Uncategorized | 10:17 pm | December 6, 2010 | By Susannah Albert-Chandhok

Whiffs advance in ‘Sing-Off,’ get compliments from a Pussycat Doll

The Whiffenpoofs have the music in them. Yale’s historic ensemble impressed the judges and made it to the next round on NBC’s a cappella competition “The Sing-Off.”

The Whiffenpoofs and the nine other competing a cappella groups from around the country sang “I’ve Got the Music in Me,” by The Kiki Dee Band for the opening number of the show’s season premiere Monday night. The Whiffenpoofs donned their traditional tuxes and white gloves.

For their solo piece, the Whiffenpoofs sang “Grace Kelly” by Mika. The judges — Ben Folds, Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls and Shawn Stockman of Boys II Men — commended their performance.

After commenting that the group looked like “little Whiffenpoof penguins,” Scherzinger said: “[The performance] worked and it was brilliant.” Stockman called The Whiffenpoofs “off the hook,” and Folds told soloist, Brennan Caldwell ’11, that his singing was “sassy.”

“Somewhere out there, George W. Bush is smiling,” host Nick Lachey added.

The other a cappella groups sang songs such as “Baby,” by Justin Bieber and “Bad Romance,” by Lady Gaga.

The winning group will receive $100,000 and a contract with Sony Records.

UPDATE: Tuesday 11:27 a.m.

Now, with video!

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