Making the Band

Did You Know?

• Making His Band, a spin-off where Diddy searched for musicians for his personal live band, premiered on July 27, 2009, and was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Reality Program in 2010.
• MTV announced on July 15, 2019, that the series was revived and would premiere in 2020, later postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but this never materialized.

Making the Band: O-Town

The first iteration of Making the Band began on March 24, 2000, and ran for three seasons, concluding on March 30, 2002. It focused on the formation of the boy band O-Town. The first season aired on ABC as part of the TGIF block, making it the last new series and the only non-sitcom to air during that block's original run; the block ended after the season. The series then moved to MTV for its remaining two seasons. Lou Pearlman, who had previously formed the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC, conducted a nationwide talent search in 1999, narrowing auditions from eight cities to 25 young men and then to eight finalists competing for five spots in a new boy band signed to his Transcontinental Records label. The season featured on-screen choreography by Ramon Del Barrio. Midway through, three contestants—Paul Martin, Mike Miller, and Bryan Chan—were eliminated, leaving Ashley Parker Angel, Jacob Underwood, Erik-Michael Estrada, Trevor Penick, and Ikaika Kahoano as the intended group. Kahoano later left, citing a lack of respect for the other members, and joined Miller and Chan in the band LMNT. The remaining four members selected Dan Miller as his replacement. The second and third seasons followed O-Town's development, including their second album O2, a move to Clive Davis' J Records, and their efforts to establish themselves as legitimate artists.

Making the Band 2: Da Band

The second iteration, titled Making the Band 2, premiered on October 19, 2002, and aired for three seasons, ending on April 29, 2004. It centered on the hip-hop group Da Band, with filming in various Manhattan spaces designed by visual artist and designer Ron Norsworthy. In 2002, P. Diddy launched a talent search for rappers and singers to form a new hip-hop group. After weeks of selection and training, Diddy chose the members: Sara Rivers, Dylan Dilinjah, Frederick (Freddy P) Watson, Rodney (Chopper) Hill, Lloyd (Ness) Mathis, and Lynese (Babs) Wiley. Contestants who did not make the cut included Orlando (OG) Goodman, Walter (Hammin) Anderson, Kimberly (Mysterious) Bert, Belinda (Pocahantas) Carter, Damone Coleman, Jamie Huy, Yazmin Mendez, Jonessa Monique, Mina Monroe, Allah Ricks, and Jamirah Turner. The contestants lived together and faced tasks such as walking from Midtown Manhattan to Brooklyn for cheesecake and reciting lyrics in the Bad Boy Records office. Their debut album, Too Hot for TV, was released in September 2003 and certified gold, selling 600,000 copies. At the end of the third season, Diddy dissolved Da Band but kept Babs and Ness, calling them hip hop's next 'Bonnie and Clyde.' Babs later promoted the underground rap battle 'Queen of the Ring,' and Ness released a song called 'My Hood' under the name E. Ness. Diddy also kept Chopper, now known as Young City, signing him to Bad Boy South. Sara Stokes, Frederick, and Dylan John were dropped from Bad Boy.

Making the Band 3: Danity Kane

The third iteration, Making the Band 3, began on March 3, 2005, and ran for three seasons, finishing on August 10, 2006. It focused on the girl group Danity Kane, with home base interiors again designed by Ron Norsworthy. After the dissolution of Da Band, P. Diddy searched for a new girl group in 2004, assisted by Laurieann Gibson, Doc, and Johnny. The theme song 'Oh La La' was recorded by Bad Boy singer Cheri Dennis. The band performed at a Backstreet Boys concert on August 6, 2005, with two groups competing: 'SHE (She Has Everything)' and 'Chain 6.' During dress rehearsal, group one was favored, but they were booed after Denosh started off key, leading to Aubrey also going off key. Group two won. The song 'Tell Me,' sung by contestants in the studio, later appeared on Diddy's album Press Play with vocals by Christina Aguilera. The finale on November 15, 2005, saw 11 contestants—Aundrea, Aubrey, Dawn, Jasmine, TaQuita Thorns, Denosh, Wanita, Shannon, Melissa, Kelli, and Dominique—compete for five spots. After a three-month hiatus, they returned for final tasks. The group chose the name Danity Kane, and their self-titled debut album was released on August 22, 2006, peaking at number one on the Billboard charts within three weeks.

Making the Band 4: Day26 and Donnie Klang

The fourth iteration, Making the Band 4, started on June 18, 2007, and aired for three seasons, concluding on April 23, 2009. It focused on the musical acts Day26 and Donnie Klang. Season 1 was filmed in midtown Manhattan with interiors designed by Ron Norsworthy. Diddy searched for an all-male super group, widely believed to be a new version of 112 or New Edition. The band was finalized on August 26, 2007, consisting of five males. Season 2 followed the winners' debut albums and Danity Kane's second album, along with a 'Making the Band' tour. The group's official name, Day26, was revealed on the February 4, 2008 episode of TRL, referencing August 26, 2007, as the day they became a band. Season 3 premiered on August 19, 2008, and featured a U.S. tour. On August 12, 2008, a special called 'Making the Band's Greatest Hits' aired, hosted by Aubrey from Danity Kane, Donnie Klang, and Robert from Day26. The season shifted focus from forming a band to a Real World-style show emphasizing friendships, relationships, and drama in and out of the studio.