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The Next Best Thing: Who is the Greatest Celebrity Impersonator? New York City, NY auditions: March 20 & 21, 2007 Auditions took place in: Manhattan; Las Vegas; Orlando and Los Angeles / Hollywood Watch weekly on ABC Wednesday nights at 8PM EST!
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Tom Sadge as Neil Diamond
Full impersonation: Neil Diamond & Engelbert Humperdinck
30 years as a full-time entertainer
A Favorite of diehard Neil Diamond fans!
Over 6000 performances as impersonator & impressionist:
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COMMENTS ABOUT THE FINALE?
Here is the official contact information:
PHONE ABCMedianet.com: Virginia Mastroianni (818) 460-6989
The new "reality" show, which offers a top prize of $100,000.00, premiered on ABC on May 30TH, Wednesday, at 8PM Eastern Standard Time. The show will run for 10 episodes as a summer-replacement program.
The Next Best Thing judges told Tom he would be on the air when the New York City auditions are aired. They didn't tell him that his performances would be chopped to a small few second segment and that the judges complimentary comments would be cut and replaced by Jeffrey Ross's reaction to another performer!
These judges were obviously NOT familiar with Neil Diamond or his costumes: they did NOT recognize the authentic-looking jacket which every Neil Diamond fan would recognize! They also insisted Tom sing a song covered nicely by Neil Diamond in 1970, but definitely not one of his most recognizable: He Ain't Heavy was composed by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell and originally recorded by The Hollies in 1969 - a HUGE hit for the British band. Neil's cover version, while well done, peaked at #20 in 1970. Oddly, there were NO original Neil Diamond songs on the Next Best Thing "cleared" list of songs.
Tom initially sang "Sweet Caroline" for the judges instead of the recommended "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother". Those of you who know Tom understand why he would NOT want to sing a song about brothers during the difficult time he was facing in March. However, the judges insisted he sing "He Ain't Heavy" anyway and Tom Sadge, being the true professional that he is, sang the song and was praised by the judges for his sound.
Judges are Jeffrey Ross (the next Simon Cowell?); Lisa Ann Walter and Elon Gold. Host/hostess is Michelle Merkin.
THE NEXT BEST THING show will run for 8 more summer episodes on ABC. Producers are Fax Bahr, Jonathan Bourne, Peter Engel, Chuck LaBella (talent producer). Look for a bevy of impersonators, not just the obvious like Madonna and Elvis Presley!
Who advanced toward the finals on the first episode of ABC's The Next Best Thing: Who is the Greatest Celebrity Impersonator?
Many have asked where they can send ABC comments about the final show of NEXT BEST THING.
BARRY KATZ, PRODUCER of The Next Best Thing: NEW WAVE ENTERTAINMENT
Telephone: 818-295-5000
ABC Comment Form: https://www.abc.go.com/site/contactus.html
ABC's The Next Best Thing: Who is the Greatest Celebrity Impersonator LIVE...other 4 RUNNERS-UP:
Tom Sadge was taped as Neil Diamond for the new ABC television show, The Next Best Thing: Who is the Greatest Celebrity Impersonator?, in New York City, NY on March 21,2007. His hightly edited NYC audition was broadcast on June 6, 2007. This is definitely not a "reality" show!
One wonders why the shows producers used judges who are obviously biased toward those doing comedic impressions. The judges are themselves comediens, not talent scouts.
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ABC's THE NEXT BEST THING: WHO'S THE GREATEST CELEBRITY IMPERSONATOR?
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