There was a lot of talk about this among professional impersonators. The upshot is, nobody is very sure whether this will help the industry or just perpetuate the idea that we are some sort of oddballs. Everyone I work with has had to make a decision for themselves about participating, and I chose not to.

Sure, the $100,000 Grand Prize is tempting, but as an impersonator who sees himself first as an artist working in tribute to Roy Orbison, I didn't want to put myself in any position that might open Roy up to being the less-than-respected punchline in their jokes.

To my good friends who decided that they wanted to be involved with the show, I wish the very best of luck. The premiere episode showed them in a mostly positive light and I hope they go all the way. It was great to see Garry Moore ("Little Richard") featured as a real attention-getter that first night.