Boyband FINALE tonight on ABC at 8 pm ET. With Nick Carter (Backstreet Boys), Emma Bunton (Spice Girls’ Baby Spice) and Timbaland producer, songwriter, rapper), as “architects” hopeful 14 to 24-year-old singers compete to become a member of what producers hope to be the next great boyband. Rita Ora hosts.
On tonight’s finale, the final eight contestants learn their fate as America’s top five vocalists are revealed. The winning five are awarded a recording contract with Hollywood Records and perform their new single “Eyes Closed.”
Yes folks. The first and likely only (to put it nicely, the ratings have not been good) season comes to an end tonight. The final five will release a single. But will Hollywood Records record an album with the winners? I wouldn’t bet on that eventuality, considering most singing show alums these days are lucky to even get a single before they’re dropped.
The show opens with a group number featuring EVERYBODY. The contestants, Rita, Emma, Timbaland and Nick. Whoa. Emma is a terrible singer. The contestants join in with some off key harmonies. Nick’s brought along the rest of the Backstreet Boys who sing “Everybody.
Rita announces that a total of 150 million votes were cast last week.
Bell Biv Devoe, James Arthur, Sophia Carson and Rita Ora are also set to perform tonight.
After the big performance, a video package recaps the season and reacquaints us with the Top 8: Brady Tutton, Chance Perez, Drew Ramos, Jaden Gray, Marcus Pendleton, Michael Conor, Mikey Jimenez, Sergio Calderon.
DRUMROLL: The Boy Band name is In Real Life, which the boys helped coin. Because their lives are about to change so much? That’s what Nick says.
Rita reveals the first member of In Real Life and it is…Brady Tutton. He’s the youngest contestant remaining in the competition. The rest of the members will be revealed throughout the hour.
After the break, Rita Ora sings her “hot new hit” “Your Song.” No, it’s not the Elton John classic. Hardly.
Next, there’s a bit with the boys recording tracks for the new song. Only the Final Five will end up on the track. But what about the harmonies?
Before Rita reveals the next two members, the star of Descendents 2 Sophia Carson performs her single “Ins and Outs.” Zzzzz.
Now, we see the boys’ very first auditions for Boy Band. Wait y’all promised more results. Let’s get on with it. OK. Here we go…Chance Perez and Drew Ramos are the next two members.
Next, X Factor UK alum James Arthur sings his hit “Say You Won’t Let Go.” Good song, but something feels off tonight? He seems disconnected. He’s performed this song much better, previously.
Next, Bell Biv Devoe take the stage to perform their popular hit “Poison.”
Afterward it’s time to meet the final two boy band members! The fourth member of In Real Life is…Sergio Calderon. REALLY? And the final member is…rapper Michael Conor. Jaden was robbed ya’ll. Compared to Sergio he’s a stronger singer and better performer.
Rita thanks the “architects,” band leader Adam Blackstone, music director Tim Davis and choreographers Napoleon and Tabitha.
The show ends with the newly minted Boy Band singing Justin Tranter-penned tune “Eyes Closed.” The song is basically a rip-off of “You Don’t Know You’re Beautiful.” I wondered about the harmonies earlier? There are none. Just solos and a shouty chorus. Michael contributes a randomly inserted rap bridge.
And that’s that. Bye boys. We hardly knew ye.
UPDATE: The recorded song is actually not too bad. And it cracked the Top 10 on iTunes! I was not expecting that. It’s No. 9 on the overall chart, as of Friday evening. Click to Download the Song. The song is priced at .99 cents which probably helps.
In Real Life Boy Band
- Brady Tutton
- Chance Perez
- Drew Ramos
- Sergio Calderon
- Michael Conor
