Thursday, 10 June 2010

One last hurrah as the Big Brother circus comes to town again!

For the last time 14 fame-hungry unknowns walked into the Big Brother house last night and in true BB style they were a mix of the oddest people you are ever likely to meet.

In a twist (not the last twist of the series we can assume) all 81 hopefuls were left standing outside the house, staring at their route into 15 minutes of fame.

The live open air auditions were an attempt for something different but the audience were merely left with watching the surprise on the wannabes faces (and the jealousy on those around them) rather than a completely new process of picking housemates.

One by one Big Brother called out the names of the lucky (some would say unlucky) 13 who were to enter the circus for the summer. These included bubbly country girl Josie who I was happy to see enter the house just so the ear piercing screams would stop and trainee doctor Sunshine (who is the first and only person I know to enter the house, and by know I mean sat in the same university class as me - my small and sad claim to fame this summer).

They were joined by Beyonce lookalike Rachael and the British version of a celebrity lookalike Corin, who looks like Jordan.

The men include New Age monk David, Australian John James and former Soldier Steve who lost his legs and an eye in a bomb blast. They were joined by Ben, the token posh guy who got such a bad reaction from the crowd outside the house that I am surprised he didn't run away screaming.

With 13 inside the house (a house where if the people inside it don't give you a headache, the decor sure will) an over-excited Davina announced that one of the 68 who was deemed not crazy, weird or attractive enough to be chosen to enter automatically would get the luck of being picked by a lottery draw.

That honour fell to Mario, who got to celebrate by putting on a unflattering mole outfit and being told to sabotage the housemates' tasks without being found out. How long will that last? Not long I suspect.

In an effort to prolong the inevitable it was announced that this series of Big Brother will be followed by Ultimate Big Brother, a 2-week show where the best housemates from former series re-enter the house to compete against this series' winner.

Big Brother's final twist could serve as a trip down memory lane for the hardcore fans but it is more likely a precautionary measure from the producers to make sure that the Big Brother brand ends on a high, whatever happens over the next 13 weeks.

Picture from The Guardian

Sunday, 6 June 2010

Golden Spelbound win Britain's Got Talent


Acrobatic gymnast group Spelbound stormed to victory last night in the final of Britain's Got Talent.

The high-flying troupe beat comedy dance act Twist and Pulse, who finished second and drummer Kieran Gaffney, who came third.

It was a well deserved victory for the 13-strong group who blew the judges and audience away with a thrilling and dangerous routine. Sprayed in shimmering gold the group, who have an age range of 12-25, showed incredible strength and balance. At one point they threw one of the group over the heads of stunned judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan.

Entertaining double act Twist and Pulse, aka Ashley Glazebrook and Glen Murphy, finished second on the night. Whilst they must be disappointed with being beaten to the crown the boys, both 19, did incredibly well to finish second after performing first on the night. Their high energy, precise and funny routines are engaging to watch and technically superb.

Drummer boy Gaffney who played whilst being suspended on a tilted platform, finished third on the night. Whilst Gaffney is extremely talented at what he does and always plays with passion and commitment, the act had its limitations.

Other disappointed acts included unique dancer Tobias Mead, who returned with his backward dance routine that was such a hit at the auditions. Boyband Connected performed Westlife's What About Now. Despite being much improved from their semi-final performance they failed to impress Simon Cowell or the public. Other singers on the night included teenage Liam McNally, accountant Christopher Stone and 80-year-old Janey Cutler, who gave a powerful performance of Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien.

But it was not only the singers that missed out last night. The cute dancing dog Chandi and her owner Tina Humphreys melted everyone's heart with another charming routine. Impressionist Paul Burling mimicked the likes of Andy and Lou from Little Britain, Jeremy Clarkson and Graham Norton whilst singing along to his version of the Proclaimers I'm Gonna Be (500 miles).

But it was to be Spelbound's golden night. Despite having the advantage of the coveted last spot of the night, they were deserved winners. Their thrilling routines amaze and entertain and the group are an example of the extraordinarily talented variety acts that a show like Britain's Got Talent can unearth.

Picture from What's on TV