THE VOICE.

Yes. Yes, we have.

The singers. The blind audition. Cee Lo. Petting his cat.

We're all over it.

I hate reality television. And specifically reality talent shows. As a private coach for young actors a few years back, I actually had a student who made it through several cuts of the American Idol experience, only to be told by the producers (the step BEFORE getting in front of the celebrity judges - took 4 auditions to get there) that he was not "marketable". I also don't dig the whole viewer voting thing. I think Dancing With the Stars is like that also. The way I see it, these kind of shows are popularity contests, cloaked as talent competitions.

So, I question them.

On the last season of The Voice, I learned that the finalists were all working musicians, with managers, and touring schedules - so, not necessarily amateurs. They already had budding careers. But, at least they were talented - and chosen for their actual voices. And not their choice of haircut. Or cool shoes.

That being said, we love The Voice.

I'm usually the Queen of I Hate Cliches, but for The Voice, I relinquish that throne, for the show is a GREAT lesson in, "Don't judge a book by its cover."

With their backs turned, the coaches choose the singers for their teams depending solely on sound, rather than gender, appearance, wardrobe, or even the ability to move naturally while performing. 

I love this.

And interestingly enough, my kids do also. I can honestly say that while watching the program, my children haven't made comments about a performer's looks, but have had PLENTY to say about what they hear during the auditions. We've been confused about a few picks, to be sure, but make no mistake, the coach turns around because they HEAR something intriguing, rather than basing potentional on a first glance.

The Voice has reminded me of the importance of teaching my children that outer appearance is no indication of a person's talent and brilliance which may just need the opportunity to be heard. 

As silly as it may sound, The Voice is a great tool to teach this point. If you can work around the frequent bleeped-out profanity, and the commercials for smutty shows in between segments, I say, push your button, turn your chair around and give it a try.

Anyone else out there watch The Voice? What are your thoughts?

 

---

Joline Pinto Atkins is an actress who also uses the web as her world-wide stage and can also be founding writing at The Cuppa Jo, Workingmother.com, and is the founder and a contributor at Daily Fast Fuel. Joline is wife to one (phew - that's good to know) and mother of two amazing children, aged 11 and 7, who are both named after authors. Addicted to fitness, she is an Independent Team Beachbody Coach and sweats out any daily angst by exercising and P90X'ing, and longs for good books, vats of coffee, and an endless supply of buffalo wings - which she will not share with you. So, please, do not ask.