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ARTICLE
A Dose of Reality: Celebrity Duets - Week 5 Results
by Sheila Franklin
Published: September 30, 2006

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Related Sites:
· Official Page
· SirLinksalot: Celebrity Duets
· David Foster's Site

The 3 Finalists      ©fox

The 3 Finalists ©fox

It’s the finale of Celebrity Duets and we should expect big things, right? To start the show off, Wayne is in a “sparkly vest.” Lucy is all glittery too. All the former contestants return to sing a sort of medley of “Rock Around the Clock” and “Let’s do the Twist” with the finalists. Now I remember why Chris Jericho was bumped the first night. Now I also remember why I was upset when Jai left.

They are joined on the stage by Little Richard himself, and it’s about time. I have always been a fan of his and am delighted when he sings “Good Golly, Miss Molly.” He still has it, and the contestants are into it as much as the paid dancers. After the break the judges are asked if they still believe in the ones they picked to win last night. Being diplomatic, they each pick a different one.

Hal Sparks

With his hair spiked and his costume grunged, Hal sings “Running Away” with all the rock angst he can muster. His performance, although as rambunctious as always, is still off-key at times, but at this point, who cares? I get the dancers who are running (see song title above), but I’m not sure I understand why one is swinging around.

After a mini-tribute to Little Richard, we are told that he has left the building. I just ran into my ‘puter room to see if he had a concert date tonight, but even Ticketron had no listings. This is the second show that he has missed. Hope you are okay, LR.

Gladys Knight and Smokey Robinson sing “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing”, and it’s pleasant listening to them in a duet. They actually get to sing a whole song. Obviously there is a time concern on a program like this, and sometimes it is a blessing not to have to listen to 3 minutes of some of the former contestants, but at least they are treated, as Wayne puts it, as “music royalty.”

Lucy Lawless

In her ultra-mini-skirt and atop that raised platform, Lucy endeavors to sing “Tell Mama.” David must be thrilled with her performance, and they really should have given her some hot male dancers. Wayne asks her if she would like to say anything about the competition and she refers to her “old” fans. I am presuming that this is in reference to Xena which must still be in syndication somewhere. Superheroes never die.

Boyz 2 Men are up next and Wayne joins them in “I’ll Make Love to You”, although he now looks overdressed. (If Lucy gets to keep changing costumes, they should have allowed him the same courtesy.) Wayne is one of the best aspects of Duets and perhaps after this gig they will offer him a primetime variety show, where we can continue to see artists we love without paying grandiose ticket prices. He will have to stop saying “Right On”, however.

Alphonso Ribeiro

Alphonso tackles Elton John’s classic “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” and he is mostly on key. He says he has always wanted to get into singing professionally, so maybe David will take him under his wing.

Speaking of David, he is up next and is joined by the finalists and -- happy, happy, joy, joy -- Jai and the other former contestants. They perform medleying bits of “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” and “To Be Real.” Marie even joins in and I think that he was truly surprised. I had no idea that David was not only controversial, but such a prolific songwriter. Check out his site (linked above) and you might be astonished as well.

It’s finally showtime and the announcement is stretched for as long as possible. This means Wayne must eliminate Hal before he can announce Alphonso as the winner of a $100,000 donation to Fresh Start. Good choice, Alph. He also gets a trophy and lots of confetti.

Final Thoughts

It’s a pity that “Celebrity Duets” was so poorly planned. It just didn’t have the love that Cowell’s other shows did and the ratings were incredibly low. All the celebs involved should have received even minor donations for their charities. I don’t think we will be seeing a season two unless Bravo, the leftover reality show channel, snatches it up.

Previous Episode Recaps:
Week 5
Week 4 | Week 4 Results
Week 3 | Week 3 Results
Week 2 | Week 2 Results
Week 1