Gareth Oliver Was Da Best
I was really disappointed that Gareth Oliver didn’t get through on Britain’s Got Talent last night. I voted for him (twice, in fact), because I thought he was a fantastically multi-talented performer. As well as being an excellent ventriloquist, he was also an exceptional impressionist, comedian, singer and puppeteer. That’s five talents rather than only one! I mean, it’s one thing to sing. But to sing in someone else’s voice, in a different accent, in a funny way, whilst also controlling a puppet and not moving your lips . . . geez, that takes some doing! It’s even more impressive for the thing to be genuinely amusing and entertaining rather than creepy. Let’s face it, ventriloquists are usually creepy. Especially when they have those scary Chucky-like dolls, like on Smallville the other day. But Gareth Oliver isn’t creepy at all. In fact, he seems every inch the likeable - rather handsome - professional, even in losing. I might even go so far as to say that he makes ventriloquism cool! Suddenly I find myself possessed with the almost ferocious desire to learn ventriloquism. I fear it may not be as straightforward as, say, learning the violin. I suppose you probably have to have a natural knack for it. Ditto for the puppet thing. I had a Humpty Dumpty puppet when I was little (wearing a skirt, worryingly enough), which seemed to be in a permanent tangle. No matter how carefully I attempted to play with Humpty, the strings always ended up hopelessly knotted together. Messy little knots they were too - the sort that you have to slowly unpick with a needle.
So perhaps the whole ventriloquism/puppeteer thing is not for me (because I would royally suck at it), but Gareth Oliver was tremendous, and I’m quite miffed that I won’t get to see another performance from him in the final.
May 26th, 2009 at 10:15 am
I have totally got to agree with you on that one! I to was dissapointed that he did not go through to the final last night. He has great talent & is a fantastic artist!
May 26th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
I totally agree having seen gareth perform whilst on holiday in turkey last year i was very excited to see him make semi finals but extremly dissapointed that he wasnt in the final. Why not change the title to Britain can sing and dance and we wont consider any other talent for our variety show. I hope to see gareth perform again really wanted to see him in final
May 26th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
Shaun Smith is clearly a very talented singer, but I suppose my tastes just veer more towards the quirky and the funny. And I think, perhaps, some people underestimate just how difficult singing ventriloquism (with puppet and accent) actually is. But I suppose the nature of the show is that you’re not always going to agree with what the judges decide.
May 26th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
I wanted him to get through as well! Not fair!
May 26th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
I thought he should have got through too. I thought he was fantastic (and rather attractive too
)
So we already have a dance group, a singer…..a dance group oh and a singer! Hardly Variety is it??
May 28th, 2009 at 5:49 pm
I was also very sad to see he didn’t get through. I don’t like ventroliquist, either, but he made it so funny and he looks such a nice guy!
But he still got a lot of votes and I wish him the best!
June 30th, 2009 at 9:03 pm
is he gay? he looks utterly cute!!!
August 14th, 2009 at 8:33 pm
He Was Amazing
x
i seen him down at pontins the other day at breen.
he was amazing such a laugh.
i was in stiches all night.
then qued up twice first time for a picture and second for his autograph
worth the wait hes amazing.
anyone who hasnt seen him its worth the money too
August 16th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Becci - I envy you.
March 30th, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Although I live in New Zealand these days, I actually saw Gareth Oliver performing his ventriloquism act at a charity event in Calderdale - he was brilliant - absolutely brilliant. I still think he should’ve won Britain’s got Talent 18 months ago.
Bruce
seashells for crafts
April 7th, 2011 at 12:21 pm
You said “I fear it may not be as straightforward as, say, learning the violin.”
Have you ever tried to learn the violin? I did and I found it to be ridiculously difficult.
April 7th, 2011 at 11:36 pm
Tony - indeed, yes, I can play the violin. That’s probably why I used it as an example. You’re correct that it’s not a particularly easy instrument to learn (mainly due to the lack of frets) but what I meant was that certain skills (including most musical instruments) are straight forward in that - so long as you put in a certain minimum number of hours, you should be able to attain some degree of competency. Comedic ventriloquism, on the other hand, I suspect would have to be an innate thing. I doubt that just anyone with a puppet and a few months to spare would be able to do it.
April 12th, 2011 at 8:28 pm
I took violin lessons for 4 years when I was much younger, and it was one of the most difficult hobbies I’ve ever taken up. Ultimately, I just wasn’t patient enough with it and moved on to playing the guitar.
-Dan
Webmaster @ Inflatable Boats
April 28th, 2011 at 1:02 pm
I saw that elimination night, I too was a bit disappointed when Gareth was voted out. But, I still believe he’ll push through on his career..
guided meditation
May 13th, 2011 at 1:51 am
I hope he can find another opportunity to explore and show his talent. Too bad that he can go to the final at that time. I hope nothing but the best for him.
July 14th, 2011 at 6:19 am
Know what guys, Even me feels so upset because he was not chosen. But I believe that every talented person has its own place and its own time. Maybe its not his time to shine yet! still hoping him good luck.