Is Britain's Got Talent Staged?

We don't get Britian's Got Talent on our local TV, but I do get to watch remarkable performances courtesy of the youtube. And I love the performances, especially the surprise ones, like Paul Potts, Connie Talbot, and now Susan Boyle.

Recently, I watched the audtions of Hollie Steel and Shaheen Jafargholi. Although I do not discount the talents of these two youngsters, I just think that their auditions were too dramatic to be real. I think these were staged. The producers and judges already knew what these two could offer and to drum up the ratings and to make the show and characters more endearing to the public--hence the addition of theatrics.

With Hollie Steel, she was presented as a ballerina, just an ordinary girl in a tutu dancing some ballet steps, nothing extraordinary. She was even too skinny for her attire. But she had one a wireless microphone from the beginning, indicating that she was to do something else. And she did. In her interview, she even said that she loved dancing in front of an audience, but she spent more time singing than dancing. Her ballet was just the front act. And by the way, she is a better singer than a dancer.

With Shaheen, he started singing a song by Amy Winehouse, which was okay but did really bring out his powerful voice. Simon Cowell interrupted him and asked him if he could sing another song. Shaheen immediately responded that he could sing a Michael Jackson song and cued the musical director. The minus one was ready. So I think this was staged because I don't think anyone could be ready with a back up song just like that and it was already cued.

Anyway, I still like the show. I like it because it features the most talented people in Britain. With or without the theatrics, I think people will still patronize the show. And oh by the way, I cannot decide between Susan Boyle or Hollie Steel....or even Shaheen Jafargholi.

I can't wait for the conclusion of this season's contest.