| Friday, April 28, 2006 |
| American Idol Classic Love Songs Week |
Classic Love Songs
It was a bit disappointing. Only two performances could even be considered good. Others were just okay and the rest was just painful.
And yeah, someone did sing "Unchained Melody". And it was Kellie. *sniff*
1. Katherine McPhee - Yes, it's nowhere near as good as Whitney Houston but her performance of "I Have Nothing" was still good. And one thing I do admire about Kat is her confidence and optimism on stage. That's why I love her. And I still want her in the Top 3.
2. Elliott Yamin - Ah. My main man, Elliott. In my eyes, he can do no wrong. It's a good thing he really hasn't. Yet. I hope he never does. Coz he's just too good. And his performance of Donnie Hathaway's "A Song For You" was just amazing. It will be travesty if this boy doesn't go far.
3. Kellie Pickler - Kellie fans, please wake up! Is she really American Idol material? She's not! She gave us yet another boring and emotionless performance! And she sang "Unchained Melody". *sniff* That's such a lovely song and she didn't even try to fake her way through it! *sniff*
4. Paris Bennett - I am still astounded by Paris. She's 17 and yet when she sings, you forget she's 17. Her performance of Barbra Streisand's "The Way We Were" was good but I just think it's wrong for her. She's so young and she sings these old songs even though she sings them well. Whatever happens, though, you're still in my Top 4.
5. Taylor Hicks - I love the song you sung, "Just Once" by James Ingram. But I do agree with the judges. It doesn't fit you. And to tell you the truth, you actually look bored singing it. You would have been better singing something else. Something livelier perhaps.
6. Chris Daughtry - The soft side fits you well. I wasn't impressed with the rocker Chris but, I must say, I may be changing my mind about the soft Chris. But not quite. I still don't think you're the next American Idol.
Bottom Three: Kellie, Paris and probably Kat. But only because the last time she delivered a not-so-brilliant performance, she ended up in the bottom three.
Voted Off: It's hard to guess at this point but I still want Kellie out. I hope she's out.
***
And yes, Kellie's out!
***
Next week, the Top 5 will be singing songs from the year they were born and from the current Billboard Top 10. What do you think they're going to sing?Labels: american idol, tv |
posted by Jax @ 3:55:00 AM   |
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| Cinema Etiquette |
| Want to know proper etiquette when inside the cinema? Click here. Labels: movies |
| posted by Jax @ 12:22:00 AM |
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| Friday, April 21, 2006 |
| Aftermath |
I would love to have Ace Young's brother (the one who's always present at AI shows) as my own brother. He's such a supportive brother and it's obvious how much he loves Ace. It's very, very sweet, actually.
Moving on to next week on AI, now that Ace Young is gone, we only have six finalists:
Chris Daughtry
Kellie Pickler
Paris Bennett
And my top 3:
Taylor Hicks
Katherine McPhee
Elliott Yamin
And next week, they sing Classic Love Songs. Nice. Omigoodness. I can't wait to hear Kat and Elliott sing this.
But what to sing? What are the classic love songs?
I still want someone to sing "Unchained Melody". But what else?
For Kat, I think, an Ella Fitzgerald song will fit her well.
For Elliott, "I Just Called To Say I Love You". I'm obssessed! I want someone to sing this but no one has sung it yet. And it is a love song. And it's classic. And well, Elliott can pull this off if he wanted to sing this.
For Paris, a Billie Holiday or an Aretha Franklin song, probably.
As for other love songs I want to hear, I think I want someone to sing "'Swonderful" and "Let's Fall In Love".
Andrea Boccelli performs on the results show next week. That's a little weird, if I may say so.
To the AI producers, why don't you give the audience something that they can relate to.
***
I don't watch The Amazing Race that much anymore. Mainly, because the racers are boring. There's only one team that I like: the hippies, BJ & Tyler. They're fun and so full of life and they're the only ones who have enough personality to fill the show. And I was so worried for them in this week's episode. I thought they were going to be eliminated. Thank goodness it was a non-elimination episode and they're safe for at least another week. I hope they win the race.Labels: american idol, tv |
| posted by Jax @ 5:54:00 AM |
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| Wednesday, April 19, 2006 |
| Wednesday Night on Cable |
I. AMERICAN IDOL
It's Rod Steward Week on American Idol, featuring "The Great American Songbook" series. When I heard about that last week, the first song that popped into my mind that I wanted someone to sing was "It Had To Be You". And someone did! Someone sang it! Anyway, moving on...
a. Chris Daughtry - Chris sang "What A Wonderful World" and it was a damn good thing he didn't try to "rock" it up. This was so much better. And it really showed his vocals. This performance just made me realize that he actually has a good singing voice. He came off, not as a rocker trying to sing a down tempo song but, as a singer singing a song that fit his vocals. It was very good. Which means he is safe for another week. Unfortunately.
b. Paris Bennett - Paris is and will always be a great singer. Tonight was no exception. When she sings, you forget she's only 17 years old. Her rendition of "These Foolish Things" was amazing. I hope she lasts to at least Top 4. My only negative reaction would have to be her outfit. What was she wearing?! She looked like a teacher.
c. Taylor Hicks - I love Taylor. I will always love Taylor. I didn't particularly like the song he choose but I still love his performance. And they mentioned the SNL spoof of him. Haha! That was hilarious! The SNL sketch, I mean.
d. Elliott Yamin - Omigod. This boy's vocals just blows me away every time. And he sang "It Had To Be You"! Psych! Omigod. It was such. An. Amazing. Performance. I love him. I am loving him more and more by the minute. And I don't get why people don't respond to him. He's such a great singer and performer! Bad trip.
e. Kellie Pickler - I could have loved Kellie this week but I still don't because she gave a terrible performance tonight. Did you notice at the start of her song? She was singing ahead of the music. Was she nervous or something? I'd have thought she would have already overcome that. But I gotta give props to her outfit. I love her shoes! I want them!
f. Ace Young - After that unforgivable rendition of Queen's classic last week, you redeemed yourself with "That's All". I'm not sure about that swept-up-in-a-ponytail hairstyle, though. But I do like the suit. It's real good to see you dress up good for once.
g. Katherine McPhee - MCPHEE-VER! I will always love you. And you sang one of my favorite songs. And you sang "Someone To Watch Over Me" wonderfully. If you leave any earlier than top 3, I will cry foul! Because you don't deserve any less than Top 3. And I love your necklace!
My top 3 still consists of Katherine, Taylor and Elliott because they're still the strongest and they deliver the goods everytime. I really, really hope they're the three people that will last til the end.
Who is my bottom three? Probably Kellie, Ace and Paris. They're all good but they're the weakest talents of the remaining seven. They will never win, I believe.
Who will be in the bottom three? Ace, Paris and Elliott. I think either Paris or Ace will be out. Because America's unpredictable yet predictable that way.
***
Real bottom three: Ace, Paris and Chris! I was a little shocked about Chris. I don't like him but I am surprised nonetheless. Ace is out, as expected. Which makes a lot of people happy.
Next week, guest performer will be Andrea Bocelli and the final 6 will be singing Greatest Love Songs. Nice.
II. VERONICA MARS
Second season has started on ETC. It's good to know that Veronica and Duncan are back together. It just sucks that Meg had to go through that because I like her. But I like Veronica better. Hehe. A little boring and a little trivial but it's only the first episode. Things will probably get better within the next few episodes. Funny lang. Appearance by America's Next Top Model Cycle 4's winner, Naima Mora, as
the new journalism teacher, Ms. Dumas.
III. MY NAME IS EARL
I love Jaime Pressly! She cracks me up everytime! "I don't know if she's speaking in a language that even exists. But it'a all lies." Classic! Oh and more line from Earl's brother, "Thanks, karma!" Ayos!
IV. GREY'S ANATOMY
This is the 2nd episode of the season but the 1st episode that I've watched. Well, technically, because I caught the last quarter of the show last week and I couldn't concentrate on it and so I thought it must not have been that good because it doesn't grab my attention. But turns out, it's not so bad after all. Like I told my friend, it's like The O.C. but without Seth Coen and with
Sandra Oh, Patrick Dempsey and the straight guy who everybody thought was gay (sorry, I don't know his name, yet). It has its funny and dramatic moments and it's not bad. I get the hype.
V. CSI LAS VEGAS
How freaky is tonight's episode? One kid, two parents? What is up with that? Who's telling the truth? Who's the real one? As it turns out. the kid of the fake one died 4 years back by poisoning. So his grandparents can't get him? That's a bit absurb. Although the mom (the fake one) was reportedly suffering from post-partum psychosis. Not depression, but psychosis. Still doesn't justify killing her own son. If only she had a strong support system. But with her husband dead, and not getting along with her in-laws, and seemingly not having any other family of her own, it's hard for her to find anyone she can rely on. But still. Sheesh.Labels: american idol, tv |
| posted by Jax @ 11:59:00 PM |
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| Sunday, April 16, 2006 |
| American Idol Country and Queen Week |
Okay. This is actually a week too late. But better late than never right.
I. American Idol Country Week
I wasn't really looking forward to last week's show because I'm not a very big fan of country music. There are a handful of country songs I like but only because it was a good song that time. I don't look for it and I'm fine with it. Well, it turns out that there are several country songs that I already like. Who would've thought?
However, there was one country song that I love that I would have wanted one of the finalists to sing: "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt. Unfortunately, no one attempted to sing the song. It may have been a good thing, I guess, because it's a really good song and the chances of someone messing it up is highly likely.
Anyway, back to the performances:
1. Taylor Hicks - You look like you didn't enjoy singing John Denver's song. Then why sing it at all? I still love you but that was a dismal performance. It's a good thing your fans are still sticking by you. Because if they didn't, you would either be in the bottom three or going home last week.
2. Chris Daughtry - I didn't care about the "copycat" Live version of "I Walk The Line" because it was still good. The next week wasn't. This week, it was just okay for me. I wasn't blown away. For me, your performance of Fuel's "Hemorrhage" is still your best performance so far. You'll probably be safe until after the Queen week.
3. Mandisa Hundley - Where's the Mandisa, who's every woman? This week was really forgettable.
4. Paris Bennett - Okay. That performance did not work for me. I hope you bounce back next week.
5. Ace Young - Finally. A good performance from you. I hope it lasts, though.
6. Katherine McPhee - You are still my bet to win American Idol. Because you are a great singer and performer. Keep doing what you do!
7. Elliott Yamin - One of my top 3 singers (along with Katherine and Taylor), I love your voice. Just continue doing what you do and you will go far.
8. Kellie Pickler - If it wasn't country week this week, I think you would have gone home. You're getting boring and annoying. Too much. It's all "Next, please!" for me when it comes to you.
9. Bucky Covington - You are this season's misplaced underdog. I like you because you look like a real nice guy. I wonder, though, how long you will stay in the competition.
***
Country Week Results: Bottom three:
Mandisa - Granted her performance didn't have the oomph that she showed in previous performances, it was still good and showed that she was still a performer. It was a little boring, yes, but good.
Elliott - Every week, Elliott delivers great vocals. It's his weakest performance so far, yes, but not enough to land him in the bottom three. He shouldn't have been in the bottom three.
Paris - I didn't like her performance this time. It was unemotional and detached. But to leave because of it? No way.
Voted Out: Mandisa - She didn't deserve it. I'm not really rooting for her to win but she should at least reach Top 5 because she is damn good. But what can we do? What America votes, America gets.
***
I still don't think these three people should have been in the bottom three. But what can I do? I can't vote. I can only plead to the people to vote for the right person always.
II. AI Queen Week
I think almost all of you know that this is the episode that I am looking forward to the most because the Top 8 are singing Queen songs.
QUEEN!
Wow!
I am really, really, really excited!
But not for long.
1. Bucky Covington - You were first and sang "Fat Bottom Girls". It wasn't so bad really. Yu turned "Fat Bottom Girls" into a country rock song and a good one at that. It's not perfect. It's not great. But it's still good. However, Bucky, you need to bring something else to the plate. I love you but you're always too safe every week and you may be safe now but not for long. Start wowing us, Bucky.
2. Ace Young - Hay, Ace. I didn't care for you at first. But I loved your performance of George Michael's "Father Figure" a few weeks back. And every week, I wait for even an indication of surpassing that performance. But nothing. You're not consistent. You'll do good one week, then bomb the week after, then do good again the next week. We can't have that in an American Idol. You can have one bad night
but not a bad night every other performance. And performing "We Will Rock You" this week is not going to help you at all. Unless all those girls vote for you like crazy, you are done, my dear. I cannot tell you how much I was devastated when you performed tonight because, Ace, you frigging butchered one of my favorite Queen songs. And that, my friend, is unforgivable. You should have something else like
"Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy" or "Killer Queen" or even "Under Pressure" (but not quite). But you chose something you can never give justice to. *sniff sniff* I can only cry.
3. Kellie Pickler - No matter what you do, Kellie, I don't think I'll be impressed anymore. Because frankly, my dear, I am bored of you. I don't look forward to watching you every week. And you sang "Bohemian Rhapsody"! Very ambitious! The judges may have liked it but I didn't. Maybe I'm biased. Maybe I'm not. All I know is that "Bohemian Rhapsody" is one of greatest Queen songs ever and now, almost six hours after watching your performance, I have forgotten it. Hmmm. Maybe I am biased. But I don't care.
4. Katherine McPhee - I wanted you to sing "Somebody To Love" or "Under Pressure" but you sang "Who Wants To Live Forever". I have no problems with the song choice because I love it and you did pull it off. You weren't the strongest performer tonight but it was still a good performance. In fact, it was only one of three great performances tonight. Just continue doing what you need to do and you will definitely end up in the Top 3.
5. Chris Daughtry - You sang "Innuendo" and you did a good job. But it was the same kind of performance, Chris. I'm not blown away anymore. But you'll be safe this week.
6. Elliott Yamin - I wanted you to sing "Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy" but this was even better. Your version of "Somebody To Love" turned out great because you have such a great singing voice. It will be a very big injustice if you don't get into the Top 3 because you are one of the few finalists who always pull off a song, no matter how dull, because of their great vocals. You are one of the three singers that I always look forward to watching every week. I hope I see you until the end.
7. Taylor Hicks - I didn't like your song choice. I would have wanted you to sing "We Are The Champions" like you originally planned but your version of "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" still turned out great. In fact, even greater than your performances the last two weeks. It's even better than your performance of "Not Fade Away" and "Living in the City" some weeks back. I hope this is a clear indication that you'll be surpassing your past performances every week now until the last week.
8. Paris Bennet - I think, along with Ace Young, you are so out of your comfort zone this week. You performed "The Show Must Go On". I'm not very familiar with the song but you did a good job technically. But I'm so not liking the outfit. In fact, I hate it. The outfit, I mean. It was weird. Your performance was okay. I liked your first two performances better.
All in all, it was, again, a pretty boring show. If not for Taylor, Kat and Elliott, I probably will not be very enthusiastic about this show. Almost all the performances every week have been underwhelming and boring. Even though this season has good singers, it doesn't add up to previous seasons where the good performers always delivered every week. They rarely have off nights. This season, it seems like the singers are content with just having a good performance and not pushing themselves too much anymore.
Well that's just sad.
***
My predictions for bottom three:
Ace Young - You have been in danger since week 1. And you've never really showed us that you are fit to be the next American Idol. And bombing again this week has sealed your fate, I believe.
Paris Bennett - It's unfortunate. You are one of the strongest singers in this competition but you're also the youngest. I honestly believe that the other contestants are overpowering you. I hope you won't be in the bottom three or going home this week, though.
Bucky Covington - I don't want you to be in the bottom three. I want you to reach at least the Top 5 but a lot of people don't like you. And if they succeed, I think you'll be in the bottom three this week.
Voted Out: Ace Young - I love you but you're not an American Idol.
Queen Show Results
The Top 8 performed a medley of Queen songs, including "Another One Bites The Dust", "Killer Queen", "Don't Stop Me Now", "Under Pressure" and "We Are The Champions". It was a medley of some of the greatest songs of Queen and the Top 8 turned in a really underwhelming performance. Were they bored? Of Queen? Why would they be?
Then the Family Greetings portion and the hometown clips, which were interesting enough, if you like the finalists enough. But I didn't. Not really.
Then the announcement of the bottom three.
It wasn't any surprise that Ace and Bucky were in the bottom three but Elliott?! C'mon, he was one of the good performances last night. How come he's there? America, will you start voting right!
I was expecting, along with everybody, that Ace was gonna get voted out. But apparently, he's a got a good fan base and they kept him alive for one more week. So did Elliott's. Unfortunately, Bucky didn't have the same luck and he is the fifth person to be voted off the competition.
Such a sad thing because I like the guy and he will, I think, go far, if given the right opportunities. But at least, we were able to experience him even for awhile.
Next Week: Rod Stewart.
Who comes up with the themes for the show? How lame are they? The 3rd and 4th season were better with regards to theme. At least it was always theme for theme's sake and not just theme to promote an album. ANO BA!
You're losing a lot of viewers, American Idol. Choose a better theme next time, please! I mean at least be creative. Like last year, there was a theme where the singers chose a song from the year they were born or a Billboard Hit or from the disco era or from the motown era or even new wave. The show actually started out good with the Stevie Wonder Week then songs from the fifties. But it all went downhill after that.
I'll probably still be watching the show. But if they don't do something about it, they won't have too many viewers next season or if they'll be able to set up a second season.
I think they're really struggling this season, no?Labels: american idol, tv |
| posted by Jax @ 2:33:00 AM |
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| Tuesday, April 04, 2006 |
| Queen on American Idol |
Omigod! I know it's country week this week but I can't help but be excited for next week.
IT'S QUEEN WEEK ON AMERICAN IDOL!
I remember putting Queen Week as one of my suggestions for themes on American Idol. And it has happened! Now if they only put in a "New Wave Week", I'll be a happy, happy girl
Back to Queen Week...
I wonder what songs they'll sing. I know what songs I want them to sing.
1. Under Pressure & 2. We Will Rock You - My two most favorite Queen songs ever. You think Chris will sing We Will Rock You? He's kind of predictable that way. Paris can probably sing Under Pressure. PROBABLY.
3. Somebody To Love - Katherine can probably sing this well. She's got the voice for it.
4. Who Wants To Live Forever - Either Katherine or Bucky can probably sing this.
5. Bicycle Race - I don't think any of them will to sing this. Although I could be wrong.
6. Tie Your Mother Down - Classic. Chris, I think, will be the only to pull this off. Or maybe Taylor can try to put some soul into this.
7. Good Old-Fashioned Lover Boy - Perfect for Elliott.
8. Another One Bites The Dust - Taylor. Definitely.
I don't think I'd want anyone to sing Bohemian Rhapsody this time. Constantine did a good job with this last season and I don't think anyone of them can pull this off well. Better leave it untouched, you guys.
This week, however, is country week. Since I'm not too familiar with country, there's only one song I want someone to sing well. I'm not even sure if it's a country song. It's Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me". I love that song.
Can't wait for tonight! I hope this week turns out better than last week.Labels: american idol |
| posted by Jax @ 8:10:00 PM |
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