Canadian Idol 6, August 19: Another Long and Winding Road… Ends

Series host Ben Mulroney welcomes us to the show and tells us that more than 3.6 million votes were cast this week. He next introduces the judges and jumps right into some BPRQs (Boring Predictable Response Questions).

Ben asks Farley why last night he said this is the best final five they’ve ever had. He says the sum of the parts is greater than the whole, crediting the song catalog, the Idols themselves, the live band, the judges, and the invisible angel, vocal mentor Debra Byrd. I’ve met Byrd a couple of times, and she’s a powerhouse talent when it comes to helping the Idols.

One point to clarify: Byrd helps the Idols with the song selections they make, but she does not help make the song selections. Got that? Okay!

Ben notes that Zack wasn’t negative once last night and asks if he’s okay. After taking a shot at Ben, Zack says, “I just responded to what happened.”

Gosh, those questions were almost (almost, mind you) worthy of the time it took to air them!

Ben then calls for the recap video from last night. Alas, TSNs Sports Center crew is not on hand tonight, so let’s skip ahead to the new stuff.

The top five now perform individual Beatles numbers. These excerpts are in the 40-to-60-second range. Mitch leads off with “Blackbird,” wearing glasses but o-mi-god, he has no guitar! I’m not sure I recognize Mitch without a guitar in his hands!

Drew then takes on “Eleanor Rigby,” and Mookie follows with “Get Back.” Next is Earl’s falsetto-testing version of “Revolution.” Finally, Theo closes it out with “Let It Be,” with everyone joining him for the last verse. I think everyone shows pretty well, and this is way more entertaining than those dreadful group numbers that too often don’t work out all that well.

It’s time for another Jully Black segment. This time, she’s visiting the Idols to talk about their expectations over the rest of the competition and life after Idol. This segment is more serious, and it’s a good change of pace.

Theo learned he needs to develop a thick skin, but still he needs to stay vulnerable, too. Jully says rejection can be inspiration, if you use it right. Mitch notes the conflicts of performing his own kind of music in the competition, because his own musical tastes are not well-known artists.

Drew talks of drawing on many musical inspirations, only to hear that some still don’t know what music he wants to make. Earl offers that if it’s natural to you, it will come off natural. Theo adds that your own style will come through, regardless of the genre.

Jully asks how the Idols are preparing for the new beginning that’s the next stage of their career. Mookie wants a vacation. Pretty much everyone agrees that they want some time to themselves to reflect on the experience and process all that’s happened.

Seriously… I love loud, brassy Jully, but this was easily her best segment of the season!

Ben has another pre-selected fan question. This question is for Earl, asking about Canada’s economic situation. Humourously, his response comes right out of a financial advisor’s training material, basically advising us to ride out the storm because things will get better. Cute, I thought he was just going to tell us to always keep at least a half-tank of gas in the tractor!

That’s all well and good, but now Ben has to transact some business. He begins the results by admitting that this time, the Idols with the fewest votes will be joining him at center stage, and that one of them will be going home.

Ben begins with Theo Tams and Mitch MacDonald first. Theo is safe… and Mitch is safe, too!

Earl Stevenson, Mookie Morris, and Drew Wright are next addressed as a group. Only one of them is safe… and it’s not Drew. We then learn Earl is also safe this week, meaning Mookie is again the one who has fallen into in the bottom group.

Sass is asked by Ben to offer some words to Drew. She says this show is a leg up, and to keep on performing and gaining experience.

Be asks Jake to advise Mookie. He says, “We all know you’re a star. We all know you got a huge, huge future in the music business. You’re the youngest member of the group. Whether you stay or you go… call me Monday.”

Gee, not to pick on Sass, but I like Jake’s message better!

After the commercial, Ben addresses the two lads from Ontario. It’s a shocked Drew who learns he has been voted into the top four. Thus Mookie is the one going home! Fangirls across the nation (though obviously fewer than some of us thought) are placed on suicide watch. Pity their hapless parents, dear readers!

In his funeral video, Mookie says the experience was more than he ever expected. He’s learned to believe in himself and his self-confidence has grown. He also thanks those who voted for him.

Next week, the “Anne Murray Songbook” will be explored, with Anne on hand to help out. The Idols will also sing a second song of their own choice. Mookie sings us out, ending by smashing his guitar on the stage, and we’re done!

Poll: This is a last call for the winner of my poll, “ca_Jeanie_1…@yahoo.com.” If you entered the poll’s prize category and that’s something similar to your email address (because I’m trying not to put your exact email address out there), you have about 24 hours to get your mailing address to me. Otherwise, I’ll be forced to select another random winner. Don’t make me be the bad guy here!

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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