The Voice Vs Britain's Got Talent

What a week for reality TV. We've got the return of The Apprentice (I'll come back to that another time) and one hell of a Saturday night. It's the return of Britain's Got Talent and new show on the block The Voice. Titans will clash!




Where to start? How about the judges, as let's be honest, they are the main reason we watch these shows. Simon Cowell is back on the panel with the juggernaut that is Britain's Got Talent. And, thank goodness he is back. As much as I love Michael McIntyre (the only judge I did like last year) the show seemed to get even worse when Cowell joined in at the live stages. He didn't know what the hell was going on, so he couldn't really say if they got better or worse, only that he probably wouldn't have put them through. On the other side we have Tom Jones (he's top judge right?) who has been quite vocal about the obvious rivalry between the two shows. He's been quoted as saying "I have problems when people who have never got up on a stage to sing judge those who do. Who are they to say? Simon Cowell is a record man, not a singer." He reckons The Voice has the edge as all 4 judges are singers. Interesting comment but BGT isn't all about singers. I'll get to the talent later. The Voice seems to be competing, and arguing, with the X Factor. Someone should tell them it's not on yet.

On the rest the BGT panel we've got stalwart Amanda Holden who brings literally nothing to the panel. Sure she's a nice women, and okay she's on the stage but the only thing I remember her for is marrying Les Dennis and then having an affair with Neil Morrissey on the set of Happy Birthday Shakespeare, a lame BBC drama. She's the Louis Walsh of BGT. She's like a barnacle but with pretty dresses and nice hair.

Then we've got the 2 new recruits David Walliams and Alesha Dixon. Alesha obviously isn't going the way of Kelly Brook (I think she might have been alright if you gave her some time) and hopefully she'll bring some Tulisa style "attitude" from the X Factor. As long as it's but not the Alexandra Burke kind of attitude OK DOT COM. And David Walliams has made me laugh on the trailer that was released last week, alright it was because he was doing a funny run but I still laughed. He's a direct swap from Michael McIntrye, so here's hoping he is funny.





On The Voice we've also got Jessie J, will.i.am and Danny O'Donoghue. Well. Jessie J is so hot right know, she makes sense but it's not like she has LOADS of experience. But then it didn't do Cheryl Cole no harm. I liked her on Judges' Houses on X Factor though so I think she will hold her own. I can't stand Black Eyed Peas and will.i.am's music but someone does, they can't be that popular without a whole lot of fans. And he is quite a well respected producer, so again, fair enough. Now who the hell is Danny O'Donoghue? I went from thinking it was Daniel O'Donnell to Danny from McFly, but finally found out he was from The Script. Now, excuse my lack of music knowledge but I have no idea who The Script are, they ring a slight bell but I couldn't name any of their songs. Who knows what he will be like?

Personally I think BGT has reached it's peak and that was a few years ago with the Diversity Vs Susan Boyle final. That was great TV. Diversity's routine was beyond amazing, I even remember voting for them. And let's not forget Susan Boyle's audition, something they've not been able to pull off since. Reality TV at it's best. There is no other show in the world that would have put them together. The Voice is just another singing show with a tweak to the format. It all depends on the calibre of contestants really.

I can't remember who won last year on BGT, so they really need something special this year. Same goes for The Voice. Without good contestants it's just 4 judges sitting at a table moaning at people.

The so-called ratings battle will probably be won by BGT but can they keep the viewers? We'll know soon enough. Yeah television!

Do I Have To Commit To That Right Now?

I just wanted to thank the lovely people at Ebury Publishing for letting me write a blog post for Caitlin Moran's website.

Here's the link to my post, Do I Have To Commit To That Right Now? and thanks again for all your nice comments, mentions and hugs.

My Year in Books- 3 Months in

At the beginning of the year I set myself a target of reading a book a week. I wanted to read some classics which I think I really should have read more of; maybe some Shakespeare, Dickens, Austen. I also wanted to read some Sherlock books, more of Philippa Gregory, Game of Thrones among many others and some great suggestions from Twitter. So we're on week 10 and I'm quite chuffed to say I've read 12 books. I've read 4 thrillers, 3 Sherlock Holmes books, a couple of girly reads and a picture book (I think that counts), among others.

I've already talked about Sweet Valley Confidential (which I HATED, just in case you wanted to know). I loved Caitlin Moran's book How To Be A Woman; brilliantly funny and very honest. I laughed out loud most of the way through it. It's on my other half's "to read" pile especially after I told him about what she used the word "China" for.

Finally got round to reading Jurassic Park. Anyone who knows me knows it's my favourite ever film so there wasn't really much excuse for me not to have read it. It was great, quite different in places and book John Hammond isn't as lovely as Richard Attenborough's John Hammond but it's still a great read. I'm allowed to say I prefer the film though, right?

The Sherlock Holmes books have been fun, easy reads too. Made me wish I had read them earlier. Watching RDJ and Benedict Cumberbatch's versions make me feel like I know some of the stories already so that probably helps.

With some of the other books that have turned into films; the problem I had was that I remember the film's ending so vividly I end up waiting for certain things to happen. Gone, Baby, Gone was one that really suffered from this. The end of the film is strong, I knew most of the story was just empty build up. A great book it's just I remembered too much of the film.

Philippa Gregory really has a beautiful way of bringing history come alive. Highly recommend trying some of her books, I'd start with The Other Boleyn Girl and try the rest of the Tudor Court novels.

Also I've read a couple of Charlaine Harris' new herorine Lily Bard. The stories are set in the town of Shakespeare (I know, just go with it) and are more crime than supernatural. In fact, if you're looking for more vampires and werewolves and fairies you're best off with Sookie. But if you're willing to try another girl, you won't be disappointed. Quick and easy to read, they are perfect holiday reads. The books are called Shakespeare's... And range from Landlord to Trollop. Interesting, no??

One other book I wanted to mention was the amazingly fantastic picture book, I Want My Hat Back. Go into Waterstones, find it and buy it. Any kids book that has a character going red with rage is going to be alright with me.

My to-read list for the next quarter:

• A Charles Dickens book, probably Great Expectations.
• Start, and hopefully this time finish, Game Of Thrones.
• Pick up something totally random just because the cover is nice.