Singing Shows: A Definitive Ranking — Part 1

Since that fateful day, 10th January 2001, before any of us knew of the ridiculous mite that reality TV would gain, we’ve been haplessly spoon-fed a select kind of reality show that, for a time, seemed to capture our attention like nothing else on that small box, or indeed the world.

We made allowances for some of the corniest, rudest, and frankly most ridiculous scenes in British television history, and we loved every minute. Well, not every minute, because it always got a bit boring after the auditions. Yes, I am of course referring to the rotting jewel in the decaying crown that is television singing competitions. Do jewels rot? I really don’t know, but for the purpose of this point, whatever it is, they do.

A roting jewel? Or was he always just a lump of stone?

The 10th of January 2001 was the day that brought us the opening episode of the UK version of Popstars — a new series from ITV dubbed as a documentary that, for the first time, showed the audience how a pop band is made. A sausage factory-type documentary that promised industry secrets, but, notably, gave us a bit more bluster and bravado than the real deal. This series was a huge success for ITV, beginning the British love affair with reality singing shows. We’ve had all sorts since then, varied formats, differing genres, and… masks. What is it with reality shows and masks? It would be fair to say that of all the forms of reality…