With all the ‘talent searching’ TV that is forcing its way
onto our screens and invading our lives we, as the audience, are a bit
overwhelmed.
From The X-Factor to Britain’s got talent and newcomers The
Voice UK, UK audiences are spoilt for choice when it comes to which to watch,
so I am going to try to narrow it down for you.
We are all accustomed to the notion of going to an audition
and trying to stand out from the rest but there are different ways that the
shows do this.
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| Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland, Tulisa and Louis Walsh |
X-Factor being the longest running shows of the three has
become a pro at creating the sounds that plague the radio stations of today. Formidably
known for having honest man Simon Cowell, the process of the X-Factor is
simple. Go and audition for three judges and when complete they tell you
whether you have got through. This is a singing show at its heart. A simple premise, however, what you don’t see
is the number of auditions you have to go through before you get to see the
judges, not all acts get seen which allows me to think…HOW did some of the mode
comedic auditions that get shown on TV get through? This also leads me to
question the ‘realistic’ aspect of this show. If you want a show aimed at
singers and groups only, then this is the show for you.
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| David Walliams, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell |
Cowell must have had some issues as he jumped ship to
Britain’s got Talent. A talent show where you audition not only for four judges
but also for an entire studio audience. Now this must increase the nervous
factor but it also allows EVERY auditionee to be granted the great satisfaction
of being seen by the judges and not by three random people. This process allows
for a wider selection of acts to partake including doggy dancing acts, break
dancing acts, classic singing acts, contortionists and all sorts of weird and
wacky talents to come out of the UKs talent stream making for a more rounded
talent searching show, so if this is what you enjoy, then Britain’s got talent
is more for you. The judges for this year are Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, David
Walliams and Alesha Dixon, with the addition of Walliams, Cowell finally has
the sparring partner he has needed for years. The chemistry between the two of
them is magical to watch!
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| Jessie J, Danny O'Donaghue, Will.i.am. and Sir Tom Jones |
Newcomer to the talent show industry is The Voice UK. This
is rivalled mainly to The X-Factor as it is another show aimed at finding
someone with ‘the voice’. The set-up is much different to the way X-Factor
chooses it’s contestants because the people who audition sing to four judges
who all have their backs turned. This allows the judges to choose on vocal
talent rather than appearance which is something most talent shows judge you
for over actual talent. The judges for this show; Sir Tom Jones, Jessie J,
Danny O’Donoghue and Will.i.am have such amazing chemistry that they are a joy
to watch alongside the contestant’s themselves. So if you want a talent
searching show that bases the judging purely on vocal ability then this show
should be the one that you watch! The Voice UK has already beaten viewings for
BGT this year and is pressing forward to be the favourite for the year!
No matter which you watch, whether it be one of them, all of
them or none of them, enjoy it because the UK has a lot of talent, it’s just
how you showcase it that differs.
Victoria V.L. Walker
