Series Review: "Westside" (2018).

"Their stories. Their music." This is Westside. This musical reality series directed by James Carroll and written by Keith Harrison. Nine struggling musicians share the spotlight in this emotional reality series as they navigate the highs and lows of pursuing their Hollywood dreams.

The series stars Alexandra Kay, Taz Zavala, Caitlin Ary, James Byous, Arika Gluck, Keith Harrison, Austin Kolbe. Sean Patrick Murray, Pia Toscano and Leo Gallo. Largely due to the performers, very few reality shows generate real suspense and sadness at the moment of elimination, but this one does.

The series is certainly ambitious, but the first episode is not interesting enough to make us want to watch more. Despite an occasional, mildly suggestive reference, the show isn't particularly edgy. But it's lighthearted atmosphere is what makes it worth watching. The show is fun enough. Burgess is a high-energy host, unafraid to mug for the camera or wear silly costumes. What the show is not, however, is great karaoke. is a fun, silly time, and there's no reason you can't sing along, even if the only vocal analyzer tracking your performance is the one in your heart. Simply not as fun as advertised. It's clear that something about this international adaptation was lost in translation. And I can't believe I'm about to type these words, but... it's no Masked Singer. This setup is entirely against the spirit of what makes karaoke so entertaining in real life -- but as a reality show, it's hard to deny that the conceit ultimately succeeds. The show is designed to give unknown performers a seven-episode arc on the Netflix series--debuts amid a glut of music-related TV contests, including The Voice, America's Got Talent and Platinum Hit. The show feels like an exercise in ego for the folks running the show. There's a whole lot of playing to the camera going on amongst the professionals. The premise--and it's a good one--is a singing contest The Glee Project-style, for young singers to compete for the grand prize of a recurring role in a seven-episode arc. And it's not some fake promo for the show with people who really have nothing to do with the show. This admittedly over-produced series has one of the toughest elimination rituals to watch: Each of the three finalists walks to check out a callback list to discover if they are still wanted. The show comes across as thoughtful and intimate, and it's a welcome addition to the creativity competition genre. The show underscores the unique way that musicians serve as storytellers, and how they must adapt their work to the business while still expressing the emotions and feelings that will resonate with listeners. It's likely a very accurate depiction of what it takes not merely to break into a risk-averse industry but also to write songs for an artist with a clearly defined persona of his own. But that doesn't make it, necessarily, TV worth turning your chair for.

Simon says Westside receives: