Watching Sitcoms

I’m not looking forward to Mariah Carey night on American Idol. Maybe it’s cause I’m not a fan. Well, I do have her Christmas CD and I like it, but honestly, I don’t think I’d know one of her other songs if I heard it. I just don’t listen to pop music. Or dance music. Or Top 40 music. Well, I guess tonight I get to find out if I have heard these songs.

So here’s the rundown and my thoughts:

David Archuleta - When You Believe. I read an article about him this week and who ever wrote it was speculating that David’s humble persona may not be phony, as I’ve always proposed, but that he’s really just a geeky little showbiz kid with a domineering father. Just in case, I’ll try to be nice to him tonight. He’s already in a bad spot starting off the show, poor thing, although I doubt that will hurt him. I’m not sure what I think about his singing, cause I just didn’t know the song, but I don’t think he was bad or anything. He has a nice voice.

Carly Smithson - Without You. OK, I know this song, but only because it’s an old song - Badfinger, right? So, Mariah and Carly lie about having met each other back in 2001. I’m sorry, but she could have the best voice ever and I just wouldn’t be able to get over all the lies and cover ups they’ve gone through to keep this chick on Idol. And she doesn’t have the best voice ever. Actually, I think she was kinda boring. At least she covered her tats this week. I hate the way keep trying to make it sound like she’s never sung before in front of large crowds and how Randy keeps saying she’s great when she’s just OK. Grrrrrr arrrrrrrghhhh!!

Syesha Mercado - Vanishing. Mariah Carey night ought to be like the mother ship coming for Syesha. My husband really likes her, but to me, she just always sounds like she’s overdoing it. Once again, my husband loves it. My mom thought it was good, too. I just didn’t get it.

Brooke White - Hero. I’ve heard this one before, too. So I have to imagine it was a huge hit. Or maybe they used it for a Penney’s commercial or something. So, are the judges gonna call Brooke on hiding behind the piano every week? Well, I guess you can say that what you see here is what you’re gonna get with Brooke. I liked her a lot back in the beginning of all this, but little by little, I’ve liked her less and less. She’s OK, just kinda the same and boring. Every week. I’d also like for her to not answer back to the judges when they talk to her. Or speak at all, if possible.

Kristy Lee Cook - Forever. My mom says, she’s make a good country artist. Right, mom. My husband, “That was good. It put me to sleep.” I wasn’t even that impressed, cause I didn’t get a nap. Or chills.

David Cook - Always Be My Baby. I did a quick search to see if I could find someone who did a rock cover of this song, but I came up with nothing. Maybe I didn’t look hard enough. Laura isn’t here this week, so I’m free to like David if I want to. I liked it. Not as much as the judges, maybe, but more than my husband who said, “it stinks.” I thought he started out a little low and mumbly, but he really kicked into it in the middle. OK, now he’s crying, so I like him even more.

Jason Castro - I Don’t Wanna Cry. Thankfully, Jason is right where he belongs, in the pimp spot. I was surprised to hear a bit of a pop sound in Jason’s voice during one of the group songs on Idol Gives Back night. (Don’t ask me which one, cause I just don’t remember and I’m not gonna bother to go look it up.) So I’m not worried about him singing this drivel. I thought it was lovely. My mom likened him to Frank Sinatra, who didn’t have a great voice, but had style. Jason does have style, but I also like his voice. It’s smooth.

Well, it’s over and I lived through it.

I think we’re gonna lose one of the blonds tonight. Here’s the way I see it. David A is already the winner, David C is his only serious competition. Carly has to stay in this, because they insist on her being in it, so she’s third. Syesha will make the top 5, because no one wants to look racist, so she could be 4 or 5. The other top 5 spot probably belongs to the other blond. So here’s my new rundown (keep in mind, this isn’t what I want, it’s just what I think):

7. Kristy
6. Jason
5. Syesha
4. Brooke
3. Carly
2. David C.
1. David A.

Oh, and this week’s bottom three: Brooke, Kristy and Carly. My husband doesn’t agree, but then he’s half asleep.

I had some vague plan of writing a review of Idol Gives Back. But, honestly, I just didn’t care enough. I watched it, mostly in fast forward, but I watched it. I’m just not impressed with star studded variety shows. I’m just not that impressed with celebrities in general. So, I barely know who any of those people were. Sure, I’d heard of them, but I didn’t care.

I did watch a couple of parts, like Fergie singing with Heart. Although, I nearly didn’t recognize Heart. How the heck old are they anyway? Also, I watched Billy Crystal with Miley Cyrus (although not Miley singing, cause why would I?) and Robin Williams with Simon, Paula and Randy. I was good with just watching that much.

So tonight we are on to the results show and we will lose someone. Generally, the shocker week is anywhere between this week (8 idols) and the week with 6 idols. Someone usually goes home who most people think should have stayed longer. Examples are Jennifer Hudson, Trenyce, Constantine Maroulis, Jon Peter Lewis and Nadia Turner. All of them left between this week and the next two weeks. Some of the spoilery stuff I’ve been reading made me think a shocker elimination might be possible for this week, and I’d be OK with that. Depending on who’s getting the shock. Hopefully, it’s Carly.

I think I’ve mentioned before that we don’t seem to have anyone that people really hate this year. I mean, I hate plenty of them, but there’s no one like Sanjaya (there really isn’t!) who people keep asking why is he still on there. I’m not sure I like that, cause the controversy is what makes this show fun to watch.

First off, I note Brooke pouting at the mere idea of someone going home tonight. Get over it, Brooke, that’s what this show is all about and you are not going to win. Next, there is a recap of last night, they raised over $60 million so far, yadda, yadda, yadda. Then they again sing Shout to the Lord, which was the last song from last night. Because the show went over by several minutes, they probably decided that lots of people missed it. I know it got cut off on my DVR.

Then there are some more celebrity appeals and a random celebrity sing along to I’m a Believer. I don’t know why. And I don’t care.

There were 31 million votes Tuesday night, Ryan tells us, the highest so far this season. The best season ever. (I never paid attention before, but it would be interesting to see how many votes are there on a normal night of any season that isn’t “the best season ever.”)

On to the cuts:

First up is Brooke White. We have to find out why she was so emotional on Tuesday. Again, I don’t care. Anyway, she is safe, so I guess she’s not going to her sister’s wedding after all.

David Cook is next. They discussed him being arrogant, smug and pompous. He is also safe. Loud screams and applause.

Now we have David Archuleta. He is safe. (I don’t care enough to mention what he and Ryan chatted about.)

Right now I hate the fact that I am watching this live, cause I can’t fast forward through the commercials like I usually do on cut and chop night. Sigh.

Back from the commercials and into another celebrity appeal; Forest Whittaker in Africa.

Then I have to sit through Jordin Sparks singing with someone I don’t know. Sometimes (and this is one of those times) I wonder why I watch this show. I am so not a Top 40 crap music person. I didn’t like Jordin too much last year, and I hate whatever it was she did tonight. It’s not my style of music at all. Again, I wish I could be fast forwarding right now.

More commercials, more celebrity appeals. Fun Ford commercial to I Just Want to Celebrate.

Back to the results:

Up next is Jason Castro. Lots of screams. Discussion of the price of ukies. (Wow, the one I bought my hubby a few years ago was only $60.) Jason is safe.

Next is Kristy Lee Cook. Kristy is safe.

So the bottom three are Syesha Mercado, Carly Smithson and Michael Johns. Laura may cry. She is out of town and can’t watch tonight, so I have to text her. This is Syesha’s third trip to the Bottom Three since the Top 12. It’s Carly’s second and Michael’s first.

More commercials, more celebrity appeals, Presidential candidate appeals. At least John McCain was funny.

So who’s out . . . Michael Johns. Oh my, Laura is so gonna cry. He looked so sad, I might just cry a little myself.

Here we are being inspirational with the Top 8 on American Idol. Laura says there is a new intro. Is there? I must have missed it.

Right on into the music then:

Michael Johns - Dream On, Aerosmith. Still with the ascot. What’s up with that? Apparently, he didn’t read any of the reviews from last week. This is one of Laura’s favorite songs and since Michael is her favorite, this could be a great moment or a really bad one. I’m still stuck on that ascot. But I think he did a good job. The ending was a little off, but he didn’t suck.

Question: What is up with Randy lately? He’s just been crazy down on these kids this year.

Syesha Mercado - I Believe, Fantasia. I’m not sure what she’s trying to prove by singing this, other than she’s not as good as Fantasia. But I’ve said it all along, my biggest problem with Syesha has always been that she thinks she’s better than she is. She wants to be Whitney or Fantasia. She’s not and she never will be. She over sings it, as usual. I’m not impressed. I think this might be the end for her.

Jason Castro - Over The Rainbow, Judy Garland (Israel Kamakawiwoʻole’s version). I’m not sure I’m happy about this choice. My nephew used this version at his wedding and I didn’t like it much then either. However, I thought Jason was great. I know, Jason not exciting, but he’s cute and he gives you the same thing every week. Clearly, this is his style and I like it. He’s not a powerhouse singer, but he’s who he is. Also, clearly, the judges are pimping him this week, cause they want him to stick around. They hardly ever give him any praise, but tonight they love him. My sister just called to tell me that that was the song from my nephew’s wedding and what a great job Jason did. My husband loved it. My mother said, he’s so cute. Laura, is not a fan. But, so far, Jason has caused the most discussion tonight in this living room.

We even had a discussion about whether or not he had messed up the lyrics. He didn’t. I went back and found Kamakawiwoʻole’s version on youtube and it is exactly the same.

Kristy Lee Cook - Anyway, Martina McBride. I don’t know country music, so I don’t know this song. And I probably won’t like it cause KLC is singing it. Laura wants me to go back and see how many times Kristy has worn a sequined tank top on this show. I just went back through the Top 24 shows - it was 5 times. This doesn’t include shiny shirts that aren’t tank tops. Laura thinks this is too many. My husband said she looks pretty good in them. I refuse to weigh in on the topic, cause then I’d have to kill my husband. Meanwhile, I kinda missed what Kristy sang. But, as I said, I wasn’t gonna like it anyway.

David Cook - Innocent, Our Lady Peace. This may be the first song on the show this year that was written after the 80’s. I want to like him. Mostly cause Laura hates him so much, but it sounded kinda mumbly to me. When it didn’t sound screamy, that is. Plus, I didn’t get his starting out low and then jumping high and then back down again vocal techinique. No one actually like him. Also, I was the only one in the room who had ever heard this song before, but then I listen to a Canadian station a lot, so maybe that’s it. Overall, I think this was his worst week and he might even be in trouble.

Carly Smithson - The Show Must Go On, Queen. This seems like a weird song choice to me and to Laura, I mean for inspirational. Simon agrees. I’d like to go back and count how many times she’s worn a sleeveless top. But I don’t care enough to waste the time. I know I’m hard on her, but I just don’t get her. What is her style, exactly? Also, I feel like she’s had her chances, she has contacts in the industry, and she just doesn’t deserve to take this spot from someone else who needs it more. I mean what’s gonna happen? She’s gonna get another recording contract, record another album, and sell another 436 copies, or however many the last album sold? My husband just reminded us of Constantine, singing one bad song and getting the boot. One can hope this might also be Carly’s fate as well.

David Archuleta - Angels, Robbie Williams. David had a hard time picking an inspirational song, because he’s only 17 and he has no idea about inspiration, only angst. My mother felt that his song was the first inspirational song tonigth. Personally, I just felt like it was another slow boring ballad. Where is Amanda Overmeyer when you need someone to rock the inspiration? Sorry, I’m not ready to like this kid. I think he’s a total phony. Laura just pointed out if I didn’t expect inspirational week to be dull, then I must not have been watching Idol last year. True.

Brooke White - You’ve Got a Friend, James Taylor. Brooke is in the pimp spot tonight, which is good for her, cause it was looking shaky last week. She chooses to just stand and sing, letting someone else play piano for her, which is nice. But I don’t think that she’s is just a singer/singer, I think she’s a a piano player/singer, so maybe it’s not good for her to just stand there. As I’m listening to her sing tonight, I realize that she is just not gonna win this thing. This song is her style and she’s good, but too dated and old fashioned to be the winner.

My top three this week were Jason, Michael and Brooke. I know some of you will argue that David A deserves a Top 3 spot. Maybe so, but I don’t actually count him when I make my decisions. My least three faves were Carly, Kristy and David Cook (mostly cause I expected more from him).

But if I had to pick the actual bottom three, I’m not sure, cause I think David Cook’s fan base will keep him safe. And maybe Kristy’s, too. I do think that Syesha will probably be in the bottom 3 and may be going home on Thursday.

The American Idols started out the show singing Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5. Once again, I wonder if Ramiele’s mike is even on. And did Michael Johns mess up the words? (”oh, would zerv faaaa promotion”) Actually, this was probably the best group sing so far. They almost seemed coordinated.

I fast forward through the recap, since I already lived through it once, and we get right to the eliminations.

First up is Michael and he is safe.

David A is next. He is safe. Ryan asked if the song he sang, Smokey Mountain Memories, touched him. Please, the kid is like 12 years old, he has no memories, mountainous or otherwise. They just want everyone to think that he is “deep.”

Next we have Carly who is also safe. She does at least have short sleeves on tonight. Thankfully. But, unfortunately, I can still see her stupid tattoo.

Totally fast-forwarding through the viewer questions. Really, really fast.

OK, so now we have some sort of country boy band, like the Jonas Brothers down on the farm or something. I notice that no one was waiving their arms in the “mosh pit” while they sang, which made me very happy. As far as their interpretation of Jesus on the Mainline, in our church, we always sang that line “call him up” but they said “call collect.” Hmm.

Ford commercial time. Ah, so now the pics I saw online of them in those gay outfits all makes sense. Tell me something, were the Idols singing that weird song?

Back to the results, David Cook is up next. He is safe.

Well, we are really getting down to the wire now, since there are only five people left.

Ramiele is next. Please tell me she is not safe, please, please. Yes! She is in the Bottom 3.

Next up is Kristy. She is prepared to be in the Bottom 3, as she should be, and she is right, she is in the Bottom 3.

The only people left are Jason, Brooke and Syesha. One of them is in the Bottom 3.

Fast forwarding again, to get through some stuff about past idols, Bucky Covington, Phil Stacey and Bo Bice. I have nothing against them, I just don’t care. Alright, I admit, I did stop and watch Bo Bice. I always liked him.

Back to eliminations. Syesha is up and she is safe.

OK, deep breath. Was I right, is Brooke in the Bottom 3 or is it Jason again?? Jason is safe, Brooke is in the Bottom 3; I called the Bottom 3. Yay me!

I again fast forwarded through Idol Gives Up, or whatever that’s called. I did stop to listen to a few moments of Dolly. Which was totally enough. I do think her outfit was pretty horrific. Like Elvis’s Vegas wedding gown.

Was that Holly Robinson Peete in the audience? Wow, what show is she in now that she needs to be seen?

So back to the Bottom 3. Does it seem like they are letting the Idols just randomly babble on and on more than they used to?

Brooke is safe. Kristy is safe. Ramiele is out. So I did call it. This might be a good day to buy that lottery ticket.

Country week dawns on American Idol. (Cue Grieg’s Morning.) I hate country week. Mostly, cause I hate country music. Although, being a child (or is that young adult) of the 80’s, I’ve always been kinda partial to Dolly Parton. Don’t misunderstand me, I don’t know too many of her songs, unless they hit the Top 40 charts. And, I wasn’t much of a Top 40 fan either, for that matter, but that’s beside the point. What’s the point again? Oh, right, Dolly Parton. Anyway, I always thought of her and Kenny Rogers as being sorta less than country or something like that. But I still hate country music and I only know about five Dolly songs, so its doubtful if I’m gonna know most of these songs.

Dolly herself is a real sweetie. I thought she didn’t really give them advice, but she was like Paula and just managed to find something good to say about everyone.

So here’s my take on the night:

Brooke White - Jolene. I don’t know this song. I wasn’t impressed. It was just OK for me, and once again, this week, Brooke was just kinda dull. Also, why aren’t they calling her on singing with the guitar every week?

David Cook - Little Sparrow. Don’t know it, so I couldn’t tell you who’s version he was singing. I like him more and more every week. I think he’s consistent and always true to himself. I don’t care what Laura says. She’s sitting right next to me, but I’m gonna tilt this computer away from her so she can’t see what I’m writing. Paula likes his haircut? I thought it make him look like a chicken. Sorry.

Right now I want to shoot every single one of those people standing in the front and waving their arms in the air. Grrrrr arrgghhhh!

Ramiele Malubay - Do I Ever Cross Your Mind. Nope, don’t know this one either. They always talk about Ramiele’s big voice, but to me, it sounds like the music completely overpowers her. Plus, I want to get a scissors and cut that hair that covers her eye. I just didn’t like it and I agree with Simon. She looked cute, though.

Jason Castro - Travelin’ Thru. Don’t know it, but I loved it. I’m so in love with this guy. That was awesome! I think pulling the Christian card was also a good idea for him. Even Laura thought he was good, and she doesn’t like him.

Carly Smithson - Here You Come Again. Finally, a song I know. But Carly slowed it down too much for me. I just don’t know why they like her so much. Of course, she did the glory note, and the judges always love that. But still, the way she raised the key and then came back down, it sounded awkward to me. Once again, she has no sleeves. Doesn’t anyone remember when the tattooed lady was just considered a circus side show freak?

David Archuleta - Smoky Mountain Memories. Back to the songs I’ve never heard before. Everyone on this couch but me loves this kid. Yes, he can sing, but I just can’t help feeling that he’s not as sweet and modest as he appears. I just don’t like him.

Kristy Lee Cook - Coat of Many Colors. Don’t know it. If you like country music, I guess she carried the tune. Other than that, I hated it. Also, why is she barefoot?? Yuck!

Syesha Mercado - I Will Always Love You. Of course, I know this song, but I’d rather she wasn’t singing it. No one can do Whitney on this show and live to tell about it unless they are incredible. Syesha is not incredible. Well, at least she didn’t try to be Whitney. And I have to give her props for singing those notes while sitting. But still, it was kinda blah for me. What was the deal with her being barefoot, too?

Michael Johns - It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right. Never heard this one before either. But I am happy to see Michael in the pimp spot for once. Very nice. I liked the bluesy feel he gave to the song, plus, he ended it really well. Good job! I think this is definitely one of his best.

My top three are Jason, Michael and David Cook.

My bottom three are Brooke, Ramiele and Kristy.

Who’s going home? I hope its either Ramiele or Kristy, cause I think they’ve both overstayed their welcome.

Miss Guided was still pretty cute last week. I’m not saying its my favorite show or anything, but each week I find myself remembering to DVR it.

Last Thursday there was an episode, “Rebel Yell,” where Becky decides she has to learn to live it up a little more, and so she joins with Lisa and Tim, to prank Bruce, the Vice Principal. They start out in the kitchen eating pizza and drinking beer, and when Bruce comes to investigate, they run. It turns into this whole Breakfast Club music video bit, where they dance, in sync, through doorways and other stuff like that. For me, at least, it was just pretty funny. Of course, Becky being the more socially awkward, ends up trashing Bruce’s office, all on her own, and gets caught on a surveillance camera video that Bruce has set up.

The other episode dealt with Becky and Lisa having to plan a retirement party for the meanest, nastiest, most hated teacher at the school, Mrs. Pool, who is secretly blackmailing almost everyone. Becky is the only one who gets up the nerve to tell her off, with fairly drastic results.

Miss Guided airs it’s last two first season episodes this Thursday, April 3, at 8 pm and 8:30 pm ET on ABC, and it has not yet been renewed for a second season. But I hope it sticks around, because its nice to see a comedy that’s more about being funny, and less about being rude.

Remember, if you’ve missed them, you can still watch the full episodes at the website, here.

The American Idol Top 10 are about to be the American Idol Top 9.

I’d rather not have any surprises tonight, but then what I want is rarely taken into consideration. Besides everybody seems to like somebody in this group. There don’t appear to be any Sanjayas or John Stevenses, who have a small fan base and a huge hate base.

Once again, this week, I am thankful that I’ve DVRd the show, so I can fast forward through stuff like the song writing competition. I almost fast forward through the big group sing, but I’m a masochist and I force myself to listen. And watch. It’s always so awkward, like they just met backstage a few minutes ago, someone told them the name of the song they were singing, and sent them out there. As it turns out, it wasn’t worth watching at all, cause not one of the guys sang. If it was my call, I’d get rid of all the girls and just let the guys finish up this competition.

Question: Does Carly ever wear a shirt with sleeves? Does she own any?

I completely fast forwarded through the recap to get the the results. *deep breath*

Here we go. First up is Chikezie. He is in the Bottom 3.

Next is Brooke. She is safe.

Carly is also safe.

Next follows what might possibly be the first cool looking Ford commercial in the history of American Idol.

Back to the results and next is David A. He is safe.

Then David Cook who is also safe.

Syesha is in the Bottom 3.

Michael is safe.

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!! Constantine in the audience. Wait, did I just do that out loud?

Hang on, I have to fast forward through the stupid audience questions. (And be aassured, both the audience and the questions are stupid.)

I am gonna watch the stuff about Kimberly Locke, cause I always liked her.

Ryan is naming off the stars who will be here for Idol Gives Back. My husband asks, “Aren’t those the Hollywood Squares?” I then fast forwarded through the rest of it.

Back to the results:

Ramiele is next. She should be in the Bottom 3. But she is safe. Who votes for this kid?

Jason and Kristy come out next. Kristy is safe and Jason is in the Bottom 3.

This is not the right Bottom 3.

Jason is safe!!!!! Yay!!! I can breathe again.

Syesha is safe and Chikezie is gone. I’m gonna miss him, but even more, I’m gonna miss his mother.

Usually, I mark down who I think is going out in what order on American Idol when we get to the Top 12. I didn’t do that this year, cause this group is, overall, so bad (even if they seem to have the most prior experience and recording contracts than any other season) and several of them are being so pimped, I have no idea how its all gonna go down.

I guess I will try to do it with the Top 10. After I hear them sing this week. I guess this week is songs from the year they were born, so it will be pretty much like 80’s week again. Which is OK with me, cause the 80’s are my favorite. I’ve seen the spoilers for what they will be singing, and there aren’t too many surprises there. As a matter of fact, a friend of mine and I were trying to guess what people would sing, and after seven years of this show, you just know there are certain songs they are gonna do. We got two of them matched up, the right songs with the right singers. Well, I was excited anyway.

So this week, since we are up to the Top 10, the people we are going to be paying money to see and hear at the concert, I will try to give them an actual mark or grade as they sing, along with my candid comments, which I know bring so much joy to others.

Ramiele Malubay - Alone, Heart (1987). Apparently, they are throwing her to the curb by making her sing first, when she’s already so lucky to be still be here. How she expects this song to hold up against the best it was ever done on this show, by Carrie Underwood, I don’t know. There were some definite bad notes in there and she just doesn’t seem to connect with the song or the audience. She’s gotta go. Grade: D-

Jason Castro - Fragile, Sting (1987). March 25th, hmmm, today is his 21st birthday. He does have beautiful eyes and yet he is so dorky. Jason just seems so comfortable behind the guitar, you know its his thing. Plus, a little Spanish for us this week, huh? That is a great song and, in my opinion, he did a good job with it. I agree with Paula, he is true to who he is. You know who also did that, Ruben Studdard and Chris Daughtry. They were themselves every week and look where they ended up. Grade: B+

Syesha Mercado - If I Were Your Woman, Stephanie Mills (1987). I wish she would never do that baby cry again. Ever. Syesha’s another one who does the same thing every week. But will the judges call her on it? If you ask me, she completely oversings everything. Amanda was right, ballads are boring. Now, my husband just said “that’s beautiful,” so maybe it’s all a matter of opinion. My mom just called to tell me how wonderful she thought it was, too. Grade: B- (mostly cause everyone else liked it.)

Chikezie - If Only For One Night, Luther Vandross (1985). I’m forced to say each week how much I hate those people in the front randomly swaying, arms in the air, out of sync with the music. I hate, hate, hate them. It completely distracts me from the singing. OK, I closed my eyes so I can just listen. He’s really good this week and its surprising to me how he’s good singing both slow and fast. My husband’s comment, “that was excellent.” And I have to agree. It was smart of him to keep his mouth shut and not argue with Simon, too, cause that could only hurt him. Grade: B+

Brooke White - Every Breath You Take, The Police (1983). Oooh, straight hair. Oooh, false start?? What was that about? I guess this show really is live. She must have started in the wrong key. Deciding to start acapella probably wasn’t a good idea. I like her better than last week, but it’s just not a good version of that song, which is one of my favorites. She’s getting kinda boring for me. Grade: C

Michael Johns - We Are the Champions, Queen (1978). He was a little cutie, wasn’t he? Apparently, he had a bad temper though, throwing tables. Wow, he did great!! This is the Michael Johns we used to know and love back during Hollywood week. I actually liked him tonight and that hasn’t happened since he hit the Top 24, I think. He was the best of the night so far for me. (And apparently for Simon, who said basically the same thing just after I typed that.) Grade: A

Carly Smithson - Total Eclipse of the Heart, Bonnie Tyler (1983). Something happened to my sound when her mom was talking, so I don’t know how she got her name.

Then my screen went blank for a while. When it came back on, Simon was telling David Archuleta what a bad job he did. (David Archuleta - You’re the Voice, David Foster with Jeff Pescetto (1990).)

I wonder if the good people at Fox know that the half the Eastern seaboard apparently didn’t get to hear Carly and David and if that means we’ll have to do this show over tomorrow. I sincerely hope not. Well, I don’t how many people really lost the show, but I know that my phone was ringing with people trying to figure out if it was just them.

Honestly, as it turns out, I don’t care much about Carly or David A., so I’m OK. No matter what they did I wasn’t gonna like it. I wouldn’t have graded them above C-, so there you have it.

Kristy Lee Cook - God Bless the USA, Lee Greenwood (1984). She may no longer annoy her family when she sings, but she’s bugging the heck outta me. This song was written back in 1984? Well, I’ve always hated country music, so maybe I just wasn’t paying attention. It was a smart choice for her, cause its country and its about God and the USA, so she’s probably safe this week. Personally, I hated it, but I just don’t care for her sound. Paula said she’s heard better from Kristy? Where was I? Kristy should have been gone this week, but now we’ll have to listen to her sing at least once again. Grade: F

David Cook - Billie Jean, Michael Jackson (1983). I know I’ve heard this version before. I remember thinking, what song is that? But I like it. Stuff like this always makes David Cook seem like he’s being so original. Which is a good thing, cause that sounded like I was dissing him. I wasn’t. He’s just really good. He’s almost even starting to look cute to me. I think he just got bumped up to my best of the night. Grade: A+

After listening to Carly and David A. in the recap, I’m even more certain I wouldn’t have liked them.

So, I think the bottom three will be Ramiele, Syesha and Brooke. Or it should be anyway. And Ramiele should leave us.

This is my order for people to leave, keep in mind this isn’t necessarily what I want, just what I think will happen:
10. Ramiele
9. Kristy
8. Chikezie
7. Brooke
6. Michael
5. Jason
4. Syesha
3. Carly
2. David C.
1. David A.

I watched a couple eps of Miss Guided last Thursday. It was actually two episodes back to back which aired on ABC before Lost last week. They are doing the same thing this week, two back to back episodes, starting at 8:00 pm ET.

I don’t know what I thought this show would be like, but it was actually kinda cute. Becky Freeley (played by Judy Greer), was a gawky, insecure high school student (weren’t we all?). She has now returned to her alma mater as a guidance counselor hoping to have finally overcome her awkward, traumatic high school experiences.

Also on staff is Tim (played by Kristoffer Polaha), a school mechanic who has been recruited into a position as the substitute Spanish teacher. It’s clear that Becky is in love with Tim, but unfortunately, although he treats her as a friend, he seems unaware of her attraction to him. Also, unfortunately, the hot new English teacher, Lisa Germain (played by Brooke Burns), is her past high school nemesis, and it forces Becky to relive her high school neurosis, as well as giving her a rival for Tim’s affections. Miss Guided also stars Earl Billings as Principal Huffy and Chris Parnell as Vice Principal Bruce Terry.

One episode, “Hot Sub” was about a new substitute Spanish teacher (played by Ashton Kutcher, an Executive Producer of the show), that Becky is determined not to like, because it appears that he will be replacing Tim, forcing him back to his position as school auto shop teacher. Ashton’s character is universally liked at the school, because of his laid back, friendly persona, and his ability to connect so easily with both faculty and student. However, then he makes it clear that he prefers Becky to Lisa.

The other ep, “The List” was about their school’s gossip website and Becky’s crazy machinations to move up on the hottest teacher list.

You can see the the full eps at the ABC website. Also, you might want to check it out this Thursday.

Welcome To The Captain. Did you see it when it was on? (Monday nights at 8:30 pm ET on CBS) Yeah, me neither. Which makes it a good thing that you can watch the eps online. What did we ever do before the Internet?

Josh Flug, played by Fran Kranz, is a Hollywood filmmaker. When he is not as successful as he’d hoped, he decides to move back to New York City thinking it will give him a fresh vision. Instead, his friend, Marty Tanner (Chris Klein), slightly sleazy accountant to the stars, convinces Josh to move into an old Hollywood apartment building, El Capitan, where an apartment has just become available. Once Josh meets some of the other strange characters also living there, “Uncle” Saul (Jeffrey Tambor), who was a writer on “a little show called Three’s Company,” Charlene Van Ness (Raquel Welch), an over-sexed, older actress bombshell, Astrid (Valerie Aslynn), an aspiring actress who puts an “S” in front of words that don’t require it, and Jesus (Al Madrigal), the front desk man and building snoop, he is ready to call it quits. But then he sees Hope (Joanna Garcia), a failing student acupuncturist, and falls in love, so he decides to stay.

The show was a mid-season replacement, which was given the go-ahead for six episodes. They aired only five and the last four are available to watch at the website. I managed to catch it before last week, so the pilot ep was still up. Its gone now, but this isn’t Royal Shakespeare or anything, so you can watch the eps in any order and just jump in where ever you want. This is definitely light watching, nothing deep or important happens, but the stories are interesting and silly, without being stupid, and the actors are fun and engaging. Which most likely means its going to be cancelled. I can’t find anything that says either way if it’s coming back or not, but I hope it does. Either way, you can check it out for yourself.

The only thing was it wouldn’t let me make the online video into a full screen and it was annoying watching such a small screen. (It looks like that’s OK now, though.) Other than that, I’ve really enjoyed watching the show. Most of the reviews I’ve read are a bit mixed. But that’s why I never care what the reviewers say.

I’m ready for eliminations on American Idol. But are they?

I’m glad they addressed the weird hand to head thing Simon has been doing, even if they didn’t explain it. They must be reading my blog.

Well, I always hate the big group sing, but this one almost started out strong. Then they all started singing and it just fell apart. My question is why didn’t Jason Castro get a solo? Don’t they know he’s the only reason I’m still watching this season??

I could have lived without the recaps of the last two nights as well, but one assumes they have to fill up the hour somehow.

I almost cried when Ryan told Jason Castro he had bad news. Ryan, you can’t do that to me. I’m old and my heart can’t take it. I was neither surprised nor saddened that it was the end for Jason Yaeger. Well, maybe a little saddened when I thought about his son and how sad he would be. It made me think about a time years ago when my husband was in a food eating contest. He won and he took over the title “Dude of Food” from a friend of ours, Marc. They had made up a belt and everything and it was pretty funny. Except for Marc’s son, who sat in the corner and cried. He took it so seriously that his dad had lost and we all felt bad about it. So, I felt a little like that. But I’m already over it.

I was a little sad that it was Alexandrea and not Amanda, but I had already figured that out. I check dialidol.com. Plus, VFTW is voting for Amanda.

I also thought that the second girl was going to be either Kady or Alaina, and since I can’t really tell them apart yet and I don’t like either one of them, I didn’t really care that much. I’m sorry the little chick cried and stuff, but she’ll have to learn to deal with stuff a little bit better if she wants to become a singing superstar. OK, fine, when she was singing about her heart being broken and her eyes crying, I may have cried a little. You know, just a stray tear or two. And except for one or two off notes, Alaina almost sounded better tonight than last night. I think it was cause she was feeling an actual emotion.

It does suck that this crowd, that I think is one of the worst ever, gets to sing Beatles songs. It’s just wrong on so many levels.

Another Idol Gives Back on April 9. Thanks for the heads up. It gives me a chance to make other plans. Also, why does American Idol give back to places that aren’t in America? Just a question.

So now it’s between Luke or Robbie. I would have called Luke, except Luke is much hotter and better to look at, so I’m glad it was Robbie. Although, I’m not sure I want to sit through another song sung by Luke. Maybe he can just sit there and look cute.

What have they done to the 70’s? I remember it as a time of peace, love and harmony. Well, there was neither peace nor harmony on American Idol last night, and I wasn’t loving it.

Ryan still looks good, so that was our positive as we started things off. One other positive was the fact that we only had to sit through one disco tune.

I do have a question as we kick things off with the Top 10 girls, though. The judges thought the guys last night were good? Laura just asked me, “What show were they watching?”

Carly - Crazy on You, Heart. I love this song. I didn’t love her version. It was better than last week and she was technically OK, but she was just missing something. Like she needed more vibrato to make the song resonate the way it should. I really want to like her, but I just can’t. Not yet. Apparently the judges love her and they want her to stay around. Personally, I could lose her.

Syesha - Me and Mr. Jones, Billy Paul. I hate when people change a song like this. Pick a song that’s not meant for a guy. Anyway, she also did OK, but George Huff did this so much better that it can’t even be compared. I thought her version was just too draggy and (here’s that word again from yesterday’s show) dull. My husband’s comment, “weak.”

Also, don’t the Idol people realize that by having these people tell us all about their lives as singers and actresses and whatever, normal people can’t relate to them. I miss the stories of normal people rising to stardom. *sigh*

Brooke - You’re So Vain, Carly Simon. Didn’t she say she wasn’t going to sing any more Carly Simon? Whatever. It is a great song, though, and she does it justice. She was very good, and it comes across as easy, happy and comfortable. All in tune, too. I liked it. She was the best so far. I have to wonder how she would do on something like Bon Jovi night, but still, she’s good. Simon, you’re right, the song was about you!

Ramiele - Don’t Leave Me This Way, Thelma Houston. Our one and only disco diva song. But I like this song. Also, I like Ramiele. She’s just adorable. But did anyone else think she was kinda distracted? She didn’t seem to kick it in the way she should have. She’ll be around next week, though, so hopefully she can fix this.

Kristy Lee - You’re No Good, Linda Ronstadt. Why does it feel like none of these girls really has enough of a voice to tackle these songs? It was OK, but just didn’t thrill me at all. Laura’s comment, “It was no different than the original, except not as good.”

The show tonight seems to be moving a little faster than last night. But maybe that’s because we’re watching it on DVR and can fast-forward through the boring stuff.

Amanda - Carry On My Wayward Son, Kansas. Not a good song choice for her. It sounded like it was all in the wrong key, the chorus was OK, but she didn’t seem to have enough breath to carry off the verses. The weird matching hair and pants thing was pretty distracting, too. Of all the songs in the entire decade, she couldn’t have found something better? I’d say we could lose her and still go on with our lives.

Alaina - Hopelessly Devoted to You, Olivia Newton John. This is not really an appropriate song for this show. What’s pop about this? It’s from a musical, for goodness sake. Is she trying out for Broadway? Beyond which, she was a little flat. I used to kinda like this song. I doubt I’ll ever be able to listen to it again in the same way. Also, it was dull.

I love the fashion arguments. Thank you Simon, Ryan and Randy for telling us how a woman should dress.

Alexandrea (I refuse to put that little accent on her name) - If You Leave Me Now, Chicago. What is the deal with her outfit? Is she going on a hike after the show? OK, I’m bored by this performance. She has a good voice, but the arrangement almost put me to sleep. The ending was nice. She was much better last week.

Kady - Magic Man, Heart. Sorry, dear, but you sing opera better than you sing Heart. It just sounded all out of tune to me. Plus, she always has a miserable look on her face, like, “how can you talk to me like that??”

Asia’h - All By Myself, Eric Carmen. She missed out on the first big note, which was so sad. She did hit some good notes in there, but overall, it wasn’t as good as it could have been. Laura, “Remember when Laytoya London did this better?” In response to Simon, I don’t consider this a diva song, because I’ve never actually heard the Celine Dion version, and since this is 70’s night anyway, it’s really the Eric Carmen version we should be considering, right?

Who’s going home? I just don’t know. Some of them are so interchangeable, it’s still hard to remember which one is which. If it was my call, I’d lose Amanda and Kady. Or maybe two of the other ones.

I found the DVDs for the first season of Mork & Mindy at the library. I remember when this show came out, I must have been in like 7th or 8th grade. I had forgotten, however, that it was a spin-off from Happy Days.

The first couple of eps dealt with Mork coming to earth and showed a “flashback” of him meeting up with Fonzie, who sets him up with Laverne from Laverne & Shirley. I’m putting the term flashbacks in quotes, because that never actually happened on Happy Days, they just made it up for this ep of Mork & Mindy.

It’s pretty confusing, actually, although I don’t remember it being so at the time. The time line is like this: Mork’s first appearance, on Happy Days, was in the episode My Favorite Orkan, which aired on 2/28/78. They ended that ep as though Mork’s visit was all a dream. Once they announced Mork & Mindy for the fall schedule, they added another scene to that ep of Happy Days, which showed in the repeats, where Mork talks to Orson and tell him he made them all forget he was ever there and he is headed off to his mission in 1978.

The pilot ep of Mork & Mindy, with the Fonzie/Laverne flashback, aired on 9/14/78. In that episode, Mork tells Mindy he has been on earth before, and shows the “flashback” of his second visit to earth in the 1950’s.

In reality, the second time Mork is on Happy Days is the episode Mork Returns, which aired on 3/6/79, after the start of Mork & Mindy. In that episode, he actually goes back to see Richie, to talk to him about the problems he’s having adjusting to life in 1979 with Mindy.

Possibly the purpose of the fake flashback was to have both Fonzie (Henry Winkler) and Laverne (Penny Marshall) on this new show filled with pretty much unknown actors (Robin Williams and Pam Dawber) so that people would watch it. And, of course, Mork & Mindy was created by Garry Marshall, Penny’s brother and the creator of Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley.

In any case, Robin Williams is amazingly funny. I think I’d forgotten that. The DVDs are worth watching, just to see him act in his crazy way. Granted, Pam Dawber’s character was a little over the top, but it’s not that annoying.

Tell me, where do they find all these crazy people? No, I’m serious. I mean, who, in their right mind, would want to get their lousy 15 minutes of fame by acting like a freak on national TV? Like, was it absolutely necessary for me to watch some random fat guy in a Princess Leia costume get his chest hair waxed? Ewwwwww!!! And what was with all the Princess Leia stuff anyway? I mean, Carrie Fisher is on some other reality show now, isn’t she? Can’t they go torment her with that crap?

Look, I understand that American Idol is just for entertainment and not to be taken too seriously, but some of those people are just beyond the pale. (If you think I’m making that phrase up, I’m not. Go google it. Alright, fine. Here’s a reference from Dickens [The Pickwick Papers] that completely covers my meaning: “I look upon you, sir, as a man who has placed himself beyond the pale of society, by his most audacious, disgraceful, and abominable public conduct.” )

In any case, I did notice that everyone is up to their old tricks this year. Ryan, causing issues quietly and looking though he really cares; Randy, consistently taking offense at anything and everything; Paula, seemingly more sober, but still never wanting to disagree with anyone who says yes (more on that later); and, Simon, being Simon. I do have to note that this year Simon seems more relaxed and playful. He was letting people through normally he wouldn’t. I think, mostly to see Paula’s confusion. She always wants to let everyone through to Hollywood, so she feels the need to agree with anyone who says yes. If Randy says yes, she agrees, if Simon says yes (although she’d rather not agree with him), she says yes.

And why not let that little boy through, the one who hasn’t kissed a girl? He wasn’t bad at all. Honestly, I thought they let through lots of other people who weren’t nearly as good. What’s wrong with never having kissed a girl by 17 years old anyway? Seventeen isn’t that old. We expect kids to grow up too fast. Would it have been better if he had two illegitimate kids with two different mothers by 17, or just more accepted as normal?

And, as far as the white feathery caped bird guy, I didn’t think he sang too bad, actually. I mean, he’s no American Idol, but he was very nice. And he wrote that song that Simon said would be a hit. I’m almost convinced, because the silly song stayed with me for days afterwards, “I am your brother, your best friend forever . . .”

Finally, I was really looking forward to AI, and it didn’t disappoint, so I just want to give shoutouts to some of the more memorable contestants: the cute chick whose model husband loves her, fingernail guy, cute dredlock guy, that weird Douglas who they escorted out, and whatever other colorful people I may have missed. I have to say the one person I rememnber as good was Junot from the first night. I’ll be on the lookout for him during Hollywood week.

American Idol

Another one of the sitcoms DVDs we got was Bewitched. Bewitched was on the air from 1964 to 1972 on ABC. (I think I’ve mentioned before that we had the same stove in our house growing up that they had. We actually just got a new stove after more than 40 years with the old one. It was a neat looking stove, built right into the wall.) I watched one ep that was pretty funny, about an automatic garage door. Samantha sees someone selling automatic garage door openers at the grocery store. When she goes home, she uses her magic to open her own garage door and is unfortunately caught doing so by her nosy neighbor, Gladys Kravitz.

Samantha and Darrin are then forced to take the money he was saving to buy himself new fishing equipment and get an automatic garage door opener instead. Of course, it gets even crazier when planes flying overhead start making the door go up and down by itself and Darrin thinks Samantha is still using magic, after she said she wouldn’t. She keeps insisting that she’s not doing anything and then that she will never use magic again (although, I think that was more to get the one-up on Darrin for being so high-handed). Then, naturally, they get trapped inside the garage and Samantha refuses to open the door.

One thing I noticed was how Darrin treated Samantha. The whole ep seemed to center on the fact that Samantha did something she wasn’t supposed to do and had caused this big problem for Darrin. Although Samantha did somewhat stand her ground, there was a feeling like she wasn’t supposed to be doing magic and that Darrin was in charge of her. Why not? Why couldn’t she do magic? I kept thinking about whether or not it would be different if it was on the air now. Do witches on TV now have to hide their magical abilities? Maybe, but there was a whole different vibe here of Samantha doing something shameful. Or maybe it was just that if Samantha were caught she’d be burned at the stake or something like that. Maybe I’m reading way too much into it and it’s just a typical stereotype of a marital relationship of the time.

I did watch a second ep, but I fell asleep halfway through.

Bewitched, Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York