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| Show 3 - November 8th 2003 (Elton John Songs) |
| Yet another eventful Pop Idol night. It's so hard to call the outcome these days, which makes it all the more exciting. The contestants week was exciting too, especially when an unexpected guest suddenly arrived. Here's how the show unfolded. Click to read more on each item... |
| The theme for tonights show is Elton John songs and during the week the producers decided to spring a pleasant surprise on the young popsters. An impromptu visit to their rehearsal studio by none other than the man Elton himself! |
| In the rehearsal studio, the group were singing along to "Something About The Way You Look Tonight", accomapnied by their favourite Pop Idol pianist Douglas. (It was great to see Douglas back on our screens - more please producers!). |
| Meanwhile the superstar popster explained his visit to camera as he approached the studio doors "I've come to see all the contestants that are left, doing my songs and try and give them a bit of advice for Saturday's show, so erm poor things are going to get such a shock when they see me." |
| That turned out to be something of an understatement! They were all totally gobsmacked. Michelle, Susanne, Sam and Kim were the first to drop jaws as they noticed Elton saunter into the studio. Roxanne then turned around and covered her face as the shock of recognition hit her. Andy saw Elton and jumped away quickly as if the crocodile rocker was about to bulldoze him, while Mark Rhodes looked on grinning incredulously. |
| Within a few seconds of his entrance Elton had the whole room shrieking with excitement and disbelief with Roxanne peppering the atmosphere with a few 'Oh My God's here and there. |
| Elton began kissing and hugging his way around the room. Meanwhile Chris Hide's face was an absolute picture. His jaw on the floor and his eyes rolling around uncontrollably, he just couldn't believe what was going on. You could practically read his mind "This can't be Elton? Elton John? My pop idol? No...but yes it is? Is it?" |
| Yes, Elton's entrance had Chris in a trance, so when Elton reached Chris he hugged him and then slapped him on the cheeks to snap him out of it. It seemed to work, (now literally) gobsmacked Chris leaked out a satisfied smile...and then looked totally stunned again. It's not everyday your hero walks in the room and slaps your cheeks though is it! |
| Elton then invited the awestruck crooners to continue singing while he sat and listened. They were like toddlers singing for mummy and daddy, really enjoying the moment and desperately seeking approval. It came, "I'll have you doing backing vocals" he said, "That was great". |
| Elton has been watching the show with interest and he declared to the viewers "If you're looking for a pop-package, which is what this show's about, and a great voice and a personality, then I think I have a good idea who might win...Based on what I've seen on the show so far I think [bleep] will win." No, bleep isn't a late Pop Idol entrant, the producers judiciously edited out Elton's predicted winner, they even covered his mouth with the Pop Idol logo. Hopefully all will be revealed by the end of this series. It wasn't clear whether the potential Pop Idols were in the room when Elton made his prediction, but we suspect not. |
| After Elton bade farewell to the budding popstars, they began to drop to the floor, emotionally exhausted by the whole incredible experience. |
| It's been an exciting week for Roxanne, it was her birthday on Thursday and of course she met Elton. Before she came on stage we heard how Elton John thought she would perform tonight, "I have no question that she'll be fine. It's a very difficult song to sing, I just hope she y'know, sings it as well as she did in there." |
| Looking chic as ever Roxanne gave the song a mature treatment and all the emotion it needs. Now she's a grown up 17, would the judges accuse her again of being too young for the song? Here's what they had to say... |
| Foxy: Roxanne, the hardest word I could say would be anything bad about that because it was really excellent honestly, and er, I know it was your 17th birthday on Thursday, |
| Foxy: Gosh you're so mature now...I think the best birthday present for you would be if you made it through tonight and on that performance you'll probably be a happy girl. |
| Nicki: A great week for you, not only your Birthday, but you get to sing in front of Elton John. |
| Roxanne: Oh god yea, brilliant (laughs) |
| Nicki: Amazing...and I think A brilliant way for us to start our show, you really do deliver those sentiments. A great way for us to start our show. Congratulations! |
| Pete: The greatest Elton John song and you sang it brilliantly! You won't...you won't be going home tonight. Great way to start the show. |
| Simon: (To Pete) You've got those tears again! (To Roxanne) Erm, what I will say Roxanne is this. If you carry on doing what you did tonight for the rest of the competition you could win this. (Roxanne's mum jumps up from her seat and waves her arms everywhere!) Under any circumstances just...that was on the money! Superb! |
| Wow, now that's what you call pleasing the judges. "It can't get much better than that" Roxy told Ant and Dec. |
| With Chris about to sing, we heard Elton John's lowdown on Chris's rehearsal of the song. |
| Mr John Declared that "If he sings it as well as he did just then I won't have any worries about him getting through to the next round." |
| Chris looked the part as he sang. The first line he sang sounded a bit wobbly, but apart from that slight glitch we thought he delivered yet another stirring vocal. He looked interesting and composed in his smart jacket and a pair of those trendy utility trousers which the massive pockets in the front. He definitely looked nothing like a vicar! But can he convince Foxy of that... |
| Nicki: Chris, I don't think that's your best week for you. I don't think the vocal was as strong as I've heard. You've always had a consistent vocal. Sorry, it's not your best week for me. |
| Pete: Chris, I have to say , Sir Elton might have to eat his own words, 'cos that wasn't great mate.You struggled and I'll tell you why you struggled, because like Elton said at the start, it's low and high and it just didn't work. Sorry. |
| Foxy: Chris I wasl looking at you there thinking, oh okay no vicar comments this week, you changed a bit and I think you're looking fine tonight but I think the song did let you down. Difficult one and probably not the best choice for you. |
| Simon: Er, Chris it was absolutely terrible. (boos from audience!) Sorry, (Simon turns to the audience) Will you shut up! It was...(Back to Chris) If I was watching that at home I'd go 'what the hell is going on?' I didn't hear a note in tune. |
| So, not such a good set of comments for Chris, but really Simon you must need your ears dewaxing or something! (Preferably the something!) Surprisingly there was scarcely a positive comment! Never mind Chris, at least Foxy did stopped calling you 'vicar', well for this week at least! |
| The video prequel before Andy's performance showed him expressing concern about how he had performed in front of Elton John. As we heard in the clip Douglas "messed up a little bit" on Andy's go. Andy needn't have worried, Elton gave him a glowing reference, "He sang it perfectly in tune, he's got a beautiful voice, I've seen him singing, so if he can belt it out a bit more in the chorus he should be alright." |
| Looking good in casual jeans and T-shirt and sporting a new quiffy hairdo, Andy seemed very comfortable on stage tonight.. It must have been comforting for him to know he had the support of his big sister Lisa in the audience. It was a passionate performance and the vocals were strong. But that's our opinion, what did the judges make of it all? |
| Pete: Well Andy, I'm glad to say you've done it again son. Picked the right song. Bloody brilliant! |
| Foxy: I know this is a really tiny thing, but your hair looks a billion times better this week, (from) when we were chatting last week. Erm, do you know what's really nice? Over the last 2 weeks your confidence has lifted about 200% and I think you are finally believing that you can be a pop-idol, 'cos you look like one. You really do! |
| Nicki: I think it's getting better and better Andy. You're confidence is there, you look like you own the stage and I know some papers have said you shouldn't be given a second chance. You have earned your right to be in this competition! |
| Simon: I totally agree with what Nicki's just said actually, there has been a bit of unfair press, but I mean, you know it's open to anyone this competition. |
| Pete: Including the editor. |
| Pete: Including the editor of the paper. |
| Simon: Erm, apart from anything else, it's really nice to actually hear the song being sung by somebody good looking for a change...(audience recoils in shock)...you know, no it is, I mean no offence Elton, but you know what I mean. Well done. |
| Wowser, wowser! No wonder Andy told Ant and Dec: "I can't believe what they've just said...I'm chuffed" |
| Michelle may have been sent into a "dreamlike state" when Elton John walked into rehearsals, but she made quite an impression on Elton too: |
| "Michelle I thought was great, absolutely fantastic, and she gave it her own. She's got a huge personality and you can't help but love her." |
| Looking lovely with her hair pulled back and wearing a silky purple and black patterned top with black skirt, Michelle graced the studio stage with bags of confidence and a booming voice to match. Just like Elton said, she gave her own version of the song and pumped her performance with personality. So...do the panel agree? |
| Foxy: Michelle they'll be sitting around Parliament seeing what I say to you now won't they? Erm, your image is a billion times better tonight. I thought you performed really well, that's my favourite Elton John song, it's the first ever big hit and I loved your version, I thought it was brilliant, |
| Michelle: Thankyou, thankyou very much. |
| Foxy: honestly...really well done, really well done. |
| Nicki: Michelle, last week we had the disco diva, tonight we got the ballad queen. Very good, and you smiled at the end. That emotion, you're great with emotion and you smiled at the end. Well done. |
| Pete: Well, I think you had a bit of an advantage, Elton told you how to sing it, but, let's be honest that is the greastest Elton John song, and whoever sang that tonight was gonna go through |
| Simon: That's what I said |
| Pete: I know you did. I'm pinching all your lines, I can't pinch your good looks, I might as well pinch your lines! (To Michelle) You're fine! |
| Simon: Michelle, erm, I mean forget the fact that I'm in the record business, as a fan I love you. |
| Michelle: (with arm outstretched) I love you too! I love you too! |
| Heathcliff: You've brought something extra to this competition. Thank god you're in it. |
| After all that, Michelle was understandably happy. She told Ant and Dec "it's not my usual big power ballad... I really had to do a lot of work on the beginning and try and get the feeling across but I felt it went really well". Describing it as a "perfect end to an incredible week" Michelle was also pleased that "Foxy said I was nice (laughing) c'mon, it can't be that bad!" It wasn't Michelle, it was great! |
| Sam impressed Elton with his performance in rehearsals. Elton remarked that "I thought it was a very brave choice. Of all the songs that they're all singing this one was probably the least known, but I thought he sang it really well and I think he'll be alright." |
| Like Andy Scott-Lee, Sam was casual and quiffy tonight, and he sang his song well. But would he, like Andy, impress the panel with his song choice? |
| Nicki: Well Sam you've been consistent throguhout the whole of the competition, I think that last week was the only slight blip that we've had from you, and I think this week you're back on form. |
| Pete: Sam, this was Elton in his Beatles period and I have to say I love this song and I think you did an amazing version because it is quite a difficult song and I think this...that's made this night very interesting because you ...there's no weak ones yet. I haven't seen a weak singer, it's fantastic (Simon: I have) |
| Foxy: Sam there you are shouting out at the top of your lungs 'I want love' and there are about 5 million young girls going "I'll give it to you!". ....erm, I'm sure they'll be voting tonight. Erm, you look every inch a young pop star and because you're so young, singing a big song like that...brilliant, I mean really good! |
| Simon: Erm, the problem you may have tonight...(groans from audience)...well it gets better!...No all I was going to say was the problem is that you have chosen the weakest song...Erm, what I don't think we've seen from you yet is what you are capable of, because I haven't seen the wow factor performance from you yet, and I think you will stay in this week, but when you connect with the right song you're going to surprise everybody. Because at the moment you're doing that (moves his hand across)...you're going to have to do 'that' (moves his hand upwards)...it was okay. |
| So they liked him! However Pete loved the song and Simon thought it was the weakest...nice to know the experts still can't agree! It'll be interesting to see if Simon gets wowed by Sam in the remaining shows. If Foxy is right, there are plenty of young girls going wow everytime they see Sam on the telly! No wonder the Barnsley boy's always got a smile on his face! |
| Elton John had some concerns about Kim's choice of song for tonight, "This is a hard song to do it's another brave choice... erm, I thought she was very nervous as well and she's got a very good voice." |
| There were no signs of nerves when Kim took the stage though. Looking radiant, dressed in a shimmering purple top and a shining smile, Kim gave a bright and powerful rendition of Elton's ballad. This was definitely no karaoke, but did the panel think it was okey-dokey? |
| Pete: Well I mean Elton was right, I mean I don't even know that song. It is er...no I don't know it. It's a very hard song and I can't really tell to be honest, erm, it just seems wrong that we're on Pop Idol and I'm listening to that. I don't quite get it to be honest. I just don't get it. |
| Simon: Did you like the way she sang it? |
| Foxy: It was an absolutely enormous huge hit song. (The audience laugh and applaud) And erm, last week Kim, I said 'I'm wondering if you're a one trick pony' and act...you've proved me wrong now because you're not. You sang a ballad, and you sang it big, and I think you did it really well. You could have perhaps chosen, I think maybe a better record for you, but I do think you did it well and showed us something different. |
| Nicki: Looking different and looking great once again. Every week your image changes and it really works for you. You do have a tremendous voice Kim. Remember when you're singing a ballad you don't always need power. You need control, but you can sing sometimes much (more) softly and still get the same emotion across, because you have a good voice. Just remember that control. |
| Simon: Not a knockout performance, a good performance. Erm, y'know, without sounding like a parrot I think the song, you could have chosen a better song, er because I don't remember it very well either to be honest with you. Erm, but not bad. And if you will just stay with me one minute, just picking up what Neil said about the MPs who had a go at us. On behalf of the judges, I'd like to mark them out of ten, zero! (Kim laughs)
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Despite somewhat mixed comments which mainly related to her choice of song, Kim told Ant and Dec "I'm really pleased with the way it went, I loved singing a ballad for a change, it was fantastic." |
| Mark described the experience of singing in front of Elton John as 'unforgettable'. Elton enjoyed listening to him singing too, |
| 'I thought he sang it really, really well, it's not an easy song to sing and I thought he did very well.' |
| Not only did Mark sing it well in front of Elton, but he sang it well in front of the nation. The fact that Mark shone tonight had nothing to do with his shiny shirt and his dark suit with the shiny lapels! He was relaxed and looked as though he was enjoying every minute of it, and his vocals were spot on. Dark suited Mark may yet turn out to be the dark horse of this competition (acknowledgements to Claudia Winkleman and Alistair Griffin!). |
| Foxy: Hey Mark I sort of get the impression over the last few weeks you've been skating on thin ice a bit and needed to pull one out of the bag, well you pulled a big one out the bag didn't you ey? And that's a passionate record, I don't know who she was that you were singing it to, but you meant every word didn't you? |
| Nicki: Mark, I'm going to agree with Foxy, because erm, I think the last few weeks have been quite tough for you, and I think this is the first time in a long time that we've actually seen what you're capable of and I think now you're beginning to take the competition really seriously and you've really risen to the challenge |
| Nicki: Much better, much better. |
| Pete: Now then Mark, I was sitting here and I was just looking up at the screen and I saw you come up...you look a bit like Julio Iglesias, or the, what's his name? |
| Pete: What's the young lads name? |
| Pete: Enrique...(Simon removes and inspects Pete's glasses)...yeah you do...well as close as you get from Walsall, you know what I mean! You were briliant Mark... |
| Pete: ...I thought you were brilliant. |
| Simon: Mark that was bloody good! |
| Mark: (punches the air) Bless you! Bless You! |
| Mark floated off to Ant and Dec on cloud nine. |
| Susanne said she found it scary singing Elton's songs back to him. She has been known to suffer badly from nerves at times, and this seemed to make it difficult for Elton to judge her abilities properly. Elton said of Susanne "I think she was probably the most nervous of all of them. It's hard to tell with just a piano, you've (she's) got to belt and give it really her own thing. I hope the back-track is really as hefty as the record and then she can really, hopefully give it as much as she can." |
| On stage Susanne, looking marvellous in maroon, added her own vocal qualities to Elton's song. The song wasn't the ideal choice for Susanne's voice, but we thought she did a decent enough job. Susanne could probably sing the phone directory and make it sound interesting. Newsreader Alistair Stewart was seen clapping Susanne as she went on stage. Was this a sign that she'd be getting some good news from the judges? |
| Nicki: Susanne what we love about you is that you're different, you're quirky and you're quite original and I think for me what tonight's shown is that you're not that good at adapting to different people's songs. You have your own style, you do very well at that and I think this was a bit of a big challenge for you, saying that, I don't think it's going to go against you this week because people do know what you're capable of and I think we've seen stronger weeks from you. |
| Pete: I've only got to echo that really, erm, actually it does prove what somebody said earlier, that they are man's songs, and y'know the way he sings that, you just couldn't grasp it, and so I think like Nicki that the other weeks will count for you. |
| Foxy: Yea, I think you'll get through Susanne because people love you and you're quirky and you're different...but last week wasn't good...and this week I thought was the worst performance you've had so far in the competition...sorry, I wish I could... I don't want to say that but I'm being honest |
| Simon: Susanne, I'd just first of all like to thank Elton for coming on the show. He's the best singer songwriter in the world. This is what you've got to attain to and this is what it's all about. Now the bad news...that was like a musical train wreck |
| Simon: ...it was terrible...Susanne, it was terrible, and you've got a major problem now in this competition.. |
| Simon: Big problem! Sorry... |
| The news couldn't have been much worse for Susanne, although Nicki and Pete both felt that she wouldn't go out on tonight despite her performance being below par. Susanne told Ant and Dec "I'm gutted by Simon's comment...I mean absolutely gutted because he's never actually been mean to me before properly", however she accepted the panel's criticisms "they know what they're tallking about ...when I watch it, I normally agree with them". |
| Who would be packing their bags tonight? Foxy and Nicki predicted Chris to go because of his performance, Pete and Simon predicted Kim due to a poor choice of song. At this stage in the contest it's sad to see anyone go, because they're all so darn good! |
| Tonight's was the biggest vote in the competition so far and the closest too, with only 9% of the vote separating the top and bottom places. All of this added to the tension of the moment as Ant and Dec commenced the round-robin game of 'safe' or 'not safe'. |
| After some harsh comments about both of their performances, Susanne and Chris looked very shocked to be declared 'safe'. Chris's face was reminiscent of how he looked when Elton John nonchalantly walked into the rehearsal room earlier this week! |
| Kim, Roxanne and Michelle were the unlucky ones in the bottom three this week. They'd all given good performances, and it was a real shock to see them there. Did their fans assume they were safe and forget about their phones? Who knows! This competition has thrown up shocks almost every week. |
| Roxanne had feared that being first onstage could mean people would forget to vote for her, those fears were now confirmed. She was a bit tearful but with the help of some encouraging words from Ant, the youngster of the pack managed to hold it together as she awaited her fate. |
| Michelle was the first to know she wouldn't be going home. She threw her head in her hands, relieved, and made her way back to her seat. Roxanne and Kim held hands as Dec announced "the person going home tonight is...(long pause)...Kim." |
| Kim gave a resigned nod, Roxanne gave her a big hug before being ushered towards her seat by Ant and Dec. Kim raised a big smile as she looked at the video collage of her best bits. Ant made a point of saying what a pleasure it's been having Kim on the show. Later in the Pop Idol Extra show, he would make the point again, saying what a lovely girl Kim is. |
| Kim sent some squeezy kisses to her children, with whom she would soon be reunited. She also gave a big thankyou to 'everybody'. That's the voters, the production crew and "to all the guys over there", the remaining contestants, "I think they're all fantastic". |
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