Here is a question that is not necessarily asked: why do we no longer see singers on the TV screen? And not those who compete or judge in music reality shows, we have plenty of those. Or those that once every 20 years we send with a real chance of winning Eurovision and the whole country is glued to the screen. So it’s not that we stopped loving music, but just singers? Who are hosted on talk shows (there aren’t really any talk shows anymore), jump into special episodes of entertainment shows, appear in music videos, just come to visit from time to time when they have a new song or album they want to promote?
Because it turns out that we like singers, but not the cohesive singers. Contrary to what we used to think – not the stars. We will meet the stars at concerts, on YouTube or Spotify, or on TikTok. If we are already getting people singing on TV, they should preferably be anonymous – let us see our stars being born, and then we will ignore them. As much as we loved Neta Barzilai in “The Next Star” and Eurovision, that’s how much we forgot about her when she released a new song, and went to promote it on the “Today Show”. Because no one has it.
Into this vacuum, enters one program that nevertheless insists on respecting the institution of the musician. “Carpool Karaoke”, the format that started on James Corden’s night show evolved in Israel into the cutest musical talk show that exists, which returned this week for a second season (technically, it is a third season, but the experience with Nicky Goldstein didn’t last long) – and continues to give space in Israeli prime time For fun, just fun, fun, obviously harmless fun.
Udi Kagan, one of the most beloved comedians in Israel as of today, leads it with a high hand as someone who has a grip on both worlds of the series: on the one hand, he is very musical, and on the other hand, he is funny to the end. He has the ability to connect with Ran Denkar and Rita, Gidi Gov and Lanserin Kadri. There is something very simple and accessible about him, both towards the audience and towards his guests, which produces a special chemistry that is well reflected on the screen. And above all, there is something in this program that moves you. automatically Even if you are exhausted at 03:48 at night (just someone, it doesn’t matter who).
One of the more annoying things about musical reality is the attempt to blur. To mix the music with repetitive human stories, pointless jokes, charisma or an attempt to charisma the judges – and not simply let the music do the work itself. She is not trusted to bring the fun and connection with the audience alone. And that’s exactly what “Carpool” does well; Along with the lovely dialogues (and even some interesting confessions that would have passed as an excellent press interview), she gives way to songs. Sometimes, she even gives them new clothes (pay attention to Kagan’s amazing performance with Sarit Haddad for “In the heat of Tel Aviv”, in one of the first episodes of the previous season).
It’s tempting to cling to lofty words like “the corporation is once again giving respect to Israeli creation” (even if it’s true), but there’s no reason. It’s much simpler than that: Udi Kagan and the team of “Carpool” started the coolest party on TV today. This is a program that invites you to move – and moves itself all the time.