Fandom made ‘Super’: CBS premieres new competition series honoring music fans

After decades of competitive reality shows committed to finding the most talented singers, dancers, performers and the like, CBS launches an unscripted series dedicated to the fans — well, to the “superfans,” to be exact. Honoring the most loyal of six celebrities’ fan bases, the network’s new competition series tests a group of contestants’ knowledge in exchange for a chance to meet their idols up close and personal. Originally scheduled to arrive in June, “Superfan” premieres Wednesday, Aug. 9, on CBS, the CBS app and Paramount+.

Created by executive producers Keltie Knight (“Footloose,” 2011) and Jodi Roth (“Inappropriate Jeff,” 2014), “Superfan” makes use of a classic game show model — think BBC’s “Mastermind,” if you’ve seen it — testing players on a smattering of facts about the musician they all share a love for. Each week, beginning with LL Cool J (“NCIS: Los Angeles”), one music star is welcomed to perform and look on as their biggest fans settle the No.1-fan question once and for all.

The series has a six-episode freshman season, and it is hosted by Canadian TV personality Knight and Canadian-American former NFL wide receiver Nate Burleson (“The NFL Today”). It features one new musical celebrity per episode, and following LL Cool J’s inaugural episode, the weekly guests of honor include: Canadian country music legend Shania Twain (“That Don’t Impress Me Much,” 1997); Cuban-American pop sensation Gloria Estefan (“Rhythm Is Gonna Get You,” 1987); Alabama-born country foursome Little Big Town (“Pontoon,” 2012); rapper and Miami native Pitbull (“I Know You Want Me,” 2009); and Tennesseean singer/songwriter Kelsea Ballerini (“Miss Me More,” 2017).

As the artist’s fans compete across several rounds to figure out who will come out as the one and only “superfan,” they each get the opportunity to interact with their favorite artist, thus making their music fandom dreams come true just by taking part. By the end of each episode, the artist in the spotlight will crown their No. 1 fan and present to them a unique set of prizes.

While discussing his excitement about co-hosting the new show, Burleson stated that “Superfan” “perfectly captures the energy of concert vibes and competition,” adding that “as a host, I get to meet music icons and watch everyday fans compete for a dream prize.”