Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Catching Up

Ok. So I've been getting lazy lately. What else is new? Big news of the day - it looks like we may be getting our first Triple Crown winner in 30 years! Go Big Brown! I don't see, barring any catastrophic circumstances, how he can not win the Belmont. When he won the Preakness (sans whip, I might add), he looked exactly the same after the race as he did before the race. He didn't even look winded! When he came out of the last turn in both races, it was like he just kicked into another gear. With the Belmont being the longest race of the Triple Crown, it just gives him more time to pull away from the rest of the pack. My prediction is that he will set a record for the biggest win in Belmont history.

Idol final is tonight. Kind of anti-climactic. I don't see any way Archuleta doesn't win it. The primary voting demographic for the show is 13 year-old girls who can text message 150 votes an hour, and they're the ones in the audience screaming for Archie. Cook is a more versatile singer, but Arch is more technically proficient and has the teenybops going for him. Honestly, my interest took a nosedive once Michael Johns and Carly Smithson got booted. They really deserved to be in the final.

There was something else I was going to mention here, but I can't remember what it is. Oh well. Guess I better get used to it. I'm not getting any younger.

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Penultimate Idol and Fall TV

Ok, Idol has gotten a bit boring now that Michael Johns and Carly Smithson are out. The votes have proven time and again that it is less a singing talent competition than it is a teenage popularity contest. I'm sure the same will hold true this week as we narrow down to the final two contestants. David Archuleta demonstrated why, especially with the field narrowed as it is, that he will be in the finals and, most likely, win the whole thing. The only thing that may hurt him is backlash about his stage dad getting barred from backstage for meddling. I doubt it will have a significant effect, though. Syesha performed very well and looked fantastic. I do think she thinks a bit much of herself, though, and I don't think people like her personally, no matter how she sings. I disagree with Randy, though, about her lack of a defining performance. She had it three weeks ago on Andrew Lloyd Webber week when she sang One Rock & Roll Too Many. It showed exactly what her performance of Fever showed last night - she belongs on a live stage doing musical theater, not in a studio recording a pop song. When the show and the tour are over, she'll have a fine career for herself on stage, probably on Broadway. David Cook did his typical Cook performance. He also thinks a bit much of himself, but people like him. I personally don't care too much for him, but I seem to be in the minority. He completely tanked the 2nd song last night, and it was a terrible song choice (Dare You to Move by Switchfoot?). He did better with Aerosmith on his 3rd song, but not well enough to win the night, as Simon claimed. Based on performance quality, it should be Archuleta and Syesha going on to next week. But based on popularity I think Syesha will go home and Cook will be in the final.

In other news, post-strike Fall TV schedules are being released by the networks. Moonlight, New Amsterdam, Bionic Woman and Journeyman are all getting the boot. Former on-the-bubble shows Reaper, Sarah Connor Chronicles and Supernatural got picked up. No surprise that Chuck, Lost, 24, Idol and Pushing Daisies will be back. Most of them had gotten pick-ups pre strike. Not too many new series that have grabbed my attention so far. Looking forward to Dollhouse and Fringe, by Joss Whedon and JJ Abrams, respectively. Of course, they're on Fox, so they'll probably show the first 4 episodes out of order, then yank it. And, naturally, these are only the shows that I care about. That's about it.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Pot Candy, Idol and Iron Man

Ok, this story is mildly amusing. I didn't even know that "they" made candy that tasted like pot, but it doesn't surprise me. It doesn't surprise me that someone wants to ban its sale, at least to minors. What does surprise me is the name of the state senator who introduced the bill - Doug Stoner! Too funny! I think if I were him, I would work a deal with another legislator, "You intro my bill, and I'll intro yours." I can't believe he was even taken seriously enough to get this bill passed.

Idol was a mess last night for Rock & Roll Hall o' Fame night. In the first round, the mics were turned up too loud, and you couldn't hear the music or background singers on any of the selections, until, guess who? David Archuleta! Far be it from me to promote any conspiracy theories, but come on... Anyway, Cook started the night with Hungry Like the Wolf. Just didn't do it for me. Then came Syesha with her Tina Turner impression on Proud Mary. Vocals were pretty good, and she looked good, but just seemed like she was trying to hard to be Tina. And she's not. Jason followed with I Shot the Sheriff. This should have been a gimme, but it was all over the place. I don't know how different it would have been if we could have heard the background singers, but it just didn't seem right. Archuleta followed with probably the best performance of the night (shocker) with Stand By Me. I thought he would hyperventilate while Ryan was giving out the #s. Second round started with Cook singing Baba O'Riley. Shocker, I thought it was just OK, judges loved it. Syesha's 2nd was A Change is Gonna Come. Again, technically good, but not a great emotional connect with the audience, despite the total breakdown after Paula's critique. Jason missed the boat and a whole line of the lyrics with Mr. Tambourine Man. I think he's just gotten to the point in the competition where he's out of his league, and he can't keep up. Archuleta finished the night with Love Me Tender. It was fine, but not as good as his 1st. My prediction? I'm going for the upset. Despite Jason practically standing up and begging to be sent home (and he should be after last night), I'm guessing Syesha will go home tonight.

Finally, Iron Man ROCKS!! It kicks ass! Great story, great actors (of the 4 main parts - 3 Oscar nominees and 1 winner), great f/x! I could go on for pages about how cool it is, and how many easter eggs are in there for the fanboys, yet it is perfectly accessible for casual viewers etc etc etc. Suffice it to say the movie is great. Go out and see it!