Star Search, February 14: The Winners’ Circle Showdown

Week five for Star Search and, I have to admit, I have been looking forward to this show all week. Tonight there will be no challengers and each Winners’ Circle will compete amongst themselves for “immunity.” We should see some powerhouse performances from these talented people and will finally have a chance to see Jon Cruz and Mark Mejia. Last week, Freedom Bremner knocked it out of the park with his performance of “Let’s Get Serious,” and David Archuleta moved me to tears. Look for something special from Spensha Baker and another stellar performance from Vickie Natale. Are you ready? I am.

We see a photo of a very young Beyonce, along with Dennis Miller and Justin Timberlake, all veterans of previous editions of Star Search. Voiceover man (who is really Arsenio) tells us that, “With each new week, the challenges get tougher.” This is hardly the case but I’ll let that one slide. Last week all three Winners’ Circles went undefeated and there is a clip of David and Freedom after their performances. Arsenio’s voice tells us that they are all on the spot tonight and then he appears in the flesh.

Tonight, the audience is ultra-pumped. Arsenio tells us all, ”it’s going to be the most fun you’ve ever had with your clothes on!” We are forewarned that this show will “rock it ‘til the wheels come off!” Then comes the news that we have been waiting for since the show began. Tonight the viewers will have their first opportunity to vote and “unlike the Democratic primaries, your vote really matters!” The web address flashes on the screen and I immediately log in! The viewers’ votes will count for 50% of the score and the judges the other half.

We meet the judges and then Arsenio excitedly tells us that each group is the best of the best and for the first time they are going to perform together. We “give it up big time” for the Winners’ Circles, and Mark and Vickie start it off, singing, “Listen to the Music.” Then Jake and David come dancing out and the four of them attempt (and fail) to harmonize. Freedom appears with Spencer singing, “Dance to the Music,” while Jon Cruz and Jon Bond dance behind them. Cruz is almost gravity defying as he climbs up the wall. Candace and Brandon make their entrance and all of them are doing their thing. The other singers join Freedom and Spensha and the entire ensemble sings together while dancers spin and flip around the stage. Jon Bond does a pirouette that seems endless and Cruz finishes it up with some break dancing. This is the sort of thing you really need to see to appreciate!

The audience stands and cheers and Arsenio tells us that when we come back, “it’s gonna be bananas up in here!” I would say he is correct!

Back from the break, and it’s time for the Junior Singers. They each tell us how they feel about this new twist. Mark was shocked and David really doesn’t want to complete because they are very good friends. Spensha is there to win and thinks that she has a spark no one else has. This child is dead serious about her work. This kind of drive is rare in one so young. They all tell us why we should vote for them and we are ready to begin.

“Let’s do this Brutus,” says Arsenio introducing 11-year-old Mark Mejia as a “little guy with a big voice.” He is singing “MacArthur Park,” a song that I have never understood. His parents are right on the edges of their seats as Mark rips into the song. I have to say that I am not totally thrilled with his song choice but he does an incredible job with it. You have to admit, though, that the lyrics are ridiculous. But, he has such great energy and his voice is immaculate! Some of the notes that he hits are mind-bending! For a little guy, he really commands the stage and thanks the audience when he finishes.

Naomi asks him to be her valentine and says he could be the poster child for Star Search. Matti tells Mark that, contrary to popular belief, he is not there to destroy the dreams of children and thinks Mark is magnificent. MC loves the depth of the song and says he hit the high notes with a bang.

“Hit me with the digits.” The judges give Mark a perfect 15 stars. We the people will have to wait until everyone has performed to vote for our favorites.

Next up is Spensha Baker who is also 11. She is singing Whitney’s “I Believe in You and Me” and from the start it is clear that this song is too old for her. She has made such great song choices in past appearances and tonight was not the night to change it up. But her voice is so mature, I forget for a moment that she is only 11. Her intonations are remarkable. She sings this song with so much emotion, you’d think the child had lived this song. One thing I noticed tonight for the first time is her use of the microphone. She skillfully switches it from one hand to another, emphasizing the breaks in the song. She does this so naturally. This might not seem like a big deal, but it gives her performance a real professional edge. She is solemn when the song is over, ignoring Arsenio’s inane comments, focusing only on what the judges have to say.

Naomi tells her that, although most kids her age don’t know what they are going to be when they grow up, Spensha is going to grow up to be a star. She loves her use of the vibrato and the falsetto. Although Matti says she knows he thinks she is magnificent, he feels that this was not her best performance to date and tells her she was off. It was not what he expected from her. “We’re here to separate the wheat from the chaff,” he states, pointing out that “you’re in a different league now.” MC tells Spensha that she was spectacular and got all of the feeling from her riffs. She was proud of the riffs saying that she “hadn’t quite heard them like that before.” MC congratulates her on a great performance. I am impressed by the way Spensha accepts the judges’ criticism.

“Let’s crack open a fresh case of digits.” The judges give her 13 stars:
Naomi – 4
Matti – 4
MC – 5