Alter Ego (2021– ) User Reviews

Finding Authenticity Through The Illusion

[atlasmb · 6/10 · 29 September 2021]

This singing competition show features singers who perform for a chance to win $100,000. But the judges don't watch them sing, they watch avatars that the contestants have helped design. These avatars, which bear creative stage names and project whimsical personae, mirror the backstage performances of the actual singers through motion capture technology.

Immediately, one can foresee the possibility for creating avatars that differ from the actual performer in size, ethnicity, age, gender, or general appearance. The viewer has to decide how he feels about that. Does it open a world of invention, deception, or even self-deception?

I was concerned that watching the judges watch a holographic performance on stage was akin to watching someone else playing a video game: it can be enjoyable, but it's not the same as playing the game yourself. Then I discovered that the judges are not watching a stage performance; they are watching the performance on a video screen, just as I am. I found that discovery annoying.

When the judges evaluate the performances, it is clear they are not reviewing only the vocal performances. The (sometimes presumed) back stories of the contestants definitely affect their decisions. And so do the avatar images themselves. Some judges might place a premium on vocal ability, while others evaluate the performance holistically, like an art installation. Regardless, they usually respond to whatever evokes their emotions.

I watched the first two episodes, which include all ten of the series' performers. The talent is good. And there is a cross section of styles and personalities.

This technology carries a cautionary message. Just as we have seen people hide behind the anonymity of the internet and/or find more satisfaction in virtual relationships than bonding IRL, the use of avatars is a portent of future e-socializing, which will bring even greater problems. A new style of catfishing may emerge. On the other hand, some will find a hopeful message about self-actualization in the freedom offered by avatars. As Grimes--who is a judge--said, "I feel like I know a lot of people who feel a lot more accepted in the digital realm. I know I do."

By the end of episode two, I felt there was an authentically therapeutic effect for some contestants. But it was not just from hiding their physical realities. In fact, when the "losing" contestant reveals his "true" self at the end of each episode, that is the best moment of the show.

Personally, I felt a kind of love for an unlikely contestant---a trucker with a wolfish avatar who produced an unexpectedly operatic voice. And I expect other viewers will find their favorites.

It's really bad but good

[trafalgardeathsurgeonoflaw · 5/10 · 24 September 2021]

The designs of most of the characters are bad. The thing about 3D models that are somewhat based on real people, there is always going to be a disconnect with eyes. 3D model animation doesn't have expressions and it's horrifying.

The show's premise is really great though, having a 3D animated model alter ego for normal people who are good at singing but something is holding back from performing and this show gives them the confidence to overcome it. That is what I like about the show

If the motions would be more fluid and emotions are added to the expressions like how the normal people are... such as the girl who cried and the alter ego had animated tears but the character is just standing there dead eye staring... creepy! Right now there is a disconnect I can't overcome and that's why it's a 5 star rating for me.

An Interesting, if doomed, experiment.

[omniamutatis · 6/10 · 24 September 2021]

Every once in a while, network executives decide to experiment with new formats for competitions. Usually you get something entertaining that might last a few seasons. Sometimes, though, you get a show that makes you wonder how much medication those executives are on (see "Unan1mous" for the worst example).

Alter Ego is interesting as a novelty. Singers who, ostensibly, can't perform as themselves for various reasons get to perform through a computer generated avatar on stage in front of a live audience and four judges. Then they are judged based on singing ability and how well their avatar "personality" matches said performance.

This is one of those things where the technology isn't quite where it needs to be for this all to work the way it should. The avatars have only slightly more animation and life than a video game character from 2003 and just don't emote enough.

While it may not warrant six stars I was entertained enough over the course of two episodes to be generous. I have a feeling the final product is going to warrant about 4 stars.

Bad in a variety of ways....but this is the worst way

[terrencepatrix · 2/10 · 24 September 2021]

So I'll be real, I don't even like singing competitions, I tuned in because the concept sounded interesting and I thought this show was going to introduce some new technology. Other reviews already pointed out valid reasons for the low rating, the not so great singing, the phony hosts, the garish avatars, the premise that "ugly" people should hide themselves away to prevent from being judged on their appearance, which is a horrible message.

All reasons enough to dislike the show. Here's what really bugs me though...everyone is pretending to watch an avatar on stage but it's actually added in afterwards. What the hosts are actually seeing is the avatar on small screens in front of them and then pretending to address the avatar on stage. This means the crowd is also in on the act when they're likely just watching a larger screen somewhere off camera. The stage is empty the whole time, there's no new technology, it's all a room full of people playing make believe and the whole premise is a lie. It's just kinda pathetic once you realize it.

Grimes and Alanis aren't even enough to make this watchable

[sammyplankton · 2/10 · 23 September 2021]

This feels like something that would be playing on a TV in the background of a Black Mirror episode, but if it were it would have higher production value than this does. The avatars are super glitchy and hilariously ugly, but you can tell the judges are like under contract to oooh and ahhh at them as if they're totally mind-blowing. Overall it's a total assault on my eyes and ears, and I say that as someone who's watched 5 seasons of the Masked Singer for no good reason.

That being said, it's further evidence that my love for Grimes is unconditional.

Alter egos look like Fortnite skins

[joemdb · 7/10 · 30 September 2021]

The show itself is fine, nothing inherently bad. But all the alter egos look like Fortnite skins, some I would actually get. It would be a 7.5 but the Fortnite made it 7.

Created an account to review

[jnjbrand · 1/10 · 2 October 2021]

I want to like this, but can't. I want to be in the dark about the people too. They have completely ruined this show for me with the format. And the judges, please, learn to judge. Simon was mean but fair. Stop fangirling every singer.

Avatar

[sepinnock-19443 · 10/10 · 24 September 2021]

Really really cool to see avatars representing people. I think this is the future. I care about someone's voice more then what they look like. Let them represent themselves however they want!

Nothing short of amusing

[DarkVulcan29 · 7/10 · 23 September 2021]

If you are expecting another The Masked Singer you will be disappointed, cause there is no mystery of who is behind the CGI avatars, it's only a mystery to the judges, unlike The Masked Singer where it was a mystery to us and judges.

Now the people behind the alter egos are pretty cool, and there backstories and why they are doing this. And the effects are beyond terrific. But the judges don't really seem to click, don't get me wrong they are all good, but don't seem to click with each other. But I just watched the first episode.

I had high hopes...

[xaundralov · 1/10 · 19 November 2021]

I'm trying to stick it through to the end but the judges continually astound me with their decisions. There were a lot of mediocre vocalists in the competition and it's nonsensical seeing some of these performers move past the more talented ones. The show seemingly mimicked the voice in the fact that it's trying to showcase that singers should be judged on their talent and not their looks alone, and yet they still get judged on their avatar's looks. So it's rather hypocrotical. Also they give all these avatars cool effects, but not all effects are equal. I'm sorry, but if my avatar had, for example, cool hair and my opponent's avatar had wings and could FLY, I would be so pressed. The show wants to be something cool, but it is just riddled with unnecessary bias.

Aside from the kitschy avatars, the performers are truly "liberated" from their everyday self-constriants.

[gadfeal · 9/10 · 28 September 2021]

Quality of Performances. 9/10 off the bat.

Judges. 6-7/10. One mature singer/songwriter (Morisette), one successful music producer and serial TV talent judge (Will I AM), one former boy bander (N. Lachey), and another person I don't know. They don't critique the technical performance (which have been almost all excellent) but the "emotional connection".

Fun/Instant gratification. 8/10. There is such a good-natured atmosphere, and unlike the other talent shows, we don't have pre-teens voting up a person 20 times - so that the winners often are less talented that the runners-up; time and time again those who vote excessively are not those who would be spending money on the future music of said winners. Alter Ego's judging is instant from the attendees.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The phenomenon of avatars in everyday and professional life can have bearing outside of this entertaining show, and may address some intractable, often unconscious forms of injustice and bias.

We all go through life often subject to being pre-judged (i.e. Prejudice before facts are known), and entertainment media is particularly rough on the actors allowed to grace our screens. The next time I see the umpteenth cop-lawyer-criminal-hospital TV series or movie, the suspension of reality that model quality hunks and beauties, none of whom are out of shape, can do physically impossible tasks and not smudge their make-up, just take a local visit to the nearest real police station, law office or first line worker.

It meant that the best performer in entertainment didn't have even a chance if s/he couldn't be molded into the ideal of the day. For every Brad Pitt, there are a half million "undiscovered" Geoffrey Rushes who languish in some menial job for decades.

The Voice was the first "experiment" to make singing about vocal ability, but even that was only partial since the audience could sell and react to the performer (in Ukraine, I think, the stage is shrouded until the end of the song). How many less than gorgeous "winners" of The Voice have become big successes?

Alter Ego may appear cheesy due to the plasticine-like cartoonish avatars, but it does completely free a performer from self-doubt about "not looking the part". Although, on the surface, it seems like a digital version of The Masked Singer, the concept is very different; these are hopeful talents of any age, race, body shape, orientation in Alter Ego which serves as a launch platform. TMS is a silly, brainless entertainment of "celebrities" wanting a boost who play dress up and perform under heavy, Carnivalesque costumes based on animals.

On Alter Ego, every performer said that their nervousness and shyness on stage were very mitigated by the virtual representation. But, to be honest, they all exceeded the stage personality of any singer on AGT, The Voice, X-Factor, where the first rounds one can see that some performed sub-par due to nerves. In Alter Ego, they all worked the stage like a pro; the shy teen mom gyrated her curves like a professional seductress; the 17 year old mixed race kid, overweight and with a baby Muhammad Ali face could appear as a modern version of the Rat Pack - Michael Bublé with stage moves of a seasoned stage performer. The Crohn's afflicted singer whose life is one of bouts of intense pain that show up even in the middle of a stage, was liberated from the fear of grimacing in pain as he performed, and his fragile, sensitive nature came out in his vocalization.

In future, the avatar production would become better and better, but I wonder if making them TOO realistic would be healthy. If everyone could appear in public looking like a good looking celebrity, it won't do much for the self-image of the performers. So, I think that the avatars SHOULD remain explicity unreal.

By extension, this impartiality and freedom from judging a book by its cover could be extended to courtrooms, where the appearance of parties would be made impartial so that only the facts in a case would predominate in any judgment. Since COVID-19 has made people more familiar with virtual meetings, the next step is life size 3D "telepresence" meetings.

Sob stories and a misleading gimmick with a bit of singing in between

[CobraGuy · 2/10 · 26 December 2021]

First of all, the gimmick that makes the show different--avatars being on stage in real time--is a fallacy. There is no commercially-available technology that can achieve that or there would be holograms standing in every store trying to sell you something.

The avatars are added in post-production and the judges overplay the false "I can't believe this is happening in real time!" angle. Eliminate that, and it is like any other singing show.

... Well, not quite. Every singer has a sob story about lack of confidence at singing in front of people which makes you feel bad for them. With no way to prove that their insecurities are real, they "nervously" sing backstage, hidden from everyone, but once they are eliminated, each steps onto the stage, belting out a song, with all of the pride and confidence in the world.

Public speaking/singing/dancing as well as body shaming oneself is a real, often crippling fear for millions of people. Very rarely can a single, four-minute performance liberate someone completely, from a lifelong fear, which is how the show presents it, and I detest it being used to drive the "story" as it were.

I will give two stars because, like all other singing competitions, some of the music is enjoyable to listen to in the background while I do other activities.

No, Just No. Another poorly judged "singing" competition.

[krobinkr · 3/10 · 24 September 2021]

This show could be good but what I've seen so far has been terribly cringy and left me wanting to run for the hills if this is the so-called "future" of entertainment. The use of avatars in concept is interesting, especially if only used temporarily to keep the initial judgements fair. However it seems that the avatars actually had the complete opposite effect and the judges made their decisions based on the looks anyway.

First major issue is that the avatars themselves are awful, sim-like monstrosities that look like something a random 8-year old dreamed up. There is no life or relatability to characters so you just sit there wondering what the point is.

Also, the judging is awful and it seems the judges were more impressed (or distracted) by the CGI than interested in the actual vocal talent. They were too busy ooh-ing and awe-ing about the technology for the entire show that they couldn't actually listen apparently. They literally seemed to ogle over one of the singers because the avatars arm "tattoos" spun and CGI hair could move when the singer ran his hand through it which therefore apparently made his "performance" - a.k.a taking a few steps around the stage- so captivating that none of the other contestants could beat it for the rest of the episode, despite being better singers? Wow.

Overall, not impressed so far.

Dystopian Singing Contest

[savethecloudsfoundation · 1/10 · 23 September 2021]

I might have given 2 stars if the character designs had be at least half decent but they are terrible. The whole thing feels like some kind of dystopian concept conceived by a group of people too ugly to show their faces in public. Every person on this show has to talk about how "shy" they are. Yeah right! You're on a nationally broadcast TV singing competition I doubt you suffer from too much anxiety. Why does everyone have anxiety these days? Why can't people just be themselves? When did we start valuing artifice over authenticity?

Get rid of Grimes and it would be 10/10

[wnjznpxxd · 1/10 · 9 December 2021]

Amazing show, just replace Grimes next season. The characters were very original and unique and this is definitely where television and life is going.

The show is so much fun and is going to spark an entire new genre

[heatherlspence · 10/10 · 13 November 2021]

The show is so much fun and is going to spark an entire new genre. I like the concept and the judging procedure. It's something that's never been done before and it's every one of these peoples first season. Who would've thought American Idol would go more than one season, certainly not me. It's fun, take it for what it is. I give it a 10.

Meh

[rwyjunior · 2/10 · 23 September 2021]

I would have preferred to watch the actual singers overcome their anxiety in a healthy way. "Pretend" is not improving their awesome voices but it is diminishing who they actually are by covering them up.

Great show.

[gpeckk · 8/10 · 11 November 2021]

Great show. The audience however makes better judgment generally. It's the place to show your hidden talents to the world. Tech behind the characters are awesome.

Lazy money

[cryptodad · 1/10 · 24 September 2021]

There isn't a minus star or even a zero star so it gets one. You have to wonder about the audience they're looking for ? The talentless populace of the earth ? Or does the media believe we are creepy creatures who need they're cgi magic to force the audience to eat this stuff ? There can be no spoilers to Lazy money.

Not completely original

[JayMusicGirl · 1/10 · 23 October 2021]

Just writing a review to point out the fact that the show and all the media around it claims that the concept of the show is completely new and original, but in reality it's not entirely. As expected, Asia pretty much started the concept with the Hatsune Miku character and other virtual idols and their performances in person and on TV, and an entire reality show with a similar concept called Dimension Nova came out just last year. I'm surprised they haven't been sued yet by the originators of that show because it's similar, though i guess the concept of the virtual characters being alter egos like video game characters is different from the one of them being virtual idols? Not sure but just wanted to mention something I haven't seen anywhere else online.

?

[matthew-81168 · 2/10 · 8 October 2021]

Breh how tf do the performers perform with live musicians? They aren't there? I'm SO confused.

Also give Grimes more screen time she's literally the only reason anyone is watching the show.

Pathetic! Learn from X Factor

[designfxsa · 2/10 · 13 December 2021]

Spend less time on all these extras and more time promoting the actual singer etc These shows are getting out of hand, this is not a circus! Learn from X factor and stick to JUST SINGING, nothing else but the voice and song!

Amazing show!

[Fraleyjudy · 10/10 · 1 November 2021]

Would have thought to see more positive reviews especially in this internet era we live in now. Way better than masked singer that uses people that are already famous.

This show celebrates real people!

Very entertaining!

I'm through watching this.

[Carycomic · 1/10 · 3 December 2021]

I initially tuned in just to see who the singer would be behind the avatar of the butterfly girl that (according to the commercial trailers) would be performing "Video Killed The Radio Star." One of my favorite one-hit wonders from the 1980's! Well, that butterfly girl used the stage name "Fern." But, she didn't appear on the show to compete until the third or fourth week. And, while she did make it to the quarter-finals, before getting eliminated, not once did she perform that song.

Strike one for what I consider false advertising.

Then, there's the somewhat contradictory voting process being used for the semi-finalists. If two of the semi-finalists are tied at one vote a piece, by the first two judges polled, apparently all the lead contender needs is one more vote (from the third judge polled) to stay on the First-Place Diamond. Yet, the second contender doesn't get the same two-out-of-three basis? He or she needs three-out-of-four votes to supplant their competitor?!

That doesn't seem right. It strikes me as too much like the elitist favoritism glorified by the old "American Gladiator" series back in the Eighties. Wherein the fewer points held by the successful civilian competitors, the bigger the head start that was given to the in-house athletes (with stage names like "Fireball" and "Iceberg") during the concluding obstacle course segment!

So, strike two.

Last, but not least? For a show that's supposed to eliminate the superficiality of judging musical talent based on physical appearance, alone, it seems that more than half the contenders sent home have "coincidentally" been those whom the politically incorrect glitterati of Hollywood would once have called the "non-beautiful people."

Nor have I been too impressed by the celebrity judges. Alanis Morrisette is a proven performer, alright, as is Will I. Am. But, Grimes (nee Claire Elise Boucher) I literally have never heard of, prior to the series premier. And the only thing Nick Lachey is famous for is being Jessica Simpson's ex-husband!

So, strike three. Hopefully resulting in complete cancellation before the end of the holiday hiatus.

Love it.

[sverre-797-353313 · 10/10 · 8 October 2021]

This is new to me. And so I absolutely love the computer parts of is. Like Will.i.am say so man times. What? What? What?

And the singers are awesome. The fact that they don't have to show their real faces makes them even better. And I just heard the best version of I will Always Love You I have ever heard. And it was sung? By a woman in a mans body.

It's a bit like The Voice and Masked singer. But different also.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. I havent had as many goosebumps and tears ever.