The state of reality singing competitions – Quibbling Siblings

by Bob Degon

Every week brother and sister team Bob and Debbie take on a new topic. This week we talk about the state of reality singing competitions, including 'The Voice' and the reunion of Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell.

Bob:

Neither of us are big reality TV fans … that’s not a terrible surprise. There was a time, however, when we both were pretty regular American Idol viewers. My zeal for that show ran out pretty quickly, and I haven’t really paid attention to it in years. I have, however, checked out The Voice over on NBC, and I kind of like it. I thought that I was done with reality singing competitions, but it was really fun, and I was a little surprised that I enjoyed it. I like the coaches and I like the different format. One thing that I’m really confused over, however, is why NBC is airing the show so late. It’s on at 10 PM, and for a competition reality show (which is potentially good family entertainment) I’m baffled by this choice. I just don’t understand the move at all, and think it’s probably going to hurt the show.

Were you as excited as I was this week when Paula Abdul officially rejoined Simon Cowell for his new show premiering this fall, The X Factor? I’m looking forward to seeing the two crazy kids annoy the crap out of each other again. Say what you will about Cowell, but he does know how to make fairly entertaining television. I’m curious about what The X Factor is going to look like and if it will end up as popular here as it is over in The UK.

What are you thinking about the state of reality singing competitions these days?

Debbie:

I too checked out The Voice — when they re-aired the premiere at an earlier time — and enjoyed it. The format could have been hokey, but it wasn’t at all and all of the contestants I saw were talented, none of the weird horrors that Idol throws in there for “good TV” during the auditions. It wasn’t enough to get me to season pass it, but if it were on earlier, I may just hang out there if nothing else was on. So you may be right about the 10 PM slot being damaging.

You just broke the news to me … and I love that Simon and Paula will be back together! I’m thinking X Factor will definitely give AI a run for its money.

All in all, I think I’m done with the singing competitions …although occasionally, on a quiet weekend when the kid actually goes to bed at a decent hour, you just might catch Keith and I on the X-Box, being judged by Simon and Paula as we try our hand at “More Than a Feeling.” …

Bob:

We don’t have to discuss my bad Rock Band habit. I won’t even mention some of the songs I have been known to belt out, or the fact that I need to turn the difficulty down to “easy” because my singing skills are nonexistent.

In any case, I think I’m probably done too. I’m going to keep poking in on The Voice, or at least I’m going to try to, but the 10 PM air time is pretty darned late for me, and I think I’m far too snobby to DVR a reality show. The promise of Simon and Paula back together again, though, is going to be enough for me to see what The X Factor is all about.

Debbie:

The very funniest thing to hear is Keith singing that Celine Dion song from Titanic .. yep, I play to win and when it’s my turn to choose, that’s the one.

I will check out X Factor, but I bet I won’t stick around even if it’s great. I know we’ve come full circle now, but I’m just bored by the competitions. I’m thrilled for the contestants because of the opportunity it provides them, and it certainly makes more quality television than a typical reality show, but at this point in my viewing life, I need plot.