Austin360 blogs > Almost Urban > Archives > 2007 > July > 03 > Entry
‘Making the Band 4,’ surviving the sing-athon
As you might recall, last week, in an episode blithely titled “Weigh In” by the wacky folks over at MTV.com, the show kicked off with elements of “Celebrity Fit Club” audition and Laurie Ann’s dominatrix dance den. It then degenerated into a touchy-feely love fest where Ankh Ra helped our young crooners make emotional breakthroughs. Along the way, there was very little actual singing, and no one got cut.
This week, after briefly plugging his sunglasses, Diddy assures us from the jump that heads will roll. The guys will be put to a tough task, and then they are going to perform live at B.B. King’s. They will be evaluated both on their live performances and on their drive to succeed.
We cut to the house, where Robert, who hasn’t received much face time thus far, is fruitlessly trying to call his girlfriend. According to Rob, ol’ girl has a history of creeping around on the side, and since he can’t get in touch with her, he’s afraid she’s at it again. Donnie warns him to stay focused on his music, but sensing a good made-for-TV subplot, Robert continues to blow up her phone. When he finally gets in touch, he launches into her with a mess of accusations. She furiously accuses him of being a “drama king.”
The scene fades to darkness, and our crooners are trying to catch a little beauty rest when Diddy and Co. burst in to wake them up. Diddy hovers menacingly over Houstonite Brian A., giving him a Burger King commercial-style creepy wakeup call that will probably haunt him forever.
It’s the middle of the night, but Diddy wants the boys to get to know N.Y.C., so he’s sending them off on a strange citywide sing-athon. Along the way, they’ll promote their upcoming gig at B.B. King’s, raise money for the homeless (in a Sharpie-scrawled cardboard box, cause they’re street like that) and fetch a slice of Diddy’s favorite cheesecake. It’s hard out there for a boy-band wannabe, Diddy warns the boys. There will be no excuses, someone might go to the hospital, but they can’t stop singing, and there best be cheesecake at the end of the run.
At 3:24 a.m., the boys arrive at Times Square, where they practice crooning in groups. Anzeo, the other Houstonite, is struggling with the weather. “It’s like trying to sing like your lungs full of ice,” he moans. After a couple hours of serenading bewildered late-night passers-by, it’s dawn, and the boys are off to Brooklyn, singing all the way. Next up is Queens, where the boys share a contrived touching moment with a homeless man who begins to sing along with them.
Around 10 in the morning, Anzeo starts to get hoarse. He tries to devise a strategy to help his team keep their voices.
After spending the afternoon in the Bronx, the boys make their way to the Washington Street Bridge as the sun goes down. Unfortunately, the crooning crossing ordered by Diddy is cut short by N.Y.C.’s finest. Anzeo reasons that in these circumstances, attempting to cross is actually as good as crossing itself. I’m starting to suspect that we’re going to be down a Texan before this episode is up.
Finally, it’s 8:30 p.m., and the boys have arrived at Bad Boy Entertainment headquarters, where a pack of fawning young white girl tourists perks our young songsmiths up significantly.
Puffy makes a grand entrance, the boys present him with cheesecake, and he gives them all props for their perseverance.
Back at the house, we get a little face time with clean-cut, sweet Jonathan, who’s having, like, the best time of his life, and then Robert’s back on the phone with his girl June. June is much sweeter this time, but Robert, still determined to capitalize on the trifling girlfriend subplot, seems suspicious.
The boys don’t know how many of them getting cut, and tensions are running high. Our Houston boys, Brian A. and Anzeo, get into an altercation over a plate of allegedly abandoned eggs. Camaraderie is clearly breaking down.
Appropriately, we cut to a montage of our boys getting preened backstage at B.B. King’s.
On to the performances. 37th Ave., featuring Brian A., Jonathan, Robert and Donnie, goes first. They knock out a solid Boyz II Men cover, and the judges seem pleased. Campus Block, featuring Anzeo, Armando, Carlos and Makio, are up next. They’re a much shakier unit. Only Carlos (who, remember, before this contest was sleeping on trains) sings like his life depends on it and delivers a standout performance. Then it’s Face, including Tyrice, Lewis, Maurice and Willie. They come with a rendition of “Peaches and Cream,” and it goes fairly well until Maurice, having a full-on Chippendale fantasy moment, strips off his shirt and starts to bump and grind for a group of startled-looking ladies in the front. Oh, Maurice …
Finally, the guys from Switch suck up to Diddy, with all four members performing in sunglasses. They sing well and execute charmingly goofy choreography, and spiky-haired Dan gets props for having a fun personality. Finally, Legit featuring fan fave Julius closes out the night with a somewhat pitchy shout-out to all their soldiers who might be going home.
At the end of it all, Diddy is pleased. Instead of cutting 10 dudes, as was originally planned, he decides to cut only four. Predictably, Houstonite Anzeo and shirtless Maurice are both among the cancelled crooners. Also Tyrice, who has a somewhat alarming affection for neon clothing, and the barely memorable Makio are going home.
There was no bloodshed, but all in all, I have to say it was a more satisfying show than last week. And next week? A whole new crew of crooners will be introduced to face off against our 16 remaining songsmiths. Good times, good times …
- Episode 8 recap
- Episode 7 recap
- Episode 6 recap
- Episode 5 recap
- Episode 4 recap
- Episode 3 recap
- Episode 2 recap
- Episode 1 recap
Comments
By Sparkle
July 5, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
I really would like to get in contact with Jonathan. I am 20 yrs. old and think he is an intelligent man and would love to speak with him. If you can make this happen I would greatly appreciate it. I am from Miami, FL and am very outgoing, in college, and just an overall well rounded female. Thanks if you guys can make this happen
By Sweet_Smackz803@yahoo.com
July 6, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this
First off it was Julius who said it felt like their lungs were filled with ice not da punk a*s Anzeo….Also I would LOVE 2 say dat I LOVE CARLOS da best and for the 4th episode I think Diddy is so STUPID yeah I said it…STUPID!!! to go out and find some more ppl as long as CARLOS makes the band in da end I’ll be iight and Diddy punk a*s won’t have any problems!!!!
By D
July 7, 2007 1:07 AM | Link to this
Um Makio was memorable. Matter of fact he stood out one of the most out of all the guys vocally and physically.
By shunda
July 9, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this
I love this show. I never miss an episode! Who would have thought Diddy could make this season better than the last? Willie is so sexy. In my opinion, it shouldn’t be a band without him. He has the voice, he can dance, and he definitely has the looks. When he looks into the camera, its as if he’s singing to just you. Diddy, don’t let him go!!!!
By C00ki3
July 10, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this
lewis aka Dre mine♥
By Amanda
July 10, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this
i like this episode then some of the other ones. i have not miss a show yet and he were able to vote. my vote goes with carlos. not only can he sing he is sexy as EVER. their is also a couple of other ones who can sing to. like brian A and Julius.
By yana
July 11, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this
Can someone please tell me if Brian A. has a myspace page? He has an appealing personality, from what i’ve seen on tv…..
By BiANCA
July 11, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this
ALL i GOT 2 SAY iS DAT CARLOS iS MY FUTURE HUBBY SO GiRLSz FALL BAQ..HARD!! CARLOS iS GONA MAKE iT CUZ HE iS DAT GOOD
By marypg
July 11, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this
i am head over heels in love with D’ANGELO. oh, he is soooo sexy. he can sing to me anytime. he seems like he has a great personality. i hope that he makes the band. i want to see more and more of him.
By *TOYA*
July 12, 2007 1:32 AM | Link to this
I’m so in luv with Willie.Oh my GOD he is so sexy,& sweet I watch the show every Monday just to watch him,I could care less about everybody else.Willie if u read this baby call me I live in Dallas, Texas. I’m 22yrs old and I’m ready for u DADDY.Oh yea I’m the only one in the area with a pink mustang so can’t be to hard.Julius u know u can sing baby.Brian that new dude battling u had nothing on u. He sucked.Keep up the good work guys(WILLIE CALL ME)
By CARL0S WiF3Y
July 12, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this
I T0TALLY AGR3E WiTH Sweet_Smackz803@yahoo.com CARL0S IS THE B3ST AND I DO THiNK DiDDY IS MADD CRAZY F0R GOiN OUT AND L0OKiN F0R M0RE… BUT I’LL BE HAPPY AS L0NG CARL0S STAY UNTIL THE END [I H0P3 DiDDY IS SMART AB0UT THAT]… I L0V3 HiM! L0L - CARL0S FUTR3 WiF3Y…
By LOViN CARLOS ;]
July 12, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this
omyyygoodness. i loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee this show! carlos is my favorite :D i hope he makes the band. if he doesnt i think imma cry. & is it true that carlos is married?
By DaBand
July 14, 2007 7:38 PM | Link to this
Carlos is homeless…… Big Brian is the only true singer
By LewDarlinWill
July 15, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this
This show is great better than other seasons. The guys are so friendly and help each other even though it is a competition..well except Anzeo. I really liked Lewis, he was a great dancer and i really admired him since he had strep throat and he didn’t whine about it but tried his best. I’m sad he left and I think Willie was too they looked like good friends. Willie is pretty good looking as well.
By Robbie
July 17, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this
I love love love Willie he is so sexy it’s ridiculous, and he can sing. I also love Brian A, Julius & Big Mike I think they all should make the band.
By Brian A. Wifey
July 17, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this
This episode was da best. my baby brian a. can really sing. i know hes going 2 make it 2 da top cauze he just that fine and just that cool and just that fly. I LOVE U BRIAN A.!!!!!!!
By Keshe
July 17, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this
WILLIE is so DAMN SEXY! OMG the episode where they did the ballet dance and he was strollin across the tv! He is too cute!!! I’ma be his wifey, sorry to the rest of you Willie fans, but he’s mine. Dyshon is cute too. I just love the way he performs. I hope the two of them along with Deangelo make the band.
By Najee Satterwhite
July 17, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
I love julius and jonathan cause they have great personalities and they can sing…i love chris too but he cant sang…at all…i love makin the band and i waould like to tell julius and jonathan to call me ……and to chris…loose my numba….i love yall ….peace….by the way i can sing and if you lookin 4 a girl singer look a sista up… I LOVE MIKE TOO. I LOVE YALL
By jo anna
July 18, 2007 1:55 AM | Link to this
I was watching the show “us versus them” and wanted to know if anyone knows the name of the rap song playing while they were in the gym training? It goes something like, Blood, sweat, tears? Who sings it and the title?