational programs.^[18] Zarah closes with an original and symbolic slogan that was both created by Mr. Maillard and her saying, be in tune, stay in tune^[19] at the end of the show, serving as a reminder for all viewers to encourage themselves as well as others, to be more 'in tune' with everything in life.

The series was quickly picked up by Viacom/CBS (own-and-operated) Television group among other stations for a (26 episode) weekly show that premiered in September 2005 as B InTune TV.^[20] The show reached a 120 million homes in over 130 television markets in the United States alone.^[21] In addition to its international growth broadcasting in 54 other countries which includes Canada, Europe and Asia among many others,^[22] the E/I friendly show was supported by InTune Monthly magazine for children^[23] and funded in part by the US Department of Education (DOE).^[24]

Healing Power of Music

This segment focuses on using music as a powerful therapy and its ability to heal. Guest stars discuss the importance of music as they share their own personal life experiences and topics that are often overlooked particularly by teens.

• Actual segment(s): Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys casually talks about getting through the difficult moments in her life by listening to her favorite music that provides a sense of comfort, relief and peace; therefore, enabling her to deal with real-life issues effectively, but in a healthy manner. Actor Cuba Gooding, Jr. gets in the mood of his character by playing an appropriate song inside his trailer before an actual filming takes place on the set; therefore, expressing how music has always played a major part in his life in every way particularly his career.

Career Profile

This segment focuses on going behind the scene interviews as a learning process inside the music industry that covers the reality of a working professional.

• Actual segment: Famous rock band the Goo Goo Dolls and their staff are followed by host Zarah to go through the anatomy on how to launch a major concert tour, unveiling the entire process of their production and the amount of people involve and their responsibilities. Lead guitarist John Rzeznik also expresses the reward of staying focus on his work; therefore, giving the viewers the grounding reality of the music business and the true essence of a collaborative team, hard work, perseverance and patience, a profound meaning in pursuing one's dream successfully.

History of Rock'n Roll

This segment focuses on delving into one of the most popular genres in music known today. Rock and roll history is covered in great length from where it started, the known artists and where it is today.

• Actual segment: Interesting background of artists like Bill Haley and the Comets, Little Richard, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and The Beatles, all who contributed to the richness of rock and roll history, is introduce in the show by host Zarah, starting from what genre it was extracted from (Rhythm and blues) in the 1950s, all the way to the current known stars who benefited greatly from learning. This includes some of the greatest artist who ever lived to liking rock and roll music; therefore, providing a detailed history and personal experiences of the greatest pioneers of Rock and roll.

Today's Lesson

This segment focuses on teaching teens on how to play an instrument, its functionality and purpose. With the variety of instruments being shown in different times, this segment is particularly helpful to needy teens or parents who could not afford a private lesson for their children.

• Actual segment: Guests like musician Kyle Eastwood are invited inside the studio to talk about music or perform live and teach viewers how to play an instrument (often accompanied by a teen), while showing different ways and valuable techniques in the process; therefore, not only allowing teens to explore and learn how to play their favorite instrument, but also having the benefit of a personal teacher to guide in front of them so to speak.

B InTune TV filming on location: Host Zarah at the nearby shops at Snake Alley in Taipei, Taiwan.

On Location

This segment focuses on filming on locations and in different parts of the world covering major events in interesting places that are eye-opening experiences.

• Actual segment: Host Zarah and her B InTune TV crew go to Taipei, Taiwan to explore and learn about the different cultural background and its breath-taking historical scenes. Interviews take place from random teen artists including their local star favorites on their take on music and how American artists influence their pop culture; therefore, viewers have the ability to learn music in other cultural backgrounds that are seen in a different light but through the common interest in music.

New artists

This segment focuses on an artist or a group purely on inspiring and motivating young teens by sharing their personal success stories.

• Actual segment: Pop idols like Aly and Aj or Jesse McCartney is interviewed by host Zarah to talk about their relationship and commitment to music, sharing their personal struggles and being inspired by their music teachers and parents who taught them how to play an instrument at an early age, as well as the triumph they accomplished making it in the industry; therefore, encouraging and motivating both parents and teens, teaching them a great lesson that hard work can definitely pay off.

Legends

This segment focuses on celebrating and honoring both past and present legendary artists who contributed greatly in music history and the legacy they left behind.

• Actual segment: Various legends in the industry including former Beatle member John Lennon and film actor/director Clint Eastwood are introduce to show their dedication and love for music that gave them the purpose in staying true to their passion; therefore, inspiring teens with their songs and leaving the intrinsic value of their legacy for music lovers and the generations to come.

On the Road

This segment focuses on various artists or bands being followed on the move whether behind the scenes, traveling or on their tour.

• Actual segment: Artist or bands such as Hootie & the Blowfish share their life on the road traveling on their tour or simply on location to show a thorough detail on what goes on being in front stage as well as the back side, when they are not performing; therefore, showing the viewers a snapshot and the inside knowledge of their lives as artists on the road.