Let It Shine. My new second job

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Let It Shine. My new second job

February 06, 2017 - 19:42
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I know some of these talent shows go on a bit, but Let It Shine is like having a second job, isn’t it!

Let It Shine

By Anna May @AnnaMayMight

I know some of these talent shows go on a bit, but Let It Shine is like having a second job, isn’t it!

How long is this show! There aren’t even any adverts to fast-forward through…and it’s STILL so LOOOONG! I have to admit, I hadn’t checked how long it was going to be on for…so, after the first hour, I was like…I need a wee. Then, a few days later, I was like…I should eat something. Then, as the next millennium approached, I was like…I should start phoning round old people’s homes for a room. LOOOOOOONG!

So…let’s talk about the first few minutes that was bizarrely filled with Dannii Minogue marching up and down, dressed as some sort of sergeant major, whilst blowing a whistle to instruct her army of similarly dressed women to push the contestants they were dancing opposite to the floor, before playing out various sadomasochist acts (so I hear). Finally, the contestants’ tops were ripped off, leaving them bare-chested. Of course! A family show you can trust.

It was actually my teenage daughter muttering, “Ohh…cringe,” that made me look up from the Sudoku I was doing. Then, when the shirts flew off, she just sighed, “Omg…why?”

Not all their tops were removed, however, so I’m not quite sure of the criterion used when choosing who would be allowed to keep their dignity. Maybe the others just said…no, that’s rude, I’m telling my mum. Probably not, though.

You know, I’m wondering if that’s why Gary Barlow chose to open the first show in the nuddy. So nobody could accuse him of making his contestants do anything he wouldn’t.

Hang on…didn’t I hear that he wants to do another show at some point to find a girl band? Oh goody! Then it’ll be Martin Kemp’s turn to dress up as a general, or something, and order a bunch of men to push a selection of female contestants to the floor…and stand astride them as they wriggle and writhe on the floor. Can’t wait to see those girls’ tops be ripped off, eh?

Never gonna happen…because THAT’s not allowed...and I’m sure a lot of other viewers loved that intro, but I didn’t. Obviously, I’m too much of a prude to appreciate a stage full of strutting women stripping men shirtless. That, or I’m just a sexually frustrated old biddy who hates watching other people enjoy themselves. Where’s Mary Whitehouse when you need her! (ask your nan)

Moving on…I hadn’t watched the show for two weeks, but I thought I’d see how the next stage of the competition looked before writing it off completely.

Yes, it was better. The acts that were brought in to sing with the contestants were brilliant…and it did show how the boys would cope with choreography and working together as a team. Eight in each band to start with…then three were knocked out at the end of the performance.

So now each new band of five goes through to the live shows next week. Is that it, though? Are the members of these bands stuck with each other? Or will they become interchangeable towards the end of the show? I don’t get it. I mean, if we’re voting for each band as a whole, that’s five boys booted out at a time, regardless of their individual talents. What’s going on?

I have to say, I’m so glad they did away with the backstage stuff. Mind you, they replaced it with lots and lots and lots of chatter about each of the eight-piece bands as they prepared for their performances with the celebrity singers.

Okay, it’s nice to see them bonding and stuff, but it seemed like the whole show was dominated by it, leaving hardly any time for the actual performances themselves. Even the judges didn’t get much of a look in. Their short, private conversations after each performance, to decide who stays or goes, were pretty much all we saw of their judging duties.

As for the contestants themselves, they’re actually not being harshly portrayed as bratty or self-centred, which is something I’m pleased about. The editing certainly doesn’t seem to favour giving us twisted ideas of their personalities or behaviour. So far, I think we’re being afforded the opportunity to decide for ourselves what we think of each one…I think.

The live shows may possibly show a whole lot more attitude than we’ve seen…and I’m actually looking forward to seeing how the live aspect affects the dynamics, with respect to the very careful and plodding format we’ve seen so far. Unedited ad-libs could be what saves this show. All these judges…and most definitely presenters, Mel Giedroyc and Graham Norton, have the potential to bring a lot more fun to the table.

Please do it soon, though…because I haven’t much time left before the staff from the home arrive to collect my things!

There is 1 Comment

Penelope pitstop's picture

To be honest I'm still waiting for the shine
The judges waffle on so much I doze way too much for his hour of day
The contestants are weak to say least, the format of the show is erring on the childlike
Please no more