Idols South Africa Season 11 Premiere Recap: It’s a Man’s World
I wish I could start my first weekly recap of the 11th season of Idols by saying that it was one of the best season premieres the show has ever had, but that would be a lie, and I can’t start my recap with a blatant lie.
The episode was marred by terrible auditions and clearly staged for television situations. In a word – disappointing. Two auditions, somewhat, saved the night, two clearly talented guys saved the premiere from being a complete failure, and just based on the first episode, we’re in for another male winner – the seventh consecutive.
The night opened with a big fuss being made about the addition of a fourth Idols judge. Considerable excitement was building up to the announcement of who the new Idols judge was back in February, and when it was announced to be Idols choreographer Somizi, it felt like a bit of a letdown. This was their chance to get another star to join the panel, someone who is a force in the music industry, someone who would add depth, but instead they got Somizi. That’s not to say he’s a bad judge, I’m just worried about the critique he would be able to give, especially in helping a contestant become a better singer, or the role he would play in developing a real artist. Sure, he was a lot of fun in this episode, he’s good for a few laughs, but time will tell whether he can hold up as a strong judge.
The first audition city is Pretoria, and a total number of 22 Golden Tickets were handed out. Let’s start with the standouts, shall we?
Thami Shobede, 27, was the first of two standouts of the premiere, auditioning with Elvis Blue’s famous audition song – ‘Make You Feel My Love’. His audition came with what now, unfortunately, is a very usual story on this show. Thami’s mother left him when he was eight years old, but he eventually ended up in military training. That said, he was really good, Much stronger than Orapeleng Kola, who received the first Golden Ticket of the night. He connected the song and has a beautiful tone. Thami has the story and the voice to possibly win the show if history has shown us anything.
The only other standout of the premiere episode, and by far my personal favourite of the night, was Rhema Varrie, a 20-year-old financial adviser who supports his whole family. Quick question: How does one become a financial adviser at 20? Is he just damn smart? Don’t know, but he can damn sing. His voice is soulful and raspy, my kinda male voice. Gareth wants to see more versatility going forward, and I hope he can deliver, because his voice is very good.
Amy Lombard, 29, from Cape Town also went through during a segment that featured dancers. Apparently she can sing, dance, and act, as well as do a cartwheel without spilling any champagne. I don’t know, all that proves is that she is an experienced drinker. She was forgettable. Randall said no, the others gave her another chance.
Nizreen, 28, Margaret, 19, Karabo, 24, Puseletso, 21 – all go through. Hmm. I didn’t think any of them stood out, but it’s hard to judge only a few seconds of singing. Four Golden Tickets in one package – Bye-bye to them soon?
Oh Lord, Caitlyn Jenner is here everybody! Transgender (sort of) is the new black. His actual name is Thiart, but he has an alter ego – a woman named Shenay O’Brien, seemingly a full time performer and show queen, she can sing. She’ll probably just be eliminated next round, though. Here for the story rather than the talent. Randall – no. The other three - yes. “Don’t change!” was Somizi’s proclamation, predictably a fan. Was Proverb just a tad scared to hug her, or was that just me?
Karabo, 23, Mmatema, 22, Mengezi, 24, Ron, 23, all went through one after the other.
The second last contestant to go through is popular musician and producer, Ringo’s, son Phila, 25. Ai. Ringo wants him to stand on his own feet. Right. His father’s popularity won’t help him at all in this competition. He sings ‘A Song For You’ by Donny Hathaway, an amazing classic, but is underwhelming. Decent singer, but based on his audition shouldn’t last very long. “It’s not about the singer, it’s about the listener” – Randall, in reference to Phila singing the song for her, and not to her. It was about him and not her - “You were all about you”. So it was clearly a no from Randall, but as usual, the others say yes. Phila kind of comes off as a rich kid who is trying to sing.
24-year-old busker, John-Neil is the last contestant of the night. He sings an original song, which is historically a very bad thing on this show. The song was sweet. It wasn’t great, but definitely worth another shot at least. Time will tell whether he’s more than just another guy with a guitar, and his story as a busker isn’t sad enough to carry him through. Gareth says he’s most jealous of composers like John-Neil, but Randall thinks he’s average but says yes. Four yes votes – he goes through.
Now for a few staged and largely unfunny auditions or, more accurately, complete trainwrecks.
Oooooh, there’s a terrible Afrikaans guy up next, always game to be the butt of the joke. Don’t you just love his wonderful accent? It really makes me extremely proud when Afrikaners speak like that – not. Charl sings ‘You Raised Me Up’ by Josh Groban. He almost literally put me in the ground. Randall says there is a deep honesty in his voice. Honesty of dumbness? Gareth says he honestly can’t believe how bad he is. The way he drinks water, he could almost be to blame for our looming water crisis. Oh great, he’s in Cape Town and Durban too.
Proverb has a stalker. Yes, you’re kinda creepy, Ruby. Gareth fetches Pro so she could sing ‘If I ain’t got you’ in front of him. Only Unathi jokingly says yes. Pro escorts her out, and gives her a hug, which, thanks to editing, goes on and on and on.
Then there’s Palesa, 16, who sings in a convent choir. Her mother doesn’t want her doing singing competitions. Her mother was right – her mother should have told her not to sing. At all. Gareth tells her “Your mother is your friend.” Yep. She has a pretty good mother.
This Sunday we go to Cape Town. Surely it can’t be worse than Pretoria. No pressure.
What did you think of the premiere? Who was your favourite? Did you like Somizi? Leave a comment and join the discussion. We can have fun together this season.
