American Idol

New Judges: Fail!
I still miss Paula!

Just Because: American Idol

AI is almost over for the season, and what a yawn fest of a season it has been. I think it is the energy. There is some talent, but they are all about as boring as reading assembly instructions for an Ikea bookshelf. I am hoping for a Lee win, only because I have not enjoying having Crystal shoved down our throats all season. She is good, but she is not great and in any other year she would have gotten the boot weeks ago. Casey should have left before big Mike. Casey has really been less than average the past couple of weeks.

Speaking of AI, I was doing a search of FH and came across these pics of 2008 contestant Luke Menard. I am sure others have noticed it before me, but if Glee is looking to cast a younger brother for Matthew Morrison, Luke is your man!



Although he is one of the most successful guys to come out of AI's auditions, Alan Ritchson's success has come as an actor and model, not as a singer. But...I did enjoy Billboards list of the top 24 money makers who have come off of Idol. There were a few surprises (like the fact Ruben Studdard made the list...) but most are fairly predictable. Interesting read though. Check it out HERE:

Jumping The Gay Shark

I have been writing, like many on how this season of American Idol is not holding my attention. The reasons are many;



-Paula is Gone
-Randy is like a broken record, nothing new to say
-Simon is bored and makes no attempt to hide it
-Bringing Kara on was a huge mistake. Her first goal is obvious...make Kara famous.
-Ellen's huge talent does not transition well to Idol.
-The singers this year, with a couple of exceptions really do suck. The exceptions may have talent but not one can muster much excitement from anyone.
-The show has done NOTHING to bring anything new to the show except bring in new judges. Same old songs, same old mentors, same old theme weeks. Same group numbers that make everyone cringe.
-The show is now 9 years old.

I think the show actually jumped the shark at two moments last year. The first jump was when it was announced that Kara was joining the show. There was no real reason to mess up the judging panel. The show was still at the top of the ratings and attempts at 4 judges (with guests) in the past ended in failure. It is obvious now that all the 'All About Eve' type rumor were indeed true. The only reason to bring on another judge, a female at that was to push Paula out the door. I don't think anyone knew how drastically this would change the feel of the show. I certainly did not.

The second jump was a little less obvious and one the show could not have predicted. That jump occurred when Glee hit the air. Idol showed that there is an audience for variety, not the variety from the Donny & Marie and Sonny & Cher days, but a variety show for the present. Music, jokes and a hint of drama. Idol ran this wave for 9 years but then this little new show, on Fox no less began. It has music, laughs and a hint of drama. People found another way to hear bad covers of old songs each week. Unlike Idol however, Glee embraced the hokey, musical, karaoke aspect to covering old and new music in a way Idol almost seemed embarrassed about. Idol shoved corny down our throats each week, yet nailed singers to a cross when they were corny. The presented week after week retooled crap yet at the same time claimed they were looking for originality. The hypocrisy was becoming clearer to audiences each week.

Last night I turned on the tv around 10 pm only to discover I had not even remembered Idol was doing 'Idol Gives Back'. In any year in the past 9 this would have bothered me. Last night I did not care. The first 'Idol Gives Back' was an emotional filled 2 hours that had me donating money. The only thing I wondered last night was why The Black Eyed Peas feel the need to accept every invitation they get. They really need to be more selective. I read this morning Tim went home. I will miss him. He was a cutie and when I watched my DVR of the show he always brought a smile to my face. But unlike past years (like the Clay/Reuben year) I was not invested in any of them.




The Only show with music I wanted to watch this week was Glee and Idol ruined that by going over it's time limit and cutting off my recording. Thankfully I have heard Fox is repeating it tomorrow.

Idol has jumped the shark, and, given I believe Glee is part of the reason, it is the gay shark. With Idol running from everything gay, corny and Broadway the past 9 years... I find this both ironic and appropriate.

Pic Series Of The Day: A Day out With Kris Allen

Thanks to Just Jared we get to spend some time with last seasons Idol winner Kris Allen at the Atlantis Resort & Casino in the Bahamas.

American Idol Update:

Ok, there really is little need to post on Idol today except as an excuse to post this new pic of Tim Urban. I am still not enjoying this season so I did my usual DVR of the show and watched it in about 12 minutes at around midnight. Skipped all the judges comments, the commercials and most of Ryan's filler. The performances were ok (and given I am objectifying Urban, I will say he was my favorite of the night...truly, and this time for his song). I am over Crystal who is good, but really is only seen as 'great' because those around her are so bad. Put her on almost any previous season and she would be long gone. I like big Mike but I think the judges might regret that save... Adam Lambert was actually a very effective mentor and I think more ex idols should return for this task.

Seriously American Idol Seriously????

Really American Idol. How bad do you want things to get. Randy is pretty much useless, Ellen is a bit of a disappointment, Simon is leaving and Kara is turning crazier than even Paula (but not in Paula's fun way). Add to that a group of singers this year, although talented, that has failed to spark the excitement of the viewers.

And if my respect for the show could not get any lower, you have Miley Cyrus as a mentor. Really, of all the stupid moves, this is the dumbest. Yeah I know she has a fan base. Yeah I know she has a movie to promote (Fox related maybe...). but a mentor. Crystal Bowersox must have let out a big groan. (I could not bare to have searched or posted Miley pics on the blog, so you will have to suffer through a couple of Tim Urban.)

I know I am not alone in this, and the wonderful Annie Barrett from Entertainment Weekly summoned up what I am sure most of us are thinking.

'During a routine scrape, American Idol producers found Miley Cyrus at the bottom of a barrel next to some Hannah Montana doll hair and decided to make her a guest mentor on tomorrow night’s show. Cyrus will bestow unto the Top 11 contestants bits of wisdom such as “Wear boots” and “Sound like a chain smoker,” and then she’ll perform her hit “When I Look At You” on Wednesday’s results show, according to a press release from Fox.'

I thank God again for the invention of the DVR. This two hour extravaganza should take me about 11 minutes to watch.

More of Ace Young in Hair

Thanks to The New York post we get to see 'a little more' of Ace Young's performance in Hair.

Ace Young in 'Hair'

I loved me some Will Swenson, but Ace Young is looking mighty fine as well in the role of Berger in Broadways 'Hair'. Another former AI contestant Diana DeGarmo joins Ace in the production.

Alex Lambert: We Hardly Knew Ya!

Above: Alex Lambert, Lilly Scott, Todrick Hall and Katelyn Epperly

So I finally started getting into American Idol this week only to see four people (well 3 at least) who were voted before their time last night. I cannot believe Paige Miles who utterly crucified one of my favorite songs 'Smile' on Tuesday made the cut.

The most disappointing was 19 year old Texan Alex Lambert. Initially I thought he was getting by on his cuteness (and really, anyone who can pull off a mullet deserves some kudos). Over the last week or two he really was growing on me. Ellen continued to talk about his ripening, but his voice, though shaky showed a purity much needed on that overly showy, edited and overdone stage. Sorry to see you go Alex!

Just Because: American Idol

I am giving it a couple more weeks, but in the grand tradition of Fonzie on water skis, American Idol has jumped the shark. Even with some eye candy last weeks top 24shows were pretty bad with no one really standing out. There were a few ok performances but overall quite boring. Thank goodness for DVR where I can watch 12 bland performances dragged out over 2 hours on Fox in about 12 minutes.

Some like to say (Fox PR) that it is like this every year at this time, but that is bullshit. In years gone by Rueben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson and many others were making waves in the early elimination rounds.

Paula is also truly missed. Kara is becoming increasingly annoying, Randy increasingly redundant and Simon's upcoming departure also makes his presence bittersweet. Ellen started off strong, but during the last two live shows looked like a rabbit in a trap. I am sure Ellen will get her groove, but with Randy and Kara the only two left to back her up, her groove is not going to be enough. We shall see...

Below: Casey James


Below: Tim Urban

Just Because: Anthony Fedorov in Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

It was last year when Anthony Fedorov, one of my favorite past contestants on American Idol toured the country as Joseph in Andrew Lloyd Webber's 'Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'. Although Anthony and cast were not overly praised for their acting, most reviews for the show did agree it was a standout visually and vocally. Anthony never got the credit he deserved for his strong vocal abilities during his season. Carrie Underwood and Bo Bice garnered most of the attention while Anthony and the equally talented Vonzell Solomon were left behind. Although Carrie has certainly turned into a superstar, during that Idol season I much preferred the performance of Anthony (Climb Every Mountain aside) and Vonzell.


(Although looking fine, the pic above reminds me a bit of Jodi Foster in 'Silence Of The Lambs'....)




Below: Billy Joe Hues (Pharaoh)



Below: Anthony with Jennifer Pazthe (Narrator and Richard Grey (Baker and Potifar)


Below: Anthony with R.J Tancioco (Musical Director and Conductor).

Anthony Fedorov in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat from user name on Vimeo.

Thanks to Lisa for the video Link!

Just Because: American Idol

Above: Ty Hemmerling

Just because I am so glad the auditions for American Idol are over. I know I have said it before but as much as love American Idol, I find the auditions to be one the cruelest spectacles on American television. The #1 show in America spends about 12 weeks showcasing young talent and about 4 weeks making fun of the poor, the mentally unstable, the deluded, the weak and the needy. I always question those who say the auditions are all they watch.

Got to give kudos to bikini boy (Ty Hemmerling) as given all the attention bikini girl got last year, it was a brilliant move to garner some screen time. Too bad American Idol loves to oogle and make sexist comments about the pretty girls, but...when there is a good looking guy the show they somehow make it seem perverted to focus on his attraction. Bikini girl got plenty of air time last year and a place on the finale, bikini boy had the 4 judges walking out in disgust. Funny, maybe (I admit I chuckled) but it reinforces the reputation that this show (dispute having had so many gay singers, Broadway themes and Simon and Ryan) is one of the most homophobic shows on television.

Maybe I take it all too seriously.... But give em hell Ellen!

Below: Casey James

American Idol

Ok, I finally watched a bit of American Idol last night. I dvr'd the last couple of nights but had little interest in watching. I hate the audition round for many reasons. I know many say that is all they watch but I find using the mentally handicapped, the mentally ill, the poor and the misguided the source of about 14 hours of laughs...too cruel for me to enjoy. American Idol has always been like comfort food to me. It airs during the coldest months of the year. When the outside is a snowy, freezing mess I have watched this show

As I fast forwarded to see the great singers, no one really stood out to me yet for their talent. (I have always thought the show never shows much of the real talent til Hollywood week anyway). I certainly found Joshua Blaylock (above) adorable. It was not just for his looks but also for his sweetness. He does not stand a chance, but he was a highlight of night one.

I will continue to dvr in the hopes that I regain my interest before Hollywood round. The show is in it's 9th year and has been repeating itself for awhile now. I never thought I cared about or liked Paula, yet... I miss her. This was especially true while watching Mary J. Blige who for some reason I have never liked. The woman is constantly lauded for her talent and though I see that, her personality has always rubbed me the wrong way. Looking forward to Neil Patrick Harris taking his turn with judging the audition round.

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The View.... Adam Lambert No!

I am on the fence about the whole Adam Lambert thing. I mean, yes, it is obvious there is a double standard going on, one cannot argue that. In rewatching his performance however, it also was just not that great. The sexual moves might have gone down better if they are not so obviously there simply to shock. Hard to get too up in arms at people being upset when that was clearly the intention.

I question some of Lamberts decisions of late. It seems he has been all over the place in his responses to the issue, from blaming, to apologizing. Neither I think he really needs to do.

So why on earth is Lambert going on 'The View'. Firstly it is an ABC show, but secondly because the women on the view are not really supportive, IMO of gay issues. Portia de Rossi spoke beautifully about gay marriage this past week, but I don't find the women true supporters of gay rights, even with their massive gay following.

Whoopi of course is, and has participated in events to support gay marriage.

Joy, who on the surface appears supportive, uses the issue, like many others just to make a joke. So much so that there are times when she almost seems demeaning to gays. I don't for a second think this intentional, but at the same time her need to 'go for the laugh' often takes priority over an issue.

Elizabeth attempts to look understanding, and I actually think she tries to. Yet, it is clear her views are firmly cemented.

Sherri is certainly the worst. Although she can be funny, when gay issues arise, she can barely hide the disdain in her face when gay issues are discussed. She is condescending and openly judgemental quoting her bible to back her up. She seems to get away with it by reminding us of how many gay friends she has.

Adam would have been better off skipping his pre-taped appearance on The View.

Kudos to Adam Lambert!

I don't know the whole story behind Adam Lambert and Out Magazine but I do know that if anyone watched American Idol last season they know that Adam was ALWAYS out. He simply did not feel the need to declare it publicly.

The press insists on labels for those in the public eye. Being a talented Actor or singer often does not seem to be enough. To that you must add their age, their religion, their sexuality.

I looke back on how the press fixated on 'the kiss', 'the love scene' when Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal did press for Brokeback. The obsession was ridiculous.

Lambert is obviously proud as hell of who he, he simply does not want to be defined by it. I applaud him for that. Is not that what we all want??? The fact he posed for the cover says to me he does not want to hide anything!!!


Why can't he be a talented singer and wonderful man who is gay. Why must gay always come before the word singer or before the word man? Kudos Lambert!

Favorite Song I am listening to today: Kris Allen - Live Like We're Dying

Lovin this new song and video from Kris!

Adam Lambert in 'Details'

I am not exactly sure what I feel about Adam Laberts shoot for the next issue of 'Details' magazine. I do know I love the shots. They certainly are provocative and will have people talking. Like many I am sure, I wondered if there was any thought to have Adam pose with a nude man. All I know is I think the shots are hot and applaud Adam for pushing the envelope. Some will think he did not push enough, but regardless there will be tons of blog posts just like this one discussing the shoot.

Kudos to Adam Lambert!

I have written before about my loathing for certainly web celeb sites. One reason is that many choose to 'out' celebrities against their will. I loath anyone 'outting' another without consent. One's sexuality is not the business of any other unless one chooses to share it. I applaud Adam Lambert for playing 'coy' with the media the past while. In some ways I cannot believe how many people felt quite fine asking Lambert and others connect to Idol about it as if it were anyone's business. The fact of the matter, people really did not need to ask, the answer was never hidden, people just wanted to be the one to get the scoop. Lambert never attempted to cover who he is, he just never felt the need to explain it. This is the mark of a true artist.

Congradulations Kris!

Congraduations to Kris Allen who won American Idol last night!

The internet of course is full of posters and bloggers today giving their views on why Kris won. Yes I saw the anti Adam sites and ads and yes I saw posts and got emails from those who were pushing for the first gay winner. Both equally bugged me.

Maybe some group did have a hand in the outcome, but it is hard for me to care that much as I thought both men were talented and deserving of the win. I hope that things other than talent did not play a part but I also wish everyone could handle the outcome as well as Adam and Kris did. It will be a shame if the win is overshadowed by weeks of anger about it. Adam and Kris were friends and I believe both happy for one another.

Adam's Mad World was one of Idol's greatest performances, but week after week I generally prefered Kris's performances. Both men are deserving and I wish it could be left at that.



My only complaint about last night was selfish and it was that I did not get enough of Matt Giraud. I will let Idol off the hook if it is true he and Scott were supposed to perform with Billy Joel (which did not happen because Joel could not make it) But I was really hoping he would get a duet or a chance to shine.