[susieq]

Oooh - some rather controversial remarks there Blinkin'

I think the thing with Fame Academy is that they are trying to coach the students in 'proper' singing techniques and what better way than to learn than by studying some of the classic songs. Also, they ARE writing original pieces, in fact Sinead, Ainslie and Malachi sang their own composition tonight.

I'm sure that with time & confidence they will be doing more of their own stuff but, at least for the show, they are appealing to an 'across the board' audience and therefore are trying to come up with material that will appeal to a very broad age range.

Let's not forget that Will Young has co-written a lot of the tracks on his new album and it's some of these tracks that have been getting the most praise in the music press. OK - Will might not be to everyone's taste but he's a damn fine singer and he's now showing that he can have a hand in writing too.

I think it's very difficult for the Fame Academy students trying to be all things to all people and they're making the most of it. I'm sure there are a lot of rebellious streaks there but perhaps this type of programme is not really the place to showcase them?