Torchwood’s Back…Kinda

So, it took me several months to finally watch Torchwood: Miracle Day. I was excited about it when it was being teased. And then…I forgot it aired. And I kept forgetting it was airing. Mostly because the internet was not blowing up about it. Considering the past three seasons of Torchwood…that’s not a good sign. And then what I did catch from the internet wasn’t positive either.


But I found it on demand and so, with some trepidation and out of curiosity over what the heck Gwen and Rhys had, I pressed play on “Miracle Day.”


The New World or "How Cute is Gwen and Rhys' Baby?"


One day, everyone stops dying while the CIA is clued to Torchwood. Babe from "All My Children" meets Captain Jack Harkness while Gwen and Rhys try to protect their adorable little girl.


(Yes, I do a Moron’s Guide for Torchwood as well)

Consider Yourself…Gone

Last week on “I’d Do Anything”: It was the musical episode where most of the songs…came from the radio! Yay! Anyway, some girls rose to the challenge while others fell flat. But they all got to kiss former Joseph Ben James-Ellis in a scene from “Hairspray” while the Oliver’s got to play football (soccer). Arthur advanced to the finals while Keisha and Tara ended up in the bottom two. Andrew chose to save Keisha again and Tara returned her locket. Andrew hid somewhere to avoid the wrath of Tara’s dad, El Bandito.

Graham suit watch: Green and orange. It works. Graham welcomes us, the band, judges and Andrew Lloyd Webber from Las Vegas to the (not-so) live show. The Nancy’s and Oliver’s start the show with “Consider Yourself.” Now that the song is done, Graham properly introduces the panel: John Barrowman, Denise van Outen and Barry Humphries! Graham reminds us that Andrew is in Las Vegas, so the Phantom overture is replaced by some cheesy music. And if you’re wondering why Andrew is (not-so) live from Las Vegas, it was the opening of the 90-minute version of Phantom of the Opera. He also mentored the final six contestants on that year’s American Idol.

First up are Jodie and Samantha. Jodie goes nuts backstage over her positive excitement…and then her boyfriend proposes. Everyone celebrates but she goes right back to rehearsals. Sam talks about John’s criticism. So John mentors her and we get to hear him sing a bit. I love his voice. She starts crying and he gets goose bumps as she sings. Jodie sings “9 to 5.” I don’t think Jodie gets the country feel but that could be the orchestrations. But if they plan to bring the musical version of the movie to London, I think they should consider her for a part. Maybe the Jane Fonda/Stephanie J. Block role. And we see Jodie’s fiancé go nuts in the audience. Samantha sings "Hurt.” John’s face during her performance is a bit concerning. Once again, she delivers a beautiful vocal and I think she does have emotion behind her performance.

Graham meets up with the girls and congratulates Jodie. She doesn’t know if she should start planning the wedding or the hen night (bachelorette party). Graham pulls out a picture of a young Sam in a pot. He then goes to John, who praises Jodie. He gives Samantha his “fantastic, fantastic, fantastic” review. Whew. His face concerned me. Barry calls Jodie “dynamic” and “electric.” As for Samantha, he calls it her best performance so far. Denise thought Jodie was wonderful and praised her diction. As for Samantha, she said the performance moved her and called her “brilliant.” In Vegas, Andrew tells Jodie she could go there and get married by Elvis. Andrew blathers on and doesn’t seem to say much, except praising Sam.

Coming Up: Andrew doesn’t really like Ashley’s voice.

Next up are Ashley and Niamh. Ashley says Andrew’s criticism hurt but she’s bouncing back. Niamh says she lost confidence last week but pulled out a great song. But Niamh’s older sister comes for a visit. Ashley sings “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.” When compared to Whitney Houston, Ashley falls short vocally. But she has great energy. And Niamh sings “Wind Beneath My Wings” for her older sister. We sang this song at my 8th grade graduation to our parents as we handed our mothers roses. And was there anyone who hasn’t watched “Beaches” and cried by the time the song came on? I think Niamh does a wonderful job with the song and may be better than the Divine Miss M.

Ashley talks about her hometown is all decked out with her picture and she’s gotten letters from politicians. Denise called Ashley “bubbly” but she had a few pitch problems, but Denise likes her voice. As for Niamh, she calls her performance “gorgeous” and “classy.” Barry says he continues to warm to Ashley while he calls Niamh “exquisite.” He thinks she could redefine the role of Nancy. John agrees with Denise and Dame Edna regarding Ashley’s voice, she just needs to work on movement. He tells Niamh to believe in herself. And now to Vegas…He loves her smile and praises her song. Andrew wasn’t too fond of Ashley’s performance and gets booed.

Coming up: Little boys on ropes.

Holy shit, we’re getting the Doctor Who Christmas special on Christmas! This has never happened before! The closest was last year, when we got it the day after!

We turn now to the Oliver’s! Andrew tests the boys’ bravery. By making them slide down a rope suspended hundred feet in the air. Jordan sings as he lowers himself down. Then they sing before Andrew and Cameron. Kwayedza is the one put through to the finals. He picks Sarah as his Nancy. All the Oliver’s sing “I Whistle a Happy Tune” from The King and I.

Could Be Oliver:

Gareth

Jordan

Harry

Joseph

Sam

Chester

Arthur

Gwion

Kwayedza

Alexander

Jonny

Laurence

Coming Up: Keisha is up.

Keisha is the odd Nancy out. She talks about being in the sing off again. Does anyone else hear the Titanic theme? Okay, I’m not imagining it…Keisha sings the Most Overplayed Song of 1997, “My Heart Will Go On.” The poor, poor thing. It’s an emotional performance, but I don’t think Keisha has the range we’re used to regarding this song. Graham calls Keisha a survivor. And no one thought to give her that song? Denise has been starting the entire show. And she still has some concerns about Keisha. Keisha asks what she can do. John disagrees. Denise thinks she lacked emotion, John thinks she nailed it. Barry called it “warm” and “powerful.” Andrew says he’s proud of Keisha. He says Denise has some good points.

Coming Up: Denise’s hair stands up.

Am I the only hoping that every time they cut back to Andrew, he’d do something typical of Vegas? Wear an Elvis wig? Have a drink? Be seen with showgirls? Pretend to be playing a game?

Anyway, Jessie and Sarah are next. Jessie was overwhelmed by the judges’ comments. Jessie’s sisters show us how her entire town is supporting her and say they miss her. Sarah follows John’s comments and jokes she’s going to go green, but ends up going darker. Jessie sings “Why Do Fools Fall in Love?” Wow, when I spend the entire time just watching and not commenting, it’s a good performance. Sarah sings “Midnight Train to Georgia.” I love Sarah’s voice.

Jessie says she copes find being apart from home, but she does miss her family. Sarah says she’s determined to become Nancy, even if it means changing her hair. John says that she has an edge now and is a contender. As for Jessie, he wants to see her dance. Denise tells her to loosen up. As for Sarah, she would give her a standing ovation and that she made the hair on Denise’s arm stand up. Barry looks at Denise’s hairs and Graham tells him to focus. Barry likes Jessie’s look and voice but wants to see her act. He calls Sarah “powerful” and would give her standing O as well. Andrew is last. He thought both did well. He wants to work with the girls.

Coming Up: Andrew makes up his own awards.

Francesca and Rachel are the next Nancy’s to perform. We see Francesca singing “Time of My Life.” By the way, Jennifer Grey won Dancing with the Stars! Congrats to her and Derek! Anyway, Francesca practices and sings and there’s Claire Moore. Rachel says that John pulled her aside after the show to say she had turned it down a level. She says she has to fight again. Francesca sings “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” It’s a nice performance but not “blow me away”. But better vocally than last week. Rachel sings “The Way We Were.” In some circles, this song has become somewhat of a go-to joke, but Rachel’s performance is beautiful and poignant.

Francesca says the nerves disappear once she starts performing. Rachel says she never feels secure and its possible to be out any week. John says Francesca has the rough edge and that she was good. He says Rachel’s was the best performance of the evening. Barry calls Francesca “beautiful” and “glamorous.” But that Nancy isn’t “glamorous.” Denise asks what’s missing and he says that it’s a wounded feeling, like Rachel gives out. He calls her performance wonderful. Denise disagrees about Francesca but agrees about Rachel. To Vegas! He calls Francesca’s performance “good” and wants her to roughen it up. He tells her to let go. He calls Rachel “fantastic” and mentions the song won an Oscar. He tells Rachel that if he were there, he’d give her an Andrew. Did that sound wrong to anyone else?

Coming Up: The girls take a trip to Oz.

We’re heading into the results show and Graham is now wearing powder blue and maroon. The Nancy’s sing “Consider Yourself” again. After they finish, we get a recap of the performances. Graham asks Ashley about Andrew’s feedback. She says it hurt but hopes she’s back next week. On the other side, Sarah finally got a clean sweep of positive reviews. She says it was great. For the Nancy Challenge, the girls went to “Wicked” and met leading lady Kerry Ellis. She tells the girls they will be singing “I’m Not that Girl” after the matinee show. The girls take a peek at the audience. The girls then get to perform. They interview the audience and they were split.

Coming Up: Andrew wrote a song for Elvis.

We come back as Andrew is now wearing Elvis sunglasses. Okay, it’s a start. Andrew says he wrote a song for Elvis and it was the last thing he ever sung. Anyway, Graham turns the stage over to the Nancy’s to sing “Viva Las Vegas.” They are dressed like Vegas showgirls, except with more clothing! This week, Sarah rather than Keisha is catching eye besides Niamh and Samantha. Of course, it’s hard to hear this song without thinking of that Viagra commercial at the time. Back in Vegas, Andrew praises the band. Is that the go-to when they’re stuck? Anyway, Andrew also says Sarah stood out. John picks Ashley. Barry picks Jessie and Samantha. Denise agrees with Samantha.

And because the show needs a shot of Adorable, we get to meet Kwayedza—our new Oliver finalist. He likes R&B and motown. He wants to meet Beyonce. And all the Oliver’s sing “I’ll Be There.” From the King of Rock to the King of Pop. It was a lovely performance.

Coming up: The results!

We come back to Graham asking the panel who is NOT Nancy. John: Keisha. Denise: Keisha. Barry: Francesca. Time to reveal some fates! Rachel is safe! Sarah could be Nancy. Samantha and Niamh are also safe. They rush off to join Sarah and Rachel. Keisha might be in jeopardy. She remains on the stairs. Jodie is safe. Jessie could still be Nancy. Ashley, Francesca and Keisha come down. One is safe, two aren’t. Francesca is in the bottom two. Keisha could still be Nancy and freaks out. As Keisha goes to the box, the other girls look as shocked as the others did when Brandy and Maks were eliminated on Dancing with the Stars.

So the bottom two is Ashley and Francesca. If it were down to the voting public, Ashley would be out. The two sing “Whistle Down the Wind” from the musical of the same name. I love Andrew’s position while watching them. I can see what Andrew has to weigh against: Francesca is clearly the better vocal, but Ashley fits more the “Nancy image.” I don’t pity him.

Coming Up: Who does Andrew save?

Ashley and Francesca appear before Andrew. He calls it an extraordinary sing-off. He calls it the toughest call he ever had. He decides to save Ashley. She joins the others as Andrew tells Francesca he’s gutted. But he had to consider the panel’s comments. He does feel she has a long career ahead of her. Francesca says she going to take away all the advice she’s gotten. Graham sends her to say good-bye. The remaining eight Nancy’s sing “Be Back Soon.” Francesca then sings “As Long As He Needs Me” as Ashley takes off her necklace. Good-bye, Francesca. The other girls hug her.

Could Still Be Nancy:

Amy

Keisha

Cleo

Sarah

Rachel

Jodie

Samantha

Ashley

Jessie

Francesca

Niamh

Tara

Well, that was an interesting show. I think last time this is where I turned on Ashley because I thought Francesca was clearly better vocally than her. But now that I’m older and I guess wiser, I can see why Andrew would keep Ashley. So, do you think the right girl went home?

Next week: Loads of bad critiques and Andrew’s back in the studio!

Exchange of the Episode:

“You’ve got your credit card?”
”No. You got yours?”
”No.”
”DAD?” –Niamh and her sister on their shopping spree.

I Closed My Eyes...

Better late than never, I guess. BBC America announced that it will be airing the BBC reality show "Any Dream Will Do." The series ran back in the late spring/early summer of 2007. 

"Any Dream Will Do" was the popular follow-up to "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?" where Andrew Lloyd Webber turned the process of casting the role of Maria in The Sound of Music into a reality show. The result was the choice of Connie Fisher for the role by the BBC viewing populace. She opened as Maria to rave reviews. The popularity of the show convinced producer David Ian to bring it here to America to cast a revival of Grease ("Grease: You're the One That I Want") which didn't do too well but produced two stars: Max Crumm and Laura Osnes, who will be taking over for Kelli O'Hara as Nellie in South Pacific. Webber though decided to use the same formula but this time cast for one of his shows. He set out to find Joseph for Joseph and the Amazing Color Dreamcoat. 

The show's first two to three episodes are similar to American Idol: you see the countless auditions but rather than being told they are going to Hollywood, the young hopefuls are sent to another round of auditions. The fifty who survive this round are sent to "Joseph School" where instructors and judges focus on each contestant while improving the skills they will need to play the role. The twenty-something that graduate Joseph School are sent to a performance attended by Andrew Lloyd Webber and everyone who lives near him. After this, Webber calls the hopefuls in and tells them "Who could be Joseph" and "Who isn't Joseph" until there are twelve finalists. 

The live shows begin then and proceed like this:

1. Opening number performed by all the hopefuls, always a song from the musical 

2. Introductions 

3. The contestants sing, usually in pairs for the beginning

4. The two stand before the judges who tell them their strong points and weak points. Usually the fun part because someone usually ends up arguing with John Barrowman. 

5. Little interviews and funny shots in between

6. Another group number. 

The next day, the results show begin:

1. Reprise of the opening number from the day before

2. Introductions

3. Video of the "Joseph Mission" (My personal favorite was when they had to perform in only a loincloth in front of their mothers)

4. The judges are asked who they think isn't Joseph.

5. Host Graham Norton reads off those who are safe and those who aren't. It's varied so the first name called could be safe or could not. Also, just because they are called first and safe doesn't mean they have the most votes. This number is never revealed--only the person with the least amount of votes is told. 

6. The bottom two perform one song in a "sing-off"--Webber has the final say in who stays and who goes. This power is taken away for the semi-finals and finals. 

7. Webber makes his decision.

8. The remaining contestants sing "Poor, Poor Joseph" and the booted contestant sings "Close Every Door" as he is stripped of his colored coat. He ends the song on top of the stairs as the audience applauds. 

I watched "Any Dream Will Do" because I was absolutely addicted to "Grease: You're the One that I Want." However, I was forced to watch it via the nice people on YouTube, but the BBC has to be the best at getting its material taken down off the site. (Really, try finding a Doctor Who episode after it's aired. It's hard). So to avoid this, many who posted on YouTube only posted performances and as much of the judging as they could.  So, even though I know the winner, I will be tuning in to see the whole shows as they were meant to be watched. 

And yes, I'll be recapping 'em for the Americans just tuning in. 

Doctor WHO?

The BBC has announced the identity of the Eleventh Doctor. And filling David Tennant's converses will be...

Matt Smith.

Don't worry. No one else seems to know who is either. The BBC and Doctor Who executive producers decided to go with an unknown for the next regeneration of the time traveler. Here's to guessing the type of personality he'll give the new Doctor. 

I Wish You Well

Academy Award-nominated actor Joaquin Phoenix has announced he will retire from acting after his next movie. He wishes to focus on a singing career, an ambition born from playing Johnny Cash in the biopic "Walk the Line," a role which earned him his second Academy Award nomination. (His first was for "Gladiator"). Good luck with the new career!

Also, actor David Tennant has announced he will be leaving popular British sci-fi show "Doctor Who" in 2010. Tennant has played the tenth incarnation of the time-traveling alien since 2005, taking over for Christopher Eccleston. There will not be a proper series (or season, in American terms) in 2009 due to Tennant's involvement with the Royal Shakespeare company. To accomodate for this, the BBC ordered four specials to be made which will be broadcast throughout 2009 and 2010. When the fifth series/season resumes, creator/producer Russell T. Davies will also be replaced as head writer by Steven Moffatt.

Tennant has been one of my favorite aspects of Doctor Who though I do agree it is time for him to move on. Perhaps though, neither he nor Eccleston will object to a special with whoever the new Doctor is--a la "The Two Doctors" or "The Five Doctors" from the original series. It will be interesting to see how the regeneration occurs...

And of course, who will play Eleven? Any ideas?

Also, Happy Halloween! I'm still waiting for a good ghost story...