Celebrity Duets, September 7: Duet to It!

Wayne Brady welcomes us. We get a recap of last week’s performances, and relive the exit of Chris Jericho. Our sitting judges remain Marie Osmond, Little Richard, and David Foster.

We are reminded that this week, America is in control. Our votes will determine who is leaving the show! So let’s get to it!

Hal Sparks is still smarting from Marie’s comment that he was a bit “white” last week. He tells us he’s definitely in this competition to win it, though he jokes that he couldn’t even make his church choir!

Hal Sparks, with Wynonna: “I Want To Know What Love Is”

Hal takes the first set of lyrics by himself, and he sounds much better than he did last week! He has his pitch and he’s dead on it! Wynonna joins him from the shadows and maintains the pitch he started. Very nice! Together, Hal gets a bit screechy, but Wynonna manages to match his intensity and keeps him from sounding completely deranged (a lot of this competition is going to be based on how good of a duet partner the Superstars are! We are already seeing some give more than others!). It’s a good showing.

Wayne asks how singing with Hal compares with singing with Naomi Judd. She doesn’t really answer, but she seemed to have a good time.

Marie says he has soul and, “Hal to the chief!” Little Richard says Hal rose to the occasion tonight. David says good job, but he wishes Hal didn’t go from “zero to ten” so fast, understanding that they only have a minute to sing. Hal understands the comment. Me too.

Lea learns she will be singing with the lead singer of one of the greatest pop bands of all time. She gets some assistance from her daughter, who tells her to “feel the music, Mom!” Kid knows what she’s talking about!

Lea Thompson, with Belinda Carlisle: “Heaven Is a Place on Earth”

Lea starts out energetically, but again, her vocal control seems out of whack. She always seems like a runaway freight train when she starts. Belinda joins in and manages to temper Lea. Together, they harmonize nicely, but… eh.

Belinda says she knew Lea was a great singer, but was surprised by how well the voices blended together.

Marie says Lea’s energy was great at the beginning and she held her own with Belinda. Little Richard says Lea reminded him of Tina Turner at the beginning – “the legs, not the voice!” (That gets an ‘ohhhh!’ From the crowd.) And he adds she’s already a princess, he wants to make her a queen. Is he even qualified for that?! David notes that Lea said she didn’t want to disappoint her kids, and she didn’t.

Cheech says to his Latino fans that a vote for him is a step closer to citizenship! He loves to sing and would take a recording contract in a second. I don’t think he should be waiting by the phone.

Cheech Marin, with Clint Black: “Been There”

Cheech is spirited in his intro, singing on pitch and has a nice little groove going. Clint arrives and does a very nice job harmonizing with Cheech. He plays a mean harmonica too! Very nice performance!

Wayne asks about the difference between singing with Cheech and his wife, Lisa Hartman. Clint says something scary about kissing and pink tutus. The audience just gapes in horror.

Marie says he was great and put “a little reach in the Cheech!” Little Richard babbles that Cheech “found something in the closet besides clothes!” No idea. David notes that Cheech is the only celebrity to have a hit record, but he will not make it to the end. (That will get him some sympathy votes for sure. Thanks.)

Alfonso Ribeiro says he has to work harder, after David said he was off-key. He’s struggling to balance his day job as a director with the rehearsals. Did he pull it off?

Alfonso Ribeiro, with Jeffrey Osborne: “On the Wings of Love”

To begin, Alfonso seems to try to match Jeffrey’s key, which is too low for him. Doesn’t fit. Jeffrey comes out and rights the ship. By the bridge, Alfonso is back in the pocket, and they finish strong. He saved it!

Jeffrey says it was incredible working with Alfonso; he was prepared and is a true professional.

Marie says he did a good job with Jeffrey, and liked how he went off into the audience. I have no idea what Little Richard say, but he seems pleased. David says Alfonso was in tune, but stop with the dancing. He doesn’t like it. (Jeez, does David have it out for Alfonso??)

Carly says she thought she would get the boot last week, but she’s playing catch-up now. She promises America they will like what she does now.