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ARTICLE
A Dose of Reality: Celebrity Duets - Week 4
by Sheila Franklin
Published: September 22, 2006

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Related Sites:
· Official Page
· SirLinksalot: Celebrity Duets

Diva Patti LaBelle

Diva Patti LaBelle

To a standing ovation, Wayne announces that there will be a double-elimination this week on Celebrity Duets and that next week is the finale. As this was only a summer replacement series, it was designed to be a shorter one, but the ratings have not been high and this show has been badly neglected. Maybe this tactic is just what it needs.

Jai Rodriguez and Patti LaBelle

Jai sings “Lady Marmalade” for a full verse and chorus before Patti joins him onstage. I thought duets meant duets. No matter. There is a clear chemistry between the two of them, especially when she turns Jai into a “Tickle Me Elmo.” The performance is remarkable. I am still a Jai fan, obviously. LR (Little Richard) says, “You are gonna make me scream like a white lady.” David even gives him a thumbs up, sort of, when he refers to “my world” and “your world.” That’s odd. I thought we were all on the same planet.

Lucy Lawless and Richard Marx

Lucy is all glittery (and even feathery) again so her male fans can ignore her nasally tones. I realize that she is not a professional singer, but her performance with Richard during “Waiting for You” is not even close to a duet. I think he is singing to his guitar and daughter in the audience and Lucy is just, well, glittery. Marie compares her to Marilyn Monroe but she isn’t even close to being in the running for that compliment.

After the break, Wayne takes up his “in the audience” routine amidst a gaggle of high school girls who wave with “spirit fingers” (must be a teen thing) and look pleased as punch just to be on camera.

Hal Sparks and Dee Snider

Talk about a screechfest. Hal is screeching as he performs “We’re Not Gonna Take It.” He screeches as he introduces Dee Snider. Dee starts screeching. Although somebody should pass out the aspirine, there is something very cool going on as the audience gets into it. Marie admires his attitude and only uses the word “scream.” David actually offers to take him into his studio to help him with his music. Somebody has apparently taught him to be a kinder David.

Cheech Marin and Al Jareau

Cheech has promised to “have more fun” this week, but it looks like his party is about over. He is definitely off key more than once during “Morning Mr. Radio” and with a singing partner like Al Jareau, his lack of talent is even more apparent. LR comments, “I didn’t know that you could sing jazz. It was a surprise to me and I’m sure you were surprised, too.” Sorry, Cheech. I love ya, man.

Alphonso Ribeiro and Chaka Khan

So far I count three complaints from Alphonso. The song they picked for him is
1.) risky.
2.) tough.
3.) a challenge because David wrote it.
When Chaka comes in while he is singing “Through The Fire” he does this really pervish move towards her. At least LR agrees with me, “I been seeing the white boy dance.”

After the next break Patti LaBelle comes out again to sing, “On My Own” and is joined by Wayne. This is excellent finale fodder, even though it was probably planned as a filler for the last few minutes of the show.

Final Thoughts:

Duets has finally gotten its act together. Kudos to Simon and the other powers that be for paying attention to a program that was often difficult to sit through. Let’s see Marie and Wayne perform a duet for the finale or, better yet, Wayne and Little Richard, or Little Richard and Marie, or...

Best Little Richardism: (referring to himself as opposed to Lucy)
“The beauty is still on duty. Keep that on your pencil and the front of your paper ‘cuz my name is Judge Beauty.”

Previous Episode Recaps:
Week 3 | Week 3 Results
Week 2 | Week 2 Results
Week 1