Here is an interview with one of the judges, Amanda Holden. The question is asked about whether Susan Boyle's image would be made-over. Amanda says, I won't let her go to Simon's hairdresser.

video of interview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyG2aG_bBjQ

She hopes to have a career like Elaine Page, and I think her voice is better than Elaine Paige's voice.

Regarding the "staging" of the cameras getting reactions, I think the main point is that the judges do not hear the performers before the first time they go on stage, so as Amanda attested, it was a complete surprise to the judges and the audience. Yes, I agree, production crew was aware that they needed to capture reactions, but they do that with the contestants who are given the thumbs down, too. Obviously, she had to pre-audition with the rest of the competitors, so the screening staff knew that she had talent. If you watch video of contestants who are buzzed off right away, you see that the cameras capture audience and judge reactions then, too.