One for the Money, Two for the Show

Last week on “Any Dream Will Do”: Everyone but Rob was praised. Guess who got sent home? Also, John taught the boys how to portray the different sides of Joseph.

Let the (not-so) live shows continue!

Graham outfit watch: Gold suit and green shirt. Those are my parish colors. The final six Josephs do “Go, Go Joseph” again. Come on, Joseph is entirely sung through. You couldn’t find a new song to do? Each Joseph gets some face time in front of the camera. The boys race off the stage as Graham reenters. He reminds us of the prize—a leading role on a West End musical. Graham tells us that someone will be sent home by Andrew Lloyd Webber until the semi-final, when it’s the people’s call. He introduces the panel (Zoe Tyler, Bill Kenwright, Denise van Outen and John Barrowman) and of course, Andrew Lloyd Webber himself. Graham asks if he has any idea who could be Joseph. He says four of them.

Graham names the other eleven brothers, even remembering Prancer and that other outcast, Rudolph. The boys will be performing singing solo numbers and group numbers. Keith is up first. He talks about his girlfriend. Aww. They met in their grocery store jobs. Cue the Carpenters! Good job, show. She shows Graham her cell phone, showing she’s ready to vote for her man. Webber says to make their songs their own. Keith sings “Brown-Eyed Girl.” Clap along! Keith gets a Josephine to dance with but manages to keep the attention on him. Webber sings along as Keith rocks this performance.

Hey, there’s Johndeep in the audience!

Graham asks who the other Josephs think Keith looks like. He says, “Liza Minelli.” That gets a catcall from the audience and a side by side comparison. It’s a bit scary. John gets to start off the comments. He thinks Keith is a contender. The sad thing is, no one says it a la Brando. John goes back to diction. Zoe thinks diction was good but he missed chances to show off his vocal ability. Webber thinks Keith could really be Joseph but needs to show off vocals.

Coming Up: Zoe gets booed. Again.

Graham introduces Lewis’ package. He talks about being in the bottom two. He thought he did well, but realizes it’s up to the public. He wants to impress them. Singing “The Rose,” Lewis takes the stage. Now all I can think of is the Family Guy episode where they forget Stewie. The Griffin family sings this as a road trip song. Great harmonies. It is a beautiful ballad. It shows off Lewis’ vocal beautifully as well.

Graham asks Lewis about being a milkman which segues into…embarrassing childhood home video! Zoe gets the first comment on Lewis. She finds Lewis loses his personality when he steps on stage. She pretty much calls him brainless and gets booed. Bill disagrees with Zoe and think that Lewis was “sensational.” Denise agrees with Zoe, but telling him to make what he feels bigger. She and Bill get into an argument, causing Graham to break out his referee whistle. He goes to Webber, who compliments Lewis’ hair. Webber thinks that Lewis told the story but needs some more work.

Coming Up: Denise hits on Ben.

Ben is up next. He talks about his rough journey on Joseph but is happy to get such good reviews last week. He goes to visit his hometown and his community theater. He gets mauled by schoolmates. He signs autographs and I have no idea what they just yelled. Ben gets to sing “Blue Suede Shoes.” Well it’s one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready…Go, Ben, go! He almost sounds like Elvis. They even gave him blue suede shoes. Wow, boy can dance. Ben is emerging a real showman.

Graham reads off Webber’s achievements. Ben clarifies that he does know Webber knows what he’s talking about and apologizes for his previous comments. Denise thinks that Ben is a fighter and a star. She calls him “sexy.” Bill thinks he’s got charm and charisma. But he wants to see Ben be vulnerable. John agrees that Ben needs a ballad but Ben is his Joseph. Webber thinks that Ben captured Elvis and was terrific.

Coming Up: Ben trashes someone…Can’t tell if it’s Lewis or Keith.

We have the first trio—Keith, Lewis and Ben. Lewis isn’t thrilled with his trio. Ahh, Ben trashes Keith’s ability to harmonize. Ben and Lewis try to help him. Why is Lewis TP-ing the room? They know they have to work together to impress them. Webber wants them to be like the Rat Pack and be friends…Or at least fake it. Keith, Lewis and Ben sing “That’s Life.” Keith starts off. Ben takes over and sounds like he could work a Vegas lounge. Lewis takes the next bit. He could join Ben in that lounge act. Looks like the work they put in with Keith seems to have paid off. The boys sound amazing, though Lewis sounds a bit behind them.

Webber says the three were fantastic. He thought they were talented and worked well together.

Craig is next up for solo performance. Coming off last week’s good number, he really works on his performance. The coaches don’t like it so much. He has Michael Jackson’s “Black or White.” I will refrain from the obvious MJ jokes. He has a very poppy voice, which I know Webber is looking for…but I can see him on MTV, not the West End. I’d buy his records, so would my sister. It’s a great song and a good performance.

Craig starts dancing and Graham stops him. Zoe agrees that Craig deserves to be there, but she doesn’t know if Craig goes alone if he will go back to Cabaret. Bill loves Craig, we know that. And he reinforces that. He says Craig has a big heart, something that can’t be taught. Denise agrees that he gave a fantastic performance. Graham stops a fight before it starts and Denise isn’t sure if he’s a leading man. Graham quickly goes to Webber. He thinks Craig is getting better but if he has the charisma. He thinks there might be enough time to ready him for the West End. Everyone starts fighting again as Craig asks for a chance.

Coming Up: Daniel doesn’t get praise from John.

Daniel is up after the commercial break. He’s proud of his performance from last week. So how does he celebrate? He goes back to his old job to finish his filing. No one is surprised at work. They miss him but he feels he’s filed his old life away. He sings “Evergreen.” What’s with the reverb? Dammit, I love all these guys’ voices. I’m glad I was in England in 2006 and not 2007 or else I would’ve felt compelled to vote, but wouldn’t know who to support! (Okay, I’ll be honest…It would probably be Lee). Daniel, I think, really delivers. Though he goes a bit south on the ending.

Graham is surprised that Daniel actually went back to finish up some work. John loved Daniel’s vocal as well. Yay, Daniel! He then calls Daniel “beige.” Graham notes that Zoe didn’t get the memo and chose Daniel, not Rob, as her “Not Joseph.” And she got death threats. She says she thinks that Daniel goes to a safe, boring place but liked his vocal. Denise notes she hasn’t always been his biggest fan, but loves his smile. She does want to see more emotion. Webber doesn’t know if people would want to hear Daniel sing for two hours. I would.

Coming Up: The boys complain about living with Lee. Denise, take note!

Lee finishes the solo act. The guys talk about living with Lee. Ben shows us Lee’s onions that he sleeps with next to his bed. Garlic keeps the vampire away, Lee. Garlic. We see food bearing Lee’s name courtesy of Keith. Ben shows us Lee’s prized possession: his Joseph CD. Daniel talks about his push ups. I don’t care, just more shots of him shirtless please? Anyway, Lee sings “Paint it Black.” Appropriate, considering this guy is always in black. I was surprised to see him in colors in that package. He’s just magnificent. I have more to say to good-naturedly mock him in the package like the boys but he’s a talented man. This is way this competition is too difficult. It’s not like Top Model where I can’t figure out why Aminat is in the final three.

Graham asks about the onions. He keeps them there because he likes cooking. Graham is amused. Bill says that Lee was in another league. John says he would give Lee his leading man shoes. He thinks Lee should be Joseph. Webber says he doesn’t do push-ups before the show but does think that Lee was magnificent.

Coming Up: Lee and Denise’s first date doesn’t go too well.

Our next trio is up. Zoe hopes that Craig will get a lift from Daniel and Lee. They work hard at all times and Craig’s hard work impresses the other two. The get “Funny Girl” song “Don’t Rain on my Parade” and Webber makes a shout out to “Maria” winner Connie Fisher. Lee starts the song. Craig follows, with more cheer than Lee. Daniel joins the two. I hate to say it, I think Daniel is the weak link in this act. Craig and Lee outshine him, but the harmonizing is wonderful. Until the end. Ow, boys, ow.

Webber loved all three and is prompted to praise the boys. He says that they showed them why he loves musicals. Graham throws it to Denise, asking specifically about Craig. She thinks he got lost and chose Lee as her Joseph. Bill still supports Craig. Does someone have a man crush? John thinks Craig stood out.

JOSEPH MISSION! To practice being seduced by Mrs. Potiphar, they send in Denise to seduce the boys. The guys put on their tuxedos and race to Denise. They get to watch each other. Keith pops the champagne, sending the cork and bottle flying. Ben enjoys the performance. Denise doesn’t think him as a man. Ben is nervous. Will Lee work his magic on his future wife? Not really as they burst out laughing. Craig does a magic kiss but does get a kiss out of Denise. Daniel really nails the mission. Lewis does as well. And gets a kiss. Denise says she was surprised by Lee and Ben. There’s always next time, Denise. She wonders if they were holding back because they have girlfriends. Ben was also unwell.

Coming Up: Elimination!

Graham reads off the results in no particular order. Craig is safe. His contingency in the audience celebrates. Lee is also safe. Duh. Daniel is in the sing-off. Keith is safe as well. He joins Lee and Craig for a group hug. Ben and Lewis come down off the stairs. Ben’s thinking “Not again.” Lewis has a good poker face. He ends up in the bottom two while Ben is safe. Lewis and Daniel sing “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables. Oh, that’s mean producers. I mean, ever hear Forbidden Broadway’s version? “This song’s too high/Pity me/Change the key.” I find Daniel the stronger of the two. Hey, John, there is Daniel’s ballad. And he knocks it out of the park. Wait, someone didn’t sing the right line there…I’m not sure which one it was.

Nana Jean looks ready to cry. The two go before Webber as Graham says the six Josephs have given the performances of their lives. He turns it over to Webber, though goofs and nearly says “Craig.” Webber isn’t thrilled to make the decision. He saves Lewis. Nana Jean jumps up and down as her grandson hugs Daniel. I must say this is the first elimination I don’t agree with. I found him stronger than Lewis. Explain yourself, Webber! He doesn’t think Daniel could be a West End star while Lewis had a spark. Daniel thanks everybody for his incredible experience.

The other five Josephs sing good-bye to Daniel. He launches into “Close Every Door.” Lewis is crying harder than Chris B. He and Ben take off Daniel’s coat. Denise is crying as well.

Could Still be Joseph:

 

Rob

Lee

Chris B

Daniel

Craig

Keith

Seamus

Antony

Lewis

Johndeep

Ben

Chris C

Next week: Josh Groban!

As I said, this is the one elimination I disagree with. I thought Daniel deserved to stay around another week at least. And I’ve agreed when my favorites (Rob and Johndeep) went home! What do you think?

Once again, thanks to Chrissi and to those who link my blog!