The Voice UK

Just expanding upon my previous point, the editing in tonights show was absolutely brutal to the point of it almost looking like a montage during the results. It was painfully obvious with the crowd noise too as it kept suddenly becoming louder. Another obvious time was when Lana Del Ray finished performing, it cut away and cut back and within about three seconds she had gone and the contestants were on stage! Likewise when Sam was voted off and they cut back to the stage.

If they insist on pre-recording the results show then they ought to do it in one take and put it out as live because tonight was painfully obvious. They also need to pay attention to detail and get changed as they do for Strictly . It all seemed a bit amaetur tonight which is a shame because despite my criticisms of it, it is a really good programme.

Is this the first mainstream programme to use mobile short codes that are designed to be dialled rather than sent texts? The saucy channels have been doing this for a while but I've not seen it used on mainstream programmes or for voting before.

This is actually a good use for short codes because it means that users of landlines and mobiles get charged similar amounts for the call, even though only idiots vote in these kind of things, the BBC are right to treat idiots with mobiles in the same way as idiots with landlines.

If only the rest of the BBC would make more sensible use of short codes. Generally speaking, the sensible thing would be for a PSB not to use them at all.

Yes, admittedly, there were moments of sound and particularly after the performance that it really seemed more obvious than it was already it was a pre-record, but for a show in its first series, until now, I'm really pleased with what they have done. I can only hope it will be more polished in the weeks to come, and like most things in this world, they improve the things that people have been flagging up.

Lots more people critical and aware of a pre-record than for say, Strictly, which is more believable. Particularly in the costume department.

But this show is way ahead of X Factor and BGT for me in so many ways that criticisms to do with anything else apart from the high level of talent on the show mean little.

Well at least Uncle Tom remembered to keep referring to "last night", unlike Reggie. They need though to get Holly to phrase any questioning so it avoids a yes/no answer - or get Tom and Will practicing the Yes/No game in an effort to get them to raise their game.

The sound was awful tonight though - the crowd are annoying enough without it appearing canned. Also if it is supposedly all about The Voice why don't the bottom two get the chance to show their voice once again. The structure seemed odd too - would be better surely to conclude the results for each team in one go, breaking it with the (obviously pre pre-recorded) guest appearance.


Really don't get though how anyone could have watched the show tonight then come on here saying how much better than The X Factor is. It had pretty much everything an X Factor Results show has, beginning with the questionable group performance, then the recap complete with judges comments, plus the guest act, no particular order results, judges decision and the loser signing off by saying "it isn't the last you've seen of me" when we all know full well it is.

Well to a point, most results shows are going to follow a similar format. There's only so much you can do before you reveal the inevitable result. But I think more fundamentally, it is a question of atmosphere and tone that the show is wishing to strike differently to similar shows.

For one, I trust the judgment of all of the coaches. The track record of each of the X Factor judges is questionable. So, on that level, the success of each coach on the Voice far outweighs that of the judges on the X Factor. Also the coach has the deciding vote after the phone vote. On the X Factor, the judges whose act is not in the bottom two has no vested interest in voting for the best act. It's nothing to do with them anyway. I think it is the balance of power on this programme that is severely undermined. It is very very fresh and important too.

The show is just more positive and nurturing talent without the feeling that there is an ulterior motive to show someone in a bad light or grab headlines. And just by hearing the comments of the coaches, particularly talking more technically, I realise that the evictees always say that this won't be the last, but at least The Voice goes some way to give them an opportunity and really pushes them to show them as they are and what they're capable of.

I know it sounds like a broken record, but when you say there aren't any similarities between the two shows, just think more carefully about the past 6 weeks we've seen of The Voice versus the past 8 or so years we've had The X Factor.

The production values on The Voice are far less chavvy and flashy and brash than on X Factor. Less pantomime and a results show that does its job as far as I'm concerned.

I, for one, am bored of this argument, and shall continue to watch the programme regardless.

On any such show the judges are surely there to help us separate the good from the great once the not so good is weeded out. Based on last night and the battle rounds they are simply failing to do that by giving virtually zero criticism - and therefore nothing for the acts to work with as the show moves forward. I wonder if in fact they've been told to keep such opinions to themselves to keep up this charade that it isn't The X Factor in disguise.

Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying the show and as a non-Strictly fan it's easily the best talent show format the BBC have had in recent years - but they need to loosen up and accept it for what it is to ensure it has a long term future. (I suspect though if we looked back at early episode of X Factor and Idol they probably took themselves rather seriously too.)

The results show was absolutely atrocious.

I don't give a sh!t about viewer tweets, there was no drama when they revealed who was going home, you didn't get to hear the evictees sing one last time, there were loads of awkward moments like when the fat lad got voted off and Holly just leaves him standing there whilst she celebrates with the others, Holly was awful talking to the judges just evoking one-word answers, and it was all obviously pre-recorded.

What a waste of time. I'd rather they just tweeted the result Saturday night if they're going to put so little effort in.

The only saving grace was that the group song was sang live - but even that was done shoddily with people's mics faded down.

I don't think its fair to say the track record of the X Factor judges is any more questionable than The Voice coaches. I'd even say the 2011 panel wipes the floor with The Voice panel in terms of success. I guess the clue is in the name regarding the voting system- X Factor judges are there to judge as well as mentor, but The Voice coaches are there to coach which is why there is a different power balance. It also gives X Factor much more unpredictability for the headlines it craves.

I agree. At one point Reggie said something like "you were great tonight" instead of "last night", there was also no costume change. As for the tweets bit... I particularly like this one from Chris from London who says...



Thanks Chris, keep your tweets coming in so, just like Britain's Got Talent, we can practically fill the whole show with social media nonsense so that you - the viewer - can then comment on the tweets we've chosen and have your say on how bad or good you thought the tweets were ...like a one big fat circle of televised pish!

So do the audience have to sign a confidentiality thing to stop them revealing the result on Saturday night when they leave the studio? I can understand the press being embargoed - but how do you control 200+ members of the public?

'Only idiots vote in these kind of things'

What right do you have to say that? This forum is getting worse with people so up their own backsides. Why can't people just let the other people enjoy and get involved with the things they like.

I just happen to think that anyone who would spend money to hear a recording of someone saying "Thank you for voting for XXX" must be a little bit gullible. I don't care if it is Holly Willoughby saying it. I don't even care if it is Reggie Yates saying it.

What people are you talking about, who is trying to stop you getting involved with the things you like? How would any TV Forum member stop another TV Forum member from voting in a reality show?

Solid arguments and reasoned debate might do the trick, I suppose.