No Prerequisite

Two karaoke-inspired TV game shows enter, one leaves. FOX and NBC have introduced rather similar shows this summer, but there are clear differences, so let’s have a look and choose a winner, Don’t Forget the Lyrics (DFTL) or The Singing Bee (TSB).

Hosts

Wayne Brady (DFTL) vs. Joey Fatone (TSB)

Joey Fatone is famous, of course, for having participated in Dancing with the Stars… oh, and that boy band of his a few years back. In fact, it’s that musical background that a) probably got him the job, and b) makes him not particularly suited for it. Wayne Brady, on the other hand, has a bit of musical talent himself, but is known as a comedian (see the American version of Who’s Line is it Anyway?), which gives him the stage presence any good host needs.

Advantage: Don’t Forget the Lyrics

Sets

Millionaire-style set (DFTL) vs. semi-retro stage (TSB)

The Singing Bee’s set has that certain, special something that makes it… cheesy. Whether it’s the spinning treble and bass clefs, or the glittering background, or the light-up floor. To be fair, the Don’t Forget… set is not original by any means, but it works.

Advantage: Don’t Forget the Lyrics

Format

Climb the prize ladder (DFTL) vs. “bee” (TSB)

Those of you familiar with real bees–spelling and what have you–may notice that the so-called singing bee doesn’t really follow a traditional bee format: the show is not based on elimination but rather on advancement. That is to say, at the beginning of the show the first several players can advance without the rest having a chance to go. But that’s not the real problem with the show. The real problem is that only at the very end does the night’s champion get a chance to compete for money.

Don’t Forget the Lyrics, by contrast, has one player seeking to increase his prize money throughout the entire game. The flaw? At most players have to provide 10 or 12 words, it seems. Then again, sometimes on The Singing Bee they only need three or four.

Other features of the Don’t Forget the Lyrics? Backups (think lifelines) and categories to choose from, with a choice of songs within each category. Both make the game a little easier for players, but also a little more interesting for viewers at home, in the sense that there’s more to it than just whether or not the player remembers the lyrics.

Advantage: Don’t Forget the Lyrics

The Bands

Both shows have rather generic bands. The Singing Bee advantage comes from the talent singing the songs until the players take over, and the band-leader singing “It’s the final countdown!” each show.

Advantage: The Singing Bee

Dancers

None (DFTL) vs. some (TSB)

Don’t Forget the Lyrics doesn’t have them, though Wayne and the players sometimes make up for that fact. The Singing Bee does have them, though I’m not sure why. They reminded my wife of that short-lived game show hosted by Shatner that seemed to serve as an excuse to get as many dancers on screen as possible. And we all know what happened to that show… what, you don’t know? Exactly.

Advantage: Don’t Forget the Lyrics

Overall

Taking every category but one, the clear winner is Don’t Forget the Lyrics! Problem is, seems like everyone is talking about The Singing Bee. Fortunately, there’s no reason you can’t watch both (though I wouldn’t, if I were you.)