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MTV’s reality show takes to the stage

Ten hours on network prime-time television?

“That’s an opportunity I would have killed for when I was at SCPA,” says Nick Lachey, a 1992 graduate of Cincinnati’s School for Creative & Performing Arts.

Thanks to Lachey, students at his alma mater have an extraordinary chance to showcase their talents in MTV’s “Taking the Stage” musical reality series. The 10-week series debuts 10 p.m. Thursday.

“I’ve been blessed. I’ve had an opportunity to make my mark. This is an opportunity for these kids to make their mark. I’m thrilled and excited for them,” says Lachey, 35, a singer with Cincinnati’s 98 boy band before his MTV reality hit “Newlyweds,” with then-wife Jessica Simpson. His new album, “Coming Up For Air,” is due out in May.

The SCPA vocal and instrumental music (saxophone) major pitched the idea to MTV and Cincinnati Public Schools in 2007. Cincinnati Public Schools approved a contract in December requiring MTV to pay $10,000 an episode.

A pilot shot a year ago persuaded MTV executives to come back in the fall and film students pursuing their show business aspirations.

“These kids are showcasing their talent to the country on national TV — and maybe the world,” Lachey says. “The exposure they’re getting from this series for their talent will hopefully take them to a higher level and make their dreams come true.”

MTV’s decision to commit 10 one-hour shows to “Taking the Stage” is “an extreme compliment” from the network, he says.

“This indicates how strongly MTV feels about the show,” he says. MTV has options for five more seasons.

Despite being both a creator and executive producer, Lachey isn’t involved with the day-to-day production and doesn’t appear on the show. He was in an early version of the pilot, but edited out because his presence confused a test audience who thought the show might be about Lachey.

Lachey says he’s very pleased with the episodes crafted by producers Mark Ford and Kevin Lopez (from MTV’s “Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County”) and MTV executives.

He also credits the producers with making the 99-year-old school building, and its Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, look postcard pretty in the pilot.

“I’m very happy with the finished product, but I can’t take any credit for it,” he says.

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What: “Taking the Stage”

When: 10 p.m. Thursday 3/19

Where: MTV

Synopsis: A 10-week musical reality show focusing on five Cincinnati School for Creative & Performing Arts students and their friends. Each one-hour episode includes students’ performances. Unlike many teen shows on MTV, the premiere has no crass language, sexual innuendo or references to alcohol or drugs.