We'll Be The Judge of That! - Canadian Idol 4, August 28

How did the Idols perform? By now, you’ve watched the episode, so you know what Jake, Sass, Farley, and Zack think. But what does our judge, Ed Hampton, have to say?

Tyler Lewis, “Big League” and “Tears in Heaven”

Ed: I don’t know what the judges heard but Tyler’s first song was on the wrong side of in tune. In the beginning I was afraid he was going to quit. He was barely audible! Tyler got better as the song went on, but for me this was his worst effort to date. That last note hurt… literally. Grade C-

When I heard the next song choice I thought it was a chance for him to redeem himself. Well I thought right but was wrong. This could have been renamed “Tears in Hell.” Tyler never got in touch with this one at all. It as if he could not hear himself. It was painful to watch and even more painful to listen to. I don’t think there were 10 notes on key. Again, I do not know what the judges were hearing but it wasn’t the same thing I was. He should be severely at risk after these two clunkers. Grade D and it’s been hard to get a D from me this Canadian Idol season.

Chad Douchette, “Hanging by a Moment” and “Everybody Hurts”

Ed: Chad seemed to have a mild case of the jitters as well, as he was also barely audible at the beginning of his first song. Chad did overcome the band as the song went on, but I was not excited about this performance much either. He got his greatest number of Chadisms in, but still not enough to make me pick up the phone. Maybe he’s waiting to blow us out of the water with his second effort. Just mildly OK for me. Grade C+

It looks like Chad was trying to recapture some of the magic from last week’s “If You Could Read My Mind” by sitting on the stool to start his second song. And it worked… sort of. This is when Chad is most effective and listenable for me. His voice was clean and was not lost in the background music. When he got up and started to move around the stage, that’s when things didn’t work quite as well. It’s as if he had a breathing problem on his lower register. Still better than his first, not as good as last week. Grade B

Craig Sharpe, “Careless Whisper” and “Tears of a Clown”

Ed: Now this is a great song for Craig’s voice and he shined… big time. This was my favorite Craig performance this season. Should he win or even if he shouldn’t this is the kind of music he should make. Although he too was a bit shaky in the very beginning, he pulled off the best performance of the guys by far tonight with this. I’m not a fan of his high pitch vocals but this was worth a second listen. Grade A Yay! My first A of the night.

“Tears” was another great song choice for Craig, but this time the results were not quite as good. By bolting through the audience slapping hands, the performance became disjointed and he was actually late on a few lines. It’s OK to look like you’re having a good time, but this was a bit too much because it took away from the vocal. Had Craig just stayed on stage and sang he could have assured a place in the top three. Who am I kidding; this is Canadian Idol. No one is assured of anything at any time. Still, it would have been a better vocal. Grade B+

Eva Avila, “Would I Lie to You” and “Old School Love”

Ed: How cool did Eva look? Well she sounded even cooler. This was another great Eva performance. This is how to kill a song. I was worried for her on this because “Would I Lie to You” is not in her wheel house, but that didn’t matter at all. I loved it and so did the audience. They were standing for the first time tonight. She may have been a bit theatrical but vocally she nailed this to the wall. She showed the boys how it’s done. Grade A+

The judges must want Eva to win as they should. “Old School Love” was so Eva. Although I don’t like this song much at all I loved hearing Eva tackle it. This girl is on pitch every note and every syllable. Just enough emotion and not too many theatrics here, reminiscent of unplugged night. With this song treatment she may have finally unplugged her Canadian Idol crown. The crowd was standing again for only the second time. They seem to have it figured out. I just hope the rest of Canada has now. This was brilliant. This was flawless. This was magic. Grade A++

Final Thoughts:

Ed: Oddly enough, for the first time this season I found the show lacking when it should have been the best. Maybe it was the absence of Steffi D. I sure missed her. Maybe I was expecting too much. Maybe my being a little sick played a part. No, it was none of those things. The guys just didn’t measure up tonight save one Craig performance. Although Chad did OK, I had to go back and watch one of his performances again just to comment on it because it was so forgettable. Tyler was off the charts tonight and not in a good way. This was the worst any guy has done this season and I do wish the judges would have called him on it. Craig tried to stretch himself too much on his last song. Only Eva, thank God for Eva, made the show worth watching. And I honestly can not remember any time on any Idol show it being more obvious who is worthy at this point. Eva so stood above the rest tonight it was almost embarrassing. Eva was in the major leagues while the rest were in the minor league with one in the bush league. Eva should be nowhere near the bottom two tomorrow night. As a matter of fact she shouldn’t even have to come out on stage and leave the three guys to sweat it out.

Who should be in the bottom two? Without question Tyler should be making his first visit there, along with Chad. And if performance means anything Tyler will be going home. Who will be in the bottom two? I think it will be Chad and Tyler will be there but with Chad going home. And if Eva is in the bottom two tomorrow night you can bet the judges will not hold back. I know I won’t.

Conclusion: Chad or Tyler. Tyler or Chad. Either way, one of them should go. But until the eliminated singer is announced, keep it locked on RealityNewsOnline and FoxesOnIdol for all the latest!

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