'American Idol 6' - East Coast Update - Booted 3/01

This post will be updated as they go, so check back.

First voted off, Nick Pedro.
Alaina Alexander gone.
A.J. Tabaldo is now gone.
Bye, bye Leslie Hunt.

Then there were 16.

'Lost' - "Tricia Tanaka is Dead"

And, she certainly is... dead, that is.

While I enjoyed watching this episode, I'd have to label it as "fluff." Fun fluff, but fluff nonetheless. It didn't answer any questions, but at least it didn't bring up any new major mysteries.

The episode was Hurley-centric, something we really haven't seen in a while. It was a bit shmaltzy and contrived, I thought.

In Flashback:

A young and cute Hurley likes to work on cars. One won't start and he insisted to his father that it needed a new carburetor. His father, played once again by Cheech Marin (of Cheech and Chong fame), relied on hope to start it. "Having hope is never stupid. You make your own luck." Then he vanished from his family for seventeen years.

The flashbacks fast-forwarded to after Hurley won the lottery as the show went on, going more into how he felt cursed and folks died around him. He bought a Mr. Cluck Chicken Shack and became the boss of his ex-boss. While a television news reporter, Tricia Tanaka, was doing a news story about the grand opening, a meteor crashed through the restaurant killing her and burning Mr. Cluck to the ground. So, yes. She is dead.

His father returned after his extended absence as Hurley was packing to go to Australia. Since he believes the lottery numbers (4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42) are cursed and he got them there while in rehab, he feels he must return. It turns out his mother had called his father and the "dad" was supposedly worried about him. He took Hurley to a gypsy who admitted for $10,000 that the father had set up the whole "get rid of the curse" act at the request of his father. His father told him he should give away the money (to him, I think he hopes). And, once again, he told Hurley that you make your own luck. Oh, and Hurley actually still had the car featured in the first flashback.

On the Island:
Hurley told Libby's grave the story of the big kidnapping. He thinks he can only talk to her and misses her. Charlie told Hurley that Desmond told him he was going to die (had actually died twice, but was saved). Hurley, but of course, is sure it's all his fault as he's cursed.

Vincent (the dog) came up to them with an almost mummified human arm, hand intact, in his mouth. Dangling from the wrist of the arm was a lucky rabbit's foot and a key on a chain. Hurley, who we now know is a car fanatic, recognized the key as a car key and got all excited, wanting to find the car on the island.

At the camp, Sun told Jin that she was only going to speak to him in English apparently trying to increase his skills in the language. Jin was the only one willing to go with Hurley to find the car.

There it was, overturned in the woods, with a skeleton (whose arm was gone missing) behind the wheel. The skeleton had a DHARMA uniform with "Roger Work Man" embroidered on its chest. So, Hurley decided his name must be Roger Workman. The vehicle itself was a late 60s VW Microbus with a DHARMA insignia in place of the VW one on its front. As they tried to remove Roger so they could get the vehicle upright, his head fell off and rolled to the floor.

Roger apparently had been on a beer run as the van had several cases of DHARMA beer within.

As they worked on the van, Kate and Sawyer returned to the camp and a happy reunion was had by all. Well, that was until Sawyer saw his belongings had all went missing... including his expensive Scotch. Charlie and Desmond 'fessed up and implicated Hurley. Sawyer went to confront him so he could yell at him, too. Charlie tried to get Desmond to tell him when he'd die, but Desmond told him it doesn't work that way.

Instead, he got a bear hug and Hurley told him he could have the beer from the microbus. Of course, as Sawyer reached in, he came across the skull of Roger first. Sawyer told Hurley that Roger had to be a janitor as it was "Work Man" and not "Workman" on the uniform. They righted the van and Sawyer imbibed beers with his new bud, Roger. He also gave Jin English lessons telling him the only things he needs to talk to a woman:

1. I was wrong.
2. I'm sorry.
3. No, that doesn't make you look fat.

Hurley convinced Charlie, Sawyer, and Jin to push the microbus hoping he could pop the clutch to jump-start it as the battery was shot. They pushed it to the edge of a very steep valley which had huge boulders, trees, and stuff about midway down. Sawyer told him it was too dangerous, but Hurley decided "you make your own luck" and there was no curse. Charlie jumped in for the ride.

Sure enough, just before a certain death by boulder, Hurley popped the clutch and it started up. When the engine started up, the radio was blaring "Shambala" by Three Dog Night (also playing in the first flashback scene of the show). All four went for a joy-ride with some beer-imbibing happening, too.

Heading back to camp with a case or two of beer, Sawyer took a moment to note that everyone had a sort of a partner (or more) except himself. Aw, that's what he gets for being surly most of the time.

Meanwhile, Kate decided that she had to save Jack despite her promise to him. She sought out out the French woman, but instead ran into Sayid and Locke who were tracking her. They wanted to help her, but... bang! A shot rang out! The maid screamed! Wait, there's no maid. It was Rousseau, the French woman. Kate told her that her daughter Alex is with them and she needed her help.

Lost [clunk]

So, that's that. It didn't really move the story forward much, as I mentioned. Now, mind you, I thought it was an enjoyable enough episode, but...!

Tonight's Blogging Schedule - Thursday, March 1, 2007

My review/recap of last night's Lost episode will be posted before the primetime block.

Stay tuned here for East Coast Updates on both American Idol boots and Survivor major events and boot come primetime. As they happen here in the East, I'll get them up on the blog.

Late tonight a full review/recap of Survivor 14: Fiji will be posted. Due to the time conflict with the shows and the time element, I don't do a full recap of American Idol's Thursday night show, although I cover Tuesday and Wednesday. But, I will post the news on who gets voted off in this time zone!

'American Idol 6' - 10 Gals to Stage

I don't know. Perhaps the remaining 18 singers should pack their bags and let Lakisha Jones and Melinda Doolittle battle it out for the next few months.

The guys stepped up their game, the girls seemed to maintain. But I think the girls still have the edge.

I think I actually liked the songs last night better than the ones this evening. Don't holler at me, but I'm not a huge fan of Whitney Houston, Celine Dion or Beyonce. And, it seems that the girls tend towards songs by those singers. I think the artists are all talented, but when a song isn't my cup of tea when done by voices such as theirs, no American Idol contestant will blow me away with it.

Gina Glocksen was up first, all prettied-up, huge tattoos on her arms covered with make-up, and wearing a gown. Are we sure it was really her? She sang Heart's "Alone." I thought she did well enough to probably stay this week, but she's so out of the league of the top female singers. The judges were mostly favorable. Randy thought it was a good song choice. Paula thought it was "excellent." Simon said it seemed forced at the end and wondered if she was losing her "edginess."

Alaina Alexander sang "Not Ready to Make Nice" by the Dixie Chicks. It did absolutely nothing for me. I thought it wasn't the best of song choices even if it's a dedication week. I'd go for something more memorable, more powerful. Well, I would if I could sing, that is. Randy thought she started out well, but then became pitchy and all over the place. Paula said it wasn't as bad as what Randy said and that she was adorable and beautiful. (Gag me now, please.) Simon said she ran out of steam halfway through the song.

Then it was home run hitter Lakisha Jones up to bat. And, she knocked it out of the park once again. She sang "Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladys Knight and the Pips (can't ever forget the Pips!). I don't think her performance was as exciting last week, but this is a song I enjoy and I think she may have even had the edge on Gladys. Woo-woo! I think she's going to live in our world for a long time. The judges thought she was great although Simon didn't care for her outfit. Well, neither did I. But she could wear anything with that voice.

Melinda Doolittle was the star of the night for me with Mitzi Greene's "My Funny Valentine." Wow. I think I'm awestruck. She seems like such a great person with this unbelievable voice...! Randy yo-yo'd and said she came to win it. Paula thought it was outstanding and the best ever throughout the competition. Simon called it incredible and said that she's a breath of fresh air. Perfect, flawless performance. Gosh, I like this girl!

Oh, I should stop writing now. The two top contenders are done. What? I have to go on? But, is there a point? Oh. Okay.

Antonella Barba sang next, for what it's worth. She sang Celine Dion's "Because You Loved Me." I didn't care for it, but I'm not too keen on the song in the first place. This time it was Randy commenting on how gorgeous she is instead of Paula. Paula thought she did better than last week while Simon thought she did worse. I live in New Jersey and by territorial thinking I should cheer her on. No way. If she squeaks through the cut tomorrow, it will be because of the Internet photos and her looks.

Jordin Sparks sang Christina Aguilera's "Reflection." Now, I don't think she's ready for a win and she sure does tower over Ryan Seacrest, but she did very well. I think she's head and shoulders over a few of the others (not just Ryan) at the tender age of seventeen. She's not my favorite, but I want to see her go further than Antonella. I think she's more talented. The judges were favorable, but I didn't see any wow factor in their comments.

Stephanie Edwards is another superb entry for the girls this season. She sang "Dangerously in Love" by Beyonce. I was impressed. If not for Lakisha and Melinda being in the ranks, I think Stephanie could stand a chance to win it all. Randy thought she "sang her face off" but copied Beyonce a bit too much. Paula thought it was fantastic and brilliant. Simon agreed with Paula and added in terrific.

Next was Leslie Hunt singing "Feelin' Good" - the same song A.J. Tabaldo sang last night. I liked A.J. singing it better. Simon nailed it saying her performance wouldn't be remembered. I've watched Lost since the show aired. I can't really recall it. I just know my notes say I liked A.J.'s a lot more.

Haley Scarnato tried Whitney Houston's "Queen of the Night." So not my favorite song, nor did I think she did all that well with it putting aside my feelings about the song. She jumped around and tried to create excitement around her performance, but I don't think she made the grade. Paula thought she did better this week. Randy mentioned the song was more backgrounds than lead vocals causing Simon to snark "that's why she chose it." He also called her one of two or three "droppable" girls. He's right.

Sabrina Sloan sang another Whitney Houston song (remember, I don't care for Whitney Houston songs - don't throw stuff at me), "He Fills Me Up." I thought she sang it well even in view of my own quirks. Randy thought it was very nice. Paula loves her. Simon said it was very good but "don't confuse power with shouting." A good point indeed.

So, there were the girls. I think the go home choices fall between Antonella Barba, Haley Scarnato, and Leslie Hunt. What say you?

TV Newsy Bits - Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Tonight I'm hoping that Lakisha Jones will make her own TV Newsy Bits on American Idol. After last week's tremendous performance, I'm eagerly anticipating how she's going to step up even more. If I were a wagering woman, I'd wager she's going to win it all.

Here are the TV Newsy Bits I found out there today as I peeked around the 'net:

• Reality News Online (RNO) has posted an interview with Kevin and Drew, recently eliminated on The Amazing Race 11: All Stars. Now, if I were tot title such an article, I'd call it "When Good Frat Boys Go Bad." I was so disappointed in them this time around after loving them in their own season. I just don't think Drew's heart or health was in it this time. He probably shouldn't have gone on the show.
• Despite Antonella Barba's revealing Internet photos being revealed to the world, she seems to still be on American Idol 6 according to Celebrity Spider. Heck, is Frenchie Davis too old to try again? She had more talent and a lot less scandal.
• Celebrity Spider also has the skinny on next week's Heroes episode. Hey, don't blame me if Simone comes back. Stephen King once said sometimes they return. Me? I'm just a paper salesman.
• Buddy TV has the goods (as opposed to the skinny) on a press conference with The Black Donnellys stars Olivia Wilde and Jonathan Tucker. I have mentioned how much I enjoyed the premiere, haven't I?
• And, for Friday Night Lights fans, Buddy TV has posted an exclusive interview with Connie Britton, Tami Taylor on the show. I'm a Law and Order: Criminal Intent fan, so their interview with Julianne Nicholson is of interest to me.