Katharine and David Foster Relive American Idol Moments with Simon Cowell
Coronavirus concerns led to the cancellation of David Foster’s tour, featuring his wife Katharine McPhee. Instead of being out on the road, the super producer and the American Idol alum are entertaining fans every night with the “Dave and Kat Show’ on Instagram. On Sunday night, Idol fans were in for a real treat, when Katharine re-lived favorite season 5 moments. A highlight of the mini-concert featured a call in from American Idol’s nastiest judge, Simon Cowell.
Simon was a big fan of the singer, who eventually came in second place to winner Taylor Hicks. But he didn’t always love her performances, Case in point: For Top 6 week, themed “Love Songs” Katharine took on Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing,” co-written by Foster. All three judges were critical of Kat, basically saying the song was too big for her. But Simon’s critique was especially scathing. Although, the next day, he DID apologize.
Katharine McPhee Sings David Foster’s I Have Nothing For Simon Cowell AGAIN
So what would a redo of the song be without Simon facetiming in to participate? David and Simon trade compliments before we get a look at Simon’s lunch. He’s turned into a clean eating freak of late. Bonus: Simon’s son Eric pops in for a cameo, along with Simon’s girlfriend, Lauren, who helped put together the call. Surprisingly, Katharine and David admit, that after Youtubing the song, that Simon’s original assessment was correct! “I was god awful,” Katharine agrees. Simon wonders what Katharine did to change the performance. “Well, I’ve just practiced a little more!”
After throwing the yellow dress she wore for the performance around her neck, Katharine performs the song as David accompanies her on piano.
Time for a Walk Down Memory Lane – Katharine’s Full “I Have Nothing” Performance
Check out the FULL performance and judges critiques from 14 years ago (!!!). Actually, the song is too big for her, but I wouldn’t call it awful. Simon’s critique wasn’t exactly wrong as it was wrong headed. “By choosing that song,” Simon said, “it is like coming out here saying ‘I am as good as Whitney Houston. You’re not. That was the problem.” Actually it’s not saying that at all! There are tons of singers who cover Whitney. I’m sure they are all not thinking they are as good. But do go on Simon. “I also thought it was quite old fashioned, and quite cabaret.” He kinda had a point, there.
Simon added, “I think you went backwards. If you’re going to sing a song like a Whitney song, you’ve got to be as good.” The previous week, Katharine had smashed it with “Someone to Watch Over Me” for a Great American Songbook theme. The Whitney effort was a letdown by comparison. Nevertheless, Simon apologized the next day, before. Kellie Pickler left the competition after butchering Simon’s favorite song, “Unchained Melody.”
Katharine didn’t have time to change into the yellow dress for the live stream, but she modeled it the next day.
No the simulation isn’t glitching, this really is me trying on the dresses I wore for Idol 14 years later… pic.twitter.com/iyAcQKZYN0
— Kat McPhee (@katharinemcphee) April 6, 2020
Kat and Dave’s Full American Idol Stream
Watch the full 30 minute performance here, including the full clip of Simon’s appearance.. She opens the stream sporting her Idol number, before singing her audition “God Bless the Child,” “Someone to Watch Over Me,” a coronavirus themed version of “I Want to Hold Your Hand” and “Til You Come Back to Me.” Fun fact: David displays his many Grammys on top of his piano while he plays. OK then.
NEVER Forget David Foster’s Reaction When Taylor Hicks Won American Idol
And I will leave you with this. NEVER forget David Foster’s reaction after host Ryan Seacrest announced Taylor Hicks the winner! Heh. (Never forget crying David Hasselhoff either!)
