Week 8: Results
I rarely mention the Olivers, as often I forget that they are in the show! But, something happened tonight during the group song, in that I suddenly realised that there is a wealth of talent in the final set of lads. It will be hard for Cameron to decide, I would imagine, as they are all strong. Although I would say goodbye to the little blonde lad who sounds too Welsh for Oliver. “Please Sir Can I Have Some More?” What would Mr Bumble reply: “Tidy?”
The Nancy mission this week was acting but more than that; comedy. Each of the girls took part in a comedy workshop led by Phil Jupitas. After viewing the footage Phil said that Jessie needed some work. Rachel received praise for doing confusion well. she has had enough practice, ending up in the sing off! Sam, as I suspected over-acted. Her character was supposed to be weak, yet she went in all cocky.
Niamh received praise for improvising and Jodie was described as “fantastic” (and John was nowhere to be seen!).
The group number was “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Out Of My Hair” from South Pacific. This involved some movement in a bath tub. Cut to Jessie unable to move even when sitting down! What is this lass still doing in the competition? She needs training! Sam came across as very confident, but is in danger of rubbing other contestants up the wrong way with her head-bobbing stance.
Rachel and Jodie were both vocally spot on. For the panel, it was then usual comments. Jessie stood out for Barry, DVO liked Samantha. John liked Jodie. Andrew made a token gesture, praising Jodie, clearly feeling guilty about the awful Meatloaf comment.
Then, in order to return to the Nasty Nancy Two: The Revenge style plot-line, each lass was asked who they thought should go home. Niamh said Jessie and the Irish one picked Niamh! Jodie also would have sent Niamh home. Rachel picked Samantha and Sam picked, yep, you guessed it Rachel.
As for the panel John stuck to his guns as he would have sent Jessie packing. DVO and Barry both chose Niamh.
As if we needed them really, the results came in. Samantha was first through and punched in the air with defiance. Jodie was next with her annoying: “Thankyou so mooch!” Niamh was called out to be in the sing-off. Hardly surprising, which left Rachel and Jessie. Ireland voted in droves putting Jessie through, as she stood and feigned shock!
This left Rachel to battle it out with Niamh. “Another Suitcase, Another Hall” was the song and Rachel delivered, as she listened to Niamh back her, with wobbly vocals throughout. Rachel told a story and Niamh just sang it. The Lord made ridiculous comment of the night following Meatloaf gate, claiming that if he was casting Evita, he would give waif-like Niamh a role! (What?!) I am presuming he meant The Mistress part, but even so!
Andrew then returned to his senses and saved Rachel. Cut to the shot of the evening, all of the Nancys hugging Rachel, welcoming her back to the fold, all except Samantha who stood away from the group! Methinks, she considers herself a cut above.
A lacklustre “As Long As He Needs Me” by Niamh proved that the right girl was left standing.
But never mind the competition, as it clearly is a popularity contest and with so few folk voting, it’s not about the best gal for the role. In terms of narrative, I think Rachel and Sam may have a scrap before the show airs next week! Maybe the Nancy mission could be dubbed fight-night!
See you next time!
May 18th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
After the sing-off I think Sam was checking if Niamh was okay rather than deliberately standing away from the group - Niamh being Sam’s closest friend among the Nancys.
What have you got against Sam: “Overacting…”, “over confident…”, “thinks she’s a cut above..”. Methinks thou dost protest too much! You have a Sam fetish perhaps?
May 19th, 2008 at 6:23 am
I agree about Sam. Her total air of self satisfaction and confidence no matter what happens is irritating. She has talent true, but Nancy she isn’t. Also her constant grinning drives me mad, it’s like a mask. As for Jessie–why is she still there? Why do folk vote for her?
May 19th, 2008 at 8:32 am
It is clear that Rachel and Sam hate each other-every week they have named each other as the worst Nancy, however I see far more arrogance oozing out of Rachel than I do Sam-she clearly thinks she deserves the part and thats probably why, despite giving the best performance of the night, she ended up in the bottom two. Sam deserved to go through, but neither Jessie nor Jodie did and I was gobsmacked that average Jodie got through yet again on the back of a bland and forgettable performance-could this girl really win? I hope not! I truly believe that Ashley would have made a better Nancy than any of the other girls-but seen as she is not there any more it has to be Samantha and CANNOT be Jessie or Jodie! Niamh was unfortunately the right person to go-I would rather listen to her than to any of the other girls-that said she wasn’t Nancy and her performance of As Long As He Needs Me was rather dire…
May 19th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
At last! They finally threw Niamh the baby out with the bathwater!
How come people aren’t voting for Rachel? I’m surprised Jessie wasn’t in the bottom two.
Just a note on the Blog above - “Ireland voted in droves” - Rachel is Irish too…
May 19th, 2008 at 3:53 pm
I would be very interested to see the phone vote numbers, how many are actually voting? Is there a “front runner” in the public’s eyes?
I find the format of the show so tired - does *anyone* actually believe that Andrew is making the decisions himself? That he hasn’t been given the decision 10 minutes after the voting lines close by the producers and backers? That the panel aren’t being fed their comments in their ears - I think they are performing just as much as the Nancys!!
Can’t resist having my say here though, I think Sam is awful and agree she’s a cocky little thing, don’t know who’s voting for her. Jessie’s terrible diction and inability to move ruin her singing talent and she really must leave. I hope either Rachel or Jodie wins, neither are my cup of tea really but they are capable, unlike the other two.
Roll on next Saturday……
May 19th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
I still think people are being harsh on Sam. The fixed smile is the embarrassed smile of a shy teenager rather than the arrogant beam of a self-satisfied Cheshire Cat. Perhaps the composure to receive the praise, heaped on her in abundance from the panel, with an expression of gracious acceptance will come with age.
Ironically, this is something Niamh achieves, but alas her physical and vocal maturity has yet to catch up. Jessie also, seemingly bounds with teenage confidence until put under pressure.
Having said that, I think all of the remaining four would make good Nancys but I would prefer to see Rachel or Sam win.
With Niamh gone, will the Northern Ireland vote going to Rachel, or the “Young Nancy” vote going to Sam have the biggest influence on the outcome?
May 19th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Just wanted to reply to the “Ireland voted in droves ” comment in the blog above. BBC viewers in Ireland aren’t able to vote in the show so Jessie is obviously not being kept in on a demographic vote. So really she is at something of a disadvantage to the other contestants since she doesn’t have a local vote to fall back on.
May 20th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
I’m soooo upset Niamh has gone!!!!! I loved her to bits!!
I never actually wanted her to win, cos I don’t think she’s quite Nancy enough, but I wanted her to get to the semis!!
Also I completely disagree with your comment about the singoff - I thought Niamh sang it absolutely beautifully!!!! It moved me to tears!!!!! I have played it so many times on youtube and still love it to pieces!!!
I really hope Niamh gets a part in another show — maybe a touring one so it will be cheaper for me to go and see her
Rachel for Nancy!
xxxx
May 21st, 2008 at 4:01 pm
The comment ALW made about Jodie looking like Meatloaf was truly disgraceful.
Well done Jodie for getting through,she deserved to for that spiteful comment alone. She may not be a size 6, 8 or 10 like the other girls, but Jodie DOES look lhow we imaginge a cockney barmaid from dickensian london would have bubbly, buxom with plenty of attitude.
With Ashley out of the running, Jodie is the only one who looks atypical for the role.
I am not Irish,but i do love the Irish girls…Niamh though i did always see as Cosette in Les Miserables,not as Nancy.
Rachel can sing. She moves well, i think she does connect with the words and the audience (even though ALW keeps saying she doesnt).
Jessie has left me a little cold the past couple of weeks. Her singing in previous weeks has been fantastic, i have been blown away, but occasionally her diction is a bit hard to understand and after this week, i have gone off her a bit. Sorry Jessie. Also, she cannot move at all well. It looks very ugly when she walks/runs about the stage, there is an awkwardness about her movement and i know that if i paid £50 to see her in musical theatre, i would expect to be able to watch a smooth performance and i dont feel with Jessie i would.
Sam is ALW’s favorite, i am certain of that. She is very pretty, great figure and moves easily about the stage. She can sing, but i dont know if i see her as Nancy.
For me, the role of Nancy seems to suit the look and personality of either Jodie or Rachel.
This is the first week Jodie had a really hard time of ALW and i think for her it will get worse, as he wants her out. Rachel has had it tough the last few weeks, again, he doesnt want her so i think this week will be rough for her. It is a shame, Rachel would be true professional and he isnt giving her the credit she deserves.
Well done John Barrowman, again you spoke from your own heart, instead of tiptoeing around ALW like DVO does.