How do you solve a problem like Maria?

Seems an ok programme I guess but thank god for X Factor next week! The first two seem pretty nervous, well either that or they're rubbish.

Will shows please stop telling us how fantastic the red button "sing-a-long" option is. We've had the option for 20-odd years - it's called SUBTITLES!

Full credit, again, to NI continuity for the anno asking his other half to turn to the sing-a-long - "She's a great singer!"

Andrew, face it, ITV came much lower than most BBC ratings on Saturday. Stop defending them to the bloody hilt, just take defeat gracefully!

Did you really have to bring up a post made 2 weeks ago just to say that

If it might get you out of ITV's hole, yes.

I thought they were very bitchy about Emilie who did not want to take part in the rest of the show. Reading out her letter taking the mickey out of her - very uncalled for.

Also, showing the video of the Marias revealing who they thought were completely useless and should go on to next week - that was very harsh as well, considering most of them named that girl with the accent. She knows who her friends are now. Graham Norton said "The cows have spoken!"

And also, making the losing girl sing So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehehen at the end of the show after being told by Mr Webber that she was being axed - again, not a very nice thing to do once you've been voted off.

I thought this show was going to be a good natured singing contest with the usual phone in and vote them off scenario. But last night's program was very wicked and cruel in places and not something I was expecting.

Anyway, I'll record next weeks and watch TXF!

It's presented by a gay drama queen, what do you expect! Sorry if that sounds homophobic, I don't wish to cause offence, but he really is beyond the pale. His comments about Emily (Emillie?) were incredibly childish, and presumably this was all done with the producer's consent/encouragement.

This show had great potential. I love the Sound of Music, but I just can't watch this for long, it just doesn't seem to be as polished as the X factor in its overall production. Reminds me of Fame Academy.

I thought it was rather surprising that they announced which contestants got the highest and lowest votes last night, something they don't usually tell you on such shows.

I agree that the bitchy comments about Emilie were uncalled-for, and the "who do you want voted off" soundbites. Those who said that "what's-her-name-with-the-accent" wasn't Maria were quite possibly unaware that their opinion would be used like that.

It's an odd programme - some extremely talented contestants, actually, but a very tacky format. That "So long, farewell" finale made me cringe!

It may have been "cruel", but that girl deserved her rather snotty letter to be read out in that way.

She was nothing more than a timewaster. Any fool - especially one who has been trained, as she was - would know the nature of musical theatre, and that her voice would be put under considerable strain.

She was stroppy and unpleasant, and I think she didn't like the idea that she was going to be criticised for her attitude.

Sorry - but she deserved it.

I gave up on this show when I found Briony wasn't in the final ten. I noticed many others on the BBC Messageboards were also amazed at how they let her go.

I see the BBC have signed Graham Norton up for another 3 year exclusive contract - for even more money!

Considering the first one is probably one of the worst career moves in history, it's a shame Norton is sticking with the money rather than looking for a role which showcases his talents (though I doubt ITV would have been the right place), while the BBC surely must realise the first contract wasn't value for money!


It's a real shame that one of the most talented presenters on TV a couple of years ago has now been relegated to hosting pretty formulaic programmes even Dale Winton wouldn't touch!

Personally, I thought he was very good on Strictly Dance Fever and I've enjoyed him on Maria.

The easy option for the BBC would have been to give him his own chat show, but instead they took their time to look for other projects.