Canadian Idol 4, September 11: Le Prince et le Dragon

Series host Ben Mulroney welcomes us to the show with a 30-second video recap of the season to date. It’s pretty sexy, really.

Ben tells us that tonight, each Idol will face off with three songs. One will be their favourite chosen from the songs they’ve already performed this season, one will be a song of their own choosing, and the other is “the world premiere of the new Idol single.”

Ben also reminds us that the extended 90-minute results show will not be on Tuesday, but instead on Sunday, at 7:30PM ET/PT. I think a good drinking game will be to have a shot every time Ben repeats that message. You might miss the end of this show, but you have this fine recap to fall back on and you’ll probably be sober again by Sunday.

Anyway, on Sunday, Melissa O’Neil is coming, so is Nelly Furtado, the whole top ten and “other special guests.” No, at this time they have not asked me to step up. Foolish they! Still, that line-up sounds pretty exciting to me!

Ben next introduces the two surviving Idols, Eva and Craig. Need I say that Eva looks beautiful and Craig is dashingly handsome? Applause seems fairly evenly split.

To try and settle the nerves, Ben tosses them a couple of easy (and probably prearranged) questions... Eva’s honoured still to be here, while Craig admits “it may never soak in” and he’s been rehearsing a lot, but he still tries to take time to “enjoy it.”

Oh boy! It’s the judges I.D.P.Q.s (Incredibly Deep Probing Questions)! The first is for Farley: The judges have been asking the Idols to show who they really are, does tonight’s format platform to do that?” “Yes.” Heck, they’re singing three times! May I take a moment to note that Farley, in a brilliant white suit with black highlights and saucy white hat, looks spectacular? Is that redundant?

Zack is asked how Craig got here and what he needs to do to win. Zack says that when Craig auditioned he thought he was a contender, but to win…. this is old turf, read any of my last four recaps to see what Zack thinks that Craig is stiff and holding back. So never mind what Zack reiterates, I say he needs to be seven years older. That’s the real solution, you can’t sing it if you haven’t lived it.

Jake is asked the same thing about Eva. He says that initially they liked her poise and that she has grown a lot in the competition. She now shows great vulnerability. Should she keep it up, she’ll win.

Sass is asked for a general opinion. It’s pretty general. Ben tells us Sass has a new CD coming out… and everyone in the audience gets one!

The first performance this week is from Craig Sharpe. The song he will perform is called “Meant to Fly.” That’s the new Idol single, co-written by the trio of Chantal Kreviazuk (guest coach in week six), Our Lady Peace’s (and Chatal’s husband) Raine Maida, and young Gaby Moreno. After Sunday’s finale, the winner’s version will be released to radio stations “within hours” of the announcement of the final vote.

In a vidclip, Chantal says the song is an opportunity for Craig to show he can “believe in his words (well, hers actually) and it gives him a platform for really being expressive.” Long notes can showcase his voice and its power. “The key is his authenticity.”

Jake: Jake thinks, “That was, without a doubt, the best thing you’ve ever done on this show.”

Sass: Sass says, “Unbelievably great! I had chills!”

Farley: Farley falls back into sports metaphors, but it’s all good for Farley. I did get “step up” and “man to be respected” out of it. OK, I kid, I like Farley’s sports analogies!

Zack: There’s no words from Zack – he merely jumps up on stage and gives Craig a big, big hug! Another Idol first? After so much criticism from Zack this season, this is an emotional moment for Craig, who barely holds it together.

Brian: Craig seems to start out a little nervous, but he soon relaxes and seems to be as into this number as any this season. Some of his stage movements seem very rehearsed and static, though. Heck, he’s only sixteen! On the plus side, this song is right in the middle of his natural range and he gives it a mighty good kick. Overall, I like it. Maybe not as much as the judges, but I like it.

The song… sorry Chantal, I’ll not be buying this.

In the audience… Pamela Wallin. Maven!

By default, our second performer is Eva Avila. Her number is her own choice and it’s… “Wild Horses.” Alas, not The Stones song, this is from… Natasha Bedingfield?

Sass: Sass says, “Eva, you are an international caliber artist, and you are the jewel in the Canadian Idol crown.” As if that wasn’t prepared beforehand!

Farley: Farley says he doesn’t know why she picked the song, but it was “incredibly mature and incredibly Eva, it was captivating.”

Zack: Zack wonders about the song choice. He thinks it’s sorta cool but ends with, “But you haven’t won a Grammy yet, hon…”