Quite a bummer when I found that Mediacorp 5 was showing America's Got Talent, favouring the American version over the British version. Obviously I didn't get the chance to watch the British version in its entirety but watching clips of Britain's Got Talent on Youtube I was really hoping to watch it on the local googlebox soon. Memorable ones from the British competion were below:

The talented and endearing little Connie...Oooo... that voice!!!


The awesome and also very endearing George. Love his eyes...


The Pussycat Dolls... I mean... The Kit-Kat Dolls... Uh... Well... They can sing!


And finally, the winner of the competition, Paul, who got to perform in front of the Queen... Definitely a deserving winner.


Ok, granted. America's Got Talent is actually the original of the franchise, created by Simon Cowell himself. In fact, I watched one episode today and I was impressed by... actually just a few contestents. Ok, I admit, I only watched the 2nd half of the show, and it remains to be seen what other gems may be unearthed from this how. But really, this one below definitely blew me away...



Don't doubt the video quality. Ventriloquist Kevin actually made his voice... like... don't synchronize... with his mouth movement!! (Excuse the horrible grammer! I didn't know how else to express myself!!) I was simply in awe!!! I couldn't keep my mouth closed!!! Talented!! Awesome!!!!

Actually, his face kept reminding me of Edward Norton... Don't ask me why... Maybe Edward Norton will look like that if he puts on weight...

But if there's one thing I'm sure will be different from Britain's version is the fact that the British tend to be more humble than their American counterparts. They are better sports, sans the sore losers and big egos. And one thing I felt really uncomfortable was that the Americans are really not shy in BOOING people off stage!!!! I saw some really bad performances at the British version and I didn't hear any boos... I mean, that really isn't too good now isn't it?

Judges-wise, I actually prefer the British one also. Simon Cowell keeps his usual blunt but very accurate appraisals, and Amanda Holden provides the soft touch quite unlike Paula Abdul from the Idol franchise in which Amanda has an added class and to her with very constructive criticisms and suggestions. Piers Morgan is the judge both on the American and the British version. Funny thing is, Piers came to me as being the nice and objective guy on the British version, but turned into a Simon-persona on the American one.

But the American judges, which in addition to Piers also included singer Brandy and David Hasselhoff (what????), really looked like they didn't know why they were there for. I mean, they looked and acted like they were there to have fun rather than do any serious judging. Not very credible as judges, really. I didn't like that combiation at all.

But of course, I must introduce the eventual winner in Season 1 - Bianca Ryan with the incredible vocals... She's only 11!!!!!!



Really, how can an 11-year old sing like that??? But I do think that if Simon was judging, he might have this advice for her along the way - "You have a great voice, but I think you should be doing something more of your age! " It was quite shocking to hear an 11-year old sing like she's an adult, but because of that it seemed a little freaky also. Then again, she is talented. A deserving winner.