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Superstar blog: The search for Jesus Christ is almost complete

Next weekend sees the arrival of new talent show Superstar which follows a similar format to Any Dream Will Do, How do you Solve a Problem like Maria?, I'd Do Anything and Over the Rainbow. There are two notable differences though; this search is for a star that can fill stadiums as opposed to West End theatres. And the institution is ITV, not the BBC. This of course means, no Graham Norton - a loss in my eyes as he does bring something warm yet incredibly funny to the genre.

So what do we know? The host of the show is Amanda Holden - following her success as a judge on Britain's Got Talent. And it's easy to forget because of this Syco coverage that she has starred in the West End in two big budget musicals and has been acting long before BGT. The judges are a mixed bunch - Dawn French - who will obviously bring plenty of laughs to the format but why else she has been asked? This leaves me quite confounded. Jason Donovan is also on board and there is a connection to the Lord here with his experience in Joseph.

Then there is former Spice Girl and new darling of the West End - Melanie C. She surprised many critics as Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers and has been seen recently plugging the new Spice Girls juke box musical Viva Forever (written by Jennifer Saunders - there's the link to Dawn French - right there!). And for a nice bit of product placement - she has been cast as Mary Magdelene in JCS.

The format differs from previous shows as we are going to see some audition shows and then cut straight to the live shows which will be shown consecutively over one week. If you have read the Daily Mail - you will already have seen that the final six have been revealed. One of these is Seamus Cullen - who many may remember as the the "I will have a show of my own" Any Dream Will Do contestant. I saw him play Che in Evita - so he is hardly an unknown.

But if the final six have been revealed, then the show is surely going to lose its enigma? The BBC format thrives on the secrecy and the fact that the live shows last for about 6 - 8 weeks, whereas this time - it's all over in one week. With the Arena tour set for September though - it has to be. Usually the West End productions take place long after the talent show has finished.

So, what do we think? Well, I wanted Sheila Hancock to come back onto the panel - whatever the search was for - as I adore the lady and think she is a brilliantly pithy judge. Mel C will give some interesting insights as a guest judge as she's a very honest woman and a great live performer who knows how to work an audience. Anyone who has seen her solo gigs or her stint in Blood Brothers will testify this.

With football overkill, tennis and the Olympics, Superstar will offer musical fans everything on a plate. Will it be as successful as the other shows? Well how do you measure that? In terms of ticket sales - the arena shows have sold like hot cakes before the show has even been broadcast due to some stunt casting.

I just have a few things on my wish list:

1. Involve Tim Minchin in the show
2. Make Melanie a full time judge
3. Make the host say the line: "You Could still be Jesus."

- by Glenn Meads

Any opinions expressed above do not represent the view of Whatsonstage.com nor any of its staff or contributors beyond the bylined author.

Glenn has covered the Manchester theatre scene for Whatsonstage.com since 2001. Since then he has edited whatsonstage.com/manchester and he currently edits the North West site, as well as providing news, reviews, features and competitions.

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Internal Links
	Superstar blog: Jesus Christ & other miscasting - 17th May 2012 Blog
	Lloyd Webber's Superstar confirms first broadcast, 7 Jul - 28th Jun 2012 News
	Review Round-up: Are Forster, Minchin, Moyles & Mel C Superstars? - 24th Sep 2012 roundup
	Jesus Christ Superstar - 24th Sep 2012 reviews
	1st Night Photos: Lloyd Webber praises cast at Superstar premiere - 22nd Sep 2012 photos
	WOS TV: Behind the scenes with Jesus Christ Superstar - 20th Sep 2012 tv
	Superstar Update Mel C, on Playing a Modern Day Mary - 12th Sep 2012 interviews
	Superstar Update Ben Forster, Living the Dream - 7th Sep 2012 interviews
	You could still be Jesus – and Judas - 28th Aug 2012 features
	Full casting announced for JCS tour, Hanson plays Pilate - 22nd Aug 2012 news
	Superstar Interviews -The Winner: Ben Forster - 6th Aug 2012 interviews
	Superstar Interviews: Rory Taylor - 30th Jul 2012 interviews
	Superstar Interviews: Roger Wright - 29th Jul 2012 interviews
	Ben Forster wins ITV's Superstar to play arena Jesus - 26th Jul 2012 news
	Superstar Interviews: David Hunter - 26th Jul 2012 interviews
	Are there really 'few leading men' in the West End? - 25th Jul 2012 features
	Superstar Interviews: Jeff Anderson - 25th Jul 2012 interviews
	Superstar Interviews: Jon Moses - 25th Jul 2012 interviews
	Superstar blog: Semi-final time - 24th Jul 2012 blog
	Superstar blog: Tweetgate - 24th Jul 2012 blog
	Superstar Interviews: Tim Prottey-Jones - 24th Jul 2012 interviews
	Mel C spices up charts with Superstar showtune? - 23rd Jul 2012 gossip
	Superstar Interviews: Niall Sheehy - 23rd Jul 2012 interviews
	Superstar Interviews: Dirk Johnston - 23rd Jul 2012 interviews
	Superstar blog: You nailed it - 21st Jul 2012 blog
	Superstar blog: Who does the Lord want? - 20th Jul 2012 blog
	Superstar blog: Another one bites the dust - 19th Jul 2012 blog
	Superstar blog: The second evictee - 18th Jul 2012 blog
	Matinee performance added for Superstar at the O2 Arena - 17th Jul 2012 news
	Superstar blog: The first exit - 17th Jul 2012 blog
	Superstar blog: First live show - 16th Jul 2012 blog
	Superstar blog: The final ten - 14th Jul 2012 blog
	Jesus: Have you checked out the new Superstar app? - 9th Jul 2012 gossip
	Superstar blog: Episode two - the island - 8th Jul 2012 blog
	Superstar blog: Opening show auditions - 7th Jul 2012 blog
	Lloyd Webber's Superstar confirms first broadcast, 7 Jul - 28th Jun 2012 news
	First Superstar UK tour to play in Newcastle - 20th May 2012 news
	Superstar blog: Jesus Christ & other miscasting - 17th May 2012 blog
	Chris Moyles & Mel C join Tim Minchin in Superstar - 16th May 2012 news
	Minchin makes another musical debut as Judas in Superstar - 8th May 2012 news
	Dawn French returns to pious performance with Superstar? - 17th Apr 2012 gossip
	Will Amanda Holden host ITV's search for a Jesus Christ Superstar? - 28th Mar 2012 gossip
	Lloyd Webber & ITV team up to search for Superstar - 18th Jan 2012 news
	Lloyd Webber Readies Jesus Christ Superstar for World Arena Tour??? - 10th Mar 2011 gossip

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