Apparently, the contestants were randomly selected. Out of how many? 10? I think we can believe that as much as we can trust the dodgy voting on Pop's Ultimate Star.
Dominic Bowden said (after the last group song): "I think a lot of people just picked up their phones to vote for these people. But the phone lines are now closed".
When you only give people until the very last performance to vote, how fair do they expect the polls to be? My opinion-Not fair at all. In fact, I suspect the judges have already made their choice, and TVNZ are just trying to milk money out of the gullible public by pretending their votes mean anything.
Are red and black the shows theme colors? Or is Kim trying to win herself a Logie award for her style (non)efforts?
This weeks Dig At Dom was spoiled, because he wore a very sharp suit (even though it was red and black), and hosted the show flawlessly. Give me something to work with next week Dom, or I'll be out of a job.
This weeks Covergirl Coverage victim was Emily. I'm not sure why screening time is being wasted like this. Half the make-up jobs are as dodgy as the clothing. Quite frankly, it's tacky and cheap to have such obvious sponsorship DURING the show. Put it in the ads, where they belong. Thanks.
1st Group Performance was sung by the apparent top 5 contestants(Nik, Matt, Ben, Rosita, and Joe). They sung That's The Way I Like It.
It was Joe's turn to look pregnant, in that disgusting yellow and black "thing". Nik sounded flat. But Rosita looked nice. Her outfit was very classy, and slimming. Overall, the group did okay.
Surprise Challenge-Group Song 2 was Melting Pot, A Capella style.
Camillia won immunity by taking some leadership, and basically organising the way the song would be sung.
It was nicely intro'ed by David, and we loved his beat-boxing skills. Everyone was singing well, the harmonising was beautiful, and everything was going perfectly...until Camillia blew it with her attention-seeking, cat-drowning vocals that she couldn't handle. For goodness sake, Camillia, go to the toilet before the show starts, and close those legs!
The Last Group Song was performed by the bottom 4 contestants. Steve, David, Emily, and Camillia sung Lean On Me.
And the clothing was all black and red, again.
Guest Judge. Tonight, Hello Sailor's Graham Brazier took over from Jordan, on the judges' couch. Jordan was probably enjoying a spliff out the back.
Individual Performances:
Joe Cotton opened the night with Belinda Carlisle's Heaven is a Place on Earth.
Denim mini skirt, and CFM boots? Dare I say it, but that's a skanky outfit. Don't do that again, Kim.
Poor Joe tried her best with a crap song. She sang it okay, but some songs can't be improved on.
Tip:Choose your own clothes, Joe. Don't listen to the "stylist".
6/10
Graham said: Fantastic performance.
(I say: since it's your first time, I'll be gentle)
Kim said: A+ for performing well under pressure.
(I say: yeah, the pressure of performing in that get-up)
Peter said: Pop music is all the better for you being here.
(I say: yawnies)
Rosita Vai followed Joe's performance with J-Los' Love Don't Cost a Thing.
It was a very breathless start, and quite pitchy. Not a very enjoyable performance, which would have disappointed a lot of people after last weeks stunner.
That ugly jacket did nothing for her, and were those pyjama pants she was wearing?
I think Rosita was swamped by the jacket, hair, make-up, and racey lyrics.
Tip:Go back to what you know, and ditch the manly gangsta dancing.
5/10
Kim said: You really owned your woman-hood.
(I say: she looked like a drag queen, thanks to you)
Peter said: A command performance.
(I say: The jacket had my un-divided attention)
Harry said: A couple of dodgy notes.
(I say: Please, please, please be consistent)
Ben Lummis sung Every Breathe You Take by The Police.
And started with "I'll be watching chew". The lyrical balls-ups didn't end there, either.
It messed with his performance, knocking his vocals around willy nilly.
Or maybe that jacket was giving him migraines? It looked like a chessboard the dog chewed up and coughed out.
Tip: Write the lyrics on the back of your hand or something.
5/10
Graham said: I think Sting got stung.
(I say: You're pushing my niceness with stupid comments like that)
Kim said: Tuning wasn't all that great.
(I say: D'uh!)
Peter said: Intensity was great.
(I say: The jacket was the only intense thing)
Steve Broad sung Dave Dobbyn's Beside You.
Snotty green tie on a vomit green shirt, with raggedy black Westie jeans? Oh no, daaarlink. It spells "tragic" from your spiky hair, to your white sneakers.
A vocal shocker. Say no more.
Tip: Next time you get a song like that, tell the judges where to stick it.
No score.
Kim said: What a tough call.
(I say: you fools picked it)
Pete said: My good mate Dave Dobbyn would've given that a passing mark.
(I say: I just read Wikipedia's article on your good mate. But I'll say no more)
Harry said: The wheels came off badly.
(I say: 2 for 2. My fingers are still crossed)
Camillia Temple sang Christina Aguilera's What a Girl Wants.
The belt should have been buckled around her knees. I know the dress was designed to show off curves, but not that many, surely?
Vocally, she was boring, and sounded like she had a cold.
Listen up judges (and voters) ...Camillia can not sing low notes. In fact, like a banshee, she can only scream out high notes.
Tip: Close your legs, ditch that "I'm a Diva" sneer, and drink some Lemsip.
4/10
Graham said: A new-age Aretha Franklin.
(I say: it's dumb comments like that that will earn you a smack up-side the head)
Pete said: You rocked that song.
(I say: well the audience and I must have heard a different song, because it bombed)
Nik Carlson sung Bad Day, by Daniel Powter.
I want that shirt!
And because I liked it so much, I'm going to be nice to Nik, and say I thought he could've been a runner-up in a Northland Karaoke competition with that performance.
Tip: Nik, buddy old pal, you can send that shirt c/o this site. Cheers mate.
6(and a half)/10
Graham said: You did a good job, and you look great.
(I say: there's hope for you yet, Gray)
Harry said: You look and sound like a Popstar.
(Nik said: if you guys give me a better song, I promise I'll do better)
(I say: Keep dreaming, Nik. The judges aren't too great at choosing good songs)
Big Matt Saunoa sung Burn, by Usher.
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall.
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.
I think he landed in Matt's shirt.
I hate to do this to Matt, because I really love his voice, BUT...that was painful to watch AND painful to listen to. Fortunately, Matt has two saving graces.
1/ It was a boring song when Usher sang it.
2/ Matt had a sore throat. (boo-hoo)
Tip: If you can't hit the high notes, sing them lower. And have some Robitussin
Because of the sore throat, I'll give you a very reluctant 4/10.
Graham said: I'm personally very proud of you.
(I say: "personally"? What's it got to do with you "personally"?)
Kim said: A mixed bag.
(I say: once in a while, you actually get it right)
Peter said: You did okay, thankyou.
Emily Williams sung, no, she ROCKED Beyonce's Irreplaceable.
This was a hard ask, and vocally testing for the best of them. Even Beyonce herself can't sing this song live.
A thoroughly enjoyable performance, proving that Emily has the potential to take this competition out.
The only fault was with the Uber notes, but so what?
She looked modern, and comfortable.
Tip: Cut your bangs. They are distracting you.
9/10
Graham said: You've got amazing range in your voice.
(I say: I totally agree!)
Peter said: You got all the notes, but they are ear piercing.
(I say: D'uh, Peter. Don't you listen to the songs you pick for them?)
Harry said: Fantastic.
(I say: Couldn't have put it better myself)
David Wikaira sung EMF's Unbelievable.
David is quite entertaining to watch, although I thought the song sounded more Supergroove than EMF. But his sheer guts and determination have earned him some good support
I think David has consistently shown that he really wants this.
The outfit was a bit "hanging out in the front yard" though.
Tip: It's "ASKING", not "AKSING".
8/10
Kim said: Fantastic performer, fantastic entertainer.
(I say: You got it right again)
Peter said: You're walking on a tight ro
Out in the Square – Wellington’s gay and lesbian fair – kicks off tomorrow Saturday 1st March 2008 in Civic Square.
