Canadian Idol (season 5)
The fifth season of "Canadian Idol" is the fifth installation of the "Idol" series in Canada. It was again hosted by Ben Mulroney, with Farley Flex, Jake Gold, Sass Jordan and Zack Werner all returning as judges. The show premiered on June 5, 2007 with a 90-minute episode. Voting began during the fourth week. New events introduced that season included the Help Idols build a house and the Kraft Confidential with David Kerr. The elimination song for this year was Walk on Home by Kalan Porter. The final episode of the season was broadcast on  September 11, 2007 when Brian Melo was crowned Canadian Idol. Plan. On December 19, 2006, CTV announced their initial plans for the fifth season of Canadian Idol. It started off in Vancouver on February 3, 2007, and went on to 9 more cities across Canada in a 10-week period. Auditions. This was the first season in which Canadian auditioners could play along with their instrument in their audition, making it the second Idol program to do so, after the 2006 season of "Australian Idol". The auditioners were allowed to bring any type of instrument they wish as long as  they are able to sing and play at the same time. They must be able to carry their instrument with them throughout the audition process. CTV explained on its website that many competitors have indicated they feel more comfortable in an audition setting by accompanying themselves on an instrument. Competitors were judged on a whole range of factors, including singing ability, style and presence. They state that the "Ability to play an instrument is yet another dimension to each competitor's complete package." Auditions were held in eleven cities in the winter and early spring of 2007 in the following  order: The registration started promptly after 8 am CTV committed that all auditioners who showed up between 8 am – 4 p.m. would be seen. In bigger cities however, the line may have been cut off before four, with the auditioners being asked to come back the next day. Audition process. The audition process may vary in different cities. However, the concept is essentially the same. Tier 1. After the competitor receives their number at the registration desk, they are allowed to go to other places until their number is called. After their number is called, they will be asked to  wait in the front line for their audition for the first round. Auditioners will be sent in groups of five, taken to the waiting room by an audition crew. The audition crews responsible for the groups will take the competitors to Tier 1, where they will audition to the representative of a producer with their group. Each auditioner will take turn to sing one song for as long as they want. If the representative is not sure about the competitor's performance, they may ask them to sing another song. After all five auditioners have sung, the representatives may make  comments, and announces auditioners that will not go through to the second round. The successful auditioners will be given a Yellow Ticket, and will return to the waiting room to wait for an audition crew to lead them to a separate waiting room where they wait for the second round of audition. Tier 2. After the auditioner's number is called for the second round of audition known as Tier 2, an audition crew will take them along with couple others to the waiting room once more. The competitors will have to wait there until their number is called, and  then they will be sent into the audition room. In Tier 2, the competitors will audition to a producer of the show, where they will be asked to sing a minimum of two songs. The successful auditioner will receive a Blue Ticket, and will need to return to the registration desk to register for the Celebrity Judges round. Celebrity judges. By assigned order of time on successful auditioner's registration paper, they will be called into the final round of audition where they meet the Canadian Idol Celebrity Judges Farley Flex, Jake Gold, Sass Jordan and Zack Werner. It will  be held at a secret location on another day. In this round, the auditioner will have to prepare one song in the song list that is given to you when you are registering for the third round, along with four other songs of your own choice. Successful auditioners will be given a Gold Ticket, where they will have a chance to participate in the Top 200 week in Toronto. The Gold Ticket receivers are asked to remain absolutely silent, or they may face possible disqualification due to fairness purposes. Top 212. The Top 212 auditions were again held in Toronto . The 212 singers from across the country selected stepped in front of the four judges during the Top 200 week. They competed against cuts that included solos, duets and group performances. Eventually, the group as whittled down to just 22 finalists. Top 22, The Semi-Finals. The Top 22 was announced on June 19. One original member of the Top 22, Ritchea Hodge, dropped out for personal reasons and was replaced by Scarlett Burke. Those who were eliminated before the finals are listed below. Females Eliminated. Withdrew Ritchea Hodge is a 16-year-old High School Student from Brampton, Ontario . Hodge dropped out of the competition for unrevealed, personal reasons prior to June 27. Top 10, The Finals. After the Semi-Finals, the final 10 competitors are faced with a new theme challenge every week. Based on public voting, one finalist is eliminated each week. The season finale of Canadian Idol took place on September 11, 2007. Brian Melo from Hamilton, Ontario is 2007 Canadian Idol. Finals. Finale. Each contestant sang three songs. Song themes. Each week, a song theme will be presented to the competitors. Each competitor must base their song choice on the theme of the week. Help  the Idols Build a House. It is a fundraising campaign that will help build the first North American Ronald McDonald Family Retreat at Bear Mountain Resort in Victoria, British Columbia. The sales of the Canadian Idol single, "Believe in You" will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities. Canadian Idol announced on the Season Finale that they raised over $1 Million. 2007 Elimination Chart. Contestants are in reverse chronological order of elimination.