1. SINGING AND DANCING (AND MUCH MORE) IN THE METAVERSE
It’s difficult to predict what will be the future of the metaverse. On one hand, the “original” metaverse of Meta is a disaster: some people swear that Zuckenberg has already bitterly regretted having changed the company name. On the other hand, many other “metaverses” are popping up everywhere, also linked to television contents (see Girl: reverse, Friday’s Espresso 17th Mar, and Fight Back, FE 31st Mar).
One of these is the big franchise The Voice (148 versions around the world), whose extension in the metaverse we have already spoken about (Friday’s Espresso 28th Oct). Last 12th May “The Voice Studios”, from ITV Studios and Virtual Brand Group debuted officially, with five experiences: Music Maker, where users can publish a track and compete to win prizes; an immersive Musical Treasure Hunt; Dance Off; Rhythm Challenge; and a Music Trivia game. Participants can win digital “MetaMerch” and even audition to be on an upcoming season of the reality-competition series.
"The Voice Studios” has also planned a permanent fixture within the Decentraland metaverse (see this link) after building their pop-up event at last year’s Decentraland Metaverse Music Festival.
And that’s not all: less than a month ago also Channel 4’s Come Dine With Me entered the metaverse, with players now able to go head-to-head to become the dinner party host in the newly released Minecraft world.
We will see what the future developments will be.
2. LOVE IN ALLWAYS
Dating shows continue to expand their borders. After I Kissed a Boy, the first gay dating (Friday’s Espresso 27th May 2022) and Coming Out for Love, the first lesbo dating (FE 20th Jan), Love Allways - the first pansexual dating show - will premiere on Paramount+ June 2nd, produced by Awesomeness Unscripted and Digital Studio.
Over 10 episodes, one pansexual bachelorette (Lexi Paloma, pic) is given the chance to find her perfect match, freed from typical dating show gender norms. As she narrows down her pool of contestants of all genders, some start falling for one another, causing a spiral of betrayal, passion and jealousy.
Throughout the process, she is assisted by two professional relationship gurus, Spicy Mari and Anthony Recenello (pic), who also serve as mentors to their teams of potential suitors. Mari and Recenello are also competing against one another to see whose protégé gets chosen.
The first three episodes will drop on Paramount+ on Friday, June 2, followed by a weekly release of the season’s remaining seven episodes on Paramount+ and Awesomeness’ YouTube channel.
3. A CREATIVE SPIN OFF (FINALLY)
Personally I’m not a fan of the spin off phenomenon (and that of reboots even less). Actually, in my opinion, they don’t reduce risks as it may seem and, what is more, have a negative impact on the creativity and the market dynamics in general.
But sometimes (very rarely, to tell the truth) there are also “creative spin offs”, that add something new. One of them is Deal or No Deal Island, which is obviously the most recent spin-off of Deal or No Deal. The series is described as a mix between the original long-running format and Survivor. The new show is set on the Banker’s private island where he makes the rules and his offers.
Hidden on the island are over 100 briefcases with millions of dollars split between them, which teams must retrieve so that they can play a game of Deal or No Deal against the Banker. Only one team will survive until the very last episode, where they’ll compete to beat the Banker for the biggest prize in Deal or No Deal history.
The series, which is based on Banijay’s Dutch format, previously ran on NBC from 2005 and 2009. It returned with host Howie Mandel (pic) for a holiday special in 2018 and then ran original episodes on CNBC. Mandel will exec produce the new version, but no word whether he will also host.
Having said that, dozens of less interesting spin offs continue to be launched. NBC itself has also announced the umpteenth spin off to America’s Got Talent, after America’s Got Talent: All-Stars, AGT: Extreme and America’s Got Talent: The Champions. Details about this new spin off are still being worked out.
ABC has also expanded its Bachelor franchise, with a commission for The Golden Bachelor, which will follow older romantics as they look for a second chance at love later in life. The original series is back for a 28th season, while spin off Bachelor In Paradise has been handed a ninth season.
Not a good period for original projects…