The most brutal theatre stage-culling in Idols history behind them, the Top 14 Idols performed in front of a small studio audience for the first time in last night’s (Sunday, 22 February) first studio round on M-Net.

Opening the show, Randall said they’d all had a chance to survey the competition, so they knew what they were up against. Dave also emphasised that their song choices would be crucial.

First up was Thembi Nkosi (19) from Johannesburg, who went retro with Donna Summer’s disco classic, “Hot Stuff”. Dave thought she’d taken a huge step forward. Mara advised Thembi not to drop her guard. Gareth said it was a good start, but Randall thought it wasn’t the best she could be. To vote for Thembi, phone 086 2277701 or SMS “Thembi” to 34680.

The first guy to perform was eighteen-year-old Cameron Bruce from Johannesburg, singing his version of “Knock On Wood”, as recently reinvented by Seal. Dave thought Cameron coped well without an instrument and Mara liked that he kept it simple. “Your singing was spot-on,” said Gareth, but both he and Randall worried about Cameron’s stage presence. Vote for Cameron by calling 086 2277702 or SMS “Cameron” to 34680.

Thabs Kgoroeadira (20) from Johannesburg chose Amy Winehouse’s denial anthem, “Rehab”. She made Mara shout out loud and Dave said his “fandom” of Thabs improves every day. Gareth said hers was the most sincere performance so far. Randall said her performance was very natural, but that the singing “wasn’t that great”. Vote for Thabs by calling 086 2277703 or SMS “Thabs” to 34680.

The sole Top 14 contestant from the Eastern Cape, Thuba Myeki (18) from P.E., sang the Phil Collins ballad, “You’ll Be In My Heart”. “A song like that is a safe option,” said Dave. Mara said Thuba had to bring out the “performer side” of his personality. Gareth pointed out that everybody in the Top 14 has a good voice – getting comfortable on stage was what counted now. Randall said it felt like having his school principal sing at him. Thuba’s voting number is 086 2277704. Or SMS “Thuba” to 34680.

Nineteen-year-old Mathew Moolman from Cape Town’s choice was Eric Clapton’s romantic love song, “Wonderful Tonight”, and he drew Mara’s first tears of the season! “Look what you’ve done to Mara!” said Dave. “When she’s not crying she’s insulting celebrities!” Dave said if he was capable of it, he’d also be in tears. Gareth noted that slow songs are easy at this stage of the competition. Randall reminded Mathew that the winner will go on to a recording contract and he wondered if he would want to buy Mathew’s CD. Vote for Mathew by calling 086 2277705 or SMS “Mathew” to 34680.

Pixie Bennet (25) from Durban also chose an Amy Winehouse song: “Valerie”. Dave said he and his whole family like “The Pixie”. “Beautiful, baby!” Mara said, but she advised Pixie to work on her breathing exercises. Gareth acknowledged how difficult it is to be up there on stage but he said Pixie’s performance “just worked”. Randall thought Pixie’s song choice was the best fit to the artist so far in the evening. Pixie’s voting number is 086 2277706. Or SMS “Pixie” to 34680.

Without his piano, Daniel Baron (17) from Johannesburg sang Maroon 5’s “Won’t Go Home Without You”. Dave said in a previous season it might have been a standout performance, but in this competition it was just competent. Mara said Dave was just a grumpy old man – Daniel was fantastic! Gareth thought it was better than he expected and even Randall, who hates Maroon 5, thought it was a good song choice for the target audience. Daniel’s voting number is 086 2277707. Or SMS “Daniel” to 34680.

Eighteen-year-old Sasha Lee Davids (18) from Cape Town went up-tempo with Jo Jo’s “Too Little, Too Late”. Dave thought the song didn’t show her range. He thought she sacrificed tone in the high notes. Mara thought Sasha was “screechy” and said she was bored. Gareth acknowledged that she was nervous and said she would get better, and then Randall surprised everyone – “I thought it was good!” Vote for Sasha Lee by calling 086 2277708 or SMS “Sasha Lee” to 34680.

Lizé Heerman (21) from Durban went for that old standby, “Fever”, a hit for Michael Bublé, amongst many others. Dave just said, “No”. He said he needs someone who can sell records – he needs music that appeals to Lizé’s age group. Mara said Lizé is a “fantastic” performer and has star quality, but that Dave was right: “we need a pop idol-type of vroommm!” Gareth didn’t care – he thought Lizé was “smouldering”! Randall said it was a case of “over-vibrant over-singing”. Vote for Lizé by calling 086 2277709 or SMS “Lizé” to 34680.

Jason Dean Hartman (29) from Midlands, Durban, sang James Morrison’s “Undiscovered”. Dave noted that Jason is already quite popular. “If Bryan Adams could sing he’d sound like you,” he noted. But Dave didn’t like Jason’s song choice. Mara didn’t care - she thought he’s a fantastic singer. “Become memorable,” Gareth advised him. Randall doesn’t know James Morrison, but he’s heard that “chicks dig it”, so he thought it was probably a good song choice. Jason’s voting number is 086 2277710. Or SMS “Jason” to 34680.

Ntsepa Pitjeng (26) from Johannesburg sang Paula Cole’s mega-hit, “I Don’t Want To Wait”. Dave said he understood Ntsepa’s song choice, but he looks forward to when she inevitably has to go back to soul. “You give me joy when you sing!” Mara praised her. Gareth thought she was holding back a little. “Next time I want to see the whole picture,” he said. Randall cautioned Ntsepa on her diction. Vote for Ntsepa by calling 086 2277711 or SMS “Ntsepa” to 34680.

Lendel Moonsamy (23) from Durban sang “Wait For You”, by Elliott Yamin. Dave thought Lendel would be safe for one more week, but didn’t know about further down the line. Mara said she would throw the bones for him! Gareth said Lendel has a nice tone “and a better range than I thought”. Randall agreed with Dave and wondered if Lendel had the star power required for the final phase. Vote for Lendel by calling 086 2277712 or SMS “Lendel” to 34680.

Twenty-six-year-old Graeme Watkins from Cape Town challenged himself with Fall Out Boy and John Mayer’s recent re-working of Michael Jackson’s iconic “Beat It”. “Let’s talk survival,” said Dave. “You’ll probably survive the vote, but can you survive this nervous energy?” Mara said Graeme was her favourite, “but do me a favour – leave Michael Jackson’s music alone!” She said Graeme has a great voice, but he sounded flat in that song. Gareth also thought it “missed the spot”. Randall agreed the singing was “absolutely nowhere”. Graeme’s voting number is 086 2277713. Or SMS “Graeme” to 34680.

Suzzi Swanepoel (24) from Johannesburg closed the show with the Cher anthem “Strong Enough”. “I like your voice – you’re a very powerful singer,” Dave said. Mara said it wasn’t the best performance she’s seen Suzzi do but she would like to see her again. Gareth said her performance didn’t have “enough light and shade”. And Randall said “Strong voice: tick. Powerful voice: tick. Pop voice: no tick…” Vote for Suzzi by calling 086 2277714 or SMS “Suzzi” to 34680.

But will the viewers agree with the judges? For the first time in the history of South African Idols, the voting public will have 100% say in determining who the Top 10 finalists - and the winner – will be. While in past seasons of Idols the judges’ opinions was taken into consideration, in Idols Season V, their vote will fall away completely.

Viewers can vote via SMS or on their landlines. The two performers with the fewest votes will go home, so viewers have to vote for their favourites. Voting lines opened at the beginning of the show and will stay open for 24 hours. On Monday evening between 19:00 and 19:30 the country will find out which two contestants didn’t have enough support to keep them in the show. Results will be screened live from the M-Net studios on Monday, 23 February.

Next week the same process will whittle the Top 12 down to the Top 10 finalists, who will perform in front of thousands of fans at the Teatro at the Mosaic in Johannesburg. Tickets to the Spectaculars are available from Computicket.

Viewers on DStv compact and Easyview will also be able to catch all the action in the simulcast of these episodes on M-Net’s MagicWorld Channel.

For more information about Idols, visit the M-Net website: www.mnet.co.za/idols.