Last night, Justin Timberlake and Lady Gaga showed off their comedic skills on the season finale of Saturday Night Live. The two starred in three skits together, including an SNL Digital Short with Andy Samberg, called "In a Three Way". It was absolutely hilarious, and definitely showed a lighter, funnier, very New York side of Lady Gaga. Definitely reminded me of an SWV video from the early 90's.
In the middle of last month, Leon Jackson suffered a humiliating chart defeat. His single "Don't Call This Love" didn't even make it to #2, forced to take the third slot after another song debuting the same week.
"The Winner's Song" by Geraldine McQueen.
What's so terrible about that? For starters, Geraldine isn't a real person. In fact, she is really British comedian Peter Kay in drag, who put the character together for his 2-hour sitcom special Britain's Got The Pop Factor...And Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly On Ice. The show is much-needed spoof of the reality competition craze.
The song, co-written by Take That's Gary Barlow, perfectly matches the parody. It follows every coronation song cliche. The intro sounds strikingly similar to X Factor winner Leona Lewis' single "Footprints in the Sand". The lyrics speak of Geraldine's struggle through the competition, reminiscent of an American Idol track. Finally, there is the must-have element of every reality singing competition song; the key change. All of this combined with Peter's Geraldine's earnest vocals makes for an absurdly hilarious single that you can't help but love.
The irony that a parody of a winner's song beat a real winner's song on the charts would be tragic if it wasn't side-splitting. But honestly, who were you going to choose; Leon, the winner of X Factor, or Geraldine, the lovable transsexual who nearly choked to death on confetti.
CNN reported that he died early this morning of complications from pneumonia in Chicago, Illinois. He had been in the hospital for a week because the lung infection.
The popular comic was known for his roles in the Ocean's Eleven movie series and his own show, The Bernie Mac Show.
One of the best comics ever, he will be truly missed. I offer my condolences to all his family and friends.
