You will have to look at your calendar to see that, indeed, time has passed quickly and we are at the semi-finals stage of the hit show SA’s Got Talent. The Top 18 were announced last week and we could not have been happier with the variety of talent seen that episode.
Starting out in Cape Town, we got to meet the talented Adam Ferguson who, at just 12, knows a little more than grade school matters. His story of his sick mother touched many hearts, but it was his talent that had the judges in awe.
There were so many comedy acts that it made you think this show is from HBO instead of the Got Talent franchise. But there were talented people who reminded us what this show is about. Take Sammy M, for example, who had judge Ian von Memerty urge the Joyous Celebration top brass to induct him.
Still on singers, Celeste Schoeman was a pleasant surprise with her shy personality that morphed into a rare performance that had the judges eating out of the palm of her hand. The singing crew Happy Boys weren’t too bad either.
But the judges had the difficult task of trimming the 180 acts down to only 18. These 18 form part of the semi-final group and obviously we agree with some choices and strongly disagree with others.
Judge Kabelo Mabalane felt there was a need to differentiate between those contestants who merely entertained and those who were talented, while Von Memerty felt the entertainers stood a good chance at winning.
Poor Shado Twala had to play mother yet again to keep some sort of order. Insults as well as compliments were thrown around the room. It was a nice touch on the director’s part that the room the judges were in overlooked Joburg so you could tell what time it was.
They started deliberating at what seemed like midday. When the sun set the trio were still trying to agree on the final 18.
It was sad to hear the hopefuls say why they deserved to be in the semis. As with all these types of shows, the judges take their merry time to announce the finalists, letting the hordes of impatient contestants stew in the process.
While I agree with some of their decisions I feel they were a bit harsh on some of the acts they left out. There was, for instance, the dreadlocked magician from Joburg who did some impressive self-taught tricks that the judges liked.
Mabalane insisted the magician reveal his secrets to get a “Yes” from him, but he wouldn’t. That would be violating the magician’s code. Still, that can’t be the reason he didn’t make it.
Von Memerty had the job of breaking the news to the out-of-towners and anyone who knows him knows he loves elaborating his point with fancy words. It is all good and well if he is telling you good news, but if he isn’t, it feels like waiting an eternity for a merciless death.
Mabalane tried this route, too, but with much less stringing along. His expressions are slightly easier to read, but you don’t have to wait for ever to hear your fate. Twala, as mothers do, just dished it out as gently as possible. Sometimes perhaps a little too gently.
So the Top 18 were selected and tomorrow they get to bring it again in the live show were only six acts will make it to the finals.
• SA’s Got Talent’s semi-finals action tomorrow, 8.30pm, e.tv.