Columnist: "Ir talants!" Is More Interesting Than "X Factor", but Judging Raises Doubts

An author from the "Cehs.lv" portal has published an opinion piece on Delfi about the talent show "Ir talants!" ("There Is Talent!"). The text reflects the author's personal view and may differ from the position of Delfi's editorial team.

The author begins by saying Latvians are neither more nor less talented than other nations. Because Latvians are relatively few, he notes, there will be fewer geniuses in absolute numbers than in a country with roughly 100 times Latvia's population. In his view, though, there is one area where Latvians outdo almost everyone: lamenting, something that can often be seen on the show.

Why the format appeals

The author finds the format more interesting than, for example, "The X Factor". He compares shows built around musical ability to autumn mud: there is enough of it, perhaps a little too much. He wants to see other kinds of talent, and he lists juggling a burning football, filling soap bubbles with a flammable gas mixture and setting them alight, and swinging ignited chains. He admits he personally enjoys it whenever something is set on fire.

Doubts about the judging

Overall, he says, "Ir talants!" shows a fairly wide spectrum of what can be called talent. Still, when he hears the judges' enthusiastic "Yes!", he feels like shouting "No!" back at the television. He explains that it is sometimes hard to tell whether the show is truly seeking and assessing talent, or something else.