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Hallo everyone |
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The Singapore Idol TV programme draws to a climax
this Wednesday. Just who will win - Taufik or Sylvester? |
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Just about everyone has done a take on this. In
this column, I am about to tell you my prediction for the finals. |
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But, first, let me make a few comments. I have not
been following the programme from the start, I must admit. So, I have a vague
idea of the talents of the contestants. From what I have read in the
newspapers and magazines here, I gather that the ideal Singapore Idol should
be voted in on the basis of talent and packaging. |
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I have heard Taufik and Sylvester singing. I must
say, Taufik does have much better vocals. But, I think that he suffers from an
image projection problem - he looks too much of a goody-two-shoes to me. On
the other hand, Sylvester fits into an anti-establishment model - something
that young people readily identify with. |
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So, if I were to put Taufik, Sylvester, and
popular boyband groups 5566, Energy, and Tension together in a line up, I
would say Taufik sticks out like a sore thumb. What attracts young people to
5566, Energy and Tension will pull these people towards Sylvester naturally. |
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I do not particularly like Sylvester, not least
because every now and then, while at my pc typing away my articles, I get to
hear Glen Ong on the Morning Express complaining about Sylvester - you see, I
habitually listen to the Morning Express every weekday morning so I can't help
listening to Glen's grouses. |
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I have heard Glen telling everyone over radio that
he heard it firsthand that Sylvester and another finalist were an item. I have
read Sylvester's remarks in the local newspaper denying they were an item.
Following this, I have heard Glen voicing his dissatisfaction over radio about
Sylvester - you see, Sylvester's remarks made Glen see red. |
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This episode has sort of affected my opinion of
Sylvester, though I have never met the chap myself. And reading local
newspapers' reports on Sylvester's family problems hardens my stand. |
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But, I am not young. I am also not voting in this
contest. I know thousands of young people will vote furiously in this contest
to select the Singapore Idol. And I think that controversy, which by right
should work against an individual, does not work against a rising star. This
invariably means the controversies looming over Sylvester, together with the
attendant publicity, will lend a helping hand to making him the first
Singapore Idol. |
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Yes, Sylvester will win, not only because of these
controversies, but also because of his expanding fan base. I have personally
seen a demonstration of his appeal. I was on the MRT two weeks ago, and
witnessed some secondary students ogling over some pictures of Sylvester which
one of them must have snapped while in the TV studio. I think there were six
girls altogether, taking turns to sketch Sylvester's name on some drawing
paper. |
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I have heard many times that Singapore artistes
must make it big overseas before they are accepted by Singaporeans. But, the
Singapore Idol programme is changing this perception already. This is good
news for us all. |
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With his appeal to students, as well as the Ah
Bengs and Ah Lians, there is no way for Sylvester not to win on
Wednesday, I daresay. |
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When the dust has settled on Wednesday night,
idol-crazy Singaporeans will have to wake up to a new problem - how to get an
international audience to appreciate their choice of Singapore Idol in the
World Idol contest. |
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But, what if there's a tie? It is possible, you
know. Glen Ong has an answer to this. Over radio this morning, I heard him
telling everyone that, if the programme's producers allow, the two finalists
should compete over who says "She sells seashells on the seashore" better. |
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Have a good week! |
Monday with the Editor: Singapore Idol - who will win?
