Musical game show "Superfan" takes over Times Square for premiere on CBS
NEW YORK -- Wednesday night, the new musical game show "Superfan" premiered on CBS.
It gives superfans the opportunity to battle it out battle it out in front of their favorite artists for a once-in-a-lifetime prize.
The show features artists LL Cool J, Shania Twain, Gloria Estefan, Pitbull, Little Big Town and Kelsea Ballerini.
The premiere episode filled Times Square, and New York's own LL Cool J was up on the screen.
The crowd cheered as he arrived at the watch party as the big surprise guest.
"When people show you that your art is important to their lives, that's an amazing feeling, man," he said.
The new series combines music with a reality game show.
One of the contestants -- East Orange, New Jersey, resident Renee Marshall-McKinley -- was in the audience watching on the big screen.
"It is unbelievable. Incredible. I could not have dreamed the opportunity that I had," she said.
Every episode features one musical artist and five contestants who compete in multiple rounds of gameplay to prove they are the ultimate superfan.
"Without them without the fans there is none of this," LL Cool J said.
"I am beyond excited," Estefan said.
"I would not in no way, shape or form be able to live my dreams if it wasn't for the fans," Pitbull said.
"They've taught me what my music really means," Twain said.
"They are the pulse, the heartbeat, the life of what we do," a member of Little Big Town added.
"I wanted to create a place for stars to come and be reminded of how much they mean to all of us fans," creator and host Keltie Knight said.
Knight spoke with CBS New York's Dave Carlin at the Times Square event.
"LL Cool J is born and raised in New York. He's our first episode, premiere episode of 'Superfan' on CBS tonight. And I just felt like we needed to do him in style. And so we basically shut down Times Square," Knight said.
Knight explained part of the appeal of the show.
"Music is a community, right? And superfans across the world, whether you fall in love with Beyoncée, or Taylor Swift, or LL Cool J, that becomes your family, your chosen family," Knight said. "And I believe that everyone needs to be seen, and the way sometimes people are seen is through their chosen communities."
"Superfan" is officially launched, connecting stars and fans in meaningful ways. The show airs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. You can also stream it live on Paramount+.