Following last week’s ’surprise’ with Francesca in the bottom two; the stakes were high which led to some really O.T.T performances to secure the votes. The usual: “I want this so badly. It’s everything I have worked for” footage was screened, just in case we didn’t realise. The Lord mentioned that Nancy had to have a sense of fun and the show opened with a hilarious version of “Oom Pah Pah.” Graham Norton had a ball as he really does not take this show too seriously!

It was funny to watch because each girl was trying to out-do the other in terms of the ‘Cockney Sparra’ accent and movement. It would be great one week, if one of them ‘accidentally’ knocked another one over! I am joking, of course but you can see how the show’s format whips these girls into a frenzy as they become more and more competitive each week. The bitchy comments will start soon. We really need a ‘Simona’ type character to mix it up a bit!

First up as a pair were Niamh & Cleo. Waif-like Niamh sang “Music In Me” and really gave it some welly. She did really well, showing another element to herself, singing an upbeat song. Technically it was fine but she tends to walk across the stage, hunched and there is not much else going on for me. She has a secure future though; I’m just not sure she is Nancy.

Cleo sang Nina Simone’s big and beautiful “Feeling Good.” I found it vocally underwhelming, although she acts really well. I would like to see her stay but again, at this stage, I do not see her as right for the role, yet. Of course, this can all change as I do not think there is an obvious winner in this show (whereas Maria & Joseph’s Connie & Lee were faves early on) which makes it more interesting to watch each week. (more…)

The girls opened the results the show with a corny version of I’d Do Anything which resembled an episode of Seaside Special, it was that dated!

We then see a montage of yesterday’s performances and still, Rachel stands out as a clear winner for me. They are then sent on a Nancy mission!

Not quite the mission you might expect, nor that impossible, really.

They had to prove how working class they could be as the show is about an old cockney sparra, don’t cha know! So, the girls have to mix with locals and work on an East End market stall. Quite cruel really as you might imagine some of their V.T’s highlighting that this is where they might end up if we don’t vote for them!

Cut to Andrew eating jellied eels and John Barrowman laughing uncontrollably. (more…)

So, the live shows have begun and Nancy is in the studio, somewhere. But who is best for the role? And who should be buying a train ticket home? Well, they sang their hearts out; some of them looked desperate, grinning inanely at the camera like demented hyenas, whilst others delivered spot- on performances. There were a few dark horses too which is always good telly for week one.

As for the Olivers; is it me or is this aspect of the show just not interesting? The public have no part in the decision making process and whatever you think about that choice; the bottom line is – their ‘journey’ is a boring one, as a result.

Anyway, onto the Nancys (Insert Graham Norton snigger here!) and how they fared:

First up was Irish Philly Jessie singing Tina Turner’s classic belter River Deep, Mountain High and although the vocals were okay, her performance was quite affected and she seemed really nervous. She will get better if she stays; although now the show is live, she looks ill at ease.

Jodie chose Adele’s Chasing Pavements to showcase her voice. The problem is you cannot take ‘Blackpool out of the girl ‘and the result was a Cabaret version of a contemporary song; complete with lots of over emoting and over-done hand movements. Her eyes were chasing unruly punters in a pub, rather than pavements. (more…)

News has just been broken that Rowan Atkinson has been cast as Fagin in Oliver! which I’m sure will make the show an even bigger draw than it already is. But what of the Nancys? Any news on them? Here are some snippets I have picked up the last couple of days, trawling through the mags and tabloids:

Ashley (Ginger Nancy) is frightened of mayonaise!

Jessie (Irish Nancy) plays four instruments!

Cleo (Scary Nancy) only eats raw food!

Tara (pierced Nancy) is the daughter of Giant Haystacks (the wrestler) (more…)

I don’t know about you, but once the live shows start next week, I get more into the whole concept. Sure, some of the V.T continues to manipulate, as do some of the song choices, deliberately designed to send someone into the bottom two. But, on the whole, it makes for a much more interesting show when you see the contestants perform on a Saturday night, in front of millions.

I have to admit, the line-up of would-be Nancys is far better than I expected. Francesca, who I mentioned in the last blog entry is clearly a favourite. But, I like the sheer variety this year, in terms of look and vocal ability and style. It’s too early to pin-point a clear favourite at this stage but I do like the following for many different reasons:

Jessie- as she has a real earthy quality and knows how to emote through song.

Niamh- she looks like she wants it, without the cockiness that many of these shows unleash.

Cleopatra- she could be the ‘Seamus’ as she looks like she wants it so bad, she would provide V.F.M as the stock villain. (more…)

Many users of the I’d Do Anything thread, here on the board have commented on some of the ‘unknowns’ who have been featured, auditioning for the the part of Nancy. But finally, a newspaper has gotten hold of the fact that contestant and hot favourite; Francesca Johnson co-starred with Judge, Denise Van Outen in the ill- fated revival of Rent.

The tabloids have leapt on the fact that the two played lovers in the show, going for the ‘phwoar’ factor. But, it leads me to ask a bigger question: why do the producers audition folk if they already have others in mind? This idea that the star is plucked from the streets was disproven when Lee Mead won Joseph. The Lord tried playing it down, saying that he hadn’t really noticed him. The fact that he was an understudy in his productions, aparrently meant nothing.

I have nothing against the pros getting the parts. But axe the reality aspect then and stop pretending that it’s going to be ‘from window cleaner to West End’, as it clearly isn’t. If this show was X Factor, more people would comment on this. There is this feeling that because the show is about finding theatre stars, that it is much less about ratings and shock tactics. But how different is this show from anything Simon Cowell is fronting?

But, what’s next? Sally Ann Triplett pretending she does not know John Barrowman, as she auditions. That really would be a case of Anything Goes!

You gotta feel for ‘The Lord’ - as he has just sat on Paul O’Grady’s couch to plug I’d Do Anything and witnessed something quite frightful. O’Grady sang That’s your Funeral from Oliver! as the Lord himself sat there, visibily cringing! Years gone by, he’d have guested on Saturday Superstore, pulled a postcard from a spinning tombola tub and then, home James!

To make matters even worse, he then had to listen to Sean Maguire - the star of the awful film Meet The Spartans playing catch up with old showbiz pal, Paul. I loved the shots of Lloyd Webber looking bored and disinterested and look forward to seeing them in the live shows, when a Nancy sings for her supper in the sing offs.

But today, he had to sit through this ‘audition’ of sorts as Paul O Grady killed a song from Oliver!; it was his funeral alright! The Lord also gave the obligatory interview and made the usual - “We are looking for a raw Nancy who……” comments. He also said: “We’re not going for bland casting, this time.” Connie Fisher, it isn’t then!

I’d Do Anything began yesterday and the tried and tested format remains. Maybe it’s me, but the cliches of the format seem more evident than ever before.

Andrew Lloyd Webber keepers feferring to the ‘Nancy’ that he wants for the show. He mentions that Amy Winehouse would be perfect for the part. You smile to yourself as when looking for Joseph he said he wanted a “Justin Timberlake!” Hardly Lee Mead, is it? This makes the search seem much more frantic and unique, which of course it isn’t, in either case.

Instead, the usual stereotypes are lined up like tin cans in a shooting gallery. Jennifer, the scouse girl with a heart of gold has plenty of ill relatives and serves fries at Burger King. Like Keith Jack though, she is a student but this is not ‘rags to riches’ enough. She even comes up with her own corny catchphrase: “From waitress to West End star!” (see prediction in 1st post!).

Cut to lots of precious looking boys, straight from stage school; all desperate to utter the line: “Please sir. Can I have some more?” Each is one trying desperately to out-do the other, even at a young age: one says “I was a munchkin in The Wizard Of Oz.” The other says: “I write plays and musicals.” Graham Norton has a field day, poking fun at these (”I want this so bad”) contestants. (more…)

With the BBC declaring that it would it would be too stressful for the child performers to be voted off; you cannot help but think the producers have someone in mind for the role already. This way, none of the plans can be scuppered. Ok, so Nancy gets picked by viewers at home. But the boy who plays Oliver is going to be like a ‘Liam’ from Billy Elliot, in terms of box office.

So, is this a cynical ploy to make us ask for more? Or, is this in the best interests of the children? Well, presumably - any child who auditioned would have had it explained that this was a reality television show; therefore, they expect the flack. What’s more, think of how the viewing figures would go through the roof if ‘pushy parents’ were sat sobbing or arguing each time their ‘mini me’ got voted off or criticised?!! Not only that, which is more damaging - being voted off by judges or the public?

It always makes me smile when the producers of a reality show suddenly develop a conscience. The contestants know what they are letting themselves in for, as do the parents and the viewers. I say, bring on the ankle biters and let the public decide!

With the new reality show I’d Do Anything about to begin on BBC One, I am going to be blogging away to my heart’s content, reporting on the good, the gruel and the runners and riders. You all know the format and many of you will know the judges; John (how busy is this man?!) Barrowman, Denise Van Outen, and Barry Humphries. Unique, this time, as these three bring the performer’s perspective.

I am sure that the press will leak some of the front runners’ names before the live shows begin. But until then, here’s how the show could evolve over the next few weeks:

There will be people crying stating how life changing this is!

Denise will then cry!

John will flirt! (with both genders!)

Graham will stick with the underdog each week.

There will be a corny catchphrase applied to a contestant: “From Wigan to the West End!”

A villian will emerge and will be despatched by the viewers.

One contestant will have nine lives.

We will all be hooked!

Whatever happens, we will be there every Saturday to report back, right here.

So, get comfy, get some “food glorious food” in for Saturday and come back here each week for the lowdown.