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"I'd Do Anything": Final Rudetsky Recap
By Seth Rudetsky
09 Jul 2008
Seth Rudetsky offers his own unique spin on the new BBC reality show, "I'd Do Anything," which has cast the lead roles of Oliver and Nancy in the forthcoming West End revival of Lionel Bart's Oliver!
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Is this it? Is it really my last column on "I'd Do Anything"? I'm afraid it's true. The show ended a month ago, and I must let go. Here's the final recap.
For the final episode, it was announced that the audience would vote for the winner, and Andrew Lloyd Webber couldn't save anybody anymore. Or, as Graham Norton put it, "The Lord can only sit and watch." Then Graham announced that the phones would be open the whole show. So even though they pretend the Nancy is picked by whomever gives the most amazing final performance, it's essentially decided by whatever Nancy has the most people sitting by the phone hitting the re-dial button over and over again.
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The final three among the cast.
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| photo by © BBC |
The show opened with all the former Nancys and former Olivers. It was nice to see all the ladies again…especially my two faves, Sarah and Rachel. They all sang a group version of "I'd Do Anything," and there was a shot of judge John Barrowman clapping along on the beat, which diffused any fantasies I had of us running away. Then he smiled, and the fantasies resurfaced with fervor. Graham said that this is the first of the franchise to have finalists that have never been in a West End show. Sir Cameron reminded the viewers to pick not just the best singer, but the one who gives the most moving performance. And, I was very happy that he added "…just like Rachel gave last week." I'm still in shock that she wasn't in the final three. Lord Lloyd Webber was then asked to compare the final three, and he said that Samantha is the heart stopper, Jodie is the heart warmer, and Jessie is the heartbreaker. First of all…huh? Second of all, isn't Special K the heart healthy cereal? Why wasn't that mentioned?
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Jodie sings
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| photo by © BBC |
First up to sing was Jodie. She said that before this show, she was just Jodie from Blackpool. Really? Wasn't she also Jodie, winner of the British version of "The Biggest Loser"? Why is there no acknowledgement of that on the show? Doesn't being a reality TV star make her a little more than "Jodie from Blackpool"? It reminds me of the Grease reality show where they pretended that every contestant had no theatrical experience. When a contestant would speak, their name would be posted underneath them followed by a mundane career, like "temp," "substitute teacher" or "Jodie from Blackwell." Jodie said that she used to audition for shows but wasn't 22 stone. Translation please! Is that too heavy? Too light? Is it an address where Barbra Streisand lives? 22 Stoney End? Anyhoo, she sang "Son of a Preacher Man," and I was underwhelmed. She wasn't bad at all, but it wasn't a song that really showed her off. John Barrowman said that with every song Jodie sings, "she lives the words and that's what you want in a leading lady, someone who is believable." He, of course, had to make us know yet again, that he's starred on the West End, but has obviously been doing television for too long because he said, "I look forward to the day when I guest star opposite you on the West End stage." West End shows have guest stars?
"Ooh, who's the guest star this week at Wicked?"
"Direct from 'Three's Company'…Joyce DeWitt!"
"Yes!"
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Samantha sings
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| photo by © BBC |
Then Samantha was up, and perhaps to keep with Lloyd Webber's bizarre heart references, she sang "Anyone Who Had a Heart." She sounded great. After she sang she said that she was able to unlock her feelings after having a private coaching session with John Barrowman. Memo to Monsieur Barrowman: My feelings are locked up tight and need a severe and thorough private coaching. Asap. I was impressed with her because she had to hold several ooo vowels and instead of opening them up to an "ow" vowel, she kept them pure ... andadded vibrato. For the purest/best vibrated oohs, listen to Betty Buckley and Howard McGillin sing "Two Kinsmen" on the Drood CD. Fantastic! All the judges were concerned about how young Samantha is. Denise said, "Emotionally, you sit on the fence — probable because you're so young that you haven't lived the lyrics." Lloyd Webber wondered whether she'd have the stamina for eight shows a week. More on that lie later. Continued...
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