Star Search, Episode 8: Who Makes It to the Finals?

Thursday's episode of Star Search was the semi-final contest to determine who of the previous three winners gets to go on and compete in the finals. Arsenio introduces us to our regular judges, Ben Stein, Carol Liefer, and Naomi Judd who he describes as a motivational speaker. I almost cough on my popcorn here. I have been really impressed with Arsenio Hall on this new version of the talent show; he makes some funny jokes, and if he would just get rid of the word “digits,” I would love him. One funny thing he says is that he is so excited about tonight's show that he can hear the voices in Naomi's head!

Arsenio also introduces us to the guest judge tonight, Kelly Rowland from Destiny's Child. I want to thank Furtado Fan for clueing me in on the proper spelling of Kelly's name.

We begin the night as always with the Junior Singer Category. We have Lisa Tucker singing “Didn't We Almost Have It All” by Whitney Houston. Lisa still sounds like a child and she sings the song in what sounds like a range too low for her naturally higher voice. She would not crack the top two hundred on American Idol and I am wondering what Simon would say about her. The judges love her, however.

• Naomi - 5, Mom must be so proud of you
• Ben - 5, gift from God
• Carol - 4, great emotion and maturity
• Kelly - 4, I wish I could have had a voice like that when I was your age
• Judges’ total - 18 stars

Kayley Ervin sings next and she performs “Break It to Me Gently.” She sounds more adult than Lisa and is more comfortable with the music. She falls flat in parts but has fairly good control and great stage presence. She moves like a seasoned performer.

• Naomi - 4, if you move to Nashville I will personally recommend an agent, manager, producer, etc.
• Ben - 3, oversung the song, but you are very talented
• Carol - 5, disagrees, a clear crystal voice, powerful
• Kelly - 4, looks so natural up there
• Judges’ total - 16 stars

Lorelei Caylan-Sinco sings last in the junior competition and Celine Dion's “That's the Way It Is” is her choice of song.

She is 10 but sounds about 8. the material seems way over her head, her pacing is off, she sings out of tune, her parents look very nervous watching Lorelei sing, but the audience loves her and gave her a standing ovation.

• Naomi - 4, fair and balanced America will decide the vote (I think she forgot CBS is not Fox)
• Ben - 4, she is up against some really tough competition
• Carol - 5, liked her last time and tonight she took it to a whole new level
• Kelly - 4, can't wait to hear her sing when she gets older
• Judges’ total - 17 stars

It is time for America to vote and America thinks country girl Kayley should win, giving her 15 stars and the other two girls 14 each. This means that when adding the judges score to America's the totals are as follows:

Lisa 32
Kayley 31
Lorelei 31

So Lisa wins by a star. She will come back to compete in the finals next week.

Up next is the Supermodel category. Arsenio said that they would be adding a dance category next time out, so I hope they replace the model category with the dance category. (This seems to be a trend, as ABC Family recently announced it would be reviving Dance Fever as an American Idol-like competition. But since Star Search has not made the replacement yet, I guess I will have to tell you what happens.

Candace Campfield is first and wears a bikini.

• Naomi - 4, if love is blind why are bikinis so popular?
• Ben – 5, blessed are thou oh Lord for giving us this girl
• Carol – 5, supermodel work
• Kelly - 5 no comment
• Judges’ total - 19

Joanna Krupa in bikini.

• Naomi - 5, glitz, glamour, clamor, flash and flare, with spunk to spare
• Ben - 4, finger lickin’ good but against tough competition
• Carol - 4, absolute knockout
• Kelly - 4, wonderful
• Judges’ total - 17 stars

Alicia Hall with the long hair is next. I think she is great as she struts along.

• Naomi – 3, can see you on sellavision (???)
• Ben – 4, best legs on the face of the earth but too nervous.
• Carol – 4, reminds her she loves the legs.
• Kelly – 4, just give me the hair
• Judges’ total - 15

American voted similarly, giving Candace 16 stars, Joanna 14, and Alicia 12. The totals were:

Candace 35
Joanna 31
Alicia 27

So Candace wins and will come back next week.