Superstar - Live Show #4

Karina:
I just sent Tamsin a text message which said 'Yawn. Here we go again...'. Not because I'm bored with this process - I'm not - but because possibly I'd have preferred it if it had been spaced out a bit, you know, a show a week. Instead of getting to know the tunesome lads, we seem to be having a whistlestop tour where we just about get to know their names and looks but other than that not a lot. Little soundbites. Do you remember 'Any Dream Will Do' when we all got to know Lewis's nana? Lee's love of onions? There's less of a chance to find out the little quirks that frequently make shows like this so much fun. Forgive me if it sounds as if I have Jesus fatigue as I haven't. Maybe I just need a good nights' sleep! Whinge over. My Bah Humbugging stops here (She says. Old habits are, however, hard to break).

So will my predictions from yesterday come true or am I just a crap predictor? We'll soon find out I guess.

I predicted John and Tim.

Blimey. We're 3 minutes in and we have already had sycophantic laughter aplenty. ALW - Gawd bless yer, but you're not funny. Unintentionally maybe, but not in THAT way.

'Rule the World'. Less vibrato John. It's not good! Nathan however looks great in a ponytail. When his hair is down he sometimes reminds me of 'Animal' from The Muppet Show. Albeit in a good way. And a very blonde Norse God kind of way.

The results!!!!!
Ben - safe.
Roger - safe.
David - bottom two.
John - safe (bloody hell...)
Rory - safe.
Niall - safe.
Jeff - safe. (I'd stop watching if he wasn't)
Nathan - safe.
Tim - bottom two.

So I'm half a crap predictor then. Can't have everything I suppose.

Blimey - not sure I can choose between these two. Tim hasn't the classic look but he potentially has the voice. David could be Jesusy at a push but I'm not convinced he has the charisma or the voice to fill an arena. So I guess we let The Lord decide.

As Beatles songs go I like this one. Does David overact a little...? Tim seems a bit overwhelmed. Might not bode well. I think David might be winning this one so far. Vocally even, which I never thought I'd say. I feel a bit sad again now. At least they aren't expected to do a Gethsemane solo when they exit...
Ha! What a twist, Lord! Guaranteed to bring out nervous, rubbish  performances from both, probably. How unfair!!!!!

Niall - Apparently he's going to 'Rock Out' for us tonight - sans 'rock face', I can but hope. They are choosing all my fave songs in this show!! 'One'. Not exactly out and out rock, is it though. And he must be careful as he could easily sound a little whiney. For me he's not 'rock'. It's like he pretends he is, whereas really he's a bit Rodgers and Hammerstein. Or Stock , Aitken and Waterman. Jase is being honest. He does take himself seriously though. Niall doesn't look a happy chappie. Aw. He's got dimples!

Rory - Is it just me or is there a not very subtle subliminal message to get Rory in? In the same way ALW clearly doesn't want Nathan to win? Trying to sound like Sting whilst singing 'Roxanne' may not be the wisest move. Then I could just be a jaded, crusty, finickety cow. Moo. Maybe he just sounds like Sting. Engaging performance though. Even with the cheesy dancers. Bring back Pans People. Mel C - I think I might have to stop saying anything about her. His voice has gone down well with the judges. So maybe I need my ears syringed.

David - Crazy name, crazy guy (sorry, private joke. Have known a few David's but I've said enough already). He looks and sounds a bit like boyband member 15 years on. Like a stand in member of Take That....he's OK but I'm not getting the right vibes. I still maintain; lovely boy, probably a good MT performer but never in a trillion years is he JC.  That last comment might yet come to bite me on the bum. Ooooh don't you dare cry, don't you dare...Auntie Karina blubs at the drop of a hat at the moment...I think the judges have made up their minds whom they'd like to save...and so much for a nervous performance. That was rather good in a kind of way.

Ben - Starting off sounding nasal which is never a very good thing in my books. He's likable. He holds a tune well. He isn't, however, exceptional. And in a process like this, I expect them to find someone who is the 'whole package'. I promised myself I'd never use that phrase. That was a good performance. And yes he IS a pop singer Dawn, thank you! Ooh, has ALW swapped allegiance...?

John - What is he wearing??? So it's not a fashion show. I get it. Grumble grumble. Do you think people keep voting for  him to stay in because they don't properly know or understand the requirements of JCS?  See, this guy is just not a Rock singer. His falsetto is awful and thin and he has that tremulous vibralto which does my head in. I know they all adore him but send him home so we can get on with the show. Are all the judges under contract to be nice at all cost? They all give 'a bit of advice' but no one says 'Naaah. not for this show'.

Nathan - Another song I adore. I think he's doing this rather well. There's softness and vulnerability whilst emoting appropriately...Oooh boy is doing good! He could be Jesus after that! Wahey! About time! Dawn loved it, Jase loved it, Mel loved it (but she can shut up now) and ALW said it was 'wonderful working with him'...seems like even the good Lord has finally seen that Nathan is really very good. Excellent! Suddenly I'm rather pleased again!

Roger - He will always be a soul man for me. Even when he sings 'Here I go again'. Is he trying a bit too hard...? I don't think rocking out is his strongest point. And it feels false and 'put on'.  However, the judges (and audience) seem to see/think otherwise and my opinion means NOTHING. Clearly. On to the adverts.

Tim - How does a bloody Spice Girl get to play Mary Magdalene anyway??? Oooh Tim, don't you dare destroy my favourite song which only the divine Steve Tyler can sing...Dream on (excuse the pun). The performance isn't great. Or it would be better, maybe, if I didn't look at him. Isn't that an awful thing to say? That last scream - I know it was supposed to be the scream that would secure him his place in the contest but it sounded a little unsupported. I think it's still open. Either one could still leave the contest.

Jeff - Never thought I'd say this but now he has to beat Nathan with this performance. Lets see. 'Kiss From a Rose'. I. Love. This. Song. He sounds slightly pitchy in the soft, high bits...and the powerful bits are better but IMHO this is not his best performance. But he is very, very, very, very pretty. I could sit him down at a table and sit across from him and just stare at him. All day long. Though I'm sure he would think I was a bit strange. So ALW do you like Jeff or not? Yes, he does. I don't think he'll be leaving tomorrow.

Another break. I'm quite proud of myself. I haven't mentioned that infuriating Holden woman once! I must be getting better,

Come on ALW, who's going?

Tim. Aw. He reminds me of Simon Shorten and although he wasn't my Jesus I liked him and would want him as a friend. I'm all upset now!

In the sing off tomorrow? John the cabaret man and Niall. Even though, as I am Crappy Crapperton the Crappy Predictor it could be anyone.

Oops! Have to go!

I might have problems writing over the next few days, as I'm of ooop north to spend time with the 'in-laws' and my guess is I won't be able to watch the show live but on iplayer at a later date. But I will do my best...Not that the world is a better place for my musings. Probably a worse one. But eh.


Tamsin my lovely, over to you!!!

Tamsin, representing the South Coast Jury:

Night 3...or is it 4? Am losing count.
So, 2 ordinary Joes in the sing off. Who will go? My money is on David, he just looks like more of a geography teacher than a superstar to me. Tim is more quirky.
Bit of a cop out from ALW...what will this do to the timings of the show one wonders.
A fine and jolly shirt ALW is sporting, and I do like Amandas dress, although she is still annoying.

The long and winding road....all a bit pointless if ALW has gone all coy and won't make a decision.

OK after a lengthy phone call to my mother, I will attempt to catch up....

Rory - good vocal, a strong performance.

Niall - like him but he looks like a beaten man, and clearly the judges don`t rate him.

David - I just don't get the love, and the fact that he reminds me of Jamie Oliver doesn't help.
(Forgive me if I forget anyone...)

Ben - get up off the chair, and leave the divine Maroon 5 alone. Not for me sorry.

Nathan- love love loved it. Girlie bun aside, Nathan has perfected the I'm vulnerable and humble routine, and gave a show stealing performance. I always thought he was good, but he was great tonight.... a turning point I think. Love how all the judges are taking the credit after their "chats" with him, instead of acknowledging that this is the first time he was given scope to show what he can do with an emotional song.

Roger - I hate this song so much I can't judge sorry. Sorry Rog. Cuppa tea time.

Ohhh, I forgot Jon - cheesy, shiny, orange Jon. Your classic Messiah (with veneers). He's just too TOWIE looking, although thank God he has a stylist for the show after the shocking get up he was sporting on the VT. He is just NOT JESUS. NOT NOT NOT. ALW...listen up please.
I will just pause to say how thoroughly irritating I am finding Mel and her intensity, chair dancing, wide eyed stare and general being. Aaaah, that's better.

Tim - What is that girl doing to his trousers????????????? The crowd are going nuts, but I just dont find that a nice sound AT ALL. It was powerful, determined, but properly SCREEEEEECHY. It made me develop a brand new wrinkle.

Jeff - Kiss from a Rose, tricky song. Oooh a few duff notes there but I think he pulled it back... OK Jase it wasn't perfect but I'd like to see you bloody try it. And he still looks pretty and very Jesusesque. He'd look great opposite Tim Minchin, just saying.

So.... decision time, and I hate to say it but (shhh...) I don't really care who goes...

Ah. Tim. Time to say farewell, but if its any consolation, David isn't Jesus either. There I said it.

Performance of the night for me was Nathan by a clear mile.
Bottom 2..... Niall and John.