Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this is a rare primetime program that families can actually watch together. There's no need to worry about sex, violence, or questionable language; this is about as squeaky clean as you can get, content-wise. Positive role models are in abundance, and the show's goal is to raise money for a range of worthwhile charities. There is some commercialism at play -- including subtle promotion of the featured celebrities' own brands -- but philanthropy is the real focus.
Families can talk about the fact that you don't need a celebrity's help to give back to your local community through volunteerism and philanthropy. What are some ways that you can get involved where you live? Parents can also use the show as a way to encourage children to take on a charitable project of their own choosing by supporting an organization that interests them.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kari Croop
Hosted by TV personality Maria Menounos and featuring celebrity singers Michael Bolton, Patti LaBelle, Nick Lachey, Kelly Rowland and Blake Shelton, CLASH OF THE CHOIRS has a simple premise that succeeds in providing entertainment the whole family can enjoy.
With a nod to the amateur-driven American Idol and celebrity-studded reality fare like Dancing With the Stars, Clash of the Choirs asks five famous musicians to go back to their hometowns and form choirs composed of everyday people. Over the course of four evenings, the choirs compete for a $250,000 prize that will be donated to a charity of their celebrity choirmaster's choosing.
The good news is this: All five choirs are talented, and a few -- particularly LaBelle's group of singers from Philadelphia -- are truly fantastic. More cynical viewers could easily deride the show's sappy message and cheesy song choices. But if you give it half a chance, you just might find yourself enjoying the music ... and getting misty-eyed in spite of yourself.
Of course, it wouldn't be a televised singing competition without the usual reality show shenanigans, including a woman who comes to her audition dressed in a fluffy yellow chicken suit and a man with a jaw-dropping signature dance who refers to himself simply as "X." (Think "X"-crutiating.) But, come on ... isn't that why we watch?
You have to wonder whether NBC could've coughed up more than $250,000 for the sake of a good cause, especially considering that the network offers a $1 million prize on its wildly successful game show Deal or No Deal. Yes, a quarter of a million dollars is a lot of money. But when you consider the staggering amounts of cash changing hands every day in the entertainment industry, it somehow seems like a sad little sum.
If you find the show's mix of celebrities, charities, and music irresistible, chances are you'll also enjoy Dancing With the Stars and Celebrity Duets.
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Social BehaviorEach choir is working toward a $250,000 prize that will be donated to the charity of the winning celebrity director's choice. Choirs include people of a variety of ages, races, genders, and economic backgrounds who have worked together to find "one voice." |
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CommercialismT-Mobile's logo is featured prominently onscreen when viewers are asked to call in and vote for their favorite choir. The General Electric brand is also mentioned when the company donates $250,000 to support disabled American veterans. |
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