Popstars - The Video DVD

Popstars was a self-perpetuating roller-coaster of a phenomenon, --television, marketing and music coming together in an unprecendented frenzy of hype. The warts-and-all formation of a pop band made high-rating television and so the release of a Popstars video begs the question, what more can we possibly learn about them? The official Popstars video tells Hear'say's story with a satisfying blend of footage from the programmes and exclusive, never seen before interviews with each band member. In these relaxed segments, they talk about how they see themselves, each other... and their situation and discuss how the press has treated them. Follow the judges as they visit 10 cities in 6 weeks for the first round of auditions, experiencing the highs and the lows, the talented... and the really untalented. As judge Nigel Lythgoe says, "it's a bit like pearl-diving". The footage of hopefuls crossing the 'green mile' to find out whether they're in or out doesn't have the tension of the first viewing when we didn't know who would survive to the next round, but it is fascinating in hindsight. Obviously condensing the series down to a running time of two hours will mean missing some of the moments we remember and this means omitting characters such as the interesting chap who saw the band as a springboard to Hollywood and thence into politics and Presidency of the USA. Having said that, there is still a fair smattering of the rejects who have gone on to be z-list celebrities, and interviews with those who nearly made it, like Jessica and Tony. Revisit--if you can bear to--the 'wise' words of Darius ("how much love is there in this room?") and all the intensity of the gruelling audition process, which must already seem like a world away to the winners. Popstars the video ends with the newly-chosen five settling into their luxury home, still at the relative beginning of their surreal adventure in fame. A must for Popstars and Hear'say fans, the video definitely adds to the Popstars experience and with the benefit of hindsight it certainly is interesting to watch the early auditions of the five who made it. --Rachel Ediss [show more]

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