American Idol - Brooke White Goes Home April 30th

Paula Hears Double on Neil Diamond Night April 29th

Tonight's show was abysmal. There wasn't one good performance and I can't believe Brooke White slaughtered I'm a Believer, the only song I was looking forward to hearing.

Thank goodness for the oddly perplexed and slightly disheveled Paula Abdul providing a bit of comic relief. It's a pity that her confusion came while she was critiquing Jason Castro, because that poor guy doesn't know what's going on in the first place, so he was probably thinking "whoa, I sang twice already?"

Tom Bergeron and the Perils of Paula's Panties

Watch out Tom Bergeron, there may be a pair of Paula Abdul's panties headed your way. Really, I wouldn't make this up - I hate the word "panties".

Paula Abdul is toying with the idea of becoming a contestant on Dancing With the Stars. The television program is on ABC and American Idol is on Fox television and the two shows share the same Tuesday night time slot, however the studios are close enough that.... well, I'll let Paula say it:

“What are the odds that two of my favorite shows are so close to each other?" Paula asks. "I can throw my panties at Tom Bergeron!"

You can read the rest of OK! Magazine's interview with Paula here.

Carly Smithson Goes Home - American Idol April 23rd

Carly Smithson's number was up tonight. Her performance last night was a good one and her exit from the American Idol stage was done with class.

American Idol Elimination April 23rd - Who Got Voted Off?

Was it Sayesha Mercado, Jason Castro, Brooke White, David Cook, David Archuleta or Carly Smithson? If you really have to know right now you can go check out the results here.

We're still waiting on the west coast, so I'll be updating later.

Andrew Lloyd Webber Night on American Idol April 22nd

Okay, this one was fun! I really enjoyed the show tonight, the highlight for me being Sir Andrew's interaction with Jason Castro. “Originally this song was sung by an ancient glamor puss” Sir Andrew explained to Jason. Andrew Lloyd Webber never imagined he would see a man with dreadlocks singing the song Memory. It gave him a bit of a jolt, he told us in that ever-so-proper British way. Jason said he didn't know the song was sung by a cat. I thought it was hilarious. Jason doesn't do so well with conversation, but he does have a certain something when he sings. It might not have been the best performance, but it was the first time I've enjoyed the song Memory as much and felt touched by the gentle delivery of the number.



Cringeworthy moment of the evening was Brooke White. With full musical backup, she lost the lyric and had to stop and then start again. It's not a first for her. Why do I get the feeling she does it on purpose? Maybe it's hard for me to believe she is really as sweet as she portrays herself or maybe it's how collected she appears to be when it happens. She never seemed to get past that little snafu and the number was disappointing.

I thought Paula seemed a little altered tonight. Can you imagine? She slurred a little and when Simon said that he felt the contestants needed to be memorable, it sounded like she muttered something about them having lots of memories, but I couldn't be sure. She sure does ramble on about things. She told David Cook he had a beautiful instrument and I was really glad her Chihuahuas didn't want to jump on stage and join it – Paula's Chihuahuas were the kiss of death for Michael Johns.

Sayesha Mercado really stood out tonight, but my favorite performance was Carly Smithson. I've just never really been a fan of Carly's, but I kept waiting for someone to do something from Webber's Rock Opera, Jesus Christ - Superstar. She livened the show up and it was, in my opinion, the best thing she's ever done on American Idol.

I'm still waiting for that breakout performance from David Archuleta. I've already forgotten what he sung tonight.

David Cook did the one song I hoped no one would do – Music of the Night. What was he thinking? It was nauseating. He had so many other songs to choose from and this was just not his style. Very disappointing.

Andrew Lloyd Webber himself was a kick. Sometimes I just love the British.

Jordin Sparks Vocal Cords in Trouble

There's all kinds of news out there about Jordin Sparks. She has had to cancel appearances, including the Alicia Keys tour. Some reports say that she has acute vocal cord hemorrhage and will be fine after taking time to heal, some reports say the 18 year old may never sing again.

The poor girl has most likely been singing non-stop since winning the American Idol title almost a year ago and most likely just needs a little rest and relaxation. No news about her condition on her official website as of this writing.

Update 4/29/08 - Jordin says her voice is almost healed. Check out her exclusive interview with MTV

Claudette Yamin - Elliott's Biggest Fan Passes On

One of the better people to come out of American Idol, is Elliott Yamin. The odds had always been stacked against Elliott, and so it was good to see someone other than the throng of self entitled youngsters that crowd the auditions. Elliott seems to be humble and rare. It would appear that his mother raised him right.

Mrs. Yamin was a presence on Season 5 of American Idol where she proudly watched her son make it to the final three. It was always a joy to see the enthusiasm with which she cheered her boy on.

Elliott performed on Wednesday night's American Idol and delivered the sad news that his Mom had passed away on March 31st, 2008 at the age of 65.

For more on Mrs. Yamin and her passing check out the story at MSNBC.

Todd Smithson - The Illustrated Man

Finally, a picture of Todd Smithson, Carly's husband who we never really get a clear view of when they show him in the American Idol audience. He's always in the shadows.

Todd and Carly own Nothing Sacred, a Tattoo parlor in San Diego and are both into the ink.

He looks like a nice looking guy that spent some serious bonding time with the Maori.

For more about Todd's presence and lack of presence in the American Idol audience, check out the National Ledger.

American Idol April 16th - Kristy Lee Cook Goes Home

Finally! I still can't believe she made it into the top ten, but I don't think she can either and I have to give the girl credit for making an impressive exit. Sitting on edge of the judges table, singing directly to Simon Cowell, the man she once vowed to blow out of his socks, she sang the opening to Forever and then completed the song on stage.

Mariah Carey performed one of her drippy, indulgent, all-sound-the-same songs from her new CD which she plugged shamelessly. She must really need the money.

And who is responsible for those dreadful group numbers? I feel for the likes of Carly Smithson and David Cook when they have to participate in something so completely uncool. No one likes the group stuff - well, perhaps fans of the Lawrence Welk show.

For more of a recap of last night's American Idol go here. Here is Kristy Lee Cook's elimination and exit performance:

American Idol April 15th - A Weird Beach Luau

A weird beach Luau where there were no buns for the hamburgers, or perhaps no onions and pickles. Or maybe someone just forgot the condements. So went some of the banter between the judges and Ryan Seacrest on American Idol.

It was Mariah Carey night last night, or in my case, Nails on a Chalkboard night. I just don't like Mariah Carey or her particular style of overindulgent singing or her overexposed cleavage, which is looking rather unnatural these days.

I suppose tonight we'll have to suffer through a Mariah Carey performance, since she is busy promoting her new CD.

You can find a detailed recap of last night's performances over at MTV.

American Idol Elimination April 10th - Michael Johns Goes Home

Even Paula's eager Chihuahuas couldn't save him. And Kristy Lee Cook wasn't even in the bottom three!

Here is Michael's final American Idol performance:

American Idol Gives Back - April 9th

Want a minute by minute recap of the entire show? Go check it out over at It Happened Last Night.

If you want to see a replay of Teri Hatcher singing Before He Cheats, featuring Jesse Spencer on electric violin, click here.

David and Victoria Beckham sure are mean looking people. I guess smiling wouldn't have been appropriate for the topic, but do they ever look happy? And what was with the round bandage under Kobe Bryant's eye?

Favorite line from last night's show, delivered by Ben Stiller: "some of you may be saying, hey, I'm crazy, but isn't that what American Idol is all about? Convincing crazy people that they belong on television?"

The first joke or two about Simon's man boobs was funny, but then it seemed too much, after all it wasn't "American Idol Roasts Simon" night.

Here are the celebrities, etc., who put in appearances on American Idol Gives Back:

Gordon Brown, David Beckham, Kobe Bryant, Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Victoria Beckham, Maria Shriver, Sarah Silverman, Jim Carrey, Adam Sandler, Jimmy Kimmel, Whoopi Goldberg, David Spade, George Lopez, Eddie Izzard, Rob Schneider, Billy Crystal, Dane Cook, Robin Williams, Brad Pitt, Julianne Moore, The Rock, Cheryl Hines, Felicity Huffman, Kyra Sedgwick, Minnie Driver, Roselyn Sanchez, Selma Blair, Michael Chiklis, Amy Adams, Forest Whitaker, Jennifer Connolly, Kiefer Sutherland, Reese Witherspoon, The Jonas Brothers, Ashley Tisdale, Miley Cyrus, Vanessa Hudgens, Alicia Keys, Kylie Minogue, Toby Keith, Annie Lennox, Bono, Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion, Chris Daughtry, Elliott Yamin, Fantasia, Fergie, Gloria Estefan, Heart, John Legend, Mariah Carey, Maroon 5, Snoop Dogg, Michael Kors, Ricki Lake, Dr. Phil, Jimmy Johnson, Mary Murphy, Sheila E., John Cena, Triple H and Chris Jericho.

Did I leave anybody out?

American Idol - Jesse Spencer on the Electric Violin!

That was one star packed presentation of American Idol Gives Back tonight! A lot more fun, in between the sadness, than I had expected. Teri Hatcher and The Band from TV was entertaining. Did you catch Jesse Spencer (Dr. Chase on House M.D.) on the electric violin? Nice. Very nice. Hugh Laurie was supposed to be part of the band, but I didn't see him there. If you missed the performance or just want to see it again, here it is, right after the little skit with Teri Hatcher, James Denton and Carrie Underwood that segues into the musical number:

Idols Past: Ejay Day

Ejay Day had his lucky break when contestant Delano Cagnolati was disqualified for lying about his age, and Ejay was called back in to replace him. Ejay made it to the top nine of Season One before being eliminated, qualifying him to go on Tour with American Idol following the end of the season.

Since then he has done some songwriting and has entertained on cruise ships. Not much more to report on Ejay at this time. I watched Season One of American Idol and can't remember Ejay.

Ejay's Official Website.

Paula Abdul's Chihuahuas Respond to High Notes

Last night Paula, during her critique of Michael Johns, said "you sound as good as you look and the high notes that you hit, I think my Chihuahuas are going to come join you on stage". They would have had a devil of a time breaking free of that dress she was so tightly packed into. Although, you might remember that last year one of her Chihuahuas caused her to break her nose.

You'll have to fast forward through Michael John's performance on the video below to get to Paula's statement and my posting on the rest of the American Idol hour last night can be found below.

American Idol - No Stellar Performances

Oh, here it comes again, that feeling that I can hardly wade through another episode of American Idol. We're getting into Idol Gives Back week and although I am all for them donating some of the outrageous amount of money generated by the American Idol Machine, I'm not thrilled that they are going to subject us to seeing stars hugging those less fortunate and giving the whole thing, sad, soppy theme music.

Not one performance tonight made me glad I had tuned in, not one. Michael Johns chose Aerosmith's Dream On. Steven Tyler is the only one that can sing and scream his way effectively through that song. There's an eeriness to Steven Tyler's vocals on this number, there was just an awkwardness about Michael John's performance. But hey, he's prettier than Steven Tyler.

Then it was Syesha's turn. She learned nothing from her time on American Idol, taking on the big songs that have already been done by the big stars and her performance of I Believe was..... well, I don't actually know, I spaced out and found myself mentally elsewhere until she had wrapped it up.

Jason Castro chose to sing Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Israel Kamakawiwoʻole style. I can't hear the late Mr. Ole singing that song without the tears flowing. I expected to feel that when Jason sang the song, but, well, it was just alright for me dude.

Kristy Lee Cook. She looks like she should be at the rodeo. My mind wandered through her performance.

I guess David Cook had to break that perfect streak sometime, but I was counting on him for some real music and I don't even know what he sang. The "Give Back" written on his hand was a little bit annoying and I was quite pleased when Simon said his performance was Pompous. What was with the white jacket?

Carly Smithson took on a Freddy Mercury number, The Show Must Go On. It seemed strained, although she was dressed a hell of a lot better this week.

David Archuleta did okay. He was better earlier on, and I just keep hoping for that breakaway performance. Could be the stress and lack of sleep is keeping him down.

I thought Brooke White would do well with a Carole King number, but it was, as Simon said, just pleasant.

I can't think of any performance worth seeing again, so here is Steven Tyler doing Dream On:

Paula Abdul - Straight Up

Another Paula Abdul flashback. This is what she was doing while most of current American Idol Contestants were learning to walk, or waiting to be born:

Dolly, Jesus, Gravity and Buh-Bye Ramiele Mulaby

I'm hard pressed to remember much about American Idol last night, because while I stared, aghast at Dolly Parton, and the peculiar get-up she was wearing my mother said "can you imagine what she looks like naked?". I have to say, before that moment in time, I had never, ever, not once, tried to picture Dolly Parton naked. Mum went on to explain herself "well, she's had those bottom ribs removed and she's got those big breasts over an abnormally small waist - if you took away the wig, the fake eyelashes, the makeup and the clothes and high-heels she'd be a pretty strange looking person". I'm still not over what that has done to my mind's eye, but I had to admit she had a point. I think Dolly Parton is a very sweet person, but she's definitely gone into some strange territory with her looks.

She sang, or rather yelled out, Jesus and Gravity from her new album Backwoods Barbie. The performance was horrible, full of "Jesuses" and followed by some "hallelujahs", which I somehow noticed while trying not to picture her naked:



Oh yes, and then Ramiele was voted off. She has never really delivered a breakaway performance to make her stand out as more than just another talented singer. She cried, of course, but she pulled it together and sung her farewell performance. Next week, I'm hoping it will finally be Kristy Lee Cook who gets the boot.

American Idol - Dolly Parton Week

Dolly looks good, in a scary way.

Simon has a problem with songs named after birds. He takes them a little too literally. First he was disturbed by Carly's performance of Blackbird Singing and picturing all the contestants as broken birds, now he's complimenting David Cook for making a song about a sparrow interesting. You know, Simon, the songs are not really about birds.

Simon says Carly needs to have a word with whoever is dressing her. I couldn't agree more. She's dressed like a sack of potatoes week after week. She's got this tattooed bod and wears what looks like home-sewn-frump-wear. Part housewife, part rock goth chick. Actually, looking at this picture of Carly in the audition process, she was dressing like a sack of potatoes before she was on Idol. Even with that great voice or hers, the star quality just is not there.

Ramiele Mulaby needs to go. Shes extremely dull and dresses like a school girl.

Jason Castro didn't pick the best song and so he didn't shine this week.

Everyone else did okay. I don't know why Syesha took on a song that was done and retired by Whitney Houston, but she did anyway and should not have been surprised by Simon telling her it paled by comparison.

Is it over yet? Yawn. I wish they were booting them off four at a time. We'd be done by now. I felt the show was really lacking without Chikezie.