‘Trial by Choir:’ Catchy title, dull show

Have you ever heard a song and loved it for the beat or melody, but not the lyrics? That’s how I felt when I caught last week’s episode of TLC’s latest reality endeavor, “Trial By Choir.” The title is catchy, but I’m not a big fan of the plot.

Based in Boston, the show is filmed as a documentary in six parts.

Berklee College of Music vocal instructor Jerome Kyles takes on 24 streetwise teenagers for an intense 10-week choir program.

They’re not all born to be stars, but they all appear to have the drive and determination to make something of themselves and go further than many of their friends ever will dream of going.

Each teen has a story – abusive parents, violent neighborhoods they call home, and even criminal records.

But they want more, and singing might just be their way out.

Youth counselor Kate Benjamin relates to their lives, but I think she’s going to have a tough time finding the fine line between confidant and counselor.

What would make it more viewer-friendly? Like many reality documentaries, “Trial By Choir” does a better job at telling than showing. Let the choir sing its song so viewers can relate to the characters without having to be told what’s going on.

“Trial By Choir” airs at 10 p.m. Sundays on TLC.

While I’m on a roll of shows that haven’t impressed me, I’ll mention one more.

“Intervention” on A&E shows family and friends trying to break the bad habits of loved ones in their lives.

Most are hooked on drugs – crack, heroine and crystal meth – while a few are alcoholics or have gambling problems.

I’m all for helping out a friend in need, but the show is poorly done. There’s a need to raise awareness so that people don’t feel alone in their struggles to quit whatever habit they may have, but in order to keep people’s interest, “Intervention” needs to pick up the pace.

The episodes move slowly and don’t leave you wondering what’s going to come next. Forget the multipart series – A&E would have been better off with one special feature.