Storm’s a-brewing with BBC’s ‘Let It Shine,’ ‘X Factor,’ and ‘The Voice UK’ already
Did Great Britain really need another singing-based show? The answer to that feels like a clear “no,” given that this is a country that’s already brought your way “The X Factor,” “Britain’s Got Talent,” and “The Voice.” They have a fraction of the population of America, and yet they have more singing shows and, supposedly, a fairly limited talent pool.
This is what makes the debut of the latest singing show in “Let It Shine” a little bit more interesting. It’s the show that almost nobody asked for, but at the same time it may be one of the better ones out there. Look at it this way: You’ve got Gary Barlow serving as a judge after years over on “The X Factor,” and he’s bringing with him former judge Dannii Minogue to his own panel alongside Martin Kemp and former “Glee” star Amber Riley. It’s an interesting, unexpected panel, and if you add to it co-hosts Graham Norton and Mel Giedroyc of “The Great British Bake Off,” you’ve got a who’s-who of familiar faces.
No disrespect to “The Voice,” but this is the show we’re more intrigued by at the moment because we’ve seen what the other show is at present: A competition where eventually a winner is crowned who you never hear from again. The process is very gimmicky, and more so than that the producers have not allowed much of a chance for anyone to get to know the contestants. It’s all about milking the blind auditions for all that they can. Maybe the format will change now that the move’s been made over to ITV with that show, but there are no guarantees.
As for “Let It Shine,” we don’t actually know what’s going to happen. That element of mystery is exciting, and judging from a report from the Daily Mail, it’s upset Simon Cowell enough that he is considering legal action against supposed similarities to “The X Factor” — which may be slightly funny given the similarities between “The X Factor” and “Pop Idol” so many years ago.
Check out the new trailer for “Let It Shine” below. Are you planning to watch Barlow’s show? Let us know now in the comments! (Photo: BBC.)