O.k. I get that everyone’s trying to jump on board the ‘singing tv show’ train. I think I’m a good sport. My gut instinct is to support any singer with the guts to get up and take public criticism. But if there were a line in the sand, I do believe ABC’s Karaoke Battle USA has just crossed it and gone to the dark side.
Karaoke Battle USA is to singing tv shows what Dance Your *ss Off is to dancing shows. Following me?
The Non-Talent Factor
The show is filmed at various House of Blues locations, a venue well known for giving unknown artists a chance to perform on a great stage. (props to them) And like every show that gives people a chance to be on TV, it draws a number of non-singers. Just keeping it real.
Why Would a Singer Want to Be on This Show?
One thing this show does have going for it is a chance for singers of any age to compete. There are a TON of good singers over the age of 28! And this show gives them all a chance to represent their country at the Karaoke World Championships in Ireland and record an album.
Another benefit to good singers is that the competition is really sub-par. It’s clear that many of the karaoke performers edge lies in the alcohol level of the audience at the bars they regularly compete at. O.k. We expected some of that. But this much? Really?
Sizing Up the Judges
Karaoke Battle USA has three judges, only one of which is a qualified opinion. (Find out what makes a judge worth listening to in this resource). Wilson Phillips’ Carnie Wilson has been a long time singer/songwriter and funny girl. She’s helped dig the trenches that later artists walked through and knows her stuff. Joey Fantone who did a stint in NSNYC and has since been trying to recreate himself as a television host is not in the same ‘tried and true’ position. Neither is music journalist Joe Levy (Maxim, Rolling Stone)
Both guys have an opinion and have heard lots of singers. But you do too, right? Do they know more about the music industry than you? Probably. But they are really there more to fill out the judges panel for the entertainment value of the show than to give useful advice for the singers.
Would You Compete on This Show?
Would the love of karaoke drive you to compete on this show? The lack of a lot of real competition? Would the addition of on-screen lyrics free you up to show what you’ve got? Or do you think the show it too trashy (others’ words-not mine) to consider a real singing opportunity?
It remains to be seen if this guilty pleasure for non-singers everywhere will garner enough ratings to make it back for another audition season. But if it does I’m hoping the good talent cease the opportunity to rise above and raise the quality of this show.
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