Thursday, February 05, 2009

American Idol Hollywood Week ... So Far

Jackie's TV Blog, American Idol

Whoa, they've gotten even more strict on Hollywood Week this year! On Tuesday's show, each wannabe had one song to keep them going on with the show. One bad move and POOF, they're gone.

Last night was the group singing. Now, of course, that leads to drama when the contestants might not like each other. A lot of good contenders got the boot including the Osmond and Rose (both of whom I liked). Thankfully, Bikini Girl (I can't even remember her name as I write this, but she annoys me) got canned. As the show ended, I had to call up a co-worker named Nancy Wilson and offer my condolences about her getting the boot. My co-worker is actually more personable, but I told her that her behavior going off stage was inappropriate anyway.

I'm liking the music teacher with the recently deceased wife and his friend more and more each time I see them. Have you any early favorites?

In a world far away from Hollywood, here's what it looked like around here recently:


A neglected bit o' woods is etched in snow, making it a thing of beauty. I won't mention that it's built on contaminated ground. Let's just say it's very pretty.


The Plainfield NJ Train Station in the evening last night. There's a fancy-schmancy NJ Transit double-decker train discharging NYC commuters. Clicking on the images will open them larger and in a new window.

Today's musical non sequitur:
They say that I won't last too long on Broadway
I'll catch a Greyhound bus for home, they all say
But they're dead wrong, I know they are
'Cause I can play this here guitar
And I won't quit till I'm a star on Broadway
-- "On Broadway" by George Benson

Wednesday, February 04, 2009

LOST 30 Second Review - "The Little Prince"

Jackie's TV Blog, Lost

What a week! I got in from work tonight in time to catch American Idol (next post). Now, I'm not going into great detail -- note my "30 Second Review" bit in the header. But, here's your Lost ... in thirty seconds:

  • Not only Charlotte has the nosebleed problems, but Juliet and Miles are, too. They all live ... for now.
  • Time continues to warp on the island.
  • Sayid reluctantly goes with Ben and Jack.
  • Ben gets his lawyer to spring Hurley (although he hasn't been sprung yet from jail).
  • Kate follows the lawyer of the person after Aaron and it turns out to be Claire's mother.
  • But it isn't her after all.
  • It's Ben.
  • Sawyer sees Kate deliver Aaron in a time warp.
  • In another time warp, Jin is discovered by French people on a raft.
  • He's alive.
  • And Danielle Rousseau is at that time young and pregnant.
  • Sun watches Kate, Sayid, Jack, and Ben. Sun has Aaron with her. Sun has a gun.
  • Tonight's key phrase: "When are we?"
Lost CLUNK.

Hmm ... not many questions answered, but not many new ones brought up, either. We still don't know exactly why the return of the Oceanic Six will stop the time-warping and save the others (not to be confused with the Others). Kate,Sun, and Hurley won't go willingly, methinks.


Monday, February 02, 2009

Tonight, Tonight ... on TV

We're back to a dilemma for me tonight. First off, have I ever mentioned how I hate this fall/winter season with an extended break in between programming bit? Heroes returns tonight (9 PM ET/PT) and I can't remember what was happening in the last episode. It seems like it was a good six years ago or so!

I'll be watching the new episodes of The Big Bang Theory and How I Met Your Mother in the 8 PM hour. I'll be writing up the BBT episode for CliqueClack TV, but not before I watch Heroes.

NBC has a new Chuck on at 8 PM ET/PT and a new Medium on at 10 PM ET/PT. The CBS line-up is all new episodes tonight. FOX has a new House followed by a new 24. ABC has a new 2-hour The Bachelor followed by a new True Beauty. TNT has The Closer (new - 9 PM ET/PT), then a new Trust Me.

I'll be watching the 8 PM CBS hour, then Heroes, then True Beauty as I write up TBBT. I don't really have to think for True Beauty. I'll record The Closer and Trust Me. Gack, too much TV and too little time to watch it all!

What are you watching?

Sunday, February 01, 2009

Off Topic: Roofus, Weather, and do you want a Superbowl post?

Yep, you know I have to go off topic at times. I'm going to give you a taste of my week behind me in photos I've taken. Plus, if there is enough interest, I'll make a Superbowl discussion post later today. I'm not a huge football fan and there aren't any local teams for me this time around. So, I may or may not be watching some or all of the game (and the commercials). I might just get drawn into The Sopranos marathon on A&E. But if you want me to set up a discussion post for you, just let me know!

Onto the week in photos:


On Wednesday I laid the first tracks at the Plainfield Train Station. Yes, I had my bulky boots on. But, yeah ... I have big feet, too.


Again, the Plainfield (NJ) Train Station area on Wednesday morning. Obviously Roofus the Cat is hunkering down somewhere out of the elements.


I was up before dawn cracked on Friday due to the fact I was leaving work early for my doctor's appointment ... which ended up being canceled. Argh. No Roofus at that hour.


But, come our usual Saturday morning meeting time on my way to work, there's Roofus sleeping in the sun!


This is a bit fuzzy if you click on it for the bigger image. Roofus has awakened and is watching pigeons fly from atop the building yesterday morning.

Let me know about the football post and check out my first part posts on Survivor and The Amazing Race casting!

Today's musical non sequitur:
Gitchi Gitchi Ya Ya Ta Ta
Gitchi Gitchi Ya Ya Here
Mocha Choco Lata Ya Ya
Creole Lady Marmalade
-- "Lady Marmalade" by Labelle

The Amazing Race 14: Meet the Teams, Part One

As with my Survivor cast, I'm breaking this one down into parts. I apologize to folks on dial-up as these might be slow loading for you with the videos. But I have to give CBS folks kudos for making the videos embed-capable! It's so much easier to comment along with the video! You go, CBS!



Brad (age 52) and Victoria (age 47) Hunt are a happily married couple from Columbus, Ohio. Keyword is "happily." I'm so tired of bickering use the race to get back together couples! He's a distribution dispatcher while she's a tax manager. I'm a bit worried about her health issues (as described on their bio page), but I think I'm going to enjoy watching them in the race.



Mel (age 68) and Mike (age 38) White are a father and son team from Lynchburg, VA and Santa Monica respectively. I wrote about them in my TV Squad post on spoilers early in January. Mel told his family that he was gay when Mike was 11, then went on to become "
a gay-rights activist, has worked as a writer, professor, filmmaker and a pastor." Mike is a successful screenwriter in California with hits like School of Rock starring Jack Black. According to their bio on the CBS site, they are the most traveled and most opinionated team. I enjoyed their video clip and think they'll be fun to watch on the show. I do think the elder White's age might hinder them, but he seems in good shape.



Amanda Blackledge (age 23) and Kris Klicka (age 24) are a happy dating couple from San Diego, California. Note the word "happy." They've been together for three years and aren't seeking to find out whether they belong together or not. Phew! She's a student while he's a sales rep. They come across as energetic and personable in their video clip. The strikes against them include not being well-traveled and being so young. I bet they're going to get along pretty well with the other teams which might outweigh their shortcomings, though.



Cara Rosenthal (age 26) and Jaime Edmondson (age 29) might look like a sister team, but they aren't -- they're former NFL cheerleaders for the Miami Dolphins. Cara is now a law student out of Boca Raton, Florida while Jaime is former police officer out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. They don't mention what Jaime is doing now on the CBS site. I often tend to groan at some of the female "all looks" teams on the show, but I think these two gals might be the strongest female team ever. They're well-traveled, used to rushing, very physically fit. Could they win it all? I say a definite "maybe."

Stay tuned for more teams!