Ihor Kondratiuk Reveals Secret Casting Strategy for Karaoke on the Maidan

The Strategic Casting Behind the Microphone: Inside Karaoke on the Maidan

The Formula for Success

For more than two decades, Karaoke on the Maidan served as a cultural staple in Ukraine, drawing thousands of amateur singers to public squares. While the format appeared to be a simple, spontaneous encounter between a host and passersby, Ihor Kondratiuk recently disclosed in an interview with the YouTube channel Pryama Chervona that he followed a rigid, internal structure to ensure the show remained gripping for viewers. He explained that although there was never a shortage of volunteers willing to perform, he curated the four-person lineup to control the narrative arc of each episode.

In fact, a lot of people came, wanting to sing. And among these people, choosing three or four is not difficult. The rule in my head was always this: one of the four participants must not know how to sing. Like I made a mistake, the host is a ‘loser.’ Someone must sing very well, because he has to win. And two, where the audience could doubt who will be the finalist. That’s how I wrote out the game for myself, Kondratiuk stated.

This strategy was designed to keep the outcome unpredictable. By including one weak performer, one clear frontrunner, and two “wildcards” who would keep the audience in suspense until the end, Kondratiuk ensured the competition remained a source of tension.

When Performances Defied the Script

The producer acknowledged that his internal system did not always hold up under the pressure of live performance. Occasionally, the talent pool on the square was so high that all four selected contestants possessed strong vocal skills, effectively ruining his carefully constructed plan. Kondratiuk admitted that in such cases, he found himself in a difficult spot regarding the episode’s direction, but he noted that these unplanned, high-quality episodes were often the most satisfying to produce.

Very often all four sang divinely. I remember such broadcasts and I just got colossal pleasure, said the producer. These moments of high-level performance are remembered by the producer as some of the most vibrant in the show’s long history.

A Legacy on Ukrainian Television

Karaoke on the Maidan is considered one of the longest-running entertainment shows in the history of Ukrainian television. The program first aired on January 14, 1999, and remained on the air until January 20, 2019. Over its two-decade history, the show evolved through different broadcast homes: first on the channel “Inter(1999–2007), then on1+1(2007–2009), and finally onSTB” (2009–2019). In total, 1 043 original programs were filmed.

While the program was traditionally filmed on the Maidan, the location changed over time. The show was produced in the Kyiv Hydropark, on the territory of VDNG, and at various major capital festivals. It also gathered audiences in cities like Odesa on Deribasivska Street and in Truskavets. Following a long hiatus, the format was relaunched with a new host, the hip-hop performer Khas. A scheduled shooting was set for July 26 on Kontraktova Square. The move away from the original Maidan location was necessary, as filming an entertainment program near the memorial for fallen Ukrainian defenders was deemed inappropriate.

The show remains a significant part of the careers of many amateur performers, some of whom went on to pursue professional music careers. Kondratiuk’s recent reflections highlight how the “spontaneous” nature of the program was, in reality, the result of years of experience in managing the expectations of a live audience. Even recently, the show continued to provide memorable human moments, such as a heartfelt marriage proposal from Oleksiy Chebotarov, a veteran of the “Titanovi” rehabilitation center, during a filming session.

Sources: TSN, Obozrevatel.