Hello Marian
Emma Williams is admittedly not that well known but she has had quite a successful career on the stage, even though she's only 22. She actually appeared in the Steve Coogan film "The Parole Officer", and has been playing Truly Scrumptious in the stage version of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and presumably has sufficient experience of the professional stage to qualify for Maria and to deal with all the pressures.
I'm not sure viewers are entirely wasting their money if the girls on the show don't get the part for the whole run - if it exposes them to agents etc., and gives them some experience on the professional stage, it must be of some benefit to them, though inevitably not all of them will get careers out of it - but, hey, that's showbusiness.
"How do you solve a Problem Like Maria"
Hi Jon and Robert--yes I agree with Robert on this one---its like voting on X factor for your favourite, and finding someone who was not even in the competition had won.
But at the same time ALW and David do not want to lose their money!
It may have been better to do a programme called "How do you solve a problem like Liesel"--or "How do you solve a problem like The Mother Abbess"--it does not have quite the same ring to it, does it.?? But although they are reasonably important parts, the whole show is not so dependant on them as it is on Maria.
Marian
But at the same time ALW and David do not want to lose their money!
It may have been better to do a programme called "How do you solve a problem like Liesel"--or "How do you solve a problem like The Mother Abbess"--it does not have quite the same ring to it, does it.?? But although they are reasonably important parts, the whole show is not so dependant on them as it is on Maria.
Marian
Mariana
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Lena & Harry Smith
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Well, so long, farewell, to Simona and Leanne. 
We could have put money on those two going home tonight.
Helena's trying to stop gurning as advised by the judges
as she's saved once again just to suffer more torture next week.
Siobhan is gaining favouritism by the minute and catching up with Connie. So who will be Maria
We could have put money on those two going home tonight. Helena's trying to stop gurning as advised by the judges
as she's saved once again just to suffer more torture next week.Siobhan is gaining favouritism by the minute and catching up with Connie. So who will be Maria
Hi all--yes I have to admit that Leanne and Simona were odds on to go.
I think Helena may have been a cat in a former life---she has used up 4 of her nine lives already---so who knows? She could make it to the end.
Her voice is really lovely---but her face just does not look like a "Maria"
I have to say , that much as I liked Leanne's voice, she seemed to be struggling a bit in the last few weeks.
I have been saying all along that Simona would be perfect for "Evita"--now even ALW agrees with me
I think the show was much better for ditching the pop songs.
Marian
I think Helena may have been a cat in a former life---she has used up 4 of her nine lives already---so who knows? She could make it to the end.
Her voice is really lovely---but her face just does not look like a "Maria"
I have to say , that much as I liked Leanne's voice, she seemed to be struggling a bit in the last few weeks.
I have been saying all along that Simona would be perfect for "Evita"--now even ALW agrees with me
I think the show was much better for ditching the pop songs.
Marian
Mariana
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Lena & Harry Smith
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Hello this is Amanda (Graham's wife) 
I just wanted to join in on the Maria debate as I have enjoyed watching it so much (& driving me (Graham) demented by talking about it 24/7 - Gray) and was so disappointed to hear it is a bit of a scam. Do you think we should e-mail the show and the BBC!!?? And tell them how disgusted we are!!
I must say Connie is made for this part! I know some of you have said so much about being desperate but I think she she can act and sing her socks off. I am sick of the judges saying how wonderful Siobhan is. Hello?? O.K she is good and extremely pretty as they keep telling her!! But Connie acts as well as sings and all you get with Siobhan is the wonderful Julia Roberts smile. I think Helena and Abi will get the boot this week and unfortnately Siobhan will win but I really hope not, Connie is the real star.
I also think the panel should put each Maria in costume and get them to sing alongside some of the cast! I have seen Emma Williams in a Chitty documentary and she is very good but I think Connie should win! Just thought I'd get that off my chest. Now I can have a cup of tea! AmandaX
I just wanted to join in on the Maria debate as I have enjoyed watching it so much (& driving me (Graham) demented by talking about it 24/7 - Gray) and was so disappointed to hear it is a bit of a scam. Do you think we should e-mail the show and the BBC!!?? And tell them how disgusted we are!! I must say Connie is made for this part! I know some of you have said so much about being desperate but I think she she can act and sing her socks off. I am sick of the judges saying how wonderful Siobhan is. Hello?? O.K she is good and extremely pretty as they keep telling her!! But Connie acts as well as sings and all you get with Siobhan is the wonderful Julia Roberts smile. I think Helena and Abi will get the boot this week and unfortnately Siobhan will win but I really hope not, Connie is the real star.
I also think the panel should put each Maria in costume and get them to sing alongside some of the cast! I have seen Emma Williams in a Chitty documentary and she is very good but I think Connie should win! Just thought I'd get that off my chest. Now I can have a cup of tea! AmandaX
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Lena & Harry Smith
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Hi Amanda, that's the way to go, get it off your chest and then a cup of tea to follow.
Nice to see you posting Amanda and we agree and have thought right from the beginning that Connie had the natural talent, and yes David Ian has told us once or twice, or how many times- we've forgotten now how beautiful Siobhan is. I think we've got that bit, so moving on. that might be a good idea to see them dressed and singing two or three of the show's songs. Maybe tomorrow evening 
Nice to see you posting Amanda and we agree and have thought right from the beginning that Connie had the natural talent, and yes David Ian has told us once or twice, or how many times- we've forgotten now
how beautiful Siobhan is. I think we've got that bit, so moving on. that might be a good idea to see them dressed and singing two or three of the show's songs. Maybe tomorrow evening Hi Amanda and all--I have been saying from the start that the girls should have been singing songs from the musicals, and not pop songs. Some voices are just meant to be heard in a musical.
Where have you heard it is a scam---is it just on this site, or somewhere else.
Also, I thnk it was very unfair last week, that only Siobhan got to sing with the children from "Chitty chitty bang bang"--it really gave her an unfair advantage--it should have been all or nothing.
I really love the show, but I think they missed a golden opportunity to make it great--mostly by picking the wrong songs to sing, and the confusion over it being a scam or not. And also I am not 100% sure that ALW should pick the final Maria---not on his own anyway---he is obviously biased--look at Helena!!!
It was good to hear from you Amanda, and your opinions--join us tomorrow after the show!!
Marian
Where have you heard it is a scam---is it just on this site, or somewhere else.
Also, I thnk it was very unfair last week, that only Siobhan got to sing with the children from "Chitty chitty bang bang"--it really gave her an unfair advantage--it should have been all or nothing.
I really love the show, but I think they missed a golden opportunity to make it great--mostly by picking the wrong songs to sing, and the confusion over it being a scam or not. And also I am not 100% sure that ALW should pick the final Maria---not on his own anyway---he is obviously biased--look at Helena!!!
It was good to hear from you Amanda, and your opinions--join us tomorrow after the show!!
Marian
Mariana
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Lena & Harry Smith
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Well , only one more week to the final, and goodbye etc to Abi and Aoife. I'm sorry Abi has gone-I liked her because she was different. I thought her version of "Maybe this time" was great.
I loved John Barrowman and the girls singing "Have you met Miss Jones"--for me the highlight of all the shows so far.
I think it is between Connie and Siobhan now.
And what about Mick Hucknall-I hardly recognised him--has he got older--put on some weight--or both. I always loved him singing "Holding Back the Years"--one of my all-time favourite songs.
Marian
I loved John Barrowman and the girls singing "Have you met Miss Jones"--for me the highlight of all the shows so far.
I think it is between Connie and Siobhan now.
And what about Mick Hucknall-I hardly recognised him--has he got older--put on some weight--or both. I always loved him singing "Holding Back the Years"--one of my all-time favourite songs.
Marian
Mariana
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Lena & Harry Smith
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Yes we'll know who will be Maria next week, and it does look as if it's between Connie and Siobhan.
Abi has a nice voice but goes off key occasionaly. Aiofe sang better than Siobhan in "Any Dream Will Do" and Helena was very good tonight and we weren't surprised to see her survive again.
We loved that song and dance routine too Marian "Have You Met Miss Jones" a great Sinatra number and Robbie Williams does a great job with it too on his album "Swing When You're Winning" and we have to say we prefer to see John Barrowman singing and dancing to sitting on that panel
Marian we agree Mick Hucknall has changed since we saw him last. The lifestyle is taking it's toll.
That is a great song "Holding Back The Years and we like "Stars" too.
Abi has a nice voice but goes off key occasionaly. Aiofe sang better than Siobhan in "Any Dream Will Do" and Helena was very good tonight and we weren't surprised to see her survive again.
We loved that song and dance routine too Marian "Have You Met Miss Jones" a great Sinatra number and Robbie Williams does a great job with it too on his album "Swing When You're Winning" and we have to say we prefer to see John Barrowman singing and dancing to sitting on that panel
Marian we agree Mick Hucknall has changed since we saw him last. The lifestyle is taking it's toll.
That is a great song "Holding Back The Years and we like "Stars" too.
Maria
Hi everyone!
I really enjoyed last night's show and found myself crying, clapping and cheering all night long! It was the best show mainly because I think they chose musical numbers. However we thought that Footloose was a bad choice for Aiofe because it was just so energetic and didn't show her voice off. Abi was good on the night we think though the part of Maria wasn't for her and her career is in cabaret. Aiofe would be good in something like Grease as she is a good actress. She would have gone through if viewers in Ireland could have voted for her I'm sure! I really hope we hear of them again though! We are still convinced Connie should win. Her performance was more controlled this week only because the voice coach had told her to do so - which shows what a professional she really is. I really hope Siobhan doesn't get it - I am so sick of them pushing her forward.
They all put in good performances on the night though. Helena was a real surprise! She managed to sing with a injury too. But she is not consistent.
My parents watched the show for the first time with us and as soon as they saw Connie they said 'well that's the one!!' Glad to see John from the panel got up and did something though - now the voice coach should follow his example.
Looking forward to the final next week COME ON CONNIE!!!!
Amanda
I really enjoyed last night's show and found myself crying, clapping and cheering all night long! It was the best show mainly because I think they chose musical numbers. However we thought that Footloose was a bad choice for Aiofe because it was just so energetic and didn't show her voice off. Abi was good on the night we think though the part of Maria wasn't for her and her career is in cabaret. Aiofe would be good in something like Grease as she is a good actress. She would have gone through if viewers in Ireland could have voted for her I'm sure! I really hope we hear of them again though! We are still convinced Connie should win. Her performance was more controlled this week only because the voice coach had told her to do so - which shows what a professional she really is. I really hope Siobhan doesn't get it - I am so sick of them pushing her forward.
They all put in good performances on the night though. Helena was a real surprise! She managed to sing with a injury too. But she is not consistent.
My parents watched the show for the first time with us and as soon as they saw Connie they said 'well that's the one!!' Glad to see John from the panel got up and did something though - now the voice coach should follow his example.
Looking forward to the final next week COME ON CONNIE!!!!
AmandaHi Amanda, Lena and Harry---The more I think about it, the more I think Connie will win--especially as it is the telephone votes only that are being counted--or so they are trying to tell us. I think many people are fed up with Siobhan being praised to the heights--and when all is said and done she is only here because Emilie dropped out. Yes she is pretty and has a nice voice---but not outstandingly so. I think Connie will improve if she gets the part--to me,she is still too intense--but obviously a lot riding on this. I think she will make a good Maria.
And why ever did they not get John Barrowman up singing before--what a waste of his talents--do you remember him singing just recently in "The Sound of Musicals" on BBC -with Ruthie Henshall--I loved that programme and wanted it to go on forever--there are so few shows like that these days!!
Marian
And why ever did they not get John Barrowman up singing before--what a waste of his talents--do you remember him singing just recently in "The Sound of Musicals" on BBC -with Ruthie Henshall--I loved that programme and wanted it to go on forever--there are so few shows like that these days!!
Marian
Mariana