I decided to endure...sorry, watch BGT for the first time on Saturday to see what all the fuss was about and I certainly won't be watching it again (next year, that is). As a novice, my overwhelming feeling was that it was more like a preliminary round than a final. That girl and her grandfather - what was that all about?! They looked like a dodgy act off Opportunity Knocks on a bad day. And Stavros Flately - two blokes bearing their chests with Irish dancing going on in the background. What??? And this is the BEST of British talent? You could have fooled me!
Almost half of the acts were children - again, shades of Lena Zavaroni and Bonnie Langford, methinks -and most of the rest seemed to act like children. I admit the two dance acts were talented and had clearly worked hard, as had the saxophone player (though I'm sure there are many players just as good as him). As to the singers, I go along with those who say Susan Boyle is overrated, though she sang competently. However, given the media talk of how she is going to make £8 million from record sales, there must be many a decent professional singer of musical theatre thinking "where's the justice?". If this was the final, I dread to think what the other rounds were like.
Britain's Got Talent 2009
It is true Jon, that some of the acts, even going through to the semifinals were pretty bad, but on the whole I thought the live final was really good.
My least favourite act were "Two Grand", I have to say, but nevertheless , it was very sweet to see the 2 generations singing together.
If you did not see the first audition when Susan sang so unexpectedly brilliantly, I guess it is difficult for you to understand--by the final she was definately showing the strain of everything.
My least favourite act were "Two Grand", I have to say, but nevertheless , it was very sweet to see the 2 generations singing together.
If you did not see the first audition when Susan sang so unexpectedly brilliantly, I guess it is difficult for you to understand--by the final she was definately showing the strain of everything.
Last edited by mariana44 on Mon Jun 01, 2009 1:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mariana
Lori, glad you got to see "Diversity" and Susan, in the Final-it will probably be next year before it was back, although "America's got Talent" with our Piers on the panel starts in Uk later this week-I think Thursday and Friday.
I was really sorry to see the news about Susan this morning, being admitted to a clinic, although I am not a bit surprised. She did not look at all well on Saturday night, even while singing. I think the strain of all the massive publicity had got to her-after all, she was just a spinster from a small Scottish village , who wanted to sing---but everything that has happened over the last 2 months has just overwhelmed her.
I hope that she will be back soon on an even keel.
Piers really seems to be looking out for her.
By the way--what happened to Demi Moore and hubby---I never heard a mention of them ????
I was really sorry to see the news about Susan this morning, being admitted to a clinic, although I am not a bit surprised. She did not look at all well on Saturday night, even while singing. I think the strain of all the massive publicity had got to her-after all, she was just a spinster from a small Scottish village , who wanted to sing---but everything that has happened over the last 2 months has just overwhelmed her.
I hope that she will be back soon on an even keel.
Piers really seems to be looking out for her.
By the way--what happened to Demi Moore and hubby---I never heard a mention of them ????
Mariana
Hi Marian
I read somewhere that Demi Moore was supposed to be coming to the UK to support Susan Boyle in the Final but pulled out for childcare reasons (!). One of today's papers suggests she has also turned against Susan by tweeting that "Diversity were great" and not even mentioning Susan. I agree that it is sad that Susan has been admitted to a clinic - she looked overwhelmed by it all on Saturday - and she should be receiving better support from the organisers. Piers Morgan deserves credit for publicly supporting her.
I read somewhere that Demi Moore was supposed to be coming to the UK to support Susan Boyle in the Final but pulled out for childcare reasons (!). One of today's papers suggests she has also turned against Susan by tweeting that "Diversity were great" and not even mentioning Susan. I agree that it is sad that Susan has been admitted to a clinic - she looked overwhelmed by it all on Saturday - and she should be receiving better support from the organisers. Piers Morgan deserves credit for publicly supporting her.
So very sad for Susan 
we have talked on here john, of the strain Susan has been under since the auditions, with everything that followed on from then, so I think you could have been a little more sympathic towards her, as I thought she sang I Dreamed a Dream superbly in the c.i.r.c.u.m.s.t.a.n.c.e.s ............and Susan has a very good singing voice 
we have talked on here john, of the strain Susan has been under since the auditions, with everything that followed on from then, so I think you could have been a little more sympathic towards her, as I thought she sang I Dreamed a Dream superbly in the c.i.r.c.u.m.s.t.a.n.c.e.s ............and Susan has a very good singing voice "My Tears Will Fall Now That You're Gone,
I Can't Help But Cry, But I Must Go On"
I Can't Help But Cry, But I Must Go On"
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Lena & Harry Smith
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Robert, like all of us, Jon has given his opinion of the show, but he has also sympathised with Susan's outcome.
We also have to agree with most of Jon's comments of the show on the whole.
Opportunity Knocks has given us some great entertainers though, and when we think back at some of the amazing talent we've seen on TV and Radio over the years, (and yes, there was some bad too) but what we have witnessed in this series, it seems that our expectations and acceptance of what is regarded as talent has considerably waned, well that's in our humble and confused opinion
We ourselves watched the show after all the hype with Susan Boyle and amazed ourselves at why we were really bothering, and even asking ourselves if our judgement was wrong.
We seemed to have become conditioned to this level of so called talent, for instance when a breakdancer of which we have seen hundreds as good as, or even better around London's streets can be claimed as a winner, doesn't that say it all,... we're not too sure ourselves now.
On a more definite note, we have recently seen and heard Paul Potts ( a worthy winner ) and how he has improved even further with his singing and having just seen him on breakfast Tv have seen what a nice personality he has developed too.
We also have to agree with most of Jon's comments of the show on the whole.
Opportunity Knocks has given us some great entertainers though, and when we think back at some of the amazing talent we've seen on TV and Radio over the years, (and yes, there was some bad too) but what we have witnessed in this series, it seems that our expectations and acceptance of what is regarded as talent has considerably waned, well that's in our humble and confused opinion
We ourselves watched the show after all the hype with Susan Boyle and amazed ourselves at why we were really bothering, and even asking ourselves if our judgement was wrong.
We seemed to have become conditioned to this level of so called talent, for instance when a breakdancer of which we have seen hundreds as good as, or even better around London's streets can be claimed as a winner, doesn't that say it all,... we're not too sure ourselves now.
On a more definite note, we have recently seen and heard Paul Potts ( a worthy winner ) and how he has improved even further with his singing and having just seen him on breakfast Tv have seen what a nice personality he has developed too.
I agree that Paul Potts has definately gained a great deal more confidence since his first appearance, and appears a very nice person--and I like the song he sings from his new album, which sounds like the tune of "First time ever I saw your face" --I think!!
I have read lots of criticisms good and bad of BGT on various sources, but noone has picked up on something that I did not like---when Holly was being interviewed before her final performance, she said "I just want to sing before the Queen, and melt her heart with my singing".
Those were not the words of a 10 year old---but the words of a 10 year old's mother---and I feel that there should definately be an age limit on this type of contest.
I have read lots of criticisms good and bad of BGT on various sources, but noone has picked up on something that I did not like---when Holly was being interviewed before her final performance, she said "I just want to sing before the Queen, and melt her heart with my singing".
Those were not the words of a 10 year old---but the words of a 10 year old's mother---and I feel that there should definately be an age limit on this type of contest.
Mariana
Lena/Harry
Thanks for your support on this topic. Robert, I thought I had been sympathetic to Susan. It's just that her final performance didn't seem to me to live up to the hype, but I didn't see the original one for which she is so famous (though I read that her second performance, of "Memory", was said not to be as good). I'm sure she'll make an album which may sell well, but then she'll disappear without trace, because someone starting out that late in showbusiness will inevitably have a limited shelf-life. But I wish her well.
"Opportunity Knocks" produced some notable acts and not all were duffers, though of course some were, but then that's in the nature of entertainment competitions.
Thanks for your support on this topic. Robert, I thought I had been sympathetic to Susan. It's just that her final performance didn't seem to me to live up to the hype, but I didn't see the original one for which she is so famous (though I read that her second performance, of "Memory", was said not to be as good). I'm sure she'll make an album which may sell well, but then she'll disappear without trace, because someone starting out that late in showbusiness will inevitably have a limited shelf-life. But I wish her well.
"Opportunity Knocks" produced some notable acts and not all were duffers, though of course some were, but then that's in the nature of entertainment competitions.
I think one of the main problems Susan had was that her audition came in the very first week, so she then had seven weeks being in the media spotlight to cope with before the finals. If her audition had been one of the last shown, the glare of public attention would have been much less.
I saw Paul Potts on Five News tonight and he spoke very well and with a lot of confidence. A confident smile too.
Marian
I saw Paul Potts on Five News tonight and he spoke very well and with a lot of confidence. A confident smile too.
Marian
what next ?
Now that the decisions have been made... I assume Susan will still have her chance at stardom... in spite of her setback. And after Diversity performs for the Queen... what then ? Do you think they will come to the USA? And also when does the Talent show start again ?? I did enjoy reading all of your comments... I am still listening to Matt every day His music is still by far better than anyone Best wishes LORI
I told myself I wasn't going to offer any more comments on BGT. But listening to My Fair Lady last night made me realise how upset I am with those BGT judges ... especially Simon Cowell. (I'm sure they really care about my opinion. ). When I was watching BGT in Worcester (why didn't I spend all my time on the Purcell special?), that little girl sang I Could Have Danced All Night. Simon Cowell has the audacity to say he hated the song. That is one of the greatest songs from one of the top musicals ever written. How could he say he hated the song? He and Piers love to hear the same old sappy songs like Ain't No Sunshine, Hello, and At Last over and over again.
And now Piers and Amanda feel they must appear on every American talk show and be the spokespeople for Susan Boyle. Why can't they leave her alone? Do they really think a 49 year old singer of show tunes will sell records in the US? Sadly, no one buys that music anymore in this country. But Simon Cowell has brought the awful Leona Lewis and dreary Il Divo
to America and they have sold shockingly well, so maybe people will buy Susan Boyle. But I think most Americans (with their legendary short attention spans) will quickly forget about her.
She may be a 'very good singer', Robert, but there are many other phenomenal singers I'd rather listen to.
Diversity was fine, but I lost interest after the first minute. I didn't like the other dance group who sang to another tired old song. Shaun didn't sing well in the finals.
So I'm not sure anyone deserved to win. I think I need to stay away from all these talent shows (especially those that involve Simon Cowell), but the music usually draws me in.
Rant over ... on a much more positive note, my copy of Matt at the BBC arrived last night from HMV Guernsey. I have several observations and questions for Richard Moore that I will post when I have some free time.
). When I was watching BGT in Worcester (why didn't I spend all my time on the Purcell special?), that little girl sang I Could Have Danced All Night. Simon Cowell has the audacity to say he hated the song. That is one of the greatest songs from one of the top musicals ever written. How could he say he hated the song? He and Piers love to hear the same old sappy songs like Ain't No Sunshine, Hello, and At Last over and over again. And now Piers and Amanda feel they must appear on every American talk show and be the spokespeople for Susan Boyle. Why can't they leave her alone? Do they really think a 49 year old singer of show tunes will sell records in the US? Sadly, no one buys that music anymore in this country. But Simon Cowell has brought the awful Leona Lewis and dreary Il Divo
to America and they have sold shockingly well, so maybe people will buy Susan Boyle. But I think most Americans (with their legendary short attention spans) will quickly forget about her. She may be a 'very good singer', Robert, but there are many other phenomenal singers I'd rather listen to.
Diversity was fine, but I lost interest after the first minute. I didn't like the other dance group who sang to another tired old song. Shaun didn't sing well in the finals.
So I'm not sure anyone deserved to win. I think I need to stay away from all these talent shows (especially those that involve Simon Cowell), but the music usually draws me in.Rant over ... on a much more positive note, my copy of Matt at the BBC arrived last night from HMV Guernsey. I have several observations and questions for Richard Moore that I will post when I have some free time.
I agree Jeff that Holly sang I Could Have Danced All Night superbly in the auditions, and the song is so brilliant Simon was talking absolute rubbish then..................... Il Divo is a favourite group of Lori's and
Susan Boyle has just turned 48 ........................I watched BGT (the best and worst) last night on ITV 2, and I thought exactly the same as you Marian, when Holly said about melting the Queen's heart..................it sounded just far too adult for a ten year old to say 
Simon was talking absolute rubbish then..................... Il Divo is a favourite group of Lori's and Susan Boyle has just turned 48
........................I watched BGT (the best and worst) last night on ITV 2, and I thought exactly the same as you Marian, when Holly said about melting the Queen's heart..................it sounded just far too adult for a ten year old to say "My Tears Will Fall Now That You're Gone,
I Can't Help But Cry, But I Must Go On"
I Can't Help But Cry, But I Must Go On"
Robert - Glad you agree with me on I Could Have Danced All Night; I wish Mr Cowell could see the response that song gets whenever I play it for a sing-along. Everyone gets up and sings it! I know that Lori likes Il Divo, but I'm pretty sure she likes Matt Monro much more. And I just called them dreary. (I was being gentle.) Sorry, but as a classical musician, I feel I have the right to attack "artists" like Il Divo.
Glad you agree with me on I Could Have Danced All Night; I wish Mr Cowell could see the response that song gets whenever I play it for a sing-along. Everyone gets up and sings it! I know that Lori likes Il Divo, but I'm pretty sure she likes Matt Monro much more. And I just called them dreary. (I was being gentle.) Sorry, but as a classical musician, I feel I have the right to attack "artists" like Il Divo.