American Idol pretty firmly has set the judges’ formula for every performance reality show ever. Sure, the Randy Jackson role of a wise-yet-incomprehensible black dude is sometimes rotated and a bit of a wild card, but you’ve got two roles that remain steady. First, you have the potentially psychotic yes-woman Paula Abdul type with her weird way of talking, fame from a bygone era, and rampant pills/plastic surgery/botox. And then, of course, there is the Simon Cowell — the British guy who is a giant douchebag.

Since So You Think You Can Dance is made by the same people as American Idol, they naturally follow the sacred formula, only, as if to make up for a lack of a Randy Jackson replacement, they have made their Paula Abdul, Mary Murphy, extra crazy and botoxed, and they’ve made their Simon, Nigel Lythgoe, way, way more douchey.

Read the rest of this entry »

We — as in, my household of two adults and two kids — love watching American Idol during the winter months. It comes on in January, just about the time we’re going stir-crazy here in the North Woods, and carries us into the spring months. I know Idol has gotten a bad rap lately, but it keeps us from killing each other during those long, cold, cabin-fever nights.

And just about the time Idol ends, we have another talent show to keep us interested into the summer: So You Think You Can Dance. I wouldn’t say it’s the life-and-death situation of American Idol, but it’s definitely a fun diversion from the hectic rush of our lives. And it’s hard not to compare the two shows, which is what I’m going to do right now.

Read the rest of this entry »

Glambert vs. Kute Kris. The Showdown. The second to last American Idol episode everyone would be watching … waiting to hear what they would sing … how they would interpret the songs … who would get the kudos.

Out of the gate came a shakey Adam, very vampiric and oh, so black and gloomy. “All around me are familiar faces … worn out spaces … worn out places …” swooned Adam in his opening song, a redux of his earlier “Mad World.” “I went to school and I was very nervous … no one knew me, no one knew me …” We all know you, Adam. You’re ingrained into our memories. And trust us: it’s a mad world indeed.

Read the rest of this entry »

Everybody – everybody – did well last evening. Well … mostly.

All three guys stepped it up and performed swimmingly. And that’s exactly what they’re supposed to do; after all, they are aiming for the crowning achievement of Season 9 of American Idol — The Top Spot.

I still can’t get over the shrill, screechy, whiny, screamy all-over-the-placeness of Adam Lambert. But it is what it is. And was it just me or did he look like a demented elf from the Lord Of The Rings last night, especially during his first performance? I froze his mug on my television set mid-shriek at one point and the result was a possessed Adam staring back at me. Hackles rose at the back of my neck. And then, during his second performance, I swear he was the embodiment of the life-sized toy replica of Santa in The Santa Clause 2. He had that sheeny plastic look and evil smile of the faux Santa in the movie. *brrrrrrrrrr*

But the real fun last night was off stage at the judge’s table. ( It seems there’s always a party there of late.) Last eve, however, it was an arena for a grudge match.

Read the rest of this entry »

So, here we go again.

Hot on the heels of Susan Boyle exploding all over the Internets, Britain’s Got Talent has found yet another middle-aged, down-on-his-luck singer with a surprisingly good voice: Jamie Pugh, a pizza delivery man who overcomes crippling stage fright to dazzle the BGT crowd with his rendition of “Bring Him Home.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Today’s Guest-clacker is Michael Noble, a married native Southern California family man.  He is alive and well, and spouts off more often than he should and is currently embroiled in a Project 365 photo blog.

Ain’t it a kick how everyone has their own little quirks and kinks about this show?

“He’s darling.”

“She can’t sing to save her life.”

“He’s icky.”

“She has to win … and it’s a crime if she doesn’t!”

“Why does Simon flatten his hair and part it down the middle like that anyway? I love his “way,” but he looks like such a goober!”

You see: That’s the draw of American Idol. There’s something in it for everyone. If you like singing, well … there it is. If you can’t stand the singing, there’s the drama. What? No drama? How ’bout the comedy — intentional and otherwise? Whazat? Comedy not your thing? Well, there’s always the gaffs and boners that inevitably get tossed out with unassuming glee by Seacrest and Company.

But it comes down to the fact it is a singing competition (though … there are nights we wonder about that) …. and with Most Popular Downloads being the theme of the week, let’s get an oh-so-dismal episode under our belts:
Read the rest of this entry »

This week was ridiculous when it came to quotes. Breaking Bad came back, and while it’s still the most depressing show in the world, it had some good quotes. Plus, we’ve got House, Big Bang Theory, and a great episode of The Office. These are our favorite quotes of the week, but if there are some that you loved, feel free to leave them in the comments.

Breaking Bad

Walter: “I’ve got a better idea.”
Jesse: “Thank god! All right, what is it, Mr. White? Lay it on me.”
Walter: “Beans.”
Jesse: “Beans?”
Walter: “Castor beans.”
Jesse: “So what are we going to do with them? Are we just going to grow a magic beanstalk? Huh? Climb it and escape?”

Read the rest of this entry »