The Voice, for those who don’t know, has four famed recording artists choosing a team of singers based on blind auditions. The four artists coach and mentor their respective teams. There are various battle rounds where coaches and/or the viewers will determine the winner. The final winner, the Voice, will get a recording contract among other things.
Face Off is a show where special effects make-up artists compete for several prizes and opportunities. Each week has a spotlight challenge where either prizes or safety are determined and a themed challenge where someone is eliminated. Themes have including recreating the catena scene from Star Wars, zombie Alice in Wonderland characters, disproportionate video game characters, and Chinese dragons.
One of the main things that set these shows apart from most other reality competition shows is that they are nicer. No one is truly out for blood. So many programs reward people for being manipulative and cutthroat but not these. Every contestant has skill. No one is there to be mocked and shamed for the schadenfreude of America.
You see more of a competitive element in The Voice but it is not edited or advertised in a way that promotes the ‘you’re-going-down’ mentality. The criticism is always constructive and never mean. You have to be the best to win but the contestants are gracious and kind. One guy who won his battle round immediately apologized to the girl who lost. As scripted as these can be, the produces didn’t generate that. It’s refreshing for a singing competition to have a more nurturing dynamic.
Face Off is the perfect show if you are tired of the standard reality TV smack down. I have never seen a competition where there was such strong camaraderie between the contestants. If someone’s mold is stuck, others jump in to help. When one of the younger contestants needs help, one of the veterans steps in. Each episode I see them helping, guiding, and praising each other.
One contestant who had been eliminated was allowed to rejoin the cast by winning the spotlight challenge. The remaining contestants were stoked to see everyone again. The girl who won was greeted with hugs and cheers. When someone was sent home that night, one of the girls audibly cried. I only saw one obnoxious diva this season and he lasted one episode.
There are a few reasons for this dynamic other than editing. Each contestant or team is responsible for their own idea and execution. People will step in for small things but if the overall design fails, it falls solely on the team or individual. Sabotage is difficult to accomplish in that situation.
I worked backstage at my college theater. If people on the tech crew hate each other, it makes life harder for everyone. It is so much easier to just get along. The contestants work in an industry where that is the prevailing mentality. They will likely see each other again in their professional lives. Play well now to play well later.
I’m immensely pleased that there are at least two reality shows that continue to garner ratings without Wild Kingdom-style fights and belittling judges. It’s things like this that actually make me want to watch TV.
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