What if the second coming of David Tennant was a choir director? He is. And his name is Gareth Malone, and at long last, the hit British doc series The Choir has come to American shores. And it is glorious.
Malone headed to a school without a chorus or much of a music program to set up a competitive choir, and take them to the choral “olympics” in China. The show follows a predictable narrative — a series of rough auditions, some tough-love rehearsals, a few emotional goodbyes, and a final performance that’ll bring you to tears. And yet! It’s so good. Malone’s as charming a protagonist as documentary television has ever unearthed, and if you can’t love a choir of British school kids singing “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” your heart is made of stone.
I’ve been waiting for this show for months, and now that it’s here, I’m totally jazzed. What about you, PopWatchers? Did you watch The Choir?
Loved loved loved the first episode and can’t wait to see more! I have a feeling that by the end of each group of episodes, I’ll be sobbing.
I agree with you Reb. It was very good and I cried many times.
Great – when’s it on? Which station?
We love this show. Malone is amazing. Would like to see more shows like this…mentoring teens!
My cable’s (TimeWarner)typical schedule for The Choir in pacific zone is:
Wed, Jul 14, 10:00PM
Thu, Jul 15, 01:00AM
Thu, Jul 15, 03:00AM
Sun, Jul 18, 05:00PM
Also, free On-Demand anytime. BBCA is listed in TV Guide, but always with eastern times. So far, I haven’t been able to see it, but it’s on my must-see list for tonight!
It was on BBCAmerica on Wednesdays (look out for a re-run of the 1st episode).
Thank you – it’s in my DVR queue now.
Sadly, the programmers at BBC America are idiots, so it’s only on Wednesday nights with one repeat at 5 p.m. Sunday. However, Gordon Ramsey is on 47 times a week….
Star Trek: TNG? REALLY? They are also sadly morons. Does anyone else notice the typos on screen from time to time. It’s really not that hard to spell Saturday. Really it isn’t.
Yes, BBC America is crap compared to what it used to be, the odd program like “The Choir” aside. And they never rerun any of the new shows anyone–guess they think everyone has On Demand (I don’t). Can anyone tell me why Star Trek: TNG is running ad nauseum, aside from the fact that Patrick Stewart is British? I mean, seriously, I love Trek, but what in the world is that show doing on BBC America?!
I loved the first episode, and I was taken aback by the fact that it was filmed in 2006 and we’re just now getting to see it! But I can’t see more. I’m a sucker for tear-jerking reality TV!
It’s also available on demand, on Comcast at least.
We just finished watching it on TimeWarner’s On-Demand. We were prepared to like it, but turns out we love it! So inspirational. This young man, Gareth Malone, is definitely someone special. I read here that his work is on DVD. Since we’re four years behind with the series, I’m going to go ahead and buy the first 3 series, then donate them to a high school later on.
I’m very impressed with Malone’s commitment to the mission and to the students. The entire series revolves around him, and yet, amazingly, I know very little about him as an individual except his plan for the choir. It’s fitting, really, since choral music is all about blending in and not trying to be the rock star of the group.
I so enjoyed the 1st episode. Looking forward to watching each of the kids develop. Thing is, why did it take 4 days for a report???
I enjoyed it, but if that audition (which was great considering the choir’s inexperience but not good AT ALL by objective standards) ends up being good enough to get them accepted into a supposedly selective international competition … well, I guess all so-called reality series have lots of behind-the-scenes manipulation going on.
But I loved the kids’ reaction to hearing the recording.
I loved it! I was so touched by a lot of the scenes.
Thanks for this, I’ll be checking it out.
I’m glad someone else thinks the choir director looks like David Tennant, that’s the first thing I thought when I saw him.
Gareth Malone is a sweetheart – and could be David Tennant’s younger brother. His mission is wonderful. The program made me weep. Bravo! Encore! May we get to see all of Choirmaster Malone’s programs on BBCAmerica.
Gareth Malone is an absolute legend. I bought The Choir on DVD after being told about the show by UK friends. I guarantee you’ll be in tears towards the end, but it’s so rewarding, which I guess is why Gareth Malone does what he does.
I’d also love to see the next series with a boys’ school, and then a community choir. Hope they get broadcast at some stage.
I really enjoyed it. What a voice on Chole! I’ll add this to my summer “must watch” list.
I saw this and just loved it. I had been waiting for months and months to see this.When I saw previews I thought Gareth did look like David Tennant. It is hair and the way he carries himself. He is just brilliant!!!! Love the show can’t wait to see more!!!!