Game Show NewsNet

July 28-29 - Round of 9: "British Hits"

Tonight we cross the pond and celebrate all things British.

First up is Jacob Hoggard, singing David Bowie's "Space Odyssey". And he's got a blue shiny jump suit on (which. um. doesn't leave much to the imagination.). But it's true Hoggard, and he nails it.

Jake: Nobody has ever taken it to that as a performance level. Bowie would have been proud.
Farley: You're the most anticipated performer!

Jacob says he's having too much fun to be scared.

Herman's Hermits' "There's a Kind of Hush" is Teresa Sokyrka's choice. It's well done, but a bad song choice.

Sass: I love you - but not that performance.
Zack: Holy Marie Osmond! Don't choose the wrong song! DON'T CHOKE!

Teresa tells Benbot that she sang the song for her mom (when she was defending the judges' comments). She's going to have a good run in this, I think.

Jason Greeley thinks that Elton John was right when he said that "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting". The audience claps along immediately and again he nails the song choice.

Jake: Just keep being you!
Sass: You are what Newfoundland stands for - a man of the people!

Benbot asks who taught Jason to dance - he says his mom did. You had to see it to understand the joke.

Kaleb Simmonds has once again chose a slow song - this time it's "Tears in Heaven". Again, it's that reverb in his voice that bugs me. He also debuts his new buzz cut - which makes him look like he has a REALLY big head.

Zack: That was brilliant.
Farley: You personify soul.

In the Benchat, Kaleb comments on his new do. NEXT!

Elana Juatco takes on Cat Stevens' (but lately Sheryl Crow's) "The First Cut Is The Deepest". She seems to really enjoy herself but it just kind of seems "run of the mill".

Jake: You made a really lame song great.
Zack: I thought it was really bad.

Elana doesn't say much in the Benchat, but she's still smiling.

U2's "Where the Streets Have No Name" is Josh Seller's choice. He debuts some new straight hair and thus he is a DEAD RINGER for World Idol Kurt Nilsson (you remember - the hobbit from Middle Earth?). Oh, and the song wasn't bad.

Farley: You upped your game on the entertainment side.
Sass: That wasn't the greatest performance you've ever done.

Josh confesses to Benbot that he loves singing that song.

We come back after a short break and it's time to talk to Jon Dore. He wants to thank Britain for everything (besides music) that the wonderful nation has given us. The list?

Tea
Shakespeare
Fog
Wizards
Mr. Belvedere (this got the loudest cheer)
The planet Saturn
Werewolves
Books that are hard to read
The Number 6
Chaka Khan
The elderly
Caveman movies
Things that are hot (you may now, at your discretion, insert Winner's Circle clues here)
The ocean
And finally.... Mr. Belvedere.

But above all, the Idol franchise! Otherwise many people would be out of a job, I wouldn't be recapping - you get the picture.

Quite possibly the best John bit ever.

Manoah Hartmann hopes she has "Sweet Dreams" with the Eurythmics. I enjoy it, but really, she's going to be killed by the arrangement - IT'S BLOODY AWFUL!!

Jake: By the end, you nailed it.
Sass: I liked the theatrics, but I didn't like the singing.

Benbot says that she's the spitting image of Gwen Stefani (from No Doubt) and Manoah never has seen the connection previously.

Kalan Porter has chosen "House of the Rising Sun" by the Animals. It's really well done, he sure can belt it out. We find out it was his audition piece and I can understand why he reprised it.

Farley: Your future is unbelievable!
Zack: Brilliant.

Kalan just smiles sitting in the Benchat area.

Last up is Shane Wiebe with "Something About The Way You Look Tonight". It's really good, excellent song choice.

Jake: You don't take any chances.
Farley: I think you tried to do something artistic.

Benbot compliments Shane and he's blushing! At least I think he is.

At the end, there's extra time, so it's family hugs all around.

RESULTS

This week's group (therapy) song is "Do Wah Diddy" crossed with "Wishin' an' Hopin'". Who makes these choices? At least they end with "Satisfaction". And then "You Really Got Me".

Jon Dore this week is at the Tennis Masters Canada event with the Idols. They sing O Canada. Jon gets buddy buddy with Canada's Daniel Nestor (one of the highest ranked double players in the world) and Andy Roddick among others.

And as for the fate of our players.

Jason: SAFE
Kaleb: Bottom 3
Jacob: SAFE
Kalan: SAFE
Josh (back to the curly hair): SAFE
Shane: Bottom 3
Elana: SAFE
Teresa: SAFE
Manoah: Bottom 3

Manoah can't avoid fate for a second time and she's packing her bags to go home.

She gets really emotional right after the announcement. She has found the whole experience as one incredible ride. She says to never ever give up on yourself.

She sings us out, and we're done.