By Glenn Meads
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Superstar blog: Semi-final time

After yesterday’s high drama and frankly really cringe-worthy banter/shouting, I decided to blog in a different way tonight. Tomorrow is the final and I’m on holiday so the blog will be in the capable hands of Kieran Johnson.

In the meantime, let’s take a look back at the highs and lows of Superstar before I update you with current events.

So, what went right and which bits didn’t really work?

The best elements:

1. Melanie C
Even during tweetgate, this straight talking judge praised the guy. She doesn’t seem too keen to pander to what producers want from her. Her constructive criticism has been useful and she clearly works hard behind the scenes. More honesty would be forthcoming I’m sure if she wasn’t in Jesus Christ Superstar. But overall, Melanie has been a great judge.

2. Jason Donovan
He has taken the show seriously and again, has delivered some strong words to the contestants. He is not as personable as Melanie but he has done far better than anyone imagined.

3. The guest stars
This section has worked to a degree but they need to interact with the contestants more. It only really works if the guest mentors the wannabe musical stars, otherwise it’s all about their new single and nothing else. Gary Barlow was the best guest as he worked with the stars.

The worst:

1. The Scheduling
I’m away from Wed for two weeks but did not have the full schedule as it was very hush hush and I know I’ve said it before but a Wed final? Also, not having the show on for a number of weeks means there’s no time for viewers to earn any loyalty towards the show. Not only that, it’s exhausting for the guys who are performing, which explains their relief when they are booted.

2. Dawn French
I love this woman but not here. All of the tattoo/Roger stuff is embarrassing. She seems too keen to tow the party line also. Everyone loves a lone judge who will give praise where it’s due but she seems like the Lord’s puppet.

3. The Lord
He’s bored with the whole concept and it shows. His spat with Nathan was embarrassing television. I have sat watching this man’s musicals and agree with people who say he knows who’s right and wrong for the part. But don’t pretend the power is with the people then because it never is. Work behind the scenes but don’t judge any more.

4. Amanda Holden
Graham Norton is missed daily. He could deliver the Jesus puns with his tongue in his cheek. Amanda forgets the guys' names and does not deliver irony well. She is not well directed either – to be fair - as the show often changed course more than the plot of The Dark Knight Rises.

5. The songs
Say no more but more musical theatre please.

6. Viewer fatigue
Has it set in with these shows?

7. The Channel
The Beeb handled these shows so much better. They fit auntie like a glove, here on ITV everything has been X Factored.

8. No real straight talking lone judge
I missed Sheila Hancock but anyone who has read these blogs already knows that!

So back to tonight – who went home and who’s in the final?

Rory and David were in the sing off and Rory was saved. Clearly it’s about the singing, not the acting then?

Good luck to the contestants in tomorrow’s final and to all the other hopefuls who took part. It’s been um….. interesting but the guys taking part have worked hard night after night as the show has careered out of control several times. Yet they have remained professionals.

So, to the final – good luck to everyone taking part and keep reading as one more report to come before we wave goodbye to Jesus and all his followers. Thanks for reading and for the comments.

- 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
	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: 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
	Superstar blog: The search for Jesus Christ is almost complete - 1st 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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