Dave Moffatt: #9348
In 2005, Dave Moffatt made his first public attempt at a solo career. Oddly enough, his efforts were on the hit show Canadian Idol. It was a controversial move since many thought he had an unfair advantage. Unphased, and for some reason eligible, Dave went to audition for season 3.
Living in Winnipeg at the time (he has since relocated to Calgary), Dave auditioned on March 1st. The Canadian Idol website filmed a 2 minute interview with him, giving fans their first look at the "new" Dave. The later airing premiere episode of Canadian Idol 
featured auditions from hundreds of hopefuls across Western Canada. Dave was only shown very briefly. But it was enough to see that he had received a gold ticket and made it to Toronto.
Critics quickly got wind of Dave's progress and made efforts to squash him. One group who seeks to move along the "worst" during the voting process chose Dave.
"...Never mind that a professional recording artist who was once signed to a major record label was allowed in the same contest with people who've never even been on stage. Such glaring unfairness is a plus. If Dave was annoying with his three brothers, he should be at least four times as annoying as a solo artist. Let us all pool our votes behind Dave Moffatt. Are you with me?!"
Episodes two and three showed auditions from Eastern and Central Canada. But episode 4 showed the 186 contestants in Toronto during the 4 day "idol bootcamp," trickling down to 100. Eliminations were fast and brutal. Groups of a dozen lined up and each person got to sing briefly acapella. Dave made it through the first cuts singing Why God, Why?
Grouped off into 3s and 4s, they had to choose from a list of songs, and perform the next day with any choreography and arrangements they can come up with. Dave got "sidetracked" and didn't meet with his group when he said he would. The episode features an amusing segment of Dave walking down the hall trying to find them. The lack of practice showed. 
During a sucky groups montage, Dave's quartet was first to be featured. One of the judges accurately described You Really Got A Hold On Me, as a trainwreck. Yet Dave managed to make it through to the next round.
Episode 5 has the remaining 91 eliminated down to the top 32. Contestants were paired off, and arranging acapella duets. Dave and Bobbi Smith sang a beautiful rendition of From This Moment. A later clip reveals Dave describing it as it being "...pretty much sex on stage." Yet again Dave wasn't cut.
The next challenge had them solo again, learning a new song in one day. Dave isn't shown, so there's really not much to be said. Next we see the over dramatized announcement of who's going home. 
Separated into 3 rooms, each group finds out if they're one of the two that will make it. Dave stands in the back with a smug knowing grin as the judge announces they've made it into the top 32.
With Dave safely in the top 32, he becomes featured on the Canadian Idol website with a full length bio. Dave reflects on this experience. "This competition has made me a stronger person. I have more faith in myself and my talent now."
With the remaining 32 idol hopefuls split into 4 groups of 8, each week shows two moving on to the top 10. Episode 8 features Dave in group 2. They start the show with Dave, and show his promo video with an interview and footage from earlier in the competition. The make or break moment had arrived, and Dave looked nervous. He took the stage and sings Stevie Wonder's Overjoyed. The strained and off-key performance was unimpressive to the judges. All four of them dished out criticism. The last one sums it up with "Bye, Dave." The outlook wasn't hopeful.
During Wednesday's results show. The live June 22nd, 2005 broadcast was set to reveal Dave's fate. But the 30 minute show had to be filled with other stuff as 
well. It shows summaries and a trip the group took to the amusement park. At the end of the show, the host sums up Dave's performance and criticism from the judges and reveals that Dave has not made it. That's it for Dave. He didn't appear in the wildcard show. Dave made it to the top 32, but was eliminated before the top 10.
Biography
Links:
Articles:
There's life after Canadian Idol
Gay Canadian Idol Dave Moffatt is trying it solo
Ex-boy band member in 'Canadian Idol'
Trio of 'Tobans survive Idol Cuts
Interviews:
Former child star tries his luck on 'Idol
Reviews:
We'll Be The Judge Of That! - Canadian Idol 3, June 21
Canadian Idol Top 32 Group 2 - "Monkey Loves Mongy"
Pictures:
Interview at the Audition
CTV Bonus Clips
Canadian Idol, Episodes 1, 4, & 5
Canadian Idol, Episodes 8, & 9
Discussion:
Walking Behind Forum
CTV Forum
Canadian Idol