French karaoke TV show replaces live studio audience with mannequins and balloon dolls

Photo of the result has been described as ‘the stuff of nightmares’

The French version of Don’t Forget the Lyrics! has devised a rather unique way of replacing its live studio audience.

N’oubliez pas les paroles!, which translates as Let’s Not Forget the Lyrics!, has started filming new episodes for the first time since lockdown was announced after successfully implementing certain health standards.

Naturally, members of the public are not allowed inside to watch the episodes being recorded, so to avoid the issue of having nobody in seats, producers decided to put plastic mannequins and dolls made from balloons in their place instead.

Host Nagui published a photo of this on Instagram and the result is somewhat terrifying.

“A French karaoke game show has started filming again, replacing the usual audience with dozens of balloon mannequins and it’s the stuff of nightmares,” wrote BBC journalist Tom Hourigan on Twitter.

Many found the photo hilarious, with one tweeter quipping: “At least no cheating, no noise.”

Another used the opportunity to share some puns. ”I find the public a little inflated, they do not lack air these spectators!” they wrote.

One tweeter said that the mannequins may help contestants’ performances, adding: ”Less stress for shy candidates facing the audience.”

Meanwhile, in the UK, the BBC said that if lockdown guidelines are not eased soon, they will consider requesting that cast and crews of its biggest shows isolate together.