"How do you solve a Problem Like Maria"

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 12:31 pm

Hi everyone---has anyone else watched this programme yet--it started a week ago, and again twice last night. I am completely hooked already--just love it.

I had heard some time ago that this show was planned, but it seemed such a long time ago, I thought it had been dropped. But being a true "Sound of Music " junkie, I was thrilled to bits to see it on TV at last.

My first favourite Briony, got through to the last 20, but not the final 10. I was really sorry, as she was such a sweet girl. lovely voice, and I think she would have been a perfect Maria.

So my favourite to go through now is Leanne---a self-taught Essex shopgirl. Her voice is so distinctive-I just love it--most of the others sound very similar to each other.

However, I am not usually very good at picking out winners, but hope I am right this time.

I did manage to pick out Will Young in the first Pop Idol show--apart from that---nothing !!

Marian

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Sun Aug 06, 2006 2:30 pm

Marian, we have also become hooked on this search for Maria, We saw so many tears after the voting last night from both of those entrants who had been voted to stay in and those who had been voted out that we ended up confused as to who had got through and who hadn't, and
for one or two of the entrants, an interpreter was needed from where we were sitting. We thought that Connie must have a good chance, although we need to hear them sing solo to make a final choice.
At the beginning Andrew Lloyd Webber appeared somewhat nervous of David Ian and his views, but we were pleased to see later that Andrew was equally in control.

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 2:42 pm

Hello everyone! I was in your part of the world last week cruising from Southampton to Norway and Holland. It was a wonderful cruise and so great to escape the hot Washington weather. There was no black pudding, but I did enjoy my full English breakfast each morning. And I loved talking with the English folks at my table and around the ship.

I spent a night near Heathrow before my flight home. I took the bus to Hounslow so I could go to HMV to purchase Heart Of The Man. Then I made sure I was in my hotel room to see the Maria programme. Like you, I was completely hooked. My favourite is Emilie, because I prefer a classically-trained voice. Also they featured her quite a bit. I feel that many are excellent. So someone else could become my favourite.

Now, how can I keep up with what happening with the Maria show back in the US? Perhaps there will be news on the BBC website, or perhaps I need another trip to the UK to see the finals? Anyway, please keep me posted. I'm sure you will. Thanks!

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 4:44 pm

HiPaul---glad to hear you had a good trip--it sounded great--even without Black Pudding.

I am really pleased you like the Maria programme---guess you missed the very first one. Sarah Kennedy mentioned it this morning, I think.

Yes, Emilie was featured quite a lot, and her voice was excellent. I thouight it was a bit mean when they called the 2 girls in , and they had to sing in front of each other---even meaner when they made Emilie wait until the end knowing that she would be thinking she was out---but it made it a nail biter for us watching!!

i am pretty sure that it will feature heavily on the BBC Website, and youi can be bet we will be discussing it here too.

Let us know what you think of the new cd, when you have got round to listening to it.

Marian

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 5:20 pm

Hi All, it seems now that Emilie is out of the final Ten and Siobhan returns.

Glad that you had a good trip Paul.
What was the entertainment like.???

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 6:08 pm

I saw the same three production shows last year. But since they featured different singers and dancers, it was fine to see them again. One show features Louis Jordan's "Choo Choo Ch'Boogie" and that song always gets me groovin'.

I love the featured solo singers on cruise ships, but I was not pleased with the singer on this cruise. She was an unknown American singer who has been performing in Paris in Bubbling Brown Sugar. She did the usual standards (Gershwin, Ellington, Porter) and even sang Edith Piaf's Hymne D'Amour. The problem is that she felt she had to change the melody for every song. Her melody was never an improvement of the originals. And she felt she had to direct the orchestra at the end of each song with big gestures.

There was a British comedian -- I can't recall his name (perhaps Skip something). He was bald with long hair in the back. My dining companions said he was never a top comedian in the U.K.

The best entertainment was the classical music trio from Ukraine. They played familiar classics (Vivaldi, Sibelius, Brahms, etc.) as well as some unknown Russian and Ukrainian composers. They had 3 performances during the cruise --- all enjoyable.

Sorry that Emilie is now out of the top 10. I wonder what happened. I also liked Siobhan.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:10 pm

Hi Lena and Harry---how did you know that Emilie has gone??

Marian

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 7:46 pm

Hi Paul, glad you enjoyed at least most of the entertainment on the cruise. Two of my relations entertain on cruises, but not sure which they are on at the moment.
We wondered if the comedian on board was Mick Miller, bald head long hair at the back, he does do the cruises from Southampton. We have seen him, not too impressed.
Marian It is in this morning's newspaper. After further tantrums Emilie said that musicals could ruin her voice.
This is also on the internet that she is no longer in the ten remaining entrants.

paul jh · Post by **paul jh** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 8:27 pm

Lena and Harry - Not only do you know every song and singer and can stump us with lyrics and opening verses, but you know your comedians! It was definitely Mick Miller on my cruise.

Everyone - If Emilie feels that way about musicals, she doesn't belong in the Maria competition. Let's if see ever sings at Covent Garden or with the ENO. I doubt it.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:16 pm

Hi Lena and Harry--I do not often buy a daily paper , I guess that is why I did not know. I went on to the Web siteand there was no mentione of it, except in one comment that mentioned Emilie had walked out.

Well, well.well!!

Marian

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:18 pm

Hi Paul, Mick Miller also does the Holiday Centre circuit, but we saw him several years ago in a hotel in Blackpool.
Yes, so it's bye bye Emilie, and on a forum discussion that we came across while looking for the update on the final entrants, it's applause all round.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Mon Aug 07, 2006 10:34 pm

Hello all. Did Mick Miller start his TV career on "The Comedians" TV show, or was that Mick The Miller, the famous greyhound

I read about Emilie on the Teletext pages today.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 7:17 am

Hi Robert, the answers to your questions are yes and yes, and the summary is, one was better looking than the other.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:29 pm

Yes Lena and Harry our four legged friend is very handsome isn't he

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Wed Aug 09, 2006 11:14 pm

Hi all, my friends and I were talking about this the other day, and I had not realised that John Barrowman was playing Captain von Trapp!

I do not remember him mentioning it in the judging, but i guess it makes sense for him to be a judge, as he will be partnering her.

They also said that this was filmed ages ago, and Maria already chosen, but I do not know how that could be, as we are voting every week. My friends are more cynical than I am, and more or less said that the voting means nothing. And also there would not be time for a Maria to learn everything before the show started. But I do not believe them!!!
Apparently it will follow "The Sinatra Show" at the Palladium when it finishes this year. I heard that they were doing a dvd of this show--I really hope so.

One of my friends already has tickets to see "Sound of Music" in December at Â£60.00 per ticket!!

Well, that is it for now--past my bedtime again

Marian