On the Scene: Idol Gives Back
Apr 26, 2007, 11:25 AM | by Shirley Halperin
Categories: 'American Idol', Reality TV
Let’s just get this part out of the way: the "Idol Gives Back" special was a truly amazing undertaking that deserves much applause. Thirty million dollars just from the East Coast feed? That’s astonishing and so very needed. Our hats are off to the Idol producers who took the initiative and the sponsors who kicked in additional funds… respect.
Now, on to more trivial matters. One astute PopWatcher recently commented that it looked as if Melinda Doolittle and Chris Richardson had an extra-special bond. After tonight’s show, I second that with conviction. Sure, it was a tough night for the Justin look-alike. Not only was Chris among the last two standing in the fakeout elimination, but the video clips of poverty-stricken kids were way too much for him to handle. And right there to console him every time the lights went down? Mindy Doo, who kept her hand on his knee while he placed his over it. If it didn’t happen six or seven different times, I’d chalk it up to the hard-hitting images we all had to face (Chris fought back tears with each one), but I suspect there’s more to it.
We’ll get back to Doolittle-Richardson later, but first: the show. As I walked onto the CBS lot, I got the first clues as to who would be there that night. There was a reserved parking spot (the best of the bunch, right next to the talent door) for Rupert Murdoch, another for Seal. I saw Mikalah Gordon making the rounds, and Sanjaya with his gorgeous sister, Shyamali. The two of them were almost the last people to take their assigned seats, which had already been claimed by seat fillers, so there was some people-juggling just before the countdown. Also not in his chair six seconds away from air-time: Simon Cowell. But he did look good in that suit as he casually strolled toward the judges’ table. I guess knowing the next two hours of your life will be emotionally draining doesn’t exactly inspire a sprint.
Of course, by then, the audience had been introduced to the all-dressed-in-white chorus line that was — and remains — the final six. The Idol who got the biggest cheer? Unequivocally, Blake.
Ryan took his position, then began to deliver his opening lines when he fumbled and decided to start again. “I can’t see that far,” he snapped at the Teleprompter-cameraman (that’s a rarity in Seacrest world), knowing there’s a delay of just a few minutes. But the consummate pro that he is, Ryan kicked right into gear and it was smooth sailing from there. As the contestants took their seats on the blue wiener couches, Blake made guns-blazing hand signals at the audience, Phil looked confident, and Jordin was her usual giggly self, while Chris, LaKisha, and Melinda were much more subdued.
The audience was asked ahead of time not to lift their signs or cheer too wildly as this was a more somber show, so it was hard to judge the love. But one person who got a ridiculously deafening applause was Ellen DeGeneres, who appeared on the gigantic Idol screen on center stage. Ryan looked relieved to have Ellen take over for a while, after the snafu in the opening. He took a seat off to the side to watch Earth, Wind & Fire’s medley from Disney Hall, to which Blake grooved and LaKisha snapped along.
A quick commercial and it was time for the night’s first group performance. Quincy Jones, who wrote the tune and conducted the orchestra, looked so jazzed up on that Idol stage, blowing kisses to the final six as they hit that last note, almost like a proud papa. Another break allowed hair and makeup touchups for the contestants. Chris steered clear of Melinda’s hairspray spritz in a flirty kind of way and they looked to be off in a world of their own.
Ben Stiller’s bit got everyone laughing, especially Blake and Simon. The audience also got a kick out of the “Staying Alive” composite, while I was left with just one resounding thought: What was up with Teri Hatcher’s makeup?
It was time to get serious again as Ryan prepared to announce the first fates of the final six. Melinda bowed her head, Phil looked unfazed, and LaKisha seemed nervous. They were all safe, of course, in what promised to be the most shocking Idol elimination ever! But one person was especially thrilled to see Melinda make it through another week: Chris.
Il Divo did their thing and many were left wondering, was that English? Bill the Warm-up Guy thought it would be funny to ask the judges to comment on their performance during the break. Simon wasn’t biting, but Randy was totally down with the bass dude. “I like that guy,” he said. With more time to fill, Billy moved on to a girl who had earlier confessed her love for Blake, asking her what she sees as the perfect romantic evening. “A walk on the beach during sunset,” she replied, to which Bill said, “You’re a cheap date!” Ouch.
At this point, Seal had entered the studio and Simon went over to greet him. At the same time, I spotted Jack Black and Kyle Gass walking toward the middle row to take their seats. Tenacious D never disappoint, so I had a feeling we’d get a funny moment, probably the best of the night. Sure enough, the crowd loved it, and so did Seal, I later heard, who’d seen Black perform his song “Kiss From a Rose” a few years back and thought it was the best cover of it that he’d ever heard. Seal stuck around through the next reveal, but waved goodbye shortly thereafter.
After that, it was all about Sanjaya, everybody’s go-to punchline. It was all in good fun, though: Sanjaya exploded with laughter at Ellen’s crack and, when asked by Debbie the stage manager if he was okay with all the jibing, he nodded that it was cool. And during the next break, Sanjaya got warm, big hugs from all the judges. Since all eyes were on him, Bill decided to try a little Q&A. What’s Sanjaya been doing, beside being on every talk show? “I’ve been sleeping a lot,” he said. Sanjaya also added that Kathy Griffin was on his flight earlier that day. “You know you’ll be in her standup act now,” said Bill. “I hope so,” Sanjaya shot back. As for what’s next, Sanjaya was suspiciously evasive. “I have a bunch of stuff right now, but I can’t really talk about it; you’ll just have to watch TV to find out.” Hmmm…
Simon, meanwhile, was fielding questions from the audience. “Do people get mad at you on the street?” asked one woman. “All I received is love,” Simon answered. “[You all] boo, they adore me.” Another asked about his and Ryan’s trip to Africa. “You don’t feel sorry for yourself anymore,” said Simon.
What came next was a moment that, I think, marred the entire evening. Of course, I’m referring to the Celine Dion-Elvis Presley adventures-in-CGI debacle. Was that really necessary? I don’t think I was the only one sitting there horrified; you could hear the dismay of audience members as they talked through the “performance.” And did you all notice that the group of dressed-in-white Idols who came in toward the end included Sanjaya? An embarrassment all around.
Performances by Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, and Annie Lennox, on the other hand, were met by more enthusiasm despite some wardrobe misses — Kelly’s unflattering gown, Annie Lennox’s revealing top (thank God for double-stick tape), not to mention Paula’s constantly falling strap. But the much-hyped elimination changed the focus almost immediately. Jordin sat looking zen, while Chris seemed a tad more confident, and when his name was called, there was an audible gasp from a crowd that feared the worst. Pysch! Still, there was no time for makeup as Melinda and Jordin teared up in a warm embrace. Bono was up on the screen and the Idols had to take their positions for the final group performance. This time, the lyrics to “American Prayer” (co-written by Dave Stewart) were displayed on the Teleprompter since the group had little time to learn them. And with Randy clapping along and the audience on their feet, it was an appropriate closing to an ambitious and very long show. Even Blake looked beat and started yawning toward the end. But there was one person there with boundless energy: the unstoppable Sanjaya, who signed dozens of autographs as the audience filed out, once again creating a scene.
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