Oct 15 2007
Ben McKenzie voted out of Australian Idol
In what might come as a shock to quite a few people, Ben McKenzie was voted out of Australian Idol this week.
Probably more shocking is the fact that Matt Corby also made the bottom three. (So did Marty Simpson, but that guy seriously has more lives than a cat).
I think the judges were a little shocked, both by Ben’s departure and at Matt’s inclusion (as were the other Idol contestants).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(written earlier)
Last night’s Australian Idol episode required the contestants to perform a song from the year they were born.
Ben McKenzie (1990) – “Higher Ground” – meh. Thought he lacked depth.
Marty Simpson (1986) – a reggae version of “Now we’re Getting Somewhere”. The door maybe? He has a distinctive sound. I just don’t like it.
Natalie Gauci (1981) – “Endless Love”. Brought back memories of my early teens (I used to love that song), but a duet with one? Thought it was a pretty ambitious choice. I still like her though.
Carl Riseley (1982) – “Turn your Love Around” (man, the 80’s produced some crap music), but I thought it was a good performance for an ordinary song. Kyle thought he was “wobbly”, “all over the place” and “awkward”. Mark that he was “out of his comfort zone”, Dicko that it was his best performance and Marcia “dugg” the “groove thang”.
Matt Corby (1990) – “Another day in Paradise”. I thought it was well performed, but not my favourite performance of his. Mark warned that his vibrato (?) might “annoy the crap out of people” and needs to do something “light and fun” (what about “got to get you into my life” and “I wish” a few weeks back?). Dicko wants to see some variation and energy and quipped about a “Corby07” t-shirt.
Tarisai Vushe (1987) – “I knew you were Waiting for me”. Another duet but – wow! Totally agree with Marcia who said she needs to watch singing from the back of her throat – but the rest was great. I thought Mark was way off base with his comment about her doing a Gospel song but showing “little spirit”. How much more spirit does she need to show? Dicko reckons she’ll be “ready” in a couple of years, but Kyle maintains she ready now.
Daniel Mifsud (1983) – “Billie Jean”. Meh. Marcia told him to watch his falsetto, Kyle said it showed his flaws and wasn’t his best effort. Mark thought his timing was off (he slipped behind) and that he’s plateaued. Dicko said something about vocal limitation and like trying to do “Mona Lisa with felt-tips”.
(Apologies for lack of notes at the beginning, as I missed some bits).
31 Responses to “Ben McKenzie voted out of Australian Idol”
Sad isnt’ it? I thought that he had a few weeks left in him yet. There are a couple who I could cheerfully see the back of, and a couple who seem to be firing up now. I am sorry to see him go because I don’t really think it was his turn.
Hi Anne
I didn’t think Ben would win, yet was sorry to see him go before Marty. Still, he is so young, and with such a positive, bubbly nature I’m sure there will be many opportunities for him in the future. He certainly had a lot of supporters (fans).
I was sorry to see Ben go too. I think he’ll do something anyway (unlike some others still there).
I still think Matt will do well.
And Carl and Daniel. Natalie’s growing on me too. I still can’t get over her performance the other week (can’t remember when – when she was on the piano).
I haven’t really been watching Idol this year but the little I have seen I thought Ben would make it further. It really seems to be a popularity contest doesn’t it?
Kin – I think that was acoustic night.
Jen – I’ve never watched it before, but have they always had the viewers voting? I guess there’s a danger in that – not always the most talented…. Still, I wouldn’t have thought Matt would come up short in the “popularity” stakes, and yet he was in the bottom three!
I really was ready to see the back of Marty. He should have gone weeks ago and he knows it too. The judges (Marcia included) really had a dig at him tonight. Daniel doesn’t do it for me either.
I was surprised to see Matt and Ben in the bottom two. I thought Ben would get alot further.
I’ve watched Idol since it started and I haven’t really been able to get into it this year. I can’t remember which judge said it but I echo it in tha tthere haven’t really been any big moments in this years show.
Oh and there were heaps of “champagne crap” songs in the 80’s but you have to love the power ballad era!
Hi Tiffany
I was just over at Red Sultana reading your comment & you’re here. Small blogosphere!
Agree with you about Marty and Daniel. I can’t really compare to past seasons…
Great news for Matt. Now his fans will vote like crazy so he doesn’t end in the bottom three again… just like Tarasai a few weeks back.
Ben wasn’t going to win so who cares… I mean I liked him but not heartbroken here.
I’m hoping to see Natalie, Tarasai and Matt in the final 3… so not fussed about which order the others leave.
I’m not liking Daniel the most at the moment so my preference would be him to go… I’m now intrigued to see how long Marty will last…
I was surprised that Ben got kicked off. There are some shockers on the show this year, so from what I’ve heard, he was hard done by.
Semi-related, did you see the “Today Tonight” expose on alleged links between Australian Idol contestants, Hillsong Church and votes?
It was soooo sad to see Ben leave!! He was my favourite!!!! And he has such a unique and outstanding voice too. He will eventually make a CD and a movie. Go Ben. You rock!!!
Surprising too, that Matt was in the bottom three!!! Marty almost always seems to be in the bottom 3.
We love you Ben!!!
CB – they’re definitely my top 3 too. Marty, yeah I reckon someone’s racking up a big phone bill.
SP – no, I didn’t see it, but did read about it. Looks to be a big media beat up about nothing. From what I understand, the “source” has conceded they’re not so much Hillsong members, but under the general pentecostal banner. Could be the case of not letting the truth get in the way….
Lucy – I agree, I’m sure we haven’t heard the last from Ben. This has been a wonderful opportunity for him. Marty certainly has been hanging in by the seat of his pants!
On the australian idol website he said he was bringing out a movie later this year! And of course I will be buying his album!! It was so sad!! I think Marty will go, and Matt or Natalie will win. What are your opinions Meg?
Lucy
I know so many people that know Matt Corby! And of course all the girls vote for him! (including me, haha). He deserves to win, he is young and has a great future ahead of him.
Lucy
I reckon Marty will probably go sooner rather than later.
My pick for winner is either Matt or Tarisai (unless Natalie starts doing some songs that suit her better).
I think all 3 are very talented, but it may will come down to a popularity contest in the end – in which case it’s anyone’s guess!
It is annoying, like the judges pointed out, how ‘someone’ (cough cough, Marty) doesn’t want to EVEN be in this competition. Yes I agree, Tarisai has a special voice too. They are all great singer, but in the end I think Matt will win. I mean, he has soooo many fans!!! I would have been a huge shock if he went last night too.
I might audition for Australian Idol, haha, I mean they met Zac Efron!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Meg,
I’m going, I’ll be back to post some more comments soon.
Look out for my comments,
L
Lucy
Thanks for your comments
i dont see how Ben can go..and Carl and Marty are still there..does Australia not notice talent when it is right infront of them? Ben is one of the best singers ever to be on Idol, it wasn’t fair for him to leave like that, he hadn’t even been in the bottom three before. It is not over for Ben he will go onto great things. My pick for the win?? Matt, but i’m not watching it anymore, since Ben got voted off i don’t see a reason to watch it. I think it will be between Tarisai and Matt and i hope that Marty or Carl get voted off this week.
I LOVE BEN I LOVE BEN I LOVE BEN I LOVE BEN I LOVE BEN I LOVE BEN I LOVE BEN I LOVE BEN I LOVE BEN I LOVE BEN I LOVE BEN I LOVE BEN I LOVE BEN I LOVE BEN I LOVE BEN I LOVE BEN I LOVE BEN I LOVE BEN I LOVE BEN I LOVE BEN I LOVE BEN I LOVE BEN…i hate Carl, Marty and Natalie=]:)
Hi Lauren
It doesn’t seem fair – I guess that’s the problem when you get the public voting (the judges did seem shocked)! I think you’re right that Ben will go onto great things.
I bet you do watch it – curiosity will probably get the better of you!
It’s an outrage Ben left; an absolute discrace and I think the most shocking elimination in Australian Idol history. (yes more then Ricki Lee!)
Some of you are saying that you didn’t think he would’ve won but for the several weeks until his elimination he was 2nd favourite behind Matt in all the bookies and outpolling Matt on many websites. I thought he had a HUGE chance considering the “Dean Geyer” of each year (who is Matt for this year, though Matt is 1000x better) doesn’t usually win.
If Marty, Daniel or Carl win, they will all just flop down the drain; you don’t even have to think about it. Tarisai would probably just join the Young Diva’s if she won and Natalie perhaps may sell, but she reminds me a bit of Kate DeAraugo and look how that ended.
The only one I can see having a slightly successful career is Matt, but still I have my doubts on him and the “whole package” aspect may work against him.
The ratings for this year’s idol have been at its lowest.. you would think they would be smart enough to keep contestants who can actually sing right? Wrong. I voted for Ben multiple times but I’m only one household and that is obviously not enough, we only have ourselves to blame for this joke.
I wish all the other contestants luck, but I don’t blame Marcia for wanting to leave.
WORST SEASON EVER in my opinion and I shall be tuning out, this year’s crop just seems tasteless and boring (maybe I’m not an idol addict after all?)
I’m glad so many people love and miss Ben (like me), when others couldn’t care less about the comp (like Marty). Lets start a petition to bring back Ben, haha!!!
We love him
check this webiste out for great info on Ben,
http://www.australianidol.com.au/live-chat-transcript-ben.html
I am really cut up about Ben being eliminated this week. He deserved to win Idol this year, just as Damien deserved the title last year, and fortunately got it. The public have really got it wrong so far. Whoever wins, will be a disappointment, coz none of the remaining idols have the right kind of voice to make it far in the real world music industry. The music industry is tough, and unfortunately the remaining idols are just not cut out for it.
From a true idol fan, angel.
Meg – it was on Today Tonight so it must be true!!*
* please note: that comment was supposed to convey sarcasm.
I think Matt is starting to come across as too much of a ‘serious’ musician with his song choices so he needs to watch his choices as one of the judges said.
Marty should go this wk, much as I like his now heaven could care less attitude. Sometimes that works a long way as well as judges telling him to go home lol!
Seriously, I don’t like Tarisai cos her style is a dime a dozen but she can belt it out for sure – she probably has the best chance of winning this.
The next edition botton 3 should go like this: Daniel (he’s got nothing left – boring each week, imo), Marty, Carl (I like Carl a lot because he really tries to use his vocals like a trumpet lol). And Marty should be getting his wish now… I think. 😉
Hi YC
Thanks for your comment. I guess there’s not long to wait!
my god its been a week since ben left and im still devestated.
i truely thought he had a chance of winning idol.
other then the very first season of idol this was the only one that i had been hooked on and that was only because of ben!
without him the show will be nothing!
he has the most amazing & unique voice and i cant believe his gone.
but yeh i dont think its over for him either!
his too amazing to be done yet.
but god all these reality tv shows annoy me, when it comes down to it its not about the singing there all just popularity contests.
the whole judging system of idol is screwed up!
something needs to be done about it!
the judges should pick the bottom 3 & then we vote on who leaves.. because right now its not working!
if that was the case ben would never have been eliminated :@
and you know what martys an absolute d1ck :O
he deserves to leave.
i wish there was some way to swap him over for ben!!
errr im just really pissed off.
but you know its all our faults aswell! we’re all saying how pissed off we are and how much we want ben back on the show, but i bet alot of us didnt even vote, and i guess at the end of the day thats what it comes down to.
i think that either matt or natalie deserve to win now.
carls ok too but yeh matt or natalie.
but i definately think that matt will be the winner this time.
i honestly couldnt care less anymore though now that bens gone.
his WAY AWSOME and i hope he goes far!!! (L)
love you ben.
omg i was sooo soo shocked to see BEN leave it was a huge mistake and if it was up to me to choose the winner i would of chose BEN…..i love him so much and i hope sooner or later ill get to meet him in person and tell him how much i love him!
xx channi xx
p.s BEN MCKENZIE ROX!!!!!!!!!!!!!