The Voice

I think the BBC are right to decide not to renew TJ's contract, which is how it works - contracted for a year/season/whatever. I think he had become a bit too complacent and a bit too sitting back on his laurels accepting the plaudits (of which there were many) from both his fellow judges and the contestants. He is great - not my cup of tea - but every dog has his day and his day is over on "The Voice". My sympathies do not lie with him. Agreed, the BBC could have told him a bit earlier - which could have allowed him to say he was withdrawing from the show - but sometimes decisions are left till the last minute for various reasons. Perhaps Boy George needed some persuading??? Or perhaps it was all done to gain maximum exposure for the upcoming show - who knows? Call me cynical and I will agree wholeheartedly with you. Might watch it just to see how the others handle Boy George!

I don't think it's the judges that are causing the drop in audience numbers on the Voice. As far as I am aware, none of the winners has gone on to be a successful recording artist, which I think is a shame as several of them were, in my opinion, pretty talented. I recollect that Tom Jones was the mentor of (at least) two winners - a young woman called Lia or Leanne (I think) and a much older lady (who I thought was great). Neither of them has ever been seen again so although I enjoy the programme I think it hasn't lived up to expectations so far as the winning acts have been concerned.

If it is true, it does seem rather unfair the way TJ was dumped and I think his voice and career has been a good deal more notable than Boy George but I still think that unless at least some of the winners go on to great things the show will ultimately lose its appeal.

I agree that the X Factor can be very cruel and I don't like the early rounds where people are brought on just to look ridiculous. I also don't like all the hype about the judges - as if they are some sort of gods. Oh, and the sob stories.. But at least some of the winners (and losers) have gone on to forge successful careers in singing, acting or presenting.

you're forgiven.

Sorry

phoenix but everyone knows that now, so it becomes meaningless. When someone starts talking to me using the "sandwich" I'm already anticipating the shitty bit in the middle

It's like that "May I have a word?" means you're going to get a bollocking.

Good point about critisism Nonnie

Many years ago when I was a riding instructor, we were taught the principle of what was colloquially known as "The Sh*t Sandwhich", the basis of which was telling a pupil somthing that they had done well, identify and area where they could improve, then finising with another positive comment.

I was never a TJ fan but think he was great in this programme which we did watch when we had nothing better to do on a Saturday evening. I discovered the other judges too and thought Jessie J was good and love Ricky. I think Will tries too hard but seems to have a good heart.

I think The Voice and Strictly prove that you can criticise and still be pleasant. An example to all.

why can't they put some decent programmes on on a Saturday evening?

I hate that programme with a vengeance. All those has been judges bobbing about in their chairs trying to look cool!

Has any reason been given for dropping Tom?

got not gut!

Tom Jones was treated very badly by the BBC - the first he heard about being dropped was when he gut a letter to that effect, he took to Facebook to express his disappointment (in a very dignified statement).

I've never really watched The Voice but I went to a TJ concert in Hyde Park with a friend a few years ago, he was brilliant, so giving and appreciative of the audience and seemed to love what he was doing. It was one of the best concerts I've ever been to. He performed for hours.

On the other hand, we paid a lot of money on one occasion to listen to a very grumpy, bad tempered Van Morrison who seemed to think he was doing the audience a favour ...!

I'm absolutely disgusted with the BBC over this. Boy George has been to prison for violence against a lover, in no way is he a suitable role model for prime time TV.

Yes, I think you're right Maggie

When we became sophisticated.

I like the early stages of The Voice. The contestants have been vetted beforehand, so (nearly) all of them have talent. I like the way they're spoken to by the mentors, too - none of the rudeness and cruelty you see on the X Factor. I do think Tom Jones has been treated badly though.

Did we just say 'dances', Ana? Then we moved on to 'discotheques'.

Not sure it was called a 'disco' in those days though (mid-sixties).

It certainly was, kitty - I used to watch it before I headed off to the local Locarno for the under-21s disco where we girls used to dance around our handbags....[nostalgia emoticon]

that is lovely phoenix. But, I was a very impressionable teenager when Tom Jones first hit ToTPs which was, I think, on Thursday night.

Although I only watched spasmodically, I did have a lot of time for Tom.

Having said that, the "Boy" can sing.

Not sure about links on this thing, (advice appreciaed!) but try:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPVeU_VDAS8

I agree about Boy George's voice but I wouldn't have thought he was mentor material.

Its not my favourite programme but I do quite like the initial chair turning sessions. Just always felt that dear Tom added a certain amount of gravitas and creditability to what could have been a very trashy show. Am sorry he has gone.

I do not like the programme either and never watch it, but just wanted to say that Boy George has a lovely tenor voice.

I don't think Tom Jones is all that chuffed about it.

Why Boy George??

I hate the programme so I do not care who has gone.