I agree with all this post.

Love him the best - makes me more disappointed when he talks a load of Tosh (iko)

Love John Barrowman, he is gorgeous and talented and I respect his opinion. I do think he tells it like he sees it and his view seems to reflect what the public thinks. Jessie has not progressed and only JB pointed that out. I am sure he upset ALW saying that but he was truthful and accurate.

I like John- he's fair- doesn't have favourites. And what really impressed me is the way he stuck up for Jodie after ALW Meatloaf comment

JB is the best panel member on IDA, and on ADWD. I think some have questioned his judging as he appears to favour Sam, and they don't understand that (neither do I). But to criticise him for that I would have to criticise him for calling Jodie his perfect Nancy, for being the only panel memer in the beginning to take Sarah seriously, for standing up for Ashley, or going back to ADWD he supported Ben and Keith when the rest of the panel didn't. I didn't question his judging over these as I agreed with him, therefore I don't think his judgement should be criticised because I now disagree with it.

I think the performances sound & feel different in the studio & that goes some way to explain some of the comments (except for the nasty ones - meatloaf etc)

Imagine going to see cats or phantom at the west end & then watching them again at home on video - both with the same cast

IMO the west end version would be miles better - different 'electricity' / feeling comes from live performance

The panel are seeing live - we are seeing TV

The man is a prat.

Nay, nay and thrice nay.

Talks gibberish. Often what he says applies more to someone else. Contradicted constantly by the more experienced judges. Net result is confused Nancys and viewers. The only good thing he did all series was to pull ALW up over Ashley but even then he did it in such a cras way that ALW was forced to dump Francesca instead. Incapable of giving acting comments as he confuses his own pantomine style of OTT acting with good acting. Seem to see emotion in performances when there is none and miss it when its there in spades. Commenting about accents when he is the same with the same accent in every role topped the absurdity stakes. Ridiculous blindness to the faults of those he likes amplified by being unable to see the merits of people he doesn't. Tends to just repeat his last week's comment even if it made no sense then either. There must be people with more judgement and more acting talent out there.

Yay, a definite yay. He's being paid cash money to give his personal & professional opinion and he's giving it. He may see things that we don't, he may like some contestants style more than others, but he's entitled to his own opinion.

If it doesn't agree with ours always so what!

He's being paid cash to give the opinion that ALW and CM want him to is nearer to the truth.

YAY!, YAY!, YAY!

Of all the judges on IDA, John is the most honest and that's what I like about him the most, and also that showed on ADWD as well as the Maria show, and because of that, he has always supported new talent that comes from these kind of shows, and that is AWESOME!!!!

From Hayley

Although I feel John can be over effusive with his praise he is normally pretty astute with his criticism.

JB - Nay for me!
Barrowman for the bin, Buckley for the win!
(Just a little slogan I've made up don't hate me JB lovers!)

And who are they?
Last edited by PuzzlePony : 28-05-2008 at 17:10

I'm not sure which of the judges is more experienced than JB. Certainly not BH (who has only done one musical I think) or DVO, who has done about 6. JB has been in 17 in the WE and Broadway. A:LW has experinec as a composer and producer, but none as a performer. CM even less experience, just a producer.

So who exactly are these "more expereinced Judges"??????????????????

Love the dissing of Andrew and Cameron. Make way for Lord John Barrowman. Surely only a matter of time?

I do like JB ... I think he wants to see talent succeed and gives his opinion based on his own experiences from stage and screen.

ALW and CM - they have cast/produced many musicals over the years and so bring a different element to the panel. The problem with some of their comments is that when the criticise a potential Nancy for not fitting their preferred 'idea' of Nancy ... then why put them through in the first place. If they wanted a teenage Nancy, who was a raw talent (ie not a professional) then don't put through any non-teenagers or professionals.

The general public will pick their favourite from those on offer ... too late for them to worry now that the public might not necessarily be going along with their own idea.

Slightly rambling but I know what I mean

17 WE/Broadway shows!?

Is he

a) ancient
b) didn't complete the run
c) they closed early

I think he's 41-2 - so plenty of time to build up a cv!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last edited by jackbauer<3 : 28-05-2008 at 18:30

I'm voting a nay - not because of anything particular that he does, I just find he comes across in a most irritating fashion in everything.

That said, he does sometimes speak sense. Just in an annoying way!

19 if you include plays as well as musicals.

Not to mention revues, tv work, albums, concerts, etc etc. (check them out
http://www.johnbarrowman.net/stage/stageindex.html)

Don't think any of the other judges come close. I agree that ALW and CM have casting expereince, but neither can speak from a performer's perspective.

I am not denigrating the other judges but hate to see inaccuracies peddled as truth (as has occassionally happened elsewhere on these forums)

Perhaps geogchick didn't realise how remarkably well preserved he is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last edited by jackbauer<3 : 28-05-2008 at 18:36

BH is the *ancient one* and most of his credits are as cameo's in various guises - although an excellent satiristand entertainer, his experience is not rooted in MT.

I think ALW has performed in the past.

Certainly did with Suzi Quatro in the 1970's.

Probably JB is the most accurate. They probably have less then a minute to summerize a performance so ometimes the comments may be appear a little sharp.

There is not much point in him saying they are perfect if they are not. JB tends to fiocus on the areas they need to improve but also if they are good he says so,

Some seem to think he picks on Jesse but I can see no evidence of that. To most people its clear she is the one that most neds to improve. Yes occassionally she sings a great song. The problem is its not often and her movements on stage are ungainly.

She may come good in time but she seems to really struggle with stage presence and movement. Maybe she needs to stick to singing.

He makes me laugh, I can always predict what he will say because it is entirely based on each candidate and not on their performance that week.

Every week, when they ask him on the results show who is not Nancy, all our family say "Jessie" at the same time as him