EmmaGoodEgg

My Vote This Week Goes To...

Jason Castro. Who is back from his dealer's house and he's brought along the ukelele to sing 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' on American Idol's Top 8 Performancs. Sounds like plan? You betcha.

You kinda guess he'll do well when they spare no expense with the lights.

Ps/ Michael Johns did awlright with Aerosmith's 'Dream On', but he seemed a little bored. What is up with Syesha Mercado who sang Fantasia's 'I Believe' well but is not likeable? Boo to a sullen David Cook singing a God knows what song. Carly Smithson, looking tired and angry, sings 'The Show Must Go On' by Queen. David Archuleta is cute as an angel singing a song called Angels. My fav gal Brooke's tears are getting old but she did okay with 'You've Got A Friend'.

Good Golly Miss Dolly

A Quickie on Top 10 Performances: Last week we saw the elimination of poor Chikezie, who I thought didn't deserve to get the boot even though he schmoozed through a Brian McKnight song. Kristy Lee Cook gets sympathy votes from her fellow Americans by singing "God Bless The USA" (a clever, albeit desperate, choice of song) and survives another round of elimination. Syesha sang well but is forgettable. Carly Smithson looks so much better with straight hair and whilst I love "Total Eclipse of The Heart" it reminds me of karaoke. Brooke White sang a fair version of The Police's "Every Breath You Take", and Simon is of course spot on when he says she should have stuck to the piano and done it without the band. Jason Castro is getting lazy. Ramiele Malubay shrieked her way through Heart's "Alone" and really, the cute act is starting to get old. Michael Johns rocked the house down with his Queen's medley. I am increasingly getting irritated with David Cook's "alternative" versions of songs, even IF he fesses up. And David Archuleta? Well he pretty much chose the wrong song didn't he?

This week Top 9 Performances of Miss Dolly Parton's songs, no one blipped my radar nor rocked my boat quite like Michael Johns, who sang "Its All Wrong, But Its All Right" OH SO SEXILY.

Myumyum.

When There Is Such A Thing As Too Much Beatles, Is Goth An Option?

Oh Brooke.
Brooke, Brooke, Brooke...

You were doing so well until you started getting cheesy with Here Come The Sun. I love you, you know I do, but even I cringed at the awkward twirl with the whoooh. Instead you let Syesha be the Brooke White of the night. Buck up you silly girl and well played Syesha.

I was discussing American Idol with JazzB this evening. We talked about how David Archuleta is the popular choice to win Season 7. Television Without Pity of course has the wisest thing to say about the matter:

But here's the thing: when Amanda sings, I feel like I'm in a bar; when David Cook sings, I feel like I'm in a club; when Brooke sings, I feel like I'm in an amphitheater; when Jason sings, I feel like I'm in my dealer's living room; but when David Archuleta sings, I feel like I'm watching a high school talent show. Every time. And it's a performing arts high school for gifted kids, absolutely. And he's clearly the best in the talent show, and he'll totally win and deservedly so. But if you're asking me to list the places I'd pay to be, I'd rather see Amanda at the bar, David Cook at the club, Brooke at the concert hall, and Jason at my dealer's house than go to David A.'s talent show.

Did Amanda Overmeyer deserve the boot this week? I wish lembab (damp) Kristy Lee Cook would just go already because she has sucked too many times. Amanda is, at the very least, entertaining.

I think next week's theme is gonna be ELVIS! "each contestant will sing a song from their year of birth". Bobby on the other hand is wanting a Robert Smith theme. Although I heart The Cure, somehow I don't see any of the Idol contestants singing "Killing An Arab"...

The Beatles On Idol

[A bit late but I've been a busy bee...]

Its hard not to enjoy the American Idol Top 12 Performance Show when the theme is 'John Lennon & Paul McCartney Song Book'. That's two of the 4 members of The Beatles for those who have been living under a rock. Perhaps it's easy being less judgmental about the contestants singing techniques when one is singing along to the songs. I for one, love The Beatles and pretty much know all the songs. Although admittedly I was introduced to The Beatles through Stars On 45 who did a medley of their songs. A google on Stars On 45 led to a Wikipedia entry which had a little trivia on the studio band from Holland:

It is (to date) the longest titled song to ever chart in Billboard, and is subsequently known by the shorter nickname, "Stars on 45 Medley".

You learn something new every day.

By the way, Tthe official title is "Medley: Intro 'Venus' / Sugar Sugar / No Reply / I'll Be Back / Drive My Car / Do You Want to Know a Secret / We Can Work It Out / I Should Have Known Better / Nowhere Man / You're Going to Lose That Girl / Stars on 45". It's a bit of a mouthful but don't knock it though, cos the song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on June 1981.

I enjoyed most of the performances that evening, except for Kristy Lee Cook who sang a gawdawful country version of Eight Days A Week. So did David Hernandez deserve to be booted out? He's got a sleazy come hither look yes, but he performed better than Ms Cook. Simon says she sounded like, "Dolly Parton On Helium". I totally agree because Simon is all knowing. All hail Simon.

Brooke White rocked my houseboat, and those who write for Television Without Pity (one of the wittier websites available on Planet Frivilous next to Go Fug Yourself) agrees with me here:

Brooke White's rockin' the side pony, and as with all things Brooke, it shouldn't work, but it does anyway. She tells us about nannying and how hard it is to be away from other people's babies. She's so sweet, she almost cries the whole time she's talking about how much she loves everything in this whole world. "Let It Be" is the last Beatles single, and Brooke White is magic, so this should be good. She starts on the piano and as usual it's like she's a returning artist who is just here to be nice to the show, rather than a person competing on a game show. Everybody in the audience has their Jesus arms up in the air, and the backup singers sound very holy. I don't think I've ever cared this much about a person on this show, I just love her. I cannot separate this out from my own experience or tell you what it's like, because I don't even like this song, but Brooke loves it enough for us both, and I love Brooke White like our own private Penny Lane. She is like seeing a unicorn in the forest when your feet hurt from walking.

American Idol 2008

When I started watching this year's Idol, I too had my initial boy favourites like teen hearthtrob David Archuleta, stoner Jason Castro and frontman Michael Johns who are excellent singers and wows the audience. Over the last couple of weeks, my liking for David went down a couple of notches because he's obvious, there's just too much hype on him and many have already crowned him Idol winner in their minds. Michael Johns I still like quite a bit because he is different and a cutie-patootie. Jason Castro's saham naik (literally translated as 'shares increased') because he sang a LEONARD COHEN song (and I love my Leonard).

As for the girls, none of them blipped on my radar until I watched the Top 10 Girls last week and heard Brooke White sing Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" with her guitar. A little bit unassuming, a little bit ballsy and a little bit folksy.

But at last night's Top 8 Girl performances, Brooke's rendition of Pat Benatar's "Love is a Battlefield" was beautifully done. It was like she just sneaked up on me and now she's got my vote (if I COULD vote).

I am rather partial to sneaky underdogs.

Go Brooke!

Soul Patrol Busted!!

Poor ol' Taylor Hicks.  The media intrusion in your life starts now. 

What did I find when I opened my gmail today?  Jazzy sent me an article from The Post Chronicle about how Taylor likes the cheeba :)  Apparently he got busted in 1998 for possession and DUI but the case got dismissed for want of prosecution in 2000.  Lucky for us, for Taylor turned out to be the American Idol for 2006 and just cheered the hell outta everyone, whether you voted for him or not (don't lie).

And then there's the Taylor tales coming out of the woodwork from his "pal" Emily.  Nice way to get your name in the news lady.  I think that the fact that Taylor played a gig at The Playboy Mansion will elevate his status..at least with the men (and me).  And so what he likes to fly?  It's better to smoke and fly than to drink and drive anyways.  And yes yes I know, he was also driving under the influence, but have you been in car whose driver was flying?  My God its like old people make love.  Reeeaally sloooow.  Hehehe.

I am still a Soul Patroller.  In fact, I wanna join Taylor on the beach so me and him can smoke up some cheeba and sing us some soul tunes.  And while we're at it, you guys can come and join us on the blanket cos Taylor's got the numbers of some hot babes from the Mansion.  What fun!

SOUL PATROL!!!

I wanted to do a celebratory post last night after watching the 2nd repeat of the American Idol 2006 Finale.  But, it was already 1.30 in the morning and work beckons a mere 5 hours later.  Still, I think I had Taylor dreams :)

I was telling Iz that I would refuse to watch American Idol next season if Katharine wins...and thank God she didn't.  I have faith in you Americans again.  Well done America, for making Taylor the American Idol of 2006.  Its a lovely-lovely, heartwarming feeling to watch the underdog win against the odds that is Ms McPhee.  She is just so easy on the eyes and looking lovelier every week and her vocals in Somewhere Over The Rainbow were superb.  However, I have always said that there is something about Katharine that rubs me the wrong way.  Despite her beauty, you catch her making snide faces and I had a feeling that she is not as pretty inside as she is on the outside. 

However, I must say here that she was wonderfully gracious and warm when Taylor was crowned The American Idol.  So if I am wrong about the snide remarks, Kat and the McPheevers, please forgive me.  In retrospect I think it may have been the trick of the light and/or Kat has gas.  I too, can be gracious.

The best pictures online are from the Idol on Fox site...Thank you so much for them and oh by the way, I am posting them on mine, whether you like it or not. I would be eternally grateful if you could just allow one little blogger from the tiny island of Borneo this one small act of stealth.  So, just a few okay?

The Top 12 plus Carrie Underwood, all dressed in white.  O'er.

Carrie Underwood awakened the dormant yihaaa chip embedded in my brain and I thought she sang the oft matter-of-fact lyrics of country music strongly yet tentative but melodious.  I like.  I like, a lot.

Al Jarreau & Paris

Stage-hogger Mary J. Blige & Elliot.  Who should have just sang U2's One all by himself.

Clay looking like Liza Minelli.

Some bloggers have posted that Meatloaf was in the midst of a seizure when he sang with Kat.  I just think:  Cool jacket.  Drama Queen.  Looks like a person who eats a lot of meatloaf.

Chris and Live (looking like Right Said Fred on their Re'United San Francisco Tour 2006).

BURT!

DIONNE!!

Prince & his Siamese twins, Bendy & Wendy.

Taylor looking hot.

Kat looking lovely and gracious.

  Yes you make us proud.

Congratulations Taylor Hicks and the Soul Patrollers.  Whoooo!!!

ps.  Read the best recaps online at Television Without Pity's here. 

The Finale

In Brunei where I am, the finale of American Idol is live via satellite at 5pm (that would be 5am somewhere in New York and 10am in London...I think).  Apparently we get the live feed the same time as the west coast of the USA.  Don't quote me though, its either I read it somewhere or dreamt it.  Most Wednesdays I am at work and unable to surf at will, but today, on rest day no. 3, I get to surf the latest on Idol and (bless all you bloggers who take the time to post blow-by-blow account of the Finale) able to partake in the festivities at the Kodak Theater.  Albeit mentally visually.

This evening Iz and I sat down for a fish and chips dinner in front of the TV and watched Idol live.  Here's my very brief lowdown:

Katharine McPhee

1st song Black Horses and The Cherry Tree - Not too shabby but a bit frivilous for the final.

2nd song Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Her strength is in not oversinging her songs.  Beautifully done.

3rd song Destiny (originally written for Idol) - Lacklustre.

Taylor Hicks

1st song Living in the City - Marvellous opening number and roused the audience to a frenzy.

2nd song Levon - Taylor is smart and conceded the round in a simple understated, yet lovely, way.

3rd song Do I make you proud (originally written for Idol) - He made a cheesy song into a Taylor torch song. 

My verdict?

Mr Taylor Hicks!!!!!!!

Best Rapper Wanabe?

Paula Abdul and her funny punches at the end of Taylor's last song.

R.I.P?

Barney, cos Taylor must've killed him to make that purple jacket.

Soul Patrol! Soul Patrol! Soul Patrol!

Taylor4eva

American Idol

Let me start off by saying I am a Taylor Hicks fan and if I could vote, he definitely has mine.  I backed Taylor from Day 1, and whilst I have enjoyed his passion/barminess on stage, I love more those moments when he gets soulful and strong and sexy.  I am a proud member of the Soul Patrol! Soul Patrol! Soul Patrol! simply because Taylor sings effortlessly with a voice like melted real butter and a character so unique that you get goosebumps at the thought of the gray haired Taylor Hicks becoming the next American Idol.

Which is why an article like this gets up my bum.  I can't even vote and it's got me outraged. 

Who cares if Mr Hicks doesn't fit the Idol recording artist mold with those woeful ladies ballads (advertising contract with Skechers, optional)?  Or that he's better off singing in a smoky jazz bar with a vodka martini shaken not stirred?  The point of American Idol is that anybody and everybody votes for the person THEY want to be the next Idol.  Let's not discuss the micro demograhics theory here cos' Big Brother is watching but discuss instead, one's desire to press those telephone buttons and choose. 

That's why I love this article.

I think Taylor Hicks should win.  That originally penned Idol balad?  Bring it on and let's see him sing it, torch style.  Perhaps he will fade away like Ruben, but because what he really wants to do is sing in a smoky jazz bar torching up Lady, originally sung by Richie, knowing that he got picked once.  And I hope he gets that Tom Ford /Zegna contract.

I wish I can vote and be counted.  Soul Patrol! Soul Patrol! Soul Patrol!

With the finals just around the corner, best of luck Katharine and Taylor.