Well, I was 50% on my picks for going home this week. I had both the bottom two guys - Jason Yeager and Robbie Carrico. With the gals, I was off quite a bit - I didn't have Alexandrea Lushington or Alaina Whitaker anywhere near my bottom two.
Funny thing about both the girls who went home - both were just 17 years old. Very young but still a lot of time to develop their talent. Hopefully they'll have used their brief time on Idol to be able to carry on and move forward in music, if that's where their true calling is.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
American Idol 2008 - week 2 Gals' Performances
Another night of 70's and a little bit more of flip-flopping on my list of favorites (some did exact swaps with one another from my last week spots). Here are my thoughts, best to worst:
1) Ramiele Malubay - not her best but still a solid performance of a disco classic
2) Brooke White - surprise! Carly Simon works for her as did the guitar.
3) Carly Smithson - much better. Heart suited her. Oh, FYI - I think my buddies and I drank in that Irish pub she works at in San Diego many years back.
4) Asia'h Epperson - still sounding a little sick, but hopeful she can get back to solid form soon.
5) Alaina Whitaker - a very good performance from this 17 year old.
6) Amanda Overmeyer - loved hearing this rocker's take on a classic rock tune.
7) Alexandrea Lushington -she slid down a bit, sounded like she's still sick too.
8) Syesha Mercado - what happened here? #2 on my list last week, now here. Better pull it together, girl!
9) Kristy Lee Cook - just seemed off in too many places for me to enjoy the song.
10) Kady Malloy - I was not impressed at all. This definitely is her week to go.
Results tonight. We'll see how well I did.
1) Ramiele Malubay - not her best but still a solid performance of a disco classic
2) Brooke White - surprise! Carly Simon works for her as did the guitar.
3) Carly Smithson - much better. Heart suited her. Oh, FYI - I think my buddies and I drank in that Irish pub she works at in San Diego many years back.
4) Asia'h Epperson - still sounding a little sick, but hopeful she can get back to solid form soon.
5) Alaina Whitaker - a very good performance from this 17 year old.
6) Amanda Overmeyer - loved hearing this rocker's take on a classic rock tune.
7) Alexandrea Lushington -she slid down a bit, sounded like she's still sick too.
8) Syesha Mercado - what happened here? #2 on my list last week, now here. Better pull it together, girl!
9) Kristy Lee Cook - just seemed off in too many places for me to enjoy the song.
10) Kady Malloy - I was not impressed at all. This definitely is her week to go.
Results tonight. We'll see how well I did.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
American Idol 2008 - week 2 Guys' Performances
Week 2 and we're into the 70's music. Lots of shifting and sliding of the list of favorite this week as some folks step up their game while others rest a little too much on laurels or poor song choices. My best to worst:
1) David Archuleta - great vocals on "Imagine".
2) Luke Menard - an impressive Queen tune that showcased his voice
3) David Hernandez - great soul performance of "Papa Was A Rolling Stone"
4) David Cook - liked the rocking with the electric guitar
5) Jason Castro - more guitar and sweet vocals on an Andy Gibb classic
6) Michael Johns - sliding down a bit on a safe performance
7) Danny Noriega - that Carpenters song suited his voice
8) Chikezie - still not a favorite of mine but a pleasant song
9) Robbie Carrico - my number 2 guy last week slides to the bottom and could be going home. Song choices, dude, song choices.
10) Jason Yeager - I don't think he stand out enough to last into the top 12.
Tonight the ladies and more 70's songs. Should be fun.
1) David Archuleta - great vocals on "Imagine".
2) Luke Menard - an impressive Queen tune that showcased his voice
3) David Hernandez - great soul performance of "Papa Was A Rolling Stone"
4) David Cook - liked the rocking with the electric guitar
5) Jason Castro - more guitar and sweet vocals on an Andy Gibb classic
6) Michael Johns - sliding down a bit on a safe performance
7) Danny Noriega - that Carpenters song suited his voice
8) Chikezie - still not a favorite of mine but a pleasant song
9) Robbie Carrico - my number 2 guy last week slides to the bottom and could be going home. Song choices, dude, song choices.
10) Jason Yeager - I don't think he stand out enough to last into the top 12.
Tonight the ladies and more 70's songs. Should be fun.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Comics of the Week (2/20/08)
Countdown to Final Crisis #10 - Mary Batson sees the light, and Holly and Harley benefit too. Karate Kid teaches Jason a thing about what friendship means, but it falls on deaf ears. Granny Goodness gets what's coming to her. And the Pied Piper faces the ultimate temptation. All this and awesome Bruce Timm art on Harley Quinn's origin pages (reminds me why I loved Batman the Animtated Series
Batman and the Outsiders #4 - Chuck Dixon is on fire writing this book, and Julian Lopez does wonderful art duties. Green Arrow in the book? Loving it. A great team book with lots of action and character interplay.
Death of the New Gods #6 - more cosmic drama as Orion faces the killer of the Gods. And finally, the killer is revealed - or is it? Two more issues to go with this epic, so I am sure there are more surprises to come.
Justice League of America #18 - the main story continues to tie in to Salvation Run as the League faces off against the Suicide Squad. In the back, we get more character moments with the currently confined Red Tornado. Dwayne McDuffie is building on the work done previously by Brad Meltzer on the character.
Book of the week - the Brave and the Bold #10. When we're talking the combo of Mark Waid (comic trivia expert) and George Perez (best artist ever!), you can't beat it. This issue, the Challengers continue to research the mystery of Megistus. We get two tales - a Superman and Silent Knight team-up that calls back the days of another team-up title (DC Comics Presents) and a Teen Titans/Aquaman story that fits in nicely just prior the King of Atlantis' wedding to Mera. A solid issue through and through. Two more issues in Perez's art run on the title left - and those two issues will tie up the Megistus arc as well. Looking forward to them.
Batman and the Outsiders #4 - Chuck Dixon is on fire writing this book, and Julian Lopez does wonderful art duties. Green Arrow in the book? Loving it. A great team book with lots of action and character interplay.
Death of the New Gods #6 - more cosmic drama as Orion faces the killer of the Gods. And finally, the killer is revealed - or is it? Two more issues to go with this epic, so I am sure there are more surprises to come.
Justice League of America #18 - the main story continues to tie in to Salvation Run as the League faces off against the Suicide Squad. In the back, we get more character moments with the currently confined Red Tornado. Dwayne McDuffie is building on the work done previously by Brad Meltzer on the character.
Book of the week - the Brave and the Bold #10. When we're talking the combo of Mark Waid (comic trivia expert) and George Perez (best artist ever!), you can't beat it. This issue, the Challengers continue to research the mystery of Megistus. We get two tales - a Superman and Silent Knight team-up that calls back the days of another team-up title (DC Comics Presents) and a Teen Titans/Aquaman story that fits in nicely just prior the King of Atlantis' wedding to Mera. A solid issue through and through. Two more issues in Perez's art run on the title left - and those two issues will tie up the Megistus arc as well. Looking forward to them.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
American Idol 2008 - week 1 - Results
First, the cheesey group medley is back! Yes. Gotta love that. Everyone looked great - from the guys in the nice suits to the girls in the mini dresses. They actually sounded good together too.
On to the results.
First guy gone - Garrett Haley. Color me surprised. I thought the youth factor would help him, but I guess the slow Sedaka song did him in. He took his quick axing like a trooper.
First girl gone - Amy Davis. No surprise. I had her at the bottom of my ladies' list. She seemed shocked.
Next, a video debut from Paula Abdul - her newest release off of Randy Jackson's album. Yep, Idol nepotism at its finest. The video? Pure early 90's at best. The sound? As my wife said, they did a lot of work to support her vocals.
Back to the eliminations.
Second girl to go - Joanne Borgella. Kind of surprised, but her sickness seemed to do in her vocals. Still, wasn't part of my top six, so it was kind of expected.
Second guy to go - Colton Barry. Hey, another one from the bottom of my list. Not surprised by this one, nor by Simon's comments. Remember, in the Hollywood round to get to the top 24, Simon wanted Kyle (the tie-wearing geek) over Colton - but Paula and Randy outvoted him. Simon made no bones about his being against this choice.
So, there we go - 24 to 20. We'll see what next week brings.
On to the results.
First guy gone - Garrett Haley. Color me surprised. I thought the youth factor would help him, but I guess the slow Sedaka song did him in. He took his quick axing like a trooper.
First girl gone - Amy Davis. No surprise. I had her at the bottom of my ladies' list. She seemed shocked.
Next, a video debut from Paula Abdul - her newest release off of Randy Jackson's album. Yep, Idol nepotism at its finest. The video? Pure early 90's at best. The sound? As my wife said, they did a lot of work to support her vocals.
Back to the eliminations.
Second girl to go - Joanne Borgella. Kind of surprised, but her sickness seemed to do in her vocals. Still, wasn't part of my top six, so it was kind of expected.
Second guy to go - Colton Barry. Hey, another one from the bottom of my list. Not surprised by this one, nor by Simon's comments. Remember, in the Hollywood round to get to the top 24, Simon wanted Kyle (the tie-wearing geek) over Colton - but Paula and Randy outvoted him. Simon made no bones about his being against this choice.
So, there we go - 24 to 20. We'll see what next week brings.
American Idol 2008 - week 1 - Gals' Performances
Ladies performances for week one again with music from the 60's. Some repeat songs from the guys the previous night (I can't believe they couldn't find all unique songs - go figure). A lot of the women appeared to be fighting off flu or bronchitis, but as Simon pointed out the show must go on so they just need to do their best. Some did. Some didn't. Here's my rating from last night, best to worst:
1) Ramiele Malubay - the small woman with the powerful voice. I predict she'll do well this season.
2) Syesha Mercado - another strong, confident voice
3) Asia'h Epperson - a good performer. Let's stop hearing about her father dying two days before the audition, please.
4) Alexandrea Lushington - another confident performer
5) Alaina Whitaker - the best of the blonde pack by far
6) Amanda Overmeyer - this rocker-nurse brings something unique to the table so I'd like to see her make top 12.
7) Joanna Borgella - I believe she has a powerful voice, sounded a little ill last night
8) Carly Smithson - the Irish singer. I think she's over-rated
9) Brooke White - very cute and wholesome, but not good enough for this contest I fear
10) Kristy Lee Cook - third of the blondes and by far the worst of the trio
11) Kady Malloy - very boring song and stiff performance
12) Amy Davis - horrible. Definitely going home this week.
Results tonight. We'll see how I stacked up for the week.
1) Ramiele Malubay - the small woman with the powerful voice. I predict she'll do well this season.
2) Syesha Mercado - another strong, confident voice
3) Asia'h Epperson - a good performer. Let's stop hearing about her father dying two days before the audition, please.
4) Alexandrea Lushington - another confident performer
5) Alaina Whitaker - the best of the blonde pack by far
6) Amanda Overmeyer - this rocker-nurse brings something unique to the table so I'd like to see her make top 12.
7) Joanna Borgella - I believe she has a powerful voice, sounded a little ill last night
8) Carly Smithson - the Irish singer. I think she's over-rated
9) Brooke White - very cute and wholesome, but not good enough for this contest I fear
10) Kristy Lee Cook - third of the blondes and by far the worst of the trio
11) Kady Malloy - very boring song and stiff performance
12) Amy Davis - horrible. Definitely going home this week.
Results tonight. We'll see how I stacked up for the week.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
American Idol 2008 - week 1 - Guys performances
Finally time to get to brass tacks - the real singing competition where America votes. Let the fun begin!
It was 60's theme night for the guys, and for two hours we get interesting arrangements of songs you know well. Some good arrangements, some dreadful. Looking at this list of twelve guys (some who, again, this was the first time we've heard them sing a note), here is how I'm ranking them (best to worst) based on this week's performance:
1) David Archuleta - the 17 year old who is very shy, humble and respectful. Girls will eat him up with a spoon.
2) Robbie Carrico - he's the rocker of the guys
3) Michael Johns - the Aussie
4) Jason Castro - the 20 year old with dreads and the pleasant smile
5) Garrett Haley - the 17 year old Leif Garrett clone. Again, girls will eat him up.
6) Jason Yeager - he had an Osmond vibe to him
7) David Hernandez - cursed with the opening spot of the season, tough to pull off well
8) Luke Menard - poor song choice, not enough to stand out
9) Chikezie - song didn't work for his full voice. And talking back to Simon this early isn't smart.
10) David Cook - unmemorable
11) Danny Noriega - horrible version of an Elvis song. Did not showcase his voice.
12) Colton Barry - just doesn't have the chops for this competition.
I'm fine with any two of my bottom six going Thursday night.
It was 60's theme night for the guys, and for two hours we get interesting arrangements of songs you know well. Some good arrangements, some dreadful. Looking at this list of twelve guys (some who, again, this was the first time we've heard them sing a note), here is how I'm ranking them (best to worst) based on this week's performance:
1) David Archuleta - the 17 year old who is very shy, humble and respectful. Girls will eat him up with a spoon.
2) Robbie Carrico - he's the rocker of the guys
3) Michael Johns - the Aussie
4) Jason Castro - the 20 year old with dreads and the pleasant smile
5) Garrett Haley - the 17 year old Leif Garrett clone. Again, girls will eat him up.
6) Jason Yeager - he had an Osmond vibe to him
7) David Hernandez - cursed with the opening spot of the season, tough to pull off well
8) Luke Menard - poor song choice, not enough to stand out
9) Chikezie - song didn't work for his full voice. And talking back to Simon this early isn't smart.
10) David Cook - unmemorable
11) Danny Noriega - horrible version of an Elvis song. Did not showcase his voice.
12) Colton Barry - just doesn't have the chops for this competition.
I'm fine with any two of my bottom six going Thursday night.
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