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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Thursday, April 03, 2008

Smallville Producers Quit

Now this is a surprise. They were renewed for another season.

Marveling at “seven amazing years,” the exec producers “look back knowing that the show will continue into Season 8 without us,” they say in an open letter. “After much heartache and debate, we have decided it is time for us to move on.”

Giving props to the CW series’ “remarkable” production team and “a wonderful cast who we have watched mature with admiration and affection,” the duo say, “We have been rewarded with a fan base that is as loyal as it is vocal. We are incredibly proud of our work on this show. We achieved what we set out to do. We never compromised our vision. We leave knowing that Smallville is the longest-running comic-book-based series of all time [and] was featured on the covers of Rolling Stone, MAD Magazine, TV Guide and Entertainment Weekly. The pilot had the highest-rated premiere in the history of the WB [where it originated]. Even in its seventh year, it is still the No. 1 scripted show on the network.”

I think they objected to what the CW wanted, which was against the rule the producers made for the show (which I disagree with). They had a “no tights, no flight rule”. They wanted to ground the show in reality. But at this stage, that’s absurd. They have come so far that for Kal El to not be able to fly makes him look stupid or weak. In fact, my one big complaint about the show is that they wrote him to be kind fo dense. He should have been way more proactive and curious about things than they made him. It’s sort of like Lost in that regard.

By now he should not only be able to fly, the costume should come out. And he should be wearing glasses as Clark Kent. I hope whoever produces the next season gets it right. I generally like the show and think its gotten better, but these missing elements made it annoying at times. 

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Wednesday, April 02, 2008

American Idol Top 9

Last night was a very good show except for the wet blanket named Simon Cowell. The first mentor of the season was Dolly Parton, a country legend who is also a phenomenal songwriter. The Idols all did justice to her music in varying degrees. I was especially impressed with Carly Smithson’s version of “Here You Come Again”. It was excellent, but Simon pretty much shrugged at it and dissed her clothes. I didn’t know he was running for Mr Blackwell’s job, but he’s been commenting on clothes a lot lately.

The usual suspects did really well. David A, Dave Cook and Michael Johns did especially good sets. Everyone else was solid, in my opinion. It was one of the most consistently good episodes in a while.

But Simon was a holy terror last night with the exception of a few people he liked. So based on his comments, I think the following people might be. on the chopping block tonight.

Syesha Mercado, who did a great cover of “I will Always Love You”, but was trashed for not living up to Whitney Houston. Kristy Lee Cook, even though she did one of her best performances ever with “Coat of Many Colors”. And Ramiele Malubay who sang “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind” very well. I thought it was fine, but Simon kinda trashed her. If Ramiele isn’t in trouble, then it might be Jason Castro who did a very solid performance, which Simon pretty much trashed.

At this stage anyone can go except maybe David A.

By the way, Dave Cook came out and gave credit to all the bands he referenced on his earlier performances, so that’s put to rest. And apparently he had a medical emergency after his performance and was rushed to the hospital. He never gave any indication he was under such stress during the show, which makes him a good performer. And he was one of the few Simon liked last night. 

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Thursday, March 27, 2008

South Park Site

South Park Studios has put all the South Park episodes online for free viewing. Other sites were doing it badly so they decided to to it right.

If you haven’t seen it, last night’s episode “Major Boobage” was one of the funniest ever. It’s especially hilarious if you’ve watched that early 80s movie Heavy Metal.It had me in stitches. 

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Wednesday, March 26, 2008

American Idol Top 10

Last night was a pretty good night, except one of the most praised performances was another swipe, Methinks a leading contestant is going to get outed as a plagiarist.

This week the contestants were to sing a song that came out the year they were born. Ramiele Malubay sang 1987’s “Alone” by Heart. And she proved she can’t belt it out as well as Nancy Wilson. Paula said it was because she had the flu, but I don’t think that will save her. It wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t clever or original either. It also doesn’t help that she was first. A kiss of death spot. Not safe.

Jason Castro did 1987’s “Fragile” by Sting. It was a solid, but uninspired performance. The fact that parts of it were in Spanish might win him extra votes. I’d give him an iffy safe. But I thought it was ho hum.

Syesha Mercado handled 1987’s “If I Were Your Woman” by Stephanie Mills. Very good performance. One of her best. The judges loved it. Definitely safe.

My man Chikezie sang 1985’s “If Only For One Night” by Luther Vandross. It was a homage to Vandross and I personally liked it. I think he’s the heir apparent to the Vandross throne since his style is similar. But the judges chided him for not being himself. So I think he’ll be in the bottom three, even though it was solid.

Brooke White did 1983’s “Every Breath You Take” by The Police. I liked it, but wasn’t blown away. The judges more or less liked it. She’s safe another week. Even though she screwed up the beginning of the song.

Michael Johns rocked 1978’s “We Are the Champions” by Queen. It was one of his best performances yet. Queen songs suit him. He’s definitely safe. But he needs to do more of this kind of thing. He needs to pick more power songs.

Carly Smithson took on 1983’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler. I liked it. Her voice is similar to Bonnie Tyler’s tone (if not as raspy). I think it was a good cover, but Simon and Randy were not into it. Iffy safe.

David Archuleta sang 1990’s “You’re the Voice” by David Foster with Jeff Pescetto. Zzzzzz. What a crap tune. It’s another trite message song. It seems his psycho stage dad is feeding him songs to sing. Simon alluded to it in his critique. I was unimpressed and I think his dad may end up sinking his chances of winning if David keeps following his advice. It wasn’t even that greatly sung. But the girls in the audience ate it up, so he’s safe.

Kristy Lee Cook took on 1984’s “God Bless the USA” by Lee Greenwood. It was a very smart choice because it will win her a lot of points with people moved by patriotic songs, but she also sang it very well. I can see her getting gigs now at baseball games and state fairs. All those KLC haters are probably grinding their teeth because they know she is umpire safe. Besides, she was second to last. Almost the pimp spot.

Ok, now we come to the swipe artist, David Cook in the pimp spot. This time he stole Chris Cornell’s version of 1983’s “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson. The judges all praised him for his originality and star power. I smell a scandal brewing. Idol may have to recant some of their praise when people call him out on the internet. Wait and see. Did he do a good job? Sure. It was a very good swipe. But I think Cook is in for a beating in the court of public opinion. We shall see.

UPDATE: So poor Chikezie got the axe. His performance wasn’t even that bad. But boh Randy and Simon pretty much dissed it and I guess we’re at that point where the less popular people will be let go now. Ramiele wasn’t even in the bottom three, which means she must have a fan base. 

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Thursday, March 20, 2008

5 Facts about Batman (TV Show)

Some interesting trivia. I didn’t know a few of these. 

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Tuesday, March 18, 2008

American Idol Top 11

It was another week of Beatles tunes, but this one did not turn out quite so well. In fact, it was mostly boring, If I hadn’t decided to to review this episode, I would have got up and done something else.

Call it hubris week. The people who did really well last week blew it this week. The people who did badly, did better than last week, but not much better.

Amanda kicked off the show with “Back in the USSR”. She did another decent version, but it was like all her other versions. Frankly, I’m wondering why she didn’t pick Helter Skelter. Probably because, like a lot of these contestants, she was unfamiliar with the Beatles catalog. Some of them confessed to hearing these songs for the first time. Yikes! Well, they are 40+ year old tunes. The judges told Amanda to show us something new. She gave the impression that’s not what she intends to do. So be it. She’s probably safe though this week.

KLC, as I like to call her (Kristie Lee Cook) did “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away”. I think I know what her problem is now. She’s stunning to look at. This season’s Katherine McPhee. She can sing, too. But like all pretty people, she hasn’t had to try that hard in her life. So she just floats through it all thinking what she does is good enough. Her performance was OK, but kind of on autopilot. She acted like she was reciting a poem in the 5th grade.There was no passion in her singing. Simon told her basically the same thing and she took it with a shrug. She will probably make it another week or so. But I don’t expect her to change any more than Amanda.

David Archuleta did a beautiful rendition of “Long and Winding Road”. His voice is a great match for this song, since Paul McCartney has a similar singing tone. It actually gave me chills at one point. Definitely safe.

Michael Johns did something really ballsy. He took on “A Day in the Life” A long, heavily produced song. He had to shorten it. And I actually like what he did overall. But the judges crucified him. I think he really tried, and the audience seemed to be with him. But once again, I think he has the same problem as KLC, He’s pretty, so he doesn’t try as hard as he can, or should. And so the results just aren’t what they should be. He definitely has the singing ability. Not many singers can do Bohemian Rhapsody. But I wonder if he will every live up to that Hollywood week performance of BR. I’d say he’s in the bottom 3 tomorrow.

Brooke White, all in yellow, sang “Here Comes the Sun”. I was expecting better from her, but it was just decent. She is very likable, so I think she’ll be safe again. But it was kind of just a basic cover with no real special something in the mix. She might be in the bottom three this week. But I think she’ll make it regardless.

David Cook did a rock cover of “Day Tripper” playing a guitar, using a voice box ala Peter Frampton. He was really trying to recapture that metal groove from last week, but it seemed like he was obvious about it this time. It kind of showed on his face. Simon blasted him for looking smug. The look in Cook’s eyes upon hearing that was priceless. Ice daggers were flying out of them. I think he did a good job, but not as special as last week.  Word on the street he’s a bit of a prima donna. Maybe that’s why Simon tried to take him down a peg. Still, I’d say he’s safe.

Carly Smithson took on “Blackbird”. a favorite song of mine. She did a very solid, soulful version of it. But Simon trashed it for some reason. It was surprising, really. The others liked it OK. She’s probably safe.

Jason Castro did a rather goofy (or should I say dopey) cover of “Michelle”. His interview didn’t exactly make him out to be Stephen Hawking. It’s a good thing he chose music instead of brain surgery. The judges were not thrilled,. Again, it was kind of blah. But I think he’ll be safe. He seems to have a fan base.

Syesha Mercado straitened her hair and wore a pretty green dress.  Her choice was “Yesterday” and sang it very well, with a soulful conviction. I think she should be safe, but she might not be since we’re getting to the point where the popular people are battling the talented. She’s a very good singer, but not big on charisma. She kind of emits a diva vibe at times. This week, she didn’t. So she may be safe. I’m just not sure.The judges mostly liked her performance. I liked it, but it didn’t thrill me the way it should have.

Chikezie pulled a similar stunt to last week with “I’ve Just Seen a Face”. He started off slow then turned it into a country jamboree. It kind of worked, but was also a mess. I think, if he had more time to hone the performance, it could have equaled last week’s. Simon called it gimmicky, which is probably right. I think it was good enough for him to be safe. The audience seemed to like it. He’s found a positive energy that will gain him fans. I also think he’s got one of teh best voices of the men,

Ramiele finished off the show with an early Beatles tune “I Should Have Known Better”. It was good, but again, nothing special. She also seemed to be just acting all cute and not really getting into it. The judges sort of gave her a pass, but weren’t impressed. I’d say she’s kind of put herself in jeopardy again this week. But it’s hard to be sure. A lot of the performances were pretty blah.

Tomorrow we’ll be “treated” to Kellie Pickler doing a Beatle’s song. Can’t wait for that one. Well, actually, I kind of like Kellie. Her CD is pretty decent country fluff. I know a lot of season 5 fans hate her, but I think she’s kind of original in her own way. I’m just not sure I want to hear her sing the Beatles. But it’ll probably be better than some of what we heard tonight.

UPDATE: It seems Pickler will be singing “Red High Heels” tonight and not a Beatles song.

SPOILER: So Amanda is Overmyer. Well, she was kind of a repeat act. I think she has something, just not for Idol. On a more interesting note, as I mentioned last week, my brother knows Carly Smithson. And he told me today he gave her one of my books a while back. The Psycho. I wonder if she read it. 

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Wednesday, March 12, 2008

American Idol Top 12

It was Beatles week, and the idols were given the chance to do their renditions of classic songs. her were mixed results, but when they were on target, it was great.

They also have a new set, and it’s fantastic looking. Very similar in some ways to the animation in the credits.

I have to say, this season of American Idol has the best talent overall, of any season I have watched (4 on). When people stumble this season, they still do a decent job. There are no Sanjayas here.

That said, last night the “leading contender” David Archuleta showed us that he is far from perfect. He stumbled badly enough by forgetting his lyrics, twice, that he should have got a serious brow beating from Simon. Simon did scold him, but not has harshly as he normally does to people who stumble that bad. This is largely because he’s their golden boy.

But look out, David! Two singers are threatening to take your status. And they are two who seemed in danger of being let go only a few weeks back. The first being Chikezie who who did “She’s a Woman”, starting off with a bluegrass arrangement and then turning it into a rock ballad. It was awesome. I knew the guy had it in him. The judges loved it. He’s definitely safe.

David Cook is the other star of the night. Turning in a stellar version of Elanor Rigby, making it a kind of alt-rock cover. The judges loved it as well.

Three of the women also shined to varying degrees of success. Carly Smithson, Brooke White, Amana Overmyer. They didn’t do quite as well as the two boys, but they were very good. Carly belted out “Come Together”. Brooke White does an emotional version of “Let It Be” on the piano. She gets up afterward crying with emotion, almost disbelieving she’s on live TV on a big stage with screaming fans in the audience. She’s definitely safe. Amanda does a get down-and-dirty cover of “You Can’t Do That” that sounds like some crazy bar-club performance. But it totally works. And the interesting thing is, she said she was unfamiliar with the song when she picked it up. Now, if she would get rid of that stupid hairdo.

As for the rest, I’ll start with the best and word my way down.

Jason Castro was good, solid. Not exciting, but decent. He sang “If I Fell”, which is a fairly quiet song. Dude needs to do something less mellow for a change.

Syesha Mercados’ “Got to Get You Into My Life” was also solid. But a pretty straight forward cover of the Earth Wind and Fire version.

Michael Johns did “Across the Universe”. He sang it well, but that song should have a cosmic feel. He merely did it justice. He also needs to be more theatrical when doing songs like this.

Ramiele Malubay was a pretty, dull interpretation of “In My Life”.

David Hernandez did a corny, blah version of “I Saw Her Standing There”. Too bad, because I think he’s one of the better male singers this season.

Kristie Lee Cook did a country fried version of “Eight Days a Week” as if she were on Hee Haw. I kind of like the country arrangement, but she handled it wrong, trying to sing it too much with runs in the middle. It flopped. And she may be getting the axe tonight. Too bad because she’s one of the best looking contestants as well as having some real talent. But I think she has trouble finding her way.

David Archuleta finished the show in the Pimp Spot, which is where they stick people they think will do the best closer. But he totally tripped and goofed “We Can Work it Out” while attempting the Stevie Wonder version. Cracks are starting to show in David A’s veneer. I think the kid may find the pressure too much, being at the top. We’ll see how he holds up. But he’s safe.He’s this season’s teeny bopper favorite.

So there you go. Not a bad night over all. My picks for who might go is either Ramiele, for being boring or Kristie Lee Cook for being too off target. And maybe David Hernandez for being corny. I’m calling it for Ramiele. Just a hunch. KLC has fans and Hernandez wasn’t that bad.

UPDATE:SPOILER! Wow, David Hernandez gets it. I had a feeling that the news about him having been a stripper in gay bars would get him. The voters on Idol are harsh to gays or gayish people. I don’t even know if David H was gay or not, but that’s that. Too bad, He was really good. But this week he wasn’t. 

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Thursday, March 06, 2008

American Idol Women

I didn’t get a chance to do the recap for the women today. It takes me awhile to write them and I didn’t have the time today. And now the voting results have already been revealed.

I will say a couple of things. I think my favorites did pretty well. The women over all were good this week, but a lot of them are just decent, not as outstanding as they need to be.

Brooke White, Carly Smithson, Amanda Overmyer all did great. Except Amanda keeps looking down when she sings, which makes her look insecure. She needs to stop doing that. Kristie Lee Cook is better than Simon said, but I agree that she’s not as vibrant or original as she needs to be. Syesha Mercado is a hell of a singer, but she has this major ‘tude, which is why the judges just gave her brief comments. She’s extremely talented. But she may just turn off the audience at some point.

It turns out my mom and my brother know Carly Smithson, as they like to go to an Irish Pub in San Diego called the Field where she worked for many years as a server (and sometimes singer). My brother lives near the field and hangs out there a lot, so they know each other pretty good. I just found that out today. They said she’s really nice.

But apparently she dissed Sanjaya in an interview so the Sanjaya fans are mad at her. Yawn.

Anyway, I was sorry to see Danny Noriega go as he was amusing. He was pretty talented, but he was to swishy in that performance and Idol viewers seem to vote off blatantly gay people (Clay Aiken excluded). Danny Hernandez may be at risk because of this, for being an ex-male stripper. But he doesn’t act too gay, so they may forgive him.

I think the women who were voted off (Asia’h Epperson nd Kady Malloy) were very good, but just not special enough in a season where everyone is talented and good looking to one degree or another.  Luke Menard was just too bland, so I wasn’t surprised when he went.

It’s a shame about Danny Noriega, but I’m glad Chikezie managed to stay in for another week. I suspect he won’t make it much further, but I think he’s a great throwback to the kind of soul singers I grew up with. He just needs more confidence.

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