Tony Bennett Set for Canadian Idol Appearance  8/23/06

Tony Bennett is set to make his reality TV debut in Canada by performing on talent show Canadian Idol.

The 80-year-old crooner will play host to contestants in his native Manhattan, New York later this month (AUG06) for a show that will air at the beginning of September (06).

It's the first time Bennett has agreed to appear on any reality show.

The three Canadian Idol finalists will hit the Big Apple next week (beg28AUG06) to rehearse with the Grammy winner for The Music of Tony Bennett special.

Bennett knew he'd succumb to the reality TV phenomenon sooner or later, and feels the Idol show is a perfect place to make his debut - because he was one of the first proper idols.

He explains, "Back in the 1950s, I was just starting out with Rosemary Clooney and we were on a live talent show ourselves - so we were the first idols."

Now in its fourth season, Canadian Idol is the most-watched program on Canadian television.