'The Voice' UK coaches 'told to toughen up, be meaner to finalists'
Published May 7 2012, 09:14 BST | By Tom Eames
The Voice UK coaches have reportedly been told to "toughen up" by show producers.Bosses are said to have informed coaches Jessie J, will.i.am, Danny O'Donoghue and Sir Tom Jones to tell finalists the truth about their performances rather than making sure to be overly pleasant in comparison to their X Factor and Britain's Got Talent rivals.
© BBC / Wall To Wall
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The change comes after The Voice lost the Saturday night ratings battle against Britain's Got Talent this weekend.
"The Voice originally sold itself as being the 'nice' talent show and viewers loved that when it was coupled with the drama of the spinning chairs during the blind auditions," an insider told The Sun.
"But once the show moved into its live stage, a lot of viewers have tired of it and criticised the coaches for being too nice to singers who just aren't that great.
© BBC/Wal to Wall/Guy Levy
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"Bosses have now told them to toughen up, be meaner and to really speak their minds - even if it means upsetting people. The coaches made progress on Saturday, but there is still a long way to go."
The Voice UK saw Ruth Ann St Luce and Hannah Berney leave the competition last night (May 6).
Two acts from each of Jones and will.i.am's teams will leave the competition on Sunday (May 13), while they will also perform a track with their mentors.
The next live show will air on Saturday (May 12) at 6.10pm on BBC One.
nooo hope thisnt true.
May 8th 2012 at 11:00am
You might have had a credible argument until you use the BBC, PC agenda argument! Are you really living in this century? I cannot stand R&B, I hate wharbley singers who cannot sing one note, without singing 462 before they get to it, as far as I am concerned Jessie J has only released one song... she keeps on changing the title, The Script to me fall on deaf ears and Tom Jones is like watching my dad dance at a wedding. One thing I have grasped is, is the panel represent everything which is in the recording industry today. From the being manipulated to constantly bringing out song after song, perseverance through trying and trying and getting better, taking your act to a wider - 'world wider' audience & longevity.
Andrew, I suggest you do not get involved in the media hype - just enjoy all programs you want to watch, and use the 'off' switch if you do not.
To suggest a persons skin colour or sexual preference, is more to do with BBC diversity than talent, shows an uneducated, argument, and backs up my theory that the majority of the people of London have no clue about anything.
Your argument is old fashioned and you sound like one of the desperate Conservative parliamentarians who has grasped an argument that seems to suit your thought process.
Enjoy the X Factor - enjoy watching people with mental health being subjected to abuse, bullying & ridicule, by a person who has no shame, or respect for anyone but himself.
Something is happening in the world at the moment, - change is happening.
People are sick of being used in order to make others money.
Wake up from 1992 - and embrace 2012.
May 8th 2012 at 10:09am
Being mean and finding acts with a bad attitude will wreck this show. X Factor's been better with the new concept of Judges who can find quality talents and make truthful and honest comments - Yeah sure people find that boring, but that's because a partial audience would prefer a soap drama over real judging. The Voice has been doing spectacular every week and if they really do change to be mean - this will ruin them.
May 8th 2012 at 2:42am
I don't think this is the answer to their problems to be honest.
You don't have to be mean...just critical. At the end of the day this is a contest where all the acts came in with talent. And as coaches, they should be giving the acts critical feedback on how to improve throughout the competition.
Danny is actually really good at doing this. Everyone criticised him becoming judge, but he is actually turning out to be the one with the most feedback.
May 7th 2012 at 9:29pm
I'm starting to gather this won't be renewed for a second series then...
May 7th 2012 at 6:15pm