Canadian Idol Top 8 Recap

(andPOP) - The remaining 8 Canadian Idol hopefuls get intimate on this week’s show, performing unplugged. One might ask when exactly did the huge theatre in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre become a source of great acoustics or what exactly Gavin Rossdale is doing on Canadian Idol. But I digress.

Sebastien Pigott performs “Lucille.” “I think that was the best thing you’ve done in a long time,” says Sass. “Welcome back to the music business, good to have you,” says Farley. Zack ends the judges comments with “I agree that was much better than what you did the last couple of week and with any luck, you’ll be going home next week.” Normally this is the time that Zack would be met with a large boo from the audience but even the audience wants to stop beating (or listening, rather) to this dead horse. Sebastien’s nothing more than a pretty face.

Earl Stevenson chooses “Two” by Ryan Adams. Is anyone else tired of all these pseudo folk rockers that the top 8 has on mass supply? “That was Earl the Pro Stevenson, baby,” says Farley. “When I hear you sing, it feels like the soundtrack to my life. I’m happy to be on your show,” says Zack. “It’s becoming more and more clear to me that your instincts are so strong, especially the Idol audience and yet you make it sound great,” says Jake.

Seeing Mark Day on my television screen is the visual and audio equivalent of nails on a chalkboard. The facial expressions. The voice. The uncanny resemblance to Beaver Cleaver from Leave It to Beaver. He is so affected. It all makes me want to do something drastic. He sings “Stay” by Sugarland. “I thought that was a really good song selection for you,” says Farley. “I think I enjoyed that better than any of the other songs you’ve sung. That really suited you,” says Sass. Mark annoyingly responds to each judge after they comment with “Thank you, I appreciate it.” Ugh.

Up next is Mitch MacDonald, who sings “Oh, Atlanta” by Bad Company. “I question the song choice because I thought I was turning into some weird PBS show,” says Zack. “I think the performance was good but at this point now, it’s time for you to step up and show us that you’re a potential winner for this show,” says Jake. “I thought it kicked, as usual. There’s a charm that you have that transcends anything,” says Sass. “I think the safety zone you hover in is that likeable guy safety zone, but I agree with Jake. Step out, pick songs that challenge you and really show what you’re capable of,” says Farley.

Amberly Thiessen, the sole female singer left in the competition, sings “The Way I Am” by Ingrid Michaelson. “I’ve seen her perform that song but I’d rather see you perform that song than her,” says Jake. “Your pitch is fantastic. I will take you the way you are,” says Sass. “You look stunning. It was the perfect song for the tone you have,” says Farley. “You are one of the rarest finds we’ve had on this show and if you aren’t here next week, Canada will have jumped the shark,” says Zack. I think the show you judge for is a result of television in general of jumping the shark, so don’t be too surprised if Amberly lands in the bottom three again.

Mookie Morris, who Rossdale describes as a “rough diamond” is next with “Ophelia” by The Band. Like Earl, file Mookie Morris under the pseudo-bohemian-rocker-trying way-too-hard-to-be-indie category. “Toronto, where you’re from, is the biggest city in the country and these people should be embarrassed if they were to not come out in droves and vote for this guy right here,” says Zack. Something tells me that Torontonians have better things to do than to be on the telephone for two hours. “In terms of actual pure singing, without a doubt, that was the best singing you’ve ever done on this show,” says Jake.

Performing “Sunday Morning” by Maroon5 is Drew Wright. I’m more captivated by the back up singers than I am by Drew. “I think this has been a bit of an odd night and you choose what you choose and I think it may be the best you’ve sung so far and I don’t know what the heck you are,” says Zack. “I just feel that it was really safe, it doesn’t say much about you and I really think the way you’re dressed is just not working,” says Jake. “I know exactly what you are. You’re the bomb,” says Sass.

Closing the show with “Weak In The Knees” by Serena Ryder is Theo Tams. “That was the performance of the night,” says Zack. “On a night with some really great singing, I have to agree with Zack,” says Jake. “Every single time you perform you understand why you’re here. You haven’t made a mistake yet,” says Farley.

Tomorrow night one more Idol hopeful will get the axe at 8p.m. EST on CTV.