It's time for a closer look at new 'Survivor' castaway Bobby Mason. In reading through his bio at the CBS website, he looks like an interesting person. He's a 32 year old attorney from Los Angeles, CA. He was brought up in the rather rough South Central L.A., but his parents did a great job with him getting him into good schools and instilling the desire to make something of himself, not to be dragged down by others in his neighborhood. His undergraduate degree is from Amherst and his law studies were at Stanford. Very impressive indeed. While he sounds like a very smart man, successful and bright, I have some concerns regarding his chances of being the Sole Survivor this season. First, lawyers tend not to do well on the show. I don't know why they don't, but many have been on before and many have lost. Perhaps he'll be different. Also, in his bio on the CBS site, he says he's "dominant, loyal, malleable and stubborn." Now, if you're too dominant or stubborn, that's going to go against you on the show. He's single living with his two dogs (perhaps because he's dominant and stubborn...?)Onto his favorites at the CBS site: I like his chosen scents -- not the typical flowers and such -- fresh cut grass, cucumber. In games, he likes Risk and Magic: The Gathering. Those could be strategic a bit in 'Survivor.' His books/author choices are intriguing -- 48 Laws of Power and The Art of Seduction (Robert Greene), A Brief History of Time (Stephen Hawking). His music choices are urban rapster, not a real favorite of mine, but not without merit. He likes beef jerky! Oh, no! Shades of Kel!Hmm... all in all for my prediction? Well, a lot will depend on his personality. He certainly has the brights and seems to be plenty athletic enough to be a powerful player in the game. But the "dominant" and "stubborn" bit bother me. If he exhibits those traits, he could be amongst the first voted out. Contestants who try to take over or lead early in the show are out early for the most part. Tom Westman was about the only real "leader" time to really succeed. Will Bobby Mason buck the trend and make it? I just don't know. Until I see him interacting with the others, he'll be on my Mystery Finish Placement List.Your thoughts?
I like it. I think I really like it.I'm not so impressed by "Wayne" the John-Mayer-sounding Robby-Benson-looking featured artist on the show.So, what do I like about 'Love Monkey'?Well, let's see...I like Tom Cavanagh. I liked him as 'Ed' and I think I like him as 'Tom.' I like that it's filmed at least partially (if not entirely) in NYC. It's nice to see places I know and not fake backdrops or Toronto pretending to be NY.The premise is something a bit different from most, although there's that "L" word in there. No, not lesbian. The never ending story of seeking love. He may just find that when he stops looking, it'll smack him in the face. Or something like that. But, of course, that would ruin the premise of the show. Whoops! Pay no attention to my advice, Tom. Nothing to see here; move along.The characters look interesting. There's a gay male and a black male not written overly exaggerated as TV tends to do -- kind of like the diversity which does exist in any metropolitan area. That's a good sign, in my opinion, that the show won't become some sort of mockery of actual life.I must say that it's odd to see Jason Priestly looking like he's headed for middle-aged. When did he get mature?I'll be watching this again next week. It may live up to its hype. (Unlike my expectations... er... hopes... for 'The Four Kings.')
Okay, this is one of those guilty pleasure shows for me. I told you I'm a TV addict. This proves it.
So, this is the 5th season of 'American Idol', huh? Unlike Ryan Seacrest and some of the applicants, I personally don't consider it a rite of passage. Of course, the show is only five years old, four actually. My rites of passage predate that by just a couple of years.
I get a kick out of the bad auditions, sadistic soul that I am. Now, if I were to sing for them, I'd be the worst of the worst. Well, maybe not, when I think of some of the applicants. But my personal singing is reserved for my apartment and not used as a weapon against society at large.
Tonight's audition show starts in Chicago with a rather sour Simon, Paula and Randy. I watched them on Leno last night and they were just fine with each other. But, apparently it was a rough day or the process was taking a toll on them. If I'm being honest (line credit: Simon Cowell), Simon was even a bit worse to some than usual. Part of the fun of watching the auditions is the looks on the judges' faces and the off the cuff comments. I know. I have a mean streak.
I think the show spent entirely too much time on the contestant Derrick Duprey (sp?). He was sweaty, sang poorly and was boring. Enough all ready. He didn't deserve a second chance or an hour. He needed to be nonexistent on the show. That's what he needed.
As I'm writing this, I'm not seeing any standout Bad Idols. The kid from NY dressed as the Statue of Liberty didn't even get out the entire first line of 'New York, New York' before Simon shut him down. Lad Liberty looked shocked. Too bad he gimmicked. He may have actually had a voice.
As for some who made it through -- I was impressed by the Britnom (sp?) twins and their Motown stuff. Very nice! And a girl Mandesia made it through. In name, kind of like Fantasia. In looks and voice, a bit Frenchy Davis. Her size gave Simon the opportunity to ask if they would have a bigger stage this year. Bad Simon. Bad. I wasn't too impressed with the Suck Up To Simon Line dental assistant who made it through. Ack, I'm turned off by the sisters who just made it as I was typing. Eww!
The deputy sheriff who kept singing the "I shot the sheriff, but I did not shoot the deputy" over and over (and over and over) again... sucked. Simon said another contestant reminded him of an auntie singing badly. I would have said worse.
The kid Zachary who just crooned "I'm In The Mood For Love" was decent. He's a cutie, too. He made it through. Good. He's only 17 years old. Sheesh... I would have loved a boyfriend to croon that in my direction when I was a teen. Um. Well, I still wouldn't mind it. Another cutie 17 year old boy made it through, too. David Ratcliffe did a Sinatra song which Simon loved and the others didn't. I thought he was fantastic. Paula said his package was great. (Heh.) Paula also says Simon will cut him in Hollywood. I guess we'll see.
A Britney/Paris lookin' wannabe with zilch talent just annoyed the hell out of me. I may have "bad eye makeup accompanied by yucky vocals" nightmares tonight. Thanks so much for including her on the show, guys. At least Sweats Duprey was basically just overall boring.
A girl from the Ukraine just sang the worst and weirdest version of 'Bohemian Rhapsody' that I've ever heard. Even worse than my own. (Which is over emoted and waaay off key sung to torment my two cats.) Buh-bye Ukraine Gal. (Phew!)
Now, another pair of twins made it -- the Simmons twins at 16 years old. They serenaded Paula. "Crazy Dave" is auditioning now. Eek. His eyes roll up into his head. Oh. My. God. They put him through to Hollywood. FREAK SHOW! What the...? Have Paula and Randy lost their minds? This guy squirms, runs barefoot and talks to the animals (in addition to his eyes rolling up into his head as he sings).
The end of the show was a bad salute to poor Patty LaBelle's 'Lady Marmalade' -- poor Patty didn't deserve that.
"Voulez-vous couchez avec moi ce soir?"
"Not if you sing."
So, there ya go. Another season is ON. Are you watching? Tomorrow's show is auditions in Denver. Be there or be square.
I'll be sharing my thoughts about the premieres of 'American Idol' and 'Love Monkey' while taping 'Law and Order: SVU' as the latter is airing. I tend to like the bad auditions as much if not more than 'American Idol' after they choose the finalists. Now, I know I shouldn't sing in public... so I don't.Please check in a bit later tonight! I'd love to hear what you think of some of the applicants, as well as the much hyped 'Love Monkey'! Tomorrow, more 'Closer Looks...' at more 'Survivor' castaways.
It's time for a closer look at the new 'Survivor' castaway Shane Powers. According to the quick blurb on his CBS official bio, he's the 35 year old owner of an entertainment marketing company in Los Angeles.What I found out by poking around on the web is that he's an actor who's played numerous small roles in movies and television shows. When you think of it, his name reeks of made up/made for TV/movies-ness. I suppose it could be real, but I must wonder. It's either an acting name or he's perhaps a superhero -- Shane Powers, Man of Mystique! Back to the CBS bio:Born and grew up in Omaha, then moved to Los Angeles. (To be a star?) Quoted from the CBS site: "In 1999, Powers and two business partners established a boutique specialty marketing company with the goal of effectively branding products. On the side, Powers makes time to coach his son's football team. Previous employment included work as a club promoter and restaurant manager." Odd, no acting mention. However, I confirmed my own findings through other websites. So, it's not just me. If he wins, he wants to buy a field and equipment for his son's football team. Awww. He also thinks he'll be a physical threat and that he can manipulate people without them resenting him. We'll see, I guess!From his CBS Favorites:Hmmm... these aren't striking me all that well. Under scents, "girls who get the perfume right." Attitude, I say! His favorite sports to play are "all, flag football." Huh? Wouldn't flag football be part of all? He likes playing ALL sports? He likes warm vodka. Bleh. My predictions based soley on what I'm reading in his bio and favorites? Maybe he'll prove me wrong, but I read egotistical and a touch of arrogance. I think he could very well alienate the others and be an early boot.What do you think?
