Newlyweds may be no more, but Jessica Simpson's dad is maintaining his relationship with MTV.
The network has given Joe Simpson the greenlight for a new series called Score, to be hostedby dark-haired daughter Ashlee's on-again, off-again boyfriend, Ryan Cabrera, who is also managed by Simpson.
Each episode of the show will feature two aspiring musicians facing off against each other by creating and performing an original song in order to impress a potential date.
The rocker who succeeds in delivering the most impressive performance scores a date with the guy or girl of their dreams.
The wild-haired Cabrera, whose debut album, Take It All Away, has been certified gold, will help contestants develop their performances into the most marketable track possible.
Each contestant will perform live onstage at the end of the episode with the winner determined purely on the merits of the song. As an added bonus for the aspiring musicians, their songs will be available for download through MTV.com.
Casting for Score is expected to begin this summer, with the show debuting in the fall. MTV has ordered 20 half-hour episodes.
"This series is much more than a relationship show. It's the ultimate showcase for emerging songwriters, singers and musicians to present their talent to millions of MTV viewers," Lois Curren, executive vice president of MTV Series Entertainment, said in a statement.
"In addition, we're excited to be working with Ryan Cabrera, whose talent as both a singer and songwriter perfectly complements this series. Together, we look forward to helping our audience achieve their songwriting dreams--and maybe even get a date along the way."
Simpson will serve as co-executive producer on the series, much as he did on his daughters' series. So far, the former minister's forays into the television world have proven successful--just ask Jessica and Ashlee who were transformed into mega stars virtually overnight, thanks to Newlyweds and The Ashlee Simpson Show.
The proud papa is also proving his chops as a father-in-law by developing a series with Nick Lachey, featuring the former boy bander's struggle to sign with a record label. Lachey's debut solo release, SoulO, performed dismally on the charts.
While their respective men are keeping their father busy, Jessica and Ashlee Simpson have been hard at work on their own careers.
Now that Newlyweds has run its course, Jessica will next be seen on the big screen in The Dukes of Hazzard, opening June 26. Meanwhile, Ashlee just wrapped up her spring tour in Texas on Wednesday. And, yes, we hear there was singing involved.
