Every week, Rockstar:INXS keeps impressing me more and more. I keep comparing it to the obvious comparison to it - American Idol, and then I also compare it to the other reality-based competition-style TV shows. And there are so many things Rockstar:INXS does so much better than the others:

1. Songs are all classic rock songs. American Idol can get weird in terms of choice of songs.
2. Nothing is too predictable. Like the choice of original songs last time. Like the unplugged night with ballads the other time around.
3. There is no drama among the judges. Dave Navarro is pretty darn good in terms of his comments, and so are INXS. They really sound sincere, and I wish there would be a Rockstar:INXS every year.
4. Brooke Burke is not just eye candy. She does a great job of hosting the show, and being eye candy is just a bonus. She may be reading the stuff off the teleprompter, but she does it well and makes the transitions seamless.
5. There is not much drama in the behind the scenes coverage. There is just enough shown of life at the house to create some conversation in the studio. No extended episodes about just how the contestants prepare (except the 30 minute show on vh1), and no unnecessary controversy.
6. The house band is unbelievably awesome! How they are able to play so many songs flawlessly, I don’t understand. But a huge part of the enjoyment of the show (classic rock songs as well as INXS stuff) is the excellence of the house band.

So many reasons to like the show. I love it. Two thumbs up.