Susan Boyle off the boil?

I had the pleasure of watching the semi-final episode of "Britain's Got Talent", in which Susan Boyle appeared, on ITV Player. When she came on, the vision was mysteriously removed from the TV screen. However, this can't have happened on the actual night as Ant & Dec twittered on as if all was OK. So I "watched" Ms Boyle in sound only. And I have to say I didn't think it was as good as the first outing. My view, or hearing I should say, is that I feel she will probably go the whole way.

The British public has got a John Sargent moment again. Part of the reason for voting for Susan Boyle is that she represents the underdog. She can also sing at a level that entrances audiences. They will vote for her to spite Simon Cowell, to involve the nation in a bit of come-uppance, and to have fun. This show is weird in many respects. And the pressure is mounting on Boyle. Apparently she lost her temper in a north London hotel. Piers Morgan said Boyle has been in "floods of tears" this week and is suffering from "crippling" nerves. Something alien to him!

I get the feeling that the audiences want a mixture between a talent show and the Gong Show. Ant & Dec oblige them all the way. However, Simon Cowell is another matter. He basically devised this show so that he could get an annual income out of a collection of record making warblers. (I broke off here and happened to see a bit of tonight's show and heard Cowell say he wasn't in it for the money just there to "put something back" - Amanda Holden nearly had a fit). As he so delicately put it to the saxophone guy (without the saxophone!), "You can't make records out of that!". Cowell wants a talent show only. One wonders if he has given too much cart blanche to the people who select the entries in the first place.

He winced at the wheelbarrow tossing farmers, he derided the brother and sister dance act (making the girl cry) and is generally offish about non-singing acts. Either this show is for all kinds of acts or it is just a singing talent show. At the moment, if you don't have that record contract ability, you might as well not bother.

Susan Boyle could also cause Cowell a few problems. He has gone on record as saying that there are better singers than her in the contest. He was a bit taken aback by her global internet success but managed to compose himself enough to do the rounds such as the Oprah Show. But if Susan doesn't win the title she may be signed to some other management. Then we'd get the eventual winner competing for attention with Ms Boyle. Simon Cowell may want sign her anyway, just to keep her in check.

It's a good laugh and Britain certainly has got talent, but it is only a fun show and it's probably best left like that.