Loredana Bertè, queen of cult anecdotes (and strict when necessary): rating 8/9
National Heritage Loredana Bertè. We will see her return to the Ariston stage next February with the song “Pazza”, a track that has already gone viral on social media. Meanwhile, on “The Voice Kids” (this year Simone Grande from the Clementino team won) she was once again the queen of cult anecdotes: crowned “Pasta Queen” by Andy Warhol himself while she was living in New York for a while on sabbatical, from Madonna deprived of a Moschino jacket, even honored by the King of Pop Michael Jackson, who gave her another one, straight from his own wardrobe. A baby competitor says he's written an entire musical for her, but not even that gift is enough to appease her, Loredana doesn't budge when it comes to anything less than near-absolute vocal excellence. With her chicks, Bertè, who was the most difficult to convince in the circle around the seat, was friendly but strict: when she first got upset, she had to gargle with sparkling water for half an hour to warm up her voice. We don't know if this is a common practice, but the results felt clear and distinct, very clear. To cheer you up, listen to the soundtrack of the horror film “The Exorcist”, where in the various episodes he playfully (or not?) argued with Gigi D'Alessio and threatened to scratch his car because “Look, I know where you parked.” . A roller coaster ride full of spectacle, incredible memories and brutal affection. Irreplaceable.
Gigi D'Alessio, the copy-and-paste trainer (who fears no one): Rating 5
The piano that Renato Carosone gave him and which he still keeps at home was also mentioned several times in this issue. Gigi D'Alessio, who occupies the judging seat of The Voice Kids for the second year in a row, ends his mission by copying and pasting what he has already done before in terms of thoughts, words, works and opinions. A born baby talent, he continues his personal battle against metaphors: “You are not the icing on the cake, you are the icing on the cake”, “You are not the cloud in the sky, you are the sky on top of the cloud”. We followed, somewhat confused him with relative joy. Even if he turned out to be the most unscrupulous and cunning juror. Let's not forget, during the first blind auditions, the moment when he “blocked” Loredana Bertè, who in return had a promising golden suppository in their team wanted, and prevented her from acquiring it. “And if you complain, I'll even block you because you're on WhatsApp,” he concluded. What does Gigi D'Alessio do to relax? He hears his again Create your own songs to never give up. Copy and paste.
The wise and naive Arisa, an excellent newcomer to the jury: rating 8.5
“When I was a child, my parents entered me into all sorts of singing competitions, but I didn't end up at the top of the final rankings. In fact, many times I couldn't take part at all.” Arisa spoke about herself with an open heart in this second edition of The Voice Kids and also admitted that she had made a mistake in Sanremo and had forgotten the words on the Ariston stage. As a newcomer to the jury, this participation in the red chair was a blessing for her: motherly and enthusiastic, she seems to have rediscovered a sweet and comforting wisdom that she had perhaps only kept to herself recently. “Take this experience as a small embroidery on the canvas of your life, it is not an end point,” he often reminded his chicks, while forcing some of them to sing “Lucio Dalla” with a pen in their mouth to test their skills improve diction. Tricks of the trade. In search of her own “street credibility,” she planned to open a “rap school” with Clementino, with whom she developed a really pleasant harmony. Even though Rosalba Pippa showed in freestyle that she still has a lot to do, we don't find any flaws in everything else. Tender, wise, determined and naive, who knows if she still believes that Gigi D'Alessio keeps crocodiles in her garden…
Clementino, fearless jester (even his wigs are forgiven): Rating 8
We saw how he was touched by “L'Essenziale” by Marco Mengoni, sung by a little baby talent. But he also wore the most colorful wigs to entertain audiences in the studio and at home, to the extreme disapproval of Bertè and D'Alessio. “Now let all of Italy hear Nola York play!” he encouraged the aspiring rapper Bonsai, his compatriot and improvised a very tight routine with him. Clementino (yes) enjoys himself and the role of the judge jester is also confirmed as perfect for his strings in this second edition of The Voice Kids. He doesn't get tired. In the constant search for a girlfriend, he tries to turn his chicks into miniature cupids, but the mission seems desperate. “Try it.” Be yourself,” they advise him in the rehearsal room and hope to be able to start singing again soon. During the stakes, the rapper proved to be downright reckless: When he played “Adagio” by Lara Fabian to little Simone, he outdid all the daring. Despite all the odds, he emerged victorious thanks to the amazing high notes of the incredible twelve-year-old. We encourage, if not primarily, courage.
Antonella Clerici, victorious hen (who avoids drama): vote 10
On stage with the relatives of each little golden suppository in the competition, she appears even more engaged during the performance than the person who gave birth to the singing creature of the moment. And he never gives the impression that he is faking anything. Antonella Clerici also proves to be an added value, even the beating heart, of The Voice Kids in this second, very successful edition. We saw her getting emotional, wiping her tears on her stage dress, chatting like a mother hen to every chick in the competition, and “hiring” the rejected ones as “servants” for the final night, not failing to shout at the judges because I didn't choose her. If this talent is the best on our television, we owe it, although not primarily, to its presenter. Among the many merits that can be attributed to her, we mention the most important one: she remains the only one who doesn't bother with dramas, competitions and protagonisms of any kind in order to leave space for the competing girls. So not only do they make it clear who they are, but they also experience the whole experience like a light-hearted game. In these times a regenerating spotted zebra. It's no surprise that this show sold out Auditel every Friday night. And it doesn't hurt the others either.
The talent (and dreams) of the baby candidates in the competition: 10 cum laude
For years we have been used to seeing children singing on television. For many who believe they only make sense in horror films, The Voice Kids is the ultimate cure. It would even change the Grinch's mind. The work of the casting office is commendable and exquisite, managing to line up gals with throats of pure gold and dreams of exquisite platinum. Thanks to the introductory clips broadcast before each performance, we can immerse ourselves in their world of dinosaurs, passion for recycling and ambitions as directors or chefs. There are also those who want to be butchers, “and if the music doesn’t work out, when I grow up I’ll go to karaoke with my friends every night.” Nobody gives the impression of feeling like a superstar yet, although everyone can count on professional intonation and stage presence. It remains understandable why contestants at adult talent shows tend to drown in a glass of tears as they fear the dramatic possibility of singing without autotune. Apparently the youngest generations have better hopes. So let's hope for the best.
The Voice Senior is back, more good news (also for the eardrums): rating 8+
During this second edition we have repeatedly seen the announcement of the opening of casting for The Voice Senior, another spin-off of the original Dutch format. Based on the first season, we think it's good and encouraging news for television in the new year. If the talent show with standard competitors had now reached its media end point, the venture to bring it back to life thanks to bonsai and old-fashioned golden suppositories was, perhaps surprisingly, a real stroke of luck. What the two programs have in common is the prohibition of any malicious brotherly competition and the fact that talent is placed at the center. If there are no surprises, The Voice Senior promises to be, at least on paper, an excellent opportunity to spend more than just pleasant evenings in the company of people who, for once, can undoubtedly sing. And he does it for the fun of it. Nothing wins, but everyone wins. We wait confidently. Hoping to amaze your eardrums again.