Me starting a thread for a talent show? Who'd have thunk it...

Well, this one does start in eight days' time on BBC1.

And, at first glance, it does look that bit more credible than other talent shows - particularly those that feature Lord Simon of Cowell...

As for the judges? Not many are sure that will.i.am is a good choice, but The Script's Danny O'Donoghue looks like one, and Tom Jones certainly is.

But it's Jessie J who looks like making the biggest impression...



The format originated in the Netherlands, and has proved hugely popular with American audiences - even beating X Factor US and the venerable American Idol in the ratings - and with Irish ones, too, despite not being up against a Cowell show.

Will the same be said for British audiences?

I, for one, hope so - after all, is it not refreshing to have a talent show that doesn't feature Cowell in any way, shape or form?

But there are two obstacles. The first is BGT, which The Voice will be running directly against.

The second is the Beeb's track record as regards imported talent show formats - they've tended to meddle around with them a bit, and not for the better. That was certainly the case with Fame Academy, and to a lesser extent with So You Think You Can Dance...

Looking forward to this.

I don't think BGT will be too much of a problem. I'm personally aim to watch both, thanks to the advantageous ITV +1.

Normally I hate talent shows (with the exception of BGT) but this looks quite interesting actually. Will probably do what Dan's gonna do, watch this and then BGT on ITV+1

Won't be able to see either of those shows on Saturday though as I have a wedding to go to...

Well? What did everyone think of last night's opener?

It was OK...

There was a lot of chair-spinning.

Lol.

I saw a little bit of this show last night before I went out, it was ok-ish... I don't really have much of an opinion yet though. I hope the coaches don't sing at the start of every episode though, as that could get a bit annoying...

Hard to say from one episode but it definitely looks like it's offering a promisingly serious approach as a counter-attack against the Cowell pantomime shows.

Being a massive singing geek (and someone who's sung in a workshop run by BGT/XF vocal coach Anne-Marie Speed), I'm waiting to see whether the "coaches" are actually the only people supporting their acts, or whether there's vocal coaches and the like employed by the show like BGT/XF. Actually I'd find it really interesting if the four coaches hired their own "backroom staff" with a vocal coach, choreographer, etc. and basically acted like managers. That'd really make the rivalry between the four of them very interesting indeed because they'd be doing more than just "helping out their acts" but properly making big decisions for them. (And in fact Kelly Rowland tried something similar with X-Factor, having her acts work with her vocal coach, whose teaching method is incompatible with Anne-Marie's. It is my opinion that this backfired.)

Now why do I get the impression that you're not particularly interested...?



Well, this episode was watched by nearly 10 million viewers - and pulled in 2.4 million more than BGT during the shows' 20-minute overlap.

Plus the reaction to it on Twitter and the like was generally positive.

For me, the best moment was Jessica Hammond performing 'Price Tag'. Needless to say, Jessie J liked how her namesake did it, and wanted her...

I like it. The coaches seem to have a bit of chemistry, in spite of some individual annoying habits (I refer mainly to Will.I.Am constantly pretending to be a voice over in his mic, and Danny repeatedly saying something about artistic control).

Talent wise, I like a few of the singers. Max Milner would be my favourite so far, but to see an absence of novelty acts is refreshing.

Much better this week. Less sob stories, quicker to the talent, better talent. Vince the Moustache Man and David Faulkner stand out way way more than rest though, particularly the latter. Between him and Max Milner so fat in terms of my favourites.

Shaping up to be a very good competition though. You couldn't pick a winner, unlike in X Factor when an Amelia Lily or Misha Bryan pops up and you think, "Yeah, they'll definitely be in the live shows".

I'll be surprised if Tom Jones wins now. Everyone has a standout act apart from him.

I actually saw the whole episode this week. It was quite a good show actually

I really liked the opera guy who sung 'I Who Have Nothing', I think it was called... can't believe none of the coaches turned around for him, yet they all turned around for those two rubbish girls who sung 'Perfect' - neither of them had particularly great voices IMO, and their harmonising sounded horrible...

I also liked the guy at the end (Jaz I think his name was...). It was quite funny when the other coaches got in a huff because none of them except will.i.am could pick him as they had 10 singers already

After a slow first show, I'm really getting into this now

Looking forward to seeing the upcoming battle rounds and then the live shows

Tom hasn't got much of a chance looking at his group, likewise with Danny

Think this will be a straight fight between Jessie and Will depending on who they take to the live shows this weekend in the battle rounds, when we will see the acts whittled down

Have to say I am finding this format very refreshing and at least the auditions are taken seriously and not dragged out for weeks, no making fun of those who can't sing, no joke acts, the audience are a lot more respectful, less manipulation, unpredictable and exciting......The list is endless

And looking at the ratings and seeing this show has overtaken Cowell's show, looks like the BBC are going to have a smash hit on their hands with this show

Song choices have been revealed.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s154/the ... ealed.html

Here we go...

Jaz to win!

That guys voice is just something else. Absolutely blew me out of the water. My favourite act from Team Will, just as Ruth is my favourite act from Team Tom. Both utterly superb.

I look forward next week to listening to my other two favourites -- Team Danny's Max and Team Jessie's Vince.

Joelle or Ruth to win, Jaz is okay but I don't like his upper range, he has a habit of singing unnaturally through his nose when attempting to sing in the falsetto

Didn't see some of the singers performing as I was flicking between this and the Cube here's my review of those that I saw though:

Joelle - Really liked her, great start to the show
Sam - Wasn't a big fan of his performance tbh... it was entertaining to watch, but the show is called The Voice, so surely it should be more focused on the voice??? That's just my opinion though...
Frances - She was good
Jaz - Awesome performance. Probably my favourite performance of the night
Sophie - I loved her as well, was a bit gutted to see her leave...
Matt and Sueleen - They were alright, not sure if they'll win though...
Ruth - Love her as well! This girl has one heck of a voice

Overall, a great show, and a real high standard of singers IMO. Can't wait to see how Danny and Jessie's teams do next week