Heather Hawkins (left) and Jeremy Glinoga
Much too much of the time TV talent tilt shows overwhelm with too intense and attention-calling pyrotechnics and even hysterics.
Other frequent turn-offs are the similarly self-serving “antics and frantics” of some celebrity mentor-judges, who feel that they have to have their own competitive sideshow to make up for inexperienced contestants’ lack of “eventful” projection.
Last June 10 on “The Voice Teens,” however, all of those ditzy distractions were amazingly absent, and viewers were treated to a performing moment to be prized and remembered, which showed how things should be on TV talent tilts all the time.
The golden moment was a duet rendition of “Sana Maulit Muli” by Team Sharon’s Jeremy Glinoga and Heather Hawkins, two teen standouts whom the Megastar mentored so incisively and well that they came up with a performance and competition number that was pure artistry and joy!
The song was arranged and performed so simply, insightfully, feelingly and well that viewers could finally focus on the sheer beauty of material and performance alone, as they savored the sight and sound of two exceptionally gifted teen singers. They concentrated on making their rendition the very best it could be, no frills or distractions at all.
Even the juror-mentors didn’t have to come up with colorful and zingy comments to keep things “interesting,” and instead shared their own instructive insights into music and performance that enhanced what Heather and Jeremy had just accomplished.
Mentor Sharon was most moved of all, since she would have to choose between her two young wards, whom she had come to love. That’s why she feelingly urged her co-judges to “save” the one she had to pass up—which Coach Bamboo did with alacrity (he saved Heather).
The sad thing is, a golden moment like that comes much too seldom on TV talent tilts, which feel they “have” to concentrate on “entertaining” viewers “to death!”
No, if the song and singers are right, the best approach is really to throw everything else away and focus on simplicity, beauty and artistry, because those are truly the elements that connect deeply with viewers.
Having recently savored that moment of pure musical beauty and joy on “The Voice Teens,” everyone should strive to make it happen more often, so televiewing can be gratefully enjoyed, not tolerated or endured with gritted teeth and “defensive” earplugs.
Of course, Jeremy and Heather are uncommonly gifted teen artists, so we can’t expect everybody to weave the musical spell they did. But, if we all remind ourselves to focus on the factors and elements that truly count, we could enjoy those “highlight” moments more often.
Viewers can do a lot in this regard—if we learn to also focus on what really matters and not require performers and mentor-judges to entertain us “to death!”!