So yeah, TV.
The Voice
After weeks of hardsell, the BBC unleashed 'The Voice' to us all as their new Saturday Night TV show was up against ITV heavyweight, BGT. It's an interesting concept, isn't it? Four superstar judges, sitting in chairs that are not facing the contestants, having to listen to their voices only. If a coach likes them, they press a button to turn around and get that singer as part of their team (of ten, all together) but if several turn around it becomes up to the contestant to choose who they want to work with. The winner gets their hands on a recording contract with Universal music. The coaches are: Jessie J, Tom Jones, will.i.am and Danny O' Donoghue. Yes, FOUR superstar coaches. FOUR. I mean EVERYONE knows who Danny O' Donoghue is, don't they? He's like a singer of some band, think he's Irish, released that music video with a girl writing a postcard. Anyone? At all?
Besides the BBC's choice of coaches, it was refreshing to see something that wasn't X Factor. A show that has become more about entertainment, downright stupidity and the judges raising their own profiles than actual singing talent. It doesn't mean that this show doesn't have the potential to do the same over time, but it was just pleasant to see contestants sing and be reasonably good at it, such as J Marie Cooper who performed a rendition of Jessie J's 'Mama's Knows Best' or Sean Conlon fromerly of Five. Of course, there was competition amongst the coaches if they both liked the same act, who would press the button to turn their chair around first with the audience screaming wildly in the background. It was really gripping. So gripping, in fact, that I want a swivel chair to try and recreate that tension inducing atmosphere with. It would be cool.
BBC 1, Saturday 7pm.
Britain's Got Talent
Simon's BACK! Hoooraaaay! He's returned with his bitches (judges) on his arm. A great selection this year: Amanda Holden and newcomers Alesha Dixon and David Walliams. No doubt Si's return is to boost the show after viewing figures slumped last series. We had the usual acts: dancing girls, a poetry recital with a man dancing in the background, a young lad playing his teeth. Without question the 'best' act was Jonathan and Charlotte, the plus size 17 year old boy belted out opera supported by his friend. Simon and co were very much impressed by his abilities but wanted to him to go through on his own because they thought he was 'world class' and unbelievable'. Jonathan wanted to go through as a duo, which he was allowed to do, and they are now one of the early favourites to win the show.
ITV1, Saturday, 8pm.
We Won't Drop The Baby
This documentary was part of the 'Beyond Disability' Season on BBC One and followed disabled couple Laurence Clark and his wife Adele, who both have Cerebral Palsy. I had the pleasure of interviewing Laurence last year, about touring stand up comedy show. (A great man, he's coming to the Unity theatre in May to do a gig, go and see him!). Both Laurence and Adele campaign tirelessly for disability rights. This programme, brought to the forefront how disabled parents cope with having a family. The couple already have a six year old son called Tom and now we see that Adele is pregnant with their second child. It was a great insight into their family life as we saw Adele adamant to give birth naturally despite her condition. Unfortunately, her birth faced complications and she opted for a C- Section but she did manage to give birth to a little boy, Jamie. What was especially good about this programme was how they made us aware of the negative perceptions surroundings disabled couples, relationships, sexuality and family. Despite this, they have managed to raise two healthy children without the help of PA's, completely on their own terms. A fantastic programme part of an equally great series, which you can catch up with on i player.
More soon. Writing about babies has made me broody for the next installment of 'One Born Every Minute' which is another splendid bit of TV. Who doesn't love the miracle of life? A woman wailing horrifically as she pushes a tiny human out of her vagina, whilst being watched by a father to be whose either really supportive or a waste of space. Can't wait.
TOL. x
