So the first live show of The Voice SA aired on M-Net and M-Net City this week which means it's time to scrutinize the hits and misses of the singers and the production.
Overall the show looked good production-wise. The lighting was cool and the pace was slick but the black floors were a mess - their shine was constantly upstaged by a dusty footmarkiness.
Luckily there was a lot happening to distract you from them and the coaches looked good, Khan espesh - I like his beard. Even Bobby's thumby leotard managed to look okay, because of his tight moobs obviously.
As for the most important aspect of the night... the singers: my Top 5 faves were:
Richard #TeamKhan (Song: I'm Gonna Be)
Thembeka #TeamKaren (Halo)
Busisiwe #TeamLira (Because of You)
Gavin #TeamBobby (The Climb)
Nadine #TeamKaren (Titanium)
Surprises and disappointments
Each of them was excellent with two surprises among them. I've liked Nadine Morissette (Alanis's twin sister) since the start but she's lacked confidence and this week she really stepped things up and came into her own.
I feel similarly about Busisiwe who delivered her best performance by far. I've been hooked on her because she's been the best dressed contestant since the beginning but I've never been sure of her singing - until now because she was super. I like Zoë but I was hoping Lira would choose to save Busi instead, even though I knew she wouldn't because Lira sees Zoë as a winner.
And I see what she means because Zoë's a pro. but I'm convinced that Busi has what it takes to surprise even more. Luckily she won't be going anywhere this week because I'm sure Meyrand and Robin will get the chop in Lira's team.
Meyrand didn't have any light and dark in his performance and Robin delivered on Bohemian Rhapsody vocally but didn't connect with the song. His control of his voice and his range is impressive but he didn't engage with the meaning - when he sang: "Mama, I just killed a man." - he smiled!
Is Truworths responsible??
Also disappointing was one of my faves Eden Myrrh who I've liked since her first audition with her quirky attitude, clothes and voice but she was totally different this week, as if she was someone else. At first I thought it was just her outfit but then I realised it was everything including the song, Somebody That I Used To Know - it was changed so much it was unrecognisable and bizarre.
The combo of everything seemed forced and contrived and I couldn't work out who was responsible because she looked unhappy at the end. Was it the production? Was it Kahn? Was it her? When Lungsta praised her, she sort of turned away as if she knew the performance hadn't worked, as if she knew it didn't reflect her.
I hope it doesn't get her voted off this week but I fear it may.
The Idols
Of course no competition is complete without some Idols among them, aka those who've gone from singing in the shower to singing on a show. Bobby has a cluster of them which is why I predict that Xanilee and Lana will leave his team this week.
My predictions on who will leave*:
#TeamKhan
Eden Myrrh
El Clay
#TeamBobby
Xanilee
Lana
#TeamKaren
Mr guyliner Marcel
Jono
#TeamLira
Meyrand
Robin
*Voting clarity
Two people from each team will leave this week. Viewers are voting to save one per coach and two will get the chop so that two singers per coach remain on the show. Another two will be saved by the coaches and viewers next week, leaving four per coach.