Episode: B+ | Season: A | Genre: Reality Summary: First there was O-Town, then Da Band, and now Diddy is at it again with this season of Making the Band 3. Ladies and Gentlemen we have a band! Sean "Diddy" Combs has announced the winners from the Making the Band 3 competition. If you didn't watch this season, you missed a treat. I must admit this Season of Making the Band 3 was my favorite. After last season's show ended without a band, the show basically started over. They held auditions around the country and chose an entirely new cast, except for three girls who were invited back from the previous season: Aubrey, Aundrea, and Malika. Once again, the girls were moved into a New York apartment. Only this time, they were not in the lap of luxury. The apartment had been remolded and looked more like army barracks than the Diddy inspired creations of past episodes. Nevertheless, the girls worked very hard, Diddy even made them run 5 miles and then treated there aching muscles with a little dance rehearsal at the Alvin Ailey Dance studio. Throughout the season, we have met some very dedicated and talented girls; some we loved and some we hated, but many who we simply admired.

For the season finale, Diddy pulled an old trick from his bag and sent the girls home on a three-month hiatus. When they returned, their first task was a photo shoot in which the legendary Naomi Campbell came to assist the girls with their modeling. Then Diddy interviewed the eleven remaining girls on an individual basis. He asks what they did over the break. Most said they took voice and dance lessons and honed their skills. However, one sometimes eccentric girl, Taquita, complained about how hard she worked over the break. No, not singing and dancing, but working a minimum wage job at $6.00/hour. Diddy looked at her and said, "So...you had a rough time over the break?" Hello this is competition; you cannot go into an interview with a judge complaining about having to work, no matter the situation.

The second test of the night was a radio interview with New York's Hot 97, Ms. Jones. She was giving them a hard interview. She talked about what they were wearing and bombarded them with questions that threw them off. In an unexpected confession, Dawn quickly turned the tables. Unfortunately, Dawn was in New Orleans when Hurricane Katrina hit and lost everything. Thankfully, her family survived. Dawn was an inspiration, because she was there smiling and ready to make the band, despite her recent tragedies. Go Dawn!

To assist the evaluations of the girls, Diddy asks them to perform in groups of five. He was constantly rotating the lead and different people in and out of the groups. He was trying to get a feel for which girls look good together, and what overall look he was going for. In this task, Aundrea struggled a little; Diddy wasn't seeing what he expected from her. It could have been fatigue or nervousness, but she was a little shaky and Diddy seemed disappointed. After this the girls had their "last supper," they all sat together and talked. Aubrey and Aundrea had a cry fest because they have become such good friends over the course of this show and wanted so desperately to be in the same group together. I believe kudos was in order because they have gone through not one, but two seasons of competition and they were still standing.

As the judges; Diddy, Laurie-Ann Gibson (Choreographer), Johnny Wright (Talent Manager), Doc Holiday (Vocal Coach), and Phil Robinson (Talent Manager); debated the merits of each girl as the audience waited in anticipation. We cheered and hoped for our favorites. We all had in mind our perfect band combo, but even if your favorites didn't make the band, you can't really be mad at the girls that were chosen. These last eleven girls were very talented and very worthy.

The show ends with a broadcast from MTV in Times Square. After duping us like a bad episode of Punk'd the first time around, I am happy to say the wait is over. Are you ready? Drum roll, please...the currently, unnamed band will consist of 5 girls: Aubrey, Aundrea, Wanita, Shannon, and Dawn. The girls performed together, and the crowd went wild. Now we must all wait in anticipation to see if they will become superstars or McDonald workers. The talent on this show has set the bar a little higher for those who will follow. I, for one, can't wait for next season.

Making the Band is as good as reality shows go. Diddy put together an all-star cast to help the girls become stars. They took the time to find the best of the best, and it shows. This was by far the best season of Making the Band yet, but you must stay tuned to hear how it all ends.