So far, so croon; Vodafone Icons judges say

AT no Vodafone Icons contest have judges been so openly split on many decision points as the current Mixed Edition; a development that suggests how independent-minded each of the three judges, Gena West, M.anifest and Miss Naa are.

The nature of the scoring patterns is not public knowledge but the manner in which the three express their observations after each performance is indicative of what each of them sees in his or her own particular way.

Especially on the many occasions that the judges have had to save a contestant from eviction, or nominate a contestant for the weekly Best Act prize, the differences in their opinions have resulted in split decisions.

Yet, beyond the differences, the judges agree that so far, the Mixed Edition contest has been good. Speaking to this reporter at backstage after last week's show recording at the National Theatre, two of the judges said with one voice that the competition was going very well, even sometimes rising above t