tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post8267908650620178321..comments2023-06-12T16:28:37.421+01:00Comments on A View from England: Britain's Got Talent 2009: Singing sensation Susan BoyleMaureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05594795794677984027noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-73677660530594616722009-04-21T09:47:00.000+01:002009-04-21T09:47:00.000+01:00Britain's Got Talent "...is a nationwide talent co...Britain's Got Talent "...is a nationwide talent contest where the winner gets to perform their act for Prince Charles at the prestigious Royal Variety Show, pick up a cheque for £100,000, and catapult themselves towards superstardom."<br /><br />If the contestant gets at least two yes votes from the three judges, he/she will stay in the competition. If the contestant gets two or three buzzes (No votes), the audition is over.<br /><br />When the thousands of contestants have been whittled down to 40 favourites, there is a week of live semi-final shows. "Here's where judge opinion and public vote collide in a five-day variety extravaganza, until just 10 acts, hand-picked by the public remaining for the grand finale."Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05594795794677984027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-26199947254947405392009-04-21T03:29:00.000+01:002009-04-21T03:29:00.000+01:00Never have seen BGT could someone explain how the ...Never have seen BGT could someone explain how the show works? What does it mean to get 3 stars? All the way from WISCONSIN USAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-42369649358977060962009-04-19T11:32:00.000+01:002009-04-19T11:32:00.000+01:00You're so right - some cynics will always remain c...You're so right - some cynics will always remain cynics. Sad but true.<br /><br />Yesterday I read that Susan Boyle used to go in for talent competitions all the time but she was always rejected in favour of younger, more attractive contestants - so her success now must be twice as sweet. She was actually planning to give up on her dreams to be a professional singer but decided to try one more competition - Britain’s Got Talent. And she must be so glad she did! Her stunning performance not only impressed the judges but she became an overnight sensation in Britain and the rest of the world too.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05594795794677984027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-86849808510567488482009-04-19T02:57:00.000+01:002009-04-19T02:57:00.000+01:00Since she has been singing a capella on US televis...Since she has been singing a capella on US television, I hope everyone won't think it's not her voice. Her audition was not dubbed, the song may have been cut though to save time. Also if you have watched the video attentively, when the wide shot panned as the audience was standing up, then medium close up at Simon, you could see behind him that some audience members just stood up. I am sure if the video isn't that popular now, no one will suggest it's a hoax, but since it is, some will just find a way to mock it. Some cynics will always remain cynics... I wish Susan all the best.anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-57848541009014467752009-04-18T23:40:00.000+01:002009-04-18T23:40:00.000+01:00Just like Paul Potts, I can't stop watching Susan ...Just like Paul Potts, I can't stop watching Susan Boyle, she is great, and I believe she will win it all, great job Susan.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-41998946055560707802009-04-18T19:06:00.000+01:002009-04-18T19:06:00.000+01:00Cried as I was so unterly happy for her!Cried as I was so unterly happy for her!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-55333338549568649222009-04-18T17:35:00.000+01:002009-04-18T17:35:00.000+01:00I agree that Susan Boyle has an amazing voice but ...I agree that Susan Boyle has an amazing voice but I don't think the petition is necessary. Yes, I'm a big fan and I agree that she should win the competition if the show she appeared on (broadcast last Saturday) was the whole competition - but it isn't. The show is in its early stages and there are still a lot more people to audition. Saying that, I expect Susan Boyle will probably win unless someone shows up that is equally outstanding. <br /><br />Anyway, whether Susan Boyle wins the competition or not, she has already gained fans all over the world and I'm sure her future success as a professional singer is pretty much guaranteed.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05594795794677984027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-14082671992540668682009-04-18T17:10:00.000+01:002009-04-18T17:10:00.000+01:00Amazing voice !!! wow !! Sign for her petition :
h...Amazing voice !!! wow !! Sign for her petition :<br />http://www.petition.fm/petitions/susanboyle/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-62530457642225050712009-04-18T15:33:00.000+01:002009-04-18T15:33:00.000+01:00Phil, I also don't believe Susan was dubbed.
I s...Phil, I also don't believe Susan was dubbed. <br /><br />I still believe the show is made up of genuine contestants and the way the show is put together (edited) and then broadcast for viewing is all part of the package. As you quite rightly point out, it's a business and they are selling a product. <br /><br />And to a certain extent, perhaps you could say the show is a hoax but I think I prefer to think of it as a very clever talent show that's been jazzed up for the best prsentation to the public. It's good family entertainment and I enjoy watching it. Indeed, I'm looking forward to watching the show again tonight. It will be interesting to see if the auditions will reveal any other great talent. I think that's why the show is so popular - it's very unpredictable.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05594795794677984027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-60417237884086054842009-04-18T14:55:00.000+01:002009-04-18T14:55:00.000+01:00It was definitely not dubbed.
However the soundtr...It was definitely not dubbed.<br /><br />However the soundtrack was custom made for her performance (they have to, for timing) which shows that a lot more preparation goes into these acts than they want us to believe. Same with all the other acts. It's a business, and they're selling a product.<br /><br />Susan Boyle is a natural gem. <br />When the producers discovered it, they polished it up a bit, but then wrapped it in an ugly box to maximize the surprise effect when you open it.<br />But she's still a gem.<br /><br />So to anyone who claims she's a hoax, I say: she's not, but the show itself is, to a certain extent.philnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-53054308841431985182009-04-18T03:27:00.000+01:002009-04-18T03:27:00.000+01:00I think it was dubbed, but it most likely was her ...I think it was dubbed, but it most likely was her voice. The voice sounded good, she was on pitch and she seemed sweet. The judges reactions seemed fake, too. Still, she deserves it more than any of those formula singers on the American show. I'd rather watch her than Kelly Clarkson.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-28811084913210548402009-04-18T01:48:00.000+01:002009-04-18T01:48:00.000+01:00Paddy, I really don't know what else to say other ...Paddy, I really don't know what else to say other than I prefer to think it's not quite as contrived as you believe it is. I think some editing is good and makes the show more entertaining but it would be disappointing if it turned out they put completely different audience shots in the show or rearranged the shots of the audience somehow. As you point out - we just don't know. <br /><br />I do however, still believe that Susan Boyle has a great voice.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05594795794677984027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-56523532380189387672009-04-18T01:19:00.000+01:002009-04-18T01:19:00.000+01:00Reaction might be genuine - but it didn't necessar...Reaction might be genuine - but it didn't necessarily happen the way it was shown on the tv clip. That was very clever editing. We don't know when people stood up or made those faces - both pleased and dismissive. Might not even have been in relation to Susan. We just don't know. Would be great to hear from someone in the audience who could say - "yeah we heard two bars and we all just stood up it was so incredible". I don't think we'll hear that. I just saw her singing on a US morning "news" show - in her own living room with no backing track. She was good - but not stellar.Paddy Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01891002953672469373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-82487253612398958322009-04-18T00:35:00.000+01:002009-04-18T00:35:00.000+01:00Paddy, I know the show is edited for maximum enter...Paddy, I know the show is edited for maximum entertainment value but I still think each contestant's performance is genuine, and that the reaction from the audience and the judges is also genuine. I think the way Britain's Got Talent is edited and put together for broadcast, helps to make it such a popular show. Otherwise it would be just a plain talent show.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05594795794677984027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-25077682881104885602009-04-17T22:45:00.000+01:002009-04-17T22:45:00.000+01:00Yup - totally staged for sure. The response is a ...Yup - totally staged for sure. The response is a result of emotional manipulation of the cinematic kind. She's got an awesome voice, but the public reaction is due to all the buttons the producers pushed - the searing chords of the song, the fact that she came on as an underdog and an outsider, her cute and unassuming ways (did you notice that the first time you see her she's stuffing a bun in her mouth?), and the omigod audience and judge reaction. Do people get this excited by listening to Celine Dion? Doesn't matter if her voice is "for real" or not - this show has still suckered people in.Paddy Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01891002953672469373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-34849666296575883352009-04-17T22:40:00.000+01:002009-04-17T22:40:00.000+01:00Susan was really a big surprise! Loved watching he...Susan was really a big surprise! Loved watching her all the way from SAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-3505326218466152752009-04-17T11:19:00.000+01:002009-04-17T11:19:00.000+01:00Allyne Smithee, I wonder if you've ever seen the s...Allyne Smithee, I wonder if you've ever seen the show because the things* you are questioning during Susan Boyle's performance are in fact typical of what they do during each contestant's performance on Britain's Got Talent. <br /><br />*"What regional tryout facility just happens to film a grand audience wide shot and spends five seconds slowly and dramatically zooming onto the lone performer on stage? Shoots picture-perfect individual shots of each judge and the backstage assistants marveling during her performance as you see her over their shoulders?"<br /><br />They actually do pan the audience and get close ups of their reactions. And yes, they also do get "picture-perfect individual shots of each judge" and they show "the backstage assistants" who are in fact not backstage assistants but the hosts, Ant and Dec (Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly)! <br /><br />You can believe it was all staged if you want to but I think you need to watch the series to understand how it works and before you judge it so harshly.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05594795794677984027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-23925666898018734082009-04-17T10:59:00.000+01:002009-04-17T10:59:00.000+01:00So many indications of being staged, so little tim...So many indications of being staged, so little time. First of all, what audience, anywhere in the world, suddenly leaps to its feet clapping and cheering just four seconds into a song? And continues cheering so loud they could hardly hear the singer?<br /><br />What regional tryout facility just happens to film a grand audience wide shot and spends five seconds slowly and dramatically zooming onto the lone performer on stage? Shoots picture-perfect individual shots of each judge and the backstage assistants marveling during her performance as you see her over their shoulders? How many cameras did it take to get close-ups of audience members frowning when she announced her aspiration to become a professional singer like Elaine Page? <br /><br />How many times, other than a movie, have you ever seen footage of a technician pushing the "start" button to begin playing the background music? How many times have you seen the judges looking beatific at four seconds and 8 notes into a song? When have you ever seen judges clapping 16 seconds into a performance? How many times have you ever seen Simon Cowell looking transported into bliss? More than once, at that? <br /><br />How many cameras were available to get all the different angles of the audience clapping? In a regional tryout facility? How many stagehands talk to the camera during a performance as the singer warbles a few feet away? <br /><br />And that's not even mentioning the points anonymous made above, that the judges looked mock surprised and the audience looked coached or directed? <br /><br />Sorry, Susan may have a lovely voice and deserve every accolade she gets, but I am not buying this production as a happy accident. It was totally staged.Allyne Smitheenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-31296735292769483482009-04-17T09:56:00.000+01:002009-04-17T09:56:00.000+01:00Wow! I didn't see it like that at all. I think (an...Wow! I didn't see it like that at all. I think (and hope!) you're wrong.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05594795794677984027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-11198052415564529682009-04-17T03:55:00.000+01:002009-04-17T03:55:00.000+01:00I assume it was a hoax. Call me cynical. It look...I assume it was a hoax. Call me cynical. It looked dubbed to me...without perfect lip synch. And the judges looked totally<br />fakely surprised, moved whatever. Even the audience looked<br />to be coached, or full of planted actors. It will be much more fun if I"m wrong.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-30685045126300584352009-04-16T19:32:00.000+01:002009-04-16T19:32:00.000+01:00do they still serve crow pie in england because si...do they still serve crow pie in england because simon gets to eat the whole thing. my god, what a talent. its as though a angel was sent to us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-69866532885259817982009-04-16T11:46:00.000+01:002009-04-16T11:46:00.000+01:00You might be right Phil but I sincerely hope you a...You might be right Phil but I sincerely hope you are wrong. I prefer to think the show is genuine and we haven't all been hoodwinked.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05594795794677984027noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-1052170987089852009-04-16T09:52:00.000+01:002009-04-16T09:52:00.000+01:00Annabelle Echo's comment sounds harsh at first...Annabelle Echo's comment sounds harsh at first, because Ms Boyle seems like a marvelous person who really deserves a break. I watched her at least 20 times since Monday and I got tears in my eyes at every occasion. <br /><br />But I must say there is something very fishy about the selection of the candidates. Today I watched all the other videos: some candidates, like the witch, Andy the crazy dancer, the Dance King, etc.. must have been brought on board purely for their lack of talent. For the sensation of hearing the nasty buzzers go off and the red X's flashing. Mind numbing humiliation. Undoubtedly staged. It was a weird experience.<br /><br />And then I watched Susan Boyle again, with a more critical eye, and it seemed different. The voice is still beautiful. But it struck me how shots were readily available to be edited for the before & after effects; how a different version of the same song popped up in the background during the rating. The curly hairdo, different from earlier photos that are now surfacing. Her walking away before hearing the score a bit unnatural.<br /><br />My conclusion is that the producers knew early on that they had a hit on their hands and made sure to present her as the most unlikely person ever to do well, to enhance the surprise effect, a main ingredient of the narrative.<br /><br />That does not diminish Ms Boyles' performance in any way. It certainly helped in reaching 10 million YouTube hits in 4 days. And after all that's how we (far away from Britain) discovered her. For which I'm very grateful. <br /><br />But it implies that there was a fair amount of faking on the part of the jury. <br /><br />I guess that's why it's called show Business.philnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-42861085651291780192009-04-16T04:17:00.000+01:002009-04-16T04:17:00.000+01:00I have never watched Britain's got talent but I ju...I have never watched Britain's got talent but I just loved the video of Susan.It really brought me to tears. Every once in a while we are all graced with a moment of clarity. I believe that this was one of those moments. The female judge (Amanda?) said it best, how we all tend to be cynical. It remind me of a quote (i am not sure of the author) "We are all artists until the world tells us we aren't!" I am so glad I was able to see this video..thanks Susan for giving us all clarity!!!Mary in Ohionoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6492893503803541461.post-14029899546645449642009-04-16T01:19:00.000+01:002009-04-16T01:19:00.000+01:00I'm so glad to have heard Susan Boyle. What a voi...I'm so glad to have heard Susan Boyle. What a voice! I hope her dreams do come true. She deserves to be given a recording contract to say the least.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com