Big Bang Theory Review Posted, American Idol ... say what?

My review of The Big Bang Theory is up on CliqueClack TV. Tonight's show was a fun little romp with the ensemble cast not split up by gender. If you watch the show, give the review a gander! (No, not a water fowl! Sheesh.)

Now, I'm behind on my American Idol as I watch Criminal Minds and Survivor in its place on Wednesday nights. I record AI, but haven't had a chance to watch it yet. I have caught a few of the performances from last night online, but haven't seen the whole thing. So this might be based on rumor and innuendo ...

• It sounds like Jacob Lusk deserved to be in the bottom three just based on the smug smart-alecky comment he made about the folks voting.
• What? Pia is out? How did that happen? I thought she was one of the more talented girls!

What the heck is going on? I probably won't get a chance to watch all of the performances until Saturday.

American Idol Finale Rocks the House

I watched in fear and admiration as Bret Michaels sang with Casey on the American Idol finale. I know his doctors were probably aghast about him doing the show. He rocked and looked good, too. With all that's been going on with him, I've developed a new respect for the man. Well, a respect, I guess. I wasn't a fan of his at all until his Celebrity Apprentice days and his health battles.

What a night on the show! Not only would either Crystal Bowersox or Lee DeWyze be crowned the new idol, but it's Simon Cowell's final hurrah on the show. Rock stars from the 70s were dredged up from wherever they've been all these years -- Hall and Oates, Chicago, Alice Cooper, Joe Cocker, and more. Joe Cocker looked like a real pale Fred Sanford playing a pirate. Janet Jackson, Cristina Aquilera, and every contestant ever on the show. Well, some were missing. I didn't see Corey Clark there, did you? Paula and Simon reunited and it felt so good.

The real shocker other than Bret's amazing performance was that Lee DeWyze won. I've been on the Lee train since early in the show, saying all along that there was something about his voice I like. But I like Crystal Bowersox, too. I think she's very special and has an incredible voice. I thought it would definitely be a Bowersox win, but nope. Lee got it! They'll both do well in their careers.

You don't have to win Idol to get a career jump start from it. In local news here, Diana DeGarmo is now starring in Hair on Broadway. I saw the announcements for ticket sales for the Jordin Sparks concert tour this summer.

I'm going to miss Simon on the show and, while I'll give the next season a shot, it won't be the same.

What do you think of the finale?

PHOTO CREDIT: TMZ

American Idol - Just as I Hoped

Woohoo! We're in for a Bowersox/DeWyze showdown for the finale! Although I initially was cheering on Crystal, Lee DeWyze has grown on me more with each show. Dependent on what exactly he records, I could see me listening to him.

On the other hand, Casey sang "Daughters" again. I apologize, but both John Mayer's actions and that song both creep me out.

On the third hand, I'm a huge Leonard Cohen fan and was thrilled to see Lee sing "Hallelujah" last night. I'm not so keen on the back-up singers, but that's American Idol for you.



The real thing ... Leonard Cohen (King of the Back-Up Singers) performing "Hallelujah" during his recent concert tour:



Another of my favorite Leonard Cohen songs (again with back-up singers) --

Bulletin: No More 'Law and Order'

Yikes! It's like an institution gone -- Law and Order will not be renewed.

At least in the good news department, Lee DeWyze is still on American Idol!

Stop back at 8 PM ET for the big Survivor penultimate episode post/blog party!

Bring snacks.

TV Hash - American Idol, Lost, and TV Blogging Stuff ...

I meant to post last night, but I fell asleep. I hate it when I do that! The local news on WCBS is having a series on sleep all this week. It's too bad I'm getting so sleepy I can't concentrate enough to watch it. Had I not thought ahead to record Letterman on Monday night, I would have missed Jim Parsons (Sheldon on The Big Bang Theory). He always makes me smile.

I have several things I want to talk about -- the first being last night's Sinatra spotlight on American Idol. Oh my. Casey didn't do well, neither did the projected winner Crystal Bowersox. While Aaron did okay, I'm tired of seeing him in that one pose -- one foot forward, some odd attempts at quasi-pelvic thrusting (or whatever it is that he's doing). He has no stage presence. I can't imagine going to a concert and enduring an hour of him standing there doing that no matter how well he might sing. Big Mike looked the part and did well. But, the winner of the night for me was Lee DeWyze.



The more I see him and hear him, the more I like him. He's gaining confidence in his performance skills and I've always liked the slightly raspy tone. I think working with Harry Connick, Jr. last night improved his outlook greatly. I'd like to see a Bowersox/DeWyze finale. Of course, I'm typing this up before the results show. For all I know, one might be going home!

Then there's Lost. Eek! I missed the show the week I was in Texas and, for some reason, the web site episode hangs at the very end. But I should be relatively caught up. Yet, I'm still a bit lost. We lost four people in the episode! Lapidus, Sayid, Sun, and Jin, all dead. Hmm ... maybe the finale is that no one gets out of it alive.

FLocke has to be a bad guy. But Widmore seems to be one, too. I realize it's some sort of epic good/evil battle going on, but neither of these two seem really "good." And Hurley cried. Aw, man.

Then there's TV Blogging stuff

I forgot to mention my The Big Bang Theory post up on CliqueClack TV the other night. I really have to get back in the habit of posting the links here, on Twitter and Facebook.

My TV Squad blogging gig is undergoing major changes, kind of sort of. AOL, the owner of TV Squad, has merged their Inside TV blog with TV Squad under the name of TV Squad. The blog's look has changed. The pay rate is a bit better for me, so the changes aren't anything I fear. There are technical differences for images and new contract doohickeys, but I'll get used to it all. I'm hoping that, with the changes, I might be able to do the Big Brother live feeds there this summer. Right now it's too early to tell. Of course, I'll have feeds stuff here. (But it's nice to get paid for it there!)

As for readers of TV Squad, one of the major complaints seem to be that folks can't find their shows. If you input the show name in the search box, you can find all posts about the subject. Or, it's easy to just do the site - http://www.tvsquad.com/ with "category" and the show name at the end - http://www.tvsquad.com/category/survivor -- I think that should work. If not, I'll have to edit this post!

Now a little late news --

We all know that Adam, winner of Big Brother 9, got busted for drugs. More recently, Matt was also charged! It's right here in this article. Plus, Matt, the apple of Natalie's eyes, has been arrested for beating up his girlfriend. Yikes.

There you go. That's what I had to say. I'll be watching American Idol while recording the new episode of Criminal Minds. Hopefully, I'll stay awake for Letterman. I was off today and even napped a bit. But I had to get up for a conference call for the blogging. By the way, Vincent jumped on me and wouldn't get off during the conference call. It's almost easier to take them at work!

Talkin' American Idol

Oh my gosh ... I hate to use the expression "jumped the shark," but it comes to mind with this season's American Idol. I don't think I can blame my doldrums with the show entirely on the contestants this year. I think the increased judges comments have made the should-be an hour show into two hours as of late. You know, while I always enjoyed the judge commentary previous seasons, now they've expanded it to way too much. I can certainly draw my own conclusions without listening to them bicker for five minutes after each contestant sings.

But there was some good in last night's show. Although I definitely respect what Usher does, I've never been an avid fan of his. That said, I think he just might have been the best "mentor" I've ever seen on the show. The advice he gave each contestant was spot on and supportive. You go, Usher!

Then there's the talent (or lack thereof). We always have someone who shouldn't be in the Top Ten. At least, in his own way, Sanjaya Malakar was entertaining enough -- the different hairdos, the personality. Tim Urban, dimples and cute grin, has the personality of a washboard and the talent of fabric softener. I'm sure Vote for the Worst and teenage kiddies will keep him on, but he needs to go far away.

I'm still really liking both Crystal Bowersox and Lee Dewyze -- both have great distinctive voices and I could see both becoming commercially successful down the road. Lee took strides last night in his efforts to gain his confidence. That's his biggest downfall. Even Usher recognized that Lee has a remarkable and unique singing voice. Casey would be good in a country-rock kind of venue or as the front man in a rock group with an emphasis on country rock.

I'm not on the Sioban (sp?) train, nor am I enamored with any of the others. I think the youngest male, Aaron, has a beautiful voice. Yet, he doesn't have the David Archuletta cuteness about him, nor the charisma. I guess I'd like to just fast-forward this season to a Lee/Crystal showdown and hope they both do well in the future.

Your thoughts?

I'm Not Too Keen on American Idol This Year

Nope, not keen on it. However, due to March Madness taking away Survivor tonight, I figured I'd touch on American Idol. I've been watching the performance shows, but missing the results shows until last night when it finally wasn't against Survivor.

The only contestant I really, really like is Crystal Bowersox. I found some of her stuff on YouTube and feel she's the one most likely to succeed. If she doesn't win AI, she'll be recording anyway. I liked Lilly second best of the girls. Sure, she gets voted off! I'm no one to really complain as I don't call to vote. But still!

With the guys, I'm over Andrew Garcia. He's let me down for a good three weeks now. I don't care how touching his backstory is. Heck, at his age I had a much more traumatic history recently behind me. Big Mike is okay, but he just seems a bit full of himself. Kid Aaron has a nice voice. Perhaps if I was fourteen, I'd be all gaga about him. Casey is okay. The one whose actual voice catches my attention is Lee Dewyze.

What do you guys think?

American Idol - Where is the Talent?

I just can't get my enthusiasm going for this season. While I usually enjoy Ellen DeGeneres, there's something awry with the chemistry between the judges. Kara never worked her way into my heart. Maybe it's my old "I don't like change" quirk. However, I liked the original panel of judges -- Randy, Simon, and Paula. Now I just like Simon.

There are also scheduling flaws for watching the show. I still haven't watched the second hour of the girls from earlier in the week. Watch a bunch of wannabes sing like they're on a high school stage or watch Lost? I watched Lost, naturally. I have that second hour recorded and I might or might not watch it tonight. I wasn't too thrilled with the first hour, nor the two hours of the guys the next evening. Then the results show is up against Survivor. I need to watch that show live and record it (in case memory fails) as I write it up for TV Squad. So I missed the entire results show.

Then there's the talent ... or lack thereof. I did check out to see who went away -- Ashley, Tyler, Joe, and Janell. Um. Okay. I think Tim Urban should have gone before Joe, but none of them have IT anyway. I also wouldn't mind if smiley Haeley Vaughn would go smile somewhere else off my TV set. But she'll be gone soon enough even if it seems the judges think she's so unique. @@

There are only a few folks I kind of sort of like ... and none of them really rock my world or excite me. I like Lilly, Casey, and Andrew Garcia. I don't think the show is going to keep me wanting to watch it this year. How about you?

This Week's American Idol Auditions

Has American Idol jumped the shark even though Simon Cowell is still there? Sure, I know we're in the auditions, the riff-raff of the season. But usually someone's voice really catches my interest by now. Yes, there have been some decent voices, a handful probably better than some recording artists out and about today. But no one has made me sit back and go "WOW!" I want my WOW and I want it now!

The guest judge thing has been different this year. I wasn't impressed with Avril Lavigne and her little horned hoodie on Tuesday evening. She really didn't add much as far as input on the auditions, either. However, she played with the horns on her sweatshirt. Maybe she got it from a boi.

Last night we had Neil Patrick Harris for the first day in Texas, a Jonas brother (Joe?) for the second day. True to form, NPH jumped right in and got involved. If you've ever seen him on talk shows or when he's substituted for Regis ... he's good at these things. The Jonas was a bit like Avril Lavigne sans an horned hoodie.

As for the auditions themselves, the Tourette's guy sang decently and his little sad story was a nice touch when he really could sing. Did he blow me away? Nope. Nome of them did. We need a Melinda Doolittle methinks. How about you?

Boo on the American Idol Chicago Auditions!

Oh my. I want the hour of my life back. Y'know, Chicago is a city full of talent. Apparently most of the talented were out of town when the auditions were held. Even the ones who made it through didn't thrill me. I thought last week's auditions fared so much better. I can't keep myself from thinking "pants on the ground, pants on the ground, lookin' like a fool with your pants on the ground." Yeah, he's 62 and not a real contestant, but he's spot on! Randy Jackson was on Letterman last night and they showed the clip again.

What ended up to be my only real point of interest in the Chicago auditions was the guest judge, Shania Twain. If there was a Six Degrees of Shania Twain game like the Kevin Bacon one, I'd score a two. No, I don't know her. But I went to junior high/high school with Dave Malachowski and he was in her band for years. More recently he's been playing with Commander Cody and the Lost Airmen, Savoy Brown, and now the Woodstock All-Stars. Obviously, he's not as country as he is blues and rock.

But he was with Shania Twain for more than a few years and through her breakthrough success with "You're Still the One." He's the closest thing we have to a rock star in my high school graduation class. I fear he has the same haircut he had when they removed the dress code in the last year of high school. Here's a video I found of Shania, along with Dave (he's the long-haired guitarist on the right) from those days circa 1996 or so ...

Simon Cowell Leaving American Idol

Yes, the rumors seem to be true. No, he's not leaving this season. It seems that the crowd who works there don't all get along so well (who woulda thunk it?) and Simon will be bringing an American version of his UK show The X Factor here. Since Cowell owns The X Factor. if it hits here, he'll be much better off career-wise. So, he's not giving his career the kiss of death. He might be picking just the right time. By the way, if you don't follow the link above, The X Factor is yet another talent contest show.

More about the American Idol Simon leaving brouhaha can be found in this Daily Beast article. While that article seems to concentrate on it's all about Simon thinking of Simon and planning to wreck American Idol, I really don't think so. I think he knows he has an audience and knows what he's doing. Sure, he's thinking of his own career. But, heck ... if I didn't think of my own career, I wouldn't bother getting up to go to work daily.

I just wonder how next year will go. I'll admit I'll most likely watch Cowell's new show. Will it diminish my interest in American Idol? Quite possibly. I guess we'll see what happens and whether AI can still be a powerhouse without Simon Cowell.

Your thoughts? Will you watch both shows? One over the other? How will it change Idol to be Simon-less and Paula-less? I'm not too keen on Kara and I can only take so much of "yo, yo, check it out, check it out" from Randy Jackson. I heard Ellen DeGeneres said that she'll leave if Simon goes.

American Idol Winner Bulletin

KRIS ALLEN has won American Idol!

For those of you on the West Coast, the show is well worth the watch. I think it was one of the more entertaining shows I've seen in years. Steve Martin, The Black-Eyed Peas, Carlos Santana, etc., etc.

Kris is stunned.

American Idol: The Final Showdown

Well, tonight was the big showdown between Adam Lambert and Kris Allen. I think we've all known all along that Adam would be in the final and it's very obvious that the judges want him to win. Kris has been a dark horse all along. But, as I've watched him all season, I think I'd prefer Kris over Adam for the win. Let me tell you why ...

Adam is extremely theatrical. While he does have a good voice, he depends on theatrics and often screams to songs. While the judges often comment on other people screaming, he seems to float on by with it. I prefer his voice on softer songs like the rendition of "Mad World" which is strikingly similar to this version by Gary Jules. (Nope, Adam's not the creative genius they've made him to be.) Adam screamed the Sam Cook song tonight -- and got mad praises by the judges. Go figure.

Then there's Kris. While I don't see me running out and buying his stuff, I think he's definitely got a Jason Mraz/John Mayer vibe going on. That's very popular these days. Plus, he's an actual musician and I think he'll be writing songs as his career progresses. I've been one partial to singer-songwriters since my childhood. He did an excellent job singing "Ain't No Sunshine" once again.

In ten years I can see Adam doing reprisals of Dr. Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. In ten years, I can see Kris having a career which parallels folks like James Taylor, Elton John, and Billy Joel. Who's the winner?

BTW - Kara's song did absolutely nothing for me ... sung by either contestant.

American Idol - Results Show 5/13/09

Although I'm watching the entire three hour block finale night of Lost, I have the other TV on in sight (muted) and will be posting the results of last night's voting as it happens here on the East Coast.

Kris is safe. Adam is safe (of course).

Danny Gokey is out of the running.

American Idol Results Show - May 6, 2009

Although I'm watching Lost, I have the other TV on in sight (muted) and will be posting the results of last night's voting. I basically enjoyed last night's show -- classic rock is my own "growing up years" music. Although I'm not an Adam Lambert fan, I do think his rendition of "Whole Lotta Love" was the best one of the night. I'm sure he'll be safe ... he always is. Adam and Allison went at it like old school rockers in their duet, easily beating out the Kris and Danny duet.

I'm not sure who's going home. I think it will be either Allison or Kris. But I'll let you know when I see it in the background.

Kris is safe.

Adam is safe.

Danny is safe ... Allison is going home.

American Idol Results Show - 4/29

Although I'm watching Lost, I have the other TV on in sight (muted) and will be posting the results of last night's voting.

Danny and Allison are safe. The one going home will be one of these three: Adam, Matt, and Kris.

Kris is safe. So, either Matt or Adam will go home. Surprising that Adam is near the bottom, isn't it? I think it will be Matt going, but they haven't announced it yet.

It is indeed goodbye to Matt Giraud.

American Idol does The Rat Pack Era

Although I was too young (and non-existent) for the Rat Pack era when it was ongoing, it's a genre I've grown to love over the years. Going into tonight, I had high hopes for Matt Giraud as I thought it was a genre in which he'd shine. He sang "My Funny Valentine." Simon thought it was great, but my feelings were more along the line with Randy -- good, but something a bit off.

Danny Gokey has Gokey-ized me once again after some lackluster performances as of late. Adam pulled another Adam while both Kris and Allison had decent performances.

Here's how I'm seeing the voting --

• Adam will be safe. Adam is always safe. Adam will win this season unless someone gets Bullwinkle to pull a rabbit out of his hat.
• While I don't adore Kris, he has this Jason Mraz/John Mayer thing going on. That's very popular. Plus, he's as cute as a button, kind of reminiscent of Peter Brady. He will end up coming in second or third this season.
• Oh, Danny Gokey ... if he keeps up with the sort of performance he had tonight, he will be number two to Adam. If he fumbles again, he'll be number three behind Kris.
• Matt Giraud will go home this week or next. I'd be interested to hear what kind of music he does down the line. I like his jazzy style, but he's not going to last much longer. He reminds me of a new age Boz Scaggs.
  
• Then there's Allison. I enjoy her voice and admire her ability to hang in there as the only girl and such a young one at that. I think she will go home either this week or next. But we won't have heard the last of her.

Who's your choice for the win? Or, if not your choice, who do you think WILL win? And who goes home tomorrow night?

American Idol Results Show 4/22

Not surprisingly, Lil Rounds is the first to go tonight. I'm watching Lost, but keeping tabs on AI in the background. We have one more going home tonight. I'm thinking it will be either Anoop or Matt. But I'll let you know!

They're doing the bottom three for the second boot. Anoop is in the bottom three. Now Allison has joined Anoop. One of the two will be going home.

Allison is safe. Anoop is going home.

American Idol Results - 4/15

Although I'm watching Lost, I'll update this with the big events which I can see on a muted TV in the background ...

Allison and Adam are safe. Anoop is in the bottom three. Kris is safe, Lil is bottom three. Danny is safe, Matt is bottom three.

Anoop was sent back -- Lil and Matt are bottom two.

Yikes. Lil is safe and Matt has to sing for the judges.

THE JUDGES USED THE SAVE ON MATT! Next week, two will be eliminated if I'm remembering right.

Quickie American Idol Update -- April 8 Results

I'm actually watching Lost, but have a second TV muted in the background. The bottom three are: Anoop, Scott, and Lil. That's pretty much what I thought it would be although I had Kris in there instead of Anoop.

I think it's a toss-up who goes home -- Scott or Lil. I'm thinking Lil. I'll update this post with more results soon.

Whoops! I was wrong there. Lil was the one they sent back first. It's between Anoop and Scott and both Lost and AI are in commercial at the same time. Grr.

Scott and Anoop were separated by only 30,000 votes in the bottom two. Anoop is safe, Scott is singing. I know this sounds mean, but I hope the judges don't save him.

And they didn't. Bye-bye Scott MacIntyre.