'The Amazing Race 11: All Stars' - Season Finale East Coast Update

Eric and Danielle won.
Second place is Dustin/Kandice.

A full review/recap will be posted later tonight.

Tonight's 'Amazing Race' Finale

The show will start on time here in the NYC viewing area (yay!). By 9 PM EDT (6 PM Pacific Time), I'll have the finish order and winning team posted in an East Coast update post. Later tonight, I'll post a full review/recap of the finale. May the best team (take your pick out of the remaining three) win!

Sweeps Pants - This Week on 'The Late Show with David Letterman' - May 7-11, 2007

Well, last week Dave pulled a fast one on us by replacing Amy Sedaris with Toby McGuire. It was an interesting segment, but I want Amy, too!

What's on the schedule for this week as we're heavy into the May Sweeps period?

• Monday, May 7 - Regis Philbin promoting Shrek the Third, but I'm sure the appearance will be a lot more than just Shrek. Darlene Love from Broadway's Hairspray is also a guest. I'm checking this one off as a "best of the week."
• Tuesday, May 8 - Jane Fonda will promote her new movie, Georgia Rule. Author Tom Ruprecht (George W. Bush: An Unauthorized Oral History) and American Idol first season winner now a huge success, Kelly Clarkson (latest CD is My December). An interesting note is that Ruprecht either is still, or at least was, a writer for Letterman. So I'm looking forward to that segment.
• Wednesday, May 9 - Lindsay Lohan (also promoting Georgia Rule), comedian Tom Dreesen, and musical group The Kooks whose new CD is Inside In/Inside Out.
• Thursday, May 10 - Dr. Phil, who has a CBS Primetime Special to promote - Caged. I don't know what that's all about, but his interaction with Letterman is always entertaining. Oh! And Jungle Jack Hanna will be on, too! Woohoo... we have a tie for best of the week. Heck, this just may push Regis off my top list.
• Friday, May 11 - Charles Grodin (The Ex) and comedian Jake Johannsen. Um... okay. I get a bit tired of Grodin's "upset" schtick when on the show, though. How many decades can you act miffed?

TV Newsy Bits - Saturday, May 5, 2007

It's Cinco de Mayo! A time for festivities, tacos, and even parades. I know there are lots of activities going on in this area and it's likely there's something happening in your neck of the woods, as well. Here in the Northeast, the weather is perfect for outdoor doings, whether it's checking out cultural celebration or just enjoying the day itself. Sieze the day, I say.

I want to express my gratitude for the readers and the commenting community here on the blog. I know many of you started reading the Big Brother live feeds either on this blog or the one before it, then you stayed. Big Brother 8 is in casting mode at this time. They historically wrap things up only a few weeks before we see the first show. The cast is put in sequester about ten days before they go into the house. The season usually starts for us during the first week of July, and that seems to be the schedule this year, too. I'm watching for news and will let you know when I hear something concrete. And, yes... I'll be covering the feeds once again this season.

In other TV Newsy Bits:

• Paris Hilton's Simple Life is going to get a lot more simpler -- she's heading to jail for 45 days for violating her probation.
• In Survivor news, Jeff Probst is very impressed with Yau-Man Chan according to this Reality TV World article. Reality News Online (RNO) has an interview with Alex, the most recent castaway, as well as a transcription of his The Early Show appearance. "You can be a Ninja by yourself. You can't be a Ninja with Mookie."
• Kristine Lefebvre, a candidate on the recent The Apprentice: L.A. bares it all for Playboy according to E! Online and TMZ.
• Reality TV World says that Stephanie Wilhite, recently ousted on The Bachelor: Officer and a Gentleman, saw it coming. Another contestant on the show, Amber Alchalabi, saw her boss resign over her leave of absence to appear. Yikes! Sheesh, it's one thing for reality show contestants to lose their own jobs in pursuit of a dream, but for a boss to be in hot water and blow her career?
• Billy Ray Cyrus' wife claims that he's happy to remain on Dancing With the Stars in this Reality TV Magazine interview.
• Can't get enough of Sanjaya Malakar? Celebrity Spider has the list of concert tour dates for the American Idol Top Ten contestants. Um... no. I won't be going.
• This week we'll see BeeGee Bro Barry Gibb coaching the American Idol contestants. I think that's fitting, don't you? At this time, the four all want to be "Stayin' Alive."
• In other American Idol news, Reality TV World says that Chris Richardson "knew" he was heading home this week. "I seen the band setting up, and the guitar player grabbing a 12 string guitar, and I'm the only person with a 12 string guitar, so you put it together," said Chris. Why am I not surprised that he said "I seen." Saw, Chris... you saw! AOL Television has an interview with both Phil Stacey and Chris Richardson, as well as other exit interviews with previously dismissed contestants.
• We can expect Lost to last for two more seasons according to E! Online and discussed in this TVSquad article. The good news is that this will give the show's creators a timeline in which to address issues raised. The bad news is that once this season ends, we won't see the show again until January. I personally think long hiatus periods hurt shows. I know that I lost interest in Jericho when it went away for so long and haven't watched it since its return. I know they can't run new shows for forty episodes a year, but I think they have to come up with a better plan. The show should move back to the 9 PM slot once it reappears.
• AOL Television has a feature page for May Sweeps and May finales. Check it out and mark your calendars!

'Survivor 14: Fiji' - Ep. 12 -or- "Hunks of Meat on a Rope"

Since the promos for this week's episode had concerns that Yau-Man would be voted off, I figured he'd be safe tonight. As the show went on, it definitely looked like he should start worrying, but I'm getting ahead of myself here.

Seven are left. Who will be voted out tonight?

The show opened on Night 30 as the tribe members returned to camp after voting out Mookie in Tribal Council. We all know Alex saved his own butt in the game by casting the deciding vote for his pal Mookie. But Dreamz is confused, trying to crunch numbers with his fingers.

Earl was very uncomfortable with the split vote and mentioned it to his alliance. He thought either Mookie or Alex might swing the vote and, sure enough, that's what happened. He thought Alex was much more of a threat and now he's with them. I think Earl's right about the threat value. Alex is definitely a smart player and will do just about anything to stay in the game.

Meanwhile, Alex thinks his best plan is just to lay low, listen, play a "Ninja" game, and perhaps try to plant some seeds of distrust. He hopes that there will be dissension in the ranks and he can slip himself right in. Since Yau-Man has the hidden Immunity Idol, he attempts to make folks think Yau-Man can't be trusted.

The Reward Challenge was a bit um... primitive. Yeah, that's the best way to describe it. Hunks of pork (cooked, thankfully) were hanging by ropes. The tribe members had their hands tied behind their backs. They had to take bites out of the pork, then deposit the mouthfuls on designated plates. Blech. They looked like crazed zombies going after the meat. It should go without saying, but I'll say it anyway... they made pigs of themselves going for the pork.

The challenge was timed and Jeff weighed the results. Boo had bitten off literally more than he could chew - 8.9 pounds. Dreamz and Yau-Man were runners-up with 6 pounds each. The winner, Boo, and the runners-up won a helicopter trip which dropped them off to whitewater rafting.

Boo also won a bag which would "put him at an advantage" for the upcoming Immunity Challenge. He wasn't allowed to open it until then. He chose to send Earl to Exile Island. I personally think that move was more so Earl could get another clue to the newly-hidden Idol, but I may be wrong. Maybe he did it to punish him or something. I really don't know.

In the helicopter, Yau-Man and Dreamz had window seats and both were taken in by the amazing scenery. They spotted Exile Island and even thought they could see Earl there. Boo sat in the middle and talked. And talked... and talked. Both Yau-Man and Dreamz seemed to be silently cussing him out or imagining they could gag him somehow.

Back on Exile Island, Earl read the latest clue to the newly-hidden Immunity Idol. He already knew the Idol was back at their own beach because Boo had shared his clue with him. (My reasoning for thinking that Boo wanted to send Earl there in hopes that he/they can snag the new Idol.) The new clue said the clue was in a normal path, in a tree by a rock. Large rock? Maybe.

The Rewards Trio had a ball whitewater rafting, then checking out truly breathtaking scenery with some fantastic waterfalls.

Their reward was far from over, though. They had a feast and, when they were through eating, they were each handed envelopes. Letters from home! Boo's family eats well. Yau-Man's son got a good report card. And, the most tear-jerking letter was the one to Dreamz from his sister. It gave him resolve and determination to know how much his sister thought of his opportunity.

After they returned to camp, Alex was pleased that they seemed to be down on Boo for being so loquacious (love to throw in big words now and then, I do). He uses the seed to throw in his two cents, working on Cassandra, Dreamz, and Stacy... trying to spread his distrust of Boo and Yau-Man. But he tells us that if Boo wins Immunity, he knows he's in trouble. I'd say he's dead meat hanging on a rope, even.

The Immunity Challenge was in two rounds. It turns out that the bag Boo won in Reward bought him an automatic in to go directly to the final round. It contained three climbing steps. All of the others had to dig in sand for buried steps, within their own marked lanes, and find them one at a time. Cassandra basically gave up, but Yau-Man and Alex really worked it.

Alex made it, along with Dreamz, to the second round. In that one they had to use the climbing steps to climb twelve-foot high poles planted in the water. The first one to get all the way up and grab his flag would win immunity.

Alex tried his best, but Boo won Immunity.

Uh-oh, Alex. You better pedal hard now. And, he did. He tried to get Dreamz, Cassandra, Stacy, and even Earl against Yau-Man since he couldn't work the Boo angle anymore.

Cassandra seemed iffy like she might swing and voiced her thoughts to that effect in confession. Dreamz is the surprise here. He seemed to buddy-up with Alex once again. Is this guy acting or what? He even told Alex that Earl was winking and everything as he (Alex) talked about voting out Yau-Man. I've decided that this kid is more loyal than his talk.

When Tribal Council's votes came down, all voted for Alex to go except Alex (voted for Yau-Man). So, the six voted as one and Alex is gone. Alex is right in that next week, it's going to get messy. The six will have to start picking each other off. I know Yau-Man and Earl are a pair. Cassandra waffles, although I think Dreamz wants to form a group of three with her and Stacy (didn't he dislike her before?). Boo is a bit of a wild card. I really think he wants in with Earl and Yau-Man... or at least in with Earl.

Next week should be good! Oh, it would be nice if Cassandra wore something else. She was on the verge of a wardrobe malfunction throughout the show.

'Survivor 14: Fiji' - East Coast Update - May 3 - Voted Out

Alex was voted out.

A full review/recap will be posted later tonight.

'Survivor 14: Fiji' - East Coast Update - May 3 - Immunity

Boo won Immunity.

'Survivor 14: Fiji' - East Coast Update - May 3 - Reward, Exile

Boo won Reward. As runners-up, Dreamz and Yau-Man will accompany him on a helicopter trip, then raft ride down the Amazon. Boo also received a mysterious package which could be an advantage at the next Immunity Challenge.

Boo chose to send Earl to Exile Island.

Tonight's 'Survivor' Blogging - 5/03/07

I'll be posting important events as they occur in East Coast Update entries - Reward, Exile, Immunity and the boot.

Late tonight, I'll be posting a full review/recap. Please stop back!

'Lost' - "The Brig"

Yes, Lost remains back! Tonight's episode was creepy, mysterious, violent, mind-boggling and more. Although the writers have often said that there is no Heaven, Hell, Purgatory reasoning behind the island, they seem to want viewers to think Purgatory (or Limbo) could be a possibility.

Huh. The writers must have studied Ben's mind games, eh? They seem to want to play them with us. It certainly looks like John Locke is coming along in the mind games case study.

The episode was Locke-centric, but the flashback sequences only dated back to when Locke discovered his father (from the "magic box") and the Others subsequently deserted the Barracks.

The Flashbacks
Ben and Locke are in the room where Locke's father ("Cooper") is secured to a chair. Ben told Locke that he brought him here. He as in John Locke, that is. He also warned him not to get too close. Kind of Hannibal Lechter, Cooper bit John as he tried to untie his gag. Cooper said, "Don't you know where we are?"

But then Ben took Locke away from Cooper, saying that they're leaving. They're going to a "new place, an old place actually." Locke is invited and given the chance to say goodbye to the captive Kate.

3 Days Ago - The Others, including Locke are set up in tents. Ben was listening to the tape from Juliet as Locke enters his tent. He let Locke listen and told him they would take the pregnant women, but no one would get hurt.

Ah, Ben can walk with the aid of a walking stick. He told Locke that he thinks he (Locke) cured him. Then he told him that he's "not ready." Ben claimed that Locke is still crippled by the memories of his father. That's why Locke "brought" Cooper to the island. The magic box is just a metaphor. Ben told Locke that he must make a commitment, a gesture of free will... he must kill his father.

Ben set up a grand display for the Others. "It's time," he told Locke. Cooper was tied to a tree and all were invited to watch Locke kill him. But, Locke just couldn't do it. Ben called him a sad pathetic man, then told the gathered crowd, "He's not who we thought he was."

Locke was crushed, disappointed in himself.

2 Days Ago - Locke sat on a hill overlooking the camp. He took the bandage off of his hand only to find his recent Cooper-bite wound was completely healed.

He was approached by an Other, Richard. Now, I think this was all set up by Ben, but here's what happened... Richard told Locke that Ben had known that he couldn't kill his father and was just determined to embarrass him.

But, if he could now walk after his broken spine and consequent paralysis, he was indeed very special. Richard said Ben was playing with novelties like the pregnancy issues when there are more important happenings, real cases. However, his father must die. Richard handed Locke Sawyer's file and suggests "someone else" kill Cooper, then all would be fine.

Then Ben and the Others packed up the camp. Ben told Locke that they were leaving and he wouldn't be going with them. "Is this to put me in my place? I'm not special enough? Everyone makes mistakes," Locke protested. Ben told him that they would leave a clear trail for him, but he wasn't welcome unless he was carrying his father's dead body.

On the Island
Kate and Sawyer are still shacking up (surprised?). Sawyer packed a gun (why?) to go water some bushes when he happened upon Hurley and Jin. They were obviously spooked by his presence, but I guess nature's call was stronger.

As Sawyer did his thing, Locke came out of the bushes at him. Of course, they all know that Locke had defected. But Locke gave Sawyer a cockamamie story about how he didn't join the Others... he infiltrated them. For a con man, Sawyer, though leery of Locke's story, Sawyer's not too bright. He believed him to a point when Locke claimed to have kidnapped Ben.

Locke told Sawyer he wanted him to kill Ben, but Sawyer said that he would bring him back to the camp instead. He also told Sawyer about the contents of his file -- the fact he killed a man in Sydney, he was a con man, his father killed his mother then himself. Eep. Locke told Sawyer that when he hears what Ben has to say, he'll have no trouble killing him.

They approached an old slave ship in the woods, overgrown with weeds and on land. Locke told Sawyer that Ben was in the brig. Inside the ship there were the skeletons of slaves and plenty of old dynamite.

Sawyer could hear muffled, muzzled human noises and headed to a door. But once inside, Locke slammed the door leaving Sawyer inside with "Ben" chained to a pole with a burlap bag on his head.

Sawyer ripped off the bag to reveal Cooper, not Ben at all. (Who couldn't see that coming?) He pummeled the door, cursing out Locke. Meanwhile, outside the door, Locke had a visitor to the ship (the Black Rock). Rousseau arrived for some dynamite. Hmm. Neither seemed all that surprised to see each other.

When Sawyer released Cooper's gag, once again Cooper hinted they were in Hell. He told Sawyer his son wasn't crippled, he was dead... as are all the passengers of Oceanic Flight 815. He told him that he (Cooper) had been hit from behind while driving in Tallahassee. As he was loaded in the ambulance, the paramedic had an odd smile, he received an IV, then all went black. He woke up on the island. But he's sure it's not an island and that he's dead, gone to Hell.

When Sawyer found out that Cooper was a con man, he asked him if he ever pulled a con in Jasper. As Cooper bragged about a $38 grand scheme, Sawyer realized that Cooper (then posing as a Mr. Sawyer - the one that Sawyer took the name over and sought revenge) was the one responsible for the death of his parents. He gave Cooper the letter he had written. Cooper laughed and ripped it up. Sawyer went into a rage and killed him, choking him with the chain which bound him to the pipe. Only then did Locke unlock the door and let him out.

"Thank you," Locke said to him. Sawyer was upset, vomiting over what he had done. Locke then told him that he could go back to camp. "He ruined your life and mine." He told Sawyer that he didn't infiltrate the Others, he was on his own journey. He advised him that Juliet was a mole and gave him the recorder she had left for Ben. "In three days, there will be a raid and they will take any pregnant women. You must warn the camp." When Sawyer asked him if he had been paralyzed, Locke told him, "Not anymore."

While all of this was going on, the rescued helicopter pilot, Naomi, was being hidden in a tent by Desmond, Hurley, and Jin. None of them trust Jack to help, but they needed someone to give medical attention to her.

Hurley approached Sayid who was digging (what?) and brought him into their confidence. Sayid questioned Naomi who told him about the plane crash of Flight 815 off the coast of Bali. All of the bodies of the passengers were recovered. She told him that she was hired to find Desmond, not the flight victims. She was hired by Penny, Desmond's wealthy woman. She also claimed the helicopter took off from a freighter 80 miles away. But her radio to contact the freighter was broken. Sayid seems convinced that Naomi's lying. No one actually saw the helicopter, did they? Nope.

Hurley and Sayid were trying to fix the radio when Kate happened upon them. They told her about Naomi, but told her not to tell anyone.

So, what does she do? She runs off to tell Jack about Naomi. Jack was with Juliet and was adamant that anything to be said to him could be said in front of her. Kate hesitated, then spilled the beans. Argh!

What happened next was odd. Juliet told Jack that "he should tell them." Tell them what, I asked my TV set? "We should tell her," Juliet said once again.

"No, not yet," replied Jack.

LOST [thunk]

Tell her what? I want to know!

All in all, a very intriguing episode, don't you think?

'American Idol 6' - May 2 Results Show - East Coast Update

The show is starting here, Ryan is clean-shaven. I'll be updating this blog entry with events as the show airs East Coast time. Please use the American Idol label/category on this entry or the sidebar to return here.

Ryan's talking to the judges now about last night. Robin Thicke and Bon Jovi will both be on the show. Ryan and Simon have already quibbled.

Reuben Studdard is promoting the Idol Aid cause, but not singing. He's shed some weight from what little we could see.

Now they're recapping last week's Idol Gives Back special. No results yet, no Bon Jovi performance yet. Ryan was right when he said they're "stretching" this show to an hour.

Robin Thicke is performing now. I guess he's popular, but I'm just not feelin' it, dawg. Falsetto and a wannabe mustache.

A very toned-down Fantasia just plugged Idol Aid much the way Reuben did. We're into commercial now and supposedly the first goodbye will happen... when?

After the break.

The Idol Ford video commercial was sung to "Paint it Black." Thankfully better than Gina sang it.

RESULTS UPDATE - Melinda, Phil and LaKisha to join Ryan. Two week total over 135 million votes. Melinda is safe. LaKisha is safe. PHIL STACEY is leaving tonight. He's going "Down in a Blaze of Glory."

RESULTS UPDATE - Jordin is safe. Joining Phil in leaving will be either Blake or Chris. I hope it's Chris, but it hasn't been announced yet and we're in break. Ryan sat Jordin down quickly because he "messed with her enough last week."

Bon Jovi, the "guys from New Jersey," are performing now. They did "(You Want to) Make a Memory" and Jon's pleased with the contestants.

Taylor Hicks is pushing Idol Aid now. We're in break and, guess when the final result will be announced?

RESULTS UPDATE -- Chris Richardson is going home.

So, it's goodbye to both Phil Stacey and Chris Richardson tonight. Gee, I called that one. I had predicted Chris and either Phil or LaKisha.

Whatever Will I Watch Tonight? - Wednesday, May 2, 2007

Yikes, can you tell it's May Sweeps? So many new episodes are on that it's going to keep me recording and watching all evening!

The two shows I must watch live are the American Idol 6 Results Show (which I'll live-blog major events including who's going home in an East Coast Update entry) and Lost (which I'll take photos and notes during, but won't post a full review/recap until early tomorrow evening - dang having to work for a living).

If you're West Coast or just want to talk about the events of tonight's American Idol on the East Coast, drop back tonight after 9 PM EDT. The show will feature a live Bon Jovi performance and two contestants are going home. We can have a little wingding right here on the blog to either celebrate or commiserate over the events!

Also on the TV schedule for the evening:

• 8 PM ET/PT -- A new Jericho episode on CBS, new Thank God You're Here on NBC, new Bones on FOX, new episodes of According to Jim and Notes From the Underbelly on ABC, new America's Next Top Model on CW. I'd like to check out Notes as I get a kick out of Barry Sonnenfeld, but I don't care for According to Jim at all. I've lost touch with Jericho since its hiatus, so I'll probably watch Bones -- a show you don't have to watch weekly to understand the story. Maybe I'll tape Notes to check it out.
• 9 PM ET/PT -- A new Criminal Minds episode on CBS, new Crossing Jordan on NBC, American Idol 6 hour-long results show on FOX, last week's Lost episode ("D.O.C.") on ABC, a new One Tree Hill on CW. You know what I'll be watching (AI), but what will I record for later viewing? Criminal Minds.
• 10 PM ET/PT -- A new C.S.I.: NY episode on CBS, new Medium on NBC, and a new Lost on ABC. It's Lost for me hands-down for the live watch, C.S.I.: NY for the recording. If this is the Medium they were promoting, it boasts Jason Priestly this week.

What will you be watching and recording tonight?

TBS and TNT Plan a Cool Line-Up For Hot Summer Nights

Before long, we'll be into the lazy hazy and hot days of summer. Sure, there will be fun in the summer sun, but there will also be evenings spent in air-conditioning watching television, too! At least, that's my plan.

Keeping up with providing new and original programming, both TNT and TBS have new and returning original series slated for us. If you have basic cable, you've got both of these networks. And, if you haven't been checking them out lately, you really should do so. They're not just running repeats, y'know!

TBS, the Very Funny Network, has a new series, Tyler Perry's House of Payne, scheduled to premiere on Wednesday, June 6, at 9 PM ET/PT. Tyler Perry is best known for Diary of a Mad Black Woman and Madea's Family Reunion. I got a bit of a sneak peek at this show and I admit I identify with the lead character's take on children. Just based on that, I'll be giving the show a shot. Anything which can make me smile is a good thing, right?

On Tuesday, July 17, at 9 PM ET/PT, another original series will premiere -- The Bill Engvall Show. Again, I got a sneak peek. It's of the dysfunctional family genre but with the twist of the husband being a family counselor for a living. Once again, the sneak peek made me smile, so I'll be checking this show out, too. Although, looking at the day and time, it may be up against Big Brother. Uh-oh. It's a good thing I can record shows, eh?

My Boys, my favorite current sitcom outside of How I Met Your Mother, returns with new shows on Monday, July 30, at 10 PM ET/PT. The show is current, cute, witty, and has a great cast. What? You have never seen it? Sheesh... watch it. If you liked Sex in the City and Friends, this one is a shoe-in although it's not quite like either show.

Over at TNT where they know drama, I admit to being a Law and Order rerun addict. But, like TBS, they're in the original show game, albeit drama rather than sitcoms.

On Monday, June 18, at 9 PM ET/PT, The Closer returns for its third season. This heart-pounding, yet not without a sense of humor, crime drama is a must see for me. It's well-written, keeps the pace, and boasts an excellent cast. Watch it and you just might get hooked on it!

Following The Closer season premiere on June 18, a new series makes its debut. Heartland is a medical drama starring Treat Williams as a surgeon who will take any risks to save his patients in the organ donor world. I'm not always too keen on medical dramas, but I enjoy Treat Williams, so I'll have to give this show a look-see at the very least.

On Wednesday, July 18, at 10 PM ET/PT, another new original drama premieres on TNT. Saving Grace stars Holly Hunter as a "cynical police detective facing a personal crisis of divine proportions." Hmmm... the sneak peek I had of this one is definitely intriguing. The series looks quirky, fast-paced, and exciting.

On Sunday, August 5, the limited series The Company makes has its premiere. It will be aired two hours a night, three Sundays in a row. Starring Michael Keaton, Alfred Molina, and Chris O'Donnell, it portrays the events of the Cold War from both the CIA and KGB perspectives. This show looks like an intelligent, well-produced event rather than mere television fodder. Again, I'm sure to check it out.

'American Idol 6' - The Final Six Rock to Bon Jovi

Shot through heart and it's too late, Chris is gonna go away (go away)...

Yes, rockers and rockettes, it was Bon Jovi night on American Idol! I'm ready to put on my Slippery When Wet CD to annoy my neighbors. But, instead, I guess I'll write this entry as the thunder rumbles outside.

Jon Bon Jovi was his usually cool self. I think I'd like that guy no matter what he says or does. He also ages so well and remains eye candy despite the fact that he's no spring chicken anymore. He gave the contestants the main advice of "make the song your own." Well, one contestant went above and beyond in making it his own and I think that performance was the shining star of the whole night.

Phil Stacey was up first this week singing "Blaze of Glory." While it's not my favorite Bon Jovi song at all, it is one that's special to him. He's been singing it for fifteen years. He nailed it and got the show off to a good start. But I have to admit I wasn't all that enamored with it, possibly because of the song itself, possibly because watching Phil sing doesn't thrill me. Maybe I should have just listened.

Randy called it Phil's best performance ever except for country week. Paula thought it was the best opening all season for the show, although Simon balked at that. Simon said the performance was "okay" but had no authenticity. He said it was like a bad actor playing the role of a rock star. Simon also doesn't think it's enough for him to last next week. I agree a bit with Simon's call on this one.

Jordin Sparks said her mother grew up on Bon Jovi... which makes me feel so old. Ack. I was already a full-fledged adult when they hit big. She chose a very tough song for a seventeen-year-old girl. She sang "Livin' on a Prayer" with really big hair this week. Hmmm... she didn't do horribly, I didn't think. But I think the performance was a bit of a letdown. She was so out of her genre and element. I think her past will keep her in the competition, though.

Randy did four "yo's" and three "check it outs." Sometimes that's a good thing, this time not so much. He called the performance "interesting" and said the verses were rough -- "not your best." Paula told her she went for it and she's hot. Simon started with "cue the boos." He said she looked like something out of the Addams Family, that she was shrieking and out of control, and terrible. Eep.

LaKisha Jones sang "This Ain't a Love Song." Jon was excited about how she would do and thought it was her opportunity to shine. And, it was definitely the return of her powerhouse performance ways. That said, I think LaKisha is losing her magic for me. She runs hot and cold. While she did very well tonight, I wasn't all that moved.

Randy shouted that LaKisha's back and that she blew it out of the box. Paula gushed. Simon said he could actually kiss her for that. She rose to the challenge and nailed it. She did kiss Simon. @@ I certainly wasn't as excited as the judges were about the performance and I think her chances of remaining in the competition are iffy.

Oh, but then there was Blake Lewis. Jon worried that he was taking too big of a risk with a very popular song that folks don't like to see messed with... "You Give Love a Bad Name." Yes, he Blake-ized it, he beat-boxed it, he sported dark hair. And, he brought the house down with his version. I think it's the most original version of any song any season on the show. Yet he was true enough to the song enough to carry it off. This was my favorite performance of the season and makes me wish I had recorded the show so I could re-watch it. Amazing! What I also found interesting is how much more confidence he seems to emit when he's in his element doing his thing.

Randy gave two "check it outs" and gave it the award for the most original song version ever on the show (it was). Paula said it was amazing (it was). Simon said half will love it and half will hate it, but it was the right thing to do and will keep him in the competition.

Chris Richardson was up next singing "Wanted Dead or Alive." He mentioned Chris Daughtry doing the song last year. Heck, give me him again. Chris wasn't quite as nasally as he often is, but he still did those Timberlake-type dance moves like he's in a boy band or something. He didn't listen to Jon's advice to pick up on the blues note for the song and smiled a lot through the performance, hamming for the cameras. I think he bought his ticket home, six-string on his back.

Randy said he liked it, but didn't seem overly enthusiastic. Paula sidestepped saying it was such a great night. (Say what?) Simon said he did as much as he could with it and was iffy about his possibilities of staying on the show.

Melinda Doolittle, way out of her element, closed the show with "Have a Nice Day." That one was a bit of a surprise for me, but I can't connect Melinda with too many Bon Jovi songs. She nailed it. I'd still prefer to see Jon Bon Jovi performing the song, but she got into the spirit and she rocked the house. When she was working with Jon, he told her she just joined the band -- he's thrilled with her. He told her to treat the song like she was taking it to church, but I have to admit I didn't see that much of that. What I saw was a great performance and perfect vocals. I also got a kick out of her trying to give the index/pinkie fingers rock salute.

Randy thought it was a great performance. Paula called her a rock star and said the game was on. Simon likened her to a young Tina Turner and said she was vocally in a different league from the other contestants. Woo!

So, who will be going home? We lose two this week and the votes from last week and this week are added together. I think Chris is a definite goodbye. The other two I think are on thin ice are LaKisha and Phil. What do you think?

TV Newsy Bits - Tuesday, May 1, 2007

Phew, rainy April is behind us and hopefully May will indeed bring flowers instead of showers!

But, no matter the weather, there's always something to watch on television. I think back to the days when I had four networks to choose from and wonder what I did with my time. Oh, I read a lot and there was no such thing as time spent online. The times have changed, though. I still read a lot... I think I exchanged sleep time. Uh-oh!

Here are the TV Newsy Bits I found while perusing that Big Bad Internet, as well as some personal TV Newsy Bits observations and thoughts:

• Tonight is Bon Jovi night on American Idol. I'm psyched! Hey, I live in Jersey, what can I say? I'll be posting about tonight's show late this evening and would love to read your thoughts about how the contestants perform.
• I'm still hooked on BET's showing of The Wire, now into season two. But, and it's a big BUT... they cut it down to an hour an episode. Now, when they aired the episodes at 90 minutes, they got in the content of the hour-long HBO shows which air without commercials. Yeah, there was a commercial overload with the BET first season, but now we're missing content. I've been going to the HBO The Wire website reading up on each episode in their recaps to see what I've missed. Grr. What's worse is that I've been reading ahead, too. Shame on me!
• BuddyTV has an exclusive interview with Danny and Oswald, the most recently Philiminated team from The Amazing Race 11: All Stars. Oh, my... could Eric be gay? They seem to think so! Yikes! Not only is there a transcript, but there's also an MP3 file of the interview.
• In ex-American Idol news, Constantine Maroulis has joined the cast of the soap The Bold and the Beautiful. (Which is he? Bold or beautiful?) And, as you may have heard already, Jessica Sierra has been arrested for assault and drug charges. Hmmm... isn't it about time for Corey Clarke to be in another publicity brouhaha?
• Newsday (out of New York) has a thought-provoking article on race and the possible finalist scenario for American Idol 6. Will talent win out no matter the race of the contestant? After all, it is a singing contest. Right?
• Inside Pulse has an interview with castoff Edgardo Rivera from Survivor 14: Fiji. Ah, Edgardo... we hardly got a chance to know you. Edgardo thought if he could get in the final three with Alex and either Mookie or Dreamz, he'd win hands-down. He also wants to apologize for some of the things he said about Cassandra. It's too bad that Edgardo didn't align with that group instead of the Four Horsemen. He would have made it a lot further in the game.

'Heroes' - "String Theory" - A BulletPoint Report

Oh my gosh, I don't think I've ever experienced a show which keeps me as riveted to my seat as this one. I swear, you blink and you miss out on something crucial. Now, I wasn't invited to the big Spider-Man 3 premiere in the city tonight, but I think Heroes was probably more entertaining. And, but of course, who cares about the red carpet stuff, anyway?

Tonight's episode brought us five years into the future. Gulp. It's not a pretty world, not at all. Since the present Hiro and the future Hiro are both in the episode, I'll refer to them as Hiro and Future Hiro respectively. I guess we should also keep in mind that anything which happened in tonight's episode is subject to change if the past is changed.

Here's the skinny, not necessarily in the order shown on the show:

• Hiro and Ando were in the future Isaac's studio after half of New York City was destroyed.
• They were confronted by Future Hiro who insisted Hiro shouldn't be there.
• "I scare me." -- One of the best lines of the night from Hiro.
• As they look at the timeline on strings in the studio, both October 4 and "save the cheerleader" stand out.
• Future Hiro thought Sylar had exploded and that Hiro had killed him the day the bomb exploded.
• Hiro said he hadn't killed him.

• Future Hiro told him that he had to go back and kill him the day after the election (Nathan).
• Nathan Petrelli is President and has Parkman (mind-reading ex-cop) and the Haitian working as Homeland Security.
• The government has decided that heroes (those with powers) are terrorists and must be rounded-up.
• Parkman and the Haitian burst into Isaac's studio and capture Hiro, but Future Hiro and Ando escape.
• Future Hiro said only Peter Petrelli is strong enough to fight the Haitian and they must find him.
• Ando and Future Hiro went to a nightclub in Las Vegas where Peter's girlfriend works.

• Oh? His girlfriend is Nikki, no Jessica about her. No DL, no Michah, either.
• Peter's weird haircut is gone, but he bears a scar on his face which resembles the one on Omar in The Wire.
• Peter's not interested until they mention stopping Sylar may change the world he sees now (five years in the future).
• Nathan is pushing for gathering all the heroes and killing them, telling the nation it was an attempt to cure them, but failed. Extinction, he calls it.
  
• His advisor, Suresh Mohinder, claims that would be genocide.
• Nathan argued the powers are out of control -- he used the example of a kid who sucked all the oxygen out of his school classroom and killed all his fellow students.
• When Mohinder reminded him that he (Nathan) has powers, Nathan said he could only fly. That's not dangerous to others.
• Meanwhile, Mr. Bennet (Horn-Rimmed Glasses, HRG) has set up a service to help relocate heroes... sort of like witness protection.
• When Future Hiro and Ando approach Bennet, he agrees to help them because they reminded him Hiro told Peter to "save the cheerleader, save the world."
• Suresh and Parkman were checking out the timeline. Suresh said October 4 is the day he had his father's ashes and met Peter Petrelli. He realizes that Hiro wants to go back to change the future. Suresh determined that each string of the timeline is a person. One breaks in the past, it changes the future.
  
• Parkman has turned into a real creep, in my opinion.
• Claire, with brown hair, is now a waitress in a diner in Midland, Texas, going by the name of Sandra.
• She's in love and plans to be married to a boy who doesn't know her past.
• HRG shows up at the diner and urges her to leave.
  
• Before she can (planning then to elope), Parkman shows up and takes her back to Mrs. Petrelli's house in NY.
• Nathan meets her at the house. But he ISN'T Nathan! It's Sylar! He's killed Candace and taken on her morphing powers! Oh, no! Sylar is the President!
• He went for Claire's brain, but we didn't see her die and, if she did, that could change if the past is changed.
• In NY, Parkman was frustrated and beating Hiro because he wouldn't (couldn't) tell him anything from the past five years.
• But... HRG ratted out Future Hiro and Ando in Las Vegas to Nathan! ACK. Apparently, he had an agreement to "give him the big ones."

• Parkman realizes there are two Hiros and that Hiro is being truthful.
• Nathan directs Suresh Mohinder to kill Hiro with an injection.
• Peter Petrelli saved Future Hiro and Ando from Parkman and they escape.
• Ando was saddened when Peter told him he died in the explosion. Future Hiro had refused to tell him.
• Pete thinks that Hiro wants to save Ando when he goes back.
• Suresh knows that if Sylar is killed five years ago, millions of lives would be saved.
• Pete told Nikki he's going with them. He said he was the bomb and killed them all, not Sylar. He must help Hiro.
• As Nathan is giving a five-year anniversary speech in NY, he announced a new treatment for the "terrorists" - one which will cure them. (Kill them.)

• The Haitian was assigned to help Mohinder give Hiro the shot to kill him. Mohinder pulled a fast one and gave the Haitian the shot instead so Hiro could escape.
• Meanwhile, Future Hiro, Ando, and Peter were trying to rescue Hiro.
• When Parkman radioed Nathan to tell him the Haitian was down, Nathan flew away... in front of the whole crowd and world attention.
• Parkman shot Future Hiro in the back, stunning Hiro. "I'm dead."
• Nathan morphed back into Sylar. He and Peter got into a super-fight in the hallway. Who will win? I dunno.
• Hiro and Ando time-traveled back to NYC to save the world.

Episode overload alert, eh? I can't wait until next week! If I left something important out, let me know. I may have blinked.

'The Amazing Race 11: All Stars' - Ep. 12 -or- "The Teletubbies Go To War"

Well, the spoilers I linked to some time back called it right. I was so hoping they would be foilers deliberately posted to lead us astray. As we head into next week's finale, I noticed Phil Keoghan's intro was decidedly different tonight.

"Which of the four remaining teams will be eliminated tonight?"

We last left the teams in Macau, China. The Beauty Queens, Dustin and Kandice, were in first place while Oswald and Danny, Team ChaCha, were marked for elimination due to their last place status. If they don't arrive in first place during this leg, they stand to suffer a thirty-minute penalty.

From the Pit Stop, teams had to fly to Guam where they would then head to Andersen Air Force Base. They would then have to select a military escort and climb the control tower on the base to receive their next clue.

Oh, but we know, getting through the airport and getting the best flight is often more trying than the actual destination's challenges! Sure enough, the Beauty Queens faced down Eric and Danielle as one said, "You look buff in your white shirt." Eric just glowered. There's no love lost there even though he seems to be on the ChaCha Warpath at this time.

While in the taxi, Mirna turned on the odd fake accent once again. She then smugly declared, "The right accent makes all the difference in the world." I'm sorry. Maybe I'm just not the globe-trotter she is. Maybe it's because my high school French teacher told me I had a bad American accent. I just don't get it. After all, if the driver can speak and understand English, why? Why?

Charla and Mirna, Eric and Danielle, and the Beauty Queens all ended up on the first flight to Guam, set to connect in Tokyo. Oswald and Danny made a different flight, but with the same connection in Tokyo if they could make it in 45 minutes. Much to the chagrin of Eric, they made it.

The teams would have bunched up at the Visitors Center anyway as it didn't open until 7 AM. Once they climbed the tower (Charla wanted to know where the elevator was... I would, too), the clue led them to a Detour. Both tasks had to do with the United States Air Force. The first one was Care Package -- teams would have to load a 500-pound care package of food and supplies, then go in a cargo plane to the air drop, then return. The other task was Engine Care -- teams would have to scrub a huge B-52 and only receive the next clue after it passed scrutiny from the Sergeant.

I was stunned that only Charla and Mirna chose the Care Package! If I were there, I would have gone for the humanitarian deed. It sounded like a lot more fun and probably easier than scrubbing a whole plane.

Dustin and Kandice found out there's "no charming the sergeant." No-sirree-Bob, that guy was all business. I'm surprised the teams ever got his approval. Meanwhile, Charla and Mirna sort of irked their Air Force guy by tossing the goods into the box. "Don't just throw things like they're garbage!"

Once they loaded the box and got aboard the cargo plane, the fun began. "I feel like we're Top Gun!" They got to see the package dropped at its destination and experienced zero gravity as the cargo plane nose-dived.

I'm not sure how thrilled the airmen were when Mirna asked them to please go faster as they're in a race. I don't think I'd be pushing them too much, but then again... I don't think I'm as pushy as Mirna. That, of course, is probably a good thing. They ended up landing after the last team (Team ChaCha) had finished the plane, but it didn't seem like there was a big time gap there.

The clue at the completion of the Detour directed them to drive 21 miles to the US Naval Base. Again, they had to have an escort. Dustin and Kandice complimented their female sailor on her cute uniform and nails.

The Roadblock, Search Far and Wide, was kind of cool, I thought. One member of each team had to locate a hidden officer using a handheld GPS unit. Dustin did best of the girls as Mirna and Danielle seemed hopelessly lost for ages. Charla kept touching the face of the GPS and Danielle kept hitting the side buttons. Once Oswald got going, he seemed to really know what he was doing. Was there hope? Would there be hope?

Nope. If he hadn't walked right by his hidden soldier a dozen times, maybe he would have made it, maybe not. You couldn't really tell how edited the timing was at that point.

Dustin completed the task, then Danielle. Charla squeaked by Oswald in radioing, tossing her smoke grenade, then getting her helicopter ride back to from whence they came. Oswald saw her running in her camouflage gear and said, "Oh, no. The Teletubbies go to war!" It didn't look like anything short of all the other teams getting totally lost and driving into the ocean would save the ChaChas as Charla landed before Oswald.

The Pit Stop at Fort Soledad would be the telling moment... and it was sure to tell what I'd rather not hear. Here's the order of arrival:

1. Dustin and Kandice - Each won an all-terrain vehicle.
2. Eric and Danielle
3. Charla and Mirna
4. Danny and Oswald... Philiminated. (Sigh)

So, my favorite team is out of the running. They took it well and said they hope Mirna and Charla win. As much as I like the guys, the team I'd like to see win out of the remaining three would be Dustin and Kandice. No all -female team has won the race before and only one all-female team has ever made it in the Final Three. And this year we have two teams. If Mirna wasn't as grating on me with her rudeness, fake accents, condescending ways, poor treatment of Charla... I could cheer them on. But Mirna just turns me totally off. Eric and Danielle were never originally a team and Eric's sexist ways irk me. At least Dustin and Kandice don't whine and they're generally a strong team.

As for Guam, it was an interesting destination for the leg. It brought back memories for me as a friend of mine was stationed there at the Naval Base after his tour in Vietnam. He told me when he first got there, he'd see lights and hear noises coming from somewhere in the distance. When he asked, he was told, "That's just Gorco." So, he pictured a monster dinosaur in his mind. It was actually GORCO - Guam Oil Refining Company. No, not as exciting as a monster dinosaur, but Gorco made a good name for a cat years later.

'The Amazing Race 11: All Stars' - The Final 3 - East Coast Update

The arrival at the Pit Stop:

1. Dustin and Kandice - each won an all-terrain vehicle
2. Eric and Danielle
3. Charla and Mirna

4... and Philiminated... Team ChaCha -- Oswald and Danny

A full review/recap will be posted later tonight.

Tonight's 'Amazing Race' Blogging

The show is starting on time here in the Northeast. Expect the finish order at the Pit Stop and elimination posted in an East Coast Update entry as it airs here. The show ends at 9 PM EDT (6 PM PDT). A full review/recap will also be posted later this evening.

Pants On Fire - This Week on 'The Late Show with David Letterman' - April 30-May 4, 2007

It was so successful the first time around that he's doing it again for May Sweeps. Yes, it's a second round of Impressionists Week!

Me? Heck, if he doesn't get Rich Little, I'd just as soon see Tapdancing Week. What? No Tapdancing Week? Why not?

Here's the guest list from the official show site:

• Monday, April 30 - Kirsten Dunst promoting Spider-Man 3, impressionist Rob Magnotti, musical guest Dinosaur, Jr. (CD is Beyond). Spider-Man 3 has Venom... woo!
• Tuesday, May 1 - Amy Sedaris (oh, I so enjoy her appearances on the show!) promoting Shrek the Third (how creative to not have yet another "3" in the title), impressionist John Byner (ah, old school, love it), and musical group Modest Mouse whose latest CD is We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank. This looks like the winner show of the week for me. Although... I have to admit I like Modest Mouse's name more than I enjoy their music for the most part.
• Wednesday, May 2 - Drew Barrymore promoting Lucky You, impressionist Mike MacRae, musical guest Ben Kweller (CD is Ben Kweller).
• Thursday, May 3 - Marcia Cross of Desperate Housewives, impressionist Joe Piscopo, Tori Amos (latest CD is American Doll Posse), and Kenny Brack will be sitting in with the band. No, he will not be driving a car around the band. At least, I don't think he will. That would be cool if he did.
• Friday, May 4 - Ray Romano promoting The Grand, impressionist Reggie Reg, and Dennis Haysbert of The Unit. What? No musical guest? Hmmm...

So, Dave... what about Tapdancers Week? Huh? Give it a shot!