Any talent search is going to have its ups and downs - brilliant stars will be found, but so too will complete and utter duffers.
Which is precisely what makes SABC2's
SA's Got Talent so appealing - the difference between the two.
The first round of auditions for the show began in Johannesburg on Saturday and continued on Monday (see links below for more info on when the auditions are coming to your city), and we put together a picture storybook of the opening rounds of action.
A brief explanation of the audition format for those of you who haven't seen the international versions yet: during the audition phases anyone of any age and talent can enter, and they get a chance to perform for a set period of time in front of the panel of judges.
All three of the judges have big red buzzers and if they feel a performance is not up to scratch they can press their buzzer, which plays a loud noise and lights up a big red X with that judge's name on it above the contestants' heads.
A contestant can keep going if two of the judges buzz them, but if all three judges hit the buzzers the routine is immediately called to a halt.
Needless to say, an act with three red Xs is highly unlikely to proceed through to the next round.
Once an act has finished - whether buzzed out early or not - they stand in front of the judges and receive their feedback, which can be complimentary - or not.
As you can see from the story below - contestants are going to find out that there's a reason they call Randall Abrahams "Mr Nasty", and it's not because he's nice.
Without further ado, here's the story of the first round of auditions:
A bad start to the day, as Randall gets on the buzzer early. 
The two faces that greet each contestant before they go on stage - presenters Anele Mdoda and Rob van Vuuren. They also spend their time interviewing auditionees in the waiting rooms before they go on stage, picking up stories that will later get chosen to be featured. 
And we're off, starting with a band who appear to be playing a giant, sawn-up salt shaker. Oh, and there's the obligatory dude with the marimba. 
Another band, and from he looks of it everyone's letting the guy in the middle take the rap for it. The old guy on drums looks just about ready to head down to O'Hagan's round about now. 
It's time for the solo acts and this one clearly put in lots and lots of time on her appearance, wearing the latest diva-hugging hotpants, bikini tops and bling she needs to crack it at the higest level. Wonder how Randall's doing? 
Oh - that's how Randall's doing. Not looking good, Beyonce. Time to step up your game. 
Too late - you been Burzzzzed. Shado and Ian are clearly still buying it, so sell it sweetie - sell it. 
Here come the jugglers, and this dude better be able to juggle a helluva lot more than three tennis balls to impress us. If you're only going to juggle three items you'd better be juggling live chainsaws, baby, or prepare to face Darth Randall. 
What do those expressions mean? Is someone being horrible? Or are they being told they rock? That youngsta just looks downright worried. Wait 'til she's old enough to pay taxes. This stuff will seem like a birthday present in comparison. 
Beautiful dogs, but the owners could use some work. Seriously now - headbands? Matching bright trousers? Tenpin bowling shoes?? However good the act may be, there's clearly a lack of fashion talent going on here. 
Ian and Shado find it all hilarious, but Randall appears to be need some convincing... We've had to censor the rest, unfortunately. It wasn't pretty, folks.
To find out more about the upcoming auditions, the judges or just about the show in general, check out the TVSA show page:
SA's Got Talent