Parents' Guide to Hitmakers

This show doesn't completely hit a sour note, but it certainly creates a dull, depthless vibe. Hitmakers introduces talented songwriters, all of whom who have written hit songs for top pop and country artists. But while they aren't shy about telling viewers that they've written for the likes of Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, and BTS, the purpose for participating in this elaborate TV experience is never made clear. The songs they write and record are fun, but the details offered about the collaborative process, the goals they have to meet, what makes a good song, etc. are limited and superficial at best. It doesn't help that the camps seem like luxury getaways, which makes it tough to talk about the many unglamorous parts of a songwriting career.

Meanwhile, the cast simply doesn't generate enough excitement, passion, or drama to make them interesting to watch outside of creative sessions. Granted, the show's producers attempt to create the sense that the cast bonds as a community throughout the experience, but these moments feel so awkward and contrived that one has to wonder how they get along when the cameras are turned off. Ultimately, Hitmakers succeeds at offering a stylized, and in some respects flawed, interpretation of what being a successful songwriter is all about.