Sadly , I leave tomorrow so I wouldn´t be able to follow all the great juicy details of the show. Tonight starts the second year and luckily I´ll get a quick glimpse of the new season. I only hope its a fresh and exciting as the first edition.

I´ll be checking in to getting the DishNetwork back in the States, as they provide TVE in their Latino package (unfortunately only 1 channel from Spain and 19 others primarily targeted for the Mexican audience), meanwhile those in Spain during the programme could keep us posted with updates right here in the world famous MadridMan board.

Ha, ha, Shawn, you're hilarious, but Ok , we'll do our best to keep you informed of the juiciest developments.

I gave my early prediction to PIM right before leaving Spain, so I'll let everyone in on my wise judgement. I am predicting that the chavala form Valencia will win, Tessa.

I have visited the web-page for the show and it looks like she is doing well. I have my fingers crossed, I can only hope that the she amazes the judges as much as she has amazed me

sorry fellows, this second part wasnt good enough as the first did...
the guys and girls seems more skills on the beggining but...has no charisma at all (sorry, i mean feeling, no transmition of...sorry again, i cant explain due to my poor english, but someone will understand my meaning)
meanwhile, we will watching for a while... :p

Quime,
I don't agree with you, I think most of these kids do have a lot of charisma, it's just that last year's show was such an enourmous hit and everybody put those participants in such a high 'pedestal'.
I'm beginning to like this year's show more and more, although I'm worried that says something about possible masochistic tendencies, since I like it better when the show makes me cry a lot! . I was specially moved last week when Marey and Dani Ubeda had to part....they make such a cute couple! (I know, I know, I'm hopeless! :o ).
It's true that less people are watching the show this time around, so it's less fun to "gossip" about it at the office, I fear that some of last year's viewers are maybe following Big Brother instead, who knows....

But, I promised Shawn to report on the shows developments, and here is a quick update:

-Shawn sorry, but I'm afraid your 'chavalita preferida' Tessa, is about to leave the academy on Monday, since she's been nominated along a super-hunky 'sevillano' named Hugo; it's her third or fourth nomination, and it's his first.

-I can't believe Vega is still around, she is an absolute BEAUTY, but her attitude....she is either sad or mad, crying ALL THE TIME over everything, she doesn't seem to be enjoying the experience, so....besides, she has a nice voice, but so little!, her voice is very "weak", she is 'afonica' most of the time (mmm, maybe because she cries so much?).

-On the contrary, it bothers me that Cristy was sent home, she has a great talent to sing M.Carey-W.Houston-type songs, but most of all, she is a superb 'flamenquito' singer and performer; she was a lot of fun when she was around, tremendously witty, with lots of 'gracia andaluza'.

-I really don't know who I want to win this year's edition, since I'm a big fan of:
Beth, Elena G., Manuel C. and Nandez....
I'll admit that I don't like Ainhoa, and was happy to see Enrique Anaut go (so egotistical).

-Some of this year's visitors to the academy so far have included:
Maria Carey(incredibly snotty), Christina Aguilera, Armando Manzanero, Noa, Pancho Cespedes, Phil Collins, Antonio Canales(the dancer), Paul Carrack, Anastacia, Kenny G.(Beth sung his latest song with him)....also, either Ainhoa, Nika or Elena, are going to record a song with Santana.

-Of course, the kids have already composed and are working on their very own song (equivalent to last year's 'A tu lado me siento segurooo....') and on an special X-mas album as well.

Well, that's all for now. Shawn we miss you over here !

Thanks Pim, Your reporting is even better than the famed Ana Rosa Quintana! Perhaps, you should have her job.

Wow! It is amazing to read about all the celebrities that have visited the academy this year. I'm dissapointed to read about Tessa, she is a real eye catcher, and talented as well .

I can't wait to hear their xmas song, it will be difficult to top "a tu lado...".

Wish I were in Spain

Yes, Tessa left the academy yesterday. It was hard to compete with Hugo, but if Hugo hadn't been so good looking things would have been different. He's only an OK singer.

Here's a New York Times Article on Operacion Triunfo (registration required).

I just read the article and disagree on two basic points; in the first paragraph it's stated that there isn't much musical talent on the show (in my view SOME of the kids have plenty).
But specially, that part in which OT is compared with Big Brother, gives the impression, to someone who hasn't had direct access to the show, that the audience gets to watch the participants fool around in their pjs, or the viewers get to take peeks at their dormitories, bathrooms, etc..., and that's absolutely not the case; the cameras only have access to their classes (singing, English, acting, etiquette, gym,...) and their cafeteria (where they do most of the joking ). I'd say the most "personal" stuff we get to watch is when, once in a while, about once a month I think, some contestant is visited by their friends or relatives.

Pim,
The New York Times today carried a very nice article about Operación Triunfo!

In a Spanish Reality TV Show, Even the Losers Win!

I read the article and I have to agree with the assesment of Pim. It is totally unfair to suggest that the contestants are lacking talent, most of them are very talented. It is also incorrect to characterize the show as a "Big Brother" type program, it does not feature voyeuristic material.

Sad to hear about Tess , Thanks Pim and Castiza for your updates on my favorite chavalina on OTII.

Salu2

I haven't been able to see the new version yet (I live in New York and though there's a place that shows it, it costs $5 if you're not a member and I teach English next door during the first half of the program), but wow, I can't believe the horrible luck those kids are having!! The accident, the guy who got sick... Now there's going to be a protest in Madrid two weeks from now!

But I gotta say, I'm faithful to my OT version 1 people... Rosa and Bustamante all the way!! I'm so pathetic... I'm even seeing Bustamante in concert during my Christmas trip to Madrid and Galicia! (feel free to point and laugh at me if you're around!)

Melinda

[Originally posted by jydybyrnes on 12-09-2002]

I recently returned from studying Spanish in Madrid for 6 weeks and I loved Operacion Triunfo on TV. Can it be accessed on this site. I want to know what is happening to the contestants. Thanks.

--------------------
judybyrnes

Now... who do you think will be fired today? Nika or Elena Gadel? I am a bifg fan of Nika, I hope it´s Elena the one who goes. What do you guys think?

I agree with you Carmen. I prefer Elena Gadel to be out. Nika is one of my favourites, I couldn't believe she was nominated when there are many people worse than her.

I'm sorry to have to disagree, I love Elena, she has a great laid-back personality, and I'm a huge fan of her flamenco singing (did you guys saw her (hear her rather) dedicate a song to Cristi the night she left?, amazing! )
I like Nika, but to me her talent is "more average", however....tonight I have mixed feelings, I'd hate to see her go now that it seems that "something beautiful" is blossoming between her and super-hunky Hugo.

So either way, tonight I'll be a little sad and a liitle happy!

Oh no!, as I was typing my earlier post, the show had started and all the girls in the academy were performing along Shania Twain and I missed it!!! Oh well!...

Shania was great, but our girls only did the voices in the back. I love Shania Twain so for me it was great!!!!

OT's official website is at http://www.portalmix.com/triunfo

If you're looking for a certain performer from either the first season or the second season, replace the triunfo with the person's name. Ex:
http://www.portalmix.com/davidbisbal
http://www.portalmix.com/rosa

I THINK there's a new OT fan club or something along the lines which gives access to a web cam or something like that where you can watch the people over the internet. Don't quote me on that, though... I honestly know nothing about OT2, just the first one, but I know they've changed a lot since then and the fan club is one of the changes.

I know OT 1 had a online journal where it was updated daily with pictures and a summary of what was happening in la academia. They're probably doing the same thing for OT2 since it was very popular last year.

Melinda

Melinda, where in NY can you view Operacion Triunfo for $5?

Thanks

I BELIEVE they show it - that's what my friends in Galicia said they heard on the radio. I know they show the soccer games and charge $5 if you're not a member. It's on 14th Street between 7th and 8th. It's something like "El Centro Espanol" - you can't miss it, though - there's a HUGE Spanish flag over the top. They also told me it has very good food - Another thing is I'm kinda scared to go alone since I've never been there before. If you go, lemme know how it is - the semester at my academia ends this week so after seeing the Dec 22 special I'm gonna see if I like anyone on the new one and if I want to start the new addiction LOL

Melinda

New article about an OT backlash from the NY Times (Spain Loves Pop Show; Critics Hate the Reality By EMMA DALY) http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/25/international/europe/25SPAI.html?tntemail0

It sounds like the other recording artists are just jealous of the chicos from OT. Perhaps they could learn from the OT performers. The young energetic singers of OT have connected with so many people due to their genuine enthusiasm and spontaneous displays of emotion.
How many other pop stars let us in to their lives in such an authentic fashion? In all honesty plenty of Spaniards listen to non-OT singers and so it seems that this protest is just a publicty attempt.

The New York Times is not a very trustworthy source of information about OT, since we all read the earlier false report. It's a shame that it's so widely read in the US, many people now have a incorrect view of the Spanish music scene.

OK, quick update as the 'penúltimo' (=last but one¿?) show starts;...

Tonight the audience is to decide who will be the sixth singer to reach the very final phase of the contest. Already chosen by a combination of votes from the jury, the teachers and the rest of their mates are: Nández, Manuel Carrasco, Beth, Ainhoa and Hugo....and the two remaining ones from which the sixth finalist will be decided upon in a couple of hours are Joan Tena and Tony Santos. (Personally if I'd vote for Tena, but I'm afraid Santos has been chosen as favourite contestant several weeks in a row by the public , so....)

Now, "gossiply" speaking , Nika and Hugo started a romantic relationship while at the academy and have had no problem admitting to it, unlike other couples that met last year.

P.S.: Shawn, you know these posts are written specially for you ....

....but babe, I'd hardly call a guy who sold glasses of natural orange juice in the N.Y. streets a fan or a paparazzi, if you know what I'm talking about :p

Thanks PIM!!! I guess Nika and Hugo will end up being like Chenoa and David Bisbal.

It seems some of the more talented nenas have not done so well this year. I am sad that Tessa didn't do so well , she is very talented . Oh well, I didn't care much for Ainhoa, so I guess I'll be supporting Beth in the final shows.

Thanks for the update on the penultimate edition, but don't forget to update us on the final episode as well.

Saludos from LA

Pues, ?qué ha pasado ayer? Han echado al canario, no? a Santos? Es que no me acuerdo muy bien de su nombre. Me parecía un poco soso. OT te engancha, la echo de menos!

Ainhoa won! Toma ya! I thought it would be Beth or Carrasco. I would have liked to have seen the final. Anyone see it? What happened?

I'm glad she won - She was my favorite of the girls (Nandez for the guys). I didn't get to see it, but a wonderful friend in Spain called me so I could listen since she knows how much I love Rosa and Bustamante and they had last year's winners announce this year's It was better than nothing!

There's a weekly radio show today that you can catch over the internet if you want to hear a resumen of what went on last week, keep up with the news, etc. You can hear it at los 40 principales - www.los40.com - from 8PM-10PM Spanish time.

Melinda

I can't believe she won. I thought most of the other chicas were way better looking than her, I mean they had way more talent than Ainhoa .
I guess talent is in the eye of the beholder, and this beholder thought some of the other candidates had more to offer, musicaly speaking of course.

I'm getting prepared mentally for OTIII. I am sure next years winner will have more to offer: a nice smile, a great figure, sexy Spanish eyes, and of course some singing ability would be nice.

Puede que tenga un corazón latino, porque a mi entender las españolas son las chicas más monas del mundo. Las echo mucho de menos. Ojalá pueda ir a España este verano para ver la belleza asombrosa de estas nenas otra vez.

Saludos

Heey Melinda!!! LOL we always find eachother everywhere!!! :p :p :p

But I loved OT2 as well.. maybe even more as OT1 because I've seen this one completely.. Ot1 I've jumped in on the gala with pisando fuerte (how could he get out so early ???) and vivir lo nuestro (LOL I thought how can those 2 still be in... because I knew the original... they turned out to be 1st and 2nd.. don't worry know I love them..)

And Hugo is great!!! Even though Nandez may be better.. I think he may turn out to be the real winner of OT2.. don't understand how Ainhoa could win.. she was a bit sad I think sometimes.. but have to admit I love her album, especially 3rd song.. no hieras maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaas...

I was in Catalunya some weeks ago.. and I didn't hear Beth really often

well I go again.. my reply's are to long..

STOP STALKING ME!!!!!!! LMAO!!! If I see you on ONE MORE MESSAGE BOARD I´m gonna start being scared! Desiree and I know each other via Marc Anthony and Operacion Triunfo groups and we found out we have a mutual online friend through 2 other groups that we belong to.

El mundo es un pañuelo!

OT2 SUCKED. But the first one was good and I do love my Rosa and Bustamante Busta´s dad bought me a drink in San Vicente last weekend! Nice people live in his village

Melinda