Thank you for clarifying.

Thats ok, sorry if i wasn't very clear in my original post, sometimes i type quickly and don't explain what i mean enough.

No worries.

I partly agree with you here, Cleo. Ben started very badly, and was favourite to leave - now every one is saying how much he has improved, but imo he has just been given very carefully chosen songs that don't expose the weaknesses in his voice too much. Do you think, (conspiracy theory coming up), this could be partly JB's influence as he is apparently a big supporter of Ben? Or am I beginning to sound like Seamus?

I know JB loves him, but I don't think ALW has any vested interest in keeping Ben in the competition. I agree that his song choices over the few weeks have suited him very well, but I don't think this was a deliberate move on Andrew's part. He's getting a ballad this saturday apparently, so I think it'll turn out to be a bit of a make or break week for Ben.

On the other hand, I think ALW gave Lewis The Rose last week in a deliberate attempt to keep him in. It's rather sugary for my taste, but I imagine it's the kind of song that Andrew thinks would appeal to the voting public.

This is obviously just my own speculation and I am not in any way trying to suggest that I can read ALW's mind.

Well Ben certainly has had carefully chosen songs recently that are easy for him to sing and perform, where as the other contestants have all been pushed out of their comfort zones with the song choices, so, maybe something unfair is happening. All i know is that Ben can only sing upbeat songs, and is spectacually bad at slow songs, and the last few weeks he has only been given easy upbeat songs, so, it does sound abit fishy!

I'm certainly not sensing any great ALW love for Ben. JB love, yes, but not Andrew. He took Ben's 'he doesn't know what he's talking about' comment pretty well, but I'd guess he's not going to forget it any time soon.

No - i don't think ALW loves ben, not since he slagged ALW off anyway! i think your right, he may have played it cool on the show, but i bet hes gonna remember ben as the arrogant little idiot who bitched about him! I know i would if i was ALW, after all, bens lucky to have been put into the fibnals of ADWD, he didn't get through on grease, so should think himself lucky to be in the position he is in, i am sure lots of other boys would love to be.

I think all the contestants have been given some bad song choices in this show, the worst being Anthony having to sing Patience in a falsetto when his voice is naturally very deep. I really don't see the point in giving them songs in a style which they won't have to use for Joseph, such as falsettos, rock songs, etc.

It wouldn't be hard to give them a few more showtunes; there are a lot of shows out there, and some have songs that'd be popular with the viewers (as that seems to be ADWD's primary concern). You'd just have to give them an Abba or Queen song, then say it's from Mamma Mia or We Will Rock You!

What I like about Grease Is The Word is that each show does have a clearly stated theme (which have been disco, songs from the movies, showtunes and love songs) and that theme can, in some way, be related to Grease itself. Which is more than ADWD seems capable of.

I agree with what you are saying. I don't mind them singing pop songs, because Joseph is quite a poppy musical. However, I don't see the point in, as you say, giving them falsettos or rong songs. Different voices suit different styles, so the boys are bound to be weaker in certain styles. What's the point in showing the fact that the boys are weak when singing a style of music they don't even need to use for the musical. It's like auditioning someone for the opera Carmen, and then trying to judge their suitability for the role by getting them to sing heavy rock songs (Obviously this is an extreme example).

I think song choice is so important. Even the best singers/performers will have styles they are strong at, and styles they are weak at. It does not mean that the singer is weak, just because there is a style that they cannot sing well. Another thing that bothers me is that we're not really getting to compare the boys on an even playing field. I think it is unfair that some people have never been given a showtune, and the one boy who might get one in that show will be at a clear advantage to the others. How about giving them all showtunes one week, all a ballad another, all an upbeat another week (or at least do it so that using that example, in 3 weeks, all the boys would have performed all 3 types of songs).

If you are going to take on somebody of Ben's age with limited experience and a frankly so so voice the one thing you need to know beyond doubt is that they are going to listen to your advice and follow it.

They're auditioning for a musical, all be it publically, so why on earth are they not singing songs from "theatreland".

How can we vote logically with very little evidence??

This is not blooming X factor..they are auditioning for a specific part!!

why not give them all the same song to sing each week, then they will judged as equals surely.

Totally agree with you!!

Personally I would find it boring listening to the same song continuely for an hour.

If it was up to me, they'd have chosen their own songs first, to showcase their strengths as performers, and only now be getting the more challenging or out-of-comfort zone ones. (And I certainly agree that Chris B was doomed by the songs given him, whereas Keith has greatly benefitted.)

As I've posted before.. surely the music should be from musicals.

I agree it wouldn't make good TV if they all sang the same song. Pop songs or what not..but they have to perform too.
Sing a song with feeling and draw the audience in. Where's the Joseph songs? They're auditioning for Joseph aren't they?

I''m starting to get cynical

How can you judge and spend your money if you haven't got the evidence?

Pop songs and banter I listen to on Radio 1 Chris Moyles (don't berate me cos it makes me chuckle) but this Joseph has got to sell seats.

But I think they've done that already!! I've got my favourite and I'll follow his career..not stalkerish mind
Not telling who

They choose pop songs as they feel it will bring in more viewers as more people know pop songs.

Totally agree 70s pop c**p , it must be really frustating for these lads not to be able to showcace themselves properly.

ALW thinks public will find show more interesting if they sing pop songs we know or something like that! He thinks we won't know all the theatre songs!

'From my similar Maria experience, I can testify that it’s bloody hard having, and knowing, your own mind in a manufactured situation like this. I’m 28 and found it tough in there having everything dictated 24/7. We might as well have been at boarding school! All choice, and therefore integrity as a performer, is taken away from you. You’re left trying to not only perform to 110% of your ability every time (maybe with songs not well suited to your vocal capabilities), but also to come across well on camera. To be liked, whilst being true to yourself and fighting for what you believe in. It’s totally unlike a real audition situation where you’d never be asked to sing unsuitable material or to be something or someone you’re not.'

This was taken from Belinda Evans' blog, I thought it was very interesting, and (slightly) relevant to the thread.

I do totally agree that it there should be a lot more theathreland songs in there but playing devils advocate for a moment I can see a coupld of reasons for why ALW is picking pop songs.

First of all he thinks it will appeal to a wider audience on a saturday night, trying to catch those that maybe aren't that keen on 'show toons.' Secondly he is trying to find the best all-rounder, if you can make something out of a banal pop song then a full show stopper where the emotion is already built in should be no problem for you. I'll stop with the devil's advocate stuff now.

Totally agree ,they all should be given the oportunity to choose at least 1 song to showcace themselves properly, poor Chris ended up with 70s pop c**p every week.

If they could choose their own songs though, wouldn't the younger ones be choosing songs from the noughties that a lot of us may not know?

Plus they'd choose songs which they found easy every week which would make dull telly.

Perhaps they ought to be allowed to sing one of their choice and one chosen? Afterall the actual songs only last about a min and a half anyway?

I doubt it. I expect they would choose songs from actual musicals considering they are auditioning for a part in a musical...