The Entertainer, Episode 10: For One, the Party Has Just Begun

Last time on The Entertainer, Wayne set the contestants up with five experts in various fields. While they all offered advice, most of it was bad and designed to test the contestants’ ability to determine which suggestions work for them, and which wouldn’t. While Dave far and away did the best job of rejecting bad advice, Joe fell for it the hardest and was eliminated from the game.

Tonight is it – their final performance before an audience. Before the show is over, one of the contestants will have earned an extended spot in Wayne Newton’s show, a one-year, million-dollar contract to headline at the Las Vegas Hilton, and the title of The Entertainer. Who will it be? Country girl Sarah? Beautiful singer Jennifer? The talented Delisco? Or the very funny Dave? Let’s find out.

The show begins with the performers packing up their clothes; it’s time for them to leave the high roller suite that has been their home. Meanwhile, Wayne compares notes on the different entertainers with Frances and Scotty to decide who to cut. Delisco was great as a gondolier, but isn’t aggressive. Jennifer’s USO performance was described as her weakest. Dave was the only person to reject the bad advice, and developed a whole new show, seemingly spontaneously. Sarah did a poor job during the bad advice show. So after looking over the scorecards, Wayne notes it is painfully clear who should be eliminated. It’s also been obvious to me for some time.

Wayne meets the contestants and tells them their next show will be in front of a large audience. One will be named The Entertainer and win the contract to perform in his show and at the Las Vegas Hilton. Wayne dismisses everybody but Sarah, and tells her to sit down. He says he’s gone over the tapes and all the jobs, and it’s clear that she’s not ready to be a headline star in Las Vegas. He wouldn’t be a friend or mentor to let her continue. Sarah breaks down crying, but says she understands. She wants to say goodbye to everybody. Later on she does, telling Dave, Delisco, and Jennifer she’s been cut. Dave is relieved he wasn’t cut. Jennifer is also glad it was Sarah to go, because she has a lot to learn still. Delisco says some of the pressure is off of him now.

It’s time for the final performances of the contestants. The audience fills the showroom. Backstage, Wayne tells everybody to break a leg. He tells them it’s going to be fun, and he’ll see them on stage. Jennifer tells us she’s preparing for one of the biggest moments of her life, but doesn’t have her full voice. She’s nervous. Delisco says it’s a competition, but he’s going to treat it as a performance and give it 100%.

In the showroom, Wayne is the emcee for the night. He gets a standing ovation before he can even say anything. He thanks the crowd and welcomes them to the finale of The Entertainer. It’s a special night – it’s history in the making. The show started with ten of the most gifted talents in the country, and now it’s down to three. Some of those who didn’t make it and are in the audience (it looks like everybody but Paul is there) and Wayne asks them to give them a hand. Wayne explains what the prize of the show is to the audience, and tells them to enjoy a great show.

Jennifer is up first, and claims she’s nervous. She goes out and starts singing “A Natural Woman.” She’s good. Her father thinks she should win – it’s what she’s worked for her whole life. Her boyfriend is also around, and is proud of her getting this far. Backstage, Delisco and Dave watch and admire the performance. Jennifer performs “Son of a Preacher Man” next, and does another great job to a responsive audience. She gets a standing ovation from the audience. She tells us she nailed it on stage. She feels on top of the world.