This week's show brought us back to dreary old NYC, which seemed somewhat bland and boring after a few weeks of splashy, sunny South Beach. Diddy -- in his one fleeting appearance this week -- told us that normally new bands work only with up and coming producers. But lo! This band is working with Diddy, y'hear! And Diddy has lots and lots of friends. And Diddy's gonna introduce his girls to his friends! And then they're all gonna hang out and stuff. And everyone's gonna become besties until Ma$e shows up and things get awkward and people are like "Who invited him?" and then everyone leaves all disgusted. Okay, Diddy didn't take it that far, but this was essentially his brag-tastic way of introducing us to Rodney Jerkin, another super producer who thankfully looked less ridiculous than Scott Storch.

Dawn was totally enamored with Rodney, saying, "He's like the ice in the glass that melts slowly." Funny, I was gonna suggest "The carbon dioxide that sublimates at a leisurely pace."

Anyway, Rodney had the girls all sing the lyrics to their new song (written in convenient 24 point font size). After they'd gone through the song a few times, he then asked them who they thought would be the natural leader for the song, and everyone said Aundrea (with a few minor suggestions for D. Woods). Well, if it was Aundrea they wanted, it was Aundrea they got! She stepped into the booth and began singing the lead vocals, but oh no! She needed more energy! We knew this wasn't too much of a big deal because her struggles weren't accented with the usual End Of The World BOOOOMS that are typically reserved for Aubrey's tone-deaf ass. Nevertheless, Aundrea certainly was having problems, and I couldn't help wondering if maybe -- just maybe -- she was distracted by personal issues with her boyfriend. Hmmmm...

Sad showbiz reality: this might be the last time we see that nose.

Luckily, Aundrea hit the note she was trying to get, prompting everyone to tell us how strong she was and blah blah blah. Back at the apartment and fresh from a successful day of recording, Gerbilina then called up Rudy, but he didn't really have time to talk. He was ridin' in the car with Rob, whoever that was. They were apparently going to a bar, and Rudy noted, "Thankfully I'm not driving though." THANKFULLY INDEED! Wouldn't want anything to happen to precious Rudy!

Just like last week, Aundrea wanted to just have five minutes of Rudy's time, but bitch didn't realize that he had very important obligations to tend to; namely, laughing at inaudible jokes with his friends. He then asked Aundrea, "So you won't be home for like at least like another month or something?" Translation: I can still hook up with other chicks in the meantime, right?

When Aundrea asked why he was asking about when she'd be back, Rudy informed her that he was planning a trip to Vegas. How about New York instead, she asked him. NEGATORY! Don't even try it, sister. Rudy is going to Vegas and that's that!

"You don't have any reason to come out here?" Aundrea then asked. I half expected her to add, "Hint hint, motherfucker!" But alas, Rudy merely replied with a "Nah. Not really. Not right now." Gosh, Aundrea. HE HATES YOU!

Of course, Rudy shunning Aundrea like this was idiotic for many reasons, especially since he was pursuing a career in the music industry. Would it make sense for him to drop by in New York and possibly meet some of these giant super-producers? Apparently not. Well, the next day, Aundrea vented about the situation to Shannon, saying that Rudy was not supportive of her decisions and all that junk. Shannon gave some smiling, general advice, and Aundrea left the conversation thinking that there still might be a future for her and Rudy. Ha. Good luck with that.

The next day, the girls headed over to the rehearsal space where they met up with a cool cat named Rob Lewis. He was gonna help the ladies perform their songs live. Fantabulous. We learned that he's worked with the likes of Christina Aguilera, Babyface, and blah blah blah yawn yawn yawn. Anyway, the girls all stood around a piano and sang that ballad they were working on a week or two ago. Aundrea absolutely loved the song because it was all about stickin' together in a relationship, even through the hard times. Of course, she had the deluded notion that her relationship would stick through the hard times, which it clearly wouldn't be. Case in point: the next day, Aundrea called up Rudy, and with morbid music playing in the background, we listened as she reached the dreaded voicemail of doom. Cut to me raising my arms to the heavens and yelling, "NOOOOOOO!!!!"

Posted by B-side on July 31, 2006 3:17 PM