Sam had "Somewhere" in the "Musicals" week... Jodie had "Send in the Clowns" that week, Jessie had "One Night Only" from Dreamgirls (not sure if that was specifically written for a musical) and Ashley had "The Winner takes it all" (very tenuous imo)... plus the ones I mentioned before another week, taking them to a total of 2 each.

I'm not saying it's right, I agree that if one girl has MT, they all should, especially as this is an MT role. I'm just pointing out how it's been unfair all along and not just this week, putting Sam above everyone else.

what would be preferable: a poor MT song (which I have to say I think "Defying Gravity" is, and "One night only" didn't impress me as a song either) or a very good "pop" song (which I happen to think "The winner takes it all" and "The first cut is the deepest" are... though not done especially well on this show)?

GG often makes good points.

I'd rather have an Abba song that was good than an MT song that wasn't.

But that's personal preference.

Really they should all sing the same song for a level playing field. I would watch that kind of a show but I'm not sure how popular it would be.

Or they could all sing songs from the same show? There are many ways of doing it but last week (for example) Jessie's song was a guaranteed no-no. I don't even rate Jessie but who'd want to sing THAT???

I stand corrected. For some reason I couldn't remember that we had a "musicals" week Oh dear, my memory is fading.

I personally think the song could be make or break for Sam. I'm not the biggest fan of the song myself, but if Sam pulls it off, I think she would definitely be on her way to the final. However, I think if she does it badly, added to her "Somewhere" performance, people may started to question her ability to handle MT

I'll probably get slated, but I don't like DG - sorry Wicked fans. I hope it's just a rumour and not fact. Apart from anything else...how the hell are they going to edit the song to suit a solo performance? It'll lose a lot of the impact it has in the show, without the duet/ensemble contribution, imo.

I think it's been confirmed?

I think Defying Gravity works amazingly well within the context of the show, but stand alone it's... well it's not brilliant. I don't even think it sounds great on the cast recording, to be honest.

Totally agree. It's an excellent end of act 1 song (especially with the full effects) and if people have heard it on YouTube and not liked it, the show version (especially with Kerry Ellis or her understudy who are both superb seen them both do it a few times now) is very good, go see it!

However, like it or not, the song is quite tough to sing even for good singers, it requires a moderate range, and plenty of passion - take it out of context (especially with a stupid dress on as I'm sure they'll make her wear) and it could be rubbish. I think it'll either secure her for the final, or mean being in the sing off. Interested to hear what the others are singing.

Not as rubbish as the version I saw in a local panto of Peter Pan!

I agree that this is an odd choice. It ought to be spectacular, but just won't be out of context. Without the wires! Not well known enough either, those who have never heard it before won't get it at all.


I don't think Sam is up to it vocally, anyway. She will get shouty. As for the "stupid dress", lol! I hope they paint her green as well...

If ALW thinks this is going to showcase one of his favourites, I think it will backfire.

If they painted her green I would totally vote for her. (I actually would)

I agree, it's risky. The chances of her falling flat on her arse are high. We might be about to witness one of the most out of tune performances ever on a reality tv show.

However, if it all goes wrong, Andrew will have the 'oh but it was such a difficult song' card up his sleeve and all ready to play. Just like when Ben did 'crying' this time last year. I love Ben and all, but that was god awful.

I disagree! I think she performed a dreadful, unpopular song very well - I hate the song but liked her rendition of it, even ALW said she did as he asked during the performance, but it lost her the show.

This is Sam's chance to blow it or win it, and although we don't know all the songs the other girls are singing, giving Jodie Bonnie Tyler's 'I need a hero' has got to be bad for Jodie no matter how well she performs it (I can already hear the "too cabaret" comments...).

Never has it been more obvious that song choice makes or breaks a contestant's chances. There is no level playing field on this show.

What is the connection between MT songs and Oliver?
Precious little. All anyone will learn is how good athey might be in a Broadway show - not a whole heap of use when they are casting Oliver.
Alan

easily done, some of the "MT" songs were very tenuous

sorry, I think I might have missed the point of your point... Oliver is a musical...

Surely the connection is they are both sung on stage in a theatre as part of a musical theatre production LOL! Simple as that!

I see what you're saying, but in the context of these kinds of shows, it's probably more relevant than most. What's the connection between Oliver and Christina Aguillera, or The Sound of Music and Shania Twain, or Any Dream will Do and The Beatles?

The whole method of casting is pretty flawed

Seriously though, I didn't feel this strongly about song choice during Maria or Joseph. I hope the next time (if there is a next time), they grasp the nettle and stick to MT (or maybe musical film at a stretch).

why do you think that is?

in fairness, I do think the song choices have been exceptionally dire this year. Pop songs (Or, at least, non-MT songs) can be done well in this way... if the song's any good to begin with

I think the song choices have got worse with each series. Maria definitely had the best song choices... it started off with a lot of pop songs but by the semi-finals all the songs were either MT songs or songs from films. Just as an example Abi in the whole competition had 3 MT songs (Maybe This Time, Summertime, Big Spender) 1 song from a film (Nobody Does it better) and one pop song that had a fairly decent narrative if slightly dull (Closest Thing To Crazy).

Joseph had even more pop songs, but they could get away with it because Joseph is a fairly poppy musical. But this year the song choice are just dreadful.

Exactly - and this series hasn't made for such good entertainment IMHO.

When I watch these types of shows I genuinely want to see everyone do well.

Of course I have my favourites, but it is thrilling when someone pulls off a great performance and they get credit where it is due.

I just feel this series that 'they' have made that much more difficult for the Nancys and it has affected not only the quality of the show, but the chances of the best MT performers getting on in the show (naming NO names, after all the girls are all in it as MT performers).

I agree...

Its clear who is the fave...

I think they girls should all have to sing similar songs... they we could make a clear judgement...

Hmm... I think the DG choice is a little odd. It's a very specific song that I think only tends to work in the context of the show, or at least when a large majority of people will know it. Also, it's very special effects based in the show, so I really don't know how it's going to be acted/portrayed on IDA. I may be wrong here but I think a large portion of viewers may not have heard it before (i.e. it's not really a very well know, instantly recognisable song like 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina,' or 'Phantom of the Opera.') Also, if that's the only musical theatre song of the night, it may stick out like a sore thumb as either being the best song (if she pulls it off) or as the worst (if she doesn't).

We'll have to wait and see. Maybe come Saturday I'll be eating my words.

I think you are right and another thing is how long the song is - it will be hard to condense it to the kind of time allowed on the show - it is an interesting one!

Apparently Jodie has 'Holding Out for a Hero', so it's definitely not Musical Theatre. Unless that's from a musical and I'm a dumbass?

Bascically most pop songs don't tell a story, which is what makes them bad for a show like this one. Many of them have quite poor lyrics, or even made up words - whopbabalooma awhopbambang !!!. There are some good songs with a cinematic feel, but these are quite rare. It's why they are so godd to listen to in the car. However, by contrast most MT songs are an integral part ofthe story and often move the plot along/enlighten characterisation. This is why they are better watched - and even if you are listening to them you often picture a scene in your mind.

Or perhaps that's just me.....................................?

I think that was in Footloose?