Czech Rep catches superstar fever
Since it was launched on British TV in 2001 the reality show Pop Idol has spread successfully under various names throughout Europe, North America and even South Africa. In the Czech Republic the show goes under the name of Cesko hleda superstar - Czechs seek a superstar on the commercial TV station TV NOVA. After several months on the air countless contestants have fallen on the wayside - including some truly horrible acts, like the unforgettable "Czech Dido" (spelt Dajdou in Czech!).
But, as Jan Velinger now reports, the best and most exciting have gone to the front of the class.
A record 3 million viewers now sit down every Sunday to watch Cesko hleda superstar - the hugely popular show aimed at finding the next best singer since Karel Gott. With only six contestants left, fans of the show are now wildly anticipating which of their favourites will go through. We got a sense of the mood in the Czech capital where contestants like Aneta Langerova, Martina Balogova, or Samer Issa have now become household names:
"One champion: Aneta Langerova. She's a very typical singer - she's the same as Alanis Morissette, the same style."
"All those who made it into the final ten definitely have a chance to make it in the music business. Samer prefers R & B, though I don't really think that's really strong on the Czech music scene."
"The show got me because one of the contestants, Aneta Langerova, is actually a family friend! So we're keeping our fingers crossed."
"Um, no, it's nothing for me."
"Definitely Aneta!"
Well, though by coincidence support for Aneta Langerova in our unscientific poll on Prague streets was very high, others think her competitor Martina Balogova will be tough to beat. Balogova achieved success with hits so far like "Cabaret" and "Those were the Days", which she sang last Sunday:
"Those were the days, my friend,
We thought they'd never end,
We'd sing and dance forever and a day..."
Of course there are six left and at this stage of the game it will be very hard to choose who remains in the running: each week it is up to the viewers alone - not the panel of judges - to decide who will remain and who will drop out, by sending mobile phone text messages for the singer they support the most. It is this aspect of participation that has helped make Cesko hleda superstar such a fascinating hit, and the Czech Republic will hold its breath now to see who comes out on top.
Thanks Jan for that - any personal tips by the way on who you think might win?
It is so difficult at this point since most of those left probably deserve to win. We might even be surprised by Julian Zahrovsky who many felt would already be out but has stayed in, He sang "La Bamba" on Sunday - our friends in the Spanish section told me though his Spanish was a curious invention - apparently not really Spanish at all, at least not that they recognised. But there you go!
Interested in learning more about Cesko hleda superstar? Visit www.nova.cz where you can find out about the Top Ten and the "Hvezdna Pechota" brigade (the best of the worst).
