DSDS: a kinder, gentler non- American Idol

In Germany, they have Deutschland Sucht den Superstar as their Idol program. This year’s program has a contestant, Francisca Urio, who is performance-wise beyond even the American program.

Here’s a sample of her work. (This is also my first attempt at embedding/linking video. If for some reason the link/video doesn’t work, just go to clipfish and search for her name. All of the DSDS performances are there, again a big improvement on the overprotective US version.)

The interesting thing about Francisca is that she complies fully with the rules of the contest, but she is a professional, and it shows, especially when compared to 16 and 19 year olds. Oddly enough, she’s actually at risk for losing, because people think, “Aw, she’s gonna win any, so no need to vote.”

This year’s DSDS is miles beyond earlier years, and has an enormously talented cast. They’ve stayed mostly away from the drama that AI is driving towards, and they have 3 or 4 singers that will definitely come off with a contract for at least one album.