The One And Only Criticised For Damaging Industry

January 18th, 2008 by Lisa McGarry.

BBC Ones newest primetime show, The One and Only has been criticised for damaging the tribute industry.

Meatloaf impersonator Dean Torkington told The Stage newspaper: “The best tribute acts are that busy that they can’t give up two or three months to be at the beck and call of the BBC.

“We cannot do that. If you can give up two months of your diary and enter a competition hoping you’ll win, obviously you cannot have a lot of work.

“If I was watching this show and owned a big hotel and was thinking of hiring a tribute act, it would put me off booking a tribute show for life. It has set the industry back.”

Phil Fryer, who impersonates Frank Sinatra, added: “I think it’s a bit of an insult to say it’s a search to find the best tribute in the country. It makes a mockery of the industry and hasn’t done the tribute game any favours.”

A BBC spokesman defended the show saying:

“Far from making a mockery of tribute acts, it’s a celebration of the dedication, hard work and professionalism which goes into making a convincing tribute act.

“The nationwide audition shows attracted strong competition for the chance to take part and win a once in a lifetime prize of performing in Las Vegas.”

So what do you think? Have you been enjoying the show? Leave your comments below…

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Posted in The One And Only

One Response to “The One And Only Criticised For Damaging Industry”

  1. Maureen says:
    January 20, 2008 at 5:22 pm

    I have actually been enjoying the show, however I do also understand the concerns of the real industry. The real industry is where the tribute acts work regularly performing as a tribute act and yes they simply haven’t got time to enter a competition lasting three months with a short term contract of three months even though that is in Las Vegas which will be the chance of a lifetime for those who fancy their chances in a competition of this type.

    I suppose one could say that in all due fairness those members of the industry should stop worrying the owners of large clubs, large hotel groups, provincial theatres and seaside entertainment complexes, plus other corporate concerns who do hire a tribute act or acts for special functions held on a regular basis, would only hire an act coming from a recognised source an agency or management company specialising in nothing other than tribute acts. Afterall, there is no guarantee that a televised tribute act could actually give two 45 minute performances as the artist they proport to represent good copy of. Tribute acts are professionals in there own right.

    In perspective the BBC are excellent at producing good quality TV talent shows as shown with the recent search for MAria, Jospeph, but even here it must be acknowledged that no matter how much training the winning individual has they will also never be able to live down the fact that they have come through a tv talent show. This detail I feel is a little unfair as the entertainment industry itself is the most difficult for a novice to enter and it is also a vicious circle as up and coming artists are forever targetted by what there achievements are, who are there contacts etc. In many instances it is very off puting for a talented person and far to many give up because they have not been given a chance.

    Sometimes favouritism also gets in the way and the industry itself can be accurately described as a secret society for musicians union menbers only or equity members only and this is despite the legislation which is prohibitive of descrimination and rules that prevent equal opportunities.

    Maureen
    Newcastle.