|
| The Final Three - December 13th 2003 (Judges Night) |
| Tonight's theme was 'Judges Night' because the judges chose all the songs and they picked some cracking numbers. Each of the finalists had 2 songs to sing before facing the panel. |
| As the show began Sam Nixon was the clear favourite to win the competition with Mark the favourite to be evicted, however the bookies, like the judges, haven’t been too good with their predictions. Experience has shown that nobody can take tonight’s result for granted. |
| Click on the links below to read more about the corresponding sections of tonight's show... |
| The 3 finalists have had a busy and exciting week. |
| The Idols’ single ‘Happy Christmas (War Is Over)’ was released on Monday and looks to be heading to knock last year’s idol Will Young off the top of the charts. The single features all of this year’s 12 Pop Idol finalists. |
| The Winner’s Single and Video. |
| Mark, Michelle and Sam each shot a video and laid down their own single track. They each performed the same song; however only the winner’s version will be released after the series is over. |
| Last weekend the trio turned up at Wembley for an impromptu gig in front of 12 thousand screaming fans - and they met Girls Aloud backstage. |
| To top the week off the tuneful trio donned some silly disguises to do some incognito busking at Green Park tube station in London. They were in competition for this so they kind of took it seriously. Mark and Michelle both gave some extra value by dancing as they sang, however Michelle pipped the boys to the prize by wiggling her pigtails flirtatiously at the commuters! Michelle netted over £14, Sam collected £7.20 and Mark earned £6.99 plus a cherry! |
- Maggie May (Rod Stewart)
- Always (Bon Jovi)
|
| Sam was happy with his songs for tonight. "They...chose songs that suit all us voices...they're both songs that I really love anyway, so I'm really gonna go out of my way to do my best!" |
| We were treated to a clip of Sam giving his best at last weekend's Wembley gig. He enjoyed himself and said it was great preparation for him. When he hit the stage tonight he was so well prepared it was difficult to believe that he is still only 17. The bookmakers' favourite gave two very confident performances. He's known as a 'little rocker' but he looked equally comfortable singing Rod Stewart's ballad. |
| Foxy: You certainly knocked them dead with that one, I think you've definitely booked your place in the Pop Idol final. The big question is 'who is gonna be joining you next week?' Well done! |
| Nicki: You did Rod Stewart really well, you did Bon Jovi well and what's interesting about you Sam is whatever we've thrown at you each week you've risen to the challenge. From disco which is 'so not you' to something like that tonight...absolutely awesome! |
| Pete: I thought Maggie May was fantastic. I'm not so sure that the Bon Jovi big ballad suited you, I think you struggled a little bit (boos)...but I think Maggie May (to audience: )...thank you...I thought 'Maggie May' made up for it. |
| Pete: (to Simon) What did you think? |
| Simon: Er, I think it's all of your weakest performances so far this week actually (boos)... (to audience: )no I do...I do...can I finish? Thank you! (to Sam: ) You know, listen you've done great so far, just from what I've seen I think the audience is a bit flat tonight... (to audience: )I blame you lot... |
| Pete: (to Simon) Do you think he suits those big ballads? |
| Simon: I don't know how that's going to sound on a little tiny TV. |
| Pete: Well that's difficult because we're sat in here. |
| Simon: ...You know it's very loud in here. I agree with Neil though, I think you've booked your place in the final. |
- Say A Little Prayer (Aretha Franklin)
- Without You (Harry Nilsson)
|
| Michelle looked much more recognisable without the hat and glasses disguise which she wore in Green Park. Tonight she wore some stylish black outfits and of course a big smile. |
| Earlier this week she told Kate Thornton she'd been a little anxious when she was first told which songs she had, but after rehearsals she realised "when I sing them they do suit my voice really well". |
| Michelle's first song 'Say A Little Prayer' really suited her unique brand of Diva delivery. |
| The second song 'Without You' was a little shaky; in parts uncharacteristically flat and in other parts incredibly good. |
| Nicki: Michelle, I thought 'Say A Little Prayer' was magnificent, absolutely yours, totally owned it, fantastic. One thing I'm gonna say about 'Without You' is when you're nervous you sing through your nose and it becomes very reedy and very thin...and you've just got to conquer that and start to breathe and get it right, but very, very good once again. |
| Pete: I just want to back Nicki up because I've noticed this, sometimes when you get nervous you do start going right down your nose and sometimes quite painful...having said that, you know, the public at home vote the way they want to vote. They're not going to listen to us anymore. |
| Foxy: Michelle, I have to disagree with Nicki, that I thought...the way you sang 'Say A Little Prayer' was totally emotionless for me...alright...and the first half of 'Without You' I thought you'd blown it to be honest. The second half you picked it up and had a bit of fight in you and I think you may have saved the day. |
| Simon: Well, erm I do think it is...for you as well, your weakest week...and I think the nerves have kicked in, I do. Which is why you can't judge everyone based just on tonight, I think the nerves have kicked in...Erm, but I can't imagine the final without you, so I hope they vote you through. (Cheers) |
- Back For Good (Take That)
- If You Don't Know Me By Now (Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes)
|
| Mark is on a high, on last night's Pop Idol Extra (ITV2) he described the midweek Wembley gig as "The best experience ever". |
| He also told Kate Thornton he was ecstatic with the judges' song selection. "They could have given us two stinkers...and they've given us all really, really good songs." |
| Both of his songs tonight really suited his voice and he gave two great performances. Would the judges comments knock Mark off cloud nine or send him off to heaven? |
| Pete: Well this song is written by two of my biggest heroes, Gamble and Huff and I also worked on that record back at Philadelphia international, it's a magnificent song. You've done two good songs tonight and you've done very well. |
| Foxy: Mark I thought coming into tonight's show you were going to have to be magic to make it through to the final and I think you've been just a bit too cabaret for my liking on both the songs (boos)...and I think that...(more boos)...sorry it's panto season tonight...I think it's going to be a struggle for you tonight so good luck. |
| Nicki: Markey-Mark, the dark horse in the competition, keeps bouncing back...and... 'Back for good' I thought we got the sentiment through and the emotion, you played it straight and sang it really well. Erm, really liked the second one as well so ...I think you're going to make the judges decisions later on very difficult 'cause all three of you were good tonight. |
| Simon: Erm, well this really was your last song...erm, I think you sang it well, I think the only thing it was lacking was emotion...and I think when you sing that song, even the Mick Hucknall version...emotion...it lacked emotion... bit staccato. |
| 3.75 million votes were cast tonight, another series record (no doubt it will be beaten next week!). Each week this stage of the competition seems to get more tense. |
| Darius Danesh calmed everyone's nerves by performing a ballad 'Right Girl - Wrong Time' from his forthcoming album. Darius looked comfortable and very relaxed, just like Will and Gareth when they appeared on the recent shows. Darius certainly hasn't lost any of his charm. He was very at ease as he chatted to Ant and Dec, who reckon he's grown an inch or two since 2 years ago when he was last on Pop Idol. |
| Darius reminded the expectant trio to keep in mind that he dropped out at this stage of the Pop Idol 1 competition and went on to have a number one. |
| The Predictions Just before we heard the verdict announced the judges gave their predictions. |
| Simon: I haven't got a clue. |
| Dec: It's taken you all this time to realise it! Two series! |
| Simon: I think there's going to be an upset tonight. |
| After recapping on the earlier comments from the judges Ant and Dec now announced the result of the public vote: |
| The first person going through to next week's final is..."Michelle" |
| The next person through to the pop idol final next week is... "Mark" |
| What a shock! (The bookies have got it wrong again, it must be costing them a fortune!) |
| Sam applauded the verdict then hugged Mark, who was just bursting into tears due to the shock of being voted in! |
| Sam went centre-stage with Ant and Dec, he was calm and composed. As Ant and Dec were paying tribute to his contribution to the show Sam interrupted to say... |
| "Sorry, I just wanna say...can I just say I want to thank everybody that's voted for me so far and a big thanks to the judges for giving me the second chance and I've done meself proud, so thank you!" And to his two friends who made it through he wished a heartfelt "good luck". |
| The audience gave Sam a huge round of applause as he left the stage. |
| Michelle and Mark, the 'final two', were called onstage as Ant and Dec announced that they are going to have a busy week ahead. They will each have an election style battle-bus and embark on radio interviews up and down the country, beginning in their home towns and ending up back in London. They will even do some doorstep canvassing! So make sure you have some tea and coffee in as they just might come a knocking on your door! |
|
| Go Back |
|