'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.

'American Idol 6' - Ten Men Sing to Stay

After last week's lackluster performances, I faced a bit of trepidation about watching tonight's show. Do any of these guys have what it takes to be in the top two? (I personally think we'll see a female winner this season, so the best a guy can do is runner-up.)

I feel overall that the men redeemed themselves a bit tonight, but my "wow" factor wasn't as strong for those I enjoyed as it was for either Melinda Doolittle or Lakisha Jones last week.

"This show is dedicated to the one I love." Yep, it was a dedication show, all a bit touching, but none more surprising than seeing Chris Sligh with his wife. They look incongruous, but it's love.

Here's the song lowdown for the guys:

Phil Stacey was up first. I know that folks think he has such a great voice, but he just doesn't do it for me. He sang "Missing You" by Brooks and Dunn. I ain't missing him. I'm just not getting him at all. Randy and Paula liked the performance, Simon said he wasn't jumping out of his chair. Neither was I. I predict he'll make it through, but I'll take no part in that!

Jared Cotter said he was channeling Marvin Gaye. He looked good. He did a fine Marvin Gaye impersonation. I want to like this guy. I think he can indeed sing, but I feel he's too cocky or something in front of cameras. Yes, he has to have confidence, but he's trying to be too sexy for his shirt. Randy loved it, Paula thinks he's good-looking. Simon thought it looked like a cabaret performance on the Love Boat. Bingo, Simon. I think Jared's chances of being in the top six men grew more slim.

A.J. Tabaldo sang "Feelin' Good" as sung by Sophie B. Hawkins. I think he did great, but he's not my choice for the win. I like the song and I enjoyed his performance, but I'm just not seeing "star" for A.J. Paula and Randy thought he did well. Simon said, "That was nearly very good. You did something right. You did something different. And, you were strangely comfortable with it."

If Jared was channeling Marvin, perhaps Sanjaya Malakar was channeling a hybrid between Sinatra and Michael Jackson. I like the look of his fedora and slacks, but not necessarily on him. He sang an Irving Berlin song, "Stepping Out With My Baby." I thought it was a pleasant performance. Not earth-shattering, merely pleasant. Randy thought it was weird. Paula said on pitch and that he was an "old soul." Simon reamed him... again. He said it was like when parents dressed their small children up, was very weak, and a little weird. This is the second week that Simon kept at him. He must either want sympathy votes for him or to get him booted. I say he should leave in view of the other performances tonight, but I bet he'll stay.

Chris Sligh sang "Trouble" by Ray LaMontagne. Oh, and he sang it well. I so enjoy his voice! The judges liked him, I hope the voters do, too.

Nick Pedro sang "Fever" - a song I'm so much more used to women singing. He sang it well enough, but I have no real fever for him. The judges on the whole liked him. I liked the drummer who kept getting the good photo opportunities. I don't think he's all that long for the competition, but I could be wrong. I liked Nick's nod to Napolean Dynamite with a quick "Vote for Pedro."

Then came Blake Lewis. Although my heart is for Chris Sligh, this guy is very entertaining. He performed (didn't just sing) Jamiroquai's "Virtual Insanity." He threw in a tad of scratch and scat, he performed. Excellent job! Paula and Randy had their virtual insanity moment giving him praise while Simon wasn't as excited. He'll go a long way, I know he will.

Brandon Rogers sang another song best known for a female vocalist. He sang "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper. He did it well enough, I guess. It just didn't excite me, not at all. The judges, for the most part, thought along the same lines. I think he might be buying his ticket home although I also think he's very talented.

Not to be outdone by a human beatbox, Chris Richardson, turned up the heat performance-wise with "Geek in the Pink" by Jason Mraz. Wow. He can perform. I still think he's a Justin Timberlake doppelganger, but what can I say? Randy said he's in it to win. Simon declared it the best of the night.

Then, the surprise of the night, Sundance Head returned with a rocking-bluesy version of "Mustang Sally." No, he didn't quite do the Wilson Pickett version, nor the Rascals version. He did the Sundance Head version and made me remember why I liked him in the audition. The judges were thrilled to have him back. Hopefully it will redeem himself from his horrible performance last week and get him back on track.

All in all, I think we'll lose Brandon this week. We should lose Sanjaya, but I don't think we will. Who will be the other one?

'The Black Donnellys'

If you missed the premiere of The Black Donnellys, you can watch it online at the official NBC website or tune in Thursday at 10 PM.

Pictured here is Jonathan Tucker who plays Tommy Donelly in the show. Since so many folks might have missed the premiere, I won't give away the kicker ending, but I guarantee it's a kicker.

This show focuses on the four Donnelly brothers. The "black" part of it has to do with the Black Irish. They grew up in a rather hardscrabble street life in Lower Manhattan. Tommy, the "good" brother, is a talented artist who tends to be more on the straight and narrow than his brothers. But, as events occur, he gets dragged into the life on the streets.

Mob-related, this isn't a pretty tale. I'm not even all that sure how relevant it is to what's going on today with the mob scene. To me, it's a bit more like the Irish gangs some decades ago were brought into today's world. The locale is a bit awry. The brothers own a bar which I know is on the Lower East Side of Manhattan (see other photos below), but there's an elevated subway track, too. That doesn't mesh, but it also doesn't ruin the story.

I feel this story works despite those quirks. The acting is top-rate, the writing is believable, the streets are mean. I want to get to know these characters. I also take a personal delight in looking at the scenery of some of my own stomping grounds up close and personal.


This is a photo I took from within the same bar featured as the one a Donnelly won in a bet. If you click to get the larger shot, you'll see the piano keys on the walls, the deer head (in Manhattan, for gosh sake), and various Shamrock designs on lamps and such. Ignore the people. They aren't dangerous. They're just the NYC Fotologgers group as the Parkside Lounge was our meeting place for a long time.

I like gritty New York and so much of it isn't these days. The Black Donnellys roam the very same streets I roam when my knee is up to it. True, it's good the city has improved, but I always find the sort of neighborhoods in which the show was filmed intriguing.

Because the neighborhood I'm seeing in the show is so much a part of the show, I figured I'd throw a bit more local scenery into this entry. If you click on the shot, you should be able to get the full-sized image.

The first is a photo I took standing outside the bar and looking across the street as a friend of mine locked up his bike.

The next is a photo of a man walking in front of the bar.
And, last but not least, a shot no one could ignore. Between the subway stop and the bar, there's Essex Street. But that's not quite what the sign reads if you look from a certain angle. And, there's a $350 fine for honking.

This is the 'hood of the Black Donnellys and I'll be watching the show. I've been lacking a show for the 10 PM ET time slot on Mondays as there isn't anything which has caught my interest.

That is... until now. Did you watch the show? What did you think?

'Heroes' - "Company Man" - A BulletPoint Report

I don't think we've had a bad episode of this show yet and tonight's "Company Man" surely threw fuel on that fire. Lassie who? Now, Mr. Muggles, there's a professional doggy-actor!

Here's what happened tonight, hopefully I caught all the action:

• Ted Sprague and Matt Parkman searched for clues in the Bennet's house when said Bennets returned home.
• Sprague (Radioactive Hands) is sure that Bennet actually made them (the ones with powers) the way they are and convinced Matt (Mindreading Ex-Cop) the same.
• "I'm just a paper salesman," said Bennet. Oh, but no one believes him except his wife and son. I think even Mr. Muggles knows that's not the truth.
• The show utilized black and white flashbacks to tell HRG's backstory. 15 years ago he was hired as the regional manager of Primatech Paper as a front. The "real" job was "morally grey." Supposedly they wanted to keep the people with powers safe until it became necessary to kill them.
• HRG's (Bennet's) first partner was Claude, the Invisible Man.
• Since Matt can read minds, he could read Sprague's mind as he became more irritated at HRG. He also knows that Claire regenerates. When Sprague becomes determined to shoot Mrs. Bennet, Matt shoots Claire knowing she will live.
• Claire played dead after coming to and Bennet and Matt went off to Primatech to get the files Sprague wanted. Sprague insisted he be the one to stay with Lyle (Claire's brother) and Mrs. Bennet.
• The Haitian certainly was mute in the flashback sequences, but can definitely talk now. How? Why? Did I miss something? When he was discovered by Them as a teen, he couldn't talk but drew a picture of his power akin to "pulling memories like grubworms." In the teen shots, he had the same symbol on his clothes that we've seen on tattoos and Hiro's sword.
  
• In flashback, Bennet and his boss were at the fire scene where Baby Claire supposedly died. Later, he met up with Hiro's father (and a young child Hiro) on the DeVeaux Building roof where Hiro's father handed him young Claire to take care of until they want her back. "This is not a request. She belongs to us."
• Bennet tried thinking in Japanese so Matt couldn't read his thoughts at the house.
• Matt and Bennet know that Sprague is too volatile and could cause a nuclear explosion, so they sort of team up. Bennet wants to get a tranquilizer to shoot Sprague.
• In flashback, it looked like Bennet betrayed Claude (Invisible) to his boss saying he was "hiding one" - a powers person. The boss ordered Bennet to kill him. He drove him to a bridge where he shot him twice. It looked like a clean kill at the end, but Claude went invisible, so...
• Claire tried to rescue Lyle and her mother, but only Lyle escaped.
• Sprague realized that Parkman probably knew that Claire regenerates.
• Upon returning to the house, Bennet showed Sprague his file insisting although they abducted him three months ago, they didn't cause his affliction.
• Mr. Bennet's boss arrives, tipped off by him, shoots Sprague. Sprague totally freaked and nuked out. Everyone gets out of the house except for Bennet who tried to shoot Sprague with the tranquilizer. Claire ended up doing it because he couldn't get close enough.
• In flashbacks, it was three years ago Bennet needed glasses and told Claire she was adopted. She's the one who chose HRG - Hornrimmed Glasses.
• Bennet's boss told him it was time to kill another partner as the Haitian "stole" Claire after the scene at the house calmed down.
• Bennet followed them to the same bridge as the Claude scene and they all got out of their cars. It turns out that Bennet set it up to look like the Haitian shot him and escaped with Claire. The Haitian shot him in a non-vital abdomen area. Then HRG told him to go deep and erase any thoughts he might have.
• So Claire is now on the road with the Haitian and Bennet's memory is wiped.
  
• Both Sprague and Matt are recaptured and held at Primatech.

Wow. I don't know how efficient Primatech is, though. At about 10:30 PM ET I received an email from them saying it was urgent I read it before 9 PM. I haven't gone all through it yet, but think it probably tells a bit about the woman at Primatech who might have powers. Or, maybe it's about Mr. Muggles' powers!