Another relaxing day...

[fajrdrako]

Watched this week's Jonathan Ross show, featuring Eddie Izzard, John Barrowman, and Andrew Lloyd Weber - and a women from American's Top Model whom I mostly ignored. Eddie Izzard was talking about a TV show he's in called The Riches. Surely it can't possibly be as boring as it looks. I also wonder why, when he is so very brilliant in comedy, Eddie Izzard wants to do serious parts.

John Barrowman was, as usual, outrageous and funny, and egged on by Jonathan Ross. It was rather more fun to see how funny Andrew Lloyd Weber could be, because I hadn't expected that.

Then they showed the clip from the Doctor Who episode "Utopia", and... well. Quite something. As if I wasn't already counting the days to that episode.

Next I watched this week's Any Dream Will Do, and enjoyed it greatly, especially the song "Electricity" from Billy Elliott, and Lee Mead's singing of "Paint it Black". I was glad to see that the person they cut was Daniel, since he has been one of my least favourite from the beginning, though I had really expected to see Lewis or Craig go. Keith and Lee are still my favourites, though Craig is growing on me, especially since I see a lot of improvement in him. Ben has always seemed bland to me but he's now my third-favourite.

Comments

[litalex.livejournal.com]

Is this the one in which he talked about his frat boy days, not-cruising with a pram, etc. or an entirely different one? :D

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

This was an entirely new one, which aired on Friday - the other was from back in November, when they showed a clip from "Cyberwoman". This clip they showed in this one was from the upcoming Doctor Who episode "Utopia", which still won't air for a couple of weeks. And Andrew Lloyd Weber was on the show with him, being a good sport and very funny about it, and of course they were talking about Any Dream Will Do.

The line "any hole will do" kept cropping up.

[litalex.livejournal.com]

Johnny boy and Webber were great, but that Janice woman, good gods!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Unbelievable, wasn't she?

[msilverstar]

Yeah, The Riches isn't a particularly gripping series to me, though the teenboy likes it. It takes advantage of some of Eddie's cleverness, but not enough. The embarrassment humor quotient is too high for me.

Any chance you could share the link for that J Ross show, or upload? I'd love to see it.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Oh, what a lovely icon! Love that Barrowman smile. And on this J Ross show... when he laughs, he laughs with his whole body. It's quite amazing.

I'll see what I can do about an upload.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Okay, I got technologically brave and tried uploading the file. You should be able to download it at www.megaupload.com/?d=Z7NA0DSB. Let me know if it works!

[msilverstar]

Seems to be working! I wouldn't have bugged you, but I didn't see it anywhere and was stymied. So thanks a bunch!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I hope you enjoy it! I am proud to have mastered another bit of technology.

[kikibug13.livejournal.com]

I must say... This week and last week their performances were like a soothing salve for the rough edges I've been growing recently. GOOD songs, nice singing, and some rather fine performances!

My ordering now - Lee, Keith, Ben, Lewis (whom I like a whole lot now than I did in the beginning, when I thought him incredibly bland - but The Rose this week gave me shivers and goosebumps!) and lastly Craig. But then, the top two haven't budged at all, and Ben's been third since last week too. (he started out as the least probable? Huh... )

The Utopia spoiler. That gave me my first 'I hate the Doctor' moment ever. So... cowardly! (Hm. I guess I really wanted the Doctor to have come to pick Jack up, actually. Disappointed expectations. I must finally learn to cut down on expectations :) )

Did you watch 42 too? Much as I have a problem with the setup, I must say it was Chris Chibnall at his best! Made me sooo afraid, and also made me cry in the end. (Still feel like crying when watching icons of that, a day later)...

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

This week and last week their performances were like a soothing salve for the rough edges I've been growing recently. GOOD songs, nice singing, and some rather fine performances!

Yes. I am very impressed by the way some of them have improved. Currently (and I guess it's been pretty much the same all along) my #1 pick for Joseph is Keith, but with Lee a close second. I found Lewis off-putting in the beginning, and have come to like him much more, but he still seems to lack the kind of strength of personality, charisma, whatever, that I'd want to see in a lead role. Ben has been fairly consistent; better all the time, but still not quite remarkable or memorable. Both Keith and Lee are remarkable.

The "Utopia" spoiler. Well. I can't hate the Doctor ever but I am totally perplexed. The Doctor saw Jack on his screen - why didn't he stop and pick him up? What's going on? Is it really cowardly, and if so

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<i>This week and last week their performances were like a soothing salve for the rough edges I've been growing recently. GOOD songs, nice singing, and some rather fine performances!</i>

Yes. I am very impressed by the way some of them have improved. Currently (and I guess it's been pretty much the same all along) my #1 pick for Joseph is Keith, but with Lee a close second. I found Lewis off-putting in the beginning, and have come to like him much more, but he still seems to lack the kind of strength of personality, charisma, whatever, that I'd want to see in a lead role. Ben has been fairly consistent; better all the time, but still not quite remarkable or memorable. Both Keith and Lee are remarkable.

The "Utopia" spoiler. Well. I can't hate the Doctor ever but I am totally perplexed. The Doctor saw Jack on his screen - why didn't he stop and pick him up? What's going on? Is it really cowardly, and if so <i.why</i>, or is there something going on we don't know about? What? Why? How can it be? Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh and two weeks to wait to find out anything.

Okay. Take a deep breath here. I love the Doctor. I love Jack. I know they really love each other and things will work out.

Meanwhile.... aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!

<i>I guess I really wanted the Doctor to have come to pick Jack up, actually.</i>

So did I. At last! And that was what appeared to have happened in <i>Torchwood</i>, and I was very, very happy about that, but that was... misdirection. (Woo. Cleverly done. No wonder we didn't actually see the TARDIS in <i>Torchwood</i>.) What I wanted was for the Doctor to have picked Jack up <i>on the Game Station</i> shortly after he left him there in the first place. Didn't happen. So now what I want is the explanation. Doctor? The floor is yours - why have you treated Jack so badly?

<i>Did you watch 42 too?</i>

Yes, after several technical problems that delayed me. My wonderful DVD player will only play half the episode and then it freezes. This hasn't happened before. So I've seen the first half of the episode five times now - and the second half only twice.

The second half is better than the first half but I loved it all. Makes me all sentimental. Yup. Will post comments.

[kikibug13.livejournal.com]

Totally agree that Keith and Lee are phenomenal. They just are. (I think my preference of Lee might be influenced also by his choice of songs - I know the coaches have something to do with the choices, but I'm certain the boys must have something to say too. And Lee's choices have been... not among the most popular songs, but each and every one chosen with sophistication and knowledge - and that also impresses me. And clicks true with Joseph, who was NOT stupid, after all.)

The Utopia spoiler. Ten PULLED THE BL**DY lever after he saw Jack! Not only didn't he stop, he moved away FASTER. GAH! (At least, as someone pointed out... the TARDIS loves her Jack too, so she didn't leave without him!)

And oh dear 42... I think I've mentioned that I have a problem with that 'trapped and something is picking them off one by one' setup - must have mentioned it when I was stuck on the Impossible Planet - but Chibnall managed to make me appreciate it! So many twists... I'd rate this my second-favourite episode of his, overall. Oh yes, I hated it when the Doctor gave up, but it so made sense! *did her share of crying at the end*

I'd say the most merciful episode, to the MAIN characters, of Chibnall's was Day One. Beyond that, he made each of the characters with enough screen time that I could associate with them hurt so bad...
But he also does it well, I must give him that. Topped with the wonderful performance by DT (wow can he ACT!), the last ten minutes wrenched my guts.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I agree that Lee has had better songs than Keith. He can certainly do the maturity/authority angle for Joseph better than Keith, who looks boyish despite being a good enough actor to *act* mature, but his looks are against him. Perversely, this makes me want to root for him all the more - to cast against type, to pick a Joseph who is not what you would expect to be picked - who would be quite different in the role.

But that's just because I think Keith is delightful. I will not be disappointed if Lee gets the part. I would have been disappointed if Daniel got it - and he's out now - and will still be somewhat disappointed with Lewis or Craig, though less so. Ben? He's sort of growing on me, as his talent seems to blossom more by the week. But he still doesn't have the same degree of oomph. He would be my third choice, though.

Ten PULLED THE BL**DY lever after he saw Jack! Not only didn't he stop, he moved away FASTER.

As if he was trying to avoid him or escape him. Why? I still have a theory that, due to Rose's messing with the timeline, a Reaper-like disaster will happen if Jack and the Doctor meet - that universes will collapse - but obviously they do meet again, so this disaster doesn't happen. And what disaster could it be that the Doctor couldn't even send him a message of explanation? A love letter would be just fine, if you please.

he TARDIS loves her Jack too, so she didn't leave without him!

My goodness yes. I would like to think that she hesitated for just that split second necessary for him to grab on.

So many twists... I'd rate this my second-favourite episode of his,
overall.

Which one do you think is his best?

the wonderful performance by DT (wow can he ACT!)

Isn't he wonderful? I was about to cite an example but - well - all his scenes in this are so good, and so very heart-wrenching and gut-wrenching too. What do you think he was thinking when he and Martha stepped back into the TARDIS, when he was silent and grim-looking for a moment?

[kikibug13.livejournal.com]

Keith is delightful
OMG yes!

And I agree with your choice of 'I'd be disappointed if'. Definitely.

Which one do you think is his best?

I really can't say, as I'm not sure we've seen his best. But - and I know you'll disagree a bit - but my favourite is End of Days. For the daring. And for the happy ending (YES! I think that's it! Cyberwoman I can appreciate, but not love... because it doesn't have that sort of relief in the end, it leaves the team feeling drained and guilty, and Ianto with rats in his stomach... and so forth; Countrycide I just... oh never mind; while End of Days, 42, and Day One just managed to build up the tension and then release it.)

What do you think he was thinking when he and Martha stepped back into the TARDIS, when he was silent and grim-looking for a moment?

My bet would be - all the companions he gave a key to and lost. In particular, Rose (though technically I think the last one he actually gave a key to must have been Jack).

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I never would have dreamed that I would be excited over a reality show. Though at the same time, I would have always expected to be excited over a show about musical theatre, and/or Andrew Lloyd Weber. I loved the segment with Leon Cooke doing the song from "Billy Elliot". I think my resistance to knowing what is going on in the theatre scene is London is mostly self-defensive: if I knew, it would break my heart that I wasn't able to see it.

Re Chris Chibnall: I tend to like his stories for their high levels of angst and suspense. I think "End of Days" had its problems, but that they probably weren't Chibnall's fault; and I certainly love "Cyberwoman" for a lot of reasons. I do think that "42" might be his best script, for internal reasons - plotting, pacing, and increasing emotional impact. I also love the 'sci-fi' aspect of it, the way the plot fit together, and nice thematic/structural touches, like the way Captain MacDonnell, who had created the problem, died helping to solve it.

My bet would be - all the companions he gave a key to and lost.

Yes. That sounds about right. And thinking perhaps of the endangerment level to Martha, trust issues, and consequences.

Yes, the last person he gave a TARDIS key to (as far as we know) much have been Jack. "Consequence" issues there, too. Hmm.

[acampbell.livejournal.com]

bittermint sent me the first six eps of "Any Dream Will Do." What a trip! I'm astounded at how invested in being Joseph all the contenders are! The angst!

To me, it was always just a fun little musical. Guess it's much, much more!

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

bittermint sent me the first six eps of "Any Dream Will Do." What a trip!

Isn't it, though! I'm having way more fun with it than I ever expected to.

I'm astounded at how invested in being Joseph all the contenders are!

Well, they're young, this is their (potential) career, and starring in an Andrew Lloyd Weber show will set them up nicely. Besides, they are actors and emote rather effectively.

I've never actually seen Joseph (though I know the music), and I'd like to see it. I believe the plot sort of follows the usual Biblical lines - ?

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was glad to see Daniel go as well. I'm backing Lee for Joseph, though Keith is a darling wee thing. My list goes Lee, Ben, Keith, Craig, Lewis. My trouble with Lewis is that when he's singing the last note with his mouth all round and very pink, and he looks kind of plastic anyway... I can't help thinking he's a sex doll. It's disturbing.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I'm backing Lee for Joseph, though Keith is a darling wee thing.

Lee seems to have all the qualities needed, doesn't he? Charm, charisma, presence and talent - and a great voice.

You had to say that about Lewis: I have having enough trouble taking him seriously already, now every time I see him I'll remember what you said, and laugh.

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

You had to say that about Lewis: I have having enough trouble taking him seriously already, now every time I see him I'll remember what you said, and laugh.

Sorry? Other people should feel my pain too :-)

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Hee - yes, spreading the agony. Chances are he'll be eliminated next week, though, don't you think?

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I think so. It's got to be either him or Craig, I reckon.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Seems likely! My guess is that next week Lewis will go and Craig will stay, but I'm just guessing. I've been wrong before. Often.

Love your icon... it makes me think of the line "and from the hornes of unicorns/Lord safely me deliver..."

[janne-d.livejournal.com]

Well, that would have been my guess too so we both had it backwards...

re the icon, it's from a medieval text called something like the Aberdeen Bestiary (as is this one). The talented buzzylittleb posted two sets here (http://buzzylittleb.livejournal.com/241173.html) and here (http://buzzylittleb.livejournal.com/241104.html) if you're interested in the rest. That's a cool quote to go with the antelope-thing anyway.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the citation and the link. I'll go and have a look.

[raissad.livejournal.com]

Then they showed the clip from the Doctor Who episode "Utopia", and... well. Quite something. As if I wasn't already counting the days to that episode.

I read in one interview that the Doctor will have issues with Rose bringing Jack back from the dead, because he feels she shouldn't have played god. Maybe that's why he's running away from Jack. It would also tie in with the Doctor's horror at the concept of ghosts in AoG/Doomsday. Imagine him surrounded by all the ghosts of the people and planets he's lost. Creepy. I'm sure that all plays into it.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

I read in one interview that the Doctor will have issues with Rose bringing Jack back from the dead, because he feels she shouldn't have played god.

I think that. He told Rose at the time that she couldn't do it - and she did it anyway. There have to be repercussions. And it's very like the Doctor to take the burden of those repercussions on himself, rather than having Rose take the brunt. I'm sure he's trying to protect Jack.

[raissad.livejournal.com]

I just realized that the Doctor's reaction to Jack could be based on something else, too. He might feel that Jack betrayed him by working for Torchwood -- the agency that set the Canary Wharf debacle in motion, killing God knows how many thousands worldwide and costing him Rose.

[fajrdrako.livejournal.com]

This is possible, though I would like to think the Doctor understands the situation better than that - and I've always believed that Jack was infiltrating Torchwood to make it work in the Doctor's interest. Mind you, the Doctor might not know that - but it's hard for me to imagine that he would think Jack a personal threat, or that he'd run away from him if he did.

I've seldom been so curious about an upcoming show!