WHAT WAS THAT?! I guess INXS wasn’t actually
watching Mig’s performance of “What You Need” tonight, or they would’ve
axed him instead of Suzie. Mig doesn’t have the low vocal range needed
for most INXS songs, let alone the stage presence, and Suzie does. She
was given the kiss-of-death song “Suicide Blonde” and still
sang better than Mig. Whether their decision was motivated by pressure
to please Australian fans, Mark Burnett’s orders, or some weird ideas
about what was best for the show, it certainly wasn’t made on what was
right for the band.

There were several in attendence (besides
Suzie) who weren’t pleased with the decision. When Tim Farriss made his
pronouncement, Marty and J.D. both dropped to the ground like they’d
been shot. And Dave Navarro looked like he was trying not to punch Tim,
since the interactions between Dave and Suzie have been some of the
best moments of the series. After Suzie made her farewell remarks,
Andrew Farriss spoke, with Garry Beers sitting to his right. Garry sat
there with his hand over his mouth, looking like he wasn’t happy about
what they’d just done.

As for the rest of the show, Marty got
the encore, the audience picked J.D. for the other encore, and then he
joined Suzie and Mig in the Bottom 3. J.D. had the best night of
anyone, singing “Pretty Vegas” for the fourth time, but accompanied
only by Raphael and Jim on guitars. J.D. also did a solid job with “By
My Side,” and has proven that he and Suzie are the only ones who can
sing INXS songs well. Since Suzie’s gone, J.D. should win by default.

I’m
sure this is not the last we’ll hear of Suzie, especially if she takes
my advice and starts touring as “Sweet Suzie McNeil and The House
Band.” Hell, I’d go see them before INXS. Then again, when you go to an
INXS show in the future, you’ll also get to see the prize winning hog
and the biggest pumpkin in the county, so that’s a bonus. But right
now, I’m gonna make myself feel better the same way Suzie would. So,
who’s gonna let me drink champagne off of their foot?