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Today’s episode of
Nigerian Idol ushers in the Top Ten stage of the show. Starting from
the beginning, the holder of the international franchise, Optima Media
Group, has religiously followed the Idol’s bible following the
auditions with the Top 100, Top 50 and this last week, the Wild Card.

Last Sunday, we saw
clips of all 50 contestants performing during the Top Ten stage. This
was a chance for the viewers to either regret or reaffirm their
choices. Personally, after watching the review, I felt no sympathy for
most of the eliminated contestants. Rather, I was forced to wonder how
some of them had managed to make it to the Top 50 with such atrocious
performances.

On the other hand,
it was satisfying to see that the contestants who made the Top Ten once
again proved worthy of that place. The review, sadly, also highlighted
the inevitable ‘also-as-good’ or better contestants who should have
made it but did not. However, by the end of the Sunday show, it was a
relief to hear Misi hint that some contestants may be coming back.

Going by the
original Idol format, the judges get one last chance during the Wild
Card episode to save three contestants they feel deserve to remain on
the show but who, based on viewers’ votes, did not get the opportunity
to move on to the Top Ten. This also serves to put an interesting twist
to the show and shake up the game.

The Wild Card which
aired this last Thursday saw the return of six contestants: Chito, AJ,
Rachael, Toni, Immaculate and Amadi. Going by their performances from
the beginning of the show and judges’ remarks amongst others, AJ,
Rachael and Toni seemed like clear favourites.

But the judges had
a final surprise and along with the other two chose Chito over Rachael.
That this choice is baffling is a clear understatement as Rachael has a
glaringly better vocal range and arguably better stage presence than
Chito. Still, the judges have earned the right to their choices seeing
as they have a better understanding of not only the contestants’
strength but also the overall requirements of the show.

Be that as it may, the Top Ten now becomes the Top-13 and Nigerian Idol is, hopefully, a more exciting show for it.