Tomorrow is the 23rd of May--and Britain's Got Talent's

[hyphenate]

Susan Boyle's return to the stage for the semi-finals. If everyone has been paying attention, it's likely that she has already nabbed a position in the final, and odds-takers have her down as the one to win the competition. Andrew Lloyd Webber has already been looking for a place for her in one of his musicals, Elaine Paige, her idol, and Paul Potts, the opera singer who won the BGT's maiden season, have both said they want to do a duet with her, and Patti Lupone, the Broadway singer, said she cried when she listened to the YouTube, and sent all good luck to her.

It's also a forgone conclusion (via Piers Morgan) that she will be scooped up by Simon Cowell and his label, do a world tour and have her first album all wrapped up, quite possibly by summer's end.

Many of us found inspiration in Susan's story, and there are people around the world with their fingers crossed when she appears tomorrow night. The most important factor will not be her singing voice, which is extraordinary, but how much the attention she's been given affects her style and poise.

I'll be reading the live blog for the show, and paying attention to YouTube to see what's going on. Will any of you be doing either?

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. I've never actually even listened to her. I hear she has a lovely voice, though.

[hyphenate]

4. Yes, she has

Her audition even had Simon Cowell breathing a deep sigh of contentment and grinning towards the end of the audition.

There are other acts that are also quite good, and Simon might have already been enthusiastic about a few of them, but under all the circumstances, Susan still stands out. If you want to check her out, you can always add one more viewing of the audition at YouTube--there are several vids there, combined, it's about 150,000,000 viewings.

Back in their first season, we (a nebulous "we") watched as Paul Potts auditioned and won the final. Since then, he has gone on to make that world tour, finished his second album, and has achieved world fame. I hope the audience and voters can do the same for Susan.

[Canuckistanian]

18. Ah, I've heard about you

I thought you were an urban myth!

:rofl:

[Captain Hilts]

2. Keep me advised!

[hyphenate]

10. Yeah, I'll try--it should be on relatively early here. eom

[Warpy]

3. I'll check You Tube on Monday

and it should be there. She's got a very rare talent and I'll check it out for the performance, not caring if she wins or loses.

Cowell would do best to limit her career to recordings and smaller venues. She doesn't seem to be up to a road tour that is hard enough on young people who aren't learning disabled.

[hyphenate]

7. I actually think she's got more savvy than people

think she has. In the original clip, with the two MCs backstage, she said she'd never performed for such a large audience, and her words were "I'm going to make the audience rock." She knew how she sounded, and she knew she would surprise everyone.

Most of the people in Blackburn, her hometown, know her quite well, and in interviews essentially said something to the effect of why did it take the recording industry so long to recognize her talent?

She has the heart of a lion, taking care of her mom for so long, and for her mom to reach 91! It has taken Susan two years to move on from her mother's death, and she needs to enjoy her own life now. Not that she won't miss her mom, but just sitting there doing nothing can be a lot worse. I've had to do it, and I've seen my sister do it now for almost three years with my mom and brother. The freedom can be quite wonderful, but it can also leave you without any idea to move on.

One thing I noticed with Susan and her family is that, even with 8 siblings, only two of them, John and Gerry, have come forward at all, so you have to wonder why they aren't all in the picture. I know that Susan's dad interfered with her dating when she was growing up--he sounds like a major tyrant from the little I've read about him. He died ten years ago. If he were still around, I doubt if Susan would have the ability to even get out of the house without him forbidding it.

I doubt if she will ever go on an actual "road trip" as most of us would imagine, but crossing the UK is not a huge, major trip, and in fact, Edinborough and Glasgow are only like 45 miles apart in Scotland. I understand she doesn't drive, but the trains are excellent and can bring you just about anywhere. I would also think that the show gave a publicist, so the publicist is more than likely her chauffeur as well.

When Paul Potts won, the word was nearly instantaneous on the results of his win. I would suppose it was going to be the same with Susan.

[TahitiNut]

5. Actually, tomorrow is the 23rd of May.

Even in Europe. :shrug:

[hyphenate]

8. Oh you are right.

I glanced at my systray clock, and didn't even pay as much attention to it as a thought I was. I will change that in the OP.

[conspirator]

6. I think there are more important things than watching corporate shows designed

to distract the masses from the fact that they are being fucked in the ass

[hyphenate]

9. Well, the show is in Britain and not the US

But it doesn't matter, regardless: being able to enjoy some things in life is just as important as singing dirges all the time. I'm well familiar with death as much as life, and I feel a little more hopeful when I see the good guys winning once in awhile.

If you prefer being depressed (which I am, medically proven to be now for five years already, this time), that is your decision, but I have the need and desire to see much goodness and happiness to illuminate my own soul. I have a lifetime of hurt to deal with already, and there is very little I haven't seen or done.

But since everyone is entitled to their opinion, I try to let everyone do their own thing. It keeps me out of trouble for the most part.

[Frustratedlady]

11. Thank you for posting this information. It has been a long month, waiting for Susan...

to appear again.

Shame on the poster above this message, as everyone has the right to enjoy the talents of others without criticism. What a sad life he/she must lead.

Susan's story is refreshing and she has earned the accolades she is receiving. Of course, there are those who try to be as nasty and irritating as possible with their comments, but they are certainly overridden with the excitement of the majority who fell in love with Susan.

I look forward to hearing her next song. I enjoyed the other recording, "Cry Me A River" and played it over and over.

May Susan find happiness and success...win or not.

[Mrs. Overall]

12. Isn't "Cry Me A River" absolutely incredible?

I think she has a voice that is a combination of Patsy Cline, Judy Garland, and Barbra Streisand--I hear bits of them all as she sings.

I adore her and her background story and that cute cat, Pebbles.

[Muttocracy]

15. Shes should sing that one in another round! nt

[Captain Hilts]

19. Have you seen what Pebbles looks like? nt

[Mrs. Overall]

20. Yes! Pebbles appears during Susan Boyle's interview on Oprah:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM3RawMaoMU

Pebbles appears at 6:28.

Cute kitty!

[Mrs. Overall]

13. Thanks for the heads up! I'll be checking YouTube to see her performance.

I totally adore her and wish her the best of luck.

If she ever tours the Pacific Northwest--I'll buy tickets.

[Muttocracy]

14. They've had some great ones this season - I loved this guy

because he broke expectations too, and was so polite and charming and a great smile

http://talent.itv.com/videos/video/item_200163.htm

[Captain Hilts]

16. The NYDaily News is a good, go-to source for Susan Boyle news:

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/05/22/2009-05-22_britains_got_talent_starts_semifinals_with_susan_boyle_leading_a_pack_of_contend.html

[nuxvomica]

17. I would definitely go to a musical with her in it

Webber's a smart guy if he pulls that off. I really think Susan has an exceptional voice. It's the combination of her remarkable range, control and feeling that made her last performance so memorable. That, and the fact that I replay it so often. :-)