Living in Britain, we have a limited amount of TV shows that are:
- Not American
- Good
- And haven’t been stolen by the USA.
Which is a sad reality we have all come to accept. However, nobody appears too bummed about it, because it seems we have all sought refuge in our addictive and all-to-cringe-worthy talent shows. So with The Voice UK continuing to air over the next few weeks, it got me thinking:
Much like moths to a flame, why are we so obsessed with talent shows!? Singing, dancing, and the utterly nonsensical ones- we can’t get enough of them. And why? Since when was the British population so interested in… well, whatever these shows have to offer?
Let’s start with the singing shows- The Voice, The X-Factor, what is the appeal? I am totally guilty of loving them, but when it comes to why, I am slightly at a loss for words. I can’t sing, I’m not great at measuring quality of singing, and despite loving music and always listening to the radio; I’ve never been that interested in live singing. So why do I spend hours of my life listening to nothing but that? Well, other than having nothing better to do, I suppose the real appeal is, as it usually comes down to- power.
What? Power? I don’t understand!
Allow me to explain.
What we like, or, what I’m assuming we like (some of us may actually enjoy live singing) is spectating success and failure. Watching dreams crumble, seeing the fight in their eyes, the tears when they win and the tears when they lose. A show of random people singing their hearts out is all very well, but what we are drawn to is not the voice, but the ‘What was that?!’ look, or the ‘This one’s a keeper’ nod.
Because these little looks, smirks, laughs, nods, and jaw-drops make us, sitting at home, feel empowered. Like our own little inside joke- they make us feel like we control the hopes and dreams of people just like us. And the shows that rely on public votes continue to feed us with this delicious power. Mmmm…
So TV shows like Britain’s Got Talent, almost everyone’s guilty pleasure- take this to the extreme. Because We. Love. Failure. We love seeing people make an utter fool of themselves. And that is exactly what Britain’s Got Talent provides us with.
So, although it’s perhaps a little extreme for me to compare The Voice to The Hunger Games, or coliseum combat, I do believe that it gives us the same satisfying feeling of seeing many fail, and few thrive. Because we are bizarre humans who crave power.
The Voice UK 2014 trailer- All rights go to the BBC
Does the whole “Only one will will win” concept remind you of anything?
Do NOT get distracted by the babies.
So just think about that next time you find yourself ogling at the TV screen as Britain’s Got Talent comes on.
What a crazy world we do live in.
Thanks for reading, and as usual, it’s been my pleasure-
-The Cookie Element
The cookie element 