Trial by Choir (TLC)

I strongly believe that Trial By Choir is better than Brat Camp, Higher Ground and many other teen-related reality shows... But that's MY opinion! Many teens can relate to the topics that are discussed in the show. The series covers issues that touch VERY close to home, as can I also relate. Series watchers crave for someone in the show to relate to... There is at least one teenager (if not more) that is in the series that the viewer can relate to. The adults in the show are trying to reach out to their teenagers... But most of them are resistant to that idea. Also- I think the adult leaders are going about the situation the wrong way. Tough love isn't always going to help to bring the teens closer to them as well as the other teens in the series. Broken hearts and dreams, all forms of abuse imaginable, school issues, trust problems, broken homes and other topics are keeping some of the teenagers distant from those who want to help them. Various issues are keeping teens from warming up to eachother. It keeps them even more distant from the adults that are trying to help them be their best. I really hope that the adults should try their hardest to come up with a plan that best helps their teens. Because I was in choir in high school, I can related to the emotions felt by both the adults and the teens. Adults want the choir to be its best. But all the young'ins take away from the situation is misunderstanding and anger. I have heard that in two sessions, the group will be close and the staff will be still pushing them away.. Not on purpose of course. The youth leader says that she can "relate" to what their teens are going through (as far as sruggles) so why isn't she trying to be more affectionate towards the crowd that she is supposed to "relate" to? I think that the youth leader should to try and understand her teens more, that will bring her close to them and same to them.

I loved the idea that yet another reality show turned out to be NOT yet another competition reality show. That was refreshing, and indeed where I was certain a number of people should have been kicked off, I thought that the Choir Director and Youth Counselor were great at making every effort to keep them in. This is real stuff and a fantastic view of life on the streets and for teens coming of age. My dissapointment is that it's over. I expected more development since this was an outlet for these kids to center their attention on something positive and now they have to go back to where they started with very few actually taking steps to move higher. Also, I feel the need to say that while the Youth Counselor obviously loves what she does and demonstrates a high degree of patience, it seems that she's working out her own problems through these kids. As a counselor it's important to just listen and respond instead of sharing your hard knock story at every opportunity. It's not about you, it's about them. She was sweet, but seriously I hope this is considered. Thank you for this show and I hope you continue to do more.