No nastiness or bullying just very good advise and mostly positive constructive critisism.

Makes a refreshing change.

Yes I thought the judges were great tonight. Everything they said was constructive.

I wish they wouldn't show ALW making peculiar faces and looking away and shaking his head when they're singing though, as it never bears any relation to what he says about them!

I don't think he even knows he's pulling faces.

Glad there isn't any blatent bias..yet, like with DVO and JB- they were awful.

I wasn't quite as convinced by the criticism. ALW might be right in telling Amy that she would be better as a legal blonde than as a Dorothy but, if that is so, why put her through to the final 10 only to shoot her down like that

I agree.

They really get down to the nitty gritty. Pretty much everything they say is of relevance and value to the girls.

Sheila and Charlotte, in particular, have offered some very useful tips.

Well yes I agree, I meant with the main 3 judges..

Totally agree. Lots of constructive comments and advice from an experienced panel. Makes a nice change.

This whole show comes across like a thinking man's X factor for me. The singers are actually there because they CAN sing, not because they "want to be famous... for 15 minutes" or simply make good telly.

And the judges say things to actually help their performances or specifically tell them the things that didn't work rather than the usual "you made it your own", "you absolutely smashed it," "you respected the song" blah blah cliches.

I just think it sends an example of how a talent show can actually be predominantly about talent and still be entertaining (found it no coincidence that the little VT segments and usual "I don't want to go home first" bits were the most boring).

I guess the main difference between this and XF is there's a real prize at the end. They GET to star in a musical. And even if not that particular musical the exposure as a finalist stands them in good stead to make it in another West End show. As opposed to getting massive hype by winning the X Factor, realeasing a couple of records and then fading into obscurity.

I agree, especially about Sheila and Charlotte. I like how they're approaching it from different directions, with Sheila concentrating on the acting side and Charlotte on singing technique.

Any panel that hasn't got Barrowman on it is ok by me I like all three judges .

I am with you there.

The judges in my opinion, are far better than the last ALW ones, and even the lords comments seemed to be more pointed than previously were.

I also found it very refreshing that none of the judges are choosing to play the "villain" judge and think pure putdowns is the best way to judge, or over-the-top praise, either. They were constantly trying to help the girls along with what they would like to see more of, etc.

I second that , he and his Ego make it unwatchable

I agree (sorry - posted on the wrong thread) and even the Droid spoke a lot of sense...

i like the judges, prefer Charlotte to DVO - she has constructive comments, helpful. Same with Sheila, who I wasnt expecting to like but I do.

John is quite nice to look at...hope they do masterclasses etc through the series. Much better than the hype of Cowel etc

Quite like John. Think he's my favourite. I could take or leave Charlotte.