Telly Text #6: The Voice + Revenge

on Monday, May 06, 2013
Words: Jordan Andrew



'The Voice'


Saturday night television has evolved through the years - it's no longer about shows like 'Blind Date' or 'The Generation Game', right now it's either 'The Voice' or 'Britain’s Got Talent'. With a ratings war each Saturday, you are either watching one of these shows or are perhaps out socialising like a normal human being! For me, 'The Voice' is the better show and right now is probably the best time to watch the show as the chairs are still spinning and the coaches can now steal acts.

'The Voice' consists of four coaches - Danny O’Donoghue of The Script, Jessie J, Tom Jones and Will.i.am. Each week their chairs are turned so that they can not see what the potential hopeful looks like, as they keep saying it is suppose to be all about “the voice”. If more than one person likes an act, it is up to that act to pick which coach they want to work with, after listening to the coaches beg for them to choose them. As we go through the “Battle Rounds” and then on the “Live Performances”, many acts are eliminated until we find that one artist to crown 'The Voice'.


One of my pet hates with talent reality television shows is when people who have had their fifteen minutes come back on other show to try to revamp their careers, and 'The Voice' is full of them. The worse part is that I hardly know any of these people that were former “pop stars” but thankfully this is 'The Voice' and so many of these acts do not go past the “Blind Auditions”.

Another issue I have with this show is the coaches and the way they plea to get an act to come on to their team, in particular Danny from The Script and Jessie J who seem to always be buzzing and begging for an act to pick them. It can be quite uncomfortable to watch artists who have made an name for themselves beg in such a way.

Overall, 'The Voice' is my pick over 'Britain’s Got Talent', I would rather watch people who actually have credibility judge people rather than sit through judges like Amanda Holden telling dancers they are not good enough...really! And to those of you that actually go out on a Saturday night, well done as you have a proper life.

Watch 'The Voice' every Saturday on BBC One or catch up BBC iPlayer.


'Revenge'



When I want to get revenge on someone, I simply let karma do the work for me. On the other hand, Emily Thorne (Emily VanCamp) likes to torture and kill off her enemies on 'Revenge'. Series two of this hit television show is on E4 at the moment, and Emily is kicking more ass than ever before.

As a child her life is turned upside when her father David Clarke (James Tupper) is framed for a crime he did not commit, and watches as everyone betrays her father. As the story reveals itself, Emily Thorne is clearly not who she says she is - she is Amanda Clark, David’s daughter...now you can understand why this show is called 'Revenge'! Set in the Hamptons, Emily is dazzling and rubbing shoulders with wealthy people who had the money and power to help her father but chose not to.

Emily’s main nemeses are the Graysons; the wealthiest family in the Hamptons who master minded the downfall of David Clarke and basically control the Hamptons. Conrad Grayson (Henry Czerny) is the breadwinner of the house, being a CEO of Grayson Global, the family business. However it is Victoria Grayson (Madeleine Stowe), his not so loyal wife that is head of the house, most of the scheming and backstabbing among the Graysons comes from her which she does with such elegance and style that you would never see coming. But it is Daniel Grayson (Joshua Bowman), their spoilt rich son, that catches Emily’s eye and soon things heat up between these two.


The Hamptons is not just filled with Emily’s arch enemies, there are actually people she likes, such as Jack Porter (Nick Wechsler) her old friend that she had fond memories with but can not reveal her true identity him as she is a woman on a mission. One of the few people that know her true identity is Nolan Ross (Gabriel Mann) her dad’s trusted friend and my favourite character on the show. Nolan has some of the best witty comments and is always thinking what you are thinking, but at the same time is extremely loyal to Emily. These on-screen friendship blossoms in every episode you watch.

If you are looking to watch an US drama starring a cold hearted killer then you have found your show and once it has finished, you can simply turn over so you do not have to watch that 'Made In Chelsea'...not even I can watch that! With 'Revenge' waiting to be renewed by ABC, I remain very confident that there will be a series three for us all to enjoy.

Watch 'Revenge' on Mondays at 9pm on E4 or on 4oD catch up.

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