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.

It’s a Fine Life…

Last week: The girls worked with Andrew Lloyd Webber and hit the stage. The Olivers worked with the High School Musical tour people to work on basketball. As Harry advanced to the finals, Rachel and Sarah fell into the bottom two. In the end, Sarah was sent home. Who will go home tonight! Avoid Wikipedia and find out!

Graham suit watch: Gold shirt and I don’t even know what color his suit is. He welcomes the fans, the band, the panel and Andrew to the (not-so) live show. The final six girls sing “It’s a Fine Life.” They leave the stage as Graham returns. He points out that half the remaining girls have been in the sing-off: Rachel, Niamh and Ashley. Tonight, there will be a battle of Nancy’s, as the girls will be divided into trios. And there is our panel: John Barrowman, Denise van Outen and Barry Humphries. And of course, Andrew is there. Graham says everyone has an opinion on who Nancy should be, but who do the girls think isn’t Nancy. Here is the results:

Jessie: Niamh

Niamh: Ashley

Ashley: Niamh

Jodie: Niamh

Samantha: Rachel

Rachel: Samantha

Since Jessie booked it off the stage after the opening song, she is our first Nancy. The other girls are jealous of Jessie’s comments from the judges. She doesn’t want to give up her dream. Graham says the girls will be showing the different sides of Nancy. Jessie begins the evening with “Fighter.” I guess she’s Tough Nancy tonight. I think diction is a bit of a problem tonight—I’m not understanding all the words. But I wouldn’t want to meet Jessie in a dark alley right now. And they made her do Christina’s vocalization? Really? She’s improving on her movement.

Jessie approaches Graham to stand before the judges. Jessie says the pressure is healthy and keeping them from slacking off. John felt that Jessie was defiant and he agrees with me that diction was a problem. John is afraid her diction will go under pressure. Barry didn’t mind that Jessie’s Irish lilt came out and that Nancy could be Irish. John asks if that is what the people expect. Denise believes the problem really is the diction and it wasn’t the best performance Jessie ever gave. Andrew believes it was the wrong song for Jessie—and John argues it isn’t a talent show—but then goes to say that Nancy could have been Irish.

Coming Up: Another performance!

Niamh is our next Nancy up. We are reminded that Andrew is concerned about her age. The girls go to see Celine Dion in a concert. Niamh is excited and amazed as Celine sings “My Heart Will Go On.” They take a picture with Celine, but when she’s talking, her back is always to the camera. Hmm. Anyway, she’s singing “True Colors” to be Maternal Nancy. I love her outfit. And as always, it’s a lovely vocal. I’m not sure how maternal she comes across. It’s more like she’s cheering up her best friend. She throws someone a kiss.

Graham asks Niamh about meeting Celine Dion. Niamh was so excited to meet her. Graham goes to Barry. He calls her performance “lovely.” But he says it’s hard to imagine her fighting Bill Sykes, but she was supposed to be maternal. John doesn’t think it wasn’t entirely maternal but he disagrees with Barry. He tells him to watch her in the mission. Denise enjoyed Niamh’s performance and she is a contender. Now, Andrew. He still is worried about her voice but she has it. He likes that she asks questions and that she’ll go somewhere (like your new show, Andrew?)

Coming Up: Andrew wants to put Ashley on a bus.

The third Nancy up is Ashley. She realizes she has to thank the public for keeping her in. She goes back to visit her students. They give her flowers as well. Ashley sings “I Say a Little Prayer” to portray Love-struck/Devoted Nancy. She starts off weak but I think this type of song is good for her. However, I can’t see her sustaining a musical. And I know when I don’t write much, I like the performance. Not with Ashley. I actually zoned out during her performance and was focusing on my plans for tomorrow.

Graham reveals that Ashley is a backseat driver, complete with footage from the Nancy car. Denise liked her vocal but the performance was very cruise ship-like. Denise calls it cheesy. Barry calls her indestructible but calls the performance “casual.” John also calls her cheesy and tells her to hold back. Andrew, I think, has just given up. He tells her to take a bus.

Coming Up: “I want some more!”

We’re at the halfway point, Nancy solo wise. They still tease the Nancy show down. But now, time for our weekly dose of adorable. The boys are brought to the Ragged School Museum to meet a Victorian schoolmarm to give them a taste of being in Oliver’s orphan. They will be tasting gruel. All make faces and realize how hungry Oliver really was. A former child actor comes to help the Oliver’s, playing the scary orphanage worker whom Oliver asks “Please, sir, I want some more.” Cameron announces that the next Oliver through is Laurence. We learn he is 11 and plays the trumpet (and the piano). He also wants to be an inventor. Graham congratulates Laurence and holds onto his Oliver hat for later. Once again, the Oliver’s picked a Nancy to sing with. Laurence reveals that Nancy is Irish with brown hair. The Oliver’s then sing “Give a Little Love.”

Could Be Oliver:

Gareth

Jordan

Harry

Joseph

Sam

Chester

Arthur

Gwion

Kwayedza

Alexander

Jonny

Laurence

Our fourth Nancy is Samantha. She says she’s realizing she could be a leading lady. So, she goes to the production of Dirty Dancing to meet with the actress who plays Baby. Holy crap, she looks like Jennifer Grey circa “Dirty Dancing.” Samantha sings “Survivor” to show Defiant Nancy. I can see the defiance—Nancy telling Bill she’ll survive without him. Overall, a fantastic performance.

John loved her diction and feistiness. Barry thought it was great and praises her ability to dance in high heels, which he knows is difficult. Denise apologizes for questioning whether Samantha should be put through—she is now a leading lady. Andrew calls it a “wonderful” performance. He praises her range.

Coming Up: Jodie

And here she is. She says she was just trying to tell the story but her performance suffered. To help her focus, Graham says the love of her life visited. And no, it’s not her fiancé, it’s her dog. Who is adorable, by the way, and may eclipse the Choir of Adorable. Jodie sings “If I Ain’t Got You” to show Devoted Nancy. I don’t think this song properly shows what Jodie’s voice can do, but it does show her loving side.

Denise thinks Jodie has the voice of Nancy and loves how Jodie acts with her eyes. John agrees and wants to see her next week. Barry calls it “passionate” and says he heard every word to a song he had never heard before. But he loved it. Andrew thinks she has a fantastic voice but that she overacts. He isn’t clear on whether or not that’s good or not. But he wants to see her choreographed.

Coming Up: Rachel holds back

Rachel is our last Nancy to perform. She says it was her most uncomfortable performance. Her family has been supporting and we meet Rachel’s sister, who talks about her early career. Rachel sings “You’ve Got a Friend” so I’m guessing she’s going for Maternal Nancy? I love Rachel. That is all. Denise tells the public that they have to realize that Nancy has to be able to perform 8 days a week. Denise doesn’t think it was stunning performance and wants better next week. John loves Rachel as well. Barry has heard of her song but that Rachel wasn’t feeling the emotion. He calls her an understudy. Andrew says Rachel deserves to be there but she needs to communicate with the words. Some man in the audience really disagrees with Andrew.

Coming Up: The Nancy Showdown

Graham introduces us into the Nancy Showdown. Andrew has divided the girls into two trios. Jessie, Niamh and Samantha are one group while Jodie, Rachel and Ashley are a second group. It is the Young Nancy’s vs. the Older Nancy’s. Jodie says they will show that Nancy is a real woman while the Younger Nancy’s say they aren’t going to go down easily. The Younger Nancy’s perform “Candyman.” While they were all good, I really focused on Samantha. The Older Nancy’s perform “Man! I Feel Life a Woman.” Ashley does best in a group setting, but I focused on Rachel. Andrew can’t chose his favorite performance and just praises them.

Coming Up: Someone tries to take Captain Jack? Ha!

We come back to the results show as the Nancy’s sing a reprise of “It’s a Fine Life.” Graham suit watch: Red shirt and yellow suit. Graham reminds us that three of the current Nancy’s have been saved by Andrew before recapping the performances. Graham interviews the girls and Rachel says she’s confused. Ashley says she’s showing she has Nancy’s fighting spirit. Graham goes to the Nancy Mission—which is with John Barrowman. John seems to be stalked by a fan who wants his autograph. John fights the man, who fights back. John asks if he still wants his autograph and the guy agrees—John welcomes the girls to the stunt mission. They learn to throw a punch, turn a bottle into a weapon and roll. The girls perform an emotional scene, complete with a fight. John was impressed that though Niamh missed, she continued to fight. John chooses Rachel as his best.

We come back to the studio for the girls to perform “Nobody Does It Better.” Once again, I loved Samantha and Niamh. John said the mission showed who would panic and who would handle the live performance. Barry was drawn to Jessie, Denise was drawn to Niamh and Andrew was drawn to Samantha.

Coming Up: The results!

The girls have to convince the Oliver’s to let her performance with them. Graham asks Laurence to reveal the winning Nancy—Niamh. They perform “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.” And you were all clapping along, admit it! Andrew thought Niamh had the motherly quality they were looking for. It is time, though, for the panel to reveal who is not Nancy. John: Jessie. Denise: Ashley. Barry: Rachel. Time for the results! Samantha is through to the quarterfinals. Jodie is through as well. Rachel might be in the sing-off and is told to remain where she is. Jessie could still be Nancy. She attacks Jodie in a hug once she leaves the stage. Rachel looks like she knows she’s in the bottom two. Ashley is in the sing-off. Rachel is wrong, she could still be Nancy. So Niamh is in the sing-off with Ashley. If it were up to the public, Ashley would be out.

Coming Up: Niamh or Ashley? Does Andrew really have to think about this?

Ashley and Niamh must now sing “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina” from “Evita.” This isn’t really a nail biter. Niamh has always gotten better comments than Ashley. And Andrew has said he wanted Ashley to take a bus. So he saves Niamh. She leaves the stage as Graham comforts Ashley. She says she’s proud of what she’s done. Andrew says that Ashley needs to work on communicating but her students should be proud of her.

The final five sing “Be Back Soon” before Ashley sings “As Long as He Needs Me.” Niamh takes off her locket before Ashley lets out the last part. She takes a bow before the girls hug her.

Could Still be Nancy:

Amy

Keisha

Cleo

Sarah

Rachel

Jodie

Samantha

Ashley

Jessie

Francesca

Niamh

Tara

And the competition grows fiercer and the judges get nitpicky. Next week is the quarterfinals—who will advance further? Who will take the Nancy crown? If I do the calculations correctly, we won’t find out before I go to Disney, so the final recap will be delayed by a week. Otherwise, do you agree with Ashley’s dismissal? You know I do!

Next week: It’s the quarterfinals! And some Josephs return!

Quote of the Episode:

“That’s going to be a very quiet car ride back to Nancy Mansion.” –Graham after the girls’ pick who isn’t Nancy.