I have been a huge fan of Bette Midler's since time began. Nobody sells a song better than Bette. When I heard she was going to take the place of chest thumping Celine I was thrilled. Bette in Vegas? It doesn't get much better.

Last night on the American Idol finale she had the opportunity to sing for BILLIONS of people - after all was there ANY television in the known world tuned to ANYTHING ELSE? Probably, but not it our household.

Here was her chance to show off her stuff - let people know why they'd want to plunk down $200 a ticket to see her starting in February of 2008.

As a singer, my ears are hyper tuned to pitchy moments, but honey, dogs started howling when she opened her mouth. Part of the issue was her headset - she couldn't hear the band. You could tell that she knew she was singing in a different key from the band and she quickly reached for her powerpack to make an adjustment.

I wish I could tell you that fixed the problem.

So here is a once in a lifetime opportunity in front of a gazillion people to turn the spotlight on your brand and for my money - Bette blew it.

She struggled to reach the upper notes that she's known for belting out and at the end of her song, as she went higher and higher I closed my eyes in anticipation of the pain.

Oh Bette. Love ya, but what happened? She can still work the crowd, nobody does it better (unless it's Carly), but the quality of her product was off.

What did you think? Did she damage her brand? Will it hurt her business?

To buy tickets for Bette in Vegas.

Deborah Chaddock Brown
Professional Writer, Wishing I was Tone Deaf Last Night
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