Moira Ross, the exec producer of The Voice UK and head of entertainment at Wall to Wall, on the art of producing entertainment shows.
Entertainment series like The Voice and Strictly are such big shows, that you need to have a broader vision for them. It’s important to set a strong tone.
You have to step back and look at the bigger picture and think, how do I want people to feel on Saturday night when they are watching it? I want them to feel they are part of it and can relate to it. I also like to have a laugh. I want to bring out the humour and the humanity.
The trend has been to edit things in a really safe way or go for this faux jeopardy. But I like to see if we can get something funnier, or make it warmer and softer. I’ll ask, is it making me laugh, is it cheeky?
Jeopardy is an old-fashioned entertainment concept now. If it is not real, it shouldn’t be in there.
Casting is what takes a show up to the next level. It is the people who make a show.
Kylie is naturally really warm, and is a feminine addition to The Voice. Ricky brings us wit – he’s an everyman and is down to earth. They have both broadened the tone of the show and will.i.am and Tom are enjoying working with them too. There’s a great rapport and humour between them all.
We have so much footage that we couldn’t squeeze into the series of all the judges dancing in the studio in-between performances. They love music and they’re in an environment that’s all about music with a live band and great singers. And if they are having a good time, you have a good time watching it. The more smiles that happen on screen, the more you smile at home as viewer.
It’s a fun job. I could be doing much worse jobs than hanging out in the studio listening to Will’s jokes!
I hate emails. I would much rather have a meeting. I don’t want to sit doing emails when I could be having a conversation.
There’s a lot of pressure on The Voice, because it’s a Saturday night show. It’s the shop window to BBC One, so all eyes are on it.
It takes someone who is quite patient to do this job. And you’ve got to be someone who really likes people, who wants to see them to do well – from the people on the team, the stars in the chairs, to the singers who audition. I am really passionate about that and love the team I work with – they have been with me for years now! We want contestants to have a fun and positive experience on the show and I think you can really see that every week.
The Voice UK crowns its winner for 2014 on Saturday 5 April, live on BBC One.
Tim Dams
Share this story
