American Idol Top 11 (3-18-08)

Back with The Beatles!

“I see you’re holding signmaker seminars at your house again” - Ryan to Simon, after a shot of a Simon is Sexy sign in the audience

Amanda Overmeyer

Most Memorable Moment: Playing on the big stage last week
“Back in the USSR”

Amanda gave an upbeat, original performance. She has such a distinctive voice, that it can sound the same from week to week. I enjoy her down-to-earth personality.

  • Perfect sound choice for you… a little pitchy, but you worked it out halfway through. I give you a 7 out of 10. It was good! - Randy
  • It was a little sketchy at first… a little ahead of the beat… quintessential, authentic who you are. I love you and I think you are going to continue going up - Paula
  • It was what it was. A bit predictable… do something a bit of a surprise… otherwise you are in danger of becoming a bit boring - Simon

Kristy Lee Cook
Most Memorable Moment: Being the last man standing at each results show
“You Have to Hide Your Love Away”

Kristy has a strong and warm-sounding voice, but a little pitchy… maybe nervous

  • It was an interesting arrangement… it should have been more emotional for you… the high note at the end was good - Randy
  • On some of these songs you have to be careful about the melody… this is the best you’ve looked - you look gorgeous… it was a little safe and it was good. I agree with Randy on the high notes and you should take liberties more often - Paula
  • I think you need something like hypnosis… you’re not a good performer… it’s like musical wallpaper - you notice it but you don’t remember it - Simon
  • I can blow you out of your socks and you know it - Kristy to Simon

David Archuletta
Most Memorable Moments: Being able to sing “Imagine”… not so good moment - forgetting his lyrics
“The Long and Winding Road”

David has such a smooth sounding voice and he knows how to work the crowd with his emotions. It’s easy to see why he’s such a favorite. He’s a gifted and talented singer. I thought it was a great song choice and fit for his voice.

  • David has brought the hotness back to his game… one piece of advice… you can do a couple runs… you played it safe, but you can take liberties - Randy
  • This is the most exciting and wonderful performance because the purity… came back strong… you came back from adversity - Paula
  • Last week was a complete mess.. this week I thought you were amazing… absolutely you made my point… sell a song… and remember a performance… that was a master class - Simon

[insert at&t and iphone spot here]

Michael Johns
Most Memorable Moment: Hollywood week when he sang Bohemian Rhapsody - absolutely magic!
“A Day in the Life”

Another classy performance from Michael. He picked it in tribute to his friend who passed away last year - it was his friend’s favorite song.

  • You know what I’m going to say… I don’t think you’ve chosen the right song… you’ve got that big ol voice… just sing and let your voice do your thing - Randy
  • You were pretty phenomenal [in rehearsal]… - Paula
  • It was a mess… you didn’t hit the right notes… it doesn’t work as a minute in a half… you have to hit the song like David before you. It was not good enough - Simon

Brooke White
Most Memorable Moment: singing and performing “Let it be”
“Here Comes the Sun”

This was one of my favorite songs as a child and thought Brooke did an okay job.

  • Yo, That performance was really awkward. You were never really connected to the song. It was not hot for me - Randy
  • You can’t help but smile when you sing. I love the yellow for the sun. You have really good low tones. It could have been a little more challenging. Brooke, you are a lovable girl - Paula
  • I thought the performance was terrible. From the horrible dancing, to the absolute lack of connection. There is a huge difference between Let it be and Here comes the sun - Simon

David Cook
Most Memorable Moment: Last Tuesday, having that rock concert feel with the lights and fog… what the judges said about his performance was the icing on the cake
“Daytripper” (which was also performed by Whitesnake)

David has such a big voice - perfect for his rock songs. He looks like such a natural on stage as he feeds off of the crowd.

  • You keep it interesting. Another solid look for David Cook - Randy
  • You’re ready to go sell records. You chose using the voice box in a very cool way - Paula
  • I don’t think that was as good as you thought it was. You looked a bit smug throughout. …predictable - Simon

Carly Smithson
Most Memorable Moment: Being compared to Kelly Clarkson last week for the second time (first was during her very first audition)
“Blackbird”

Tough transitions in this song and a very wide range. Even though it was a slow song, it was still moving to me

  • Another great performance. Very nice, very controlled, very emotive… cooliosis right there - Randy
  • You have an amazing tone in your voice, the inflections that you do, the choices that you make, the arrangement was beautiful. You stand in there with a capital F for Fantastic - Paula
  • I don’t think that [song choice] was a very smart thing to do. I thought the song was indulgent. I didn’t like the song at all - Simon

Jason Castro
Most Memorable Moment: When he sang Hallelujah… it was a bad last note, but nobody cared
“Michelle”

Song is a great fit for his range and his French pronunciation seems spot-on. I thought it would be a corny song choice, but it turned out okay for me.

  • Good choice. A little interesting. It is very subdued from you this week - Randy
  • You have a very distinct charm about you. I feel like you get a little disconnected when you’re away from your guitar. It was a little awkward for me. It didn’t connect with the audience - Paula
  • This is a very weird show tonight. Your face sold that. What you have, and I like you a lot, you’re very charming and you’re not obnoxious. Your kind of goofiness that makes it work - Simon

Syesha Mercado
Most Memorable Moment: Losing her voice during Hollywood and being in the bottom three last week
Yesterday” [almost named Scrambled Eggs before Yesterday was picked]

Love when there’s a solo instrumentalist on stage. It started a little safe, but Syesha powered it up halfway through. I like that she did a slower tempo piece to show off her range and versatility.

  • So you took some liberties. In my estimation, very very very good performance tonight - Randy
  • It’s great to see how you change and let yourself be vulnerable. That vulnerability is where you need to be. Connect more with your eyes and audience. You got a beautiful instrument - Paula
  • I thought that was probably your best performance so far. It wasn’t incredible. But you chose the best song. You chose the song Brooke should have sung. I like the arrangement and I thought you sold the song very well - Simon

Chikezie
Most Memorable Moment: My first round of Hollywood. That was the first time he got a compliment from all three judges.
“I’ve Just Seen a Face”

Chikezie has a silky smooth voice. Then, he changed it up and picked up the tempo of the song to play to the crowd.

  • There were some good parts and some bad parts… I like it when you went to the fast part. The slow part I didn’t quite get. You need that fast stuff for all the energy you got. Harmonica was a weird strange arrangement, but could be a good country song - Randy
  • I disagree [with Randy]. You’re showing who you are. You’re showing who you are and the depth and scope of your vocals. When you sing… it is so pure, on pitch, beautiful - Paula
  • I thought it started off okay, and then you played the harmonica… atrocious… and then it turns into achy, breaky heart in the end. It was gimmicky - Simon

hmmm… without “achy, breaky heart”, we might not have America’s favorite - Hannah Montana…

Ramiele Malubay
Most Memorable Moment: Making a whole bunch of new friends. “You get closer to them, because you’re stuck with them. Brooke is like the mom of the apartment and David Cook is like the big brother. It’s like a big family.”
“I Should Have Known Better”

  • I wasn’t jumping up and down, but I liked it. You showed that confidence… it was a happy-go lucky kind of joint. You did your thing, it was alright - Randy
  • Definitely better than last week. There is something about your voice when you sing ballads, that allows you to show your range - Paula
  • It sounded like Chikezie was on the harmonica. I like you a lot. The track sounded horrible. You, along with many others, chose really mediocre songs and didn’t show the best of your ability - Simon

My favorite of the night: Syesha Mercado and David Cook

Un-favorite of the night: Kellie Pickler (oops that’s tomorrow)


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Partying with me?

Hello and thank you to all who have come through the Ultimate Blog Party! I’m so glad to hear we have some favorite shows in common! I enjoy chatting about them, so comment away!


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LOST - Ji Yeon

(If you haven’t watched the episode, you might be spoiled.)

What a weird episode. So far I like that this season has more distinct story arcs rather than the random character flashbacks. Or maybe it’s because we’re getting more answers than questions. Nonetheless, it was a strange episode.

#1 strange thing: Regina, wrapped in a heavy chain, walking robotic-style to the railing of the boat and jumping off into the ocean. Wha?!?!

#2 strange thing: The captain and crew do nothing to rescue Regina. In fact, it barely fazes them and they could care less. Odd. Very odd.

#3 strange thing: How creepy is it that the underwater grave of Oceanic flight 815 was completely staged? The captain of the boat claims it was Benjamin Linus (but I don’t always believe everything at first…). The argument the captain presents as to why they’re looking for Ben - the staged wreckage, putting the families through unnecessary grief, etc. - was compelling. Why is Ben going to such great lengths to protect the island?

#4 strange thing: Charles Widmore is the “boss” of the freighter. Okay, so we knew that. But, seriously, why is he that interested in finding the island? I don’t believe he was just trying to find the island for Penny to find Desmond… It sounds like his connection and vendetta to Ben runs much deeper. And, just why did he send Desmond out on a boat to the island.

#5 strange thing: This episode featured a flash forward and a flash back. Didn’t see that one coming, although I had a feeling that the scenes of Jin and Sun off the island were disjointed. Oh, and Sun is one of the Oceanic Six. Although that didn’t surprise me. Being pregnant, I thought she might be one of the survivors allowed or encouraged to flee the island. I am hoping that Jin is still alive on the island in the future…

6 strange thing: The whole cancer-cure thing. Bernard made an appearance for the first time in months. We revisited the story of his wife being cured of cancer on the island. Another person strangely healed from an injury is Lock who was once crippled pre-island. Who knows what Patchy’s incredible healing power is, since he seems to keep returning from the dead.

Then, there is Ben, who suffered from a life-threatening tumor. Why is he different? I found this LOST theory on cancer properties that helped give that storyline some structure. Who knows if it is true or not, but it was very interesting from a biological point of view.

#7 (not-so) strange thing: Kevin Johnson (aka Michael) reappears. This (somewhat) answers the question I’ve been asking for the past two seasons - what happened to Michael? From the upcoming scenes to next week we should know more. I accidentally read a spoiler that Michael would appear on the boat - is he the “spy” Ben speaks of? Michael shot himself and murdered Libby and Ana Lucia to save his son, Walt, from Ben and The Others. No telling exactly what he will do…

Now on to the good stuff:

#1 Good Thing: Sun has her baby and they appear to be healthy.

#2 Good Thing: Hurley, bless his heart, goes to visit Sun and newborn Ji Yeun (translated “Heavenly Patience”) to accompany them to Jin’s (supposed) gravesite. According to Lost-Wiki, the date on the tombstone is the date of the plane crash. Hmmm.

#3 Good Thing: I loved to see the interaction between Sun and Jin talking about naming the baby (on the island) and the scene where he offers his forgiveness. Both have been redeemed and their marriage restored.

#4 Good Thing: No Losties died this week!

Did you watch the episode??? What did you think??? I’m curious to know!! Leave a link to your post if you blogged about tonight’s episode or if you find any interesting (non-spoilerish) trivia or recaps.


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American Idol Top 12 (3-11-08)

Look at that stage - Bigger and better than ever! The band has it’s own “penthouse” and there’s a mosh pit. And, hey look, Simon isn’t wearing black or grey.

Theme: Lennon/McCartney songbook

Syesha Mercado

“Got To Get You Into My Life” 1966

I thought Syesha looked a little nervous and had a couple pitchy notes to start, but once she warmed up she “worked it out” as Randy would say…

  • Nice arrangement. Started a little rough, but by the middle you kind of got into it and had fun with it… it was a’ight for me - Randy
  • It started off pitch but midway through you found your zone - Paula
  • I thought it was better than alright Randy. I thought it was a great choice of song…. you looked very, very nervous - Simon

Chikezie

“She’s a Woman”

Used to work security at LAX and grew up listening to Nigerian tunes. Banjo, violin, tambourine to start off. I thought his take was original and fun!

  • Dog, I was thouroughly entertained. Who knew? I love the arrangement… Chikezie smashed it! - Randy
  • You started with the “O Brother Where Out Thou” vibe then turned it into the rock vibe. I’ve been waiting for this. The reward paid off, my dear - Paula
  • I’m really surprised I actually agree with these two. (huge cheering from Chikeze, Cuba Gooding Jr. emmy-style) Other than the fact that you looked completely drunk. You’ve really changed within a week. - Simon

Ramiele

“I pour soy sauce in little cups.” She works at a restaurant! Come on Ramiele… represent for all the Filipinas. You have an awesome voice, I wish you would let everyone hear it!

“In My Life”

Makes singing seem so effortless.

  • It was kinda pretty, but it was kinda pretty boring to me.
  • You look really pretty tonight. It was pretty safe… you need to take advantage of that. I feel like you are holding back
  • “The whole world should see what we hear” - Simo, quoting Paula
    I was bored to tears… dreary song choice that did absolutely nothing for you. I expect a lot better from you because you’re better than that.

Jason Castro

Texas A&M, music minor… but it was the only class he failed. Family is from Columbia. They didn’t know English, but knew The Beatle’s music.

“If I Fell”

Guitar is back. It’s a slow song, but a good song choice for Jason’s tone.

  • I liked it. I didn’t love it. The switches in the melody for me, I found myself kind of tuning out - Randy
  • I disagree wtih Randy. What is so special and unique about you, I feel your heart. You don’t do the riffs and runs and you don’t have to - Paula
  • Last week you were incredible, this it was all a little bit student in a bedroom at midnight (wha?) I thought the song was quite boring. Very unique. Very big fan of Jason…. choose brilliant songs that suit your style - Simon

Carly Smithson

Orange juice, eggs, celery

“Come Together”

Such an interesting sound to her voice.

  • So Carly, that felt amazing didn’t it. You were strong, you were confident, you were having a good time, you sounded there wasn’t a note out of tune. stellar performance. - Randy
  • I felt like I was already watching a star. I couldn’t wait until you were in the top 12 you can really start showing who you are as a performer - Paula
  • Week after week, I think you have chosen the wrong song… until now. This reminds me, six years ago, exactly the same week… Kelly Clarkson.

David Cook

green fingernail polish

Eleanor Rigby - the goal is to leave it on the stage

  • You can definitely rock out on idol, you can rock out on The Beatles. It was rocking. Let it go - Randy
  • I’ve been telling everyone you’re the dark horse. You are a thoroughbred. We all know you are the frontman on your band. You are the frontman here - Paula
  • David, I thought it was brilliant. For two weeks now, Paula’s right. If this show remains a talent competition, and not a popularity competition, you may actually win this show - Simon

Brooke White

“Let It Be”

Playing from memory and singing is a challenge! I always did one or the other, but not both ;)

  • I don’t know if it’s your best performance. I imagine you growing up playing that song at home… This is your dream come true, isn’t it …very heartfelt performance. I’m a fan - Randy
  • This is your niche. Picking songs where America can feel your heart. It is having that emotional connection that makes people fall in love with you - Paula
  • Again, one of the best performances of the night. I thought it was a brilliant choice of song… It’s believeable. There’s a difference between karaoke and showcasing your talent - Simon

David Hernandez

“I Saw Her Standing There”

Beatles 101 - an actual class at Arizona State

Energetic performance.

  • You’ve got a big voice, but on a song like this, it was a little bit overdone - Randy
  • I feel like you kindof overdid it. I think you scale back. You’re a brilliant singer and… not too many runs (waves hands) - Paula
  • No. No. No. Corny verging on desperate. I thought it was a little rabbit in the headlights. I didn’t think it was a particularly strong performance - Simon

Amanda Overmyer

“You Can’t Do That”

Amanda-spin, Rock it up a bit

  • That is the true mark of great songs. You took a beatles song and brought it to a southern bar and rocked it out - Randy
  • Amanda you’re smiling, you’re a star up there. I’m blown away by you - Paula
  • I don’t think it was as good as last week and I understood about 30% of what you said. I think it is a good thing that you’re in this competition - you’re like a breath of fresh air - Simon

Michael Johns

“Across the Universe”

  • I was waiting for something big for me. A little sleepy for me - Randy
  • I disagree with you again, Randy. It takes an inner strength and inner confidence… it was a brilliant performance - Paula
  • I’m going to agree with Randy. It was solid. It was good. But now is the time to let it go a little bit - Simon
  • Go Big, Baby, Go Big! - Randy

Kristy Lee Cook

“Eight Days a Week”

Oy, those violins kept me awake. I almost started hyperventilating.

  • I actually like the arrangement and the idea of the song… I’m kinda torn with this one… half of me likes it, half of me doesn’t - Randy
  • Kristy, I didn’t enjoy it. I didn’t get it
  • I thought it was horrendous. You sounded like Dolly Parton on helium. It was a very brave, but probably foolish thing to do - Simon

David Archuletta

His mom is from Honduras and his dad is a jazz musician. He’s second oldest with an older brother and three sisters.

“We Can Work It Out”

Halfway through, he looked a little shaken, but David still gave a good performance

  • This week it was not on point. This is not your vibe.
  • This wasn’t your best week, but you’re a front runner… Never let it show on your face… we love ya - Paula
  • That was a mess, you stumbled over the lyrics… it was just all over the place. It was your weakest performance so far - Simon

Best of the Night - ummm, Carly, Chikezie, Brooke, David Cook

Least Favorite of the Night - Kristy Lee Cook (sorry, not a country fan), Syesha (I forgot she started off the night until I saw the closing recap)


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Blog Partying!

I’m excited to join the Ultimate Blog Party going on at 5 Minutes for Mom! I’ve been reading their site for over a year and enjoy all their tips and blog contests!

I hope to meet more people who enjoy chatting about their favorite TV shows. Especially now that the writer’s strike is over! Currently, I watch and blog about LOST and American Idol, but there are a ton of other shows that occupy my time.

What are your favorite TV Shows?? Leave a comment to tell me what shows you watch! If you like to blog about your favorite shows, leave me a link to your recap or review :)

Hope to see you again soon! Thanks for stopping in :)

p.s. Here’s more about me from my About Me page!

About Me

jb.pngI’m a California-native, wife and mom of 3 kids (aged 6, 3, 1) who keep me on my toes!

At the end of the day when the kids are finally in bed, I like to unwind by watching a little TV with Mr. TV Junkie. I have a wide interest in TV shows (some I’m too embarrassed to admit like The Hills!).

Mr. TV Junkie likes Sci-Fi channel and I have come to enjoy his shows (Heroes, Battlestar Galactica, Stargate SG1 & Atlantis) and he now enjoys mine (24, American Idol, LOST, etc.).

Since we added the DVR to our family, we watch more TV shows and fewer commercials. We can also watch at our leisure.

TV Shows that have story lines deep in anthology or mysteries or great writing are my favorites to blog about and I always wonder what others are thinking. I started this blog to keep track of my favorite shows and to share and chat with others of the same interest. I enjoy sharing moments or quotes that make me laugh or think.

It has also been a fun experiment to learn how blog traffic works. (I was a marketing analyst in my former life BC - Before Children.)

If you’re here for the first time, introduce yourself. Leave a link if you’re also blogging about an episode.


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American Idol Top 8 Women (3-5-08)

80s Night! Most Embarassing Moments

Asia’h Epperson

“I Wanna Dance With Somebody” - Whitney Houston

  • I recorded that great song with the great Whitney… tall order, but.. you showed and proved you should be here - Randy
  • You nailed it! You really nailed it! - Paul
  • I’m not quite so enthusiastic. At best, it was second rate - Simon
  • No Pitch Patrol from Randy - Ryan

Kady Malloy

“Who Wants To Live Forever” - Queen

Embarrassing Moment: Bombed on Christina and did the classic speaker feedback…

Um, I say this every time, don’t the contestants know Queen songs are some of the most difficult song choices? This piece has some difficult transitions! The slower tempo also makes any pitch problems noticeable. A double-whammy to overcome… let’s see what the judges say…

  • You hit the big notes well, but didn’t support the smaller notes - Randy
  • To date, best performance - Paula
  • Definitely better than last week, but I’m having issues with your massive lack of personality… I got no emotion out of this - Simon

Amanda Overton

“I Hate Myself For Loving You” - Joan Jett

Embarrassing moment: Fireplace on deck… burned down a pool. Burned down a pool?!

  • Now that’s the Amanda we loved when we first saw her… well done, baby - Randy
  • When you pick the right song, you’ve found your niche - Paula
  • If I’m being honest, I thought it was fantastic. I thought you absolutely nailed that song, it was the perfect It was one of my favorite girl performances of this part of the show - Simon

Carly Smithson

“I Drove All Night” - Celine

Embarrassing Moment: got leg stuck in railing while on break from work. greased

  • Yo Carly, you keep smashing it. Very very good. Another great performance - Randy
  • You are like a dependable dog… I think you’re totally into your niche.
  • I don’t think you chose the right song… sorry… I just didn’t like it. It’s just not a great song… you’re a million times better than that song - Simon
  • She still sang it well - Randy

Kristy Lee Cook

“Faithfully” - Journey

Embarrassing Moment: 7 years old - used to pretend she was a dog, pet rats, water bowl, she thought she was a dog

I can’t believe I still remember this song word for word. Great song.

  • Dogs. and Journey. I love this girl…. great song, great band. What was cool, you put a country spin to it - Randy
  • That could be a hit for you in country music. I have nothing but positivity for you - Paula
  • I still think your problem is that you’re forgettable - Simon

Ramiele Malubay

“Take a Look at Me Now” - Phil Collins

Embarrassing Moment: 5th grade, dropped off picture

  • Another big song… Come on wit it - Randy
  • You have a lot of colors texture to your voice. You deserve to be in the top 12 - Paula
  • Because you’re so little and cute, it was good. But it was very old fashioned… predictable - Simon

Brooke White

“Love is a Battlefield” - Pat Benatar

Embarrassing Moment: Hugged a strange man

Love the acoustic guitar - you can really focus on her voice (I typed that before Randy said the same lol). Emotion and conviction in her face made this such a great performance.

  • I don’t know that you brought anything new to that song - Randy
  • I thought it was a very wise choice. I like the fact that it was very pure… -Paula
  • I think it worked purely for the reason [that it was acoustic] - Simon

Sayesha Mercado

“I’m Saving All My Love” - Whitney Houston

  • Good. Good - Randy
  • Sophisticated. Lovely - Paula
  • Predictable but good - Simon

Closing comments -

  • The girls worked it out. They did their thang tonight - Randy
  • I don’t want to see anyone go - Paula
  • You weren’t anywhere near the guys. My favorite performance was Amanda (Overmyer) tonight - Simon

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