Star Academy is coming back!

I've been thinking about Star Academy quite a lot recently.  Maybe it's because being in Nice in September 2003, 2005 and 2008 always meant switching on TF1 just after 6pm for the nightly update shows.  The format was done properly in France of course, and indeed in Spain (Operacion Triunfo) and translated very badly over here (Fame Academy) but for at least its first four years the French edition was the best reality-talent format ever, and even in subsequent years it gave us some excellent performers with genuine vocal talent. But all good things must come to an end, and by 2008, the show had finally reached its use-by date: they had moved from the chateau at Dammarie-les-Lys to a more modest hotel in Paris, ratings were plummeting and the winner Mickels Rea did not go on to achieve any commercial success, far less replicate the success of series 1 and 2 winners Jenifer and Nolwenn Leroy.

The world of the TV talent show has moved on of course. We are bombarded from all sides by Idol and X Factor and The Voice and ...Got Talent, with all the sob stories and overacting by judges and contestants alike. TF1 cancelled Star Academy and like many other countries it had moved on to The Voice, having already broadcast one series with Jenifer, Garou, Louis Bertignac and Florent Pagny as coaches. So it appeared that Star Academy would be consigned to reality-TV-talent history.

But hold that thought.....

...because Star Academy is on the way back to France's TV screens. Only this time it won't be broadcast by TF1, but rather a more minor channel, NRJ12. There will be daily update shows and a weekly 'Prime' as before, but I'd guess it's most unlikely that any of the old 'profs' will be there nor will Nikos Aliagas - he may have had his critics back in the day but you really couldn't imagine anyone else presenting the show. You'll have guessed that I have mixed feelings about it all.  Being broadcast by a digital/cable channel with a very small audience share and a lower budget is not the way for such an iconic show to make a comeback.  Nevertheless I'm looking forward to see how it will go.  There is no scheduled broadcast date as yet, but contestants are currently being sought: http://www.nrj12.fr/votre-chaine-4209/actu-4187/article/287009-star-academy-la-nouvelle-histoire-commence-maintenant-.html

If like me you were a massive fan of the original Star Academy, 2001-2008, I'd like to hear your views about the show coming back.  Is the time right for a comeback?  Or is it doomed to failure? Your comments are welcome!

Fête de la Musique 2011

It will soon be time for France's (inter)national day of music. Fête de la Musique is celebrated on 21st June every year with a number of concerts/musical activities inside and outside l'hexagone.

Check out the official site at http://www.fetedelamusique.culture.fr/ for more info.

If you have access to the TV5 channel, don't forget to tune in on Tuesday night at 21:00 French time (20:00 UK time) for a Taratata special - a big outdoor concert from Brussels, featuring the following artists: Asa, Ayo, Louis Bertignac, Aloe Blacc, Brigitte, Chico and the Gypsies, Colonel Reyel, Julien Doré , Jessie J, Claire Keim, La Fouine, Nolwenn Leroy, Christophe Maé, Ziggy Marley, Yael Naim, Yannick Noah, Julian Perretta, Sexion d'Assaut, Martin Solveig, Stromaë, Selah Sue, Elisa Tovati & Tom Dice and many more. (info courtesy of http://www.tv5.org/)

If you live in the UK, you can find TV5 on channel 799 on Sky Digital.

Star Academy 8: it's all over

With, thankfully, a satisfactory result.

It was Mickels versus Alice in the final - and thankfully we got the right result, although it was very close. Mickels won by 52.2% of the vote (I wish British TV talent shows would be so forthcoming with voting stats).

I haven't had time to watch the videos of the show so will catch up in the next couple of days.

Will there be a season 9? Rumours were rife since the beginning of this edition that it would be the last, mainly due to poor ratings and a lack of exciting contestants, but more rumours suggest that a 9th, and heavily revamped, season could be on the way.

What we do know is that another two familiar faces will be missing from the line-up. Choreographer Kamel Ouali will be working on a new dance movie, whilst fitness guru Christophe Pinna would appear to have had enough, if French press reports are anything to go by.

If you want to see just how good Star Ac was in its heyday, head over to http://staracademy.tf1.fr and follow the link to '8 ans de Star Ac' where you can find lots of videos and info on all the past 8 seasons. I don't know how long this site will be around as TF1 has a habit of removing its Star Ac stuff once the season is over.

(Belated) Reality Roundup

Strictly: what a farce that semi-final results show turned out to be, hasn't the BBC had enough voting scandals to last a lifetime?

This show is so over-manipulating now that it has ceased to become entertainment. Yes, Tom did have an "off" week but he's been given another chance in the final: fingers crossed that we get the old Tom back.

X Factor: I haven't watched any of it but I wanted JLS to win as it's about time a group won. What's the point in having groups in it if they're never going to win? I don't particularly have any love for "Hallelujah" but I have even less love for it when it's bawled out Whitney-style by 2008 winner Alexandra Burke.

Swedish Idol: I said "Beware of the Borg" and I was right. Oh well done anyway to Kevin Borg, the young lad who moved from Malta to Sweden one year ago - he's Sweden's new Idol, but I still can't see him having a long career. At least runner-up Alice Svensson had a nice understated singing style and in good old Idol tradition she might get a nice career out of not winning.

Dansbandskampen: Scotts and Larz-Kristerz to the final, along with some other wild cards who shouldn't even bother turning up as they won't win it anyway.

Star Academy: An Alice vs Gautier semi-final was always going to be the musical equivalent of the devil and the deep blue sea. Couldn't work out who was which, but I'm just glad we don't have to look at Gautier's scowling face any more. It's Mickels (who can sing) versus Alice (who....can't) in this week's final. Go Mickels!!! - but don't be surprised if the viewing public get it wrong again.

The reality round-up

OK here goes with this weekend's reality TV roundup.

Strictly Come Dancing - I can't really talk about this at the moment as I'm pretty disgusted. Pathetic result BTW. There are three people left in this competition, and two of them do not deserve to be there. I hope the other one wins, or the 1% credibility this show has left will have just gone out the window.

EDIT: So Austin is gone, and I'm not happy. The manipulation of this show by the judging panel has got to stop or the viewers will stop watching. I can't understand the blatant favouritism shown towards Rachel Stevens and Lisa Snowdon, as IMHO their dancing just doesn't merit this. Tom Chambers to win - he's the best dancer, however none of the remaining contestants have the sparkle, charisma and star quality which you'd expect from this show.

Dansbandskampen: Aftonbladet reports.....oh it's Groundhog Day. Guess the result!!!!

Star Academy: well, well, well! Mickels is in the final!!! I'm very happy about this although quite sad that it wasn't actually a Mickels-Joanna final as both of them deserved to be finalists :(

Stjärnor på Is: I haven't been following this, but tonight's final was won by Markus Fagervall, ex-Idol winner so congratulations to him.

I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here: cheeky Cockney chappie, ex-Eastenders Joe Swash won this on Friday night, beating tennis legend Martina Navratilova to the title. Ex-Star Trek and Heroes actor George Takei was third, with camp-nemesis David Van Day (ex of Dollar!!) in fourth place. This was always one of my favourite celebrity-reality shows but like the rest of them, it's all gone pretty stale :(

Star Academy: what kind of semi-final draw is that???

Semi-final 1: Joanna vs Mickels.


Semi-final 2: Alice vs Gautier.

Now I didn't watch last week's prime to find out how we got to this, but I can't help thinking that there's something not quite right about this draw :(

What happened to the old days of the boys' semi-final and girls' semi-final? Oh well, maybe not, as we'd probably end up with a Alice vs Gautier final.

If Star Academy was to go out on a high (for despite the denials, I can't see it coming back for another series) it should have been a Joanna vs Mickels final, but it's reality TV, and we know all too well that it's not about the 'best' anymore.

Another weekend at reality central

Idol: Gospel week on Idol, oh well any excuse for an appearance by Carola and a gospel choir backing the contestants. Teens' favourite Johan (who looks about 12 years old) was voted off this week, leaving Robin, Alice and Kevin as the final three.

I said it before and I'll say it again - beware of the Borg. For he is going to win it. Even though my view has not changed that he is a boy-in-search-of-a-boyband and there is nothing really special about him. He is very confident though.

Anyone else think that Robin bears a spooky visual resemblance to Markus Fagervall? Robin does have a good voice though, but again he lacks star quality.

And what's with the restyling of Alice into some kind of Beyonce clone? It just doesn't suit her at all - she is far too 'nice' for that style.

To be honest I don't really care who wins this year, but will continue to watch it anyway.

Strictly Come Dancing: this programme is being spoiled now by the crawling favouritism shown by the judges towards Rachel Stevens and ultra-desperate Lisa Snowdon, whilst Tom Chambers and Austin Healey don't seem to be their flavour of the month any more. Do not underestimate the Great British Public - for they do not love Rachel the way you do, dear judges, and she found herself in the bottom two. Poor Christine Bleakley didn't have a chance however as the judges took the opportunity to save their fave.

Worst moment of the week: when Arlene Phillips dared to compare Ms Stevens to Alesha Dixon. Umm....no, I don't think so. Alesha had it all and she could dance, but as for Rachel - well, she does nothing, the girl does nothing. Except pose.

I want a Tom vs Austin final, not just because they're the best dancers but also because their partners Camilla and Erin seem to be getting genuine enjoyment out of it, whilst the professional males Brendan and Vincent are just too tense now.

I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here: Celebrities? Sorry but who are Brian Paddick and Nicola McLean? (A dour personality-free ex top cop, and a pneumatic Jordan wannabe-WAG). Only David Van Day is keeping the carcrash quota up this year, and for that reason he must be kept in, especially now that his partner in crime Timmy Mallett is gone. Joe Swash, ex of Eastenders, has the sufficient cheeky-chappie quality to win, but who knows?

Star Academy: the semi-final line-up is now known. It's the talented singers (Joanna and my favourite Mickels) versus the Chosen One (perma-scowling Gautier) versus the People's Favourite (Alice, aka Elodie Frege Mk II). There was no room for Solene, who looked the part but her inconsistent performances let her down.

Dansbandskampen: Scotts and Larz-Kristerz....oh wait, it wasn't on this week, replaced by some Nordic junior Eurovision nonsense. Normal service is resumed next week!

Reality TV update

Idol - well what a shocker, the pre-contest favourite Anna Bergendahl was voted out last Friday. Maybe the public just got sick of her quivery voice which was even more quivery on "Over The Rainbow". I'm definitely predicting a Kevin Borg-Johan Palm final now. ( reckon Robin will go next week, then Alice). I'm not really into Idol this year and I don't think there are any great talents - like all other reality talent shows, it's all just a popularity contest now.


Star Academy - first week of all contestants being up for the public vote, and the two out this week were Edouard and Anissa. How these two can be evicted yet Alice and Gautier remain in the contest...it's all down to popularity again folks!

Dansbandskampen - oh, just give the title to Scotts and be done with it! As Poster Girl reported, Scotts have been given a song to sing at next year's Melodifestivalen and I reckon they should do quite well. They would appear to be the natural successors to Barbados, appealing to both the older dansband fans as well as a younger market. Yet another foregone conclusion this week as Larz-Kristerz also went through along with Scotts to meet (and presumably beat off) next week's batch of contenders.

Star Academy: This week's nominees

All seven of them! Yes, the evaluations are gone and now everyone is up for the public vote, possibly in yet another effort to make the final year of Star Ac a bit more interesting.

From left to right, the nominees are:

1. Joanna

2. Edouard

3. Alice

4. Mickels

5. Solene

6. Gautier

7. Anissa

I think Anissa and Edouard could be in some danger this week: it will also be interesting to see just how popular (the profs' favourite) Joanna is with the public. Gautier and Alice would appear safe and I hope that Mickels is too. Don't know about Solene - my opinion of her varies from week to week.

This weekend's talent shows - a very quick roundup

Idol - "Soul Week" which was OK but the show is definitely missing Lars. I think it'll be an Anna vs Kevin final now. Beware of the Borg!

Star Academy - Gautier, Anissa and Quentin nominated. Yes you read it right, Alice escaped nomination for once! Gautier saved by the viewers, Anissa saved by the students and out goes Quentin. Patricia Kaas was guest of honour this week, other guests included Etienne Daho and Natasha St-Pier. Same old, same old as Joanna stays top although I still can't see her winning. I would like Mickels to win, but I can't see him winning either. Beware of the Gautier!

Strictly Come Dancing - tough one to call this week. Jodie back on form, Rachel overrated, Austin and Tom both being wonderful as usual and John being praised. Yes you read it right. He's not supposed to be praised, he's not supposed to improve. We want a bad, bad, bad John, to give us a performance to equal his paso doble!! Spoiler fans will know the result, all I'll say is yet again the bottom two are a bit surprising. And of course Heather Small's not there anymore for her predictable place in the bottom two :)

Edit 17.11.08: Cherie and Lisa in the bottom two, Cherie voted off in the dance-off. Ironically this was the first week I enjoyed her performance, maybe it was a bit too "different" for her usual voters.

This show needs to decide if it's a dancing competition or "Vote For The Worst" !!

Dansbandskampen - haven't seen it yet but uproar in the Swedish press at yet another predictable outcome for Larz-Kristerz and Scotts - and lots of demand to change the rules. Looks like they might need to, if this goes on!

Star Academy: this week's nominees, and the end is nigh.

Alice
Edouard
Maryline

...au revoir Maryline. The viewers (if there are any left, if the French media is to be believed), in Groundhog Day-style will save Alice and the students will save Edouard.

Guests on this week's prime:

Andrea Bocelli
Patrick Bruel
Chimene Badi
Christophe Mae

Last week it was announced on a top French radio show that this would be the final series of Star Ac. TF1 and Endemol moved quickly to deny this, but the French rumour machine then went into overdrive.

Even the show's biggest fan (and I am one of them) would have to admit that the show has run its course. After 8 years it is now stale and has nothing new to offer. Every year I get excited at the beginning of the series, but it turns to inevitable diappointment as my favourites go too early/walk out/wrong candidates are saved/editing is used to manipulate voting. Same guests, same songs, same casting methods and becoming more reality-tv-manipulative with each year.

It was a great idea - still the best reality-talent idea ever, in my opinion - but I think its time is up. Inevitably I'll miss it when it finally goes, but it'll be interesting to see what TF1 replaces it with. I just hope it's something with a musical theme, rather than yet another "Secret Story"-type show.

Star Academy: that don't impress me much

I didn't see last week's prime - none of the guests particularly impressed me and I was too busy doing other things this weekend.

What else didn't impress me much: the eviction of Harold, one of the best singers in the competition. Whilst I've enjoyed Yvane's rebellious moments, he should have gone as his time is up. I'm no fan of Gautier either, but he appears to be one of the "chosen ones" this year.

Star Academy: this week's nominees

Quentin was saved in the rattrapage therefore Gautier, Yvane and Harold will face the public vote this week. Is this another attempt to put some fizz into the competition/to get Yvane out/to go for a shock early eviction?

As I said the other day, I fear for Harold but I would like him to stay. Purely because I'm tired of looking at Gautier's permanent scowl, and I thought he was atrocious in that duet with Edouard on Friday's show.

Star Academy: I can predict this week's evictee will be male!

OK, OK, I've checked over at the official site which revealed that this week's pre-nominees are Quentin, Gautier, Yvane and Harold. Don't know who'll be saved out of this four - possibly Gautier or Quentin, can't decide. I reckon (correct me if I'm wrong) that the producers might use this week to finally dump Yvane by putting him in with a couple of potential big hitters, only for the whole thing to backfire, say, by Harold going out instead.

Nominees revealed tomorrow.

Star Academy: Prime 5, 17.10.08.

Prime 5 kicked off with a Johnny Hallyday medley, before the grand introduction of the man himself.

Quentin, Mickels & Johnny Hallyday: "Gabrielle": Good, as neither tried to out-Johnny Johnny, but he completely overshadowed them. Mickels got 13.5, Quentin 14.

Anissa & Lorie: "Medley". Lorie’s all grown up now and looks very ‘rock chick’. Although Anissa may lack the heavyweight soul diva characteristics of Joanna, I think she’s got more ‘modern-appeal’ and I could see her do quite well as a pop star. 14.2.

Joanna & Sofia Essaidi: "Femme D’Aujourd’hui" - exquisitely staged, with Sofia in full Cleo-dress.

Harold & Chris Stills: "L’Accord" - I think musical theatre may be his strength, rather than pop or rock.

Edouard & Gautier: "Ma Gueule": last week a fight broke out between these two: this week, music makes the people come together. But what’s with the freaky hairdos? A bit of an unsatisfactory bawl-fest. 13.5 for Gautier.

Anissa & Kat DeLuna - "Medley": Could she be a possible contender. Maybe...

Maryline - "Je Suis Un Homme". I don’t know why, but she still leaves me cold, and Zazie she certainly isn’t. 14.

Then comes rather stomach-churning marriage proposal from Maryline’s fiancé.

Joanna & Johnny Hallyday - "Unchained Melody". A bawl-fest, in two languages. 15.2 for Joanna.

Solene & Julien Dore - "Les Limites". I think she turned a corner this week with this dazzling and confident duet with the Nouvelle Star 2007 winner. This may be her turning point. 15.2.

Edouard - "Medley (Fever/Hit The Road Jack)". I think he’s ok, but still in places a poor man’s Quentin Mosimann. 15.2.

Alice - "Harley Davidson". A mixture of Vanessa Paradis and Elodie Frege, and obviously still has some purpose. She looks better than she sounds. 13.3.

Anissa & Sofia Essaidi - "Tu Es Mon Autre". I’ve never really been a fan of this song and I don't think it did any of them any favours. Sofia is fab though.

Yvane - "Et Si Tu N’existais Pas". A Bollywood-style tableau, and he looked every inch the Bollywood idol. Is a reinvention on the cards? 13.8.

Harold & Chris Brown - "Kiss Kiss". This was all Chris Brown here, and I didn’t think this really suited Harold who was a bit sidelined here. Good though. 14.3.

Joanna, Solene & Harold & Laurent Wolf - "Medley". Are Joanna and Solene the Hoda and Lucie of 2008? Embarrassment time.....Nikos dad-dancing again.

Julia - "Message Personnel". This wasn’t right for her and she appeared to be a bit of a square peg from day 1. No surprise that she went, but she never turned her potential into progress.

Julia, Maryline & Alice & Julien Dore: "L.O.V.E.". Quite a hilarious little number, from the most bonkers talent show winner ever. I always thought he was rubbish, but now I realise he’s rubbish in a good way.

Classement:
1. Edouard, Solene & Joanna
4. Harold
5. Anissa
6. Quentin
7. Maryline
8. Yvane
Bottom 4:
Mickels, Gautier, Alice & Julia.

Result:
Alice saved by the viewers, and Maryline by the students, sending Julia home.

Next week: I fear for Mickels, who will probably be a nominee along with Yvane and the ubiquitously nominated Alice.

Star Academy: this week's nominees

Another girl to go this week then. This is a tough one, I don't know who'll save who, but I think Julia might just be toast on Friday, that's if the producers haven't decided that Alice has outlived her usefulness. I still don't 'get' Maryline, but she'll be saved one way or another.

Star Academy: Prime 4, 10.10.08

Not a full review, as I missed some of it.

Prime 4 kicked off with a Jenifer medley, with the guest of honour herself arriving in grand style.
Quentin & Roch Voisine & Garou: "La Dame de Haute-Savoie": this young man shines week after week on the prime, vocally he still reminds me of a young Florent Pagny. And Garou, well he’s still ol’ razorblade-tonsils. 15.

Top 10:

10- Julia
9 - Alice
8 - Maryline
7 - Edouard
6 - Anissa
5 - Quentin
4 - Mickels
3 - Solene
2 - Gautier
1 - Joanna

Anissa & Jenifer: "Comme Un Hic": I’ve made no secret of the fact I hate this song, but I can’t deny that Anissa did very well here and she is growing in confidence by the week. 15.3.

Quentin & Gautier: "Oh Les Filles": This was a fun number, the kind of thing which Star Ac always did quite well. 15.2 for Gautier here.

Then a bluesy number with Garou and one of those cringeworthy moments you get every series when Nikos sings.

Ana: "La Femme Chocolat" was ok but her days were numbered. 14.5.

Maryline & Jenifer: A rocked-up "J’Attends L’Amour" which, IMHO, didn’t work at all - from either of them.

Solene: "I’m So Excited": she’s got potential, but week after week her nerves let her down and she was off-key for half of this. 15.7 nevertheless!

Harold: "Lettre a France": it’s not up there with Nolwenn and Houcine’s version, but it erupted into a rather rocky, dramatic version, spoiled only by the major whiff of cheese when Mrs Harold arrived at the end to sing with him. 16.7.

Gautier & The Jonas Brothers: "SOS": Mass hysteria on a scale never seen before at Star Ac as "Les Jonas Brezzers" (thanks Nikos) took to the stage. It’s a bit of a family night as Gautier is joined by his sister.

Julia & Yael Naim: "New Soul": this was a very big hit in France last year. I still think Julia has nice stage presence and seemed quite at home on this, however those profs are doing their best to get her out. 13.3.

Alice & Edouard: "Parle A Ma Main": another lightweight throwaway number - it looks as if these two are being sidelined again. 13.7 for Alice.

Edouard & Roch Voisine: "City of New Orleans": Roch’s gone all ‘Americana’ on his new album. I thought Edouard sang rather nicely here: 15 for him.

Joanna & Jenifer: "Si C'est Une Ile": I like this song but I didn't think it worked here and don't really like the musical direction she's going in. Joanna of course is so far out in front she is lapping some of the other contestants, yet there is a voice inside my head telling me that she's not going to win this...

Yvane: the rebel was transformed into respectable balladeer for his nominees' song "J'te le dis quand même" and showed off a different side. 15.3.

Mickels & Garou: Didn't know the song, but it was a good enough duet as long as Garou kept his sandpapery vocals in check. Mickels is growing on me week by week, I'd say he is my favourite but I don't think he'll win. 15.2.

As I had previously predicted, Yvane "le terrible" (merci Nikos) was saved by the viewers, and following a very close, teary eviction vote which tied Ana and Harold, Yvane's powers of rebellion deserted him and he actually used his casting vote this time: when he saved Harold.

I feel quite sorry for Ana, as she was one of those contestants who was kept in the background and never really given a chance. But we know how these type of shows work by now, don't we?

Star Academy: this week's nominees

Yvane, Harold and Ana.

What the ....

Why Harold? He's one of the best singers in the competition! OK so I haven't really been up to date with the daily updates this week, but ....why?

Yvane's nomination was inevitable this week, but this is like Star Academy 3 all over again, when weekly nominations were the norm for Lukas, and every week he was saved. I can see this happening with Yvane.

So my foolish prediction:
Yvane saved by the viewers
Harold saved by the students
Ana goes home.

We'll see what happens on Friday.

Star Academy: Prime 3, 03.10.08

Didn't have time this week to watch the full prime - would need about three days to do that ha ha, it's getting more of a marathon by the week.

Anyway I really enjoyed this week's show and thought that most of the eleves raised their game this week. So here is my review, not in any particular order:

"Ma Liberte de Penser" - all the students sang this in tribute to this week's special guest Florent Pagny and this was, I thought, rather good.

Quentin and Florent Pagny - "Amsterdam". Pagny, like Johnny Hallyday, can be a tough act to sing with but I thought Quentin did well, and for one so young he has such control and vocal maturity. 14.8.

Solene and Sheryfa Luna - "Il Avait Les Mots". Sheryfa is such a star - but Solene still has that rabbit-in-headlights quality and needs to overcome her nerves to progress in this contest. 13.7.

Mickels and Lenny Kravitz - "Are You Gonna Go My Way". I really enjoyed this too: Mickels is one of my favourites in the contest and I hope he goes far although I don't think he'll win.

Anissa and Mathieu Edward - "Comme Avant". Oh I love this song so much! Mathieu really has grown into an absolutely convincing r'n'b star, and Anissa did quite well here too. Sheryfa Luna also made an appearance halfway through this song. 15.2.

Harold and Daniel Powter - "Bad Day" and "Next Plane Home". There is something quite appealing about Harold, even if his name still makes me think of Steptoe and Son (!) and I thought he was the vocal equal of Mr Powter here and certainly deserving of more than 15!

Joanna - "I Will Always Love You". It was her turn for the tableau this week, all white swans and extravagance. She was very good but her vocals wobbled in places. 17.5.

Maryline and Pauline: "Allo Le Monde". Hard to tell who was the professional here - Pauline was awful and was out-sung, but I'm still not sure if I like Maryline or not. 14.7.

Julia and Solene: "Les Brunes Ne Comptent Pas...." a fun and lively number, but still couldn't cover up for the fact that Julia's days are numbered in this contest and it's only a matter of time till she's out. 13.2.

Joanna and the Pussycat Dolls - "When I Grow Up". Showing a very different side of her personality and this absolutely worked.

Yvane - "Bouge De La". Seemingly changed the words of the MC Solaar classic. I'm still not sure of his 'talent' but his 'rebellion' - even if it's becoming tiresome - is needed this year, and he needs to stay for a while!

Ana and Madcon - "Beggin'". I guess the reason I liked this week's prime so much was because a lot of my current/recent favourites were on. Sadly Ana is being given the wrong song choices and set up for an early eviction. 13.2.


Nominees:


Gaetan - "La Boulette". Enlisting the help of resident-rebel Yvane on co-rapping duties wasn't enough to keep him in. He may be quite a decent rapper but wasn't a good enough singer to remain in the academy.

Alice - "Ce Matin". An improvement on some of her previous performances but she is still falling short of what's required.

Edouard - "Ensemble". He's not Sinclair (who is?) but he made a decent job of this and was helped by his fellow students on a well-staged number.

Result:
Alice saved by the public, Edouard saved by his fellow students and bye bye Gaetan.

Star Academy: this week's nominees and guests

Alice, Edouard and Gaetan.

I fear that Edouard may be gone this week, even though he was growing on me. Gaetan's fanbase may be growing due to his crowd-pleasing showmanship, even if he can't sing for toffee, whilst Alice is smart enough to know the value of a fake romance...

Dare I say the profs (and Endemol) have also realised the value of keeping Yvane in to push up the viewing figures? Despite his non-voting rebellion, he managed to escape a final nomination this week. Also surviving the rattrapage this week: Julia and Harold.

After criticism of a less than inspiring line up of guests on the first two primes, TF1 is pushing the boat out on prime 3:

Florent Pagny
Lenny Kravitz
The Pussycat Dolls
Sheryfa Luna
Mathieu Edward
Madcon
Pauline
Daniel Powter

Let's hope it's a good one - particularly looking forward to Madcon, Sheryfa and Mathieu.