In this week’s elimination, Aliff Aziz who is currently serving his National Service opened the stage with his latest song, ‘Boom Boom Boom’. As how I had mentioned for Group B’s performance, I’m confident that this week’s results will be determined by votes. Nevertheless, I’m expecting Firuz and Nasriah to be voted out.

Kicking the barrage of criticisms, Khai refused to comment on which group had performed better. He did however, state that the first group was very disappointing and there was no honesty in their acting. They didn’t look convincing when they came across someone who’s been shot and gave the impression that it looks a lot more like they had come across a dead cat. He further mentions that with no urgency, there will be no conflict resulting in no drama. He also further commented that in the past four weeks that he’s been observing, the only time contestants look very honest and sincere is when they have their heads on the chopping block and are receiving their results.

Khai felt that the second group was ‘The Best’ and singled out Syirah and Diana as potential winners. He found Group 3 to be ‘so-so’. He liked the first part of the performance but after the fall, he was disappointed with Firuz who looked like he was reading the news.

Rilla then agreed to say that there was significant improvement in Group B’s acting quality. She then singled out Syirah and Erwin as potential winners. Rilla mentioned that Syirah’s acting quality is good and that she has managed to grasp her own techniques, not influenced by any type of method acting. Rilla particularly made a stress on ‘Reality Check’ to all contestants who check their Facebook ‘Fan Page’. She comments that there is a thin line between being inviting and begging due to overexposure as home viewers are already seeing a lot of contestants with two shows per week. Rilla ended off by saying that she can see from today who really wants to act and who just wants attention from the acting.  Brutal truth!

Ariati gave a slightly different comment as she found similarity between the two groups in terms of lack of understanding of script. She also mentioned and reiterated the point that contestants need to work as a team. She stressed that contestants need to learn how to control their expression, particularly the eyes and lips as slight changes in these could give a different impression especially when the camera zooms in.

With the comments above, the bottom 4 for this week are Ariff, Fadzli, Jasmine and Nasriah. I’m surprised that Fadzli, Ariff and Jasmine were chosen to be in the bottom 4 given that they have put up credible performances deserving of better results but then again, votes count a lot too. Nasriah once again, in the bottom pit and leaving Anugerah Skrin this week is Ariff and Jasmine.

It’s getting really hard to predict who will be out next as weeks roll by but hopefully when the groups combine for the quarter-finals, it’ll be easier to make better judgement calls on who deserves to be sent home as fast as possible. Seriously, home viewers voting which counts for 50% could really sway the judges results. I think it’ll be better maybe if the judges could give their comments after watching the performances than to wait till the results show because home viewers who know nuts would probably be voting for the most good looking performer rather than the whole package speaking of which, if you don’t have the package, then you better go find someway to get that package or you won’t survive long in the industry.

Have I told you how much I love how the judges gave their comments for this episode?

Contributed by Abdillah Zamzuri

Abdillah Zamzuri is a theatre activist and an advisor to Sang Singa Purba Performing Arts Group, Singapore Polytechnic. Trained in both English and Malay theatre, he has performed, scripted and directed several performances both locally and regionally. Abdillah Zamzuri has also been a judge for the Inter-Racial, Inter-Religious Harmony Nite 2009 and had also performed for the same event in both 2008 and 2009, graced by His Excellency, President S.R Nathan. Most recently, he was a judge at National Junior College’s inaugural Malay Skit Competition alongside Nadiputra and Andry Sani.

http://abdillahzamzuri.wordpress.com