The popular Russian vocal show "Nu-ka, vse vmeste! Horom!" (16+) continues to captivate audiences with its unpredictable jury dynamics, especially following the recent controversies surrounding one of its judges, Brendon Stoun. In the latest episode, viewers witnessed a dramatic moment when Stoun chose to remain seated while the rest of the jury stood to applaud the performance of the Khor of the Lobachevsky University. This decision sparked a wave of reactions from both fellow judges and viewers alike.
Stoun's refusal to rise after the choir's rendition of the "Our Father" in Swahili shocked his colleagues, most notably Nikolai Baskov, who exclaimed, "Brendon! How could you not stand for 'Our Father'?" The tension escalated as Stoun defended his actions, stating, "At some point, I wanted to stand up, but I started to fake it." His comments did little to quell the discontent among the audience, with viewers like Tatyana Kosticheva questioning the independence of the judging process. "If the judging is independent, why is there pressure on 'dissidents'?" she asked.
Elena Buzina, another viewer, expressed her frustration, remarking, "Some random person has joined the jury and is behaving inadequately." Svetlana Ermakova added to the criticism, suggesting that Stoun was not in tune with the theme of the show. "When he announced the falsehood in the performance, his expression suggested he didn’t even believe what he was saying," she noted. This sentiment was echoed by Natalia Rossia, who pointed out that Stoun seemed to hear a flaw that 99 out of 100 others did not notice.
The scrutiny on Stoun intensified as social media users and viewers alike began questioning his qualifications for being part of the jury. "Does anyone know this Brendon? He participated in 'The Voice' and that's it. He's nowhere else to be seen or heard as an expert," remarked one viewer. This wave of criticism led to a broader discussion about the selection of judges on talent shows, with many suggesting that experts should be chosen carefully to ensure they can accurately evaluate high-caliber performances like those of the Khor of the Sretensky Monastery.
As the episode progressed, Tatyana Kurtukova, a newly invited jury member known for her hit "Matushka-zemlya," joined the panel, bringing her own brand of strictness to the show. In her debut, she did not shy away from offering blunt critiques. For instance, she expressed her discontent with the Chelyabinsk variety choir "Tutti," stating, "I liked your culture and intelligence, but the lower voices had some kind of flaw, and the arrangement was too soothing." Her comments elicited surprise from the other judges, including Lazarev, who quipped, "And you say I am boring!"
Kurtukova's sharp assessments did not stop there; she also critiqued the academic choir of Russian song from the television center "Orpheus," with whom she had previously performed. "From the first notes, there was such an aggressive vocal attack—very loud, and it lasted the whole performance. This kind of pressure can drive away the average viewer," she stated. Despite her harsh critiques, the majority of the expert panel, 94 out of 100, favored the choir's performance and advanced them to the finals.
The ongoing tension between Kurtukova's rigorous judging style and the more supportive approach of other jury members like Lazarev has sparked discussions about the role of judges in talent shows. As the competition heats up, many are left wondering how Kurtukova's presence will influence the dynamics of the panel. "Experts must be competently selected for any show. Some are not in their place if they cannot properly evaluate musicians of such a high level," remarked Elena Kuleshova, highlighting the need for a balance in judging styles.
Looking ahead, the show is set to air its fourth qualifying round on April 25, 2025, at 21:30 on the Russia channel, where the choirs will have one last chance to secure a spot in the finals. Expectations are high for this episode, especially with the anticipated emotional performances that are likely to provoke further disputes among the jury members. Kurtukova's recent comments have already set the stage for another round of heated discussions, as she continues to assert her authority on the panel.
As viewers eagerly await the next episode, the question remains: How will the jury dynamics evolve with Kurtukova's strict approach? Will Brendon Stoun find his footing among the seasoned judges, or will he continue to stir controversy? With the stakes higher than ever, fans of "Nu-ka, vse vmeste! Horom!" are in for an exciting ride as the competition unfolds.
