Judges wowed during third session of Canadian Idol by Laurel E. Anderson

(first published in the Kanata Kourier July 9, 2004)

How does the saying go? Third time’s a charm? Well not in this case. More like third strike and you’re out, at least for the Ottawa area singers that have competed so far, for a coveted spot in the top ten of this year’s Canadian Idol competition.

Last Wednesday night, the third group of eight singers took the stage and we heard and saw some of the best performances so far in the competition. This bang on crop of talent would only prove to make it more difficult to take one of the two finalists spots still up for grab.

Familiar face Ben Mulroney opens up the show in his usual upbeat manner, trying to put everyone at ease with his casual banter and jokes. I’m not going to pick at Ben too much this week as a lot of his fans have come out of the woodwork and admonished me for giving him a hard time. I never said that Ben wasn’t doing a good job hosting the show; I just feel that his wardrobe could be better planned out. This week’s light shirt and heavier blazer just made me think ‘satin sheet and wooly blanket.’ The two just don’t go together but I’ll leave it at that.

Before the performances start, Ben asks the judges what they think of group three and who will make it through. Jake says that ‘song selection will be the key tonight’ while Sass counters with, “you never know Ben, that’s the music business.” And with that, Ben scoots backstage to introduce the singers with Rockland resident Constant Bernard up first. Constant made it to the top ten last year and was then sent home. Ben asks Constant to describe himself, “I think I’m funny and laid back,” he answers. He continues, saying that he loves the set, the whole experience and can’t wait to see where things go with Canadian Idol.

Constant takes the stage, singing a ballad-type of song and in my opinion (which apparently doesn’t count for much) it is a strong performance with no signs of nerves. He seems very at home on stage and just as I am starting to get excited that we will finally have someone from the Ottawa area in the top ten, the judges offer their two cents. First there is Sass’s cryptic comment, “I like it, but I don’t like it,” followed by Zack’s “I just don’t believe it, you sang well but you know…” No Zack, I don’t know and neither does Jake who told Constant that his performance was unbelievable with Farley adding that he was really good at interpreting the song. Constant takes it all in stride and when Ben asks him how things went, he sums it up and says, “I felt it, and I had so much fun out there.” What a great guy. But now it’s wait and see time as the others perform because being a great guy doesn’t guarantee a spot in the finals.

One by one the singers take the stage, hoping to woo the hearts of those of us at home with any type of phone service, knowing that their Canadian Idol future is dependent on us picking up the phone. Valerie Jalbert tells Ben that singing is the only thing she wants to do with her life just before taking the stage. She too sings a slow, ballad-type song that met with most of the judge’s approval. Farley said she nailed it and Sass thought she did a terrific job but Zack told her that she had zero charisma and couldn’t sell it. Jake answers back to Zack with, “maybe we should just sell you” and then tells Valerie that she did well.

The good performances continue and I am thinking that it is going to be a tough call again tonight with a few singers having to duke it out in the wildcard round later, when Jacob Hoggard hits the stage. First in his favour is that he sings ‘Only the Good Die Young’ leaving the ballads for the faint at heart. He is lively, comfortable on stage, moving all over and letting his personality really come through. He is refreshing and works the mike like a seasoned performer. This apprentice carpenter from British Columbia wows the crowd and the judges. “You are a bona-fide star,” offers an enthusiastic Sass. Zack follows with his eloquent take, “Canada’s gotta love you dude, you rock.” Farley tells him that he is the most anticipated performer and Jake says, “my real name is Jacob and you make the name proud,”

It’s as if they saved the best for last because right after Jacob is done wowing the audience, my favourite, Theresa Sokyrka is up. Before taking the stage she reflects saying, “out of this I hope to get the freedom to make my life my music.” Her performance is super. She looks comfortable on stage and sounds very polished. The judges agree with Farley saying that ‘there is soul in Saskatchewan’ and Sass telling Theresa that she has grace and style and that ‘she took down the house!” Zack provides the slam-dunk when he tells Theresa that she is his favourite singer over the last two years.

It’s decision night and I am almost wondering why the network even felt they had to air a show, it was that obvious who was going forward to the finals. Ben asks the judges to predict the top two and it is unanimous, Theresa and Jacob. Now it’s time to see if Canada agrees but before Ben reads the voting results, he keeps us in agony a bit longer as he goes over the voting procedures once gain. In an exasperated moment, I silently yell at the television screen saying, “we know how it works, stop telling me every night!” Well, the time finally comes and it is Theresa and Jacob finishing one two. No big surprise, just the way it should be.

There’s one more round of eight finalists left, two top ten spots up for grabs
and one Ottawa singer left to compete. Rebecca Abbott is an Ottawa native and is our last chance for some homegrown talent to make the top ten. By the time you read this, all will be said and done for the Ottawa’s semi-final’s Idol experience…until the wildcard round. Catch Canadian Idol Wednesday nights at 8 p.m. on CTV.

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