Oh how I agree with this! This is what I kept saying throughout the performances. I did wonder if it was done deliberately in some of the songs to make the performers seem unable to produce enough volume.

Frankly I am suspicious of absolutely everything now - cynical even. I don't believe anything is just random or just down to viewers votes. I think the whole thing is planned out from the start.

You do realise that this is for a theatre performer not a recording artist?

I've read this thread several times because its shocks me that there is such a negativity about the show. I hope people realise that there is an off button on their TV if what they are seeing is not too their liking!!!! I cannot understand how any time something happens on the show there is a conspiracy theory Its a saturday evening entertainnment show!!!!! Just enjoy it and vote for your favourite. Lee is getting grief on this site for no other reason than that he goes out their and sings. Josh chose him to sing get over it. If Lee wins (I don't think he will) see the show if you want to don't if he was not your choice. You could always go and see Grease

Can we try and clear up this old argument once and for all? I know the show is a bit misleading about the backgrounds of the contestants, but NONE of the final six contestants were amateur - and the show isn't about that. Lee has had some success in the West-End granted, but his biggest role to date is understudying Raoul in Phantom at certain performances. Keith is training in musical theatre in Edinburgh, Craig has had a Top 10 hit, Daniel has had lead roles in Rent in Europe and Kenickie in Grease National Tour, and both Ben and Lewis are from the Italia Conti Stage School.

However, NONE of the boys has had a lead role in the West-End - and THAT is what the show is about. Progressing their career to the ultimate goal.

I agree completely, and I believe if you go back through the final 12 they all have had some kind of training even Rob.

But wasnt it the same with Connie Fisher She was going to be Maria from day one . I think Lee is going the same way. and he deserves it. The others showed their true colours when Lee got to sing with Josh

Note sure I understand this bit. Lee is older than Josh Groban isn't he ? But then they both look younger than they actually are.

I'm sure I've missed your point, but I couldn't figure out what it was.

Well done for pointing all that out. For the BBC to portray Daniel as a filing clerk was a bit much. Lee's Dad said Lee had worked in every takeaway in his home town when he was trying to make it in musical theatre but they never dwell on that.

Wasn't Lewis in the final auditions for Billy?

I think Lee was probably the only Joseph the duet would have worked with, the other 4 sounded awful in the studio. And didn't Lee look the part.

Having said that, I still don't think it was fair on the other four.

However it is a good learning experience to show to them that this industry is sometimes a harsh unfair place to be.

Lewis was in the final auditions for Billy Elliott the film not the stage show (no singing by Billy in the film just dancing and acting). I do agree though that it wasn't fair to just pick one of them to sing with Josh (not fair on the others or on Lee imo)

I never watched Maria, so I can't really comment on that front, but I wouldn't have said Lee was the favourite from day one, even if he is the favourite now. I know Rob was the bookies favourite from the first show; whether that reflects the view of the public or not, I don't know. (I, personally don't think it does).

I think that it was patronising to stick the other four on in the background as backing singers, especially as they weren't really needed. They should have just let Lee have his moment with the professional singer. The lines had closed, so they didn't really need "equal coverage" or whatever.

Although it was unfair to just have one Joseph sing with the professional. It should have been all or no-one IMO. But I guess that's just ALW bringing the "competiveness" back into the show. Or something.
(And before anyone says anything, I'm not at all bitter at Lee, as Lewis was never going to get it because he fluffed his lines )

But don't forget ALW is making it easier for Lee by booting out the strongest opposition i.e Seamus and Daniel. The only realistic contender left is Keith

Obviously the others were disappointed - if they'd said they were thrilled for Lee nobody on here would have believed them anyway. And it was very tightly edited - for example, you don't know that Craig didn't say 'I'm delighted for Lee, he sang brilliantly but obviously I'm gutted' and they just used 'I'm gutted'.

I have no problem with him picking Lee and I'm not saying that was faked or anything, I just dislike the way the programme is obsessed with making them look as if they are fighting each other. If two of them had been sporting and the other two sulky, I might believe it, but the way the whole thing was shot felt to me like the directors very carefully got the reactions they wanted.

I hope it isn't Keith as the strongest contender ... despite really bad vocals last night, I still think Ben would manage better with the role than Keith.

Sorry but I've got to challenge you on the word 'hopeless'.

I agree about Lee being in a class of his own but I'm certain that the viewers enjoy the others too.'Hopeless' contestants just do not make good Saturday night television and imho this series has been great.

No.Its not FACT.Its opinion.

Just wondering who ALW has in mind for the part of Pharoah,

What about John Barrowman for the part of Pharoah

I agree.I also think he is the only one who could actually (physically) 'do' eight performances a week.

Exactly.

Its not as if JG was sitting around every Saturday and getting acquainted with the contestants.

In my mind there is no doubt whatsoever that he chose to sing with the cream of the crop.

Yes i loved that too, 10 out of 10 for honesty Graham ......

I just think Keith showed his mental age last last night with his huffy puffy attitude, its a reality show, i know for a fact I would of been dead chuffed for my mates whoever had got picked. I dont think Keiths voice is as fantastic as what people go on about, its ok but i cant hardly understand him when hes singing

I don't think think Josh chose Lee. At least not without some 'advice' and influence..

While it was unfair on the others it was just the nature of the piece and i'm sure they'll get over it. I didn't think being backing singers would have been that bad if thats all they'd done... but it was the awful swaying and finger clicking that was an embarrassment.
I acutally think they both look older than they are! esp Lee.

Well Josh Groban definately looks older than 26 but Lee no he doesn't look older than 25

LOL, I thought Lee was 30 'till I checked out the BBC site!

I have read this elsewhere, but am not sure whether to believe it as Lewis just doesn't come across as a dancer to me! Surely they would have given him some more moves in at least one of his songs? He moves very awkwardly to me.

He has been a dancer in Disneyland California too, apparently.

I think he has a good sense of natural rhythm.