Friday, May 09, 2008

European Television

Just a typical Euro-TV show

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Tuesday, May 06, 2008

American Idol: Top 4

Wow. It’s a no brainer who should go this week. I’ve never seen someone flame out as badly as Jason Castro on this show. His incoherent version of “I Shot the Sherrif” (which was about growing pot and having the cops on your case--I wonder why he picked that one. ) was so freaking bad I couldn’t wait to hear Randy and Simon tear into him. And his version of Mr Tambourine man was equally a mess. If he wasn’t high, he should have been. That was a disaster.

David Cook started off with Duran Duran’s “Hungry Like the Wolf” and I knew the what the judges were going to say when he finished because I felt it too. It was kind of phoned in. But his version of the Who’s Baba O’Riley was decent and won him praise,.

Syesha Mercado did a great “Proud Mary” cover, but I knew Simon would compare her to Tina Turner. I think Tina would have approved, even if Simon didn’t. She was good. Her belted out version of “A Change is Gonna Come” appealed to the Audience and Paula (Simon, too), but I agree with Randy. That song was not made for shouting. It’s a smooth, soulful tune.

Finally David A, the teacher’s pet, won the day. Though I have to confess he is boring me now. I almost know how he’s going to interpret each song and while he sings well, it’s too aimed at what the judges want rather than being a unique personal performance. He reminds me of those kids in school who always did it the way the teacher wanted. As if to get their approval. With his dad in the audience each show, it seems he has been groomed for this contest and it does not feel organic at all. He wil probably win, but I don’t really care.

At this point I would rather see David Cook win. Syesha isn’t quite there, but she has shown the determination to win. Jason is a lot cause. If he stays it will only be because he has more fans than Syesha.

UPDATE: Jason got the axe. No surprise. TMZ claims he is saying “Don’t Vote” in this clip. It sure did seem like he didn’t want to kep going. Maybe the process and media attention intimidated him.

I turned off my TV when he started to play his exit song. Once was enough. 

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Thursday, May 01, 2008

American Idol Top 5 - Part 2

It was Neil Diamond week. The 70s star was the coach and I finally got a copy to watch, as well as the results show.

Diamond is a great song writer, even if some of his stuff seems cornball to some people today. Even though his stuff was popular when I was still in school,. I was never a huge fan. But I have grown to appreciate his work over time. His new song is pretty good and listening to many of his tunes on the show reminded me what a good writer He came from son writing as a career. He once penned hits for the Monkees like “I’m a Believer”.

Once again Brooke and Syesha were in the bottom. Syesha doesn’t seem to get a break even though she’s getting better all the time. At this stage, it’s a popularity contest and the guys have it. I wasn’t surprised to see Brooke go. She should have left last week. Unless Jason screws up badly, Syesha will go next. Followed by Jason. I think the two Davids will close out the season.

It’s a toss up who will win, but its probably David Archuleta, which is why this season hasn’t had the ratings as previous ones. The contest is missing this time. People kind of see the writing on the way. When Natasha Benningfield ran over to hug David A last night, you can see he’s pretty much favored to win. He’s got the teenybopper vote sown up. And that’s probably Idol’s biggest voting block.

Next week is Rock and Roll hall of fame week, whatever that means. They’re probably promoting that museum in Cleveland It sounds like David Cook will ace that

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Wednesday, April 30, 2008

The Dark Knight 1966

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American Idol Top 5

I missed it last night and it wasn’t available for download from my usual source. Which is too bad. I hear Paula really made a fool of herself,

The problem with this season is I don’t have a horse in this race, and none of these contestants make me really want to see them next week. A lot of them are good, but no one is exciting. So I have been just downloading the episode and watching it at my leisure. But my usual source of downloads didn’t provide one for last night.

Ah well, I’ll seee if I can find a copy just because I want to see how badly they mangled Neil Diamond songs.  . 

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Tuesday, April 22, 2008

American Idol Top Six

Andrew Lloyd Webber was the coach this week and his music was what they all had to sing. It pretty much separated the wheat from the chaff.

As much as I like Brooke, I think she and Jason are in the bottom 2. And Brooke is the likely loser this week. She did something I’ve never seen anyone do on Idol. She stopped and restarted. When she restarted, I think she did a impassioned performance but it was still flawed. The song was “You must Love Me” from the movie version of Evita. Kind of a downer of a song. Bad to do songs like that on Idol. It tends to lose votes.

Jason made the mistake of taking on Memories. A song best known as a Barbra Streisand standard. He actually made me listen closely, but he cracked up in places. His fans may save him this week, but he’s one of the weaker links at this stage. I think he’s an original folk artist, but on a show like this, it’s only going to get tougher for him.

Everyone else did good to great, Syesha started off the show with a stunning performance of “One Rock & Roll Too Many” from Starlight Express. It was like watching the show without those lame costumes.

Carly Smithson totally rocked “Jesus Christ Superstar”. She seemed to be having a ball up there.

David Cook did a very powerful rendition of “Music of the Night”

David Archuleta did a decent version of “Think of Me” from Phantom of the Opera. I agree with Simon that it wasn’t huis best. It was kind of by the numbers for him. But good.

I think Brooke is out this week, unless Jason has less fans. Oh well. No more room for slip ups. She’s had a couple bad weeks in a row. I don’t think she’ll have another.

UPDATE: I can’t believe Carly lost this week. Her performance was great. I actually download the studio song from iTunes. JCS is a favorite of mine anyway. It’s a rocking tune. Did you now the guy who sang the hit radio version of that in the early 70s had a hit in the early 80s called “One Night in Bangkok”? His name is Murray Head. Anyway, I’ll miss Carly. Maybe she’ll be seen at the Field again, but I hope she gets some recording deals. 

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Wednesday, April 16, 2008

American Idol Top 7

Mariah Carey is the mentor this week. After all, she’s promoting a new album and being a mentor on Idol has turned out to be very lucrative for established artists. The trouble with Mariah is most of her songs are showboat tunes that rely on her vocal tricks to make them special. That can be the kiss of death for your average Idol contestant. And unfortunately, Michael Johns could have done something interesting, but he left last week.

However, the show started off with David Archuleta, who took on I still Believe effortlessly and arguably did it better than Mariah’s version. Once again, he’s safe.

Carly Smithson took on “I Can’t Live”, which is not originally a Mariah song. It’s a 70s pop classic. Carly did it well. Simon, however, was not feeling it. Despite the audience reacting so well to her performance. That might make her in the bottom three again since he seems to have some influence with his criticism. Michael Johns being a good example. I thought he did well last week, but Simon didn’t and now he’s gone.

Shyesha was next, handling a lesser well known Mariah tune called “Vanishing” and doing a tremendous job with it. She got universal praise from the judges except for Simon saying the song choice might hurt her. I’d say she’s probably safe.

Brooke White did “Hero”. It was apparent from her performance that her vocal range is nowhere near as flashy as some of the others. But she didn’t try to go there. She took it as an acoustic version and it worked, except for her lack of confidence in the middle. Simon kind of trashed it. So she may be in the bottom three.

Kristie Lee Cook, who has been getting better, even though I expected her to be gone by now, did a very good version of “Forever”. She countried-fried it, And it worked. However Simon once again played wet blanket. I’d shay she’ll be back in the bottom three tonight. But I think she has been improving week to week, and if she finds good songs, she could be a successful Nashville act.

David Cook (no relation) did a very cool alt-rock vrsion of “Always Be My Baby”. The judges praised it to high heaven so he is safe as can be. His star is rising on this show and he will probably be in the final two with David A.

Jasonm Castro really stepped it up this week with “I Don’t Wanna Cry”, doing some singing tricks I didn’t think he could pull off, It was a very good stretch for him. Randy didn’t dig it. Paula did. So did Simon. I’d say he’s safe.

So when it coems down to it, Mariah songs didn’t help the ladies. The men ruled the night. I suspect it will be three women in the bottom three tonight.

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Wednesday, April 09, 2008

American Idol Top 9

Last night’s show was full of really fine performances. If it wasn’t for Randy being such a wet blanket I would have enjoyed them even more, But the judges aren’t there to tell everyone how great they are. So most of the singers got some kind of knock.

The theme was Inspirational Songs. So you’d expect a lot of show boating going on. Surprisingly, however, there wasn’t much of that. Just a lot of big voice stuff from the usual suspects. 

First off was Michael Johns who decided Aerosmith’s “Dream On” was inspirational. I’m still scratching my head over that one, but I have to say he did it very well. The audience loved it. But Randy was very critical and Simon more or less agreed, though he gave some props to the singing. They just felt it was too much like a Steven Tyler imitation. Iffy safe.

Syesha Mercado did “I Believe” by Fantasia. I never heard the song before, but she did an amazing job with it and I liked it a lot. Probably one of her best efforts. But once again Randy said it was too much of an homage and not original. Or, to put it in his vernacular, “I didn’t feel it, dawg.” Paula did her usual cheer leading. I thought it was good, but based on her being in the bottom before, I’m not sure she’s safe.

Jason Castro did a very cool version of “Over the Rainbow” on the Ukulele, which he played himself. He got universal praise for that. Safe.

Kristy Lee Cook did an very solid cover or a Martina McBride song and based on the response she got, she’s probably safe.

David Cook did Our Lady Peace’s “We’re All Innocent”. I’m not familiar with the song, but it got a very lukewarm reception from the judges. He also tried to make it very showboaty, so he make be in trouble tonight. Possibly.

Carly Smithson did Queen’s “The Show Must Go On”, which a song of theirs I never liked. It’s a bad idea on this show to do anything somber, and the song has a somber string section in it. The judges were unimpressed. She’s probably in trouble this week. I hope she makes it though though. She’s good enough to stay till the final 3.

David Archuleta did a song called “Angels” which I am not familiar with. He did his usual solid performance. Not earth shattering, but the judges liked it and he’s safe.

Brooke White finished off the show with a pleasant and peaceful version of “You’ve Got a Friend”. A personal favorite song of mine, and apparently, Paula’s too. It was a nice contrast to all the big songs the others did. And it was a nice way to cap off the show, Which Simon more or less agreed with. Safe (or she should be).

Over all, I really liked last night’s show. But tonight we have to suffer through the Idol Gives back charity stuff. Which includes people like Teri Hatcher singing. The last time they did one of those it was full of lots of really cheesy celebrity crap. I expect more of the same tonight. I may just read other people’s recaps online and download it if it sounded good.

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Sunday, April 06, 2008

Failed Scifi Shows

Man, some of these really stink.One of them is Dr Strange,

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Saturday, April 05, 2008

Mike Wallace Interviews

From 1957-1960 Mike Wallace has a national TV show where he interviewed famous people of the day. This site has a bunch of them. Theres’ quiet a few interesting ones I never expected to see, like Fred Otash, a detective who worked for Confidential Magazine, an early Hollywood tabloid which was the basis for “Hush Hush” in James Ellroy’s Hollywood Confidential. There’s also an interview with Phillipe Wylie, who wrote the Gladiator. One of the most definitive super-hero stories every written (it was a prose story before comic book superheroes were created. 

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