Content creator and critic Dr Ejaz Waris has taken shots at the newly-started Pakistan’s Got Talent – the country’s first-ever season of the highly popular Got Talent franchise – questioning why the show has barely made a dent in public conversation.
“Pakistan’s Got Talent has started? Are you even aware of it? Probably not, because there isn’t much buzz around it,” he said.
Waris compared it unfavourably to America’s Got Talent, saying “Whenever talent shows are held in other countries, especially in the United States, just look at America’s Got Talent. Have you ever watched an episode on TV or YouTube? What a show it is! The audience, the energy, the grandeur, the atmosphere, and the talent itself are on another level.”
He then turned to the judging panel, which features singer Ali Zafar, actor Mehwish Hayat, comedian Tabish Hashmi and Shark Tank Pakistan’s Usman Bashir.
“I’m not comparing Pakistan to the US, but let me start with the judges. The judges here are completely flat. They have no energy, no excitement,” he said, calling them out for what he said was “overacting”.
“Sure, they’re doing a bit of overacting, probably because they’ve been told to react dramatically like judges in international versions, but it just doesn’t feel genuine. I’m not naming anyone, but all of them seem to be overacting.”
Waris did not spare the contestants either, arguing the acts shown so far failded to stand out.
“Someone throws a deck of cards around, or a magician performs tricks that you can already see in local markets and public places. Is this really the best talent Pakistan has to offer?” he asked.
Waris on to say that it felt like the team “didn’t do its homework”.
“They may have worked hard, but they clearly didn’t research properly or search for truly exceptional talent. Instead, they’re presenting very ordinary acts.”
He added that the audition rounds, which are all that have aired so far, do not inspire confidence for the rest of the season.
“Right now, only the audition episodes are airing, and if this is the standard of the auditions, you can already imagine what the rest of the season will be like. These are totally childish acts and auditions,” he said, adding that he was “genuinely shocked” watching them.
“Is this what we’re calling Pakistan’s Got Talent?”
Waris also criticised the host, saying they had “chosen a model who doesn’t even seem to understand the basics of hosting”.
While he also took digs at the production and research, specifically criticising what he said seemed like “rushed editing”, Waris added that the audience didn’t seem much excited either, as “you’d expect from a major talent competition”.
He concluded with a blunt verdict. “I’m sorry to say this, but based on the first two episodes, the show has been a huge disappointment. It failed to create any magic or excitement.”
The video struck a chord with viewers, many of whom echoed his frustration.
One user wrote, “First time I agree with you 😭.” Another commented, “You are 100 💯 % right.”
A third wrote, “Hahahhahah jazzy true.”
One viewer pushed back slightly, writing, “Please appreciate them” while another agreed firmly, writing, “Very true …. U r absolutely right [sic].”
Pakistan’s Got Talent is based on the internationally franchised Got Talent format created by Simon Cowell and owned by Fremantle.
Got Talent shows have aired in more than 70 countries, and its Pakistani edition airs on Geo Entertainment. It is produced by Pixel Entertainment.
