I’m so excited to be continuing on to the finals on Celebrity duets that it almost matches my level of amazement.
When Wayne Brady started the final elimination by talking to me saying "Hal, I’m sorry…" I knew.. because I have hosted shows like this… that I was safe. I was amazed. I knew that when you are building tension on an elimination that the first person you talk to is a fake out. I had been there with Carly the week before… I was stunned. And instantly grateful because I know so many people called in to keep me there… that’s an indescribable feeling. after they asked me to leave I went to the side of the stage and dropped to one knee facing the audience out of respect for how good they had been to me and to how Good all you guys had been to me….
I had performed the last two nights with the attitude that I was walking out of a room tossing a lit match over my shoulder. I felt that the style I sing was so ill-suited for this type of situation that it was only a matter of time. But I wasn’t gonna wimper or worry I was just going to accept it and have fun while I was there. When they said I was going to be singing with Dee Snyder… I thought it was a parting gift. Y’know, "Have fun kid! Lates!"
So when Wayne asked me his question I was able to give a really liberating answer for me because I believed I was screwed to start with. I said what I really thought and it felt good. obviously I hadn’t been holding back during this show… but there was a renewed freedom in just being f*cked. and..then …I made it! Thanks to you! You magnificent Maniacs!
It’s very awkward to be competing a) against people you genuinely like and respect and b) in a music competition..something that is so subjective. I mean how can you hold Jazz up to Rock up to R&B up to Country and say one is better or compare one person’s performance in one style against another performance in another style… the concept is silly at it’s base. But since you could win this kinda money for charity it’s impossible to turn down.
Everyone on the show has taken a decent amount of abuse in the press. We live in a time where aimless jabs are considered legit criticism. We’ve been called has-beens and never beens. We’ve been ridiculed for calling ourselves singers. We’ve been pitted against each other in fake feuds… But the thing that makes us all bulletproof in this is why we’re doing it. We each have a charity that means something dear to us. Mine is Habitat for Humanity. Specifically their work helping with the aftermath of Katrina. So… I’ll take some BS review from Entertainment Weekly anyday When I’m trying to help Habitat. Seriously does a snarky comment hold any weight at all if you are trying to put a roof over someone’s head? Or help fund cancer research or whatever your dream charity would be? No.
I found out today whom I will be singing with. And I AM FREAKING OUT! in a great way!
This guy is one of my vocal heroes.
If you guys enjoy watching as much as I enjoy singing this week… we may all spontaneously combust.
Thanks again for your continued support! I really work hard to make sure this week is the best yet.
OH and…this week… even though it’s called celebrity duets… each finalist sings a solo song. They gave me a pretty good one. I don’t know if it would have been my first choice but… It’s going to be really fun.
Big Love
Hal via MySpace
I hope he wins because you know he really wants it!!! And if he were to win, he would so appreciate it! I also hope my hometown boy Alfons Ribiero comes in second!
