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‘Making the Band 4’: mopey Robert, snitchy Dan and not a drop of blood
Thirty-second recap: Out of thousands who auditioned, a few choice crooners were brought to New York to appear in front of Diddy. The top 20 made it into the plush MTB crib, where they bonded, shed tears together and then were sent out on a grueling hazing ritual after which a few crooners were cut. Just as our crooners were starting to feel comfortable, a fresh group of un-hazed singers were thrown into the mix, knocking out a couple of the original kids in the process. The count in the house is 14 old dudes and six new dudes. Much hostility seems certain to ensue.
In this episode, we’re reminded from the jump of Robert’s made-for-reality-TV dysfunctional relationship with his lady June we encountered a couple episodes back. After a few brief cuts of the old dudes expressing their generalized mistrust of the new dudes, we’re back in the middle of the couple’s drama. This time, June is trippin’ on ol’ boy for failing to be at her beck and call. He tries to convince her that really he’s just trying to satisfy the whims of a narcissistic, sadistic super-producer, but she isn’t hearing it and tells him they’re through, setting up one of the episode’s heavy-handed subplots.
We cut to Diddy, who reminds us that the old dudes probably don’t like the new dudes. With hands clutched like a cartoon villain, he tells us that he’ll do whatever it takes to keep us entertained. Numchucks, Diddy, bust out the numchucks! Or at least throw in those boxing gloves we keep seeing in the trailers.
Back at the house, Ankh Ra splits the dudes into groups, mixing the old and new crooners. He sends them all off to collaborate. Despite the emphasis on old vs. new friction, everyone seems to be getting along fine except for (you guessed it) Robert’s group. Robert is distracted and sullen, and he wants everyone to know it. Even zen-like Ankh Ra seems a little irritated. Is this a setup for an impending end of episode departure?
Cut to the late night, where we find Big Mike, who has become serious about his physique, burning the midnight oil in the exercise room. Then it’s early morning, and Brian A. gets a call from Bivens alerting the crooners that the next challenge is a 5-mile run. The catch is, they all have to stay together. Even Mike must finish. More gratuitous male bonding ensues as his homies cheer Mike through to a heartwarming and triumphant finish.
After brief cuts of distracted Robert taking another call from his nagging lady and Michael choosing to eat a low-carb chicken dinner while his boys chow down on greasy late-night breakfast, the crooners are brought in front of Michael Bivens and Ankh Ra for a run-through of their group songs. All goes well until (you know it) we get to Robert’s group, who are told to get a little more unity.
In a quick scene, the crooners weigh in with Amy the trainer. Michael has dropped 11 pounds. Sure, there’s a lot of indignity to the whole “fat kid trying to get hot” subplot, but through it, Michael’s emerging as one of the most lovable crooners. You go, kid!
After appearing in front of Bivens and Ankh Ra, group five is pulls together and rehearses hard. Robert even turns down a call from the lady in order to stay focused. This episode is turning into another disappointing lovefest. There will be no boxing gloves. I missed the Femi Kuti show for what?
Diddy shows up and observes expressionlessly as our crooners sing their hearts out. Everyone sounds good. Diddy shuffles the crooners’ name cards menacingly before letting them know he planned to eliminate 4-6, but he’s having a problem doing it because they all did so well. A cheer goes up. See, feel-good crap all around.
Back at the house, a couple of the guys decide to go to the strip club to celebrate. New dude Jeremic calls it a bonding opportunity, while Michael dons nicknames like “Big Country” and “The Butter Man” and shamelessly indulges in the sequin-clad, gyrating goodness. Meanwhile, Carlos and goodie-two-shoes Dan sit around and “tsk, tsk” their reveling brethren.
Next day, it’s a surprise visit from Diddy, who says he’s there to determine the weakest links of the group. He pulls out the strongest performers to help him make the decision. Self-righteous Dan is the only one who doesn’t struggle with the idea of cutting his fellow crooners. He slaps down two cards, and everyone goes along with his selections. New dudes Devin and Jeremic are cut.
“I didn’t quite send you all home this time,” Diddy tells the crooners, clearly enjoying the salt he’s thrown into the brotherhood. We cut to a very smug and satisfied-looking Dan, who tells us those booty-loving-titty-bar-goers deserved to get cut. Has he always been this annoying? I’d like to nominate Dan for the impending smackdown that surely must be right around the corner.
Next week on ‘Making the Band 4’: Will someone slap that smile off Dan’s face? Will Robert get into another annoying fight with his girl June? Will Diddy finally (please!) bust out the boxing gloves? Tune in again; your girl will be watching.
- 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 Bird
July 17, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this
Good recap. Black love is a wonderful think but June is getting on my damn nerves. She’s supposed to be supporting her man as he pursues his dream and instead she is nagging his a*s out of the competition. She needs to go to the curb quickly.
As for Dan, I ain’t mad at his leadership skills. Since it appears he has a very good chance of making the band, no pun intended, he might as well get rid of the people he thinks aren’t going to be serious about it. The strip club dudes probably have a higher chance of becoming the next Bobby Brown.
By bellar
July 18, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
I love shows like this. I have been watching MTB4 every season and I have to say this show has the most talent. I really think it was unfair that Devin was kicked off. He seemed to have a good and down to earth personality and the other guy didn’t seem to fit in. I think Dan has a good voice and deserves to be somewhere else he just doesn’t fit in. I don’t know where but just not there. He is annoying and such a snitch. The croup should consist of DeAngelo, Robert, Brain A, Carlos, Julius, Big Mike and if room Donnie. Also that Loriann has to go, she is syco. She needs to be commited. There are other and better choreographers out there.
By terri
July 21, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this
Nice recap. I hope Carlos make it, he’s one of the main reasons why I watch the show. If he gets cut I will be heart broken. I hope Dan stops snitching tho.
By george
July 24, 2007 1:39 AM | Link to this
Dan is the only one busting his butt for real and is the best overall period. didy shouldnt have cut him he was also like the only one who was told in the compition that he can dance. best voice too. was tite to watch because he just was tite.
By roxie
July 24, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this
good recap. i love watchin mtb4 and most of the ppl that got cut should have been cut.. i think the good ones are dan, julius, brian a, carlos, deangelo, and big mike. i didnt reeli think dan was annoying yea he was kinda a snitch but i was sad he got cut but i guess he can do better and be in a different group cuz like diddy said he hasnt messed up once yet at all.. i dont understand wut went wrong but i liked him. and loriann and diddy need to knoe how to talk cuz there gettin sum issues they coo and all but idk..
By Deanne
July 24, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this
I’m glad Dan got cut, I think he was too judgemental of other people. But somebody tell me, what is everyone talking about when they say that Dan was a snitch? What did he snitch about??
By Tenae
July 24, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
I’m glad Dan got cut! He was starting to get on my nerves with his attitude. Robert and June-need to stop, oh please. As for who I thinks will make the group Donnie, Willie, Carlos, DeAngelo, and I wish Julius would make it but Diddy is going to cut him, even though I love him. Big Mike can sing too, I hope he makes it but, it’s a toss up between those two for the last spot.Brian A. is pretty good but I see him as a solo artist.
By Peace
July 26, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this
As for me, I dont think Dan is a snitch. He just did what he felt was best. Laurie had to go it isnt right how shes trying to take Diddy’s spotlight. Not to mention she sprained the best person on theirs knee, Julius. He’s very worthy to be in the band. I think Julius, Brian A., DeAngelo, Carlos, and Big Mike should all make the Band because they’re fan worthy and all very attractive in their own way.
By angela
July 30, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
I think that donnie, brian,A, julius,big mike are going to make the band.