Fixed appearance in IE

Because I use Firefox, I had no idea that there were problems with the way the page was showing up in IE. From a weird extension of the sidebar on the upper right hand side, to an annoying (and unattractive) widening of the body of the blog, things in IE just weren't quite right. I've spent an ungodly amount of time working on it tonight - would help if my coding skills were a little more up to par - but hopefully I've fixed it. If you IE users out there could let me know if it now looks better for you, I'd appreciate the feedback!

Also, you'll note that I've added a subscription service to the blog. On the sidebar to the right, you'll notice a small form where you can enter in your email address. According to bloglet.com, if you enter your email, you'll get a daily notification of any updates that might have taken place. All that's required is entering your email address. You'll get an email from boglet shortly afterwards containing password information, but if you only want to receive the emails, you won't need to use it. But hold onto that password in case you ever want to cancel the notification. The notification email only comes once per day, and will only show the first 200 characters of updated posts. If you experience any problems using the service, please let me know - it's entirely experimental.

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Nothing to see here, just a test.

Off the Topic... Gold Reef City Review

Looking for a great weekend destination? Gold Reef City certainly fits the bill. Whether for a romantic getaway for the adults or a fun trip for the whole family, there's something for everyone at GRC.

When Gold Reef City isn't busy being overrun by the presence of the Idols crew, or preparing for a major petroleum conference (as they were last weekend) one of GRC's biggest charms is its feeling of isolation in the middle of bustling Johannesburg. Once you step through the gates, all signs of the outside world melt away, and you find yourself standing in a quaint, beautifully appointed "Olde Tyme" village. From the old fashioned feel of the lobby, which is designed like an old bank, to the lavish decor of the hotel rooms, everything about GRC is intended to evoke the opulent heyday of gold fever.

And it isn't only the amazing design that makes GRC such a pleasant place to stay. Time and again, GRC delivers spectacular service, contributing to the feeling of being one of the Victorian-era's social elite. Friendly, attentive and expedient, all the staff at Gold Reef City will make you feel like royalty during your stay. The food at the various restaurants is of fine quality, and the pricing is fairly reasonable. Large portions and interesting selection make dining there an enjoyable experience whether you're there for one day or five. Barney's is a stellar restaurant, and offers both spacious indoor seating or very pleasant outdoor dining. I tend to prefer eating outside, watching the other holiday makers go by.

Adding to the authentic feel are the daily dance shows, where a group of talented dancers and musicians put on several lively shows each day. Dressed in bright, colorful costume, they dance traditional dances, and sing tales, all accompanied by heart-thumping drum beats. The show is always a big draw and never fails to capture the attention of passers-by.

And then there's the them park itself, which offers fun for young and old alike. From heart-stopping thrill rides like the Anaconda to an entire section dedicated to the kiddies, there's something to put a smile on the face of everyone - thrill seeker and calmhearted alike. Add in fun amusements like face-painting and a decently equipped arcade, and it's a magical combination offering plenty of entertainment during your stay.

Gold Reef City is an excellent destination. Its only shortcoming is the fact that a stay there is definitely not an everyday luxury - rooms begin at R650 per person sharing, and 850 for a single standard room. But life is short, and you can't take it with you, so splurging even once on a delightful stay in a delightful village nestled in the heart of Johannesburg will not likely bring about any regrets.

Turning the tables... Judging the Judges

Every week we watch them as they deliver their opinions of the contestants' performances. Some days I agree with them wholeheartedly; other days I wonder if we're watching the same performances. And sometimes, I just can't help but wonder, "What are these guys smoking?"

The scale seems to have tipped slightly. During the first rounds of auditions, I often found them unnecessarily critical, and wondered if they would ever find anyone they liked. There were quite a few hopefuls that did amazingly well - especially considering that singing a capella in front of four glowering faces is not exactly a walk in the park - and yet, they didn't make it through. To add to the confusion were the mediocre performers that actually did make it through. I started to wonder if a contestant's chances didn't hinge on whether the judges had had enough coffee that day. They certainly seemed hard to please - so much so that they couldn't even fill out the Top 100. There were quite a few contestants with split votes; generally Gareth and Mara for, and Randall and Dave against. With Dave's casting vote, they were out of luck. I thought they should have given those borderlines a wildcard chance - come back, perform one more time, and see if they couldn't catch the naysayers in a better mood. At any rate, the much-touted "highly selective" approach was clearly evident as they toured around the country, and it seemed that these judges would be hard to please.

The trend continued, for the most part, once they settled in at Gold Reef City with the Top 70 contestants in tow. I did find most of their criticisms spot on, and there didn't appear to be much disparity among the judges' opinions. They weren't unnecessarily harsh, yet they weren't blatantly gushing either; for the most part, I found their comments to be fair, accurate and insightful.

Then we moved on to the Top 24. This is where, in my opinion, it started to fall apart. They gushed over contestants that I thought had done poorly; scowled at those that had shone brightly, and in several instances, disagreed vastly with the viewing and voting public. The first show in, I started to wonder if they weren't just going to say something nice about everyone. Maybe they were just overwhelmed by the fact that the people standing before them all had at least a modicum of talent. Maybe they finally got their hands on some decent coffee. Maybe the difference between live and TV really was so vast that the judges saw something we didn't. Or maybe, just maybe, their idea of "good" and "bad" doesn't quite match up with mine.

And now we're in the Top 12. Will the judging level out a little bit, finding a balance between critical and appreciative? I think some of the judges have established their own personal favorites and commenting accordingly. Randall has proclaimed Kesha as his pick for the next Idol, but manages to tell her when she's failed to deliver. Mara seems to have a few that she wants to see succeed, but seems to comment less critically. Maybe it's the Mama Mara showing through, and she can't bear to hurt the feelings of her choice contestants, but it seems to me her comments are eitherly overly gushing or unfairly critical. No, I don't think she's racist. Some believe she gave no positive comments to the white contestants at all, but that's not true. She told Martelize that she was born to be on the stage. She's given praise to white contestants in previous rounds. And truth be told, 75% of the performances on Sunday night were decidedly below par, both white and black. But that doesn't change the fact that she comes across as having a handful of contestants that she is supporting wholeheartedly, and perhaps a little blindly.

Which judge do I think is delivering the best comments? I'd have to say Randall. He's a discerning judge, and he has no interest in fluffing up the feelings of those who stand before him - or even those who sit beside him. He stands by his opinions. The difficulty is, he needs to come up with some new leading remarks. I'm thinking of keeping score the next show, to see just how many times he pulls out one of his tried and true remarks. Really, Randall needs to up his game.

The other judges have their own little stash, as well. Mara and her "You're rocking [insert name]. Dave and his "Hoo... I don't know." Gareth and... hmmm... Gareth and whichever judge he seems to want to emulate at any given time. Gareth seems a little hesitant to make his own calls at times. During the first round of auditions, he seemed to agree with whoever judged just before him. Now his comments seem to reflect Dave quite a bit. I don't know whether it's simply coincidence, or if he's uncertain, but I wish he'd put himself out there a little more and make some more intrepid judgements.

The four of them together, however, make a good overall team. Mara and Randall balance out the spectrum between nice and nasty, and Dave and Gareth further temper the mix with insight and a sense of what works and what doesn't. And for all their faults, and questionable judgement calls, in the end, I think that we'll get an Idol we can be proud of. After all, no matter who they favor or dislike, the most important thing at the end of it all is that the Idol of 2005 is someone the country will love, and of course, buy!

Talk Back: Make your predictions for Sunday's show

It's that time of week again... Who do you think will be eliminated during Monday night's results show? Based on what I saw last week, I think Bonolo and Ayanda are at the greatest risk right now. I certainly won't bet any money on it; if there is one thing I learned last week, it's that these contestants can definitely surprise, for better or for worse. I have confirmed that I will be attending both shows this week, so things are looking good for more backstage news and, with any luck, some better photos.

How do you like the new look?

Well I spent a good part of the morning revamping the site. The pre-set template was just a little too plain for my liking, so I thought I'd jazz it up a little. Let me know what you think - whether you love it or hate it!

Talk Back: Does Mara show favoritism?

I hesitate to levy the charge that's being bandied about so freely in the forums, so I'll keep this fairly simple: do you think Mara is showing undeserved favoritism to any of the contestants during this show?

To me, it seems clear that she has favorites. I won't go so far as to say that she favors them because of color or sex; but it seems clear to me that she has a few contestants that she really supports, and is throwing her support behind them one hundred percent.

What do you think?

Onstage, they're Idols... Offstage?

They're just everyday people. Monday night before the results show I was sitting in a lounge waiting for the show to begin. Deidre's friends and family were also there, and I got to get a glimpse into the kind of people they are, and where Deidre gets her winning personality. Out of respect for their privacy, I won't go into actual detail, but I will say this: these people are amazingly funny, friendly and personable. They seem to have a true passion for laughter, clearly like each other, and are supporting their girl Deidre all the way. Deidre joined them for a few minutes before the show, and there was no sign of a runaway ego, or any false delusions of grandeur. To me, it was if I was sitting in a restaurant in a shopping center, checking out the people the next table over. The only thing that set this group apart was that Deidre was mentioning possible song choices for next week (sorry, not going to give that away either!) She sang a few snippets out of her possibilities, and I was just blown away by the simple beauty and strength of her voice. Her voice, whether talking or singing, is loud, clear and beautiful, and she has an unmistakable confidence in her ability to sing well. I might add, she's not the only person with singing chops in her family, so don't be surprised if we haven't heard the last of the Visser name.

I honestly enjoyed getting a little glimpse into Deidre "au naturel". The people who surround her are surely contributing to her success, and for that, Deidre is very fortunate indeed.

I also got a chance to see the Idols offstage Sunday night after the Live Spectacular. Because I stayed at Gold Reef City, I was still eating at Barneys when most of the other people had left and gone home, leaving mostly the Idols and their loved ones. I got a chance to chat with a few of them. I know I've said this before, but it bears repeating: these people are amazing down to earth, normal, every day people, and they're all excellent company to keep.

Karin - regardless of how I feel about her talent, she is an amazing woman. Her smile will light up the darkest of rooms, and moods. I can't help but smile at her just to get her to smile back. Gone is that shy and uncertain girl from Grabouw, replaced by a highly likeable, beautiful (in all ways), glowing woman who has learned that she really does have a beautiful gift.

Gift is just as charming and witty as he comes across on the screen. At the press 'do after the show, he told me that my American accent reminded him of his pastor's wife. And he has a certain irresistible boyish charm - just the right blend of playful and confident, without a hint of smarm. Another one with an amazing smile.

I also got to speak to V after Sunday's show. I've said before that there was something about her that I just couldn't connect to. Speaking to her in person, I don't understand how that's possible. She is the most amazingly approachable, friendly person. She has a definite air of confidence, but not a nose-in-the-air superiority. I hope she'll find a way to communicate that better on the stage, because in reality, she's just a great woman.

That's all I have for now. I did speak with other contestants, but not really enough to give me anything to report here. I should be attending this week's shows if I can work my transportation out at a good price, so hopefully I'll have more news next week. I'm also looking into some ideas for even more in-depth material, so keep your fingers crossed (or hold thumbs, whichever you prefer!)

And then there were 11...

What a night. Usually I'm thrilled when I'm right, even if I'm the only person who ever knows it. But tonight, I would much rather have been very wrong. I am disappointed that Jamie-Lee is now completely out of the game, but I can't say I don't understand why.

The Results Show was a dramatic one. There's quite a few things I want to cover. First, to clear up any confusion (and it existed amongst the press as well): The two groups were not a Top 6 and Bottom 6. They were two completely random groups, one containing the eliminated contestant. I started to suspect this when I saw that Jamie-Lee and Bonolo were in the same group as Karin, V and Kesha. There's no way I can believe that those three were in the bottom 6, and I found it hard to believe that Jamie-Lee and Bonolo were in the Top 6. It was confirmed at the press conference after the show: the groups were completely random.

I scanned the contestants faces during the show to see if I could get an idea of how confident they were feeling. Looking at Jamie-Lee, it was pretty clear that she was pretty sure (if not certain) she was going home. Especially after it was narrowed down to just her and Bonolo. And the setup tonight made the elimination feel much more heartbreaking, in my opinion. Usually there's three girls up, and two end up celebrating their victory. However tonight, the focus was on the unlucky one contestant who didn't make it through. It was hard for me to watch Jamie-Lee absorbing the news, even if she had already accepted it in her mind. And then Colin's Grade-A blunder - of epic proportions - only made it harder. Jamie-Lee was asked during the post-show conference whether that mistake had made her think there was some twist to the show and that she was actually staying. She admitted that she had, for just a few seconds, believed that she might be staying another week.

The girl has been through a lot in the last few weeks. First she was out. Then she was a wildcard. First week into the Top 12, she's out again. I asked her whether the rollercoaster ride had affected her confidence. "My confidence doesn't change. My emotions do." This was further evidenced by her response to the first press question of the evening: "What next?" Full of confidence, and head held high, she replied "Become a star!" And you know, I think she just might do it.

I also asked her whether she felt that the fact that she had gone first had affected her performance. I've read in the interviews that the contestants were caught a little off guard by the size of the crowd. Jamie-Lee said that she was surprised by the sheer size of the crowd, and that she thought it might have had some slight effect on how she did. It has to be unnerving, taking the stage in darkness (and virtual silence) and having the lights come on, a screaming, cheering crowd of over 1000 people greeting you... I know I wouldn't be able to write under those circumstances, much less sing. Good thing for me that writing is a solitary exercise!

I think that these eliminations are hitting the contestants harder as well. A decent amount of time has gone by between the Top 70 auditions and now. There are definitely friendships forming, and even though in the end, all of them want to be an Idol, it's clearly getting harder to watch their friends go. There were more than a few tears shed tonight, and I think that's only going to get worse as time goes on.

Unfortunately for us, there wasn't a photo shoot after the show so I wasn't able to snag any pictures this week. Hopefully I'll be able to rectify that next time. (Not sure when the next show I'll be attending is. The problem with attending these shows as independent press is, no one is footing the bill for my transportation, and it's definitely approaching the expensive side to hire a driver each week. But I'll do my best, because there's nothing like attending these shows in person, and I'm really working at getting more "behind-the-scenes" information for us!) However, from my stay at Gold Reef City last night, I can tell you this: these are seriously down-to-earth, everyday, normal people, who just happen to possess some amazing talent.


Oh and one other thing... I'm starting to wonder if one of the Powers That Be might not be reading my blog. I was pleasantly surprised to see "Family and Friends of..." inserts during the performances last night. How great is that? Sure, sure, you'll tell me it was just a coincidence, but hey, I can dream, can't I? (Of course, if they did this last year as well, let me know.) Either way, it's a great addition to the show, and now if they'll just add some content to Channel 37, we'll be all set.

And no, Instant Idols auditions do not count as Extra Content, no matter HOW painful they may be to watch. (Oooh, and are they ever painful...)

Live! Spectacular?

I've been going over it in my mind all morning. Based on what I saw last night, who did I think was going to go home? I wish I could get my hands on the TV broadcast; watching live makes it very difficult to actually keep track of how each contestant did - especially when there are 12 of them in a single evening! So until I get a chance to sit down and compose some really coherent notes, here are a few thoughts on last night...

One word of warning: if you ever decide to go to a Live Spectacular (and I highly recommend it), dress very lightly. That place is HOT. I couldn't even guess at seating capacity - maybe around 1000? But however many people they have in there, it gets very hot, very quickly. But if you can, you should definitely get to Gold Reef City for one of the live shows, because it is definitely a great experience. We had a fun and excited crowd last night, and even during commercial breaks there were plenty of laughs and entertainment (much of it generated by the audience itself). Gold Reef City is one of my favorite destinations in South Africa - I'll probably write up a review tomorrow, and for the relatively low cost of an Idols ticket, there is plenty to do and see.

Anyway, on to the show itself. As I said, I don't have my thoughts coherently composed at the moment but I will say this: I was a little bit disappointed. I really expected to be completely blown away tonight, but save a few amazing performances, there was nothing truly spectacular overall. However, a few contestants saved the night, namely Martelize, Karin and Nhlanhla. (I'm sure my failure to include Nicky in this list will annoy the person who has left the same comment in every single comment section on this blog). Martelize honestly gave me goosebumps with her stellar performance "First Cut is the Deepest". I thought Andy Pienaar from the Top 70 had handled it well, but Martelize made the song her own in a very big way. Absolutely phenomenal. And believe me, sitting in that oven, er, Hippodrome, goosebumps were a welcome thing.

I've been saying all along that I don't think Karin will (or should) win this thing. I just may be prepared to change my stance on that. The audience absolutely loves her - as evidenced by the overwhelming applause she received at the end of her spotless rendition of "Don't Know Why". I don't know if it was shown on TV, but much of the audience actually stood and applauded, and the fact that the judges had almost nothing to say (for good reasons) is a great sign. I think this girl has a very, very strong chance, and the work she's been doing makeup, clothing and confidence-wise has made a powerful difference. OK, she may never pull of a Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera song, but who cares? She can still sing enough mainstream material to live up to the "Pop" billing, and I can guarantee you, she will do South Africa proud.

And Nhlanhla did an excellent job of the John Legend number, "Used to Love You". Excellent stuff, brilliant stage presence. He just looks like he is having so much fun up there that it's hard to find fault with him. He has the whole package.

Those were the noteables for the night. Some of the others didn't do too badly, but they didn't meet my (admittedly high) expectations for the evening. And I will now change my prediction as to who will be voted out: I think Bonolo will survive this week, and I think the two biggest risks are Jamie Lee and Nicky. I don't think either pulled off what I had come to expect (and remember, these were 2 of my picks for wildcard!) and I think that for all the spiffied-up looks, they left a lot to be desired. Hard to choose precisely who I think will go, but my hunch is Jamie-Lee. It's a shame, too, because I've enjoyed her up until now. But maybe I'll be surprised, and she'll get another chance to show us what she's made of.

Once I've seen the show on TV I'll add more comments. I'll be at tonight's Results Show, so I'll update again in the morning (hopefully with more photos!) with some more info on being at the Live Spectacular, Gold Reef City, and the Results Show.

Stay tuned!

In a Perfect World...

In the Idols forum, The Burg says that there is soon to be some "beefed up" content on Channel 37, to which I can only say: Finally! I was really looking forward to seeing some great behind the scenes info on what goes into Idols. Everyone, from crew to contestants, works so hard at giving us what we all tune in for every week, and it would be great to get a glimpse at what some of that work entails.

But this got me thinking. In a perfect world, what would I like to see added to Idols? Whether as special content on Channel 37, or added to the shows, it would really be great to get some insight into how being an Idol affects the lives of the contestants, and how their friends and families are dealing with a newly rising star in their midsts. Star Maker Story gives us great friend/family viewpoints, and it really adds a completely new dimension to the entire production, and reinforces the idea that these are people, and not props, on the stage. How great would be to have inset shot showing the reactions of the family in the audience as the results are announced each Monday? Or a quick chat with the contestant, standing amid proud family members, showing the support system that is standing behind them?

After the "human interest" level, I think some "Making Of" views would be fascinating material. From sitting with the stylist or working with Mali and Johan; to setting up the stage and lighting and doing sound checks - just getting an idea of how intricate an affair putting this show together would do wonders for generating interest and respect for this production. Yes, even I, who sometimes questions the quality of some of the things we see, have to admit that there is so much that goes into this show, and I have the utmost respect for the people who put it together. We might take it for granted sometimes, but the amount of coordination and design that goes into the smallest details - like setting up the website, or coordinating the press conferences after the show - is awe inspiring.

The best way to get people truly invested in a show is to make them feel like they're a part of it somehow, and connecting in some way with those involved, even if only by seeing them on Channel 37, is a great way to extend that connection. The website took a good step in that direction this afternoon when they posted the photos of the contestants getting "made over" in preparation for the next round. This is exactly what we want to see! We want to see how Idols turns the person next door into the next person on a CD cover. It's a fascinating process, and I'm doing all I can to help gain some insight into it, but I'd really love to see this done up on a bigger scale. To me, half the appeal of Idols is living vicariously through someone else going for their dreams, and imagining to myself that it could have been me (if I could sing, that is).

So hopefully Burg is on the money, and there will indeed be some beefed up content coming our way. In the meantime, I'll keep bringing back as much "behind the scenes" information as I can, to help fill whatever void might exist between what we want, and what we get.

I can't thank you guys enough for your continued support. Knowing that you are enjoying this blog, and find some of the information in it useful, makes it all worthwhile. I plan on sticking with it until the end. I hope you will, too!

Talk Back! Who do you think will be in the Top 3?

Make your early predictions for the Top 3 now! It's a hard choice to make, with so much talent present, but so far I'm going with Veronique L, Deidre and Kesha. They'll be a tough bunch to beat.

Link to Photos

OK, the photos are up. Because I was trying to stay out of the way while the Idols photographer did his thing, these aren't quite as good as I would have liked, but they are still great shots! Have a look! (Please note, due to the volume of pictures on this page, it may take a long time to load if you have a dial up connection!)

Next Up: Live at the Live Spectacular

In keeping with the "Expanded Content" Theme, I'll be attending the first Live Spectacular this Sunday at Gold Reef City. The tension is bound to be high, and the excitement levels will be through the roof as the Top 12 hopefuls do their best to avoid elimination.

My early speculation is that Bonolo will be the first one eliminated; her previous performances aren't quite up to the standards set by the other 11 contestants. But one thing is for certain: this season of Idols has had surprises around every turn, so who knows what will happen?

In the meantime, I'm dutifully preparing pictures from Monday night's post-show photo shoot for the web. Stay tuned for some great shots of the Idols behind the scenes! I expect to upload them later this afternoon.

In Living Color (emphasis on the color)...

Ever wondered what happens at a Live Results Show? Last night, I got the chance to find out. It was an especially exciting event last night, because all of the Top 24 were present, all eager to find out if there would be Wild Cards, and more importantly - if they would be one of them. The tension and excitement in the air was palpable, and was immediately apparent in the faces of the 18 who were still wondering what their fate was.

In one of my earlier columns, I wondered if the show was in need of a professional audience-prepper. Turns out, they do indeed have one. The prepper's job is to get the audience excited and energetic, and he did a pretty good job of getting every one on their feet and having fun. I haven't seen last night's show on TV yet, so I don't know if there was any difference in studio energy, but if there wasn't then I'll fully retract my statements that the audience is lacking enthusiasm. Part of the problem, it seems, might stem from the fact that so far, the size of the audience itself isn't that large. It looks larger on TV than it is in person. I think as they pack up and move into the Hippodrome at Gold Reef City, there will be larger audiences, and even more energy and enthusiasm.

After the prepper has gotten the audience suitably wound up, a producer runs down the list of what the audience should do - when to applaud, when to wait, etc. There's no applause sign that goes off telling people when they should clap, so the applause is fairly authentic; the point is more to make sure that applause doesn't interfere with the actual show, such as when someone is talking. And while all the previous shows I've seen on TV have made the audience seem sleepy and uninterested, the audience last night was energetic and excited. Doubly so, of course, during the announcements of last night's Top 2 and the Wild Cards. I happened to be sitting behind who I believe was Kesha's mother and other family members, and seeing their reactions to the announcement that she was going through was even better than watching Kesha react on stage. I think they should include more shots of family reactions in the show; it lends a more personal feeling to the show, and drives home the fact that these Idols are every day people that we otherwise might have just run into on the street. And in the end, isn't that the key to the Idols phenomenon?

It also feels a little more personal to see the unlucky 12 smiling gamely as they walk offstage after learning that they were not going to go any further. However, I got the chance to see and speak with a few of them afterwards, and I have to say, they all seemed to take it in stride, and don't seem to have any regrets about not making the cut. And to their credit, making it into the Top 24 is no small accomplishment, and they've already gotten excellent exposure that they might not otherwise have gotten outside of Idols.

Speaking of which, Deidre displayed her characteristic optimism and charm during the press conference after the show. When asked whether people might think that the Top 12 had only gotten so far because they were in Idols, Deidre pointed out that if the contestants were honestly serious about pursuing singing careers, they'd have gotten what they worked for whether they did it on their own or through Idols. If anything, in my opinion, Idols is the harder route to take. If you want to pursue a singing career on your own, generally you only have to convince some people at a recording label that you have what it takes. To make it on Idols, you have to convince an entire country of viewers, some very critical judges, and then you have to live up to that name. Idols is no guarantee of prolonged success, and it's no short cut. In the end, anyone participating in Idols has to work extremely hard to live up to the reputation of being an Idol, and to ensure a long and successful career. No matter which of the 12 goes through, though, I think this year's Idol is going to be a force to be reckoned with, and will do for South African music what Charlize Theron is doing for South African actors - showing that talent with global appeal does exist here.

What about the 11 who don't make it? I asked them whether they'd try again next year. The general consensus seems to be that if it doesn't happen this year, they won't try again. V Lalouette said she didn't think she could put herself through this again, and Kesha said that the exposure that comes from being in The Top 12 is remarkable already. And I agree; I think that most of the Top 12 will definitely see some action in their careers regardless of whether they win. And with that kind of talent being showcased, South Africa is already a winner. 12 highly talented, charismatic people hitting the music scene - be it Pop, Jazz, R&B or whatever else they decide to pursue - will do wonders for South Africa's musical reputation, and if they all work really hard, I think the world is going to sit up and take notice.

To cap off the evening, I was able to take some photographs of the Top 12 after the press conference. I did my best to stay out of the way, but I was able to capture some candid shots, as well as taking advantage of the poses being arranged by the Idols photographer. I'll be creating a blog dedicated to these photos later today and will add a link to the sidebar. Be sure to check them out - these people are just as photogenic when they don't even know they're being photographed as they are when they're hamming it up for the camera.

And, most importantly in my mind, it's clear that they're all having fun, they're all doing what they love, and they really are amazingly talented people. There's nothing like hearing them break out into spontaneous song, a cappella, just enjoying being together, and being themselves.

That's it for this report. Hopefully there will be more to come!

Brace yourselves, it's going to be a bumpy competition!

Every once in a while (and of course, this means, very rarely) I completely screw up. I did that in making my wild card predictions, and forgot that Ayanda would be up for a wild card if she didn't go through as predicted. I'm very glad to say that my screw ups don't matter in the long run, and Ayanda did indeed make it, along with Bonolo, Veronique and Jamie-Lee. I thought Bonolo did well in her group show, so I have no problem with that decision at all - all in all, I think we have the absolute perfect Top 12 line up now. Everyone I voted for is there, and a few that I was sitting on the fence about. So well done, Voters and Judges.

There is so much talent in this Top 12 that it is going to be a fierce competition, and I predict that making choices each week will be pretty tough. I try to approach this without any real established favorites, and take everything at face value in each round of competition. A good thing, too, because I am at a loss as to who I think the Top 3 will be. And with promises of even more surprises around the bend, I think the next few weeks are going to be a lot of fun indeed. For all their pickiness and perfectionism, one thing is for certain - this year's Idol is going to be the best one yet.

Wild about Wild Cards!

Before tomorrow's show, I want to weigh in on who I think should move into the Top 12 as Wild Cards (that is to say, if they have any!) Just a quick list here:

Jamie-Lee - without a doubt. I was really disappointed that she didn't make it into the Top 12 the first time around; hopefully the judges will remedy this.

Veronique - as with Jamie-Lee, I was disappointed she didn't go through, and definitely think she should get another stab at this.

Mthawelanga - Smooth, handsome, and one of the better singers of those who didn't go through.

Tough choice for #4, I guess I'll go with Karabo. She's shown potential in the past, so while I wasn't very impressed with her showing in the Top 24, I'd like to see if she can recapture some of the magic she displayed during the Top 70 group auditions.

We can only wait and see what happens...

Group IV: All’s Well That Ends Well

It’s been a fun and interesting time, these past four weeks, and we’ve finally reached the end of the Top 24. I don’t know about you, but I’m eager to move onto the Top 12. Those that have made it through so far, and those that I believe will make it through from tonight’s shows, all have incredible talent, and I think all that highly selective, bordering-on-perfectionist judging has paid off, and we’ll be rewarded with 12 genuinely talented performers giving us their all as they try to become the last one standing.

Tonight’s performances, as with the previous three group showings, were a pretty even mix of the good and the bad. The one thing that stood out most for me this week was that I only truly recognized and remembered a few of the contestants – most notably Kesha and Veronique (insert phony French accent here). However, some redeemed themselves and definitely made themselves more memorable, and one of them was even one of my votes for tonight!

So, let’s do a run through of my thoughts. As usual, I’ll put them in order from Worst to Best. I jot my notes down during the performances so that I won’t forget anything, and tonight a few of my thoughts very closely matched what the judges said afterwards – I assure you, that’s pure coincidence. Right, then, here we go:

Bottom 3:

Tumelo: I recognized her by look, but couldn’t remember a single thing about any of her auditions. I can’t say whether that’s a reflection on previous performances, but if tonight was any indication, I’m a little surprised she made it this far. I really enjoyed her interview; she came across as rather grounded, confident but not cocky, and naturally charismatic. So I was fully prepared to like her. However, I found her version of Mariah Carey’s “Always Be My Baby” to be rushed and slightly breathless. And while Mara and the rest of the judges spoke out against “vocal gymnastics” during the audition rounds, a Mariah Carey song sounds lifeless without a little bit of range. Tumelo’s performance was a little too subdued and monotonous. While the judges seemed pleased overall, I was completely unimpressed. Her second song, “Only You” by Ashanti, was definitely an improvement, and her stage performance during this song was excellent – sultry, sexy and entertaining. Her range was better, and while she still struggled with her breathing, it wasn’t completely inappropriate in this song. However, she didn’t do well enough to sway me, and she remains my bottom pick.

Bianca: I do remember Bianca from the Top 70 group performances, and again, I was surprised when she made it through to the Top 24. I felt certain she’d lose out in the cut from 32 to 24, but here she was, reaffirming all the reasons I didn’t think she’d make it. She looks good on camera, if a bit teeny-bopperish, but most importantly, I thought her voice was a little too flat, a bit thick sounding, and occasionally overwhelmed by the band. Maybe her choice of Michelle Branch’s “Everywhere” was an apt one – that certainly seemed to be where her attention was. She came across as slightly unfocused, and her stage presence was barely existent. Her cover of Jamelia’s “Superstar” was also unremarkable, and I thought the contrast between the tempos in the song was too muddy. It’s such an energetic song that it would have been great if she’d shown some of the energy you’d expect from a younger performer, but again, her stage presence was way too subdued. She just barely rose Tumelo in my book.

Nthabiseng: While the judges criticized her song choice, I actually didn’t mind her contemporary take on the Beatles classic “Let it Be”. However she struck a few odd notes, and her stage performance was lackluster. There’s not really much I can say about Nthabiseng; she was neither great nor awful; she flatlined dead-center in mediocrity.

Top 3:

The contrast between the Bottom 3 was vast. While the Bottom 3 were mediocre and forgettable, the Top 3 in this group showing was at the other end of the scale. It’s going to be a close call, here.

Veronique: You might be a little surprised that Veronique isn’t in my Top 2. I’ll say now, I believe that she will be in the Top 2, but for me, her performance just didn’t rate high enough in my book. Randall echoed my sentiments perfectly: while she’s absolutely flawless on a technical level, I really don’t think she’s the best singer in the group. Her version of Paula Cole’s “I Don’t Wanna Wait” was perfectly sung – there are some tough notes and challenging transitions in that song – and she hit them all with ease. And her stage presence is so powerful that you simply can’t miss her. However – and this might sound odd – she’s too perfect. Maybe I shouldn’t hold it against her, but for all the polished looks and flawless performances, I find it very hard to connect with her. I honestly don’t believe that her pedigree should be held against her at face value alone, and I definitely don’t believe that it has given her an advantage with the judges. However, it might be that very same pedigree that has given her an arrogance and almost inhuman perfection that makes me unable to vote for her. I guess I cling to the notion of Idols being someone who would never have been discovered otherwise – someone a little bit raw, and really down to earth. And in the end, I doubt it will matter. Even if she doesn’t win Idols, I’m confident that we won’t have heard the last of her, and she’s sure to get some airtime in the future.

Ayanda: Last week, Nhlanhla surprised me – this week, Ayanda did the same. I vaguely recognized her, but I couldn’t have told you the first thing about her previous performances. She must have done some serious work with Mali, because tonight’s performances were unforgettable. Her voice has an excellent jazzy quality that could work well with some of the more “mature” pop songs, and she managed the tempo switch in “Ndiredi” beautifully. I was a little uncertain about her song choice at first, but it suited her perfectly, and she performed it with just the right blend of energy and grace. And with her second song, she demonstrated great control, her performance showed her excellent interpretation of the song, and best of all, she looks like she’s having an absolute blast on the stage. “I’m Not in Love” is one of Enrique Iglesias’ better numbers, but she elevated it even higher in my book. Again, just like Nhlanhla, if she puts out a cover of that song, I’ll be first in line to buy it.

And finally, Kesha: I’ll confess, she was already my favorite out of this group before tonight’s show even began. Her stage performance during the Top 70 group auditions was stellar – she had the sincerity, the look, the stage presence, the confidence – the whole nine yards. And she only improved on that tonight. Her two songs were vastly different: Natasha Bedingfield’s “I Bruise Easily” is a delicate, vulnerable song, and she delivered those qualities impeccably. She nailed the high notes while maintaining perfect volume control. On the other end of the spectrum, Britney Spears’ “My Perogative” is sassy and energetic, and those two qualities are immediately apparent in Kesha. She had just the right amount of attitude, so I’ll forgive the very minor timing slip up at the end of the song. And of the current contestants in the Top 12, I think she has the most universal appeal, and I can easily see her being a hit in the US, the UK, and everywhere else in the world. I’ll be very surprised if she doesn’t go a lot farther in this game, and she may just have snagged my (very likely to change) vote as the potential winner of the whole shebang.

And on a different note, I thought the band did much better this week. There was no trace of the “oldness” that bothered me in the previous weeks, and they felt much more energetic, modern and fun. On the other hand, Colin remains just the same, and I just loved the way Kesha upstaged him after her first song. Just another reason for me to like her.

So, in summary:

Top 3 circle: Kesha, Veronique, and Ayanda. I think Ayanda will, unfortunately, lose out to the technically stronger Veronique, which is a shame. Ayanda’s earthiness is much more desirable in my view, but I’m not sure that’s so important to all the other people out there voting. But we’ll see tomorrow night – and I’ll get to see in person. Check in soon for my report on what it’s like to be at a live results show, and to see how far off the mark I am!

Coming next: Expanded Content!

Thanks to some great exposure on the Idols site, and your return visits (you did bookmark this page, didn't you?) I'm working on some more content for the site. I'll be attending Monday night's Results Show in Randburg, and you can be sure that I'll be back to report on all the happenings. In the meantime, keep your ideas for content rolling in, as well as any comments, compliments or, yes, even criticisms.

New: Talk Back Column

Obviously, I do a lot of talking here. But I'd like to hear from you, as well. So, here's your chance to 'Talk Back'! Today's topic is:

If you could sit down with one of the Idol Contestants, who would it be, and what would your first question to them be?

Talk Back!

Back Online... Finally!

I'm back online, thanks for your patience. I'll be responding to your comments through the day, as well as putting up a couple more columns. Glad to be back - and just in time for tomorrow.

I had the salt and pepper out and ready...

Man, you guys had me nervous there. Here I am, promising to eat my keyboard if Romie goes any further in the competition, and turns out he's one of the Top 3! I was starting to think of creative ways to get around this self-imposed punishment - could I make a keyboard out of chocolate, and then eat that?

Luckily, my main predictions came true - let's give it up for Gift and Nhlanhla, the newest members of the Top 12.

Now, off to think of less risky promises to make for next week...

Tell me what you think!

Your opinions are wanted. Comment on the columns, tell me what you would like to see here, tell me if you think I'm off the rocker. Don't worry - I can take it!

Group III: Men to Boyz

Picture used courtesty of
M-Net / Freemantle


Well. That was a disappointment.

I've been trying to think of a way to sum up last night's events but, man, am I at a loss. I was really looking forward to this group - I really thought that the few men in the competition were really talented and would give the girls a decent run for their money, despite being vastly outnumbered. However, it was hard to pick my top 2 from this group.

So, here's my thoughts on last night...

Bottom 3:

Romie - Strike one, he picked a Michael Bolton song (from the early 90s!). Strike two, he sang it like one of the New Kids on the Block might have. Strike three, his singing carries no emotional weight whatsoever. Mara nailed it - he is boy singing a man's song. This will do nothing to silence those who were rallying against the decision to keep Romie but let Jarrid go - and even I have to admit that Jarrid would have done better than Romie did. He has the look, and he showed some signs of talent during the Top 70s, but he completely lost it in last night's show. if he goes any further in this competition, I will eat my keyboard.

Callan - He has the cute baby face, and showed definite promise during the Top 70 auditions. I have to say though, he broke that promise last night. While on a technical level, his singing wasn't atrocious, it was flat, emotionless, and the Idols sign has more stage presence than he does. And while the effeminate mannerisms work really well for some performers, I found it annoying and off-putting. If he had delivered a great performance otherwise, it wouldn't have bothered me, but I was so bored by his singing that I just couldn't help but notice that dainty thing he does with his left hand. Tough luck, too, at least the other guys at least had some sex appeal going for them.

Bjorn - Of the three, Bjorn delivered the best performance. I did enjoy his fun (if slightly goofy) little dance number during the bridge of Maroon 5's "Sunday Morning" and he definitely has the look of an Idol. All in all, though, (and I hate to sound repetitive) there just wasn't enough sincerity in his performance. Everything felt a little too-well rehearsed, a little show-offy, and all that dancing can't disguise the fact that his singing voice is only "good", and not good enough.

Top 3:

Mthawelanga - Good looking, stylish, fun to watch. He didn't impress me enough to garner a vote from me, but I will bet he makes a wild card. (I feel fairly confident he won't be one of tonight's Top 2.) His voice is nice and clean, and he has that whole Usher vibe going on. Unfortunately, I always thought Usher was far more style than substance, and I think he could have done a little better. I'm a big John Mayer fan, so I was able to easily pick out spots where he fell a little flat on some of the notes, and that "Yeah" appended on to every. line. of the song. was just annoying. Not too bad though, but not good enough for the Top 2, I don't think. I am, however, confident he will be one of the Top 3 for the evening.

Gift - I liked this guy from the start. He's attractive, way too cool for his own shoes, and he has talent. It's a tough call, and before last night's show, I was pretty sure he'd be my number one pick. I thought he could have given Simply Red's "Holding Back the Years" a little bit more of an edge, a stronger taste of that mournful sadness that makes the original song so good, but all in all he delivered two great performances (including a beautifully executed treatment of the Ladies verse in Senorita). He definitely looked like he was having fun up there, and he was a lot of fun to watch. Without a doubt, going on to the Top 12.

Nhlanhla - My surprise for the night. I really enjoyed his group performance during the Top 70s - he pulled off that song like it was written for him. And from what I've seen on the forums, he definitely has a following. But I really didn't expect to be blown away by him. Thankfully, however, that's exactly what happened. Nhlanhla single-handedly made a mediocre episode into a memorable one, and I'm certain that he'll make it into tonight's Top 2. He just looks so right on that stage, and delivers flawless renditions of anything that is thrown at him. OK, I think Mara's teary response was a little... odd... but he really did nail "Hello" and his "This Love" was absoutely excellent. I might be a little biased by really liking the song in the first place, but damn, he rocked the house with it. Record a cover of this song, Nhlanhla, and I will be first in line to buy it.

So, to sum up:

Tonight's top 3 circle will be Nhlanhla, Gift and Mthawelanga. Mthawelanga will get edged out, but will likely be back as a wild card to round out the Top 12. The other 3 will soon be forgotten - where with many of the girls, I saw futures for those who didn't make it further, for these boys, I think it's the end of the road, unless you count bar acts on Saturday nights as a career.

Now that that's out of the way, 2 orders of business...

Please, please, PLEASE do something about Colin. I've mentioned before that I haven't watched in years past, but I simply can't believe he was this bad before and still got this year's gig. He reminds me of that annoying guy (and we all know one) who insists on telling the stupidest jokes, and then nudging you and saying "Get it? Get it?" when you fail to laugh. Like the geeky kid trying way too hard to fit in with the cool kids, Colin is just painful to watch, and far from entertaining. His awkwardness is far from endearing, and the only thing he has going for him in this show is his looks. Unfunny, unentertaining, unacceptable. Next year, please, get somebody with some natural charm and personality.

And the band. You know, I criticize all these people for not being lively or energetic enough, but I do have to give them this: it's pretty damn hard to be energetic when you've got the Muzak band playing your music. There's a reason you never see a live band in pop concerts - they can't deliver the sound that pop requires. Pop is all about synthesizers, artful mixing and snazzy beats. Those are things you just don't get from a band - especially a band whose average age is higher than my waist size. C'mon, guys, just bring back backing tracks. Having a band there does absolutely nothing to improve the show, and does everything to make bad performances even worse. Pop Idols, not Polka Idols!

That wraps up today's sum-up. I'll be back with my thoughts on the results show (which probably means more criticism of Colin, unfortunately).

Group II - Uninspiring, unsurprising, but overall, a good outcome

Another week, another group, and we're halfway through the Top 12. As a whole, Sunday's line up was much stronger than Group 1, and the choices weren't easy to make.

Here are my thoughts on the contestants:

Of the group, I felt that Bernice was by far the weakest. Her voice was too thin, a little too breathless, and was overwhelmed by the band. The judges took her to task in her first song, but they all felt she had really made a comeback with Ashlee Simpson's "Pieces of Me". I have to disagree though, and thought that if anyone was sitting on the fence with her first act, she shoved them over to the wrong side with the second. Of course, it doesn't help that the song isn't a particularly inspiring one to begin with, and for that we can only blame the judges, who picked it for her. But she really failed to shine, and I'd be willing to bet that she was the contestant with the least votes.

Karabo did well, but she too failed to really move me. I was wondering if she'd make the Top 3 as a viewer's favorite; during the Top 70 group auditions, Dave nailed it when he said she rocked. She smoked the room! And I think if she had picked something similar, something very up-tempo and poppy, she'd have done much better. Unfortunately both her choice and the judge's song choice left a lot to be desired, and didn't give her nearly enough to play with. If she had sung something that gave her the chance to really strut her stuff, I have a feeling she'd have gone on to the Top 12.

Jamie-Lee was one of my votes for the night, and I was disappointed and a little surprised that she didn't get through to at least the Top 3. I really saw the line up as being Jamie-Lee, Jessica and Karin. Well, two out of 3 isn't too bad, I suppose. She smoked her rendition of "Ain't No Sunshine", lending it just the right amount of soul and spunk. She definitely does have something about her, and comes across as endearingly whacky, and I'm hoping that even though the Idols highway has come to an abrupt end for her, that the exposure and the positive comments from the judges will help her start out on a successful career in music.

And now, the Top 3:

I said I saw Jessica as being the Top 3, but she was really my number 4. I figured that her ability to deliver the "Total Package", as they say, would land her in the Top 3, but I was a little reserved on her. I'm not sure why, I think she exudes an overconfidence and cockiness that just puts me off. However, in the interest of fairness, she does have a great voice, and her position in the Top 3 was well-deserved. But maybe I'm not the only one put off by her personality. Side by side, I'd have to say she's stronger than Martelize vocally, and I think if she'd displayed just a smidgeon more sweetness she might have edged Martelize out.

Martelize, who was my number 3 choice might forever be known as the "Idol with those blue eyes", especially after Randall's admiring comments. The cameraman seemed to make a point of zooming in as tight as he could during the Results show, focusing on those baby blues. And she has a great stage presence - not too arrogant, but not at all shy or timid. She definitely has singing talent, but I don't think she's going to go much farther in this competition. Her voice just isn't remarkable enough in my book, and I can't see listening to an entire of CD of her. She might have one or two hits under her belt, but I don't think she's got much more than that.

And finally, Karin. If everyone voted emotionally, I think Karin would be a shoo-in. She's got the public opinion working in her favor, and her status as an unlikely Idol just makes it that much easier to be sympathetic towards her. The girl has got a voice that is just out of this world, and her confidence has clearly grown by leaps and bounds in the weeks since her Capetown auditions, and even since the Top 70 auditions. Her stage performance has vastly improved. However, as much as I like her, and as certain as I am that she will have a very strong music career from here on out, I don't think she's a Pop Idol. If she goes no further, though, she has absolutely nothing to regret; she's proven her talent beyond the shadow of a doubt, and she will definitely go far, no matter what happens. And I will definitely be buying her CDs. Even though I don't think she should or can win this thing, she is by far the most talented of the bunch.

Overall, I felt that the song choices by both the contestants and the judges were way too subdued. There simply wasn't enough energy generated, no room to really vamp for the audience and nothing that really got me excited in any way. Hopefully the Group 3 guys will have better music working for them, and will let me rock out on my couch.

Moving on to other aspects of the show, I have to say that I think Colin's appeal is growing rather thin. The goofy, aw-shucks thing just doesn't appeal to me, his jokes are horrendously unfunny (not even bad in the "so bad you have to laugh" way), and he has absolutely no finesse or grace. This is my first year watching South African Idols, so I don't know if he's gotten worse (or, perish the thought, better) from previous years, but I really think it's time to get a new personality on the stage next year. Maybe that guy from the Capetown auditions that came in with a video camera and totally livened up the room. Anyone remember him? He had natural charisma, was absolutely hilarious, and I think it's a shame that he didn't just get shooed on to Johannesburg for comic relief.

And the live audience... man, did they get these people out of a funeral, or what? There is so little energy from that audience that it's just overwhelming. Sure, they cheer every now and then but there is absolutely no feeling of excitement or enthusiasm coming out of that room. I don't know if they need a professional audience-prepper or what, but man, people, get some energy!