I seems to me that Siobhan is gradually overhauling Connie as the favourite.
Abi was getting close but blew it last Saturday. Terrible terrible intonation!

We were wondering the same on Saturday - I wonder how they will do the last few selections, it does seem that as things stand, he could just pick his favourite in the end and then what was the point of the programme?


I agree. I don't find her warm or appealing at all.

I can't argue with the experts that perhaps Siobhan needs more vocal training, given that she's not had much as far as I understand it, that isn't surprising. Presumably whoever gets the role will get comprehensive help, especially if the winner is among the less experienced.

On final night, Webber doesn't get a say (apparently) - so its all down to the voting public.

But you've got to bare in mind that he has been (and will continue to be) able to influence proceedings to make sure he gets the final night he wants. He picks the songs which is absolutely vital; and gets to ignore the overwhelming dislike of Helena by the voters at the expense of, what is it now 5!?!?!, contestants who I'd have preferred over her.

I still like Connie's performances but there's a sense that I've seen it all before with her - she's the classic showgirl. If she won, its kinda like they needn't have had the programme in the first place... they'd end up with someone exactly like they would have found through auditions.

Siobhan to win.

Aren't they going to need a few Marias anyway - I'm sure the public would still go if the top three won jointly and shared the role - so having a reasonable life for the next year.

More importantly, it'll keep the show in voices for a year! It's a big ask for voices that haven't been trained to the demands of seven shows a week...
In two minds about Siobhan - how much is the judges' nether regions indeed! To be fair, she was actually more convincing this week.

Helena does make some unpleasant faces it's true, but my goodness is that girl composed under pressure. In the last show, both Simona and Leanne cracked in the sing off, but Helena pulls it off every time.

That's true, I have to agree: I have seen very little of the voting bit of the show, but from what I have seen Helena seems to have sung better in the sing offs than in her actual whole number (I have only seen clips of her "proper" songs though)

I do wonder if part of Leanne and Simona cracking under pressure was the knowledge that Andrew has kept Helena so many times before, though - Leanne especially looked like she knew she was out before they started to sing.

There is just something about Helena which I can't take to. Looking at the results over the last few weeks ALW saving her isn't enhancing her popularity with the public. I'm not denying that she has a talent but Mar1a? Not for Me.

I admire Leanne, with no formal training she has rose to the challenge, she might be a bit young for Maria at the moment but I'm sure she will have a future somewhere in Music.

This show is beginning to look a bit contrived. The "judges" seem to have their champions in place. Must confess to watching X Factor over the last two weeks. Love laughing at the auditionees! Before anyone asks no I couldn't do better nor am I about to try!

Interesting feature in yesterday's Times - long interview with ALW on the show. Emma Williams, a professional, has been signed to do 2 shows a week, with the TV Maria doing the other 6.
Personally, I think this show has degenerated as it goes on. Leanne and Simona were clearly making up the numbers and were never going to be chosen. My bet is that the final 2 will be Siobhan and Connie. Connie seems entirely reliable, but is now getting faintly predictable, and almost boring. But I do feel a bit sympathetic towards all the girls, who are doing what amounts to - 10? recalls, live, on TV, and often being slated in the most public way possible. I just don't feel this is a humane or responsible way of going about things, and I don't even think it makes good TV any more.
But apparently many similar shows are planned for the future, including casting Danny and Sandy ( Grease) in a show called 'You're the one that I want'.Lets hope the benefits outweigh the disadvantages for all the participants.

Same here! I loved the first series, but now it seems to get boring as soon as they put them on a stage - last time certainly was anyway! But I still love watching the auditions rounds - makes me laugh so much!

Totally agree - & I won't be watching any future shows - I do need to see how this one ends though.

This is the first (and probably last) TV I've watched this year.

Why does Andrew keep saving Maria?!! Its obvious the public don't like her!
I've been switching between the X Factor and Maria....I can't decide which is better (or worse !)

You mean Helena? *confuzzled*

Did anyone wathc it tonight? I really really think Siobhan should have gone!

I'm actually pleasantly surprised that ALW picked Siobhan over Aiofe. I've thought Siobhan has a much nicer, purer voice than Aiofe, but thought Aiofe would get through, based on looking like 'Maria'.

Siobhan looked absolutely gobsmacked to get through, didn't she!!

I think it will be Helena or Connie to win - they were all delighted to get through (of course).

But Siobhan also looked dazed.

I did vote for Helena - and not just to keep her from another sing off - I think she has nerves of steel.

I didn't think either really shone tonight. Vocally Aiofe didn't do it for me at all but she could move pretty well ( to a lay person's eyes anyway!) but they shouldn't have given her that song! There was a big queue at the Chinese so I missed Siobhan's . Good on her though, from 'spare' to final is some going!

But it would have all been worth it just to get a clinch with John Barrowman .... I was pretty envious!

I voted for Aoife, Connie and Helena but I really think that Connie should win.

I personally think Siobhan doesn't really have the knack of acting and wouldn't really be able to pull it off so I'm also surprised that Andrew picked her over Aoife.

Yep I mean Helena! Oops I dunno what was up with my brain that day

Looks like he was right though - and the public have changed their minds.

There's nothing wrong with her singing, her acting nor her attitude - and I think she was the only one so far not to have said something catty about the others (or at least they haven't shown it if she has).

I thought Aoife was lovely, but in the sing-off her voice did sound pretty screechy compared to Siobhan. I think Siobhan has a gorgeous voice, but not too sure on her acting ability. I also hate to be cynical, but I thought the dazed look last night was a bit fake. I'm really thrilled for Helena to have finally been put through by the public! I think Connie's great, and definitely the most reliable singer, but her songs are all a bit too 'showbiz' and over the top for me - it would have been nice to see her do something a bit less belty and more lyrical and gentle to show a different side to her. She also seems to be crying just about all the time during the parts where they talk to the cameras about how much they want it, and I'm not really a fan of the sympathy vote! I didn't like Helena to begin with, but now I think she would be great if she could just have got rid of the wobbly notes during Titanic! But she's also shown how well she can perform under pressure.
Not sure who I want to win now - I think I would be happy for any of them, but probably more happy for Helena or Siobhan than Connie at the moment...

I haven't really liked Helena all that much all the way through, but I thought that she did really well last night.....esp as she did have a broken rib! I am torn between the three as to who I would like to be Maria!

Well after Saturday, I still think Connie is the best all round performer, but I dont think she has the right 'look' for Maria. Helena has done fantastically well to keep bouncing back. I would like to Siobhan to get it , but think it will be Connie. She will get all the Welsh votes.

I thought siobhan looked really peed off. Especially when there was the few seconds when she didn;t know whether she should stay on stage while Graham talked or go sit with Helena and Connie. She looked a bit like a small child when someone eventaully told her to move and she stomped off stage. Which is a shame coz I liked her!

I thought Siobhan just wasn't sure whether she was definitely through or not. Given ALW's prediliction for referring to the girls by the wrong name - I thought she was just confirming he actually meant her. Especially as ALW had been earlier praising Aiofe.

Seeing as we STILL haven't heard Connie do anything else other than belt out a number - a don't know whether that's in her favour or not. They made Siobhan and Aoife do really 'show' numbers this week, when they won't be doing anything like that in 'Maria', I think they should have made Connie do a lyrical number, as we still don't know if she's any good at that!

She certainly looked annoyed off when it was announced she'd be in the sing off! Nice for Helena not to be there - now if only they can stop her doing an estuary english yieoouuu!

Did anyone else find the whole snog fest just a little grim? I just can't separate the fact that to an extent the gents are voting with their nether regions with the fact that they get to waltz into the room and paw the girls!

Yes, that'd be interesting.

Must say that I thought the snog-fest a bit weird, seeing as JB is very much 'out of the closet!'. Still, I guess it's all acting! And I've heard so much about the 'casting couch' that perhaps it's good that the girls get used to it!

I always wanted to be in Musical Theatre. Pity I can't sing to save my life!!

Unfortunately I missed last Saturday's show, but I was really surprised that Helena wasn't in the bottom two again!! She must have been over the moon. I expected Siobhan, Connie and Aiofe to be in the final. I think it has to be Siobhan for me now, as Connie is too plastic (already posted about that).

Agree though - she hasn't actually done any songs to show an emotion yet, just belting out big numbers - I know the girls can't choose the songs, so it isn't really her fault, but they should really give her a nice lyrical little one instead of sticking with the 'Showbiz Maria' or whatever it is...

I think Connie will be so totally gutted if she doesn't get it, having come this far. And although I went off her rather in the middle of the series, I guess she does now deserve to win over Siobhan and Helena. I still think she's a bit too manic for Maria, and hasn't been given the chance to show any vulnerability. Now, if you could mix the looks of Siobhan with the professionalism of Connie..

...you'd have Helena.