Elephants, Ostriches and Beetles—Oh My!

SyFy has decided to find the next great special effects makeup artist. They will face challenges, deadlines, pressure, and naked models. In the end, only one will win. Who will it be?

We first meet Tate from Brooklyn before moving on to Megan from Pittsburg. Jo enters the hotel after them and wants to win this for her mother, who let her be creative. Next is Anthony from New York City, who has been working in the industry for 15 years. Tom comes in next, revealing he is dyslexic and thinks that’s why he is in the arts. Sergio is introduced next and is nervous because he didn’t go to school. Gage comes in and it is revealed that he and Tom have worked together. Frank comes after this introduction before we are introduced to Conor…Was that a picture of Lord Zedd from Power Rangers? He worked on freakin’ Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers? Wow… Our host comes in and it is McKenzie Westmore. Several of the contestants recognize her last name as her family are masters of the genre. I recognize her as Sheridan Crane (Lopez-Fitzgerald) from the NBC soap “Passions.” So, she may get referred to as Sheridan time to time. Glenn Hetrick comes in to judge their challenge. McKenzie brings in the waiters, who will be their models. They have make up kits, which the contestants will use. They have two hours to come up with an original design and must use something in the room. Megan goes first for the balloons. We meet Sam from Decatur and Marcel, who wanted to do makeup since he saw his first movie. Frank decided to use peacock feathers while Conor uses a prosthetic nose. Tom uses leaves to turn his model into a reptile-looking creature. Our last contestant is Jessica, who thinks this will be tough but she’s up for it.

Grim, Grinnin’ Ghosts…

Apparently at a creative loss, Disney decided to turn some of its theme park attractions into movies. The three chosen were: The Country Bear Jamboree, Pirates and the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion. This entry focuses on the promise that was the Haunted Mansion and the completely missed opportunity the film represents.

Beware of hitch-hiking ghosts and SPOILERS!

Eating By the Bay

This weekend Sam Brown is in San Francisco for some food and drinks. Grab something to eat, I have a feeling this is one episode you don’t want to watch on an empty stomach.

Friday afternoon: Samantha starts in Chinatown. Sam meets up with Shirley, a local Renaissance woman. Shirley shows her a shop that introduced tofu to San Francisco. They get a piece of tofu and it sounds like Shirley’s arguing with the grocer. But Sam likes the end result. Next, Shirley heads to a restaurant for dim sun. Shirley says you have to shout to get what you want. She tries to get some food at their table and the tenth time is the charm. They keep trying to get more carts but it’s a bit difficult. Since Sam loved the pot stickers, Shirley gets her into the kitchen to learn how to make it. After some flirting between Sam and the chef, the two go to a fortune cookie factory. “You are contemplative and analytical by nature” is her fortune. Sam disagrees.

“Jefferson Still Lives.”

For those of you who don’t know (by now), I’m an American history nerd. Our title this week is the last words uttered by John Adams, Founding Father and second president. He had a friendship with fellow Founding Father Thomas Jefferson until the man was Adam’s vice president. It soured pretty quickly. Afterwards, the two entered into a period where they didn’t talk. In their twilight years, after they both retired and Adams became a widower, he and Jefferson revived their friendship through letters. However, there was still a bit of competition between the two. Both would die on July 4, 1826—the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson would die first at Monticello, but in Quincy, Adams would not know that. With his family around him, Adams uttered his last words.

Now, you’re probably wondering what’s up with the history lesson. Well, believe it or not, it applies to this week’s “How I Met Your Mother.” As you recall, the last episode ended with the shocking news that Marshall’s beloved father died. And that is where our episode starts this week…
In a nice touch, there is no cold opening and the episode starts with just the theme music.

The Power of Dreams

Besides trying out the dining plan, we decided to try out Disney’s Fantasmic Dining Package as well.

Fantasmic is a night show staged at the Hollywood Studios. To get in, people start lining up two hours before show time. My family doesn’t do that sort of wait time. So, while searching for a way for us to see the show, I came across the dining package. We went to Hollywood and Vine for an early dinner. If you have small children, I’d suggest going here as it does have the characters from Playhouse Disney stop by. And even if you’re like my family, with no small children, you’ll like the food.
It is a buffet with a wide selection of food. I had delicious herb-crusted turkey, string beans, rice, and bread and apple butter. Which, by the way, is delicious. For dessert, I had some apple crisp. This was one of our favorite options on the dining plan as we could control how much we ate and not overstuff ourselves. When we were seated, our server brought us our golden ticket. Okay, yellow ticket.

My Review of the Disney Dining Plan

As I mentioned in some of my earlier blog postings, my family decided to take advantage of the free dining plan Disney was offering during our trip. For this to happen, we had to check out and check back in as we arrived two days before the start of the free dining plan.

From Ride to Movie: A Series

I got an idea while plummeting thirteen stories at Walt Disney World. Disney has turned four different rides into a movie. So, I’ve decided to do a round of retrospections on these films. Compare them to their respective rides, appraise the narrative chosen, the acting, etc. So, I will do them in order of how I liked them, which follows as such:

1. “The Haunted Mansion” (Liked Least)

2. “Country Bears” (Liked More)

3. “The Tower of Terror” (Liked Even More)

4. “The Pirates of the Caribbean” Trilogy (Liked Best)

So, keep an eye out for them!

A Blast From the Past

As I sat in Newark-Liberty International Airport, the snow was falling so thick we could hardly see the runways outside. Our plane was originally schedule to depart around 11:30 AM. By that time, it had already been pushed back to 12:54 PM and my family had been at the terminal for nearly three hours. But as noon approached, the snow relented and a plane was soon spotted taxi-ing to our assigned gate. By 1 PM, the JetBlue staff started to board us. Once everyone was seated, we pulled away from our gate, but we were nowhere near departure.

Because of the weather, the plane had to be de-iced. That was slated to take about another twenty minutes, according to the pilot. While that was finishing, he came on to tell us a mechanical problem had been discovered and needed to be addressed before we could depart. And so, an hour after boarding the plane, we finally took off from Newark-Liberty International Airport and left the frozen tundra that was New Jersey and New York City behind us.

Our flight was uneventful and thankfully, we did not hit any turbulence. The complimentary beverages were fine as were the snacks (I had ginger ale and munchies). My only complaint was with the TV at my seat. One thing that makes the delays more bearable is the fact you have your own TV to watch while waiting, or you could listen to music as well. There is a control panel on your arm rest to allow you to do so. Mine was broken. I was stuck in sports channels and could move sometimes if I pressed hard enough. When it switched over to the TV after takeoff, I was stuck watching Maury. After find out who was and who wasn’t cheating with random girls out of town or their fiance’s mother or confirming they were the baby-daddy, I decided just to spend the rest of the flight listening to my iPod and reading my Kindle.

The sky was clear and the sun was starting to set as we touched down in Orlando International Airport. As we had signed up for Disney’s Magical Express, we didn’t have to pick up our luggage—a cast member would do that for us and bring it to our room. We proceeded straight to the Magical Express check in and were able to board our bus immediately. I read that there was a decline in Magical Express ridership and I find that odd. It makes everything easier—no need to worry about your luggage and direct transportation to your hotel.

After a stop at the Caribbean Beach Resort, our bus pulled up to Pop Century Resort. My mother and I went to check in and soon we were on our way to our rooms. This time we’re staying in the 90’s, which we’ve nicknamed “Guam.” After putting our stuff in our rooms, we returned to catch the bus to the Magic Kingdom. We go there at the start of every trip and ride the WEDway People Mover—but last time we went, it was closed due to the refurbishment of Space Mountain.

After dinner at Cosmic Ray’s and a spin on Buzz Lightyear, we hopped from monorail to monorail to go to Epcot, which had the magical hours that night. (It was one of the monorails specially designed to promote Tron Legacy). We quickly found ourselves on Space Ship Earth before going to see how the lines looked at Mission: Space. The green team line was short and after, we ran over to Test Track. We were actually able to get on the stand-by line and ride together, and then hung out in the show room to wait for some friends who had come down a few days earlier than us.

Once we were all together, we went to Soarin’, which only had a thirty minute wait (if that). As they had been in the park the entire day, we bid each other a goodnight and they headed to the exit. We, on the other hand, turned to the Imagination Pavilion—it was time to revisit Captain Eo! The movie premiered in 1986 (the year I was born) and was removed in the early 1990s, so I have very dim memories of it. My sister never saw it.

In the waiting area, they play the original pre-show. It is a behind the scenes feature with Coppola, Lucas and Jackson as well as the crew and dancers. During which, all my sister could say was “Look at that 80’s hair!” We entered the theater and sat down to experience “Captain Eo.”

Since we’re talking George Lucas, this is set in space! Captain Eo is part of a group that keeps the universe good. We are told two conflicting details about this captain: that he is a respected captain and that he has bungled a mission or two. So it’s hard to peg him—the efficient hero who gets the job done or the misfit leader who gets by by the skin of his teeth. However, after viewing the whole movie, it seems that they were going for misfit leader with unorthodox ways that gets results. We come into Eo’s ship, manned by robots and rejected Muppets. As they rush around and yell at each other, up rises Michael Jackson. He looks like a mighty hero, a captain you would follow, and just seriously badass.

And then he speaks.

It’s hard to take someone seriously as a serious badass space captain when he sounds like he never hit puberty! Anyway, it is revealed that Eo and his crew are on their way to a planet to deliver a gift to its leader. However, one of the Muppet Reject Crew has lost the map and they’ve been spotted by the planet’s defenses. Once they crash into the homing device, they must get to the leader—which is easy as they are quickly captured.

The planet’s leader looks like a cross between a spider and how you usually find all your extension cords—knotted together in a giant ball. Everything is black, white and grey and she hisses like a snake. Captain Eo calls her beautiful but it is buried, needing to be unlocked. He is going to unlock it for her. As his crew turns into the Muppet Reject Band, the queen sends her robotic forces after him. Once the music begins, the soldiers are turned into dancers wearing orange and yellow costumes. They form a small army behind Captain Eo and start dancing.

And here’s where we get to see Michael relive his glory days, his Thriller success. His dancing ability is mesmerizing and you only watch him (though he is the only one in white). He then starts singing a song with the chorus of “We are here to change the world”. It is such an 80’s sentiment, though it is interesting to note that at one point, the queen calls Captain Eo and the Muppet Reject Crew “Infidels.” As the dancing army continues to sing, Captain Eo continues to convert more of her soldiers into his backup dancers.

Now, he has enough power to convert the queen. In a flash of neon, the wire-spider disappears and in her place we get…well, as my sister said “Angelica Huston?” She doesn’t speak, just waves as Captain Eo realizes his mission is complete. He dances out of the palace, Muppet Reject Crew once again with him. As their ship sails back into the black of space, the Captain Eo logo is brought back up.

Like most Disney 3-D films, this one also has ways of putting you right in the middle of the action. When there are blinking lights on screen, they blink in the theater. As the spaceship engages in battle and swoops through a set that looks oddly reminiscent of the Death Star, the theater rattles as well. When the queen sends out her robotic minions, their whips lash against your own leg as they hit Eo’s.

Overall, it is a very dated piece—and not just by how good Michael Jackson looks. The sentiments and the outfits are clearly from the 80’s. While I wouldn’t mind a return of the former, the latter can stay clearly there. (As you can tell, I’m not a big fan of 80’s fashion). If you find yourself in Epcot one of these days, I definitely recommend a stop to see Captain Eo. If only to just remember what Michael Jackson once was.

Holy. Crap.

Happy 2011 everyone! Hope you rang in the New Year’s in your style and that it’s off to a good start.

“A” Plot: Lily and Marshall are trying to get pregnant. You remember that, right? So, the two of them go to see a specialist when they get nowhere after six days. The doctor tells them to give it time. Which they do. As days turn to weeks and then months, they bother the doctor. Fed up, he sends them to a fertility specialist…Who happens to look like Barney!

The final doppelganger has been found: Senor Marshall, Stripper Lily, Lesbian Robin, Mexican wrestler Ted and now, fertility specialist Barney.

Lily isn’t convinced it’s a doppelganger and races to MacLaren’s to ask Barney how he did it. Barney is thoroughly confused and Marshall vouches for Barney—they were together all day. So the last doppelganger has truly been found. And Lily is pissed because she realized everyone lied to her in the season finale. She thinks that’s why she and Marshall are having such difficulties—they jinxed her uterus!

Marshall and Lily go to visit the Barney Doppelganger and even Marshall is convinced it’s really Barney. Until he pulls the doctor’s beard and realizes it is real. But Lily still isn’t convinced. So, Barney comes down to the office to prove it isn’t him scamming women again. But when he leaves, Lily still isn’t sure, so they bring him back. Barney stands in a corner wearing blinders to prevent him from seeing anything. When the exam is over, everyone agrees just to leave Barney in there.

Later, Marshall comes home and Lily tells him they had two phone messages. One is from his father in Minnesota, asking if he has any sixes. Marshall explains that they are playing “Go Fish” over the phone and then asks who the second message was from. Lily excitedly tells her it is from Dr. Doppelganger and that she is extremely fertile. They hug and Marshall goes to call his dad. We cut to his dad in Minnesota but the phone doesn’t ring, clearly showing us a number on his dad’s beer can. We cut back to the apartment where Marshall worries that maybe the problem is him.

So, he ignores his father’s calls to the surprise of everyone. He then explains that he only calls his father to tell him good news: His engagement to Lily, when he passed the bar, when he bought a Vikings lamp, when he found someone to fix said Vikings lamp, etc. He said it just feels real when he tells his dad. I understand. Bad news doesn’t seem as real until you tell someone.

So he goes to Dr. Doppelganger, who asks Marshall to provide a sample in a cup. Marshall goes to the room but is haunted by the specters of the other men who had done the deed in there. So he asks if he can bring it home and Dr. Doppelganger gives him an hour to do so. But when Marshall gets back to his apartment, there’s a surprise waiting for him—his parents! They were concerned when they hadn’t heard from Marshall and came all the way from Minnesota to check on him. Marshall pulls his wife into the kitchen to ask her to keep his parents occupied while he does the deed in the bathroom. But they keep interrupting him to the point he storms off, frustrated. As his parents demand to know where he’s going, Future!Ted tells us that Lily yells out the one thing that Marshall will always be grateful for: “He’s going to masturbate!”

And so Marshall finally tells his parents his concerns. They are supportive of him and tell them that it doesn’t matter if he can’t give them a grandchild. His father suggests adoption or using a sperm donor. Marshall thinks of his options: Barney or Ted. He says adoption is always a good option. His parents tell him to go pretend to be in high school again, go back into the bathroom and pretend his blow drying his hair. “You knew?” Marshall asks horrified, which is when his mother points out they didn’t have a hair dryer.

I’ll leave the rest of this for the end of the recap.

“B” Plot: Robin began working at World Wide News, remember? Well, on her first day she runs into a former co-anchor from her time on cable. Who then announces that he and Robin had sex. She tells Ted that she didn’t want to be known as the woman who slept with the anchor on her first day. Ted notes that that implies that she eventually wanted to be known as that. He gives her a buck up little camper speech and sends her back to her second day.

When she returns, she says it was the same as her first day—only worse. Her former co-worker was convinced they slept together and when Robin tried to convince him otherwise, she reminded him of an embarrassing news story she did. He finds it—Robin falling from a carriage into some horse manure. And so everyone teased her. Ted tells her to go with it, like one would lean into the skid when hitting ice.

But Robin didn’t lean into skid. She tells her coworkers that yes, she had one embarrassing story. She says anyone with a long career like her while have a few embarrassing stories. And so her coworkers initiate a search. Ted asks what they found. Robin: “Everything.” And then we get a montage of every embarrassing the show has every done with Robin. Including Robin Sparkles. So now they were all calling her “Sparkles.” Ted says he was wrong to suggest she lean into the skid. It was time to get revenge. Robin tells him not to.

But Ted does so anyway. He tells Robin he went to go intimidate her former co-anchor with his crazy karate skills (emphasis on crazy). But when he got to the apartment, the co-worker was there in his balding glory. And a whole smorgasbord of sexual kinks. Robin loves the bald shot and Ted asks her about the happenings in the background. She said her co-worker was open about that, but the hair would be news.

The next day, Ted asks if it was her last day at WWN. She says no and that she took his advice. She showed the picture? No, she leaned into the skid. As everyone called her Sparkles, she pulled up her old jean jacket and wore it at the meeting. Future!Ted tells us that Robin’s torture wasn’t too long as shortly after, some guy spilled his coffee all down his shirt. Everyone—including Robin—has a good laugh and moves on.

There’s a plot where Barney tries to get Marshall and/or Ted to go play laser tag with him in Poughkeepsie. It’s not worthy to be called a “C” plot.

Marshall goes to see Dr. Doppelganger, who says his count is low. Marshall is devastated and Dr. Doppelganger suggests he take up a sport, like laser tag. That’s when Marshall realizes that it’s Barney, pulling off the beard as Dr. Doppelganger comes in. He chases Barney out and then tells Marshall that he has the test results…And now was when I really noticed the numbers and caught on to what the episode was doing.

As Marshall celebrates, we count down to one as he calls his dad. At first, I thought they were counting down to Lily telling Marshall they were pregnant. But then his dad didn’t answer and I got a growing pit in my stomach. Then Lily got out of the cab, crying and I knew. She tells Marshall his dad had a heart attack and he didn’t make it. Marshall hugs her and says he’s not ready for this.

Sob!

That was not the ending I was expecting but a good reminder that when HIMYM wants to pull the heartstrings, it can. It’ll be interesting to see how they proceed with this, how Marshall handles it.

Going Like Nancy…

Last week on “I’d Do Anything”: The final five performed songs showing their leading lady quality. Samantha and Jodie were praised. In their Nancy mission, the girls were asked to be funny while the Olivers worked with a real West End child actor. Jonny moved into the last Oliver spot and we bid farewell to Sam, Joseph, Gareth and Jordan.

Graham welcomes us to the (not-so) live semi-finale. Graham suit watch: Red suit and purple shirt. He tells us the final four will perform and three Olivers will be revealed. He welcomes the fans, the band, the judges and the Lord. The Nancys and Olivers open the show with “Food, Glorious Food.” And those Olivers still include the ones who weren’t put through as well. Graham reminds us that this is the last time Andrew can save a Nancy as next week it’s all up to the public. Helping him are: John Barrowman, Denise van Outen, Barry Humphries and the producer Cameron Macintosh.

Andrew called a meeting with the panel and Cameron in a dark room complete with furniture from Phantom of the Opera. Andrew then works with each girl to help them improve. Graham asks Andrew what the girls need to do: he says he’s trying to find Cameron a star and that each girl could be a Nancy. He hopes the girls deliver the performances they gave him in rehearsal. Cameron says he’s not as worried because the girls have shown themselves to be great leading ladies. He hopes the public chooses the best girl with star potential.

First up is Rachel. She says it is frustrated to think that no one is seeing her when she’s singing with everything she’s got. We cut back to that secret bunker. Andrew says Rachel will keep the curtain up but Cameron is nervous about her. Rachel sings “Cabaret” from the musical of the same name. And that performance gets a standing ovation, including the panel. She blew the roof off the studio and proved she could dance. Not much more I can say. Denise praises Rachel’s performance and calls her brilliant. Barry calls Rachel “great” in the mission and says she gave “a star performance.” John calls it “Rachel, Rachel, Rachel” and calls her an actress. Cameron says she’s got it and would love to see her as Nancy. Andrew talks about Rachel changing it from “Going like Elsie” to “Going like Rachel” and praises it.

Coming Up: Oh, John.

Our next Nancy is Jessie. Jessie says that when she gets criticism she gets frustrated with herself. And in the secret bunker, they talk about “The Man that Got Away.” John calls her awkward and Denise doesn’t think she’s ready. Andrew says she has to prove she deserves to be in the final. Jessie sings “What I Did For Love” from A Chorus Line. The poor thing. She has a lovely vocal and her diction’s improved. But not much in the movement department.

John agrees that it was nice but slightly boring. He mentions her usual hand movements. Jessie asks what she can do to excite him and everyone laughs. He wants to see the conviction behind the words. Barry disagrees and calls it heartfelt. Denise calls her strong and heartfelt, but asks her to sit back a bit. Cameron calls her performance beautiful but she still hasn’t gone through the roof yet. She says this is just the beginning of her career and Graham interrupts her to get her to Andrew. He praises her decisions and her knowledge. He thinks she has star quality.

Coming Up: The Olivers get picked!

Graham explains that the Nancys have been divided into two groups: the Northern Nancys (Samantha and Jodie) and the Celtic Nancys (Rachel and Jessie). Samantha and Jodie are up first and work with Andrew on their song. The girls perform “Jesus Christ Superstar.” This really gives Jodie a chance to prove she can move but I’m afraid Samantha still stole my attention during the performance. The judges give them a standing ovation. Andrew calls them fantastic.

Now, we go to the Olivers! Our eight Olivers before “Tomorrow” from Annie. Because, you know, she was an orphan and Oliver was an orphan…Anyway, the Oliver mission. Andrew and Cameron put them in a West End theater and let former S Club 7 member Jon Lee give them some tips. He was Oliver too! Then the Olivers sing “Where is Love?” Our three Olivers are: Gwion, Laurence and Harry. I was still really rooting for Chester. Graham congratulates Alexander, Jonny, Kwayedza, Chester and Arthur.

Oliver: Harry, Gwion, Laurence

Gareth

Jordan

Joseph

Sam

Chester

Arthur

Kwayedza

Alexander

Jonny

Coming Up: The judges heart Samantha.

Our third Nancy is Samantha. She calls this the most amazing moment of her life. In the secret bunker, Andrew says she’s grown. Cameron loves Samantha. But they want her to be vulnerable. Samantha sings “When You Believe” from the Prince of Egypt. This week is turning more musical theater than the musicals week! She giving a beautiful vocal, but I think the meaning of the song was lost in the second half. It was there in the first part but she didn’t continue it through. Graham asks if she’s changed as the competition went on. She said she grew as a performance.

Graham starts with John. He said she showed vulnerability and asks the audience to take gamble. Denise says she has a likeability factor for both men and women. Barry calls her the bee’s knees and the cat’s…whiskers? Isn’t that “the cat’s meow”? Anyway, he loved her. Cameron felt the same as me: vulnerability in the beginning but lost at the end. But he feels she’ll be there next week. Andrew says the song doesn’t lead one to a great acting performance. Maybe because it was written for a movie?

Coming Up: Denise wants to hug Jodie.

Our last Nancy is Jodie. She said she can’t believe she’s in the semi-finale. In the Secret Bunker, Cameron isn’t too certain about Jodie. Barry thinks she could be Nancy. Jodie sings “Out Here On My Own.” It’s a lovely performance, but I can’t help but think that Jodie looks too old to play Nancy. Right now, the make up is okay, but she still looks older than she is. I think Denise is crying. She calls Jodie heartfelt and that she put so much emotion into the song. She praises Jodie’s life experience. John praises her ability to take direction. Barry praises her voice but thinks she may be too restrained. Cameron calls it “beautiful but matronly.” Andrew tells Barry that she was holding back because he asked her to be. And we just cut to commercial…

Coming Up: Second duet!

Next up Rachel and Jessie sing “Buenos Aires” from Evita. I got a bit distracted but I could hear Rachel singing through it. The Oliver’s who didn’t make it to the finale sing “No Matter What” from “Whistle Down the Wind.” I love this song and am determined to have it as my wedding song! The boys finish and hug.

Coming Up: The results show.

We’re at the results show. Graham suit watch: Yellow suit with a dark green shirt. Once again, we have a reprise of “Food Glorious Food” though this time only Gwion, Harry and Laurence are wearing caps. Graham then shows a recap of everything that’s happened.

Coming Up: Nancy mission.

Okay, maybe Graham’s shirt is blue. I don’t know. Jodie talks about winning and being in the competition. Anyway, the girls are sent to Dickens London. They put on the dress and give interviews by candlelight. The girls will now have to speak “As Long as He Needs Me” for Barry. He likes Jessie’s performance, calling it true. He says he noticed a new side to Rachel. As for Jodie, he calls her emotional if not courageous. He thought Samantha was parroting the words until she addressed him and he saw the tears in her eyes. He calls it a close contest. The final four sing “A Hard Day’s Night.”

Coming Up: The results!

They show us Andrew telling the winner Olivers they won. Harry is shocked, Gwion looks ready to laugh and I think Laurence cried. The three perform “Where is Love?” Graham introduces a package where the girls tell why they should be Nancy. Unfortunately, my sister and her boyfriend are being TOO LOUD for me to hear. The panel says their not Nancy’s:

John: Jessie

Denise: Jessie

Barry: Jodie (he gets booed)

Cameron: Jodie (he gets booed)

Jodie could still be Nancy and leaves the stage. Take that, Barry and Cameron? She hugs her parents. Rachel is in the sing-off and joins Graham. Samantha and Jessie stand center stage. John and Denise are holding hands like they are on the line. Jessie could still be Nancy and she practically attacks Jodie. So Samantha and Rachel are in the bottom two.

Coming Up: Rachel or Samantha.

If it were down to viewers alone, Samantha would be out of the competition. But this is Andrew’s last chance to save someone. The two must now sing “Memory” from Cats. Andrew says he didn’t want these results and tells them to give it their best. I think. Once again, my sister was TOO LOUD. Once again, Denise looks ready to cry. Someone give her a tissue. Andrew looks like he would rather eat the jellied eels again. Rachel and Samantha hug before going before the lord. He calls the choice “impossible”—Samantha is fabulous and Rachel was wonderful. He has to think about where the show is going to go. He stutters before going with Samantha. She hugs Rachel before running to join Jodie and Jessie.

Graham asks Rachel if she has someone she’d love to see all the way. She praises them all and they yell “We love you.” Andrew says she’s wonderful and has a career ahead of her. Rachel thanks everyone before going to say good-bye.

The final three sing “Be Back Soon” before Rachel sings “As Long as He Needs Me.” Samantha takes off her locket before Rachel ascends the stairs. Rachel finishes the song, giving it her all. Take that, United Kingdom. That’s what you kicked off.

Could Still Be Nancy:

Amy

Keisha

Cleo

Sarah

Rachel

Jodie

Samantha

Ashley

Jessie

Francesca

Niamh

Tara

So, Rachel is gone. She was my favorite Nancy and I’m still upset with you, UK. Seriously. Also, sorry my sister prevented me from hearing everything. I promise she won’t do so for the finale. I’m actually going to be on vacation next week so I will be taping the finale and recapping it when I come back. Who do you think will win? And don’t cheat by already knowing or going to Wikipedia!

Next week: The (not-so) live finale!

Quote of the Episode:

Don’t have one. My sister may have talked over it.