I absolutely agree. The are all so up and down and no-one stands out as really good. They are all pretty mediocre IMO

maybe it is the part they are going for that makes them look mediocre. perhaps if it was a different role we wouldn't feel this way.

...made a mockery of the show for me.

If they wanted amateurs to groom for the West End then restrict it to teenagers and don't give the older girls false hope.

The judging has been bizarre and undermines the credibility of the show. It was good while it lasted. So long...farewell.. auf wiedersehen...goodnight...

or perhaps if they were given suitable songs, like I don't kno... musical theatre songs perhaps?

I'm not sure the standard has been lower, but as others have said, it's not like Maria or Joseph where there's a general agreement about how the role should be played. I think the panel were probably just as confused as the public as to who Nancy could be, hence a fair few people were put through who were probably wholly inappropriate.

And I think there have been and are some terrific actresses and wonderful singers, and some with much star quality, but no one who seems to have this all combined and crucially be also right for Nancy.

By that I mean Sarah was great vocally and a tremendous actress but (though I loved her) wasn't really Nancy. And then we have situations like Jessie, who is great vocally and has star quality, but not so good acting-wise etc. And I think this has meant the show has lost a lot of focus in comparison to the previous contests.

I don't think I will ever understand the reason behind getting rid of Fran so early.
ever.
ever.

I think there'll be at least one more series, and IMO, if they try to find the Phantom for the Phantom of the Opera, that's the sign that that's the last one.

Just a gut feeling lol.

Nor will I. I hope she gets some really great job offers.

I think IDA hasn't been overly successful - definitely not in the same league as ADWD (although that might just have to do with young men in loincloths more than the singing! ) - and I'm not sure that if they do another one it might be even more of a flop. I really like the shows, being the MT geek that I am, and I think these shows have been far classier than the ones over on ITV. But I don't want it to continue until the bitter end if it's not successful, and give MT a bad name; I'd rather if they stopped while it is still successful.

I don't think the problem is that these shows are not popular.

I think the problem is specifically this season and the negativity that has happened because of ALW's mean comments to Ashley. That is what is turning off people to the show.

The damage has been done and I don't know if ALW can turn the public around on his image.

I think the viewing figures have nose dived too......Maria got approx 5 mill ADWD got approx 6-7 Mill IDA got approx 4 mill.

I think it is the panel and AWL which is putting viewers off.......

If they do keep it around, it would be great to see Jesus Christ Superstar search

The show would be called
Who Do You Think You Are?

I think I read in a thread here a few weeks ago that before IDA started ALW had said this would probably be his final show like this with the BBC. I don't know whether he did say that, but that was what someone had reported.

yes, it very well my be, but i think the reason for it not being so successful is because it isn't for a lead role. even though it is popular to die hard fans of the MT, people that love the lead roles like Maria wouldn't find this as exciting because the real lead is Oliver.

I have enjoyed this series more than HDYSAPLM, purely from the perspective of not knowing who is going to win.

I do agree with you. I wasn't interested at first because I'm not keen on Oliver generally anyway. I didn't watch the auditions at all, juse from when it began in the studio, as I figured I would still enjoy the performances. But I've also been very disappointed with the standard of the contestants this year, the seemingly random comments from panel and seemingly blatant favouritism shown towards some, and most of all the truly awful manner in which ALW has spoken to certain contestants (in particular Ashley but also Jodie lately). He may not like a performer (either generally or for this specific role) and they may have been awful, but the way he's spoken to them has shocked me and I think he should have remained professional and balanced.

Now I feel more motivated to see a winner that he dislikes than for any other reason. Though having said that, I think if I felt there was a truly outstanding contestant I would want them to win rather than just the one ALW dislikes the most. I wouldn't, under normal circumstances, want an undeserving winner just to spite ALW, but as I don't think any of them are outstanding I think they could do equally good jobs of the role (some good vocally but poor acting/moving, and others vice versa), I mainly want his least favourite to win!

As it happens, I'm rooting for Jodie - I've enjoyed her performances (I think she has a lovely voice) and I don't think ALW likes her. Jodie to win I say!

I am still enjoying it a lot, but not in the same way as I liked the previous shows. A major part of it for me now is just to see the smile wiped off ALW's face.

I wonder how this will do at the theatre if which person won? Is ALW quitting bbc because he secretly knows the four girls left arent ideal nancys?

I think I read that he'd said he was going to quit before this show had even started. Though actually, before I read it, I had started to wonder whether IDA might be the kiss of death for these shows as it hasn't shown him in a very good light. So unless he actually wants a reputation like Simon Cowell I thought he might not do another.

i am sure there is a clause in the contract like there was for connie only starting whoever the winner is on a low number of shows a week to start.

also, it is not his show it is Camerons show, and he like Andrew is smart enough to have it sussed in legal language of the contract. he will have someone prepared to step in that he likes if he sees fit.

Can I just ask why we are all logged on at this time of the morning? Just wondering!

Me personally a combination of being sad, can talk nonsence for hours on end, sleep strange hours and a fourth mystery element. How about you?

A fourth mystery element eh!
Don't know really why I'm still awake. Had a long couple of days and am knackered but just got home tonight after 2 days away for work and just feel like I want to stay up late (also don't have work tomorrow so can have a long lie in).

Probably going to go to bed soon.

I'm surprised there are people logged on at this time.

Yeh! Always best to keep something back lol! I was surprised how many people still on, its died off a bit now. I mite try and stay up now.

It'll catch up with you later. That was my mistake on Sunday night - stayed up all night and then really struggled later and today. Since getting home I seem to have acquired a new lease of life. I'll pay for it tomorrow I'm sure when it's time to get up.