I’ll admit there was a point at which, while watching the first episode of I’d Do Anything, I just thought, “Bugger it. I might as well rerun last year’s Any Dream Will Do week 1 review, as it’s really exactly the same show.”
Which, after all, is exactly what this show is. Okay, there are some changes, the first noticeable one being a very odd and somewhat muted title sequence that has neither the humour of Marias fighting one another on the mountains above Salzburg, nor the technicolor exuberance of last year’s effort. And of course, we do have plenty of shots of last year’s winner, Lee Mead, just to keep the squee quotient from the Loppies quite high. Thirdly, alongside the main event of finding a Nancy, we have the simultaneous quest for three moppets to portray Oliver himself.
At heart, though, we’re looking for a single headline performer, and the audition and callbacks are structured here exactly as they were one year ago. There is, however, one big difference — a major new star who made this first show in the series a big improvement on last year. Someone who has shown all the makings of being a huge television personality should they so choose.
I am, of course, talking about casting director David Grindrod. He may have the voice of Dale Winton and look like Reg Holdsworth, but he was the most charming thing about Saturday’s episode.
I’m being glib, of course. David Grindrod has been an integral part of the casting process for both of IDA’s predecessors, but it seems that this year his contribution has been pushed to the fore far more, even before he took his seat on the judging panel for the London callbacks. Indeed, his presence alongside John Barrowman and Denise Van Outen at the callbacks reinforced my feeling, as I’ve said before, that a judging panel from various disciplines would be the best possible arrangement. I can’t help but feel disappointment that, by the time the live shows start, his place at the top table will be taken by Barry Humphries.
Back to the show itself, and I must admit that any reservations I had about the TV casting process being appropriate for finding a Nancy started to fall away. As with its predecessors, any freak auditionees got mere seconds each, allowing those with a real chance of getting further in the competition more camera time. Experience from last year tells us that we can’t rely on getting too attached to particular candidates at this stage, even if they get the luxury of a camera crew visiting them at home. Still, it’s clear that the big characters that we’ll at least be following to Nancy school will include bubbly Blackpool bombshell Jodie, appropriately-monikered Londoner Nancy and English rose Katie. They’ll be among the forty two inductees at next week’s Nancy school, after which we’ll know who the public’s 25 pences will be voting for.
Thankfully there was precious little of the begging and pleading that characterises so any auditions in The X Factor and similar shows. There was some, admittedly — but as with the open audition freaks, these were kept down to a brief montage. And I can’t help feeling that it may have been the auditionees who have not come from a professional background, and who have been brought up on other talent shows who thrive on those sort of reactions, that may have been at fault.
As for the Olivers, I found their whole story quite uninvolving. We were only given brief glimpses into their workshop roles, and just as I was getting into following their progression, we were whisked back to the Nancy auditions.
I think it’s great that the whole quest to find three Olivers has been structured so that all the boys involved can get the most out of their experience. I can’t help thinking, though, that the whole process has the air of feeling that it ought to be done because it’s a TV show casting a West End musical, and that one couldn’t possibly leave out the title role. Really, the quest to find a new and unusual Nancy would have been good enough television, and I’m not sure yet that TV involvement in the casting of three juvenile performers works, either as an entertainment programme or as a casting method.
But then, there are umpteen weeks for me to be proved wrong (it wouldn’t be the first time). Bring it on!
Well, having some pc problems as kitten has removed the tool bar, I've asked but she doesn't know how to bring it back. All she said was Function key.
I'll Do Anything. (Ah, the memories from last year.) I found the swapping from possible Nancys to Olivers and back again confusing, maybe it was just me. Some of the Nancy's were good. My favourite was the one who brought her boyfriend to the audition as the 3rd date. The Olivers, sorry, can't remember who was who. Small boys all look the same to me. There were a couple who I thought sounded good.
Off to find my toolbars....
Got them-F12.
I liked her too Jo4. In fact there were several of the Nancys I liked. With you on the little boys too. But one or 2 had fabulous voices. Boy sopranos make it seem so effortless.
Right going to try again here, as was cut off in my prime!
I really enjoyed that thought there were some very talented ladies. Liked several, the Nancy called Nancy was very good. thought the girl called Cleopatra had possibilities but depends on her voice as she had throat problems. (Reminds me of someone!)
With you about the boys, all look the same to me, except that tall dark curly haired one. Now he showed real promise!
I know I'm late with my review, but had some probs with Sky+. BBC i-player saved the day.
It is difficult to single out someone at this early stage, but for the Nancys, I think the Nancy Nancy was excellent. Her singing brought tears to my eyes, and that doesn't happen very often. The feisty girl with the boyfriend was instantly likeable, but was she a tad too overexited? I took to the Irish girl too. She was sweet. The question is,- is she too sweet? The best voice was the "posh" blond one, but the same questionmark there as with the Irish girl. I think we have to see a bit more of their acting abilities before anyone starts to really stand out.
The "Olivers" were a bit of a blur, but there was a beautiful Asian boy with a lovely voice who stood out in all the confusion. Wonder if he is one of the chosen ones next Saturday?
The best bit? Lee, of course!
I agree with you, Scott, about the opening titles; on a second view they improved but still not as good as Maria or ADWD.
So does that mean the tall curly haired one gets the role? It'll look a bit odd when Nancy protects Oliver from that nasty nasty man, name escapes me, all I can think of is Oliver Read.
Back to work for me.
That about says it all Scott, however I did find it all very enjoyable and will be back for more! It will be interesting to see who comes to the fore as at this stage with ADWD you hardly got a glimpse of Lee, and the people they concentrated on, most didn't make it through Joseph school.
Jo4 - Bill Sykes.
Sorry the Irish jury is a bit late, but we've been entertaining our English guest. Not that that prevented us from performing our watching duties, you understand. However, not much I can add to the above. As always, Scott -- well almost always -- I agree 100% and I'm sure all the loppies were in full squee mode. The hunt for an Oliver left me cold, but he's an annoying little twerp even in the book. Now a search for a Bill Sykes would have been very entertaining. I liked the highlighted Nancies (that sounds very un-PC. Sorry.),none of the Olivers -- yet -- and found David Grinrod the best part of the experience. Though the Nancy with her boyfriend who took off her shoes was great in a Kirstie Alley sort of way. Roll on round 2!
I do love your reviews Scott!
Loving Jodie and Nancy, but have since read that she is appearing in something else. Nothing wrong with that of course but it sounded as if this was her first audition? Katie has a beautiful voice but I don't see her as Nancy. I didn't warm to the single mum, sorry! I felt a bit uncomfortable watching her sobbing over her son. Fair enough she wants to give him a better life but I think it's a bit unfair to put him through all that.
I'm looking forward to seeing more of the Olivers minus any pushy parents though!
Pity David Grindrod can't be on the panel, really like him. Looking forward to next week.
Hmm must take issue with your comment re Lee Mead! He has many fans and not all of them are Loppies and Squeeing is not soley restricted to Loppies either!!
There aren't just loppies, there are also lovelees and conga's.
Oh, and there are Dutch Lee fans too (although we don't have a name yet... leefjes?)! *nods*
I was watching from the sofa over here, and really loved the episode. Too bad that there were *only* 5.5 million people watching it (to Dutch standards, the show is a hit...).
Really loved David Grinrod as casting director. The Olivers were cute, but I want the tall, curly one to be Oliver! ... Oh wait, he's already Joseph;-)
My favourite Nancy is Nancy at the moment, so I really hope she goes through to the liveshows. She's been Chloe in Never Forget the touring production, but who cares?
Didn't mind the opening titles as I found the others rather irritating week after week.
I'm a Loppy but I don't squee - just think Lee Mead is very talented. Totally agree about David Grindrod - I noticed him on ADWD and think he's a great judge. I do not like other reality shows and never watch them - they make me cringe. However, there is something about these BBC shows; they really seem to care about the contestants and give them a wonderful training.