So it’s back to work after the Christmas holidays. Somehow it’s got colder, darker and, to add insult to injury, dentists have suggested that we should stop eating cake in the workplace. Thank heavens then, that the first Saturday night of 2017 will unleash BBC Studios’ new light entertainment show Let It Shine to brighten up the weekends.
In the tradition of recent Saturday night telly, it is a talent show, but the prize is a little different. Instigated by songwriter Gary Barlow, the series will follow his search to fill five lead roles in a new musical featuring the songs of his band Take That. We don’t need to know much about the musical according to Mr Barlow, other than the boys selected needn’t be carbon copies of Robbie, Howard, Jason, Mark and himself. Instead he’s interested in finding a group that can convey the “energy of the 1992 version of us”.
Barlow will not be alone in seeking out the right guys for the job. He has enlisted the help of three other judges, themselves each experienced in holding the gaze of large audiences. Dannii Minogue, Martin Kemp (Spandau Ballet) and Amber Riley (Dreamgirls, Glee) will be casting their scores (anonymously) along with Gary,in the hope their favourites will accrue enough ‘stars’ to get through to the next round.
The judges, Amber Riley, Gary Barlow, Dannii Minogue and Martin Kemp
Just before Christmas I attended a screening of the first episode of Let It Shine, 'hot out of the edit suite'. BBC Studios’ Controller of Entertainment Commissioning, Kate Phillips introduced the programme as irreverent, funny and emotional and that if the show were a stick of rock, it would have BBC running through it.
Having watched it, I can quite happily agree with Phillips’ introduction. The dry humour that presenters Graham Norton and Mel Giedroyc bring gives respite from the nerves and anticipation of the auditions. The family-friendly entertainment combined with the chemistry between the judges and presenters makes Let It Shine a real ensemble piece.
Applicants are treated with respect, with each performer given feedback and encouragement, whether they were chosen to go through to the next stage or not. The show is refreshingly self-aware and respectful of the talent it is unearthing, as Barlow notes: “It’s the one thing, when we’re planning a show like this, what we can’t anticipate is the talent…now we’ve seen those performances, all of a sudden the show has come to life… with these programmes it is all about the talent”.
Dannii, Mel, Gary and Martin at the post screening Q and A
Presenters and judges (minus Amber Riley, due to some small matter of a press night for Dreamgirls) participated in a Q and A at the end of the press conference. I confess to being easily starstruck, and although I am very much a 'grunge' girl at heart, the thought of being in the same room as bona fide popstars Kemp, Minogue and Barlow was highly exciting, but the real treat was seeing Mel Giedroyc having been a huge fan of Mel (and Sue) since their Light Lunch days. The camaraderie between Giedroyc and co-host Graham Norton is a beautiful thing. Listen to their experiences working on the show, in the clip below:
Presenters Mel Giedroyc and Graham Norton talk to BBC Studios' Kate Phillips
Oh yes, and Kate’s introduction mentioned the show was emotional. Now, I’m not the least cynical of people but I definitely welled up watching episode one. At least twice. In a good way.
Be prepared for a goosebumpy ride.
Jen Macro is Digital Content Producer for About the BBC.
- Let It Shine begins on Saturday 7 January at 7pm, on BBC One.
- Read more about Let It Shine on the BBC Media Centre.
