'American Idol 6' Season Finale - Live-Blogged From the East Coast

Welcome, American Idol fans! The show is starting here on the East Coast. This post will be updated as events occur on the show (or reactions to events occur in my mind). I'll constantly update it, so keep refreshing.

Right now Blake and Jordin are singing "I Saw Her Standing There."

Well, that was quick. Now it's to Gwen Stefani singing her newest song. Um, what is it? I don't know. Ryan blurted it too quickly for me to catch. Anyone out there hear the song title?

Into commercial break now. Ryan promises some surprises from the Top 12 when the show returns. Oh, gee, did Phil grow hair? Did Chris Sligh shave his head? Did Antonella Barba put on a turtleneck? I guess we'll see soon.

No surprises, just Kelly Clarkson singing her new single "Never Again." Jerry Springer is in the audience, ew.

The Golden Idols:
Truly Performed - Best Presentation: The Panther Guy Eccentric, Isadora Furman (orgasm woman), Margaret Fowler (older duck-costumed woman). Winner is Margaret Fowler. So, we get to see her once again. Joy, joy.

The Top Six guys, all suited-up in white, are singing, then comes the real deal... Smokey Robinson. Ah, now "Tears of a Clown" from the Six and Smokey. Very Pipsesque. Sanjaya and Chris R. seemed a bit off-key to me, but it could just be me.

More commercials, more hype for The Band Show.

Blake Lewis and Doug E Fresh are beat-boxing.

More Golden Idols
Most Original Vocal - Nicholas Ziztman (sp) (the geek - I'll have to link my old photos later), Sandy Chavez (the vocal coach one), Cholandric (sp) Stallworth? Winner is Cholandric Stallworth... which I'm surely spelling wrong.

The Top Six Girls are singing "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" - some voices are so perfect for that one. And, speaking of Pips earlier, here's Gladys Knight! Yay, they're doing "Midnight Train to Georgia" with the girls being the Pipettes! Great performance, so much better than the guys! Gladys is one of the few who really seem to hold up to the test of time. (Unlike :::coughDiana Rosscough:::)

Tony Bennett is now on stage singing "For Once in My Life." They focused on Simon in the beginning. Perhaps because Tony was quoted as saying Simon was too mean and the show was too rough on the contestants? I'd rather Gladys come back.

Golden Idol Awards
Best Buddies - Jonathan and Kevin (Bushbaby comment), Amanda and Antonella (Jersey Girls), Simon and Ryan. Winner is Jonathan and Kevin. The show has sponsored a bushbaby in a Milwaukee Zoo for Kevin and named it Simon.

Melinda Doolittle is singing now with a couple I missed because I was typing about bushbabies. "Hold on the Line" I think is the name of the song. I wish she was singing alone, though.

Ford Music video - "Time After Time." Both Blake and Jordin just got keys to new Ford Mustangs.

Carrie Underwood is performing now... much better than the Kelly Clarkson performance. The song is "I'll Stand By You." Very nicely done.

Clive Davis is up now. No, he's not singing. This year's report card - Chris Daughtry's success -- he's the biggest selling artist of the year. Sales are over 2 and a half million albums. KInd words for Simon, Paula, Randy, songwriters... Fantasia, Carrie Underwood, producers, arrangers... 6 million albums sold, Carrie Underwood gets another award.

The group they invited back representing Idol Gives Back is fitting - The African Childrens Choir. These kids are great! And, I bet it's a thrill for them to be on the show.

Aha, a Sanjaya segment... great moments in history! He's performing live with Joe Perry from... er, Aerosmith? Isn't that supposed to be Journey? Earlier it was released that he'd be on, but it's definitely Aerosmith. He's singing "You Really Got Me" in true Sanjaya fashion.

Green Day is up now singing John Lennon's "Working Class Hero." This is for the Darfur cause from the Instant Karma album.

Taylor Hicks is performing. "Heaven Knows" may be the name of the song, I'm not sure. It has a guitar riff used in some song from the sixties. Break out the harmonica.

Jordin Sparks is singing with Reuben Studdard - "You're All I Need To Get By." It started a bit off with muffled background singers here or something. Reuben has definitely taken off a lot of weight although he's still big. And, next to him, Jordin doesn't look so tall.

Bette Midler is on now. I'm wondering if the younger crowd who watches the show even know half of the guests? Well, Green Day, they should know.

Juliet just kissed Jack! Oh, wait... that's on the set in the other room where I'm recording the Lost finale (blog review/recap will be posted on that tomorrow evening).

American Idol tribute to Sgt. Pepper, now much more than 20 years ago...! Joe Perry is playing guitar as Kat McPhee sings, now Taylor Hicks is singing "I Read the News Today." It's nothing like the Beatles, for sure. Carrie Underwood singing "She's Leaving Home" backed up by the Top Twelve. Reuben Studdard is singing "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds." I wonder if anyone will sing my favorite from that album... "Being For the Benefit of Mr. Kite." Instead they're all singing "With a Little Help From My Friends." Rats, it ended with no nod to Mr. Kite. What kind of tribute is that, I ask?

Yes, the show must be going over. No winning announcement yet and it's 10 PM here on the East Coast.

Finally... the winner of American Idol 6 is...after the break.

609 million votes over the season, 74 million last night...

The winner is... JORDIN SPARKS.

TV Newsy Bits - Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Yes, it's season finale night for both American Idol and Lost. Of course, that means I have a conflict. Ah, not so much of one, though. I'll be live-blogging the events on tonight's American Idol show so that West Coast fans who just have to know... will know. So, please stop back later tonight and check out the blog entry I'll be posting for the show!

Due to its late ending time, I usually post on Lost Thursday evening. That will remain the same for the finale. After all, that's a show I need to watch intently unlike American Idol.

In other TV Newsy Bits:

• There's another kind of audition going on for American Idol. For the first time, you can vote for the Entertainment Weekly American Idol special cover -- which Jordin or Blake shot do you like best? The issue is due to be out on May 28, so get your vote in!
• I noticed commercials for the return of Hell's Kitchen (June 4, FOX). I don't know if I'll faithfully blog the show as my summer gets hectic with the Big Brother live feeds reports (and my day job), but I'm sure I'll check it out to see the latest victims of Gordon Ramsay. In sad news related to the show, I saw that Rachel Brown, a rather colorful contestant on last season, recently passed away.
• Back to American Idol -- Simon Cowell has announced he plans to quit the show in three years time according to this Celebrity Spider blurb. He suggests that Donald Trump could replace him. Ewww! No! Never!
• Although CBS cancelled Jericho, according to the Chicago Tribune, there might be a wrap-up movie coming. That's something show fans would greatly welcome. Do it, I say!
• Who will Sanjaya Malakar sing with in tonight's American Idol season finale? Well, I can see Randy fainting now.
• Oh, there were fireworks on The View today between Rosie O'Donnell and Elisabeth Hasselbeck! If you missed it, read all about it in this AOL article. There's also a video clip of the brouhaha at that link. An interesting, but surely unrelated note - today is the last day of the May Sweeps rating period. Surely unrelated, right?

In non-TV news, I saw a local cop on a Police Segway today. Is that thing really allowed on the sidewalks? This wasn't in the city (NY) I saw him, but in NJ. Very odd.

Remember to stop back tonight for live updates on the American Idol finale as it airs here on the East Coast!

'American Idol 6' - The Final Two - Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis Song Battle

So this is it. We're down to the wire on yet another year of American Idol, the show that has made FOX and Simon Cowell household words. Not always good household words, mind you.

Tonight was the singing competition of the two-night season finale... the showdown between Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis, the duel between singer and entertainer. Who will win? Hmmm...

The talented two performed live at the huge and probably daunting Kodak Theater. Now, if it were me, I think I'd hide in some back room. It had to be a bit nerve-wracking for both of them.

Paula was there despite breaking her nose. She said she tripped over her dog, Tulip. When Ryan mentioned the dog, he thought it necessary to say, "the bitch is okay." Bad move, Seacrest. Not that I personally care, but lots of young children and their parents watch the show. What's going on in your head, Ryan? Wrong place and time for that comment!

Blake and Jordin each had to sing three songs tonight. One would be a personal favorite that they've done on the show before, the next was a song they're singing for the first time on the show, and the third was a song they'd both sing -- the winner of the American Idol songwriting competition.

In an odd quirk of fate or, maybe Seattle has talent to spare, both Jordin and Blake initially auditioned in Seattle. And, not only that, the songwriting duo who won that competition also come out of Seattle. And, gee... isn't Sanjaya Malakar listed as coming from that area as of late? Heh.

Blake Lewis won the coin toss last week and politely offered Jordin the chance to sing first. She declined, so he was up to bat first with his favorite. His favorite was his most creative and popular song he did during the season -- "You Give Love a Bad Name" by Bon Jovi. I still think what he did to the song is amazing and I've always been partial to the original. But if he just copied the original, it wouldn't be anything special. If anything, he did his Blake-ized version even better this time around.

Randy thought the beat-boxing in it was "hott" and the singing just alright. Paula thought Blake outdid himself. Simon said it was his best performance, but not necessarily the best singing. The crowd went wild.

Jordin Sparks was up next with a song she hadn't sung on the show before -- "Fighter" by Christina Aguilera. I thought it a good song choice, very fitting for the show at hand. Her vocals sounded fine to me, she looked very pretty and she played well to the cameras and the crowd.

Randy thought her voice was stellar and that "this is an interesting night, show." Paula repeated "stellar" and said it was shaping up to be one of the best finales ever on the show. Simon liked that she chose a "younger song," but said she was a bit "shrieky" in the middle. He said that the first round belonged to Blake. I agree, but mainly because Blake's performance is so, so different and creative.

Blake's next song was his never-performed on the show before one. He chose "She Will Be Loved" by Maroon 5. Eh, it was okay from them and it's okay from Blake, I guess. That particular song is one I can see as elevator music or on an easy listening station. For me, it's just not exciting no matter who sings it. I thought he did well enough with it, but it was no "Shot Through the Heart" and it didn't show his creative performance skills.

Randy thought it was a nice vocal, very nice. Paula thought he eased into the song well and sounded great. Simon said it was good, safe, but not as good as his first song - no impact.

Then it was Jordin's turn to sing her favorite song that she's already performed on the show. She chose "On Broken Wing" by Martina McBride, a solid choice. She sang it very well and really shines with a ballad like this.

Randy yo-yo'd and thinks she's the most talented 17-year-old he's ever seen. He said her performance was flawless, better than the original. Paula said she was soaring with a great vocal, a great voice. Simon said, "Now, that was good."

The last song each sang was the songwriting contest winner, "This Is My Now" by Scott Krippayne and Jeff Peabody out of Seattle. Well, I think the song is commercial enough and very American Idol-ish. So, they did their part well. But, had I heard the song before it was sung by Blake and Jordin, I could have guessed which contestant could shine with it. It, to me, was a clear-cut Jordin Sparks kind of song.

Blake was first up with it. He did okay, but he looked a bit jumpy in the middle of it like he wanted to bust out and beatbox, but was muzzled. He basically sang it well enough, but not what I'd call a stellar performance. I love the way Blake dresses, though. Argyle is the new black, it seems.

Randy said it wasn't great, but it was alright. Paula mentioned it was out of his genre, but nice. Simon thought it was a bit off, not a bad song but not Blake's type of song. He said he hoped the audience would vote on the first two songs he performed.

Then came Jordin with the same song. Oh my... she brought the house down. Perfect vocals, brimming with emotion down to a tear at the end as she became overwhelmed. Excellent! But, as I said before, it's as if the song was made for her. I don't think I expected any less after watching Blake sing it.

Randy said she was clearly the best singer and that she was "on fire." Paula said she was proud of Jordin, Jordin's parents were so proud and happy and that she's an angel. Simon said last week he didn't think Jordin was good enough to be in the finals. "I was wrong and I apologize. You wiped the floor with Blake on that song."

So, who will win? Although I really enjoy Blake's style and his version of "You Give Love a Bad Name," I think it's going to go to Jordin. Me? I want to see what Melinda Doolittle releases.

Then it was a Daughtry (Chris Daughtry from last season and his band) performance of "Home." Okay, Phil Stacey. Look at Chris Daughtry's head. He can do the bald thing. He has a nicely-shaped head with a minimum of lumps and ears which don't stick out. He has a bit of a tan. You cannot carry off that look. Stop it. A very nice performance indeed, Mr. Daughtry.

Tomorrow night is the two-hour finale which conflicts with the two-hour finale of Lost. I'll be live-blogging the events of the live American Idol finale tomorrow night as it airs here on the East Coast, then posting on the Lost finale early Thursday evening.

So, if you wish to talk about the show as it airs, join me in the comments here. Or, if you're West Coast and just can't wait, check for the happenings and the winner right here!

'Heroes' - "How To Stop An Exploding Man" - A BulletPoint Report

Well, it was the big season finale tonight. In retrospect, I think this is one of the few shows which hooked me right off the bat.

Each week I sat mesmerized by the happenings with nary a moment to relax in between the thrills and chills. I'm going to miss this show.

I thought the ending of tonight's show was a bit different from what I had expected, but it was fitting. Ah, but that's later. Here's what happened on the show...

• The voice of Mohinder Suresh opened the show saying wise, pithy, and prophetic kinds of things. Make him shut up, please.
• The show started by tying up the loose ends on the dead folks from the last chapter.
• DL regained conciousness.
• Nikki asked why he took the bullet as he could have just allowed it to phase through him.
• We asked the same question.
• No on got an answer.
• Linderman remains dead.
• Thompson, Bennet's ex-boss from Primatech, also remains dead.
• Mohinder, Bennet, and Parkman are still in the Kirby Plaza Tower.
• Molly reminded Parkman he once promised to keep her safe from the Boogeyman (Sylar).
• Parkman told her that no one would hurt her.
• Bennet, with some persuasion from Parkman and Mohinder, decided that she could remain alive and actually help them by finding Sylar.
• Bennet told Mohinder about Thompson, the corrupt organization he was working for, and how he (Bennet) is a good guy.
• They kiss (not literally) and become buddies once again.
  
• Meanwhile, Hiro talked with his father.
  
• Hiro wants to find Ando; his father thinks his destiny, his mission, is more important.
• Hiro respectfully refuses - "I won't abandon my friend." He goes off looking for Ando.
  
• Sylar is still at Isaac Mendez's studio. He's not happy with Peter Petrelli paintings.
• Nathan's mother told him that Linderman is dead.
• When Nathan seemed to waver, she reminded him the plan wasn't just Linderman's.
• "The world will need me after the explosion. This changes nothing," said Nathan.
• Back at the Kirby, DL doesn't think he can make it and told Nikki to go find Micah and return.
• Claire and Peter called Bennet to tell him that Ted (Nuclear Hands Dude) Sprague was dead.
• Bennet and Peter both agree that Sylar, in addition to Peter, absorbed Sprague's power.
• Bennet told Peter that he would locate Sylar as soon as they fix the tracking system (Molly).
• Molly had a bit of a relapse, but was "fixed."
• She pinpointed Sylar's location on a map. Bennet recognized it as Isaac's studio.
• But he couldn't tell Peter that because...
• Peter led Claire to Nathan and his Mom, telling her he trusts Nathan.
• Claire ends up going off with Nathan and his Mom.
• Peter passed out on the street.
• He awakened watching himself back nursing Mr. Deveaux.
• And... his mother is talking to Charles Deveaux!
• Deveaux is in on the whole thing. They're discussing which son to use to save the world.
  
• Mom Petrelli thinks Nathan is the one because Peter was so iffy.
• Deveaux told her that Peter had heart, compassion and hope -- he was the one.
• It turns out that Deveaux can see the invisible Peter and talks to him once they're alone.
• "You had the power all along," Deveaux told Peter (sounding a lot like the Wizard of Oz). "You just needed to know how to use it.
  
• Back at Isaac's loft, Ando arrived with the sword to kill Sylar.
• Sylar sneaked up on him and stuck him on a wall, telling him he didn't want his brain.
• But then Hiro arrived to save the day! Or, at least, to save his best friend.
• Sylar taunted Hiro about freezing time.
  
• "Can you do your little trick quicker than I can do mine?"
• ZOOM - Hiro did it. He and Ando are back in Japan at their workplace.
• Hiro told Ando that he taught him the meaning of bravery, but he (Ando) must remain behind.
• Back at the Kirby, Candice is playing her illusion tricks.
• Nikki found the right room, but Candice is done up like Jessica and Micah is laying dead on the floor.
• Then it was Jessica's turn to save the day.
• She appeared in broken glass and told Nikki that she was stronger and it wasn't Jessica (Candice).
• Nikki went a bit Jessica on Candice and rescued the alive Micah.
• Back to Claire -- she jumped out of a tall building to escape from Mom Petrelli and Nathan.
• "Let her go," said Mrs. Petrelli.
• Bennet came across Peter who was still down on the street.
  
• He told Peter he'd take Claire's place with the gun if Peter can't control the radioactive hands.
• Bennet said he owe Pete. And, more importantly, he told him to call him Noah. Noah, eh?
• All of the heroes are working their way towards Kirby Plaza.
• Peter and Sylar face off.
• "Didn't I kill you once before?"
• "Didn't take," said Peter.

In the end, it wasn't any one hero who stopped Sylar. Parkman tried to shoot him, only to have Sylar stop the bullets and send them back into Parkman. Nikki, with her new-found strength, whopped him with a pole from a parking hydrant. Hiro ran him through with his sword. So, it wasn't the duel of powers that we expected between Peter and Sylar, not at all.

And, we're not even sure Sylar is really dead. One of the last scenes had his blood (no body) running into a drain with a cockroach scurrying in it.

What about the explosion? Well, Peter's hands did go crazy and he couldn't control the power. Claire tried to shoot him as planned, but couldn't do it. Then Nathan saved the day. He arrived and flew Peter away and we saw an explosion. Why couldn't Peter fly himself away? Maybe he can't concentrate on flying when he's exploding? Can't Peter live through the explosion? Ted Sprague couldn't blow himself up, after all.

And, what of Hiro? After running Sylar through with the sword, it seems Sylar slung him back into the past where he's surrounded by armored men on horses.

Um. Okay.

Sneak Peek: Tyler Perry's 'House of Payne' on TBS

I'm sure this show will have an audience, but I'm not quite as sure that the audience will include me.

Tyler Perry is popular these days, yet his work isn't always my cup of tea. When I saw some brief clips of Tyler Perry's House of Payne in a promo package from TBS, I thought I would give the show a try. I might still, but only for new TV fodder that I haven't seen before over the summer months.

I was sent a screener for the first episode, or a reasonable pre-release thereof. While the show has a fine cast, cute kids, a curmudgeon-uncle and a wise and loving aunt... there's one character which sort of turned me off.

Why do movies or TV shows feel they must create odd huge (fat or just plain tall) women characters out of men? I never enjoy that kind of role in a show, but I know that it's often done and done successfully on a commercial level. Aren't there enough huge, weird, intimidating and such women who are actually women? It could be just me, but whenever I see that sort of "man playing big weird woman" role and the humor surrounding it, I feel it's a bit off-putting or sophomoric. Or something.

And, I realize that it's Tyler Perry in the role for this one. But, that's not enough to make me enjoy it. The show has some clever writing and the rest of the cast is enjoyable, but I'm just not seeing this one atop my personal summer favorites list. However, if you enjoy that sort of humor and Tyler Perry, definitely check it out.

The series premiere is Wednesday, June 6 at 9 PM ET/PT. You can look in on the website for all kinds of stuff House of Payne-related.