Television Ate My Brain

American Idol S9 Top 1: Billboard's Top 100 Number Ones

2010-03-23T21:08:00.000-05:00

Apparently the announced theme was either A: flat out wrong, or B: changed due to their realizing how stupid that theme would be.

Either way, this is a big improvement, and should give the contestants more interesting songs to choose from.

Click below for the full post.

Stupid judge banter. Yawn. Do we really need the judges to tell us why not singing badly is important? Waste. Of. Time.

What?! The mentor is Miley Cyrus? Uh, weird. Not that I think Miley is untalented, but is she the best mentor they could come up with?! Was Justin Bieber busy this week? Maybe next week, huh?

The idols pretend to be excited to have her as a mentor. Well, maybe the young ones aren't pretending.

Lee Dewyze is singing The Letter by The Boxtops. A great song though my favorite version of this song is the Joe Cocker version. I think this will fit Lee's growly voice perfectly. Miley asks Lee not to tell anyone that she is really Hannah Montana. No, just kidding, but that would have rocked. I really like his version. He uses an onstage brass band with background singers. The singers do him no favors, but it looks cool. Lee looks more comfortable on stage this week. I like this from him. Great start! Judges liked it except for Simon. Simon slams him for not being contemporary enough. I actually think he did a fine job.

Paige is singing Against All Odds by Phil Collins. Miley warns her not to be pitchy. She obviously doesn't like listening to Miley's advice, because Paige is HORRENDOUS. I hate the little whammy bar thing she does to scoop around to the notes. There are a few moments that don't suck, but I shouldn't give so much credit to the moments of silence. The judges are brutally honest and rip her. I worry that the judges are so mean to her that viewers vote for her out of pity. She needs to go home. Please?

Tim Urban is singing Queen's A Crazy Little Thing Called Love. Miley tells him to push the boundaries a bit. Last week he made the Stones reggae, and this week he changes nothing of the arrangement from the original. It's forgettable and boring. Karaoke Hell. Pass. I am sure the judges will rip him too. The judges hate it. I hate that Tim Urban might let Paige stay another week.

Aaron Kelly has laryngitis, tonsillitis, and a crush on Miley. He sings I Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith. Call me a teenage girl, but Aaron has a really good voice. Even sick, he shows that he deserves to be here. I do not think he will break the top 4, but he will hang around for quite awhile. Judges are obviously fans too.

Crystal Bowersox is singing Me and Bobby McGee. We all knew it was only a matter of time before Crystal sang a Janis Joplin song. I guess now is as good a time as ever. It's a great song that should obviously suit her voice. Crystal asks Miley to sign her guitar. I hope she used pencil... She is singing on a carpet. The beginning of the song actually seems a bit directionless and fluffy. As the song continues, she gets better. Second half was great; beginning was meh. Mixed bag, but obviously Crystal will be around! Judges love it! Obviously, she's great, but I think I need to listen again.

Big Mike is singing When a Man Loves a Woman. This song may not make him contemporary, but it will be a good choice for his voice. There are no surprises in the song, but Big Mike sings it well. He has a nice tone to his voice that he uses well this week. Not super, but really good. Judges like him though warn him about doing too much.

Andrew is singing Straight Up. No, wait, he is singing I Heard It through the Grapevine. Miley actually advises Andrew to lose the guitar. He takes the advice. The performance is a bit jumpy, but I think Andrew really tries to make the song more contemporary, and he sings with more confidence and energy than he has shown thus far. The vocals weren't great, but he was not near the worst of the night. The judges were not kind. Kara gives confusing advice by telling him that Straight Up is haunting him and to move beyond it but also tells him to revisit it to see what was good about it. I think when you look at Tim and Paige, Andrew should be safe.

Katie sings Fergie's Big Girls Don't Cry. I am not a Katie fan at all, but this is probably a good song choice for her. It's young and current. I still don't like her. There's something about her voice that I don't like. I can't articulate it, but I don't dig it. It's not awful, but it's off. Judges, overall, are kind.

Gordon Ramsey is in the house! I wish he would call some of the contestants donkeys!

Casey James sings Power of Love by Huey Lewis and the News. This is my favorite performance of Casey's yet. His vocals are tight and I dig the arrangement. It may not be the most challenging song to sing, but he was confident and looked like he was having fun! Also, there were some tasty guitar licks thrown in for good measure. I liked this a lot! The judges are generally complimentary with Simon accusing him of performing an old fashioned Huey Lewis sound-alike. I actually disagree with Simon on this point. This was not an identical version to the original.

Didi Benami takes on You're No Good by Linda Ronstadt. Again, I may be alone, but I like Didi's voice as odd as it may be. The arrangement had a strange feel, but it was interesting. Judges didn't like it at all. Who's going home tonight? So many choices!

Siobhan closes the show with Superstition by Stevie Wonder. By the way, I am not from New England, but I love it when people use the word, Wicked. It's wicked cool when people do that. How many keyboardists does it take to accompany Siobhan? Obviously, two. Her voice is good on this, but this is not my favorite performance from her. It's great karaoke, but it's still karaoke. She does scat and scream towards the end. Bonus points for the scat; minus points for giving in to the urge to having to scream in every song. Judges liked it tons.

It's easy to see who's staying (Crystal, Casey, Siobahn, Aaron, Lee, and Big Mike), but it's anyone's guess who is going home. I thought the worse performance was Paige's, but she has some real competition for going home.

Thoughts?

American Idol S9 Top 11 Theme Announced: It's Lame!

2010-03-18T18:37:00.000-05:00

Ugh! The new theme for next week has been announced, and I am not looking forward to it at all!

Click on the link below to see the big reveal!

TEEN IDOL WEEK!

Yes, you read me right: TEEN FRICKIN' IDOL WEEK!

I guess they wanted to throw a bone to the younger singers in the competition.

The question is: how large of an umbrella will this create? Are these teem idols from any point in history? If so, are they limited to songs that these artists sang when they were teens? For example, Michael Jackson could be considered a teen idol. Are only his songs that were popular when he was a teen eligible to be sung or ANY MJ song?

iTunes should be releasing the lists they have to pick from. I'll post them when I find them.

The only thing I am looking forward to is if some contestants take some serious liberties with the songs and make them better.

What are your thoughts on the new theme?

Are you as scared as I am?

American Idol S9 Top 12 Results

2010-03-17T22:44:00.001-05:00

Who goes home? So many worthy singers to get booted, only one death slot available...

I hate how the producers feel the need to have Ryan and Simon continue to pretend to be scorned lovers. It comes across as desperate and not the entertaining brand either. Find some better schtick.

Judge's save is still in effect. They can save the person voted off IF they are in agreement. Let's hope they don't use it this season.

David Cook takes on Jumping Jack Flash and shows how weak this season's group is.

Ford Video is not as cheesy as I would like. No chance for the group to show off their personalities. Hard to do, I guess, when you don't have much to work with. Ouch.

They got to design their own paint jobs. Cool stuff. Maybe some of them will find career opportunities when they get booted off Idol.

Paige is in the bottom three. Yay! Is it wrong for me to cheer someone else's misfortune? Schadenfreude is in full effect!

Lee is safe. I hope he can develop a stage presence, because he has a good voice.

Siobhan is being labeled as this year's Adam Lambert. Dangerous business that. She has the drama and the unique factor but not quite the chops... She is safe though. Duh.

Aaron Kelley is safe. I'm glad that grandmas know how to use the phone. He has a good voice and should be around for five or six more weeks.

Andrew is safe, and Tim is in the bottom three. I TOTALLY miscalculated the teeny bopper vote. Though Tim should be a lock to go home, I truly thought he wouldn't be in the bottom three due to the X factor. And in this case the X factor is that teenage girls would ADORE him. I guess I should give today's youth more credit than I have.

Orianthi is introduced as a pioneer in rock. A pioneer, really? She seems to be an awesome guitarist, but the song (and her voice) was mediocre at best.

Didi is safe. Good. I like her.

Crystal is safe as is expected.

Katie is given conflicting opinions about what style she should sing and then is told she is safe. I don't understand why. Am I alone in not liking her at all?

Big Mike is safe. No surprise here.

Casey and Lacey are next up. Lacey is in the bottom three. Casey is safe. That's about right.

Paige, Tim, and Lacey are in the bottom three. If they could get rid of all three this week, that would make the show SO much better.

If the judges use their save to save any of these, I will forever swear off this show.

Well...

Of course I wouldn't, but still, I would gripe TONS!

Tim is safe. He lives to torture another song and another audience next week.

I am fine with either of the girls going home.

Ke$ha sings next. She seems like a lame knock off of Lady Gaga. She did have two of the whitest (read lamest) rappers I've seen in a long time. I thought the dancing televisions were cool though.

Apparently, the girls are roommates. One goes home; the other can take endless showers.

Lacey is going home. Paige lives to be inconsistent another day.

Lacey gets to sing for her American Idol life. Thankfully, the unliked contestant can sing a song of their choice. It is painful to hear someone sing the same song that got them voted off.

The death video plays. and Lacey cries. Katie also cries, because she knows she should be the one who is going home.

TiVo cuts off, so I don't hear what the theme for next week is. Anyone catch it? I'd like to know what singer (or genre) will have their songs slaughtered next week.

One down; eleven more to go.

More later.

American Idol S9 Top 12: Rolling Stones

2010-03-16T19:15:00.005-05:00

Okay, I am back. I have been following the whole season to date but have been holding out on posting until the muse hit me.

To be honest, I am not entirely enthused by this year's crop. There are some different types of voice this year, which is a good thing, but I don't know if any of them are going to "stick."

But I am willing to give them all the benefit of the doubt and see how it goes.

Tonight is Rolling Stones night! This night favors Bowersox and Lee, but there should be some interesting songs to go around.

I am scared for how the young ones will do. That could be scary.

Bonus points to anyone who sings Angie well. Love that song.

I said this before; I'll say it again. I HATE the judges walking out on stage at the beginning... Pointless.

Rolling Stones montage reminds the kids at home what they will be listening to. This montage begs the ultimate question: Did Kieth Richards EVER look young?

First up is Michael Lynche (Big Mike) with Miss You. I know he is trying to play to his strengths by making the song more soul-sy, but I don't like the arrangement. His voice is okay on this, but I am not doing cartwheels. He will not go home on this, but he didn't do himself any favors.

Judges disagree with me entirely which does not bode well for the rest of the night. If they were praising this, we might be going downhill from here. The worst complaint (from Simon) was about his dancing.

Ryan gets in Simon's face. I'm hoping for a full-on man kiss! Nope. Just the usual pre-planned banter.

Next is Didi Benami with Play with Fire. This is a more emotional take on it. She seems to connect with the song, and I like most of it. There are some pitchy parts and one part where I swear she bobbled a lyric. Interesting arrangement, but the arrangement can't do all of the work. I loved the intensity, but it wasn't the big enchilada. I like Didi, so I hope she hangs around. She interests me. The judges like it.

Casey James takes on It's All Over Now. Casey paints the song with paint from his Blues-Rock bucket. Not bad; not great. Vocals aren't overly impressive here. It seems like the song is not a very difficult song to sing. He doesn't show much range or difficulty. Yes, he can play a mean guitar while singing, but I wanted more. Judges (minus Simon) loved it. Simon agrees with me. Casey will have a career, but I don't like his chances as AI winner.

Lacey Brown sings Ruby Tuesday. Her voice sounds fragile, but that's actually the quirky quality I like about Lacey's voice. Don't like the sped up "Still I'm going to miss you" lyric. Pitchy towards the end. Arrangement was odd. Five-sixths Stones, one-sixth not. Mish mash. Meh. Meh in the middle could spell trouble. Judges are mixed but generally nonplussed.

Andrew Garcia is up with Gimme Shelter. This is one of my favorite Stones songs. Don't screw it up, Andrew. A straight forward performance. Standing with a mic and singing. Very karaoke-ish. The problem with Andrew is that I don't get that awe factor. He is good but not great. Passable when passable shouldn't be enough. He didn't screw up the song, but he did it no favors either. Judges were mixed. If he doesn't show star power, he will be gone within two weeks.

Katie Stevens performs Wild Horses. Katie sanitizes the song stripping it down to just a treacly ballad. Bad Kat McPhee impersonation. Didn't love it. Judges were generally much nicer than I was. She does nothing for me.

Tim Urban sings Under My Thumb. He gives the song a quirky makeover with a more acoustic delivery with a slight reggae feel. Almost Jack Johnson-like. The version is interesting but ultimately undermines the original. It almost trivializes it. Vocally not great but not boring. He will be raked over the coals by the judges, I am sure. I was right. Tim handles the criticism well. I don't think America is done with him yet.

Siobhan Magnus takes on Paint it Black. I love the song and am intrigued by what she will do with this. Risky move! She starts the song with a more cabaret-type style before moving into the more recognizable way we are used to. She has some pitch problems. At the end she lets it all out, hitting the high note and sustaining it. I like Siobhan, but it actually sounded like she was screeching the last note. I felt the emotional connection, but it bordered on ridiculous. You could tell that she wants to be this season's Adam Lambert. I don't know how long I will feel this way, but she interests me, and I want her to hang around for awhile. She stands out. Judges agree, but no one wants to mention the screech.

Lee DeWyze is next with Beast of Burden. I love the growl of his voice. His take reminds me of John Cougar (Mellencamp, if you're nasty!). He does some interesting things with some of the lyrics, making it his own. The only problem is that he still looks mildly uncomfortable with being on the stage. Still, I really dug this. You can tell that the judges really want him to do well. I do too.

Paige Miles sings Honky Tonk Woman. Last week she butchered Smile, so she better do better this week. Karaoke rendition that I want to stop as soon as it starts. She tries to inject a little country, but I wish she'd inject some lethal dose of poison that would make the torture stop. I don't like her vibrato or tone. I hope the judges bury her. Apparently, she has had voice issues, so maybe I will give her a pass. Judges are nicer than I would have been. Maybe I'm still bitter over how she stayed while Lily Scott went home.

Aaron Kelly stays up past his bedtime to sing Angie. Aaron is going to sing Angie? Really? I doubt he has the emotional depth to pull this off. This could be rocky, but I hope he does the song justice. He comes in early on the piano intro (though no one will probably notice), Honestly he does a nice job. He maintains the tone of the song with a nice intensity. He sings in tune. He doesn't overcomplicate the arrangement. Though I'm not an Aaron Kelly fan necessarily, I thought he did a great job! Judges are likewise complimentary.

Crystal Bowersox will close it out with You Can't Always Get What You Want. Wow, I love her voice. I don't think this is the best she has done, but she shows that she knows how to work a song and make it her own. Randy steals my words. Judges are complimentary but warn her about having more fun on stage.

My guesses follow:

Safe:
Crystal
Siobhan
Aaron
Lee
Michael
Didi
Tim

In Danger:
Paige
Andrew
Lacey
Katie
Casey

Your thoughts?

American Idol--Top 4--Rock on!

2009-05-05T19:43:00.003-05:00

Matt G. and his third eye are gone. I liked ya, Matt, truly I did. But this competition was not for you. Best of luck.

I am glad that tonight's theme is rock, but I don't get Slash being mentor at all. Yes, he can rock, but what kind of helpful input can he really give? Really?

Contestants are performing duets? Hmm... The part of me that doesn't like its cheese moved, hates this. But part of me is intrigued. I guess I'll see how this plays out.

I do like the contestants rehearsing with a full band instead of just the piano.
Adam Lambert--"Whole Lotta Love"--Led Zeppelin
Adam got clearance for Led Zeppelin?! That is huge! Led Zeppelin is known for how stingy they are with the rights to their songs. This should be good. Adam's voice should be perfect for this. Overall, great job! I think it was a KO. He showed his range and his power. It wasn't as grungy and dirty as I would have liked it, but it was still great. Way to kick it off. Adam rocks! Judges love it.

Allison Iraheta--"Crybaby"--Janis Joplin
Allison's hair looks much better now. Janis should fit her voice well. I like this performance for Allison. She seems in the pocket for most of the song. I don't know if this is going to be the vote-generator she needs, but I thought it was good. Judges were mixed, thinking she was too copycat in her performance.

Kris and Danny--"Renegade"--Styx
I was hesitant to hear the duets, but I really like hearing Chris and Danny sing together. The harmony part at the beginning sounded VERY nice. Overall, nice job!

Kris Allen--"Come Together"--Beatles
Overall, I was pleased with this performance. There were some moments when he got swallowed by the band (volume-wise and energy-wise), but this was a competent, confident performance. Judges are mixed, leaning more to negative.

Danny Gokey--"Dream On"--Aerosmith
Tough song! I think he pulls most of it off, but there are moments that came across as karaoke. The scream at the end did not do it for me either. Not bad but not my favorite. Judges applaud the effort but are iffy on the vocals.

Adam and Allison--"Slow Ride"--Foghat
This was just okay for me. I thought they didn't bring anything extraordinary to the song. They sang it well (Adam was better), but I thought the arrangement was pretty basic. Judges liked it more than I did.

My fave of the night was Adam. I think Kris or Allison is in trouble

American Idol--Top 5--American Standards

2009-04-28T20:00:00.004-05:00

Okay, so now we are without Anoop and Lil.

I have no idea what tonight's theme is, so I have no idea who has a leg up tonight, though I am sure that Danny, Adam, and Kris will be safe.

Standards? Hmm... I am curious as to how the whole originality vs. butchering a classic song debate will go tonight. This could be a weird one.

Seems like it's songs from the rat pack. I love me some Dean Martin.

Jamie Foxx is the mentor? Interesting!

Kris Allen--"The Way You Look Tonight"
Jamie gives great kudos to Kris before he sings. I like the first half more than the second half (the faster part), but I still think it was a great job. He connects so well to the song. I hope he gets the votes, because I like him. The judges rave, and you can tell they are trying to make this a three-horse race.

Allison Iraheta--"Someone to Watch over Me"
Newly seventeen, Allison tries to tap into an experience base that she's not familiar with. She does a very nice job with it. I am not doing backflips, but it was very nice. Judges are mainly VERY positive. Simon thinks she's in trouble.

Matt Giraud--"My Family Valentine"
Hard song to sing. Nice job, but again: no backflips. It's hard to judge at this point in the competition. No one is making any huge blunders. Judges are mixed. Paula and Simon like it.

Danny Gokey--"Come Rain or Come Shine"
I think Danny's voice is perfect for this song. The smokiness of his tone fits this well. I have been waiting for one of these performances from Danny for a while. This one is a keeper. Great job! My fave of the night so far. Judges are all on board.

Adam Lambert--"Felling Good"
Pure concert performance. He puts on a wonderful performance every time out. His singing chops are unparalleled on the show. I thought Danny's might have been better overall, but Adam cannot be denied. Judges gush.

My faves of the night were Danny, Adam, and Kris. Allison and Matt weren't bad, but not up to the other three.

I have no idea who's going home.

American Idol--Top 7--Disco Night

2009-04-21T19:08:00.003-05:00

Ugh. Disco night. This is usually one of me least favorite night of every season. The only performance I actually remember from the past was Bo singing "Vehicle" which is not really a disco song.

I actually think that Lil will do fine tonight. But I think Anoop and Matt will suffer. Adam will rule tonight. That's my prediction

Lil Rounds--"I'm Every Woman"--Chaka Khan
Not pure karaoke (she changes it "a little"), but it's close, and it is a bit pitchy and muddy at places. I thought she would do better. After this week, Allison could be every woman on the show. The judges throw her under the bus.

Kris Allen--"She Works Hard for the Money"--Donna Summer
When the judges talk about making a song suit you, this is what they are talking about. Would Kris ever make a song that sounded like disco? No, but he would put out this song, and it screams Kris. Not the best vocal showcase, but it was solid and true to his style. Loved it! He is turning in to my favorite. Judges love it!

Danny Gokey--"September"--Earth, Wind, and Fire
I was worried that this song wouldn't fit his voice, but I like this. Cool arrangement. Part karaoke with some original twists. It fits his voice nicely. Nice job! Judges are very complimentary.

Allison Iraheta--"Hot Stuff"--Donna Summer
Rock arrangement sounds a bit hokier than I would like, but this fits her voice much better than I thought disco would. She is able to show off her voice at parts, so I think it's well done. Not as good as Kris or Danny but solid. Memorable? Dunno. Judges praise her--not the song.

Adam Lambert--"If I Can't Have You"--Yvonne Elliman
This is a bit more risky of an arrangement. Adam has stripped down the song getting rid of the signature background. He just focuses on the melody and the lyrics. He also slows it down to the point of not being able to recognizing it. He definitely made it his own. Vocals were spot on. It was well sung, well performed, but a little boring. Not the home run I was expecting, but his vocals will keep him for a long, long time. Paula has a breakdown. Judges thought it was the home run I was expecting.
Matt Giraud--"Staying Alive"--Bee Gees
More of the uptempo karaoke, but Matt reworks the vocals showing his best JT vibe. I didn't think his falsetto was in the pocket, but it was energetic and confident. Enough to stay another week? Dunno. Judges are mixed leaning towards positive.
Anoop Desai--"Dim the Lights"--Donna Summer
Decent vocals (pitchy in places), solid performance, but (and this is a big but) this is exactly what we expect from Anoop. He always meets expectations but never exceeds them. With so many exciting performers, Anoop might be out of his league. He is just too milquetoast to stand out. The judges whose names don't start with S liked it while Simon didn't.

My faves of the night were Kris and Adam. The rest ranged from really good to really bad.

Overall, Disco Night was better than I had feared.

American Idol--Top 7--Movie Songs

2009-04-14T19:09:00.002-05:00

This is a VERY wide open theme. If the list of songs was lengthy, they should have no excuse picking the wrong song. I'm looking at you, Lil.

The theme is to pick a song from a movie. That's pretty easy. I just pray that Lil stays away from Whitney. Please?

Quentin Tarantino is the mentor, and, no, it doesn't make much sense, but Quentin makes me laugh. No, he is not a singer nor a songwriter, but if you've ever listened to the soundtracks of his films, you know he knows music. I am a big Tarantino fan, so this could be a treat. The great thing about Quentin (based on his AI appearance years back) is that he speaks his mind. He actually panned Diana D. years ago, if I recall right. Plus, I met him once at a hotel in Austin which is tres' cool. (I was too starstruck to say anything other than hi.)

Could be fun!

Band is down on stage tonight. Will it make a difference?

To prevent the show running over like last week's debacle, only two judges will be taking each time? That's pretty ridiculous and not fair. Ugh!

Allison Iraheta--"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing"--Aerosmith
I'm STILL sick of this song. I was sick of it the millions of times I heard it when it came out, and I'm still sick of it. I hope she puts her own spin on it. Quentin listening to Allison while sitting in a chair swooning to her is borderline creepy, borderline genius. Being honest, I was bored at the beginning. By the end she kicked into gear, but I didn't feel a natural build. She still sang it incredibly well, but I just felt this wasn't as polished as it could have been. Judges praise her, but I think they liked it more than I did.

Anoop Desai--"Everything I Do, I Do It for You"--Bryan Adams
I am really disliking the song choices tonight. They are predictable and ordinary. No one is taking a risk tonight or picking a song that isn't already in the AI songbook. Quentin tries to up Anoop's vocal energy (which is lacking). Let's see if it pays off. I don't think he packs as much punch as he could have performance-wise, but the vocals are spot on. This may be the best Anoop has sounded in the competition. Not the most exciting song, but it was well done. Anoop, man, the only thing is that you need to do something about your upper lip sweat. It's a tad distracting.

Adam Lambert--"Born to Be Wild"--Steppenwolf
I don't think this is the most challenging song, but I am sure Adam will make it his own. Tonight he is Bizarro-Elvis. Parts bordered on cheesy, but overall, this was still a showcase of what Adam is all about. Full out commitment and in-your-face vocals. Some will not like this, but I think this shows what you can expect from him. Solid, solid stuff. I don't think you would hear this version on the radio, but it had some really cool moments. No matter what happens, this guy is a star. No doubt.

Matt Giraud--"Have You Really Loved a Woman"--Bryan Adams
Again with the Bryan Adams?! Really?! Double ugh! How many times can someone sing "Really" before I get sick? This many minus one. The performance itself was okay. I think his falsetto got away from him at points and it seemed to derail him. The beginning was much stronger than the end. I like Matt, so I hope this isn't it for him. Judges were not really on board.

Danny Gokey--"Endless Love"--Lionel Richie
Okay, they should have just titled this show "Sappy Love Songs that Monte Hates." Yawn! I hope Danny makes this interesting. The performance is subtle and well sung. Yes, this song still bores the stuffing out of me, but this is not bad. I still haven't got the goosebumps I used to from Danny, but I know he will bring it soon. I hope he brings it soon. Judges were complimentary but not over-the-top so.

Kris Allen--"Falling Slowly"--Glen Hansard
Finally a song I really like. Yes, it's a sappy love song, but this one's really great (and not sung over and over and over). It won the Academy Award for best song a year ago. Loved it. Really, I did. Subtle at points, but I felt a connection, and I didn't want it to end. My favorite performance of the night so far. Randy thought it was pitchy, but Kara thought it was one of his best performances. Obviously, I agree with Kara.

Lil Rounds--"The Rose"--Bette Midler
That's it. I'm done with Lil. Every week she sings songs that she might sing at a wedding, and it continues tonight. Unless she blows me away with her vocals, I am forever off the Lil Rounds love train. The first half is good karaoke, but the second half is really nice and interesting. Still mixed for me. I don't think it's enough to pull her back into contention. This wasn't a game-changer. Lil gets angry with Simon's criticism and strikes back. We'll see how this plays in Peoria.

Overall, I was bored by much of the night.

My favorites were Kris, Anoop, and Adam.

The least favorites were the rest.

The choice as to who goes home is confusing. We are down now to who has the least active fan base. I don't think anyone made enough of a splash to motivate non-fans to pick up the phone and expand their core group. I think a girl is in trouble.

American Idol--Top 8--Birthday Songs

2009-04-07T19:07:00.002-05:00

Yay! Megan Joy is gone! No more crow impersonations. (I can hope!)

This week the contestants must pick songs from the year they were born. This means that Allison should picking a song from, like, yesterday. I wish we had some contestants that go back far enough to hit the 70s, but, alas, it looks like we're in store for a lot of 80s music. Could be interesting.

Whoa! The scary bald guy from Fringe is in the audience. THAT is synergy in a very creepy way. I wonder how many people picked up on that?

Judge intros on the stage are gone! Yes! I guess they are reading my blog.

Judge baby photos? Whatev. Paula's "baby picture" is from when she was seven? Same with Simon.

Danny Gokey--"Stand By Me"--Mickey Gilley (originally Ben E. King)
First cheater of the night. Yes, Gilley had a more country version of this song in 1980, but does anyone really think of this as anything but a song that came out in 1961? The cheating aside, this is a great version. He starts off gentle and pure. As the song goes on, he builds in intensity without going over the top. He also does a good job of changing up the song but not making it sacrilege in the process. I would never pick this version over Ben E. King's, but it was a good start. Judges were all positive.

Kris Allen--"All She Wants to Do Is Dance"--Don Henley
I like the song choice. Crazy arrangement. Kris in pop singer mode tonight as he sings on Idol Island surrounded by the masses of people who have never heard this song before. He actually makes this song modern, and it isn't bad. I don't think, however, that this song really showcases his voice much. No fireworks. Going early and not standing out BIG time is dangerous. I like Kris, so I hope this is enough. Judges were mixed.

Lil Rounds--"What's Love Got to Do with It?"--Tina Turner
Lil keeps picking songs that are sung by huge voices! I like Lil's voice, but she always sets herself up for an unfavorable comparison. She better kill this or this could be the beginning of the end for her. She is actually doing a Tina Turner impersonation. The arrangement is straight from Tina, and the vocalizations seem pretty similar to Tina. Lil can't beat Tina. Sorry. She belongs in this competition, but if she doesn't start making a name for herself, she won't belong much longer. She has no one to blame but herself. The judges have been telling her the same criticism since the Top 13 began. The judges call her on it and roundly criticize her. I am tired of her saying every week that she will listen to the judges and change if America brings her back. We've given you chances; start taking advantage of them! In danger.

Anoop Desai--"True Colors"--Cyndi Lauper
I've always loved this song. Let's hope Anoop pulls it off. Ryan calls on him, pre-song, on his rudeness to Kara last week. I actually like that he apologizes for it without making excuses. As for the song, it was pretty smooth and well done--parts actually gave me chills. My problem with the performance is basically my problem with Anoop. He has flashes of true talent that make you wonder, "What if?" But most of the performance just seems like a really good performance at a talent show, not a star-making performance on TV's largest talent show. I like Anoop, but I wonder if he's hit his ceiling. Overall, I still like him. This was a better original performance than Lil's. Judges were complimentary.

Scott MacIntyre--"The Search Is Over"--Survivor
He's singing Survivor? Really? He's playing guitar? Really? Scott's lower range is weak. Parts were good, but many parts made me wince in pain. There were some truly horrid notes in this. Did he really just sing, "Love was right before my eyes?" Yes, he took a chance, but I don't think it paid off. More daring than what Lil did, but the results were pretty bad. Judges were mixed from mediocre to poor. In danger.

Allison Iraheta--"I Can't Make You Love Me"--Bonnie Raitt
This song could be really good if she doesn't karaoke it. Too karaoke for my tastes (faithful to the original), but man, she can sing. It was truly beautiful. She does sound like she could record today. Best vocals of the night. So far. Judges love the singing, but Simon wants her to be more likable.

Matt Giraud--"Part-Time Lover"--Stevie Wonder
No piano this week. He's trying to mix it up. Excellent vocals (though I don't know if his high note made it high enough). He made it his own a bit, so it was good. He had a bit of swagger, too. Should be enough for another week. Judges liked it.

Okay, here's my major gripe of the night. This show has been on the air for many years. They should have by now figured out how to get the entire show into the time slot planned for it. I know live shows can be unwieldy, but this is ridiculous. Most people in America who are recording this on their DVRs or, heaven forbid, their VCRs NEVER got to see Adam Lambert. If I hadn't already set my TiVo to tape Fringe (good show) than I would be out of luck. I know there's no way that Adam would be the bottom vote getter, but if he was, this would NOT be fair. Sheesh!

Adam Lambert--"Mad World"--Gary Jules (originally by Tears for Fears)
This is one of my favorite depressing songs of all time! I am so stoked to hear this! The beginning is faithful to the Gary Jules version (the better version, the one from Donnie Darko), but then at the halfway mark, he totally makes it his own. Genius. Seriously. This might be my favorite performance of his yet. Maybe my favorite performance from any performer this year! Easily the best of the night. Man, is this guy good! Adam is an artist.

My favorites were Adam, Allison, Danny, and Matt.

My least favorites were Lil and Scott.

The rest were in the middle.

The choice as to who goes home is tricky though.

American Idol--Top 9--iPod Hits

2009-03-31T18:54:00.004-05:00

Michael Sarver's gone, but there are still a few pieces of deadwood that need to be eradicated.

This week's theme is pretty wide open (popular iPod downloads), so this should benefit them. This will go a long way in showing which of the singers are relevant to today's music trends.

I'm a little stoked.

The judge introductions are still pathetic

No mentors tonight (save the vocal coaches). That could make this a bit scary.

Anoop Desai--"Caught Up"--Usher
At the beginning this seemed like Usher Lite, but as it went on, I actually dug it a little. He put on a good performance, and in spots, the vocals were strong. Going first is a tough, tough position, but this could be good enough. Judges are mixed, thinking he wasn't original enough and not taking enough of a chance. I actually didn't think he was that bad.

Megan Joy (Corkrey)--"Turn Your Lights Down Low"--Bob Marley/Lauryn Hill
I remember the days when Megan's quirky singing didn't bug the tar out of me. Those days are long gone. If she were quirky and consistently good, I might be a fan, but I think she's inconsistent and one-note. The inflections on this don't work for me. Her arrangement was repetitive and boring. Pass. I didn't care for it, no sirree. Kudos to the fan for yelling "Broken record!" after Kara's "not the right song choice" shpiel. BUT if Megan would listen to the criticism about song choice, she wouldn't hear it all the time. Paula is on some strong stuff tonight. She seems to wax philosophic at every turn, refusing to get to the point.

Danny Gokey--"What Hurts the Most"--Rascal Flatts
Going country, huh? I really like this song. He sings it well. A lot of emotional connection to the song and some nice moments. It still, however, doesn't send me into outer space. I think my expectations are too high with Danny. It was really good, not great. He could have a hit with this style of song though. Judges thought it was incredible. Maybe I'm too hard on him. He's still my pick to win it all.

Allison Iraheta--"Don't Speak"--No Doubt
She sings with so much power and depth for a sixteen-year-old, it's crazy. I think, though, that this was a bit karaoke. There wasn't a lot of creativity here. Just seemed dialed in and a bit over-the-top. It was her worst performance of the Top 13, but it's good enough to stay. Judges were mixed but united in their dislike of the outfit.

Scott MacIntyre--"Just the Way You Are"--Billy Joel
Just Scott and the piano singing Billy Joel? If he can't knock this out of the park, he should go home now. I don't like the hairdo; he looks like Eraserhead. I'd make a crack about him checking the mirror, but I realize that that's in bad taste. As for the performance, this is clearly his best yet. Just when I thought this was too faithful to the original, he did some things that were creative and good. This is the best I've heard him sound. I don't think it was perfect, but if I hadn't seen him sing the previous weeks, I could understand why he was still here. Good time to pick this type of performance. His laugh and smile are creepy though.

Matt Giraud--"You Found Me"--The Fray
Weird set up. He's on an electric piano amidst a crowd of audience members. Not a pitch-perfect rendition, but it was good. It seemed a bit too faithful to the original and not really attention-getting. It was passable. When you are in the bottom two the week before, passable may not be enough. His third eye didn't bother me as much this week. I really want him to stick around though. Judges were most unkind.

Lil Rounds--"I Surrender"--Celine Dion
I was a fan of Lil early on, but she hasn't stood out to me here of late. I think one of the reasons is that she picks huge songs and falls short by comparison. This week, she is singing Celine Dion which could be another mistake. Parts were nice, but parts were pitchy. There were parts when I felt she was yelling instead of singing with power. It still didn't set my world on fire. Judges were still down on her song choice.

Adam Lambert--"Play That Funky Music"--Wild Cherry
It looks like this week we will get the over-the-top Adam as opposed to the subdued Adam that was so wonderful last week. Hold on tight. I kind of like him rockin' the pomp. I have said it before, and I will say it again: Adam has the best vocal ability of anyone in this competition. It's an interesting version of the song, and he sings it with abandon. Sometimes when I see Adam, I forget that he is on a televised talent show. He performs. He is unpredictable and fun. He will get a career out of this regardless if he wins. Judges praise him unanimously. Kara though compares the vibe to Studio 57, when she clearly should have said Studio 54. Kara, Kara, Kara.

Kris Allen--"Ain't No Sunshine"--Bill Withers
I am glad that Kris finally gets the last spot. I think he's really good and deserves to last far into this competition. He's singing one of my all time favorite songs. I hope he does it justice. I must say, one word: goosebumps. It started off a bit faithful, but then he truly did make it his own. Excellent job! I will download this one. Guarantee. I love this! The last note was a bit different for me, but that is a small quibble. Maybe this will gain him some momentum. Judges were on board tonight. Good for him!

My favorites were Kris, Adam, and Scott (yes, Scott!).

I didn't care for Megan.

The rest were in the middle.

Does that make the choice of who goes home easy? Don't bet on it!

American Idol--Top 10--Motown

2009-03-25T19:21:00.003-05:00

It's Motown night, and for some reason I feel optimistic about tonight's show.

They are still doing the dreadful judge introductions. That is the easiest announcer job on TV. He reads five names and then goes home to cash his paycheck. Blech.

So Simon is looking for the singers to make the songs original. We'll see.

Smokey Robinson is the mentor, so that should be good.

It is amazing how much plastic surgery Smokey has had. He must have gone to the same guy who took care of Kenny Rogers.

Matt Giraud--"Let's Get It On"--Marvin Gaye
I love this song. I hope it goes well. I think it is great. He does a great job of starting with the piano and then moving to stage performer. A few notes got away from him, but Matt seems to really be in a groove these last couple of weeks. He's entertaining. As far as original, it didn't set the world on fire, but it was truly him. My only complaint was I would have prefered this WITHOUT backup singers. Judges are aboard the Matt love train. I might check out this version on iTunes.

Strangely enough, Simon wants originality, but the version you download on iTunes will be the original instrumental backing. So original is good enough for the show, but not good enough for the downloads? I wonder if this Motown's way of preventing a Middle Eastern version of a song being released. Sorry, Adam!

Kris Allen--"How Sweet It Is"--Marvin Gaye
Another great song! I love me some Marvin Gaye, but I also am rather fond of James Taylor's version of this. Again, I thought this was great. The first half was pretty faithful to the James Taylor version, but the second half was more original. Nice! In my opinion we are two-for-two this evening. It's lame that he hasn't gone later in the show. I hope he gets some votes, because he deserves to stay. Judges are nice to him.

Scott MacIntyre--"You Can't Hurry Love"--Diana Ross and the Supremes
I hope Scott is more energetic this week with his performance as he is starting to bore me. This is his best job since the Top 13. He still has some valleys in his song that bore me, but the vocals were stronger, and he made some interesting choices with the melody. Not as good as the first two. Not a miss by any means though. Judges were mixed. I agree with Simon that I would have much preferred to hear him sing "Reach Out and Touch."

We have to witness some pre-planned schtick where Paula gives Simon some coloring books and crayons. Yawn.

Megan Joy (Corkrey)--"For Once in My Life"--Stevie Wonder
I am actually bracing myself for a mess here. It's actually not the worst thing I've ever heard, but here's the deal. I get the whole strange vocal thing, but she really comes across as someone I would hear on a cruise ship. That cabaret approach is different, but I don't think that quirk is enough to make her great. She's good, yes. Better than good? Nope. Pitchy and inconcistent. Judges are not feeling it.

Anoop Desai--"Ooh Baby Baby"--Smokey Robinson and the Miracles
I'm expecting this to be good. It's not as wonderful as I wanted. It's very competently done. He has a nice falsetto, but I didn't get goosebumps. He seemed behind the beat, and that made it seem sluggish. However, there is nothing awful about it. Judges are positive but cautiously so.

Michael Sarver--"Ain't Too Proud to Beg"--The Temptations
Smokey warns him not to make this too sweet. He sang the song okay, but I don't think he "sang" it well at all. I didn't feel any connection between him and the lyrics. Also, the vocals were weak. Meh. Truly. Judges aren't kind.

Lil Rounds--"Heat Wave"--Martha and the Vandellas
This should be good. Nice job! Honestly I think her lower range is weaker than her high, but she was still in her element. I thought it would be better. Not perfect, but this showed some hints of what she is capable. Judges are more negative than I was.

Adam Lambert--"Tracks of My Tears"--Smokey Robinson
Just Adam and acoustic backing. Wow! He looks like young Elvis (with gauge earrings, natch). And I loved the emotional, minimalist approach. His voice really stand out in this. Great job! I will download this version off of iTunes (though I would rather get THIS arrangement rather than the original instrumentation). He gets a standing O from Smokey and the audience. Someone should tell Kara that "One of the best performances of the night" is eight words, not six. Judges praise him highly and deservedly so.

Danny Gokey--"Get Ready"--The Temptations
I just love the tone of Danny's voice. Again, he's energetic and in the pocket. The build at the end wasn't the best, but this was great. Nice job!

Allison Iraheta--"Papa Was a Rolling Stone"--The Temptations
I love this song. A small lyrical bobble aside, this kicked some major butt. Allison sings with grit and emotion. I will download this one as well. Way to end the show! Judges loved her.

Some obvious weak points tonight, but overall, I really liked this show. Some great songs sung well.The final three seems pretty easy to pick, but the one going home? Who knows?

American Idol--Top 11--Grand Ole Opry

2009-03-18T16:31:00.004-05:00

I was out of town, so this is late. But here it is.

Country night? Eek! I am VERY frightened by this. This could be hideous!

BUT I thought the same last week, and Michael Jackson night was a welcome surprise. So who knows?

I HATE the judge introductions. Can they be more pompous?

Randy Travis is mentor? That could work.
Michael Sarver--"Ain't Going Down 'Til the Sun Comes Up"--Garth Brooks
Lot of words to get through. It sounds authentic country, but it also sounds forced. He really sounds out of breath after each phrase. I felt tired just listening to it. Just okay. Judges were high on the energy, but lower on the vocals.

Allison Iraheta--"Blame It on Your Heart"--Patty Loveless
Allison has really grown on me. I thought this was great. It was confident and well sung. She fit the genre, but still made the song work for her. Judges were overall positive. I am interested to see she sings every week. That's a win in my book.

Kris Allen--"To Make You Feel My Love"--Garth Brooks
He's singing a stripped-down version. That sounds promising. He doesn't look as comfortable without his guitar. His knee is bouncing throughout the whole intro. Outside of that though, he's great. Very smooth, very clear. He sings a great ballad. No doubt about that. Judges like it too. Good for him!

Lil Rounds--"Independence Day"--Martina McBride
Lil says that she's going to keep this country instead of 'R-and-B'-ing it up. I don't know how smart that is. Actually, it's not bad. Parts are really nice. I found the beginning to be a bit boring and lifeless, but she seemed to get into a groove as the song went on. Not my favorite performance by her, but it wasn't bad. It seems like Randy really wants her to stay in her "belt" box. Simon enjoys calling Lil, "Little."

Adam Lambert--"Ring of Fire"--Johnny Cash
Interesting choice. I'm interested to see if he can make this song his own AND not be obnoxious about it. I really like Adam, but I think he likes to walk a very thin line. Adam has apparently found a version with a Middle Eastern flair. Hmm... He left Randy Travis speechless. And he leaves me speechless. He was definitely unique and stayed true to his theatrical self. The rendition was odd, but it kind of worked. I know he will be panned by the judges, but I thought it was interesting. I think it's too different from the original for my tastes (Why mess with a good melody?), but you can't fault him for backing off. Simon was the only negative voice among the judges. At least it was interesting.

Scott MacIntyre--"Wild Angels"--Martina McBride
Another Martina song? No more country artists? The last week or so I have found myself increasingly bored with Scott's voice, but this week was a "bit" better. There were some pitch problems that stood out toward the end, but this was a more lively performance than weeks past. Judges were mixed, more negative towards song choice than Scott himself. The judges all disagreed with one another while pretty much saying the same thing.
Alexis Grace--"Jolene"--Dolly Parton
Mixed bag here. She started off well, but her money note was off. She emotes well. This was a misstep for Alexis. Kind of fell apart at times. Judges (minus Paula) were pretty negative as well.

Danny Gokey--"Jesus Take the Wheel"--Carrie Underwood
I was hoping he would sing "Next Time That He Cheats." Overall, a great job. There were moments that he sounded "slightly" off. Still, he is the best there is with emoting a lyric. He is guaranteed a career from this show. Judges were positive though Randy and Kara didn't like the beginning.

Anoop Desai--"You're Always on my Mind"--Willie Nelson
I love Willie's version of this. I hope I like Anoop's. And the verdict is... I like it. A lot. This is the same vein as Kris' performance earlier. It's not a lot of fireworks, but it's sweet, clear, and well sung. This made me forget the awful "Beat It" of last week. This is the Anoop that can last longer in this competition. Judges were wholly complimentary, saying that it might be the best performance of the night. It's hard for me to disagree.

Megan Joy Corkrey--"Walking After Midnight"--Patsy Cline
Umm... Megan ditched her last name? Now she's just Megan Joy? Whatever. She does have a quirky voice, but that is a positive for her. That having been said, I'm still on the fence with her. She's different, but I never feel totally comfortable with her. Maybe that's a knock more on me than on her. It was okay. She apparently was hospitalized with the flu. That might be why the judges were nicer than I was expecting.

Matt Giraud--"So Small"--Carrie Underwood
Um, I don't know this song. No knock against Carrie, but are two of her songs really among the best of all country music has to offer? Really? Though I don't know the original, it's obvious that he's changed this up to fit his voice. Bonus points to Matt for showing what kind of artist he is. He loses points for missing the last note. Overall, impressive showing for a song that is new to me. Judges are highly complimentary, some saying it was their favorite of the night.

Again, I am surprised. There were no out and out train wrecks (though many will hate Adam's). Maybe this is a better cast than we've had before. No one was flummoxed as we have seen in the past with country music.

Maybe this would be a good year to try Broadway again? I guess we shouldn't press our luck!

It's a hard choice picking who will go home. Maybe we will see the "Judge's Save" used. Nah!

American Idol--Top 13--"Michael Jackson Event"

2009-03-10T19:10:00.003-05:00

Top 12, er, 13!

Let's get this started!

Let's see what kind of song choices we see. Song selection will be very important in these early weeks.

Weird judges introduction with them all up on the stage.

Though it's 13, two are going home tomorrow night! Yikes!

Michael Jackson night?! Wow! As much as they complain about people butchering Michael's songs they are dedicating a whole night to him? Some great songs, but I wonder how many times the judges will rail on them for song choice.

This could be a train wreck!

Lil Rounds--"The Way You Make Me Feel"
I didn't like the backing vocals at all, but I thought Lil did a fine job. Julian, my four-year-old son, thought she was pretty and danced along before he went back to bed. Good start. Judges were quite fond of her though Simon hated her wardrobe.

Scott MacIntyre--"Keep the Faith"
This was a passable vocal, but it seemed pitchy at times. Overall, I was bored with this song, but I don't expect the judges to agree. I expected more. Judges complain more about the song than the performance.

Danny Gokey--"PYT (Pretty Young Thing)"
Great performance! Superb singing! I like the arrangement of this song, and I think Danny can work the stage like a pro. I'm on the fanwagon. Judges are fans, too. (Paula says he's bound for the finals, and who can argue with that?)

Michael Sarver--"You're Not Alone"
A bit of a slower song, and he does it justice. It doesn't give me chills, but it's well done. Judges are positive.

Jasmine Murray--"I'll Be There"
Very clear vocals. It was to the point and direct, but it wasn't the most memorable. Pretty good job. Judges are mixed but tentatively positive.

Kris Allen--"Remember the Time:
Kris got through by singing "Man in the Mirror," so he's probably wishing he could sing it again. This time he does another nice job (a little pitchy), but I didn't feel a superstar vibe. I liked the guitar. Judges were overall positive.

Is Randy trying to start a new catchphrase? I heard him clearly tell Kris, "Very well job done, Baby!" Just a flub or a new trend? You be the judge.

Allison Iraheta--"Give in to Me"
This is an odd performance (not perfect), but I really liked it. She is 16 and this seemed like a good performance for her. She made the song relevant. I don't think it showed off her voice as much as she has already shown, but it showed off her style more. Plus, I like her hair more when it is down like this. When she wears it back, she looks older. Judges liked it. Good for her.

Anoop Desai--"Beat It"
I really like Anoop, but I don't know if this song did him any favors. I don't think it allowed him to really show his chops. Also, it kind of showed a slight lack of showmanship. This was borderline forgettable. I don't think it was horrid by any stretch, but on a night when many performers are getting noticed, this one is a bit weaker. Paula thinks this song is untouchable; Simon thought it was horrible; Randy and Kara are likewise negative.

Jorge Nunez Mendez--"Never Can Say Goodbye"
I really did not care for Jorge's voice when I heard him in his audition, but I have liked him more and more each week. I liked this song on his voice, and I think he pulled off. The judges were harsher than I was, questioning his song choice. I liked it. Was I listening to the same song?

Megan Joy Corkrey--"Rockin' Robin"
This counts as a Michael Jackson song? This is going to sound like I am contradicting myself, but I thought this was absolutely the wrong song choice. This seemed like it belonged on a variety show in the seventies. She has a good voice, but I didn't care for this. This seemed ultra safe. Cheese. Simon and Randy agree with me.

Adam Lambert--"Black and White"
Every time I hear this song, I think about Macauley Culkin. I honestly think this guy has some of the best chops in this competition. Yes, he can be over-the-top, but man, when he hits a note, he hits it. He also has some nice vocal nuances that make him stand out. Best performance of the night. He can work the entire room! Judges were enthusiastic.

Matt Giraud--"Human Nature"
A bit pitchy with his falsetto but a nice job. Not a blockbuster. Not bad. The judges are quick but positive. You can tell the shows running late. Adam gets five minutes of feedback, and Matt gets words per judge. Poor Matt.

Alexis Grace--"Dirty Diana"
Good vocal performance. I didn't like the last note, but it was well done. I think she tried too hard at times, oversinging. Not everyone can be Adam Lambert, Alexis. Judges were fairly complimentary.

New rule change tomorrow night that includes the judges? My prediction is that they'll take the bottom three of America's vote and then the judges will pick the person going home. I don't know if I like that. Yes, it takes some power away from people who are voting for less-talented performers (votefortheworst, etc.), but it also takes the power away Joe Voter. I think votes will diminish if I am right.

I have no idea who will go home. This is a strange night where most of the performances were good. I am quite surprised.

Bring on the results.

American Idol--Wild Card Performances

2009-03-05T19:12:00.003-06:00

Tonight still seems like a waste, as I am sure that the judges have already decided their last three.

I also am hoping upon hope that they don't give us two girls out of this group--especially not Tatiana. Yes, I know she can sing, but we know that she won't last past week 1. Why even take her?

My review below.

Jesse Langseth--"Tell Me Something Good"--Rufus and Chaka Khan
I really didn't like her last time. I think she is a waste of a pick. This is my least favorite version of Rufus and Chaka Khan's song I've ever heard. I don't entirely blame Jesse; I thought the arrangement was bad. But Jesse didn't bring any fireworks. Next. Judges were nicer than I was expecting.

Matt Giraud--"Who's Loving You"--Jackson Five
Now this I liked. A bluesy take on a Jackson Five song. He has a good sound, and I would like to see more of him on the show. Judges are keen on him, so he could be one of the three.

Megan Corkrey--"Black Horse and the Cherry Tree"--K.T. Tunstall
Meh. She still has a weird stage presence. She is beautiful, but her voice is only better than average. She misses some notes, but parts were okay. I don't think she's Top 12-good. Judges are nicer than they should've been, so I'm wondering if they have picked her. Sigh. Is she better than I thought?

Von Smith--"Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word"--Elton John
I am really mixed on Von. He annoys me for a lot of his performance, but there are moments where I raise my eyebrows in appreciation. I don't think he'll make the Top 12, but I'm kind of indifferent on him making it. Either way, I wouldn't be surprised. The judges are off the Von Smith train. He will not be in the Top 12. No biggie.

Jasmine Murray--"Reflection"--Christina Aguilera
The judges told her to pick something young and current "Rihanna-esque," and she picked a ballad. Sigh. Way to listen. She is okay, but the song is too big for her, and she didn't hit everything she needed to hit. But she has potential. Again, the judges are nicer than I would have been. Sigh.

Ricky Braddy--"Superstition"--Stevie Wonder
I don't think this was the best choice for him. He picks it to show off his personality, but he looked uncomfortable. His voice was fine, but I think he was better in his last performance.
All judges are positive except for Simon. Ricky might be on the outside looking in, but I like him.

Tatiana Nicole Del Toro--"I'm Saving All My Love For You"--Whitney Houston
She's singing the same song she sang last time? Really? That will be a strike against her, I hope.
She's still good, but she's not as good as last time (especially at the beginning). The judges are mixed. I hope this means she is gone. Let's hope.

Anoop Desai--"My Perogative"--Bobby Brown
I really think Anoop is a sure thing for the Top 3. BUT another repeat song? He sang this during Hollywood. Granted, we only saw 5 seconds of this before, but still. The beginning was a little shaky, but he brought it home at the end. Fun performance. I like Anoop, so I hope he is in. The judges praise his personality.

The judges pick: Jasmine Murray, Megan Corkrey, and Matt Giraud. And Anoop Desai.

They pull the old switcheroo and make Anoop feel that he didn't make it when he really did.

Argh! Two girls? AI said before the season they wouldn't push gender equality. Guess they were wrong.

I'm upset that Ricky didn't have a chance. I do think that if we had been shown him more before, he could have made some waves.

Other than that, I'm okay with the results. I wanted Matt and Anoop, and I got that.

American Idol--Wild Card Selections

2009-03-05T08:05:00.003-06:00

Here are the eight performers the judges have selected as wild cards.

My somewhat cranky thoughts are below.

I don't necessarily have a problem with the individuals selected (below). Obviously they would probably do better with a second chance.

But the whole even split with males and females doesn't sit well with me. Jesse "Bette Davis Eyes" Langseth is better than Nick Mitchell? Really?

The bigger problem I have is that this process seems like a waste of time. The judges have chosen eight performers to sing, and then the last three spots of the top twelve will be chosen... by the judges.

Why bother with this intermediary step? I am sure that they have chosen who they want to be in the top 12. Just pick them and be done with it. I am prepared to watched canned comments that will be borderline rehearsed.

Also, I wonder if the will feel the need to balance the Top 12 as far as gender. Right now the Top 9 has 6 boys and 3 girls. I can't think of any girl from this wild card selection that I would rather see than Anoop, Matt Giraud, and Ricky Braddy. But will they really let three guys go on. I highly doubt it.

What I want: Anoop Desai, Matt Giraud, Ricky Braddy

My prediction: Anoop, Ricky Braddy, and Jasmine M.

HOWEVER, I would not be surprised if Tatiana makes it through. This is the judges' pick, AND there is supposed to be a segment of the show this season dedicated to how the Top 12 relates and gets along in the house in which they will live. With this soap opera reality element, Tatiana may make for some fireworks. I, for one, hope that AI does not go in this direction, but it wouldn't surprise me.

Anoop Desai
Jasmine Murray
Jesse Langseth
Matt Giraud
Megan Corkrey
Ricky Braddy
Tatiana Nicole Del Toro
Von Smith

Thoughts?

American Idol--Top 36--Group 3

2009-03-03T19:03:00.003-06:00

My thoughts of group 3 are below. Read on.

I hope tonight goes well. My early picks for the night are Scott MacIntyre, Lil Rounds, and Von Smith. I bet that one of these three will go last. My guess is Lil.

Von Smith--"You're All I Need"--Marvin Gaye
I'm glad to see that Von doesn't want to be the "screamy" guy. Maybe he can be someone I like because he does have a good voice. I think he starts off too low and muddy. He gets a bit better as the songs goes on, but I never felt that he was in the pocket. Good but not great. Going this early and not being spectacular may not be enough for him. Judges give him a tongue bath, but I don't think it was as good as all that.

Taylor Vaifanua--"If I Got You"-Alicia Keys
Mixed bag here. The end is nice, but the beginning is a bit rough. It wasn't memorable to me. Judges give generally blah comments.

Alex Wagner-Trugman--"I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues"--Elton John
Okay. Reality check. Yes, I know he's not the best voice. He's got this growly thing he does with his voice at times that sounds like he is losing his breath, and he doesn't come across as the most confident of performers; however, I must say I like him. There is a dorky sense of fun that you get from watching him. I liked it, but I don't think he'll get the phone calls. Judges praise his energy but pan the vocals.

Arianna Afsar--"The Winner Takes It All"--ABBA
Bad and boring. Another seventeen-year-old bites the dust. Judges pretty much pan the song choice and the performance.

Ju'not Joyner--"Hey There, Delilah"
He is singing a much more relaxed version of the song. I'm not a fan of the arrangement. I don't think it shows off his voice as much as it could. It actually isn't bad, but there are parts where his weaknesses are evident. Another not bad, not great performance. Judges were pretty complimentary. Ends up he had some asthma issues. I'll give him benefit of the doubt.

Kristen McNamara--"Give Me One Reason"--Tracy Chapman
A slightly jazzier version of this song. I like the take. May not be the best song for her, but she's good. Judges like her but not the song or her image.

Nathaniel Marshall--"I Would Do Anything For Love"--Meat Loaf
I love this song. He better not mess it up! The slower parts are okay, but the uptempo parts sound karaoke. His voice isn't strong enough for this song, methinks. He is talented, but I think this is the last we will see of Nate. Judges were anti song, but pretty much pro him.

Felicia Barton--"No One"--Alicia Keys
Despite some voice cracking at the top of her range, this was a contemporary-feeling performance. Not perfect but nice job. Judges were for the most part positive.

Scott Macintyre--"Mandolin Rain"--Bruce Hornsby and the Range
For the most part, I liked this, but there were some bum notes that really hurt my ears. The ending though was strong. I'd like Scott to make it to the Top 12, so I can see him play the piano and sing. If he doesn't make it though tomorrow night, he'll be a wild card choice, methinks. Mixed reviews on the singing but high praise from all the judges. They are pushing hard for him. I like how Scott high fives Ryan (making fun of how Ryan tried to high five him in Hollywood).

Kendall Beard--"This One's for the Girls"--Martina McBride
Now they say she's from Lufkin instead of Austin. I was not crazy for her in Hollywood, and I'm still not crazy for her. This is better than then, but I still don't feel her. Some notes really hurt. I'll leave the real critique of the song to people who know this song. Judges thought she showed who she was but didn't like the vocals.

Jorge Nunez Mendez--"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"--Elton John
I was not a fan of Jorge before, but I really liked his performance. There are still some pronunciation problems, but I like his tone with this song. I really liked this! He gets roundly praised and cries. That should give him a spot in the Top 12 (probably votes; if not, by wild card).

Lil Rounds--"Be Without You"--Mary J. Blige
My prediction about Lil Rounds going last (first made last week) was right. Great voice. She's not overdoing it like she did in Hollywood. It was just a strong performance. If she sings like this consistently, she'll be the girl to contend with. Judges praise her to the moon. She'll be through.

So, I think from tonight's show, we'll get Lil Rounds, Jorge Nunez Mendez, and Scott MacIntyre.

My guess for Wild Cards will be: Anoop, Von Smith, and Matt Giraud (or Ricky Braddy). If they must take a girl, maybe they'll take Anne Marie Boskovich.

Thoughts?

American Idol--Top 36--Group 2

2009-02-25T18:55:00.005-06:00

Here are my thoughts on Group 2. Pre-show, I still stand my prediction of Adam Lambert (probably going last), Jasmine Murray, and Matt Giraud.

Ryan is looking casual tonight.

Stupid phrase of the night comes from Kara: "This it it. There are no second chances." Um, have the producers told her about the Wild Card show where 12 singers will get... wait for it... a second chance? Are they hoping that the viewers forget about this so they can surprise us later?

Whatev.

I was right with my guess of Adam Lambert going last. Look, I like the guy, too, but could the producers be more transparent about wanting to showcase their chosen ones?

Wait a sec! Did Ryan just say that they will be singing from Billboard's Hot 100? Wow! That's a disadvantage to this group. It seemed like last week's group could pick any song (admittedly to their detriment at times). What is up with that?! Is it only the current Top 100? Or any Top 100? I hope for the latter.

Sigh.

Jasmine Murray--"Love Song"--Sara Bareilles
This is the song that Kara wanted someone to sing last week. I think this could be a good song for her. It might be me, but the vocals seem muddy and indistinct. I'm not saying that it's bad, but I don't think it stands out the way it should. Fair start, but I'm starting to back off of my prediction of her being the girl from this round. Maye not the right song. Judges aren't too positive. Not feeling strong any more.

Matt Giraud--"Viva La Vida"--Coldplay
Rats! It looks like they all have to be modern songs. I really call shenanigans on this. Changing the rules midstream, AI? Tsk tsk! I pretty much am bored by Coldplay, but this song isn't awful (because they ripped it off from Joe Satriani). I hope this works. Sigh. This was a mixed bag for me. For me, this was entirely the wrong song for him. After hearing him sing soulfully on "Georgia" and then singing this, I am so disappointed. Parts were good, but there were also some notes that made me cringe. I wonder what he would have sung if not hampered by the "list." The judges weren't wowed either, but it seems like they are still pulling for him. I was disappointed.

Two of my faves to go on from this round have disappointed. Maybe this will be an opportunity for an unknown to make a big splash.

Jeanine Vailes--"This Love" by Maroon 5
Wait another second. This was a hit some years back, so maybe it is ANY Top 100 list. Hmm... Dunno. Jeanine is a bartender with very, very short-shorts that we have not seen before. Ouch! This was okay until the chorus came along. She seemed like she was in a duel with the background singers and lost. The end is better, but I can't forget the intense pain that I just endured. I'll pass. The judges agree that she picked the wrong song and has good legs. She admits that since she hasn't been shown much, she felt that she needed to come out strong. I get that, but the key is to sing WELL. I feel bad for her, but that was NOT good. B'bye.

Nick Mitchell--"And I'm Telling You"--Dreamgirls
It's Norman Gentle time. I'm a bit disappointed that he's singing this song again, but at least he'll be playing to his strength. I think I have lost my ever-loving mind, but this guy entertains me. Serious. I am still convinced that this show is not for him, but he makes me smile every time he sings. I even liked his vocal pauses to share his innermost thoughts--wanting to impress the judges, staying on the show, and saying hi to Doogie Howser in the audience. He is a bonafide trip. He gave it his all. The singing was not bad for the most part. There was one part where he lost some vocal control that hurt me, but the rest was really well sung--in that campy style that he sings. Simon predictably pans him while the others praise the entertainment value. He is memorable. Paula speaks in tongues at one point. That was also memorable. Things do get a bit weird and manic as Ryan tries to help give out Nick's number. I actually love live TV for moments where things go wrong.

Allison Iraheta--"Alone"--Heart
She is 16, but looks about 32. Her interview with Ryan is painful. She has a hard time completing a sentence. Please make her stop. Tough song. She has two styles: soft at the beginning, hard at the end. But it's the best vocals of the night so far though. It was a tad screamy for me at times, but she does have a good voice. Do I want to see her every week? Dunno. Newsflash, Paula: I can sing the telephone book, too. Seriously, I can. Not well, but still. The judges are highly complimentary. She seems to be this season's Jason Castro in terms of interviewing skills.

Kris Allen--"Man in the Mirror"--Michael Jackson
Another one we haven't really seen. He's singing Michael? Really? After the performance, I must say, he is good. I think he is comfortable with that style. It seems like that was him. I know what to expect from him. I like it. A lot. Not perfect, but really good. The judges are so-so. I hate that Kara says that this wasn't as good as what he did in Hollywood WHEN WE NEVER SAW HIM IN HOLLYWOOD.
Megan (Joy) Corkrey--"Put Your Records On"--Corinne Bailey Rae
Tattoo sleeve mother. I like this song, so I hope she does justice. Her stage presence is weak, but her voice is not bad. She has an unusual voice quality but in a good way. It came across as a bit karaoke. The judges are nice to her. She and Allison are the front-runners for the girls.

Matt Breitzke--"If You Could Only See"--Tonic
Not a bad song. (Side note: I saw Tonic perform this before they got BIG, opening for David Garza at the White Rabbit in San Antonio. I didn't have them pegged for success. Shows what I know.) Not a bad performance, and he sure is likable, but I think this was a really good karaoke performance. I don't know if I felt a performer here. I just felt the song. Is it memorable enough? Judges are big on him but not on the performance or the song choice.

Pet Peeve: I really don't like when singers talk back to the judges. It just comes across to me as overly prideful and stubborn. Also, I don't think it wins over the viewers. Maybe I'm wrong.

Jesse Langseth--"Bette Davis Eyes"--Kim Carnes
Pass. This is painful, too. I swear that I've heard better renditions of this at karaoke bars. Not memorable for me. I will forget this by the time this show is over. Judges are mixed. I agree with Simon. Again.

Kai Kalama--"What Becomes of the Broken-Hearted"--Jimmy Ruffin
I like the song choice. (Obviously it's any year of the Billboard Hot 100. I take back my earlier complaint.) And he sings it fairly well (minus one part that was weak). I can hear him as a singer. He, to me, is memorable. I think he could be a wild card if he doesn't get through on votes. The judges are not as impressed as I was. Oh well. I didn't think it was that bad.

Mishavonna Henson--"Drops of Jupiter"--Train
Another unknown. This one is a keeper! I really like her. She has a sound. Perfect, no, but strong, yes. She commanded my attention. I think she should be the girl of the night (or at least a wild card selection). The judges don't like the song choice, but I didn't have a problem with that. I actually don't agree with the criticism of Mishavonna.

Adam Lambert--"Satisfaction"--Rolling Stones
Musical theater boy. He starts off reminding me of Constantine with the smoldering look (and the early vocals seemed scattered). But boy can this kid sing. Is it a bit much? At times, yes. But there is no doubting Adam's chops and his entertainment. I really think this will be a love it or hate it sort of thing. Is he likable enough to generate votes? I think so, but I think he'll have to soften up at some point to make it to the end (which he should with that voice). Watching him perform does illustrate the difference between him and the others. The judges drool predictably, though Simon is a bit on the fence.

Overall, this night was a wash. If I have to rank tonight's performances (which I feel I do), they would go like this:
1. Adam Lambert
2. Mishavonna Henson
3. Megan Joy Corkrey
4. Nick Mitchell
5. Kris Allen
6. Allison Iraheta
7. Kai Kalama
8. Matt Giraud
9. Matt Breitzke
10. Jasmine Murray
11. Jesse Langseth
12. Jeanine Vailes

My Picks: M: Adam F: Mishavonna V: Nick M.
My Predictions M: Adam F: Megan Corkrey V: Matt Giraud

Your thoughts?

American Idol--Top 36--Group 3--Preview

2009-02-19T08:13:00.006-06:00

Here is a look at Group 3.

Alex Wagner-Trugman
Arianna Afsar
Felicia Barton
Jorge Nunez Mendez
Ju'not Joyner
Kendall Beard
Kristen McNamara
Lil Rounds
Nathaniel Marshall
Scott Macintyre
Taylor Vaifanua
Von Smith

This seems to be stronger with women (according to screen time this season), though Lil Rounds seems to be the obvious choice. A few interesting match-ups. You have the powerful (maybe too powerful) voice of Von Smith versus Scott Macintyre (without his piano).

Alex (my geek ex-friend), Arianna, and Ju'not seem to be the others in the mix.

American Idol--Top 36--Group 2--Preview

2009-02-19T08:01:00.004-06:00

Click to see the singers in Group 2.

Adam Lambert
Allison Iraheta
Jasmine Murray
Jeanine Vailes
Jesse Langseth
Kai Kalama
Kris Allen
Matt Breitzke
Matt Giraud
Megan Corkrey
Mishavonna Henson
Nick Mitchell

Just at first glance, Adam Lambert seems to own this group. Jasmine Murray appears to be the lone female in this group.

Third could be either Matt (Giraud or Breitzke) or Nick Mitchell if America is feeling saucy.

Thoughts?

American Idol--Group 1--Results

2009-02-18T19:32:00.004-06:00

Results are in. Thoughts are below.

Can they really make this an hour?! Really? This will be pure tedium.

At least they brought back the cheesy group song. Wasn't great, but it was cheesy.

Reahash-ity rehash.

Alexis Grace is the top woman vote-getter. I'm 0-for-1 so far. Yay me!

She sings again, and I think tonight she is better than last night. I'm still not sold on her being the next Kelly Clarkson, but she is deserving (though I think Ann Marie will still make it through the wild card).

Michael Sarver is in. Ryan doesn't say whether or not he is the top male vote-getter or the third place slot.

I'm 0-2. Fun.

I like Michael and I'm glad for him, but I can't shake the feeling that he will be an early casualty in the Top 12.

Are they really trying to build suspense over Danny Gokey making it to the Top 12? Really? Is there ANYONE who thinks that he isn't the top vote-getter?

Well... with my record, we may be in for some trouble.

Nice commercial for the American Idol Experience. So THAT's why the show's an hour. Great.

Carly Smithson and Michael Johns are back to sing. I must say it was nice hearing Michael Johns again. Ahem.

It's Danny versus Tatiana. Tell me it isn't so.

It isn't so. Danny is through. There is balance in the world tonight.

1-for-3. 34%. (I round up. Always.)

Oh! They wanted Danny to sing his song last AGAIN.

Now it all makes sense.

Wild Carders must be: Anoop, Ricky Braddy, and Ann Marie Bostovich. And maybe Brent Kieth for the country element.

Tatiana seemed inconsolable at the end. Schadenfreude reigns supreme!

Next week, the group is:
Megan Corkery
Kris Allen
Mishavonna Henson
Matt Breitzke
Allison Iraheta
Matt Giraud
Jasmine Murray
Kai Kalama
Jesse Langseth
Adam Lambert
Jeanine Vailes
Nick Mitchell

Thoughts?

American Idol--Top 36--Group 1

2009-02-17T18:52:00.007-06:00

I am a bit worried by the revelation that they take the top vote-getter from each gender. It is possible (though not probable) that we might get stuck with the seventh-highest vote-getter of the night just to keep both genders represented.

I want it to be based on talent and votes alone.

Still, I am most stoked for tonight's show. I am anxious to see how they perform and see what they did with song choice (always a killer).

Click below for the thoughts.

Here we are...

This is a similar format to what they used years ago. I wonder if we'll have the Coca-Cola red room where all the contestants get nervous while the singers sing.

Oh, look at them all lined up on the stairs, nervously awaiting their chance to show America what they are all about.

Unfortunately, this time next week, most of them will be forgotten.

Ryan in a v-neck? Pass.

Judges blather.

A minute and twenty seconds a person? This is ridiculous! I forgot how frustrating it is to see so little of them singing.

Yep. Top girl, top guy, next top vote-getter. Sigh. Way to make sure some mediocrity makes it into the Top 12. (Please understand. This is not a slam against female singers in general, just against female singers this season. I hope they prove me wrong.)

Jackie Tohn is up. I really liked her in her first audition, but she turned into a Janis Joplin wannabe in Hollywood. Song choice will be crucial with her.

She is singing "A Little Less Conversation" by Elvis. Let's see if she tries to Janis it up. She is a natural performer, but it seems a bit manic. There are parts I really dig though. It was not boring. That's a good thing. I just don't know if this performance, going first, will be enough to make someone pick up their phone. Average start.

The first three judges praise on her entertainment and personality. The judges seem to excuse her vocal performance since she wasn't boring. Simon disagrees pretty thoroughly.

Red Room is back. During the interview, Jackie kind of annoys me. I know she is trying to project herself as the free-loving nutball, but I don't know if that gamble will work.

Next up is Ricky Braddy. Poor, poor Ricky Braddy that got no airtime. He is going to have to be sensational to break through to the top.

He is singing "A Song for You" by Leon Russell. Wait a second. Hold the presses. Have they been hiding this guy from us? No, it is not perfect, but this guy has awesome chops! This is a hard song to sing, and he sings it extremely well. A few pitch issues, but the good outweighs the bad here. Color me impressed.

Unanimous praise from the judges. Simon cautions him on his lack of charisma.

And we get our first website plug of the night from Mama Braddy: www.thebraddybunch.com

Alexis Grace is up. She is singing "Never Loved a Man" by Aretha. She has a really strong voice, and I dig it, but I'm bored. First wrong song choice of the night. I don't think this will make her stand out enough. I like her, but I worry for her.

The judges think she is MUCH better than I do. Maybe they are trying to save her. I like her, so I don't really mind. I still think she could have picked a better song. Simon invokes the name "Kelly Clarkson." They mean business.

Alexis Grace is the worst storyteller ever.

Brent Keith is up. His tape is screwed up, so they have to ad lib and go straight to his song. Poor Brent Keith. That has to mess you up mentally. I really feel bad for the guy!

He is singing "Hicktown" by some band I probably wouldn't know. Second wrong song choice of the night. I feel bad for him but not that bad. He seems a bit restrained in his delivery, and his voice is just okay, bordering on ordinary. He's better at the end, but it's still not good. Very karaoke. The judges will not be kind.

The judges are middling with their criticism, but I don't think this will be enough. We do, however, get our first Bucky Covington dis of the season from Simon. All the judges did was identify his genre as country. Yay! (That was sarcasm.)

Stevie Wright. She's singing "You Belong with Me" by Taylor Swift to show off her youth. Third wrong song choice of the night. This starts off horribly. I am not familiar with this song, but she sounds off key. If that's the way the song is supposed to sound, she's great! Poor Stevie. She and Brent will be home watching the rest of the season. This time, I am sure the judges will be vicious.

They are. All judges have little positive to say.

Why are Paula's eyebrows bugging me tonight?

What's up with Jackie Tohn trying to get some extra air time to hug Stevie and her parents as Ryan is talking? I think it's all very manipulative.

'noop Dawg in the house! He is singing "Angel of Mine" by Monica. He has some bizarre song choices, I'll give him that. I really like Anoop. He was one of my faves coming in, but I don't think this was his best performance. It was really good and smooth, but there was something that didn't hit me right. I hope it's enough, but I worry.

All the judges didn't LOVE it, but you can tell they LOVE him. The judges are basically pleading with America to keep him. I think they will. He is so darn likable.

Casey Carlson is the next up. She is singing "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" by the Police. I love this song. She better not murder it. She has a bad case of Wacky Face(tm)! Augh! Can she stop winking and making fish mouth at me? Please? And the vox are inconsistent, bordering on horrible. Fourth bad song choice of the night. She will be with Brent and Stevie on the outside looking in.

The judges hate it. Randy and Kara even sing their criticism as a duet (which comes across crueler than many things Simon says). All in all, it was pretty brutal.

Michael Sarver is singing "I Don't Want to Be" by Gavin DeGraw. I like this song choice, but will he get drilled for going this direction? (I remember him as having a soulful, bluesy voice.) He's got Wacky Face(tm) going on, too. I think his voice is good, but it comes across as over the top a bit. I was expecting more from him. It wasn't horrible at all, but I wanted more. Mixed bag.

Like with Anoop, the judges are being kind, and you can tell that they like him personally. Even if he doesn't make it through tomorrow, he'll be back on the Wild Card show.

Ann Marie Boskovich is singing "Natural Woman" by Aretha. It's always dangerous going after these big songs. I think she pulls it off. She has a great voice. She seems confident, but I never feel that she gets screamy or shouty. I don't know if this song shows off her personality, but she has a voice.

The judges aren't crazy about her song choice. Ann Marie gets in a dis on Sara Bareilles and her song "Love Song" after Kara suggests that she should have sung that. The funny thing is, I can hear her singing that song well.

Steven Fowler will try not to forget the words to "Rock with You" by Michael Jackson. He sings it very well, but I don't see how this shows who he is as an artist. He sang a very good karaoke version of Michael. It seemed very distant and cold. I didn't feel the heartbeat. It was by the numbers for me.

The judges rake him over the coals. I wonder if he'll get another chance at the wild card show because this won't do him any favors.

Tatiana Del Toro is up. Man, does she get on my nerves. She's singing "I'm Saving All My Love for You" by Whitney Houston. I know she can sing, but this should be a mess.

Actually, again, she sings well (not great, but well). I think the song is wrong for her (too big), but she actually has a really nice voice. It's only when she stops singing that I want to pelt the TV with remote controls and badgers. The judges seem almost disappointed that she's calm. I think they were expecting Crazy Tatiana.

This is actually a bit discomforting as the judges try to prod her into hysterics.

Danny "Sure Thing" Gokey is singing "Hero" by Mariah Carey. Big song choice. Listening to Danny, you get an idea about exactly what kind of an artist he will be--a multi-platinum record selling one. C'mon, how can you NOT like this guy. Great voice! Great performance! I have goosebumps. Judges should give a standing O for this.

Just Paula.

Judges are all ecstatic. Simon, less so, but that is just so there will be more impact when Simon jumps on the bandwagon later this season.

My rankings for the night:
1. Danny Gokey
2. Ricky Braddy
3. Ann Marie Boskovich
4. Anoop Desai
5. Alexis Grace
6. Michael Sarver
7. Tatiana Del Toro
8. Jackie Tohn
9. Stephen Fowler
10. Brent Keith
11. Casey Carlson
12. Stevie Wright

My Predictions:
Top Male: Danny Gokey
Top Female: Ann Marie Boskovich
Third Place: Anoop Desai

I think Ricky Braddy, Michael Sarver, Tatiana Del Toro, and Alexis Grace will get shots later on in the wild card.

Heroes--Building 26

2009-02-16T20:44:00.004-06:00

Okay. I think I liked this episode better than last week's, but it's not on my good list again yet.

Click below for more thoughts.

Okay, the bad first.

The whole subplot of the government wanting to pull the plug on imprisoning the freaks after it had already been given the green light seems a bit hokey. This is a transparent way for us to buy the inevitable President-sanctioned and -funded manhunt which will surely continue.

Claire and Noah still reciting the same lines since season two. We get it. Noah wants to protect and control Claire; Claire want the opposite of Noah.

After Ice Queen escapes, they bolt her up the exact same way again? Really? Geniuses. Yeah, I get the whole allowing her to escape for the big show, but c'mon. Why take chances?

And the good.

Ando and Hiro still entertain me though the whole going to India because the picture told them to was far-fetched.

Noah drugged and captured by our not-seen-this-episode Heroes with a vengeance was nice.

The Sylar and sidekick storyline was interesting.

And the meh.

I know that I am supposed to be really curious as to who Rebel (the one texting Claire and faxing Hiro and Ando in India) really is, but I really don't care. Since it has to be someone who would surprise us, it has to be Mama Petrelli. At least that's my guess.

The ever-ironic soundtrack that is Sylar's car radio is a bit much. "Born to be Wild" and "Psycho Killer?" Couldn't they get the rights for the song "I'm Going to Slice Open Your Head If You Don't Cooperate?"

Alex, the new comic shop character, seems interesting and could be a love interest for Claire, but we have seen what Claire's love interests have become. Have we seen Flying Boy lately? Aqua Boy could share the same demise.

Overall, this was better for me than last week's, but I still want more to happen at a quicker pace. We spent a good portion of this episode on convincing the government to buy in on the project when we were satisfactorily convinced that they were already in.

Next week we get to explore Noah's inner-workings, and it better be more than what we already know. I just feel sometimes that the show travels the same roads we have already traveled on. I just feel that we need something to shake up the expected.

American Idol--Group 1 Preview

2009-02-16T18:38:00.003-06:00

Click below to see the 12 performing Tuesday night.

It looks like a TOUGH group to make it through. If I understand the process (which I think I do), only three make it through this group based on votes. After three of these shows, we will have a wild card show giving us the other three, giving us the Top 12.

Alexis Grace
Anne Marie Boskovich
Anoop Desai
Brent Keith
Casey Carlson
Danny Gokey
Jackie Tohn
Michael Sarver
Ricky Braddy
Stephen Fowler
Stevie Wright
Tatiana Nicole Del Toro

I think Anoop and Danny are definites. Anne Marie Boskavich, Jackie Tohn, and Michael Sarver will probably fight for that last spot. I am curious to see who the judges praise through lackluster performances and which really good performances they slam.
Your thoughts?

American Idol--Top 36 Pictures

2009-02-12T07:59:00.039-06:00

Click below to see a full list of the top 36 with pictures.

Adam Lambert
Alex Wagner-Trugman
Alexis Grace
Allison Iraheta
Anne Marie Boskovich
Anoop Desai
Arianna Afsar
Brent Keith
Casey Carlson
Danny Gokey
Felicia Barton
Jackie Tohn
Jasmine Murray
Jeanine Vailes
Jesse Langseth
Jorge Nunez Mendez
Ju'not Joyner
Kai Kalama
Kendall Beard
Kris Allen
Kristen McNamara
Lil Rounds
Matt Breitzke
Matt Giraud
Megan Corkrey
Michael Sarver
Mishavonna Henson
Nathaniel Marshall
Nick Mitchell
Ricky Braddy
Scott Macintyre
Stephen Fowler
Stevie Wright
Tatiana Nicole Del Toro
Taylor Vaifanua
Von Smith

Who are your early favorites?

American Idol--The Chair Episode--Top 36

2009-02-11T22:03:00.004-06:00

So, I've said my peace about the behind-the-scenes workings of AI.

Now to see what they have actually chosen, so we can dissect the choices.

I'll make this short and sweet.

Two hours to announce 36 names? Really? Man, this seems like too much time.

I am really going to concentrate on making this to the point.

This year we're in a mansion. This year we're having sing-offs. This year we're taking TWO HOURS to announce 36 names.

Even with sing-offs, I'm still convinced that everything is very planned. These sing-offs could help create some sympathy for the survivors, helping them beat out weaker selectees.

Anoop is up first. I will sell my spleen if he doesn't make it through. That's how sure I am that he will make it. He makes it.

My spleen is safe. For now.

Von Smith, the loud singer, is up next. They take him but basically warn him not to blast all of the time. Good advice. He can sing, but I will like him more if he doesn't scream anymore.

Cody Sheldon, the amateur horror filmmaker, has to sing for his survival.

Alex Wagner-Trugman, my geek de-friend, is called to sing against him.

Cody sings well. Not great. Well.

Alex sings well. Not great. Well. I think that Alex sings with more emotion, which I think gives him the edge, but Cody looks more comfortable singing.

Alex is in; Cody is out. I can now say that I was Facebook friends (albeit for a short time) with a Top 36 contestant BEFORE he made it. I wonder if that will fit on my tombstone.

I really feel awful for both of them. That really is awkward.

Adam Lambert, theater boy, has got to be a sure thing. Yes, he's theatrical, but man, is he good. No sing-off needed for Adam. He's in.

Taylor Vaifanua, who I don't really remember, had ups and downs and is a maybe. She's in, but I need to see more of her to see if she is a keeper.

Jasmine Murray, the 16 year old, is in.

Ariana Afsar is in. I forget her. She'll be gone first week.

Casey Carlson. Forgettable. In now, but eventually, out.

Megan Corkrey I think I liked once upon a time. She's in, so we shall see.

Mishavonna Henson in.

Stevie Wright in.

(I think the girls are going to have to be GREAT due to the lack of air time they are getting.)

Joanna Pacitti (ex-Annie) is up. Montage of her forgetting her words. A lot.

She makes it. I guess that speech that Simon gave about being out if you forget they lyrics was just rhetoric.

T.K. Hash doesn't make it. No big loss.

Chris Chatman does not make it. Who was he?

Reggi Beasley does not make it. Who?

Kendall Beard (possible Longhorn) didn't impress me much before, but who knows?

She's in, but I guarantee that she'll be out early. Hook 'em!

By the way, am I the only one who is a little bored by the freak-outs? "It's not great news. It FANTABULOUS news!" C'mon!

Kristen McNamara and Jenn Korbee (half of an AI wannabe couple) have to sing for survival. I actually wasn't crazy for either.

Kristen is going through. I guess I have to hear her say "Nugget" over and over again. Sigh.

Simon disagrees with the decision. I'm totally ambivalent about the decision.

Alexis Grace (new mom) can sing, and she makes it. Here's a female singer that stands out. Finally.

Scott McIntyre, visually-impaired guy, is definitely in. Duh.

Lil Rounds impressed me in the first round, but I thought she oversang in Hollywood. I am pretty sure she's on. She's in. Another girl that stands out to me. At times her voice reminds me of Latoya London (one of my all-time favorite AI singers)... when she's not oversinging.

Felicia Barton is out.

Ashley Hollister is out.

Devon Baldwin is out.

Frankie Jordan, stay-at-home mom, has to sing against Jesse Langseth, who we've just met. Frankie sings first and sings VERY well. Jesse is soulful but a bit too much. I couldn't understand what she was singing. They go with Jesse. Frankie's going home.

Jesse will be close behind her, going home REALLY soon.

Shera Lawrence is out.

Derik Lavers is out.

Who are these people?!

Allison Iraheta is a bit of a firecracker when she sings. She's in.

Danny Gokey is up. My spleen is back on the block. I am certain he will make it. He's in. Duh.

Jamar Rogers, Danny's friend, is up. He's a no. I'm really disappointed. Would he have won the whole thing? Probably not, but I really think they should have kept him. I guarantee you though (again) that Jamar WILL sing with Danny at the finale. How can AI pass that up? A chance for tears? C'mon!

Ricky Braddy (who?) makes it. Have we ever seen a SECOND of him singing? I feel bad for him.

Matt Giraud, dueling pianist, makes it.

Ju'not Joyner makes it.

Puerto Rican Jorge Nunez makes it.

Brent Kieth makes it.

Steven Fowler, the guy who forgot lyrics TWICE in Hollywood, is up. He gets a third chance with a yes. He must have really impressed the judges.

Norman Gentle/Nick Mitchell is up next. It seems like the judges (minus Simon) actually prefer wacky Norman to serious Nick. They take him?! Wow! I actually did not see this coming. It seems like they took him only if he would be Norman. It will be wacky, but AI needs to be careful. Who knows what America will do? My prediction is he will be in the toughest group (against Danny and MacIntyre). I do think he is entertaining though.

Jackie Tohn is up. I LOVED her in her first audition, but in Hollywood she made me think she was just a Janis wannabe. I want more of what I saw the first time. The clip they show of her is more what I like. She's in. Song choice is going to be big for her.

Tatiana Del Toro is still annoying, and she is up. She actually does have a good voice, but ecch. Could this be an act? Paula gives her a ring. She should have given her an injection of fast-acting poison. She made it. She made it.

I pinch myself hard, and the truth still remains.

She made it.

Well, I called it, and she will go home in the first week. She will be stacked against some heavy hitters, and she will probably be raked over the coals. Her exit could not come soon enough for me.

But she can sing.

The sight of only Nathaniel Marshall half-clapping for her is priceless.

Jackie Midkiff (who?) is singing off against crying, headband boy Nathaniel Marshall. Jackie's okay, but he's not great.

We get a Nathaniel back story, so I guess he will be the one that is taken. He sings well in the sing-off, but I think he pushes a bit, understandably. His voice is good.

Nathaniel will cry one more time on AI. Just one more time.

Jeanine Vailes is in despite us never seeing her sing at all. She'll be going home REALLY soon.

Kai Kalama is in.

Anne Marie Boskovich (the one they "made over") is in. I like her.

Kris Allen is in.

Matt Breitzke, the welder, is up against Michael Sarver, the oil rigger from Texas. Matt sings first and well, but I don't think he leaves the best impression. Michael sings and he is better. He could get some votes this one. They both are in. Good call though I think Sarver lasts longer.

So they both made it equalling 36? Weren't they doing the math as to how many had gone through? If they had counted 34 as having been chosen, this should have been a no-brainer.

I can't wait to get this started. I wonder how they will pair them for the coming weeks.

Ooh! A change. They will be in 3 groups of 12, unlike the 4 groups of 9 they did years back when they did this format. I wonder if they will take the top 4 from each group or take the top 3 and have a wild card (or judges' choices) for the remaining 3 positions.

Next week's group is:
Casey Carlson
Steven Fowler
Jackie Tohn
Ricky Braddy
Anne Marie Boskavich
Brent Kieth
Alexis Grace
Michael Sarver
Stevie Wright
Danny Gokey
Tatiana Del Toro
Anoop Desai

Wow! Just looking at that list, I think that Danny, Anoop, Jackie, and Anne Marie are the ones to watch from this group... though Sarver or Fowler could shock.
Thoughts?

American Idol--Conspiracy Theories and Chair Episode Pre-Thoughts

2009-02-11T08:03:00.005-06:00

Here are some things to think about before tonight's chair episode. I could be wrong, but I have a gut feeling about how this will play out.

Click below for more.

Tonight, 54 hopefuls will be shown finding out if they will be able to be voted on by America. 36 will leave happy. 18 will leave sad.

So, you might wonder why I am crying conspiracy theories so soon. I actually think it's less conspiracy and more business. American Idol is a business, and the producers want to do everything in their power to get the best possible results they can.

Yes, part of this formula is good ratings, but it's more than that. They need to make sure that the winner of AI is relevant to today's music. The more successful AI singers are outside of the show, the more credibility the show gets, the more seasons AI can go on. Everyone involved in the show wants this train to keep on going.

Makes basic sense, so you're probably wondering what this has to do with conspiracies.

Well, to me it's quite simple: they don't take the best people. Looking through the years this must be obvious by now. I am not trying to put down anyone who has been in the top 36 or 24 or 12 of seasons past, but c'mon, you can't tell me that Bobby "Copacabana" Bennett was one of the best 24 out of EVERYONE that auditioned.

So why would they take sub-par talent and pass it off as above-par talent? Easy. The producers probably have a short list of who they WANT to win. Then, once they know who they want to win, they can then surround the "winners" with people who serve two purposes: are interesting and can provide drama/character and make the "winners" look even better. This way, yes, the people have the vote, but the choice is much more clear when you are pitting filet mignon against Spaghetti-O's.

These things have almost backfired on AI before. Sanjaya, I believe, wasn't supposed to hang on as long as he did. Taylor, though I love him, was not what AI wanted as a winner that season. Daughtry's early ouster must have caused some serious nightmares amongst AI top brass that evening. (I'm sure they sleep well now as Chris has proven to be quite successful.)

So, that brings us to this season. I think that we have already seen the behind-the-scenes workings.

Leneshe Young--Likable singer with personality and a back story. It's obvious that the show might favor someone else more than her. If Leneshe were on, it might prove too stiff of competition for some of the "winners." Why wouldn't AI want her to win? Dunno. But I don't know if she was rejected based on her talent.

David Osmond--He comes in with name recognition and a compelling back story. That puts him ahead of the pack. His disease, however, makes his future music career unpredictable. I don't think AI likes unpredictable.

Michael Castro--He has a built-in fan base thanks to his brother and could easily had a following based on his personality alone. Too scary for AI.

There are probably other examples that I am forgetting right now.

This brings us to tonight.

Remember these thoughts as you see tonight's choices. Some will be head-scratching I'm sure.

First, we will see some people we have never heard of before or seen make it to the top. How is it possible that someone is good enough to be in the top 36 but not good enough to be shown for 30 seconds during hours of coverage? Simple. These people will go home immediately on the vote shows. We don't know them, and the judges will probably rake them over the coals anyway. These won't stand a chance. One and done. Not fair, but that's part of how these things work.

Next, we'll see a few people that we know, but don't like, make it through. This is why Tatiana and Norman Gentle have a chance to go forward.

It's not that we don't like Norman, but as talented as he is, this is not the right venue for his talent. Now, will AI trust America to make that choice, or are they scared that we will Sanjaya him up higher than he should be. If he makes it through, he will be put in the weekly show with heavy hitters and won't have a chance.

Tatiana seems like a slam dunk to me. If they put her on the show, they get drama--to hate her is to talk about her. Plus, they know that she won't get votes. Votes that are not for Tatiana are votes for the "winners."

Yes, it is all very manipulative. I truly believe this is how it works.

In real time, a month passes between the room episode and the chair episode. Why so much time? Yes, I am sure background checks are run and all that, but I also believe that producers go through different scenarios, trying to come up with the right one that will ensure "their" plan to happen.

Does this "conspiracy garbage" ruin the show for me? Not at all. It is what it is. The ones they have picked as winners are often very good. I usually don't have a problem with the really good ones that they have predestined for greatness.

But also, every now and then, someone slips through the cracks to become better and bigger than what the producers expect. I like to find that underdog you can root for, too. I believe that Elliott Yamin was that underdog that slipped through the cracks.

So tonight when they announce the ones that you know are making it through, I will also be looking for that selection that is being placed there just to be executed quickly to root for.

To be better than expected.

To be that underdog.

To slip through the cracks.

To make me root again.

American Idol--Hollywood Part 3

2009-02-10T18:52:00.004-06:00

Out of all episodes of Hollywood, this is always my favorite part. This is where the weakest singers have been weeded out, and we are left with (for the most part) good singers.

This is also where we get to see the singers pick their own songs and perform with musical instruments if they so desire.

I so hope this isn't a let down. Let's get to thoughts, reflections, and predictions.

So the show begins. I am actually writing while the show is on tonight. I usually build up a buffer on AI and watch it a good hour later. Not tonight.

I want to try to post this as close to the show being over as possible. We'll see how I do.

All 72 singers are allowed back-up singers, a band, and/or their own accompaniment.

I hope they keep the rooms to make their decisions. It can be a little anti-climactic (since some people are shoe-ins to make it), but I like it.

They'll be split into four rooms--probably taking three.

Adam Lambert, one of my faves, sings first. And he's singing Cher. Really? Cher? Yes, he is theatrical, but I really like this guy. He has chops. Now, I see that he wants to change songs up (which I like), but he needs to be careful that isn't known as just the guy who can sing songs differently. I must say, for now, I believe. He, to me, is a sure thing.

Matt Giraud, the dueling piano player, sings "Georgia on My Mind," and I like his bluesy feel, but it feels a bit affected. Is this him, or is this him singing some Ray Charles? I know that sounds like a minor quibble, but it's something. No doubt this guy can sing though. I think he's in as well.

Friends Jamar Rogers and Danny Gokey could be separated.

Jamar sings some Plain White-Ts (not the most challenging song), and he tries to spruce it up. I think he has a very nice voice. I would like him to make it through, but I don't know how long he'd last on the show.

I love seeing Danny so supportive of his friend.

Danny sings while Paula's meds kick in. She does some invisible lariat action as she seems like she can't control herself. Anyone have a spare dose of Ritalin? Danny's voice seems so... real. I really dig his voice, but he will need to be careful with song selection... on the top 24, because I he's as close to a sure-thing as there is on the show. Whoever ends up in his room for cuts should breathe a little easier.

Annop Desai ('noop Dog) sings My Prerogative. His voice seems so out of place coming from him, and I dig that. He has this soulsy R&B boy band vibe that works for him. Plus, he can perform.

Jorge Nunez (from Puerto Rico with crazy brows) seems good, but I don't know about his chances.

Scott MacIntyre, seeing-impaired guy had a lot of press early and not much exposure since. He plays piano and sings "Home," and he is really good. I have not picked him as a favorite yet, but I would be STOOPID surprised if he didn't make it on. He says that he had the time of his life when he heard that Paula gave him a standing ovation. I hope he doesn't always get excited every time Paula does some wacky thing. If so, this show could make him very happy.

Kendall Beard, the Cameron Diaz-looking singer, is a college student from Austin. A fellow Longhorn? Mayhaps. If so, SHE WAS THE BOMB! If not, she was okay but nothing great. She sings "When He Cheats" just like you would expect a good singer to sing it at a karaoke bar. No better. She's on the fence, probably not making it. But if she's a Longhorn? THE NEXT AMERICAN IDOL!

Ahem.

Stevie Wright, 16-year-old student, sings fairly well. I can go either way on her.

I thought Lil Rounds was great in her initial audition but thought she oversang in her first Hollywood round. This time, she sings a big song, but this was more like it. I'd put money on her going through.

Kristen McNamara, a blonde survivor from one of the group day dramas, is a karaoke hostess, but she can sing. Wait, did I just make those two facts mutually exclusive? Sorry. She has this lack of control over her left hand when she sings though. It's flailing as much as Paula's when she's... off her meds.

Mishavonna Henson is an auditioner from last year that we haven't seen at all this season (or last). She's cute but bores me. Next.

Room 1 has most of the people we just saw (most of whom I liked), so this must be the sure thing room. C'mon, like they won't take Adam Lambert, Scott McIntyre, dueling piano guy, and Anoop?

Room 2 has Ricky Braddy (who?), Michael Sarver (oil rigger), Alex Wagner-Trugman (the geek who defriended me on Facebook), and Tatiana (the annoying, annoying annoyance). Without hearing them sing, I don't have high hopes. THOUGH, it is very possible they make it through for conspiracy reasons. (More on that later.)

In her performance, she actually sounded really good. I would never pick up a phone and vote for her, but this was the best I've heard her. I do hate however little cutesy performance things that take me out of a song. Her oohing with her eyes close while she moves her finger in front of her is one of those things. Maybe room 2 is in.

Alexis Grace, mother about to get married, sings "When He Cheats," and again I get the karaoke vibe. Maybe it's just that song with me. Meh.

Kenny Hoffpauer, another 16 year old, taps the mic nervously while he sings, but he's not bad.

Jasmine Murray, yet another 16 year old, sings "Tattoo" and she isn't bad either. No one is out and out failing today. That might be a good sign. (By the way, this is the third song tonight that was sung by a prior Idol singer.)

All these are in room 2, and I think this room might be a keeper.

Uh oh. Nathaniel Marshall, the drama-loving, headband-wearing guy is in that room. He sings "Disturbia," and he doesn't have the worst voice, but really? Is AI that desperate for tears? If he makes it on, I think it will be for other reasons.

Joanna Pacitti, the ex-Annie, messes up her lyrics and has the worst performance of the show thus far. She actually just sings aspirated syllables instead of words for a good eight bars of the song. Ouch! I wouldn't want to be in her room.

Casey Carlson messes up the lyrics to "Tattoo," but I forgive her because she is a bubble tea maker. I truly love bubble tea. (AI song count to 4.)

Steven Fowler, pianist with a blue sweater and an Afro, is up late practicing, but on the day of the performance, he pulls a Brooke White, restarting. I really like his voice and his vibe, but this might have been bad. If he's cracking under this pressure, how will he do on the real show?

All these were in the same room, so I am still on the fence. I did, however, see Von Smith in there as well. I am leaning on this being the surprise room that gets through. I'll be honest though, many in this room should not have gotten through.

Tatiana is pulled out of room 2, and this seems like an obvious producer ploy. This idea was dreamt up by some writer, and it doesn't seem real at all. I call shenanigans.

Nick Mitchell, "Norman Gentle," sings as Norman, and sings a cabaret "Georgia on My Mind" that is VERY entertaining. If I were to learn that this guy sang drag before, I would not be surprised. If he does not make it through (which I doubt he will), he will come back and sing on the finale. I guarantee it here and now.

Room 3 has Leneshe Young (the girl raised from nothing with a really cool sound) and Kaylan Loyd (who I don't remember). This is looking to be the room of tears.

Room 4 has Nick Mitchell, Anne Marie Boskovich, and Ju'not Joyner.

Anne Marie Boskovich is concerned about standing out, and she has a valid concern. I haven't seen many of the female singers really stick out to me thus far.

Ju'not Joyner hasn't been shown (has he?), but I think he's good. He sings a laid back version of "Hey Delilah," but it still isn't that challenging of a song. I hope he doesn't bore me--if he even has a chance to do so.

Tatiana is sent to room 4. My prediction is that she makes it through.

Room 3 Kaylan Loyd isn't that great to my ears.

I like Leneshe Young quite a bit! She wears a fedora, and she can sing. Maybe room 3 is in, and 4 is out.

Room 2 Kai Kalama has a cool, relaxed sound, buthis voice did not sound up to muster. I still think room 2 is in.

Room twoer, Michael Sarver, the oil rigger from Jasper, sings, but I think he is out of pitch for part. Maybe it's just me.

Simon won't break the news to any of the rooms. How sad.

Room two is... through. It seems that this is the room of second chancers. My guess is that many of them won't make it past the chair episode.

Room 2: Alexis Grace, Joanna Pacitti, Casey Carlson, Kai Kalama, Ariana Asar, Jasmine Murray, Steven Fowler, Nathaniel Marshall, and Michale Sarver (and others that will be cut at the chair).

Room 3 has a lot of people I've never seen before. Leneshe Young is the only one from this room that I really have seen and really liked.

India Morrison had a lackluster audition. I think the number three will be unlucky here.

Michael Castro (Jason's brother) is in this room. We haven't even seen him sing in Hollywood. A bad sign?

Room 3 is officially going home.

I thought they were going to take three rooms one, but I guess they are getting rid of two rooms. Or is this just an American Idol trick?

Wait. Math break. I have read there will be a Top 36 this year. There are 72 contestants. Yes, if they take two rooms, that will come up with the magic number of 36, BUT what would be the purpose of the chair episode? I am thinking that they take both rooms.

Room 1 is told their fate. This is the obvious room. No way this group is going home. This group has probably been pretty relaxed as they waited and looked at all the talent in the room.

Jackie Tohn was in this room as well. She was an early favorite for me, but if she sings every song like she is trying to be Janis Joplin, she will get old to me.

Room 2 is a mixed bag, but I truly think it makes it through.

While the judges (minus Simon) break the news, Tatiana loudly sobs and begs. She is SO annoying.

They are safe.

Room 2 contained: Tatiana, Jackie Minten, Cody Sheldon, Matt Brietzke, Ju'Not Joyner, Nick Mitchell, Anne Marie Boskavich, Alicia Barton, and T.K. Hash.

Tomorrow night the Top 36 will be announced via the chair episode (though a fancier chair this year). I will give some thoughts about this tomorrow, as I am sure that we will be shocked by some of the choices.

Heroes--"Trust and Blood"

2009-02-10T08:20:00.004-06:00

Sigh. I actually had high hopes for this second part of the season, but after last night's episode, I might be falling off the bandwagon.

My thoughts below.

This was truly clunky storytelling. This may be my least favorite episode of Heroes ever.

The entire episode unfolds as Nathan is having a phone conversation with an unknown person (eventually shown to be Mama Petrelli). I hope that wasn't supposed to be a shocker; it wasn't.

This episode shows little new character development and not much plot progression.

This is all we learned in this hour-long episode:

1. Noah may not be THAT bad; he just is looking out for Claire. (Is this new? No.)

2. Nathan is pretty ruthless in his actions (except protecting Claire), but his number two in command (the military hunter) is seen to be a true villain in the making.

3. Daphne is killed with a total lack of suspense. We were shown that she would die, and guess what. She does. This incident is supposed to be the catalyst to turn the heroes into a renegade pack of revenge-hungry freaks? It actually seemed pretty devoid of drama. Even Parkman's reaction seemed subdued. I don't buy it on a gut level.

4. Sylar has a sidekick in the making. How convenient that he tortures the mother of a fellow freak.

That's all I got out of this. A lot of dishwater; very few dishes.

Stupid Moment of the Show: Ando realizing that Hiro must be alive because he kills him in the future. Most of this show's existence hinges on the concept of preventing an awful future. Many disastrous events have been altered by the Heroes' actions. Why couldn't Hiro's death at Ando's hands have been changed already? Maybe the changes that have already been made have taken care of that possibility. Hiro losing his power? Ando gaining his power? It just seems like it is pretty stupid to hang on to a vision of the future that might have been altered like so many visions before it.

Lost--"The Little Prince"

2009-02-09T20:45:00.003-06:00

Very cool episode with some interesting implications. Click below.

Again, we are reminded of Jack and Claire's relationship (via Dad) and the lie as to Aaron's parentage.

So, we see that Sun is most likely working for Widmore and attempting to kill Ben (and/or Jack).

Faraday tries to explain the nosebleeds by saying that it is the internal clock going haywire due to flashbacking (flashforwarding? Here on, just flashing) too much.

The lawyer still presses for custody of Aaron (Tom Irwin from My So-Called Life). Someone is trying to go after Sayid, probably Widmore.

We see wistful Sawyer. Poor, poor Sawyer. How he misses Kate.

Miles now develops a nosebleed.

The islanders come are when Locke discovers the light in the hatch. Sawyer witnesses Aaron's birth, and...

Flash!

Faraday then surmises that nosebleeds are signs that you have been on the island too long.

Islanders then discover the camp ransacked, new boats ashore. They take the boats to try to find the Orchid.

As they are being shot at, flash again. Strangely enough, the boat and oars travel with them. I guess this establishes that if you are holding something when you time travel, it too travels with you.

Apparently, the lawyer's client is Claire's mom (Jack's dad's mistress).

Apparently, Claire's mom was a red herring--not the client.

The lawyer ends up being Ben's lawyer. I guess he just wanted to manipulate people, so they would want to go back to the island? Or is there another reason?

Ben apparently wants Aaron. For what reason?

Time-drifting islanders was ashore amidst wreckage of the French kind.

We then see a raft with French people aboard rescuing the body of Jin. Yes, Jin is alive!

We learn that one of the French survivors is a very pregnant Danielle Rousseau (the crazy French lady).

So this brings up some questions/theories:

Faraday told us that we couldn't change the strings of time once they are set, but Jin interacting with the island's past will test this.

Why does Ben want Aaron? Does it have to do with the future leadership of the island? Remember, leaders are chosen when they are young. What about a leader of the past (or present). I still can't shake the feeling that Aaron or Charlie II will turn up being some important piece of the island that we have already learned about (Jacob, Richard, Locke).

The episode was titled "The Little Prince." Another hint that Aaron is destined for greatness?

It seems like the return to the island is coming up soon. That is a good thing. I don't want this to be dragged out.

What of the nosebleeds? What if the nosebleeds are connected to the "disease" that wiped out the Frenchies. It would be ultra-cool if some of the time-traveling islanders' voices ended up being the weird voices that Danielle said marked the madness that overcame them.

Thoughts? Theories?

Top Chef--Eric Ripert Challenge

2009-02-09T19:33:00.004-06:00

My thoughts on the Eric Ripert episode are after the click.

Cool episode. The six chefs get to eat six dishes from Eric Ripert's restaurant and then replicate them on their own. Sounds like this would be a difficult challenge but one that should be doable by the Top Chef hopefuls.

Stefan again leads the way. He just seems to get everything thrown his way. He is still my easy pick for winner of this season.

Bottom three are Leah, Hosea, and Jamie. Jamie gets the boot, but I wanted Leah to go. To me, she seems like the obvious choice to go home, and I was shocked that Jamie didn't make Top 4.

My new, ever-changing rankings are as follows:
5. Leah
4. Carla
3. Fabio
2. Hosea
1. Stefan

Additional note: I really like the remaining chefs and really dig the esprit de corps they seem to share. Yes, Stefan is pompous, but that seems to be a personality quirk, and he doesn't seem to talk down to the other chefs on the show.

You can sense a mutual respect amongst the remaining chefs. Nice to see a show without the drama that runs rampant in most reality shows.

American Idol--Hollywood Part 2

2009-02-07T12:07:00.005-06:00

Absent from last year, group round is back! Was it great or a waste of time.

Click to find out.

Waste of time.

I will list the top 10 things (no particular order) I learned from group rounds.

--The reason is obvious why some of the questionable singers from Round 1 made it to this round: drama.

--Putting a whole bunch of high schoolers in one group is asking for trouble.

--Tatiana (annoying, laughing girl) is annoying and being edited to be ultra-annoying. I think I know why she has been allowed to go to round three and will share in a later post.

--If you missed the first thirty minutes of this show, you still would have seen everything relevant to this show. Yelling, pouting, crying. Wash, rinse, repeat.

--David Osmond doesn't make the cut, but we aren't allowed to see him sing.

--Kristen McNamara's "Nuggets" might be the most annoying swear-substitute I've heard.

--Adam Lambert (Wicked singer) and Danny Gokey (lost wife) are going to go far in this competition. I have me some favorites.

--Where's Noop Dog? Where's Scott McIntyre (seeing-impaired guy)? Without the wasted time, we could have seen some more talent. Based on commercials and clips, they are both in Part Three.

--Alex Wagner-Trugman, Ann Marie Boskovich, and some other good ones are shown.

--The "Somebody to Love" a capella rendition was worth the price of admission for me.

--Katrina, bikini girl, was solely brought to this day for drama. Glad she's gone.

--I can't count to ten.

More thoughts about what's to come soon!

American Idol--Hollywood Part 1

2009-02-03T19:05:00.002-06:00

Hollywood is one of my favorite parts of American Idol.

Honest.

We have seen some good performances, but many of those singers who we once thought were pretty good will disappear quickly. Yes, I am sure that some of the standouts will make it though, but this is where the going gets good. AI has hidden from us some singers that are very talented. We never saw serious footage of Bo Bice until Hollywood. Same goes for Elliott Yamin and Kelly Clarkson. Yes, the odds are good that we have already been exposed to the eventual winner of this season, but you never know.

The only bad part about Hollywood is the non-surprising axe given to many of the singers that we knew would get axed when they got their tickets to Hollywood.

Let's see how tonight unfolds...

First off, auditioners marvel at the Kodak. Enjoy the visit; most of you are going home.

This year the hopefuls were sent to Idol boot camp. Yes, this is a cool way to prepare them, but could this also be a way for the coaches and producers to spend more time to find who they like and who they don't. What's that you say? The judges make all the decision? Oh, how wonderful to be naive.

Barry Manilow helps out the campers.

Two days worth of the first round. Groups of eight singing one at a time, down the line. This is, as I understand it, how they audition initially (pre-judges). They are sent home right then and there or live another day. I hope these kids took some pictures of the scenery.

Lil Rounds belts out Whitney and gets a standing ovation from the gals. She's an easy in and one to watch. But I will say, I was less impressed with her voice here than in the regionals. Maybe it's just the way it sounds in a big room, but I thought her vocals were strong but a bit muddy.

Dennis Brigham (weird teeth) is a no, and we could have told you that way back in Kansas City.

(Asia (India's sister), Alexander (have we seen him?), and two other no-names are also in.)

Dennis shows why he should never have gone through to Hollywood in the first place.

It's hard to keep track of some of the ins and outs, as we aren't shown the names of every singer.

Lil Rounds is a favorite early with Paula and Cara.

Next group:
Nathaniel Marshall (headband and lip studs) sings an unfamiliar tune and cries explaining the import of singing to him. He seems a bit emotional for the rigors of AI.

Anoop (Noop Dawg) Desai and Jasmine Murray (16 year old) do their thing, both sounding great.

Rose Flack (hippy chick) struggled at boot camp, but I like the tone of her voice when she sings "Dock of the Bay."

All are through from this group

Next group: Stephen Fowler (guy with fro; have we seen him?) has a great, natural voice. Jorge Nunez (from Puerto Rico with yellow scarf) sings nicely, but his eyebrows still bother me. Von Smith (the powerful singer, now without his hat) can really sing loudly, but I like it more when he isn't shouting. Simon calls him on his bad performance. All three are kept. I think Von will stick around, but he needs to tone down his performances, methinks.

We see people tearfully get cut, but I can't quite place them. I guess that means no big loss.

Nick Mitchell (formerly Norman Gentle), the flamboyant sparkly guy, decides to go out with a laugh. I still stand by the fact that he has a good voice, but this is all wrong for AI, and he must know that. He's still through to the next round, but I feel his days are numbered. He could get a good cabaret career out of this. (Is there such a thing as a good cabaret career?)

Scott McIntyre, seeing-impaired guy, and Frankie Jordan, new mom, are both through.

Hollywood Day 2: Jackie Tohn, my early fave, sings and I liked her more at the regional. She still is good. It just seemed that in Hollywood, she seemed more of a caricature and more forced. Before, her affect seemed natural.

Danny (lost his wife) and Jamar (his friend) are singing, and I feel a split a-comin'. I really liked Jamar. It was basically the same audition he had as before, but it seemed more inspired this time. Danny sings some Seal and he does something really cool. He sings it imperfectly, a little raspy, and to me, it is perfect. This was my first 'I need to rewind that' performance of the night. Both friends are through. Yay!

Katrina (bikini girl) should have never made it through. I still can't get enough of Ryan's discomfort at being kissed by a girl... I mean, by Katrina. She's honestly not that bad--by no means great or even very good. The girls are on the fence, but the guys like her. Bikini girl makes it through. No way she makes it further.

Jessica Furney (takes care of her grandmother) doesn't make it. Neither does Shih-Tzu girl (called it!) or Puerto Rico large family girl (called that, too!).

Jesus Valenzuela (father form San Francisco) and Jeremy Michael Sarver (roughneck father) sing. Jeremy is through; Jesus is not.

David Osmond sings well. Erika Wesly (new girl?) is a'ight. Emily Wynn-Hughes (punk rocker) sings a song that she hadn't planned on singing nor practiced. She not bad, but the judges rake her over the coals for song selection. I didn't think it was THAT bad. David and Emily are through, and Erika is not.

Also Alex Wagner-Trugman, the fun geek, makes it though. (Sidenote that makes me seem creepy: I actually, following his regional performance, looked this guy up, and he was on Facebook. I clicked 'add,' and guess what? He added me as a friend, and I was happy for a week or so. But I just checked, and he has removed his Facebook account. Is this is a possible spoiler? Or does he just hate me?)

Erika puts up a fight, and Paula and Simon have their obligatory fight of Hollywood. Decision stands--she's out.

Others good enough to make it through but not good enough to be shows: Alexis Grace, Brent Kieth Smith, Anne Marie Boskavich, and Adam Lambert.

(I think I saw Michael Castro go through, but what about Asa Barnes?)

104 still survive.

Tomorrow night, groups, fights, and shattered dreams.

I'll be there.

Heroes--"A Clear and Present Danger"

2009-02-02T21:50:00.004-06:00

So, Heroes has made its return for it's second installment in its third season.

Does it end up being the Heroes yumminess that I learned to expect in season one? Is it rushed and disappointing like strike-shortened season two? Or is it more of the mixed bag of cool ideas and strange character development that permeated the first half of this third season?

Find out after the click.

The truth is somewhere in between.

To me I thought this episode came across like a system reset. It gave us a blank slate from which to start, and to be honest I liked that. I think this show needed a clear division between this half of the season and last half.

One of the problems that reared its head in the second season (and the beginning of the third) was a confusion as to who were the bad guys and who were the good guys.

This episode made that line very clear. Nathan is leading the anti-freak movement and is being aided by Mama Petrelli and Noah. I am sure there will be time for character repositioning later, but as for now the battle lines are firmly drawn.

That is except for the ever ambiguous Sylar.

But first, what did tonight show us?

Nathan thinks he is saving the world by doing away with all super-powered individuals (it's easier for me to type 'freaks'). You must of course forget that at the end of the last storyline, he wanted EVERYONE to have powers. Well, you know what they say about politicians... Waffles are on the house!

Freaks are captured by Nathan's henchmen and flown to God knows where. Claire throws a fork in the machine, and we are left with a cliffhanger where the aircraft (with Noah co-piloting) is going down. Kind of a weak ending (does anyone think anyone is going to die in this crash?), but I thought the new start given by the episode as a whole was strong.

This felt like the beginning of a new chapter. Time has passed. People's motivations have shifted, but we know where everyone stands. Politocos to the right of me; heroes to the left, here we are stuck in the middle with Sylar.

Which brings up Sylar. I am so glad that they didn't reveal Sylar to be alive as some surprising finale to the show. Everyone (even the characters) knew that he couldn't be dead. I like how that wasn't treated as a huge, shocking reveal. The whole trap at his real dad's place was a bit of a stretch, but it's nice to see a return of Sylar as the moral vague-osity. Sylar is best when he's the villain that you hope can turn good, and it seems like that might be the direction his character arc is pointing... at least for now.

No new powers are revealed except that Peter seems to have the power of 'power sponge,' but now it seems that he only has the power of the last person he touched. No more all-powerful Peter?

Previews make it look as if this season will be open season on Freaks. Fans of X-Men might see some similarities in plot ("Kill the mutants"), but I'm hoping that Heroes takes it into a new area.

But having the heroes band together in trying times and form a coalition doesn't sound bad to me. Part of me would like it if the freaks would just band together and go all JLA on the world. I wouldn't even mind if some Spandex were involved.

Overall, I thought the show was a good start. Yes, some character motivations bother me. (Is power-hungry Mohinder gone for good? Why doesn't Nathan seem sincere when he's supposed to be sincere? What is Noah Bennett's rationale for anything he does?)

We have a fresh slate for Heroes to reclaim its past greatness or to devolve into the schlocky derivativeness which sometimes rears its head.

As for me, I'm holding out for a Hero(es).

Lost--"Jughead"

2009-01-31T21:44:00.004-06:00

Tonight's episode only focuses on the island and Desmond's exploits. None of the Oceanic Six make an appearance.

No questions are "really" answered, though there are some new surprises and some hints as to some bigger goings-on.

More info after the click.

We start again in an indeterminate time period, though we can assume it is shortly after their escape from the island.

They have a baby. Penny and Desmond are obviously living on foreign soil (waterways).

Back on the island more redshirts die in a trap.

Charlotte is having dizziness and double-vision. It is obvious that the time-jumping is bothering her system, just as it did to Desmond earlier, the two guys from the freighter, and the guy who appeared to Locke last season (chopping down wood for the cabin [Jacob's cabin?]).

Why do only some of them suffer this way? Desmond would have had it not been for his contact with Penny on the freighter. He needed something to bridge his past and his displaced present.

Do all of these people exist in a time that they should not exist? If so, when should Charlotte exist?

It seems that the islanders have been flashed to the early days of the Others or Dharma.

Here's something that has been bothering me since last week, and they brought it up again tonight. Why would Desmond not remember his encounter with Faraday so long after it happened. What happened to his memory of that before? Figuring out how in the world Desmond ticks goes a long way into explaining the secrets of time travel.

Is Desmond leading two different existences with them coinciding from time to time? Dunno. Now, I'm confusing myself.

Latin is the language of the enlightened and the Others.

Desmond and Penny named their baby Charlie.

The islanders are confused for U.S. soldiers (their existence on the island is confirmed by Miles' picking up on the graves).

Richard looks the same as he always does, same as he always does.

So a bomb is on the island. The U.S. government involvement is now explained a bit.

When Desmond is trying to track down Faraday's mom, he doesn't seem to be able to recall the year he met him. Why not?

Faraday lies and says he can render the bomb inert and professes his love for Charlotte.

Locke is totally embracing the idea that he the new leader of CrazyTown (as described by Sawyer).

Desmond tracks down a girl who Faraday was experimenting on, Theresa Spencer. Her sister Abigail explains that Faraday abandoned her as she is now in a state where she is either comatose or talking about events form her past (like talking to her dad who had died five years prior).

Widmore was the benefactor of all of Faraday's experiments and are paying medical bills for Theresa. Abigail seems angry that Faraday ran off.

On the island, Juliet admits that Richard is very old and has always been here. Makes me think that he might have arrived on the Black Rock.

Elle, one of the Others seems familiar to Faraday. Why? Possibilities later.

Desmond gets info on Faraday's mom's whereabouts from Widmore. She's in L.A. Widmore tells
Des to disappear again and to protect Penny. It seems like Widmore is scared that Ben Linus might follow through on his threat to kill her. (Looks to me like this a certainty to happen this season.)

Locke approaches Richard and tells him that Jacob sent him (obviously Jacob is in charge even at this time).

In a major shocker, it is revealed that Widmore is actually an Other. That is something to think about, but it does sort of explain his opposition to Ben Linus.

Through Locke and Richard's conversation, it seems that Richard might be aware of the supernatural nature of the island (Jacob, etc.) but seems perplexed by discussion of time travel. Interesting.

Off-the-Wall theories and questions: (None of these could come to fruition but these are things to think about).

--Elle the Other is actually a younger Theresa Spencer (his lab rat, so to speak). What if at the same time that she is in a hospital bed, she also is experiencing her life at different times. Or is that too Matrix-y? Maybe Faraday helper her go back in time to connect with her father. They wouldn't have brought up the dead father unless it was important. So who would the father be? Another Widmore kid?

--How connected is Faraday to this island? And what is the importance of his connection to Charlotte. What if Charlotte is actually Faraday's daughter? Faraday might have fathered her on a trip further back in time which explains his deep feelings.

--Or on the other hand, what if Charlotte is Faraday's mom? It has been hinted that Charlotte was born on the island. Maybe through some timeline mumbo jumbo, his mom exists in real time (in L.A. now and also on the island.) This could be a shell shock if Desmond knocks on the door in LA only to discover an aged Charlotte. That would be a jaw-dropper you must admit.

--Why does Island Widmore's shirt say Jones? I can't remember. Do they change your identity when you become a member of Dharma? If so, why does Richard still call him Widmore?

--What is the importance of Charlie Part II? It is very likely that Charlie could end up being someone who plays an important part in the show. Someone of mysterious origin. Maybe Jacob? Remember, Richard said that leaders are usually chosen from a long process starting when they are young.

--BIG QUESTION--Remember that three years have passed since the Oceanic Six have left the island, yet we are seeing what is happening on the island immediately following their escape. How will these time lines connect when the Six inevitably return.

I hope it doesn't take all season for the return to the island.

I know I'm forgetting some stuff I have been thinking about, but this will give you all an opportunity to share your theories.

I am looking forward to reading them.

American Idol Auditons--New York and Puerto Rico

2009-01-29T19:33:00.008-06:00

I would like to say I have high hopes for tonight's show, but any time you take two cities' worth of auditions and put them in a single hour, I am not optimistic.

Maybe they'll get rid of some of the extra garbage they have been using lately. I don't want to see the judges bicker or kiss. I don't want to see bad auditions stretched out to the edge of awkwardness.

I just want good.

When you click, my thoughts will appear.

West Side Story is the bridge they use to connect these two different locales.

It seems they will flip-flop throughout the show between the two cities.

Heavily-accented Adeola Adegoke quit her job to pursue her American Idol dream. We start off bad. She begs, and they almost repeat the whole 'calling the boss to get the job back' bit they used years back.

Oh wait. They actually DO repeat the whole 'calling the boss to get the job back' bit they used years back. Cannibalizing from other shows is one thing; cannibalizing from your own? Tacky.

Jorge Nunez from Puerto Rico (an awful descriptor, I know) sings "My Way" in Spanish. He is very talented and sings powerfully. I don't know how versatile his voice will be for this competition, but he is strong. A bit breathy for me, but he is different. They take him.

Singing contest winner Jessika Baier sings some Celine Dion and she hurts my ears. She obviously has an ear but not the tone. She's not the worst singer I've heard, but I'm glad the judges said no.

Rejection montage. I think that this part of the show can be easily excised. It doesn't do anything for me.

Happy, positive naked dancer Melinda Camille wants to uplift humanity and make the universe happier. And you know what? She actually made me happier. Honestly. Not the best, but she has some chops and a very positive attitude. She borders on cruise ship cheese, but her skills outweigh the cheddar. Having said that, the grit of Hollywood will eat her alive. I'm hopeful but realistically pessimistic.

Jackie Tohn, entertainer since she was a wee thing, is unusual. When she sings, she has a very raw sound, but I really, REALLY like her. Her tone is not smooth (gravelly and striking, yet strangely pure), she doesn't show off her range, but she has a sound--a distinct sound that I like. Plus, she has a vibe about her that I dig. Her herky-jerky movements while she sings are distracting, but mayhaps she can tone those down. Is it possible that I have a favorite to root for? I hate liking someone a lot at this stage (been burned too many times before), but I really like her! Have I said that enough?

The set falls down in the middle of Simon's response to her. Four yeses.

Mark my words, this one will be a keeper. Top 12 and beyond. She stands out.

Rejection montage, part deux. Really? We need another one of these? We don't even get to hear the horribleness; we just see the sadness. Yawn.

Bad singing montage. Here are the bad signing auditions.

Puerto Rican crazy rocker and street performer Joel Contreras borders on entertaining. Dressed as a human iPod, he is obviously here just to mess around, and part of me respects that. It's performance art. When he broke out with "Circle of Life" whilst raising a lion puppet, I laughed deeply. For him, his mission was a rousing success. As I said, performance art.

Red-headbanded, sparkly shirted, Nick Mitchell AKA Norman Gentle comes out too strong, throws a few zings at Simon, and again tackles performance art. After being scolded by Simon, he sings "Amazing Grace" subdued and sweet (and pretty good!) but then flips the cabaret switch going full tilt Vegas (again making me laugh). I actually think this guy is funny. Every year they pick some wacko who has no chance of going far, and this year, Norman Gentle is that guy. Of course he stands no chance, but I will be honest that he made me laugh. Maybe it's just me.

Brief Shots:
Ashley Hollister can sing well but instantly bores me.
Kenny Hoffpauer sings some Mraz too much like Mraz.
Kendall Beard, long-haired blondie with white headband, looks like Cameron Diaz and can sing pretty well.

All three go on.

Golden ticket montage.

Bad singer montage.

16-year-old Monique Garcia Torres brings in her 9-year-old brother. He's a cutie. Her voice is pure and sweet but doesn't knock me out. Not strong enough. Simon breaks the tie and she is through to Hollywood. She is way too green for Hollywood, but the experience could help her further down the line.

Alexis Cohen, the rocker who cussed out and flipped off numerous cameramen when she was rejected last year, comes in this year with a new attitude. It is obvious that she just wants camera time, but I don't find her near as entertaining as the performance artists who came before her. She obviously knows she's bad. This is not for real at all. She brings back the fingers back at the end. Her mission is complete.

Patricia Lewis Roman (with the partying family) sings at the same location that her parents got married. Who needs a microphone with her lungs? The unfortunate thing is that her tone suffers with all that volume. You can tell she's talented, but I am not hugely impressed. She sings thirty seconds of something more restrained, and she's better, but I'm not getting the vibe. Sentimentality wins out. She goes through.

Nine total golden tickets from Puerto Rico (Yikes!) and twenty-six from NYC.

Overall, a mixed bag, but some goodies in the mix. I especially liked Jackie Tohn!

I will write a preview for Hollywood later, but I must say that Hollywood weeks are among my favorites!

Bring it on!

Top Chef New York--Chef Bowl

2009-01-29T19:20:00.006-06:00

Argh! I liked this challenge, and I hated this challenge.

My thoughts after the click.

Okay, so for the main challenge, the chefs had to pick a football team (a regional cuisine) and compete against a Top Chef "all-star." Each couplet (current chef and all-star) get the same ingredients and cook what they wish. Judges and fans choose their favorites. Winners smile; losers could be in the bottom.

I love the idea of cooking against someone with only certain ingredients. Stronger chef win and all that. That works.

The part of this I don't like is how subjective this all is.

I know, I know. This show is always just the opinions of the judges. But somehow, this week it seemed more heavy-handed. Maybe this is why I like American Idol so much. Yes, the judges can put you in good positions and praise you to the stars, but in the end, it's up to the fans (stupid as we may be) to select a winner.

Having Fabio, Stefan, and Jeff all in the bottom seems WAY too planned. I can almost hear the producers' meeting:

Producer 1: We need to mix things up. Stefan is looking way too strong.

Producer 2: What if we make sure he's in the bottom this week.

Producer 1: Yeah, but if he's against weak competition in the bottom, everyone will know he'll be safe. No drama.

Producer 2: We'll make the entire bottom full of some of our stronger chefs. This will be our shocker. We will be the talk of the watercooler with this!

Producer 3: What if we have the dishes tasted blindly?

Producer 1 & 2: NO WAY! That way we wouldn't be able to create the dramatic results we so defintiely want!

Producer 3: Have it your way. Let's pick the bottom three now and then go tell the judges what to do...

Maybe a bit of an overstatement, but tonight's drama seemed manufactured. I think Stefan has shown himself to be a class-A jerk, but also has shown himself to be the best chef on the show. Elevating some weaker chefs (if even for a week) might, in the eyes of the producers, make for a more suspenseful ending.

I really like this show, and I liked the essence of the challenge tonight, but I just sometimes think that they have the season mapped out already.

Jeff going home doesn't bum me out that much. He has been trying to do too much for weeks now. I knew he would go home before the top 4. I just find it hard to believe that this was truly on the up-and-up.

So my predicted order of finish has already been proven to be wrong.

I'll just shift everyone else up.

My predictions (from next to go to winner):

6. Leah
5. Carla
4. Jamie
3. Fabio
2. Hosea
1. Stefan

Agree?

Disagree?

American Idol Auditions--Salt Lake City

2009-01-28T20:45:00.005-06:00

No viewing party tonight. Just me.

I sure hope Salt Lake City is better than Jacksonville. We are due for a good city. Since Kansas City, we have had some duds.

My thoughts post-click.

Home of David Archuletta. Let's hope everyone today doesn't lick their lips or breath at awkward times.

Again, I HATE PREVIEWS of what I am about to watch. This wastes time. Was the talent this weak as to have to preview every little thing? Don't answer that. I think I know the answer.

People in Utah are obviously very happy (according to the intro).

David Osmond (yes, from those Osmonds) is auditioning. According to the video package, his dad (Alan) and he both have Multiple Sclerosis. David was in a wheelchair, but now his MS is in a remission. He sings some Take 6 and had a calm, cool confidence about him. He sings very well! The judges question his solo mentality, but I think it's a smoke screen. He gets a golden ticket. AI wants this guy in the competition, and they want him to go far. Their reluctance to take him is setting up the underdog effect. I need to see more of him (which I am sure I will) to totally make up my mind, but he is a keeper, methinks.

Tara Matthews, psychic red-headed goth fishnet, If not for her gimmicky dress, she would never be in front of the judges. Send her home, sayeth I. Go home, sayeth the judges. And I smile.

Montage of bad singers.

Chris Kirkham can't think of a gimmick, so instead, he brings a person with a gimmick with him. He brings Greg the Rabbit (a guy dressed in a pink rabbit suit) to the audition with him. While Chris (with his Simon shirt and Simon cutout on a stick) sings, Grabbit dances behind him. ("Bizarre Season Eight," thinketh I.) You can tell that Chris is a good casual singer, but there's not enough substance there. Judges must agree as they reject him. Guess the gimmick got him on TV though.

Heavy-handedly edited montage of auditionees being happy at being rejected. Get on with it!

Frankie Jordan, stay-at-home mom, has tons of confidence bordering on INCREDIBLY cocky. She has a different look about her, but she can sing very well. Her cockiness actually makes her seem very comfortable when she sings. (Note: She does, however, have these weird wrinkle lines that divide her forehead in two when she hits certain noted, but I think that borders on nit-picky.) I like her a lot! Barring a meltdown, I see her making it through Hollywood.

Megan Corkrey, newly-divorced mom with the tattoo sleeve, is celebrating her birthday. She has a VERY distinct voice, and yes, I mean that as a compliment. She is really good. I am impressed by the way her voice cuts through. She does have some odd facial tics while singing, but maybe she can work on those. (One can hope.) Good personality. I agree with Simon that she is memorable. I think she is definitely a keeper. She is through to Hollywood. Duh.

Already, Salt Lake City has been better than most of the other cities (barring Kansas City) and the show is only half over.

Andrew Gibson, the bass, can sing low (and is probably good in the shower) gets a quick no.

Austin Sisneros, senior class president, wants to be an inspiration. I think this kid has a great personality and a "good" voice, but I don't see him as AI potential. He does select odd songs (one by Train and another by Raffi!), but maybe he can improve. Likable kid. You saw how far Kevin Covais got on being a likable kid. Could be an early exit, but if he makes it through Hollywood, he could outstay his welcome in the Top 12. I think I mean that in a good way. We'll see.

Rejection montage.

Jarrett Burns, singer with the newsboy cap, sings Corinne Bailey Rae and sings very well (slightly oversinging), but I like his confidence.

I like the vibe of a lot of the SLC singers, if that makes sense.

Tall 16-year-old Taylor Vaifanua has a strong voice but she doesn't jump out at me. I will forget this audition after the next one probably. Also, something about her eyebrows is bugging me. Maybe someone can tell me what is driving me crazy about them. Randy gushes, but I don't know if I'm THAT impressed yet. Should she go through? Probably. Is she that great? Don't think so. Four yeses.

Rose Flack, Idahoan who lost both her parents, has a unique style. She sings some Carole King, and she oozes cool. I don't know if she will make it that far, but I really like her. I want to hear more of her. Nice, not great, vocals.

Overall, I thought that this was a strong show--maybe more talent per minute than Kansas City. (KC got two hours; SLC only got one.)

A winner might come from here...

A show tomorrow night?! Be prepared for a craptastic show. They are squeezing Puerto Rico and NYC in one show? Prepare for the bad. I have heard in an interview with Simon that Puerto Rico was one of the worst audition cities of the season. Seeing the bad that was Louisville and Jacksonville, be afraid.

Be very afraid.

American Idol Auditions--Jacksonville

2009-01-28T18:43:00.009-06:00

Okay. Yes, I know I am late with the thoughts of Jacksonville's show.

1. I am sorry.

2. Was it really that worthwhile of a show?

3. Did I mention that I was sorry?

My thoughts about the show after the click.

I was lucky enough to be invited to an AI viewing party (which amounted to me and three of my friends from ComedySportz--Troy, Carrie, and Will).

Fun was had by all as we yelled at the contestants, the judges, and each other.

BUT, I know that you aren't reading this to find out about my rockin' social life. You want to know about the show.

(I will interject some comments shared by the people at the party (furthermore called "The Gang") from time to time.

First off, it is obvious that this show is short on content. We are shown more banter in this episode and fluffy nothingness than I have seen lately.

Do I really need to see Simon and Ryan palling around in the back of a limo?

I'll make this short and sweet.

First we are reminded of the greatness of Randy Jackson. Get it? It's Randy Jackson and the show is in Jacksonville tonight. Clever, right?

Tonight is so going to rock!

By the way, a side note here. I am not trying to take away from Randy Jackson's obviously successful career, but I am tired of him always being referred to as the bassist of Journey. Journey has been active from 1973 to 1987 and then from 1995 to the present.

During that time, Randy Jackson was with the band for ONE YEAR (1986-87). He recorded one album with them (Journey's ninth) and went on one tour with them. Every other year of the band's existence, Ross Valory has been the bassist for Journey. I am sure that Ross Valory hates him some Randy Jackson every time Herr Jackson is referred to as THE bassist of Journey. And the one album that Randy played with Journey was not the best one either (Raised on Radio). It was no Escape that is for sure.

He has tons of credits having played with many top shelf talents. Why do people cling on to Journey? He was also the bassist for the Divinyls. Yes, that Divinyls. Yes, the band that played the song, "I Touch Myself." That is how I will always remember him.

I challenge you not to think about Randy Jackson next time you hear that song. I dare you.

Randy Jackson rant off.

Party Update: Troy (the host) gives me water in a can. It's not a bad thing, but I have never had water in a can. It tastes, strangely enough, just like water. What a sheltered life I lead.

Montage of fans set to "Can't Stop Believing," a Journey song that Randy Jackson didn't play on.

Randy Jackson rant really off this time.

Where in the world is this audition taking place? It looks like a community center in a neighborhood. I wonder what the Homeowners' Association will have to say about this?

Party Update: Carrie thinks that Ryan is "a douche."

Joshua Ollua, Justin Guarini look-alike, is way too corny for me. He has a really good voice, but as he sings, he feels the need to share sound effects that don't seem to add anything to the performance, scratching, trumpets, etc. It was as if he had some form of musical Tourette's. Personality is good, but too much is too much. Simon shares his reservations about his sound effects, but when it comes down to it, all say yes. This guy majorly gets on my nerves.

And it is obvious to me early that if they are taking someone like this, they have very low standards for Jacksonville.

Sharon Wilbur, Shih-Tzu girl, sings one of my favorite songs, Superstar, and sings it like it is an upbeat romp. (By the way, though I love the original Carpenters' version, check out the version by Sonic Youth; it rocks!) She misses it for me. Yes, she can sing, but come on! Doesn't presentation count for anything these days?
And the way she sings "Baby" is all kinds of annoying. The judges unanimously take her.

It is official. Jacksonville will completely suck. I can't wait for this girl to get sent home on day one in Hollywood as she tries to smile her way through American Pie or some other somber tune.

Gnats try to kill Ryan, but they fail. Another reason to hate gnats: can't finish the job they start.

Stupid time wasting of which judge will kiss whom. Boring.

Black hatted, red dressed Dana Moreno "sings" Chaka Khan badly. Maybe this is why the judges took the ones they did. Sigh.

More filler with Ryan getting lost. Yawn.

Confident 16-year-old in the madras dress Kaneswa Finnie sings in front of the judges and does not make it. I do like that the judges pull in the mom to convince her that her daughter cannot sing.

Party Update: Before you make fun of me for knowing that the fabric that Kaneswa wore was madras, blame Troy. he was the fashion expert in that moment.

Latina Miss Candidita Julissa Veloz comes in with her sash, her tiara, and a hip-speaking attitude. When she sings, she flips a swirch and can actually sing. Is she the best, I don't think so, but is she good? Yes. She is the best of the night, but that is not saying a lot. Paula doesn't get to share her opinion, so she thows a mini-faux-fit. This show is all about the fluff tonight. All judges say yes. She could fill a niche in the competition. I think she could make it to the audience vote, but not much further. Bring on some singing.

Party Update: Carrie, after witnessing Paula's pouty-fit, calls Paula "a ho-bag."

Ultra-happy tennis instructor Darren Darnell sees a newly found friend cut and his confidence crumbles. He cries through his hideous audition and then cries through the welcome announcement that he was cut. Get this kid some Xanax and fast.

Tall, overexcited, limber chick Naomi Sykes brings in her friend that is Randy Jackson's biggest fan. Everyone sits on each others lap while Naomi murders Minnie Riperton. (Trivia: Maya Rudolph, former SNL actress, is Minnnie Riperton's daughter.) This whole thing has lost any semblance of professionalism. It should be fun, but it just stikes me as dreadful.

Randy calls this, "Bizarre Season Eight!" I call it, "Boring, Inane Filler That Needs to Stop Now or I Will Throw Something Heavy and Possibly Pain-Inflicting at My Television Set Thus Voiding My Manufacturer's Warranty." You can tell by the look on Naomi's friend's face that this whole thing must be a joke. Stop wasting my time!

Whenever someone leaves the audition room (with or without a golden ticket), it appears that they are leaving the back of someone's abode. This would have been a great location for Girl Scout Troop #342 to hawk their wares.

Nine go through from day 1. Simon chalks up the group as mostly terrible. I must agree.

More Jacksonville filler. Yawn.

16-year-old shy girl with a large family Jasmine Murray sings some Fergie and has a good voice. It's too nasal for my taste, but she seems like she is personable and could make some waves. With the right song selections, she could surprise.

Party Update: Though Will, Troy, and myself thought that she was pretty good, Carrie threw down the gauntlet and declared that this girl will "WIN THE WHOLE THING!" She has picked a winner. Poor, poor delusional Carrie.

We then see an entirely too long segment on awkward physics student George Ramirez. He has a large beard and wants marble floors in eleven years. He is bad.

Anne Marie Boskovich kisses up to Cara, but the judges don't like her image. They give her a chance to come back looking different, but at the same time 'her.' This is just a time-wasting ploy.

T.K. Hash, reject from last year, sings Imagine, and sings well but tries to do too much to it. He has potential and seems likable, but I wasn't blown away. The judges take him though Simon says no. He's better than some of the ones that were unanimous yeses earlier. Oh well. That's Jacksonville for you.

Michael Perrelli guitarist/performer is upset about not being able to play his guitar at the audition. He way too emotional for this gig. He sings some Third Eye Blind and he's okay (clear voice), but he seems to have a voice that NEEDS accompaniment. Unfortunately, he whines and makes excuses when faced with rejection. The more he complains and pleads, the worse the situation gets. He is rejected by all. When his mother tries to console him, he pushes her away. Ryan actually rebukes him, telling him he can't treat his mother that way.

Party Update: This gains Ryan points with the previously Ryan-hating Carrie. He is no longer "a douche" in her eyes. He apparently just has "douche-like tendencies."

Anne Marie Boskovich comes back looking much like she did before but with more make-up. She sings "Bubbly," and does so effortlessly. She seems to be a natural. She is my favorite of the night, and I think that AI wants her to be big.

Only sixteen made it through from Jacksonville, and I wasn't impressed by most of them.

Miss Latina and Makeover Girl are the only ones that I think may stand a chance.

Party Update: These were the post-show thoughts.
Troy--"Not enough." (Yes, those were his complete thoughts.)
Carrie--"Meh! Not impressed!" (beat) "Except for the girl I think is going to win."
Will--"I've seen stronger episodes. No winner from here."

Your thoughts?

Top Chef--Restaurant Wars

2009-01-22T20:27:00.010-06:00

Down to eight contestants means that it is time for Restaurant Wars. This is always an enjoyable challenge. It is amazing at how these contestants should be ready for this kind of challenge but so often make silly mistakes. My thoughts (complete with spoilers) below.

My thoughts:

It seems to me that the fates of most of the contestants are pretty much sealed.

I know that the judges say that every meal is judged independently of other accomplishments, but it seems like there is a pecking order.

Radhika deserved to go home. Her leadership skills were weak, and when you are the leader, you need to do what it takes to make sure your team succeeds.

Leah was a weak leader on her side, too (and a pretty poor chef).

She and Carla will go home in some order in the next two weeks.

Then it will come down to Jeff and Jamie the next two weeks. They are both talented, but Jeff seems to try too hard, and Jamie has shown some inconsistencies (won two challenges but been in the bottom twice).

This will leave us with the top three (Stefan, Hosea, and Fabio).

I think Stefan is by far the most talented chef on the show. Yes, he is a jerk, but he has the skill to back up his attitude. I think he will be the deserving winner.

Fabio is more personable and charismatic than Stefan, but I don't think he quite has the chops that Stefan has.

Hosea used to be the most likable guy on the show (prior to Kissgate), but I think he is a good chef (and I think he will improve once Leah goes home).

My predicted order of the finish is:

7. Leah
6. Carla
5. Jeff
4. Jamie
3. Fabio
2. Hosea
1. Stefan

Thoughts?

Lost--Season Premiere(s)

2009-01-21T20:42:00.010-06:00

Welcome back, Lost! I was worried as to how this season would start, but it seems like my worries were for naught. Spoiler thoughts when you click. Please post your thoughts; I'd like to hear them!

What an awesome beginning to the season.

I am sure that the time jumping will leave many scratching their heads (me included), but I really enjoy this.

Random thoughts:

I'm glad Faraday is on this show to shed some light on the whole time-jumping and to help establish some of the 'time manipulation' rules. I am not completely sure how these work (the single thread of time that cannot be altered), but I am enjoying the ride.

You can only interact with people who you interacted with prior to that moment when two people from different times are currently cohabiting?

So, when the island disappeared, I know it traveled in time, but where did it go physically? Did it go to a time after it was destroyed? Or to a time before it even existed?

[Off-Topic Note: Did anyone else squeal with glee upon recognizing one of the Kate-haranguing lawyers as Tom Irwin who played the father in "My So-Called Life"? Just me?]

The going back in forth between time periods on the island is tres' nifty.

Anyone else disappointed that we didn't see the ghost of Boone?

Anyone else disappointed that we saw the ghost of Ana Lucia?

I like new bad-ass Sun. I don't know about her collaborating with Whitmore, but she sure seems determined.

It seems that the Others are part of the island, so as the island goes through time, so do they--while everyone else on the island is stationary.

OR is the island staying stationary and are the people the ones doing the time traveling?

It was good seeing some Hurley. Hugo episodes are always my favorite. I was surprised to see Cheech more likable in this episode. I was expecting him to continue to be the scum we were introduced to upon his last appearance.

So, Hurley seems to be the one who can have chats with the ghosts of island casualties.

Who washes knives in a dishwasher with the blades up? That's an accident waiting to happen. Tonight's episode was a case in point. Get it? Case in POINT.

Locke has to die to save the island? What is the importance of saving the island? Saving the inhabitants of the island, or are there more wide-reaching implications?

It was nice seeing Neil, an expendable character, get annoying and then die with a flaming arrow in the chest. It was like Dr. Arzt revisited. ("I got Arzt on me.")

What is the importance of Charlotte's nosebleed? She said she hadn't had one since she was a kid. Is this a way to tell us that the people on the island are the ones that are doing the time travel as opposed to the island traveling through time?

Who is the new group of people on the island that attack Sawyer and Juliet? Where are they from? When are they from?

The old lady is Ben's superior? Is she Faraday's mom in Oxford?

Anyone have thoughts? Answers? More questions?

What a tangled, fun, fun, fun web we weave...

American Idol Auditions--Kentucky

2009-01-21T19:13:00.009-06:00

Tonight better be better than last night as I found it to be most disappointing. Click below to see my thoughts.

Kentucky.

Let me start by saying that I hate seeing previews before a show. I really do. That is one of the joys of TiVo. I understand commercials nights before, but right before the show? I like to kind of guess whether or not a contestant will be any good or not. These pre-show teasers ruin a lot of suspense for me. Hate it. I also hate it when the show teases what's going to happen right after the break. Are the producers that scared that we will turn away? This is American Idol for crying out loud!

Wasted time.

Yay. Horse racing comparisons from Ryan and the judges all night long. Can they make glue out people?

Bleach blond Tiffany Shedd is awful. Stop wasting my time. She's not even funny. How can her parents delude her to let her think she is good?

Philadelphia singer Joanna Pacitti (long, black hair) used to have a record contract with A&M, and it didn't work out. Shades of Carly Smithson? Honestly, she's pretty good, but I am not blown away. She might be better than what we saw, but I think she looks disposable. It would not surprise me if she makes it to America's Vote, but it also wouldn't surprise me if I long for her dismissal if she makes it to top 12. She's through to Hollywood.

Bad luck Mark Mudd sounds like a true Kentucky boy. He sings some George Jones and makes his exit quickly.

Blue shirted stubble boy Brent Keith Smith sings some Bad Company and can't stop stamping his foot. He sings very well, but I couldn't get past his FOOT TAPPING. Maybe it was nerves, but I don't see this kid lasting long. He's through. Maybe I'm just harder to please tonight.

What was with Paula and Cara going under the table? Did they think that was funny? Sigh.

Bad montage. Yawn.

Dueling pianist Matt Giraud has a unique singing style, but he sounds like he is struggling to breathe. His breathing is ultra distracting. If he can ditch the stylistic 'I'm having an asthma attack' vocal styling, he could be better. As it is now, just give the guy some oxygen and send him on his way. Instead, they put him through to Hollywood and praise him highly. I am not in sync with the judges tonight.

Pseudo-intellectual Ross Plavsic seems to me like he is putting on an act. I don't think he is for real.

Memphis native and mom Alexis Grace can belt! It seems like it is too much at times, but she seems to be singing with raw emotion and good tone. I am intrigued by this one. First time tonight I really sat up and took notice. I don't know how she will do on other, softer songs, but I like her.

Mega-happy smiling guy Aaron Williamson sings some CCR at 11. He must be fun at parties. Great attitude; wrong time.

(Anyone catch Simon's dis of Tyra Banks? Catty!)

Cheat sheet interviewee Rebecca Garcia sings poorly and Cara thinks it must be a joke. Awkwaaard. Guess not.

Quick Golden Ticket Snapshots:
--Kris Allen (newsboy hat) probably shows the best voice of the night (all five seconds of it)
--Felicia Barton is refreshing with some Corrine Bailey Rae.
--Ryan Johnson (David Cook hair) is better than most of what we've seen.
--Shera Lawrence shows nice vocal control bit is forgettable.

Leneshe Young, raised in poverty, sings an original song that shows off her style. She has a vibe going on. She's great in a quirky way! She knows who she is as a singer. That much is evident. How that meshes with what American Idol throws at her, who knows? But this is one I'm keeping my eyes on. A keeper. They saved the best for last in Kentucky! (Or the editors did.)

I was very unimpressed with the first half of this show, BUT I liked Leneshe Young tons and am very intrigued by Alexis Grace. The only guys of note for me this evening were shown in the BRIEF shots of Kris Allen and Ryan Johnson.

Everything else was a wash.

19 go through from Louisville.

Next stop: Jacksonville, Florida.

American Idol Auditions--San Francisco

2009-01-20T21:20:00.011-06:00

Part of me is actually disappointed that tonight’s AI is only an hour long.

Well, we’re in San Francisco, so I expect some “interesting” auditions this evening.

I have had some constructive criticism from people that say my descriptions of contestants aren’t descriptive enough. I agree that the names may not be enough to trigger a memory.

So, I will still use names, but I will try harder to use descriptors that remind you who these people are.

First up is Puerto Rican girl with the ugly (with a capital F) dress and the hideous laugh (Tatiana Del Toro). A psychic told her that she will make it to the top 12. She bores me, and she has a hard time taking criticism. She doesn’t have a horrible voice, but I am not smitten. The judges are unsure but take her based on her “drama” and her “vibe.” I think she will make a fiery exit on the first day in Hollywood. Ah, the transparency of their motives. They created someone that America will root for… to go home quickly.

Next is modern Cro-Magnon man with weird coat (Dean-Anthony Bradford). He tires me out with his “energetic” performance. Can you say overkill? I knew you could.

Family man Jesus Valenzula sings decently. Simon tells him no, but after inviting his kids in, three out of four puts him through. He’s likeable, but is he “make it through Hollywood” likeable? Too soon to say, but I’m doubtful.

Rubik’s Cube master Dalton Powell has negative energy and a hideous voice. Nothing more to say.

Anatomy expert Akilah Askew-Gholston sings an original song then tries some Aretha. Her excuse for her poor warbling was that she “came from the wrong rectum.” My “ligenical cartilages” were all a-tingle. In a bad, bad way. I was irracitated to the max.

Quickies who make it.
Alternative-looking mop top John Twiford has a nice smooth voice (for all 10 seconds of Stevie Wonder that we hear).
Redhead Allison Iraheta’s voice cracking must have impressed the judges but not me.
Long-haired Raquel Houghten’s rendition of Dusty Springfield is too winky and surface for me, but again, the judges say yes.

Indecisive blonde Annie Murdoch eventually sings “Summertime,” and it’s all cabaret and bad.

Alternative comb over boy Adam Lambert used to be in the cast of Wicked. He sings “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and, yes, Virginia, I liked it. Nice control and great tone. I wanted to hear more, but this guy might have the image and sound to make it to the top 12. I get a good vibe here. Simon thinks he is overly theatrical, but he goes through unanimously.

Sayid look-alike (if you squint your eyes) Kai Kalama, his mother’s caregiver, sings one of my favorite songs of all time, “When Smoke Gets in Your Eyes.” I think his phrasing is odd, but he has a solid voice. Might be one to watch, but it’s too soon to say.

Only 12 go on from San Francisco, and Adam Lambert is really the only one I REALLY liked (followed by Kai Kalama). No good female vocalists in San Fran? Guess not.

Maybe it was good that San Francisco only got an hour.

Next stop: Kentucky.

American Idol Auditions--Kansas City, Missouri

2009-01-20T19:54:00.008-06:00

Part Two of the FOUR HOUR, TWO NIGHT EXTAVAGANZA!

Let's see how shallow tonight's talent pool is!

Kansas City, here we come! Missouri, not Kansas.

Jason Castro is here, supporting his brother.

Chelsea Maquardt has friends who lie to her. She thinks she’s good; she’s not. She’s sharp and flat alternately, but the judges comfort her by telling her that she is pretty. She says she picked the wrong song. Yeah, that’s what it was.

Ashley Anderson mixes up her words but can sing. She bores me at the beginning but comes to life as the song goes on. She’s likeable and goes on. Could be a keeper.

Casey Carlton sings effortless and seems to sparkle. I don’t know is she can sing with the big dogs, but I like her (I’m sure there’ll be some big dos soon, right?).

Montage of bad singers…

Von Smith has a white hat and a great range. He sings “Somewhere over the Rainbow,” and he can blow. He teeters on the edge of yelling at me (a pet peeve of mine), but he is good. This kid is GOOD. If he doesn’t fall into the trap of always belting, he could be a contendah!

Jason Castro’s brother Michael is auditioning. The Castro family dinners must be fun… and filled with a mysterious haze. He has been singing for 20 days? He’s got a cool vibe, but I don’t think he’s in this for the long haul.

Crazy montage…

Welder with a family, Matt Breitzke, sings one of my favorite songs of all time, “Ain’t No Sunshine.” Not bad; not great. Middlin’. Nice song choice though. Judges aren’t unanimous, but he’s through.

Jessica Furney screams at her grandmother and sings Janis. She has a grit to her that is nice, but the whole sound isn’t there for me. There are moments where she backs off that sound weak. I don’t want her to scream at the whole time obviously, but it just seemed like the volume was being turned down at the ends of the phrases. Ambivalent am I.

Two rapping sisters, India and Asia, come in and the judges vote India through and not Asia. Asia is so supportive of her sister. Pretty cool. India won’t last long though.

Jamar Rogers, bartender, belts out “California Dreamin’,” but it was overkill. If he dials it back, he could be good, but man, is he a lot of voice. He’s through, so who knows?

Danny Gokey, music teacher, is dealing with the recent passing of his wife. He sings great! I like his voice quite a bit! One of the best male voices I’ve heard.

Both friends are through. Danny will last longer.

Anoop Desai has a nice soulful voice, and I like him. I don’t know if he’ll be a keeper, but one can hope.

Andrew Lang has cheerleaders as an opening act. His voice wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t wonderful. Tears abound when he gets rejected.

Band director Asa Barnes sings Michael Jackson and he is in the pocket. There’s something about this guy that makes think he’s going far. Lock it in. He’s a keeper.

Michael Nicewonder teaches us why it is important to listen to your mother. If your mom says you can’t sing, she’s trying to protect you from being humiliated on national television. Kids these days.

Dennis Brigham dreams of Simon’s praise, but gets a yes from everyone but. He seems a very, very, very, very, very raw talent, but he will be quite emotional when he gets cut early in Hollywood.

Mia Conley, Sleeping Beauty, should have kept sleeping.

Lil Rounds sings Stevie and does a great job! She will easily be a top singer in this competition. I’m sold. Judges pour tons of praise on her, but I think it’s deserving.

Some good talent tonight.

26 go to Hollywood from Kansas City.

American Idol Auditions--Phoenix

2009-01-20T19:51:00.008-06:00

So, here we go with surely must be the sixtieth season of American Idol.

Or does it just feel that way?

No mater what Sanjayas or Bucky Covingtons they throw at me, I just keep coming back like a junkie looking for his fix.

This season seems like they are saying things are going to be different, but in reality, it seems like they are just reverting things back to the way it used to be. So, going along with the theme of change, I am going to change up my recaps.

Instead of recapping every last moment of every show, I am going to watch the show and NOT TYPE until something grabs my attention. It may end up being stream of consciousness drivel that may make no sense to anyone at all, but that is the approach I am going to try.

If there is nothing of note in the show, this could be the shortest recap ever.

Begin show.

Where do they get off saying this is a two-night season premiere? What kind of marketing mumbo jumbo is this? The first night is the season premiere; the second is the second show of the season. What ev.

Three minute intro full of clips that were hard to watch as I fast forwarded them. I stop just in time to wonder if Ryan was going to fall into the Grand Canyon. Something tells me he will be safe.

Oh, the recapping is STILL not over. Sigh.

Now, we see clips that we are going to see. Sigh. Just get it started.
They keep teasing us before the commercial to come back to see if Ryan falls into the Grand Canyon and he never does. The disappointments begin early.

Phoenix, Arizona

We meet the new judge: Kara DioGuardi.

Thirteen minutes in before the first singer is introduced.

Nice fro. Not really. Cheesy singer.

Beauty school dropout tattoo girl (Emily Hughes) sings Barracuda. Judges love her. I think she’s good but not as good as the judges think. She seems like she’s screaming the high notes instead of hitting them. They repeat the “Constantine leaving his band” drama from seasons past. She’ll probably make it through Hollywood to the audience vote.

Faux rocker Randy Madden cries and I know immediately he will be bad. Really bad. He’s not as bad as I thought, but he’s obviously not good enough.

High schooler J.B. Ahfua has really bad eyebrows. Really bad. He has Hitler stash brows. Nice voice, but he bores me and creeps me out at the same time. He’ll be out early in Hollywood.

Scared Michael Gurr is obviously pretending to get airtime, singing in a weird affected manner. It worked. They showed him.

Montage of bad singers who are desperate for exposure.

X-Ray is all enthusiasm and little else. I want what he’s having.

Ariana (pay it forward girl) Afsar has a beautiful voice! Her right lip kind of snarls when she sings, but I love her tone. Young, but a keeper. Send her to the Top 36!

Bass singer sings badly.

16-year-old pink cowgirl (Lea Marie Golde) is a Kara DioGuardi fan? I’ve never heard of her, and now everyone on this show is pulling an Eddie Haskell by praising her. Weird nasal tone to her voice but a decent shower singer. She should stay there, shrively prune fingers and all. Judges send her home.

Stevie Wright sings some Etta James. I liked her voice a lot, but I don’t know how flexible she’ll be with different styles. Very likeable. She’s one to watch.

Paula compares Stevie to Kelly Clarkson. Do we have our first chosen one (the one that AI tries to push down our collective throats)? It’s a good thing I like her.

Michael the oil rigger has a strong voice and a friendly aw shucks demeanor. Not my fave, but good.

Bathing suit girl Katrina says that she will make out with Ryan. Ryan turns her down for “professional” reasons. Yeah, right, Ryan. Wink wink. Another shower singer with weak control. Kara puts her down and bathing suit girl fights back. Sigh. When will these contestants learn? She’ll be out early in Hollywood.

Later, she kisses Ryan and, he looks SO uncomfortable. Ahem.

Sexual Chacalate sings some Stevie, and he reminds me how great Stevie’s voice is. Sexual is not good.

Rejection montage.

Energetic Brianna Quijada has a good personality with an OK voice and a weak lower register. The judges are split, but she’s through. I think she’ll be an early casualty in Hollywood.

Deanna Brown adopts a family and sings “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.” She’s closer to Michael Bolton than to Otis Redding, and I don’t mean that as a compliment. Judges like her, but I’m iffy.

Horror movie fan Cody sings James Morrison’s “Wonderful World,” and I like it. He reminds me a bit of last year’s Danny, but he sings effortlessly. Not my favorite, but good nonetheless.

Geek Alex Wagner-Trugman missed a Spanish test for this. I like his dry sense of humor. When he sings, his eyebrows do a weird up-and-down thing. BUT if you close your eyes (trust me; I did), he sounds REALLY good. I can see them pulling a Clay and metamorphosing him into something more marketable to the public. And

Alex gives my favorite line of the night. When Randy mentions Joe Cocker, Simon followed by mentioning a Cocker Spaniel to which Alex replies in his mumbling manner: “That would be a good joke if it made sense.” This guy cracks me up. Am I alone here? Will he make it far? No, but I’ll enjoy him while he stays.

“Wanted Dead or Alive” medley. Pass. Reality check. Remember: all of these singers singing the same song are singing for the producers NOT the judges. The footage of the judges reacting is spliced in.

Scott Macintyre, seeing-impaired singer-songwriter, sings Billy Joel. Nice voice. Not necessarily the best song to show off his voice, but it was well done in a restrained, controlled way. Four yeses and he’s through. Barring a breakdown in Hollywood, I would be dumbstruck if they don’t let him get to the Top 36.

Final Scorecard: 27 golden tickets given out in Phoenix.

My faves of the night:
Ariana Asfar
Stevie Wright
Scott Macintyre
Alex Wagner-Trugman (sue me)

Horror movie Cody is just on the outside, but I think the rest that were taken will be early exits in La-La land.

Bingham out.

Cool Links

2009-01-01T19:05:00.003-06:00

Here are some links that I found useful.

TV/Movie Links:
IMDB
Ain't It Cool News

Fun Links:

Misc. Shows to Come

2009-01-01T19:04:00.001-06:00

I will also post some thoughts on some miscellaneous shows as well.

Fringe Thoughts Soon to Come

2009-01-01T19:03:00.002-06:00

I will post my thoughts on Fringe soon.

The Bachelor Thoughts Soon to Come

2009-01-01T19:02:00.002-06:00

I will post Bachelor thoughts soon.

House Thoughts Soon To Come

2009-01-01T18:59:00.002-06:00

I will post House thoughts soon.

About Me

2009-01-01T18:24:00.007-06:00

Welcome to my blog!

I have always been mesmerized by television. As a preteen in the eighties, I used to devour TV Guides as soon as they came in the mail. I loved when new shows would come out. I used to handicap with my friends which shows would last and which ones wouldn't. I was often right (which tells you quite a bit about network execs). I could've told them that Manimal and Automan would fail.

While most kids had a favorite team they would follow, I had a favorite network--NBC for most of my youth. How could you go wrong with the network that brought you St. Elsewhere, Hill Street Blues, Remington Steele, David Letterman, SNL, and The A-Team? My opinion was later bolstered by shows like Hunter, Night Court, and Family Ties.

It's not that I didn't like shows on other networks; it just always seemed like I was cheating on my true love when I enjoyed a non-NBC show.

My love for TV never waned as I grew older (though my channels of preference expanded greatly). Televised friends came; they went. I laughed; I cried.

I watched.

And I keep on watching.

Now, I just feel the need to share my thoughts on these televised moments. I have always watched TV as an active viewer, and to me what makes this passive activity active is the analysis and discussion of these shows.

That's what this blog is: my thoughts, my analysis, and an open invitation for you to share yours.

As for the blog itself, I have really never done this sort of thing before, so bear with me while I make tons of changes.

If you have suggestions about how I can improve this blog, please post them and let me know.

Until next time, happy viewing and happy blogging!

Hell's Kitchen

2009-01-01T16:03:00.000-06:00

Thoughts on Hell's Kitchen.

Heroes

2009-01-01T16:02:00.000-06:00

Heroes thoughts will be here soon!

The Office

2009-01-01T16:01:00.000-06:00

Thoughts are soon to come.

New Comment System

2009-01-01T14:29:00.000-06:00

IGNORE THIS POST!

Apparently, this cool new thing I implemented over the weekend is BLOCKED by our servers at school. That means that people can't see any comments at school, getting rid of a large part of the viewership. I will go back to the old system of comments or find something better.

Thanks!

Okay, I have heard the voices of many and I have changed the comments system. I switched from using the default Blogger comments to Disqus.

Disqus has many bells and whistles that are worth checking out. This should make it easier to follow threads in which you show interest and actually comment on other people's comments in a visually obvious way.

Do me a favor and play around by posting some comments to this post. If you notice problems, let me know.

Here's what you must do. Hit comments (as usual). Type in your comment.

Then you may either
1. Select Unclaimed (this is like anonymous). The problem is that when you do this, you may not get an email back telling you that someone has replied to your comment.

2. Select Register. This is the preferred choice. You just type in what username you want (you might need to use your first and last name which is what I did to get a unique one), email address and password. Then anytime someone responds to your email, you will automatically get an email letting you see the post.

3. Select Login. If you have already registered, just type in your username and password. If you always use the same private computer, when you click Login, it should already fill-in your info, so you don't have to enter ANY information again. Pretty simple. Again, all responses to your reply will go straight to you.

4. Facebook Connect. This is a new option that I am still figuring out. More about this soon.

Again, this site is as much yours as it is mine. If you see things that need to be fixed or know ways in which I can do this, let me know.

Only problem is that all of the older posts (prior to this) will have the old comment system. Only the new ones will have the new system. That's why I want you to comment on this post for testing purposes.

Thanks again!