andPOP - Pop Culture With Substance

Ratings juggernaut “Canadian Idol” proved to be no match for the crumbling economy.

The reality show will not be produced in 2009, CTV announced Tuesday.

With advertising revenues expected to drop sharply next year, the network cited the “economic climate” as the reason for putting the singing showcase on hiatus.

CTV still retains the rights to the series and says it plans to bring the show back the following season.

“Canadian Idol” pulled in an average of 1.47 million viewers in September.

Its American counterpart is also cutting costs by cancelling its annual “American Idol Gives Back” fundraiser.

However, the show will be back for an eighth season Jan. 13.

After a seemingly never ending two hour finale, Theo Tams of Lethbridge, AB was crowned the sixth Canadian Idol.

Theo was named the winner after a nationwide vote, with Mitch MacDonald of Port Hood, NS named runner-up.

The evening was filled with over-the-top performances from the Idol castoffs and revisiting of old favourites (Theo performed “Sweet One” and Mitch sang “I Love This Town” again).

Jully Black was finally given her rightful praise after being a sidekick to Ben Mulroney all year. She performed for the first time on the show, easily the best of the night.

To top the night off, musical heavyweights John Legend and Mariah Carey also performed. After the confetti had fallen, Theo fought back tears after being announced the winner. “I want to thank Mitch who has become a great friend. Thanks so much,” said Theo.

Theo Tams’ first single “Sing” will be heard soon enough across Canadian airwaves.

As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end. Canadian Idol is ending, but whether or not if it’s a good thing, well, I’ll let you decide.

On tonight’s show, Theo Tams and Mitch MacDonald square off in one last attempt to win the votes of the Canadian public before one is crowned the Canadian Idol on Wednesday night.

Theo and Mitch will sing three songs; their own choice, the judge’s choice and the potential winner’s single.

After banter with the judges, Ben brings out the top two, who flew to New York this week to work with John Legend.

After a coin toss, Mitch decided to go first, a questionable move as Theo will now be closing the show. After a session with John Legend, where Legend tells Mitch to control his tone, Mitch MacDonald sings “Paris” by Gordie Sampson.

“What I really like about the performance of that song, the dynamics. Really good job,” says Jake. “I think it had a lot to do with the dynamics of the emotion in it which you portrayed beautifully,” says Sass. “There’s certain things you did with that, that I think are really good. At your best, you do compare favourably to Paul Simon. On the other hand, your signature scoops are a little obnoxious around the edges,” says Zack.

Finishing out round one, Theo Tams chooses “Good Mother” by Jann Arden. Theo ends on the ironic line “I’ve never wanted anything so bad.” “You did a really good job with that. You sing so well,” says Farley. “While I thought it was convincing, I could feel a lot of nerve,” says Zack. “I actually sat here listening to that ‘Wow, this would sound great if you were just singing acapella, that’s how good it was,” says Jake.

Mitch MacDonald is back with his potential winning single, “Where We Begin.” “It’s really refreshing for me to hear you sing loud for so long,” says Farley. “I like your voice when you sing loud. The fact is that your tone is consistent to when you sing quiet and loud. You represent a Mitch lifestyle and I think that’s a valid option,” says Zack. “For me, you didn’t [sell] that song. I don’t think you’re wedded to that song yet,” says Jake. “I think everybody here might agree, how could anyone not love you?” says Sass.

Theo Tams performs his second song; his potential winning single called “Sing.” “You used every trick you had in the book. While it wasn’t as unique as you’ve done, you could’ve sold snow to the Inuit with that,” says Zack. “I don’t know if you put that in yourself or they gave you the song that way, it works for you. Songwise, same as Mitch’s song. Neither are my favourites,” says Jake. “That, to me, was a killer, killer performance,” says Sass. “You just do it well. You’re singing through a prism and all this colour comes out of the other side,” says Farley.

Performing his last song selected by the judges, Mitch MacDonald sings “If” by Bread. “Tonally, it worked for you. The last note, you hit it the way it was meant to be hit,” says Jake. “I thought you did a beautiful job with that song,” says Sass. “If you got flaws and you make it to the finale, those flaws are virtue. The tone was perfect,” says Farley. “I see in your eyes that you don’t think that was your best performance. From top to bottom on this show, were you to be the next Canadian Idol, we’d be proud to have you,” says Zack.

Ending the show with the judge’s pick “I Want To Know What Love Is” by The Foreigners is Theo Tams. “Although that wasn’t my favourite arrangement of that song ever, you still sang it like the pro that you are,” says Sass. “I wasn’t blown by the arrangement off the top, but you can’t go wrong with anything you do,” says Farley. “It’s hard to differentiate between singing something as an artist and singing something that you’re in a competition to win. You’re the best male vocalist we’ve ever had on the show,” says Zack. “It’s going to be a matter of taste. And people have to vote on the one that they like, not who was better tonight,” says Jake.

And that’s a wrap. The two-hour finale, where Theo Tams or Mitch MacDonald will be crowned the next Canadian Idol starts Wednesday night at 8 p.m. EST with performances by Jully Black, Hedley, John Legend and Mariah Carey.

It’s the top three results show of Canadian Idol or more accurately, how-to fill up a 30 minute show with 28 minute filler.

Ben starts us off with a recap of last night’s performances and then throws to Bryan Adams, who sings his classic “18 Till I Die.” Adams puts the top three to shame although you can notice the years of being a beloved Canadian musician has worn him down. Bryan Adams is being given a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame, honouring his contribution to Canadian music.

After a commercial break, Bryan’s back with a song from his new album, Eleven, called “She’s Got A Way.” Ben throws to the video montage filler of the evening with more footage of the Idol’s trips back home, starting with Drew.

Working for those votes in his montage, Theo tells his hometown crowd “I may be living in a big city right now but I’ll always be a small town boy at heart.” The last filler video comes from Mitch MacDonald, who traveled back to Port Hood, Nova Scotia which enjoyed a population boost from his visit.

And now it’s down to business. Just kidding. It wouldn’t be the Canadian Idol results show without Ben asking pointless questions to the judges. Ben asks Jake what has been the most important thing about working with the guest mentors. “It’s very tough to have mentors and for them to have this many mentors in this short period of time is a great thing and you can only gain from their experience. Ben asks Zack what they should do to prepare for next week. “Win, lose or draw this is an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and do it out of love,” says Zack.

After a commercial break, Ben breaks the news that Drew Wright will be heading home. The diehard loyalty of the East Coast for Mitch has defeated the Jonas Brothers cute-and-unassuming factor in Drew Wright.

On Monday at 9 p.m. EST Mitch and Theo will battle it out in the final two performance show and they’ll be joined by Drew and the other fallen Idols with the finale to crown the winner on Wednesday where John Legend and Mariah Carey will perform.

It’s down to the final three on Canadian Idol and the remaining Idols hope to break through to the finale by rocking out with songs from Canadian rock star, Bryan Adams.

Opening the show with “Cuts Like a Knife” is Drew Wright. “I have to say that I think I finally figured out who you are and doing Bryan Adams seemed really natural to you,” says Jake. “I love the metal-ized version. That was killer,” says Sass. “This night makes the most sense for you. It’s a perfect vibe for you,” says Farley. “I certainly can’t say you sang it badly. If you were going to go heavy musically, I don’t think you took your voice and put it in that genre. I would have sung it a lot tougher,” says Zack.

After receiving kudos from Bryan Adams, Theo sings “Heaven.” After Earl’s departure last week, who was accused of not wanting to be in the competition by Jake, it is clear that out of the remaining three men, Theo wants to win this show bad. “It’d be very difficult for anybody to fault that performance. It was enormously powerful and very moving,” says Sass. “The band was phenomenal. The arrangement and dynamic was unbelievable,” says Farley. “That’s a song I’ve heard 8 billion versions and Bryan’s is well-known, but to be honest, that was the most signature thing that you’ve done,” says Zack. “Vocal pyrotechnics. You blow things up with your voice,” says Jake.

After a TD-sponsored moment with Jully Black (who deserves so much better than to be the host of a corporately sponsored interview clip with amateur singers), Mitch MacDonald ends the first round with “Heat of the Night.” “It was refreshing to hear you sing more full voice. You look somewhat uncomfortable physically,” says Farley. “I thought it was a good key for you. You didn’t manifest the rock star stuff,” says Zack. “I have a feeling I know what it was. At one point in the beginning of the song, you had this sort of angry look on your face and that doesn’t work for you. You’re a really nice guy and that’s what works for you,” says Jake.

Filling up the time before the second round, Ben throws to the “KD hometown tour,” also known as more corporately sponsored T.V. filler. Drew returns to the stage with “I’m Ready.” “To me, it felt like you were playing Bryan Adams in Bryan Adams: The Musical,” says Zack. “For the first time on this show, I saw you with real star potential on that performance. I thought you sang with tons of intensity,” says Jake. “You’ve got this intensity I really like. And there was a drama in there, and that’s it,” says Sass. “I agree with Zack. I found you awkward,” says Farley.

Singing “When You’re Gone” is Theo Tams. “I think it was good. Both performances together should be good enough to get you through to next week,” says Jake. “Theo, I appreciate what you were trying to do but I did like the other performance better,” says Sass. “I thought it got really better as it went along until you started wandering around the stage with no place to go,” says Zack.

Closing the show with “When You Love Someone” is Mitch MacDonald. “You redeemed yourself. That was tenderhearted, it was beautiful. You wrapped this show up brilliantly,” says Sass. “You have a unique, distinct tone. Singing the right songs, I think you would have some serious hits. I love you, Mitch,” says Zack.

It’s anyone’s guess as to who gets the boot tomorrow, but my money is on Drew. While Drew has the Jonas Brothers factor working for him (cute, unassuming and appeals to the teenybopper crowd, Mitch MacDonald has the frightening loyalty of the East Coast, whose votes have been known to propel less than stellar singers forward. And Theo fits the mould of Canadian Idol the most and has the show in the bag. He’s the most commercial and without fail, reaches for a Star Search moment in every performance.

Tomorrow on the results show, the final two will finally be revealed and Bryan Adams will hit the stage at 8 p.m. EST on CTV.

On tonight’s episode of Canadian Idol, the last four standing take on Anne Murray songs. Yes, you read that right. Four twenty-something dudes performing Anne Murray songs? If this isn’t the perfect recipe for a disaster, I don’t know what is.

Opening the show, and after a quick breathing lesson by Murray, Mitch MacDonald performs “Cotton Jenny.” “Off the top, I felt you were a little flat. You got to’ figure out how you’re going to find your note,” says Jake. “Breathing has so much to do with the rhythm of the song. I think you totally heeded her advice, great job,” says Sass. “I would still like to see a little more edge and a little more angst,” says Farley. “It reminded me of Perry Como sleeping on a couch in a sweater,” says Zack.

Earl Stevenson is up next with “Killing Me Softly.” But first, Murray rules the rehearsal with her songbird fist, telling Earl he needs to connect more with his audience. “Beautiful eyes, baby,” says Sass. “Wicked,” says Farley. “For me personally, I couldn’t tell where you were coming from. I still think while your movement was more direct to the audience, it still seemed like you were out for a meaningless meander in the backyard,” says Zack. “I thought the singing was good, the performance was great,” says Jake.

And amping up the preposterity of tonight’s show is Drew Wright with “There’s A Hippo in the Bathtub.” Murray tells him he’s trying to do too much and bending notes. “I thought vocally that was your best performance yet. Really good song choice,” says Farley. “I’ve never heard the Teletubbies tune sound so good before,” says Zack. “By far, best singing you’ve ever done on this show by a mile,” says Jake.

With the last of Murray’s songs, Theo Tams sings “You Don’t Know Me.” Theo’s performance is so cheesy, it’s cheddar. “Two things. One, I’d like to replace with everything I’ve said on this show with everything that Anne Murray has said. She is bang on and killing it. That, however, was utterly flavourless,” says Zack. “Your phrasing is outstandingly great,” says Sass. “You become part of the song and I appreciate that,” says Farley.

Now it’s round two, where the guys will sing a song of their choice. Mitch MacDonald is back with “Between the Bars” by Elliott Smith. No doubt, Smith is rolling in his grave. “I think it’s a dynamic issue. For me, there’s not enough dynamics in the way you sing. You gotta’ be more dynamic in your delivery,” says Jake. “What really appealed to me was the contrast of the dark material of the song and this gentle charm that comes out of you,” says Sass. “For me, it’s edge. That’s a dark song, but you gotta’ have some more angst. Push harder,” says Farley. “Abundantly apparent is that you have no clue on how to win Canadian Idol,” says Zack.

Singing Steve Miller’s “Joker” is Earl Stevenson. Appropriately titled, his performance is a total joke. “That was a cool ending. Nice,” says Sass. “I didn’t enjoy the beginning as much as I enjoyed the middle and end. I think you could’ve done a little more with it though,” says Farley. “I like the creative vibe, but it seemed to me a bit like a throwaway and to me, you aren’t,” says Sass. “For a moment there, I actually felt that you didn’t want to be here,” says Jake.

Drew Wright’s back with his version of “Gravity” by John Mayer. “It came off to me a lighter shade of the blues. It was a reasonably good performance,” says Farley. “I thought after last week one of the four of you could demonstrate what makes you a Canadian Idol. It seems like everyone’s got the yips, the world can change with one song but not with that one,” says Zack. “I thought playing a blues number, well, you know, we’ve seen it before. There was a moment there where you sounded like Jim Cuddy and that’s a really good thing,” says Jake.

Closing the show is Theo Tams with “Chariot” by Gavin Degraw. Theo goes for several sappy Star Search moments that include standing on the piano, throwing his hat into the crowd and jumping off the piano in a overdramatic finish. “No question, the performance of the night,” says Zack. “Great way to finish off the night. You’re so consistent. You’re the one who really laid it down tonight,” says Jake. “Yo, yo, Theo! You got on your horse of choice and rode straight to victory,” says Sass.

Tomorrow one of the guys will be heading home on the results show at 8 p.m. EST on CTV. Anne Murray will also perform.

“Touch My Body” singer and music legend Mariah Carey is set to heat up the Canadian Idol stage, reports the Canadian Press.

The five time Grammy winner is scheduled to perform on the Sept 10 finale which will crown the season’s winner alongside five-time Grammy winner John Legend, Hedley and last year’s Canadian Idol winner Brain Melo.

Other stars who have already appeared on the show were former Bush singer and Gwen Stefani hubby Gavin Rossdale, Tom Jones and Simple Plan.

Prior to the finale, other big names set to appear are legendary singer Anne Murray and Bryan Adams.

Five become four on tonight’s results show of Canadian Idol.

Starting the show with tired and contrived banter with the judges, Ben gives a recap of last night’s performances followed up with a Beatles medley from the top five. “Blackbird,” “Eleanor Rigby,” “Get Back,” “Revolution,” and “Let It Be” are the featured tunes.

In the first unnecessary video montage of the night, Jully Black visits the Idol mansion and asks what they’ve learned from being in the competition. “Just to be in this industry, you have to have such thick skin,” says Theo. “Get some lotion, baby,” replies Jully.

After asking Earl about Canadian politics from a text message question asked by “Hot Soup” Ben gets to the results. Theo is announced safe, along with Mitch.

Earl, Drew and Mookie are left. Drew becomes the first member of the bottom two. Earl is announced safe, and Mookie joins Drew on centre stage.

Ben asks the judges for advice on behalf of Drew and Mookie. “Drew, this show is a leg up. If you’re going home or not going home, keep doing what you’re doing. You can never get worse, you can only get better,” says Sass. “Mookie, we all know you’re a star and you have a huge future in the music business. Whether you stay or you go, call me Monday,” says Jake.

After a commercial break, Ben breaks the news that Drew is safe and Mookie Morris, the youngest singer on the show, has been eliminated. Looks like Mookie’s mother’s aggressive postering campaign in his Rosedale neighbourhood wasn’t enough.

Mookie Morris sings the show out with “Come Together.”

Drew Wright, Earl Stevenson, Theo Tams and Mitch MacDonald are the final four competitors and they’ll be singing from the Anne Murray song collection. Four faux indie rock guys singing Anne Murray songs? Comedic gold, people.

It’s down to the final five on Canadian Idol and they’re singing (or butchering) Beatles songs, handpicked by the judges.

Opening the show with “With a Little Help from My Friends” is Earl Stevenson. Half of the song is sung by the backup singers and it’s underwhelming. The judges, however, give him a standing ovation. “You did exactly what I thought you would do with it. It was spectacular,” says Jake. “It was like being transported into another world,” says Sass. “That was bang on,” says Zack.

Dressed in an outfit reminiscent of the Sgt. Pepper Lonely Heart’s Club Band, Mookie Morris sings “Come Together.” Mookie ends on the song on a terrible cracked note. “Just one great jumbo pot of mmm, mmm good,” says Sass. “You really captured the old blues soul funk of that thing. To be honest, that was the best version of the song I’ve ever heard,” says Zack.

Theo Tams is up next with “Long and Winding Road.” Back with the piano, Theo’s performance is more Broadway, less rock star. “My expectations for you and that song were through the roof and that’s exactly what you did,” says Farley. “I thought you made some really strong choices in the arrangement that you were able to show off that operatic training. I don’t know if we’ve ever had a male singer on this show with the kind of virtuoso skill that you have,” says Zack. “Strength, courage, melody, purity. Your voice reflects some of the most beautiful things about the human spirit. Thank you,” says Sass.

With “In My Life,” Mitch MacDonald performs alongside a harp that can only be described as epic. “Adorable is a good word. Luckily, thanks to the genius of the Beatles and the genius to us, you guys are having the best night so far,” says Zack. “That was probably the best vocal performance you’ve given so far,” says Sass. “That song is really naked and you handled the exposure really, really well. For the record, collectively, you guys are the best top five we’ve ever had,” says Farley.

Closing the show is Drew Wright with “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” The judges picked the song for Drew, hoping he would be more emotive than past performances. “Last, but certainly not least by far,” says Sass. “Fantastic,” says Farley. “We all learn different things from Idol and I hope in getting to sing that song, you learned some lesson about who Drew is. Dude, that was heartfelt and honest. That was phenomenal,” says Zack. The judges then give Drew a standing ovation.

That’s it for Monday’s daily dose of Canadian Idol. Tomorrow, one of the men will be the show’s next victim on the results show at 8 p.m. EST on CTV.

The results show opens with a recap of last night’s performances, courtesy of the guys at TSN’s Sports Centre. Huh?

Simple Plan, guest mentors this week, perform their single, “Your Love Is a Lie,” off their latest self-titled album. Their performance, much like their name, is simple and contrived.

Before getting to the results, Ben asks unnecessary questions to the judges and hopefuls. After bringing Theo, Mookie and Mitch onto centre stage, Ben announces it’s the Idols left on the couch that are in the bottom three, surprising no one but 14-year-old fan girls.

And the unlucky victim this week, or perhaps they’re the lucky one, is Amberly Thiessen. “The Idol mansion has become a frat house,” says Ben. Amberly, on the verge of tears, sings the show out with “1234” by Feist.

The final five will take on Beatles songs next Monday at 8 p.m. EST on CTV.