It's not just the parts of Danny and Sandy or Joseph that's being competed for as televised talent searches Any Dream Will Do and Grease Is The Word move into their final stages - the BBC have extended their search for a new Joseph by a week which sees its final go head to head with the ITV talent search.
The two talent searches have been battling for ratings since they began (further details) and the final shows will go head to head for viewers.
Following in the footsteps of How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria, Any Dream Will Do hit television screens on March 31st, a week ahead of Grease Is The Word which screened on April 7th in a slightly earlier time slot. The ITV show uses the same formula in its search for a new Danny and Sandy for an upcoming West End production of Grease.
BBC bosses are said to be thrilled with the success of Any Dream Will Do. A BBC spokesperson has said that BBC1 controller Peter Finchman has wanted the show to continue for longer still but any further extensions will infringe upon rehearsal time for the upcoming production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat which the winner will go on to star in.
Simon Cowell, whose production company Syco makes the ITV show Grease Is The Word in conjunction with Talkback Thames, is less than thrilled with the show's progress. Cowell is quoted as saying that the ITV show "is far too similar to our other formats."
The extra episode of Any Dream Will Do means that there will be no need for a double eviction and one of the 5 remaining Josephs will continue to leave each week until the final three compete in a final on June 9th. With both competition for the top West End roles heating up in each show, it's getting harder and harder to decide which show to watch live and which to video for later. For all the latest news and details on how to grab your tickets for the much anticipate West End comebacks of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Grease, remember to check back with Holiday Extras.
Published by:
Tony Hill