Blog Over Troubled Water

Monday, April 26, 2004

A Quickie

Surviving just fine as we are on Day 3 of the parents' visit to AZ. Though I have to say since I play "host" so infrequently, I forget how much energy it takes to try and keep the contentment level high high high! Sure we have had a misstep or two ("dog slobbering on dad's pants" or this morning's "dog runs off with mom's eyeglass case") but nothing that has not been recoverable and forgettable in a short period of time. My parents are still on East Coast time, so let's just say it has been a couple of early mornings!

Looking forward to tomorrow when we hit the road (before 6am I am told by the units) to Las Vegas...a chance to relax a bit and not worry about keeping so many balls up in the air (it won't be in our house, so I can't be responsible for all that much that goes on!)... but more so to get away from work and out of the house (i.e my workplace) for a bit... and best yet Todd is going to be flying up to join us on Wednesday night... so hopefully it will be a good getaway for all of us!

So American Idol and Survivor and all the rest of TV will just go by without me... hopefully TiVo will preserve everything to catch up on after next weekend (though I am more concerned about the cable box, which likes to turn itself off every so often, more than good 'ole TiVo).

Guess that is all for now... I should clean up a few last work things... maybe get packing for the trip and keep everyone in good spirits in the mean time. Have a good week... probably back blogging on May 3rd (if I am not buried in work or in the insane asylum)!

- posted by Ed | 4/26/2004 10:13:00 AM | | Link

Friday, April 23, 2004

Hello! Goodbye!

No, don't worry I am not leaving blogger-ville. It seems like it is the latest trend, but since I was behind the curve in starting to blog... I don't think I will be dropping out any time soon.

My parents arrive in about 15 hours and today has been nothing short of hectic. My job is not exactly brain surgery...but the way people have acted since I told them I was going to be on vacation has made me feel like I am leaving them on the operating room table with the skull cracked wide open! I guess I should be glad that my clients need me...but I just wish they would have needed me a little less today...or yesterday... or Monday (when I will still be cleaning up some final things)!

The house -- the physical one we live in and mental one I only inhabit -- is not quite ready. I am sure the house will come together quickly, but I think it really won't hit me that they are actually going to be here until I head to the airport tomorrow morning.

It should be a busy and fun week... a trip to the Old Pueblo (that's Tucson to you!) on Sunday, Dbacks vs. Cubs MLB game on Monday....and then off to Las Vegas for the rest of the week.

I am sure I will have many a tale to tell once I get back, so stay tuned...and don't drop those bookmarks or links just yet....I'll be back... .promise!

- posted by Ed | 4/23/2004 05:05:00 PM | | Link

Thursday, April 22, 2004

Idol Week 6 Results: Looks Like We Made It.... NOT!

Well, well, well.. the powers-that-be at American Idol sure are sadists, huh? As a reality show maven, I should have known something was rotten in Hollywood when the Divas faced off against the Wannabes. Poor George, he probably had some 'splaining to do when he got back to the Idol house picking the wrong "safe" group... probably not though, as the "Group B" contestants seemed as surprised as anyone else that they are back for another week.

Last night's results do not bode well for the future of Idol. While I didn't think Jennifer would make it to the final weeks, she surely deserved to remain for at least a few more weeks (especially after her two recent stellar performances). Given what we have seen in the past, I now suspect that the finals will not include either Fantasia or LaToya. Both have landed outside the top 3 a couple of times now (LaToya a previous bottom 3 finish and Fantasia in the middle grouping, so at least 4th, in the week JPL left).

There is a greater force out there. Teenage girls really attracted to John Stevens or relating to Diana? The state of Hawaii rallying around Jasmine? Love of the underdog? Or dare I even suggest the race card?

I think something can be said of the voting process as well. If households were limited to one vote or if there was a nominal charge for voting (perhaps w/ the proceeds donated to music programs in the schools) I have a feeling we would see different result results. But I don't think Fox/Idol will buy into that as they love bragging about the millions of votes cast each week.

We'll see if things return to normal next week...though I will have to find out after the fact. I am out of town next week, so no Idol (or blog) updates for two weeks. But after last night's results, I think I need a break!

- posted by Ed | 4/22/2004 08:26:00 AM | | Link

Wednesday, April 21, 2004

American Idol Week 6: Ready To Take A Chance Again?

Under the fog of decongestant/antihistamine I really don't have all that much to say about Barry Manilow night on American Idol...all the usual suspects did their
thang...so unless their is a surprise (which there very well could be) I think we are going to be coasting for a couple more weeks.

Diana DeGarmo had a shaky start on "One Voice," but she pulled it out in the end with her now trademark never-ending note. But as Tarantino said last week...so what?! Now that we are down to 7, it is just a matter of time.

George Huff has fallen off the wagon the last couple of weeks... I thought last night's performance was all over the place (stuttery)...like Diana he finished well, but I think he has lost his Top 3 status to...

Jennifer Hudson who has really been coming on strong the last few weeks... she has seemed to find the right combination of songs that suit her voice and personality. Granted she turned a fairly sedate Manilow song into something you think Patti LaBelle may have sung.

Thought Jasmine Trias gave her best performance in a few weeks... that said she still is no competition to the Diva Trio. Just treading water at this point.

As Simon said LaToya London has the best voice of the competition...my only quibble is that her song choice/style seems to be getting predictable...quiet start that slowly builds to a big-voice finish. But what a beautiful, big voice it is.

I have to admit that I didn't hate John Stevens' take on "Mandy"...which, as you know, is the highest praise I tend to give to Stevens. I agree with the judges though...he started out well but the "emoting" got worse towards the finish. Still nothing to save him for what should be a bottom 3 finish.

It was not my favorite Fantasia Barrino performance...but you gotta admit she is a natural entertainer.

- posted by Ed | 4/21/2004 08:20:00 AM | | Link

Tuesday, April 20, 2004

Searching for Nudity

Am a little out of it today... dealing with a nose/ear/throat thing that I picked up over the weekend...hopefully I will recover in time for my parent's arrival on Saturday since I must be close to 100% healthy to do all the things I planned for them!

Not feeling terribly original in the blog department today....so I thought I would just take a little survey of the most popular folks who people are searching for either "nude" or "naked" and the less popular (but still titillating) "gay"...

Here are the results from the past month (with number of hits in parentheses):

Naked/Nude Hit List:
Star of NBC's Las Vegas - Josh Duhamel (21)
Oprah interior designer - Nate Berkus (5)
Trading Spaces carpenter - Carter Oosterhouse (5)
Boy Meets Boy leading man - James Getzlaff (2)
Idol Contestants - Jasmine Trias (2), Diana DeGarmo (1), Jon Peter Lewis (1), Katie Webber (1)
Buxom County Music Legend - Dolly Parton (1)
Survivor All-Star - Shii Ann (1)
Law & Order/Oz Stud - Chris Meloni (1)
Sopranos Star - Edie Falco (1)
Queer Eye Guy - Kyan Douglas (1)
Queer Eye Straight Guy/Ice Skater - John Zimmerman (1)
Singer/Reality Star - Nick Lachey (1)

Gay Hit List:
From above: Nate (6), Josh (4), Carter (2)
Idol Contestants: George Huff (4), Matt Rogers (4), Briana Ramirez-Rial (3), Marisa Joy (2), Jon Peter Lewis (1), Marque Lynche (1), Fantasia Barrino (1)

- posted by Ed | 4/20/2004 11:58:00 AM | | Link

Monday, April 19, 2004

Free Willy

Thanks to the Beaverhausen Blog for making my Monday a little brighter with the links to these pix...

Prince William has taken up water polo! And no sir, not with those aerodynamic full-body swimsuits that are the rage these days among competitive swimmers...folks, we have speedo!

So here are some links... which a) make me feel 49% dirty man for actually remembering when he was a baby and b) 51% for making me feel... ummm... something else...

Will in the pool
Out of the pool...holding the ball
Full frontal speedo
The Royal Bum...almost


- posted by Ed | 4/19/2004 09:38:00 AM | | Link

Dumb Blonde (And Some Hairspray)

The weekend was filled with preparations for my parents' visit this coming Saturday (eek!). House cleaning, yard work, old furniture removal...and of course, self-cleaning!

Since we got hair clippers this past Christmas, I have been cutting my own hair (with some help from Todd)... given that my hair cut is fairly uncomplicated it has worked out fairly well. I certainly don't miss my friends over at SuperCuts. Usually during the warmer months, I throw some blonde into my brown locks (as well as the grays that are increasingly creeping in). So I decided it was time to freshen up my hair color for my parents' visit as well. In the past, the hair coloring has never been dramatic - in fact, the last time I did it I hardly noticed any difference.

I guess you know where this is going? After rinsing, shampooing, conditioning, and drying on Saturday night my hair was completely and utterly blond. Well almost, some signs of my original brown remained...but for the most part it was/is shockingly yellow! If my parents arriving in six days, I probably would just live with it - but I think it is way too much for them to handle (it is borderline too much for me to handle)! So on Sunday I bought some light brown hair color in hopes of getting it back to my more natural tones. I have yet to do it... I am fearful of what two dye jobs in such a short period of time will do...but I know I should do it in the next day or so...so I have at least a couple of days to move onto "Plan C" if this fix fails. Granted I don't know what Plan C is at the moment! Wish me luck! I think it is pretty funny, but I definitely am feeling like a dumb blonde at the moment!
********************************************
We went to see Hairspray on Friday night...it was really a fun show, even
though tries tackles the "serious" issue of racial integration (it takes place in 1962) as well as weight discrimination. Echoing those review blurbs, I would say the show is "Infectious!" and "Joyful!" Keala Settle who played Tracy was simply wonderful... spunky, lovable and charismatic and what a voice (take that you American Idol wanna-bes). Bruce Vilanch as Mom Edna was great too... obviously this role is not meant for comedy and not singing ability...Vilanch made for one ugly, overweight woman (which, I believe, is totally the point!).

I think I have seen something like 50+ different musicals in my lifetime...and I have to say that 80% of the newer shows are crap...so it was nice to see one that bucked the trend. I don't know if I would call Hairspray "great" -- but it was definitely not crappy...and that easily puts in my recommend column if the show rolls into your town or if you are headed to the Great White Way.

- posted by Ed | 4/19/2004 09:09:00 AM | | Link

Friday, April 16, 2004

Drag Racing

Life can be a drag sometimes...

Tonight we are off to see Hairspray the latest show this season in our Broadway Across America series. It was one of the shows I was looking forward to this season. I remember enjoying the movie and have heard barely a bad thing about its Broadway musical incarnation. Comedy writer/Advocate columnist/Hollywood Squares regular, Bruce Vilanch, is filling the dress as Edna Turnblad in the touring production. I am sure he is no Harvey Fierstein...but I have no means for comparison...so I am sure Bruce will be fine

I would like to see Connie & Carla this weekend (not sure it is going to happen since my parents arrive next weekend and there seems like a lot to do). I have seen commercials where they have the two are singing a variety of showtunes while doing their Victor/Victoria (woman pretending to be a man pretending to be woman) thing... and it looks like it could be fun. Nia Vardalos pretty much said she wrote scenes in to just include her favorite Broadway music....considering her choice of leading men (John Corbett in "Greek" and David Duchovny here), maybe Nia really is a gay male trapped in the body of a woman!

And yet one more note.... on Friendster, I was curious to see how many of my 3000+ "friends" live in Arizona -- only 11, including 3 drag queens! Their hometown city does not actually exist but the trio (masquerading as Celine Dion, Tina Turner, and Bette Davis) for some reason decided to plant themselves, at least cyber-ly, in Arizona.

- posted by Ed | 4/16/2004 01:53:00 PM | | Link

Idol Week 5 Results: For JPL It's Return To Sender

I can not say that this season's American Idol has been predictable. Looks like we have quite fickle voters ... after two weeks of truly awful performances JPL last week lands in the middle group of votes (with Fantasia no less)... and this week he returns to his Elvis roots that won him the audience wildcard vote and gets voted off! I thought for sure Diana was a goner... then when she was "saved" I salivated over the possibility of losing the crooner... so even though I was never a big JPL fan, I was still surprised to see him go.

Since my predictions have been sooo good thus far... I think it is time for me to predict the new American Idol.... Mr. John Stevens!

- posted by Ed | 4/16/2004 08:50:00 AM | | Link

Thursday, April 15, 2004

American Idol Week 5: Movie Night

Down to the elite 8 on American Idol and, if we are going by singing ability, the show still seems to be steamrolling to a Fantasia vs. LaToya showdown. A month into the main competition it is hard not to sound like a broken record at this point...but nevertheless here's my quick take on "Movie Night" (in order of performance):

I agree with the judges that last night was not one of George Huff's best, but I'd still put him in 4th place or so among last night's contestants.

Jennifer Hudson is back on the move...and in an upward fashion. I knew we could not get through the night without a selection from "The Bodyguard" ... but have to say that J-Hud more than adequately competed with the Whitney version...not an easy thing to do.

Ok it was back to drunk frat boy kaoroke for Jon Peter Lewis. He pulled out the Elvis card again... I thought it was shouty, largely incompreshensible, and showed off no singing ability -- so in other words... see you next week.

Diana DeGarmo continues to crash and burn. I thought she had a chance to show off her ability to "belt" with "My Heart Will Go On"...but it was pretty rough and, unlike Jennifer, did not approach the Celine version we all know (like it or not) so well. I suspect the song title might take on an ominous tone tonight.

Most contestants come out on stage and sing a song...Fantasia Barrino comes out and performs them. While the judges' praises were a bit over the top it was still an amazing performance... after finding herself in the middle of the pack last week...Fantasia knows she has to buckle down and she did it last night.

Jasmine Trias will probably be joining Diana in the bottom 3 tonight... her "When I Fall In Love" was pretty patchy. I agree with Simon's assessment that her vocal ability is lounge singer quality... I enjoy lounge singers...but she is out of her league here.

I don't know what more to say about John Stevens. Good song choice...but I still think he sounds shallow when holding notes...and the finger snapping is annoying. The Rat Pack was hip/cool and John is anything but... Simon said he had no charisma...I disagree he has negative charisma.

LaToya London once again was awesome... according to Paula Abdul on "Entertainment Tonight" apparently Quentin Tarantino originally said she was a "F&ckin' Power House," but Fox was even too scared to just bleep it...so they had to go back and re-film the judges comments after the show.

Again I am torn between LaToya and Fantasia...but I'll give the evening to Fantasia by a nose. I suspect Diana will be leaving tonight (joined by Jasmine...and perhaps John Stevens?)

One more note...Quentin Tarantino...best guest judge ever. Unpredictable, not afraid to speak the truth and obviously a fan of the show.

- posted by Ed | 4/15/2004 07:29:00 AM | | Link

Wednesday, April 14, 2004

Gym Music

Since there was no American Idol on last night (though I did see this one guy do quite a bit of dancing), I thought I would still keep today's blog entry music oriented. I have been to the gym 2 times in the past 4 days (quite the record of late)...and my workout would not be complete with my MP3 player.

With a little hesitation, I thought it would be interesting to disclose the songs that I work out to. My fear was that it would be "too gay"...but then it crossed my mind that I should have thought of that before I started blogging! But let's face it - gay-cons like Cher and Madonna are good workout music material...

So here's the current playlist... I hit shuffle and jotted them down:

"Get Down Tonight" - KC and the Sunshine Band
"The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)" - Cher
"Whenever, Whereever" - Shakira
"Vogue" - Madonna
"My Love Don't Cost A Thing" - JLo
"Rock Your Body" - Justin Timberlake
"It's My Life" - Bon Jovi
"Got To Be Real" - Cheryl Lynn
"The Rising" - Bruce Springsteen
"I'm Gonna Get You Good" - Shania Twain
"Midnight Train to Georgia" - Gladys Knight & The Pips
"Sweet Dreams" - Eurythmics
"Don't Tell Me" - Madonna
"Walking on Broken Glass" - Annie Lennox
"Half Breed" - Cher
"Why Can't I?" - Liz Phair
"Believe" - Cher
"Intuition" - Jewel
"Everywhere" - Michelle Branch
"Missionary Man" - Eurythmics
"Long Time Gone" - Dixie Chicks
"I Drove All Night" - Celine Dion
"Sledgehammer" - Peter Gabriel
"One Week" - Bare Naked Ladies
"If I Wanted To" - Melissa Etheridge
"This Kiss" - Faith Hill
"Kiss" - Prince
"Up" - Shania Twain
"Deeper and Deeper" - Madonna
"Smooth" - Santana w/ Rob Thomas
"All Things Just Keep Getting Better" - Wide Life
"Crazy in Love" - Beyonce
"Into the Groove" - Madonna
"Come to my Window" - Melissa Etheridge
"Drops of Jupiter" - Train
"3 AM" - Matchbox 20
"Strong Enough" - Cher
"Even Better Than The Real Thing" - U2
"That Don't Impress Me Much" - Shania Twain
"River of Dreams" - Billy Joel
"Suspicious Minds" - Dwight Yoakum
"Fighter" - Christina Aguilera
"Soak Up The Sun" - Sheryl Crow
"Walking on Sunshine" - Katrina & The Waves
"Breathe" - Michelle Branch
"Keep Your Hands To Yourself" - Georgia Satellites
"Pavement Cracks (MacQuayle Mix)" - Annie Lennox
"Hard to Handle" - Black Crowes
"Always On My Mind" - Pet Shop Boys
"Hey Leonardo (She Likes Me For Me)" - Blessed Union of Souls
"Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves" - Cher
"Elevation" - U2
"Can't Get You Out of My Head" - Kylie Minogue
"Lady Marmalade" - Moulin Rouge soundtrack
"One Last Breath (Six Feet From The Edge)" - Creed
"Maria" - Ricky Martin
"Steve McQueen" - Sheryl Crow

Pretty darn eclectic I think... spanning musical genres and the past three decades!

What's your favorite music to workout to? I am always looking for new stuff to add into the mix.

- posted by Ed | 4/14/2004 09:29:00 AM | | Link

Tuesday, April 13, 2004

Bush Outfoxes "Idol" & "24"

Just a heads-up that the Bush press-conference tonight led Fox to move both American Idol and 24 off the air tonight. I know Bush needs to fix things in the eyes of the American public but couldn't he have done it on another night... say pre-empt Hope & Faith on Friday?!

But for those watching tonight... Idol viewers keep in mind that you are voting to keep in your favorite... so when Mr. Smirky shows up on your TV don't be surprised if he is "a little pitchy" when explaining that "Bin Laden Determined To Strike in U.S." thing and no matter that things in Iraq are not as "Aiiii-ght" as he'll try to make it sound.

For 24 viewers, let's just pray that the phrase "The Sky is Falling" is not uttered at any point during the press conference.

TiVos have not updated yet -- so keep in mind that tonight's Idol is moved to tomorrow (results show Thursday) and 24 will air Sunday night.

- posted by Ed | 4/13/2004 11:22:00 AM | | Link

Monday, April 12, 2004

The Beat Goes On...

Pretty much swimming in work here...but when has that stopped me from blogging!

Just thought I had to do a little commentary on The Nick & Jessica Variety Hour. I totally enjoyed it and thought it was a pretty wicked tongue-in-cheek tribute to The Sonny and Cher Show...right down to the "I Got You Babe" closing duet.

But I am kind of wondering how many people really got it (and I may include Ms. Simpson in that as well...though my gut tells me she is far more shrewd than she lets on)? Highly doubtful that they current MTV-generation (and fans of Newlyweds) remembers Sonny & Cher... or that those who do remember S&C even know who N&J are (or more importantly care)?! I am probably in that slim overlap group in this Variety Show Venn Diagram...folks age 35-45... maybe slip in parents of children who are obsessed with N&J (if an obsession exists?). Nonetheless it was the most watched show Sunday evening... so I am sure the ratings-deprived execs over at ABC are already abuzz about another outing...which I really do not think would work in the long run...

Kudos to Nick for playing second fiddle in general with Jessica (a duet with a car? the fact that if you search for "Nick Lachey" on TiVo it did NOT find the Variety Show!). Though they are still all lovey-dovey ... I hope their marriage does not result in the usual train wreck of 90% of "entertainment" couples where one spouse overshadows the other.

- posted by Ed | 4/12/2004 03:05:00 PM | | Link

Friday, April 09, 2004

I've Been Googled: Edition III

It has been a craaazy week: 3 MLB baseball games (Spring Training last Saturday, Opening Day on Tuesday, and another one tonite), the house getting painted (looks great and, now that it is done, absolutely needed it), the busiest work week in awhile, and, in general, anxiety steadily building over my parent's arrival in two weeks from tomorrow... my brain is pretty much flat-lining at the moment!

So without much of an original thought in my head (well, except maybe a little discourse about karma and Lex from Survivor) what better to pull out the blogger hat but another edition of I've Been Googled! I believe we are up to Chapter 3 in this wacky review of what people think will be answered by clicking onto a link to this very site:

AOL Web Search Results for: "Serious Jai Rodriguez Fan Fiction"
The questions surrounding this one abound! Are these fictional (perhaps sexual...wink, wink) fantasies about Queer Eye's "culture vulture"? What is "serious"...Jai, the fan, or the fiction? Why my site? Oh yes, I used each of those words in one month's time... these are Internet searches after all!

Google Search: Carrie's dress in penultimate episode season 6 sex in the city
Ok, I remember the dress. Remember it was the huge, flowy one that Carrie wore in Paris and fell asleep in after waiting all night for the Russian? But I am more impressed that there is someone else out there who pulls out their SAT dictionary and comes up with (and expects to find a search hit on) a word like "penultimate."

Google Suche: biggest bloop-bloops movie
I am hoping this is just some kind of language barrier... note the "suche" and not a "search." Or it could be that I am not up on hot new phraseology...is "bloop-bloops" some distance cousin of "bling-bling"? In case you are wondering, I did actually write the phrase "bloop-bloop" in this blog...but I was just trying to describe the sound TiVo makes when you fast-forward.

Google Search: gracin "goin down" video
I know what this is really about...someone looking for a video of Season 2 American Idol contest Josh Gracin performing the Garth Brooks hit "Ain't Goin' Down Until The Sun Comes Up"...but this search sounds more like the singing Marine is involved in some "don't ask/don't tell" porno movie.

Google Search: "josh duhamel" nude coffee table
Oh the images going through my head!! Can it be on my coffee table? Anyways, this person left out the most important word...coffee table book. Hopefully, the Googler saw my new link to my F.A.G. list which notes the book where Joshie is featured in. Also, added some new pix links in my Josh section (including one of him in a speedo).

Have a good weekend!
- posted by Ed | 4/09/2004 10:44:00 AM | | Link

Thursday, April 08, 2004

Idol Week 4 Results: I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues Camile

An overdue goodbye to Camile Velasco. My advice would probably be for her to keep putting herself in front of large audiences in hopes of getting over her stage fright.

But alas, the more interesting aspect of the show was not Camile's ultimate exit but putting the remaining contestants into groups of three - top, middle, and bottom vote getters. First off, I think it was a special delivery to Diana DeGarmo that her days are numbered. I have a feeling Jasmine Trias will hang for a bit... but now at least the state of Hawaii does not need to split their vote.

But which group was Top 3?
Group B: John/JPL/Fantasia or Group C: Jennifer/LaToya/George?

Given those options, I would hope that it was C...but that leaves Fantasia out. Here are my theories for why each group was top getters.

Group B: Fantasia probably deserves to win the competition - the complete package of uniqueness, voice, and personality. John/JPL apparently have rabid fan bases since despite some horrific performances they have yet to land in the bottom 3. Remember that JPL won the audience "wild card" slot. Jennifer has been a perennial bottom feeder as well as LaToya who landed their last week.

Group C: All three have far better vocals than either John or JPL. Jennifer arguably had her best performance of the competition (as well as the prime position of closing out the show). Both Jennifer and LaToya fans might have been scared by their bottom 3 finishes last week and fired up the phone lines this week. George has been one of the best and most consistent performers of the competition. There is already serious backlash swirling around Fantasia for what is deemed diva-ness/bad attitude.

So who knows...I guess we'll just have to keep on watching. Good goin' Fox!

UPDATE!: Entertainment Tonight/Yahoo is reporting Group C was the "winner" last night: "Group C, which turned out to be the highest scoring, included Jennifer Hudson, LaToya London and George Huff."

- posted by Ed | 4/08/2004 07:54:00 AM | | Link

Wednesday, April 07, 2004

American Idol Week 4: Where's the John?

I was never under the impression that Elton John was the best singer in the world (give him more nods as a writer and "entertainer"), but after last night I think I have to re-evaluate that thought. Only a couple performances really jumped off the screen in this season where apparently walking through the audience or sitting at the edge of the stage is considered "something different."

So here are my thoughts (in order of performance):

After she was done I turned to Todd and said that I thought it was the weakest showing for Fantasia Barrino thus far in the competition. After Randy and Paula bowed down before altar of "BoBo" I added "I guess I was wrong"...but then Simon uttered my words verbatim. That said, the weakest Fantasia still beats out over half of the folks left in the competition.

A pretty choppy performance of "Rocket Man" from Jon Peter Lewis. I think his voice in general is pretty flat...it is like letting air out of a balloon. But he is cute and appeals to the teenage girls I guess (I never read anything from that particular demo) so I do not expect him to land into the bottom 3...although I think he is longer overdue to be singled out on a Wednesday night.

After two pretty poor weeks, I thought Jasmine Trias was back on her game last night... sure she hit a bad note or two, but overall my ear did not detect all the pitchiness. Not a Idol-winning performance, but upper-middle rank-wise.

Sounding like a broken record re: John Stevens. He was totally out of breath - don't know if it was doing a fast-paced song or attempting to "dance." It was hard to watch (in an embarrassing way)... if he does not land in the bottom 3 my conspiracy theories will be in full flight.

Ditto Camile Velasco. "Garbled" is the word I jotted down during her performance... other than the words "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" I did not understand a single word she sang...and I am somewhat familiar with it! A no-brainer bottom 3, but at this point I would not put any $$ on it.

In my eyes George Huff easily won the night. I think he has shown the best ability to find songs that fit his voice/personality. His "Take Me To the Pilot" was about the only song that did not make me yearn for the Elton version.

Diana DeGarmo continues to stumble. Since being told she does not connect with the audience, I think the little spitfire is trying too hard to do it...and not doing a great job. The fast and choppy songs don't suit her at all...she needs songs where she can hold those notes and show off her power. While I would put others there, I think she will be bottom 3 tonite.

Was not as wow-ed with my other favorite, LaToya London, last night either. But as with Fantasia, an "off" LaToya is still pretty darn good. I am finding she is sometimes slightly off the music (singing behind)...but her ability to hold a note is impeccable.

Randy and Paula proclaimed that the "old" Jennifer Hudson was back last night. I guess they meant...big showy voice on autopilot. When J-Hud has done this I thinks she zaps out her personality (which I am still trying to determine what it is). Vocally it definitely top 3, but otherwise a little empty. Given the past voting, I would not be surprised if she was singled out again tonite.

My placements:
Top: George, LaToya, Jennifer, Fantasia
Middle: Jasmine, Diana
Bottom: JPL, Camile, John S

My bottom 3 hunch: Jennifer, Diana, Camile... Diana out.
(Hopefully I will be wrong again w/ these predictions)

- posted by Ed | 4/07/2004 07:22:00 AM | | Link

Tuesday, April 06, 2004

Where's Jack Bauer?!

The house painting is progressing...or should I say the prep work is. I feel like I am in the middle of an episode of 24... the windows are all taped up and covered with plastic (can't see out) and there is a buzz of activity and foreign voices somewhere out there.

It is as if I have or am being protected from some deadly virus. Granted I *can* get out of the house...and don't have to worry about CTU stud-ette Michelle Dessler-Almeida pumping some bullets into me... but it all still has a creepy feel to it.

- posted by Ed | 4/06/2004 11:53:00 AM | | Link

The Return of Suzy V

Just a quickie entry today... a lot going on... the house is getting painted, the dogs are already at the kennel (excuse me..."pet hotel"), going to Opening Day MLB D'backs vs. Rockies...and trying to get some (any!) work done before that...so a whole lot of craziness!

Get to see a real American Idol contestant today... remember Suzy Vulaca? She was/is our Arizona Idol who I think was robbed of a spot in the final 12 (Leah? JPL?)...well Suzy gets the honor of singing the National Anthem for the big Opening Day game.

Our Arizona Idol from last season, Rebecca Bond must be stewing! Remember Rebecca from last season...she had a Toni Braxton vibe going on but also failed to make the final 12... more so I think for rubbing the American public the wrong way when she compared herself to Aretha Franklin and Ella Fitzgerald... mighty big shoes for a youngster in her 20s!

See you tomorrow with my thoughts on tonight's American Idol...it's Elton John night ... oyyy, does that mean JPL is singing "Tiny Dancer" again?

- posted by Ed | 4/06/2004 09:12:00 AM | | Link

Monday, April 05, 2004

Coming Soon: Big Brother! The Amazing Race!! Dunkleman???

A couple of TV tidbits from Zap2It to start off the week:

'Big Brother,' 'Amazing Race' Return in July

Although I knew that two of my favorite reality shows were scheduled to be back this summer, it was still nice to read about it in print! Big Brother is the guiltiest of pleasures...while if I was forced (and it would be by force dammit!) to limit myself to one reality show it would be The Amazing Race.

There is a little crossover between the two shows this season...the "good" news is that they will be airing back-to-back on Tuesday nights (with BB getting its traditional two more airings per week)... the bad news BB4's Alison and her footballer-boyfriend Donnie will be one of the teams on TAR5. Remember finalist Alison or had you almost (like myself) managed to repress her from your memory? She was last year's runner-up but was most well known for flirting with almost every guy on the show...then running off and crying about hurting her boyfriend Donnie...but recovering quickly enough to straddle some other guy five minutes later. I know its part of the "game"...but she was still pretty annoying beyond this "strategy." I will have to come up with some of my own reality TAR "dream" teams some time.

Another site also unveiled a new feature for TAR5...which I am sure host Phil will happily define for us each week...it is called "the yield." Like the fast-forward, teams will have a one-time opportunity to delay a team that is on its heels. This should
be pretty juicy...tensions get high on this show and I can only imagine how pissed off teams will be when they are purposely delayed by the competition.


VH1 Will Test Celebs' 'Gaydar'

Is America's new favorite pastime trying to figure out who is straight or gay? Apparently so (though the producers of Playing It Straight may tell you otherwise), VH-1 entering the "game" with a twist on "To Tell The Truth" where a "celebrity" panel will grill contestants to determine their sexual preference.

Who's hosting... American Idol ex-co-host Brian Dunkleman! Yes, the very man who left (was let go?) after season one because (I believe) he did not want to be pigeon-holed as a game-show host...and thus allowed Ryan Seacrest to take over the world! But heck who knows, maybe he is on to something...before Survivor Jeff Probst's greatest claim to fame was hosting VH-1's "Rock 'n Roll Jeopardy."

- posted by Ed | 4/05/2004 09:42:00 AM | | Link

Friday, April 02, 2004

Won't You Be My Friendster?!

Let's start at the beginning.

Several months ago, I signed up on Friendster. I heard about it on some morning talk show and it sounded like a fun idea. Obviously I was not listening well enough to the story... missing the fact that the very essence of Friendster is having at least one "friend" to link up with so can ultimately have some connection to Kevin Bacon or even Ben Affleck. (Well not really, different game...same concept) Big Problem! I didn't have anyone nor could I find anyone nor could think of any of my real-life friends who were Internet-savvy enough to want to do it. So there my Friendster page sat... no picture, no profile, password forgotten....

So this past week, Ed over at Inert One starts trolling (a word I think he will happily admit to! ) for new Friendsters. I offer myself up as a Friendster candidate - realizing I have little to offer - but Ed links up and mercifully ends my Friendster dead end road. I spiffied up my profile and now I have 9 2nd-degree friends and 200+ 3rd-degrees. With my network at least now having a pulse, I go through my in-box to see if any of my friends have popped up there...and sure enough I find one of my best college friends from college, Ron, on the site...we link up...hooray!

Now, if only if the Friendster site will kick into gear... it seems like the "friends network" has been unavailable last night and today...so I can't see if I have made any further progress beyond my two brand-spanking new "first degrees."

So, if any of you regular readers of this blog are out there and wish to be my Friendster let me know and I will more than happy (dare I sound desperate and say thrilled) to add you on ... just leave me a comment and we will go from there!

- posted by Ed | 4/02/2004 11:07:00 AM | | Link

Thursday, April 01, 2004

Idol Week 3 Results: What the Funk?

Keeping is short and sweet today...

Okay, I was not attached to Amy Adams...I did not think she would last all that long...I can understand why J-Hud does not appeal to the masses...but someone... anyone...

If you voted for John Stevens or Camile Velasco please just leave me a comment that you did so I can dispel the conspiracy theories that are rocketing through my head. And, if you are so inclined, in 50 words or less please explain why you did so.

The fact that LaToya London landed in the bottom three over these two (and let's throw in JPL while we are at it) ranks as the most scandalous Idol moment since Tamyra Grey was ousted over Nikki McKibben.

- posted by Ed | 4/01/2004 08:36:00 AM | | Link