The Singing B-log

There are a lot of game shows on TV that fall into the “anyone could do that” category. The mechanics of these games depend on the chance and luck. “Deal or No Deal” is an excellent example.

Then there are the “I could never do that” shows. These are the shows that demand talent, dedication and perhaps even pre-show cramming or exhaustive rehearsals in exchange for on-air glory. In this group, trivia shows like Jeopardy, and talent contests like “American Idol.”

“The Singing Bee” sits somewhere in the middle. Call it a “I’m pretty sure I could do that” show. Practically everyone knows SOME song lyrics. It could be a few favorite songs from your teen years, every Grateful Dead song ever recorded, or the popular dance club hits from your early twenties. Whatever the niche, most people have a window in music history in which they could hold their own in a Singing Bee-style song lyric challenge.

But it is a very, very rare breed that knows ALL the words to ALL the popular songs from ALL the popular genres across the last fifty or so years. And THAT is precisely the type of person who makes a great “Singing Bee” contestant.

The screening process for the Singing Bee challenges candidates with a written test for song lyric knowledge. It’s a hard test. Those who pass the test meet with a producer from the show who decides whether they’ll be able to demonstrate their knowledge once they get on-camera under the bright studio lights.

Not every contestant sings like Mariah. In fact, it’s sometimes more entertaining when they don’t. On The Singing Bee, as we like to say, “you don’t have to sing it well, you just have to sing it right.”

If you think you’ve got the knowledge to make it on the Singing Bee, test yourself next time you’re listening to the radio in the car. Turn on a classic rock station (to find some songs that you might not have heard in a while) and start singing along. If you can nail the chorus word for word on five songs in a row, you’re on the right track.

Either way, you’re invited to tune in and see what we’ve got in store for you on this week’s show. Inside scoop—it’s an All ‘80s episode.