The Piano viewers find it uplifting, but are divided on the format
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The Traitors and Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia Winkleman (and her fringe) are back with a brand-new reality series: Channel 4's The Piano.
The show sets up a public piano in multiple locations, with tonight's (February 15) episode taking place in St Pancras station, and lets members of the public come up, have a little jam, and tell Claudia their history with playing the piano.
Little do they know, Mika and Lang Lang are secretly watching them — and all the players are in with a chance to play on stage at the Royal Festival Hall.
Related: The Traitors star Amanda Lovett teases reality TV return
Tonight's episode featured a mechanic who taught himself to play the piano by watching YouTube during lockdown, an 11-year-old half-Ukranian kid playing 'Dance of the Knights' by Sergei Prokofiev (The Apprentice's theme tune), and a Tori Amos drag queen tribute act.
Plus, there was a mum, a young man named Jay who turned to piano-playing and rapping on his journey to sobriety, an incredibly happy funeral celebrant, a woman who turned her love of anime into work as a composer, and more.
Viewers were blown away by the level of talent on The Piano but were a bit more divided on the format of the programme itself.
Whilst some loved the uplifting stories people shared about their lives, others expected things to be more impromptu.
Some people also wished that there wasn't any commentary during the performances. (If anyone from Channel 4 is reading this, it looks like there's a hunger for The Piano: Uncut on All4 and/or YouTube.)
#ThePiano is going to be another of those lovely heartwarming shows like Sewing Bee and Pottery Throwdown that makes me wish I had some kind of creative talent
— Russell (@Rustybobs) February 15, 2023
Perhaps I misunderstood the plot but it would have been better if they had just left the piano and then come out after someone had played. Didn’t think they would interview first! #ThePiano
— Jase (@Sneakyget) February 15, 2023
Ilya is fantastic. This is looking to be a good series. And this is just the first two playing! #ThePiano
— Rich Deighton 🏳️🌈🎙 (@djrichdeighton) February 15, 2023
OK, #ThePiano already has a major flaw in having the judges commentate throughout watching the performance. As a viewer we want to see the performance raw, not talked through by the judges.
— Brekkie (@Brekkietweets) February 15, 2023
I thought this was going to be random members of the public, not people already brilliant. Or at least a secret camera. #ThePiano
— Miss Jones (@MissJonesrb) February 15, 2023
We’re too tired to watch #ThePiano.
No, really.
Much too tired.
Work tomorrow.
Wouldn’t be sensible.
Well, maybe 5 minutes, then.
Or 10, perhaps.
That’s it.
Hooked.
The TALENT! 🎶🎵❤️— SBS Community Choir (@ChoirSbs) February 15, 2023
Oh wow! Already hooked to #thepiano @Channel4 with @ClaudiaWinkle - what an amazing programme highlighting how wonderful it is to play the piano! Talking about fear of performance, rejection, fearlessness and expressing yourself through music. Such awesome judges too! Hooray!
— Polly May (@PollyMayMusic) February 15, 2023
Well #ThePiano is disappointing. Turning off already. I thought the people playing piano weren't away they were being filmed, and I don't want to hear Mika and the other guy speaking over the playing! It's just sob stories and annoying judges speaking over performances.
— Gavin 🌈 (@simsyg) February 15, 2023
Not played for years but recently started again (to help deal with some of life’s challenges). This is just the inspiration I need to play more regularly. Absolutely love, love, love #ThePiano ❤️❤️❤️
— Moody Cow (@LadyAnnabella17) February 15, 2023
Am I disappointed, of course I am. Even though clues were in the adverts I had hoped it would just be ordinary people being extraordinary on #ThePiano. But no it's the usual staged show including sob story backgrounds. @Channel4
— Nikki Nisbet (@Nesquik1962) February 15, 2023
Oh, absolutely loving this! #ThePiano is exactly the kind of heartwarming TV that warms the cockles… such compelling telly! 🎹 📺 @Channel4 @ClaudiaWinkle pic.twitter.com/2Y46BPm78N
— Oliver Morgan (@OliverMorgs) February 15, 2023
Even #cat is enjoying #ThePiano. No more grumps just blissful purrs. Thank you @Channel4.
— celina bledowska (@celinabledowska) February 15, 2023
#ThePiano Me every time somebody says "the piano": pic.twitter.com/SUzZDuHqi2
— Nick Walker (@nickw84) February 15, 2023
Related: The Traitors stars reunite for new project
At the end of the episode, the performers gathered in a fancy location, where Mika and Lang Lang's involvement was revealed.
The duo invited all the performers to be guests at the concert and asked piano player and rapper Jay to perform on the bill with selected performers from upcoming episodes of the show.
The Piano airs on Channel 4, with episodes also available on All4.
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