Whiskey-a-Rainbow, October 17, 2012

Week 5
by Stuart Munro

Dear friends... After what felt like the longest day I’ve had in ages (which is saying something), I can’t tell you what a relief it is to come home, pour myself a glass of Forty Creek, and tune in to my favourite reality TV show (OK. Second favourite after RuPaul’s Drag Race, amiright?), CBC’s Over the Rainbow! Who will we lose this week? Who will shine? Who will blunder? I’m here to answer all these questions for you, and more.

Daryn Jones (who let’s face it, is the object of my affection these days) introduced our six remaining Dorothies as they launched into a high-spirited performance of “Don’t rain on my parade” from Funny Girl (I guess they finally ran out of songs from Oz). The girls sounded huge! I want to suggest there were some off-stage singers, but I think they’ve simply brought out the big guns. All three judges were looking in top form, and we learned that, not only will Andrew Lloyd Webber be back on the panel soon, but the show’s director, Jeremy Sams, is in town this week as well. But no pressure!

what was with the grocery store scenario they put her in? Who’s coming up with these ridiculous settings?

Jessie opened the show with “Enough is enough.” The disco beat didn’t seem to gel too well with her style, and while vocally she was pretty strong, all her choreography seemed phoned in, as if she was just going through the motions (and what was with the grocery store scenario they put her in? Who’s coming up with these ridiculous settings?). It was less than I’ve come to expect from this charming girl. Arlene worried about Jessie’s stamina (she did sound a little winded), but Louise enjoyed her “pizzazz.” Danielle’s performance of “Valerie” was lots of fun, very well sung, though perhaps a tad frantic. She even managed to recover quickly from a small lyrical flub – we all know mistakes happen. It’s how actors react to them that matter, and she handled it like a pro. The judges all LOVED Danielle, and Tom said he didn’t think anyone could beat her. Arlene thought she was a mega-star, and Louise fell in love with her. Don’t get me wrong, I like Danielle a lot, but I didn’t think the performance was all that.

In contrast, AJ’s “Feeling good” was an utterly perfect and complete performance for me. Vocally it was powerful and brash, but quiet and controlled when necessary. Physically, she moved nearly as well as the trained dancers behind her, and her attitude and charisma meant I couldn’t take my eyes off her the whole time. This was probably the top performance for me this week. Tom FINALLY threw his shoe at someone, and Arlene called her a Tornado! Louise agreed with me and called it a “full performance.” Cassandra, hoping to show a little more emotional depth, sang “Out here on my own” from Fame. The effort was sincere, but one could tell the emotion was mostly superficial, and her notes struggled as a result. Given what some of the other girls show on a weekly basis, this is a bit too little too late for me. And Cassandra, take off the glasses already! Arlene, however, thought she got right to “the heart of the song,” and Louise appreciated that she put on such a strong performance even with a cold.

Colleen, in her pre-song video with director Jeremy Sams, looked a bit uncomfortable simply reading text off a page. Her interpretation of “Could it be magic?” sounded lovely off the top, but quickly fell flat (performance and pitch-wise) as it moved into the upbeat portion of the song. I don’t think anyone’s ever taught her how to use her mix, or even belt safely and accurately. A bit of natural talent can only take you so far. Louise and Tom praised her vocals, but didn’t believe her physicality or intentions. Arlene called her treatment of the text “careless” and “shouty.” Stephanie closed the show with a clown-filled performance of “Smile” that was sweet and tender, but needlessly cluttered (the director’s/choreographer’s fault, not hers). Stephanie has some issues when her voice gets too nasally, and if someone can work that out of her, I think she’d really shine. Tom thought it was “perfect,” and Arlene loved her lack of artifice. Louise thought it was amazing that Stephanie could hold her attention, even with all the action going on around her.

Jeremy Sams worked with the girls as a group on some scene work, and AJ stood out for me, but Stephanie and Danielle also showed some real potential. It’s too bad that more of this isn’t included in the decision making process. Dorothy has to speak as well! Ahh the peculiarities of reality show-based casting.

Louise admits that the songs aren’t rocket science, but that it’s possible to find a story in even the simplest of songs.

AJ, Stephanie and Danielle did it for me this week, but really, my money’s more and more on AJ. She may not always be the top performer of the week for me, but she’s the most consistent of the bunch and is really able to steal the show when given the right song.

Louise was the girls’ guest mentor for Monday night’s show as they prepared a medley of music from Mamma Mia! Louise admits that the songs aren’t rocket science, but that it’s possible to find a story in even the simplest of songs. Even Louise got in on it, and if she sounded a bit tired, she made up for it by being captivating while singing “The winner takes it all.” (Yeah. Not even Louise Pitre is safe from my criticism.)

But on to the important stuff. This week Jessie and Cassandra both found themselves in danger, not surprising given their performances on Sunday (and I’m thrilled that Canada and I are agreeing more and more). The sing-off song this week was “Tell me it’s not true” from Blood Brothers. As far as I’m concerned, Jessie sang circles around Cassandra who was barely in tune the whole time. Tom said that, at this point, it’s tragic sending any of these talented girls home, but (after a commercial break. C’mon!) Arlene, paradoxically, sent Jessie home. She called Jessie’s story-telling abilities “astounding,” but said they weren’t there tonight. Compared to what Cassandra presented, I have to disagree. Wholeheartedly. Jessie went through the ridiculous shoe removal ceremony and sang “Over the rainbow” so honestly and so sweetly that I bet all the judges were thinking “Oh man, we totally screwed this one up.” The competition just got a little less interesting for me.

Until next week, my fellow Ozians!

As an aside, Daryn dragged the Dorothies up to the Edgewalk on the CN Tower this week. Now, I love a good thrill ride (I’ve had a number of season’s passes to Wonderland and Leviathan is my definition of a good time), but even I wouldn’t get up on the CN Tower in October! So cold! To quote Mr. Jones, “This is so stupid. Why would we do this?!” Also, The Toto competition continues (though I think the winner is just an honourary Toto?) and for anyone watching, my money’s totally on Daniel. That guy’s just way too cute!