Today's Entertainment

August 7 - 13, 2023 Page 3 By Dana Simpson After decades of competitive real- ity shows committed to finding the most talented singers, dancers, per- formers 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 net- work's new competition series tests a group of contestants' knowledge in exchange for a chance to meet their idols up close and personal. Orig- inally 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 wel- comed 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); Cu- ban-American pop sensation Gloria Estefan ("Rhythm Is Gonna Get You," 1987); Alabama-born country foursome Little Big Town ("Pon- toon," 2012); rapper and Miami native Pitbull ("I Know You Want Me," 2009); and Tennesseean sing- er/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 oppor- tunity to interact with their favorite artist, thus making their music fan- dom dreams come true just by tak- ing 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. ACROSS 1 "Futurama" character 4 Cheese in a ball 8 Clingy seed case 11 "seinfeld" uncle 12 Prefix with drama 13 Nobleman 14 Ring bearer, maybe 15 TV show viewers 17 With 20 Across, a hit TV show 19 suffix with glob 20 Above average ability 23 Dwarf planet found be- tween Jupiter and Mars 26 Lash of old westerns 27 "This ___ ___ test" 28 In poor health 29 Famous gymnast Coma- neci 32 Hoops 34 "star Trek" movie franchise star Zachary 36 Pitcher's pride 37 Reality series featuring "The gambler" Darrell sheets 42 Bond villain's weapon 44 Hair goop 45 Frankenstein's assistant 46 Marine eagle 47 Bart, Lisa and Maggie's grandfather 48 "House of Lies" star Cheadle 49 "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice" (1969) star Cannon 50 Wet behind the ears DOWN 1 Dog biter 2 Paper purchase 3 Yesteryear 4 Writes to 5 Tennis score 6 Hawkeye player in "M*A*s*H" 7 Like some towelettes 8 They're often cultured 9 suffix with press 10 "Treasure Island" author's inits. 13 ___ gay (W.W. II plane) 16 Like five to 23 Down 18 golden girl Blanche 21 Nonexistent 22 game show "To ___ the Truth" 23 Roulette bet 24 Biblical twin 25 Big name in hotels 30 Lay to rest 31 suffix with fabric 32 german city and state 33 Audi competitor 35 shaped into a sphere 36 Capital of guam, old-style 38 unsubstantial 39 gelatin substitute 40 sitcom about a Texas soc- cer mom 41 Whole lot 42 Topper 43 In the past CoverStory Fandom made 'Super': CBS premieres new competition series honoring music fans Solution is on page 2. Pitbull as seen in "Superfan"

• Cover