Canadian Idol 6, July 29: One Gets Unplugged

The show starts with the top eight on stage to perform The Who’s “My Generation.” Huh? That’s an odd and inappropriate choice for “Unplugged” week, as this is a song about being loudly independent! It goes surprisingly better than one might expect, though they get a big assist from the band’s “acoustic wall of sound.”

Series host Ben Mulroney introduces the judges quickly and asks Zack about his new CD. Yes, Zack has a band called Haymaker that released a CD today. He says, “Sometimes music is a competition, and sometimes it’s just having fun and entertaining people.” Ben next cuts to a recap of last night that takes us to the first commercial.

After the break, Ben introduces this week’s guest coach, Gavin Rossdale, who performs an acoustic version of his new single, “Love Remains The Same.” Ben asks him what he’s noticed working as a solo act, and Gavin responds, “Less democracy.”

Ben tells us more about an upcoming guest coach – and it’s the Snowbird herself, Anne Murray! Her combined 28 Juno and Grammy wins speak to her validity as an advisor.

The next segment features mentor Jully Black (on tape), advising the Idols Jully-style at the mansion. After loudly clapping her hands and scaring Theo half to death, she gets him to admit song selection is hard. Mookie confirms that when they can’t work out song selection conflicts, it literally is a coin toss to make the final decision.

Mark (in a tee shirt and bathrobe) shows her the pool. She finds Mitch and Drew on the roof, working on a tune together, and Amberly, Theo, and Mark are standing around the piano and singing while posing in a photogenic way. Next, Jully scats with Sebastian, then Earl. She tells Earl he has swagger, but also tells him to pull up his pants and make his momma proud. The segment ends with Jully enjoying a cocktail in the sun.

It’s always fun stuff with Jully, but now it’s time to get serious. Back live, Ben tells us that the three Idols with the lowest vote totals will be called to center stage, with the one having the lowest total being sent home.

Ben first addresses Earl Stevenson, Mark Day, and Drew Wright. Earl and Drew are safe, but Mark is in the bottom three. He takes it stoically.

Next up – Theo Tams, and he’s safe. Mitch MacDonald is safe, too. With three left, no one wants to be called next. Next is Sebastian Pigott, and sure enough, he’s in the bottom three.

Only Amberly Thiessen and Mookie Morris are left. One of them will complete the bottom three… and it’s Mookie. The two Toronto boys are here again.

Feeling the need to burn two minutes of airtime, Ben turns to the judges for some opinions. He asks Farley if these are the right three to be in the bottom. Farley says that with three to be chosen from only eight, it’s “just numbers.” He adds that last night is one of his favourite shows of any season.

Asked if there is a problem of lack of star power and charisma, Zack says, “Actually, I feel these three guys are all super-charismatic, just two of them shouldn’t be here any more.”

Let’s pick up the pace. Jake wants someone to step up and show they want to win. He still feels too many are playing it safe. Sass dodges making a harsh comment by saying she didn’t have a bottom three among these eight.

After the commercial, Ben quickly tells the boys that Sebastian is the one going home. The crowd is mute and Ben actually has to instruct them to applaud for Sebastian. In his funeral video, Sebastian says he has no regrets. He says, “I was lousy, I got better, and I didn’t choke under the pressure.” He thanks the fans for their touching support and wishes the remaining seven well.

Ben reveals that next week, Tom Jones will be here to mentor the Idols in the theme “Hits From The U.K.” Sebastian sings us out with his version of “Lucile,” and we’re done.

Other Stuff: How many of you recognized Steffi Didomenicantonio (a.k.a. Steffi D) from Season 4 in the picture that accompanies this article? As you may remember, though she mounted a very respectable fifth place finish, Steffi’s true goals were more in the musical theater line. Since being on this show, Steffi has worked hard toward that goal, and has now been rewarded with a major role.

Steffi will be playing the part of “Ilse” in the Broadway National Tour’s presentation of Spring Awakening, the hit play that won eight Tony awards in 2007. Steffi has signed on for the entirety of the whole-year tour. A Toronto stop is scheduled for the Canon Theater from March 18th to April 19th, 2009.

So, congratulations, Steffi! Your fans will be there to see you!

Brian can be reached at uncle_bto@rogers.com. He’d like to hear your opinions and promises to respond to all serious email!

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