Click here for my latest article. Before the most recent season of American began, there was an announcement of a "major twist" to be added midway through the sixth season. (If it isn't a "twist" it will be a special event show, or something like that.) Here is a typical article on the subject. This one is from TV Guide. Today I read a denial that Michael Jackson is to be involved in the "twist". That would have been a good one. . . I have heard word t...
Click here for my latest article This year, the people who bring us American Idol decided to give the "Hollywood Round" two hours over two nights, while increasing the number of two hour audition episodes. Apparently the focus groups preferred an endless parade of poor singers to the first part of the legitimate competition. Here's one of many bold predictions that I will make during this season of Idol: They will spend more time on the Hollywood round for season seven.
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Click here for my latest article From this point, American Idol begins to get increasingly interesting. For some reason, it seems that the "Hollywood" round has been cut shorter than usual this year. (Maybe it polled low or something. Too bad, it is one of my favorite parts.) If the number of nights that the Hollywood Round wasn't cut short, they must have decided to go with a one hour show. Too bad, I'll take as much of Hollywood as I can get. So here's how...
Click here for my latest article Tonight's show featured the rest of the auditions that hadn't previously made it on to television. Most of tonight's auditions were good, with a few poor ones thrown in. Those who made it : Tami Gosnell: pulls a cart for a living. Has a unique, plain-Jane appeal. Is an awfully good singer as well. I think that this one may stick around for a while. Paul Kim: took William Hung as sort of an "inspiration" inasmuch as&...
Click here for my latest article Link Tonight's episode featured the final audition stop in San Antonio, Texas. After tomorrow's audition highlights show, the competition will finally move on to Hollywood, where the fun will begin. The Contestants: Haley Scarnato: Former wedding band singer. Nice look, and a reasonably good singer. I really liked her. The judges were a bit lukewarm on her. I have a feeling that she'll sneak into the next round (after Hollywood). Jasmine H...
Click here for my latest article After tonight there will be only one more audition show. Following that will be the Hollywood/ group round, and then (my favorite) the sound stage round. I enjoyed tonight's Los Angeles auditions. The judges seemed relaxed, the show was one hour long, and they only showed three contestants who made it to the next round. These kind of shows make it easy for me to relax while still taking notes. Tonight's notables: Alaina Alexander: a young lad...
Click here for my latest article So this morning (or last night) as I was logging in to MSN Messenger, I came across a "featured" video. I saw a music video for the song "Fidelity" by a young lady named Regina Spektor. After watching the video, I thought to myself: "Meh. This song is okaaay , but not great." I did have the sneaking suspicion that it is the type of song that tends to grow on a person. Sure enough, I caught myself humming the song earlier this even...
Click here for my latest article. In my 4th or 5th year of writing about Idol, (I didn't start writing about season two until really late,) the audition rounds are the hardest to write about. Lots of the contestants at this point are either very poor, or not taking things seriously. I don't really want to write about the never-will-bes, so I've decided to skip all but the most noticeable this year. Out of the contestants that we saw on tonight's show, I was impres...
Click here for my latest article The Idol Memphis auditions were aired last night. For the first time in this young season, we were presented with contestants who were memorable, and above-average in likability. Sundance Head: Looks like Sundance will be the first fan-favorite of the season. He sang very well, and he seems to be a very nice young man. My biggest concern is that since he has a famous parent, portions of the audience may not relate to (a...
Click here for my latest article Tonight's auditions in Seattle seemed to go just as poorly as the ones in Minneapolis. At the end of the show it was announced that only 14 contestants from Seattle were sent on to the next round. That isn't many! Of those who weren't selected, my favorite has to have been white-haired, gold sheen shirt-wearing Darwin "Mischa" Reedy. Despite an interesting appearance and questionable singing, I was impressed at her graciousness in reject...
Click here for my latest article: Last night we were having some issues. The MOXI DVR (like a TiVo) at our house is broken. (Cable guy just called and said that he'll be to our house within 20 minutes.) We had to watch the show real-time, fuzzy, with all of the commercials, and with two small children causing numerous distractions. Thankfully we will be able to watch the show tonight AFTER the kids go to bed. I'll tell you: those DVRs really change a person's tele...
The sixth season of "American Idol" will start on Tuesday. I am looking forward to that. As usual, I intend to offer weekly recaps and opinions. I will have to get prepared to take notes while watching the show..
So the other day as I was listening to the radio, I heard the song "Lazy Eye" by the Silversun Pickups. I thought that the song was excellent, and have since watched a number of their videos on their website, and on youtube. Seems as if they're an up-and-coming band. To me, the sound that they make reminds me a lot of (another one of my favorites) Liz Phair. In fact I was a little surprised to find out that the singer from the band is actually a man. The guy sounds...
Noticed something last night watching the election results come in: SEPARATED AT BIRTH: Failed Minnesota US Senate candidate Mark Kennedy: Former STYX frontman Dennis DeYoung: (I wish that I had a better DeYoung "headshot", but for some reason I can't find one.)