Month: May 2012

American Idol Season 11 Episode 37

Hollie Cavanagh was finally eliminated in American Idol Season 11 Episode 36. Tonight the top 3 perform, and it’s still 2 hours long. They will sing three songs each, one chosen by the judges, one chosen by the contestants, and one chosen by Jimmy Iovine.

Joshua Ledet
Song: I’d Rather Be Blind by Etta James
Jennifer: Always bring down the house with those numbers.
Randy: Fits you so like a glove.
Numbers: 1-866-IDOLS-01 or 1-866-IDOLS-04 or 1-866-IDOLS-07

Jessica Sanchez
Song: My All by Mariah Carey
Randy: I worked with Mariah. One of the best times a Mariah song has been performed on TV.
Jennifer: Hard song, but you did it so beautifully.
Steven: You make people hang on your every note.
Numbers: 1-866-IDOLS-02 or 1-866-IDOLS-05 or 1-866-IDOLS-08

Phillip Phillips
Song: Beggin by Madcon
Jennifer: You can’t help it. You had to mess with it.
Steven: Hoping you write your own songs. Could be a new Springsteen.
Randy: We were just at a Phil Phillips concert.
Numbers: 1-866-IDOLS-03 or 1-866-IDOLS-06 or 1-866-IDOLS-09

Judges didn’t do Jessica any favors with their song choice. I’m not sure they could do any damage to Phil, regardless, if Time of the Season didn’t hurt him, but this song seems a good fit. And of course Joshua gets a standing ovation from them, well past a dozen by now.

In spite of the standing O, Randy declines to pick a winner. Jennifer takes it a step further, saying Phil was the winner of round 1. Steven, like Randy, is unable to pick a winner. So why did you stand up for Josh and nobody else if he did as good as or worse than the others? New judges, please. For this and The Voice. Simon Cowell at least took the hint after just one season, even if his replacements were Britney Spears and Demi Lovato. Guess we won’t have to wait long seeing as J Lo is probably going to quit after next week anyway.

Joshua Ledet
Song: Imagine by John Lennon
Steven: Another thank you god moment.
Jennifer: A pulled back and controlled performance.
Randy: Another stellar performance.

Jessica Sanchez
Song: I Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing by Aerosmith
Steven: Took a great song and made it greater.
Jennifer: Sent everybody into the heavens.
Randy: This girl is bold. Started a little slow, but you delivered a big moment at the end.

Phillip Phillips
Song: Disease by Matchbox 20
Jennifer: Didn’t feel it was the wow performance.
Steven: Feel the same way she did.
Randy: I didn’t like it either. Such a subdued moment.

Joshua Ledet
Song: No More Drama by Mary J Blige
Randy: You have laid everything on this stage.
Steven: Felt the last 40 years in the music business.

Jessica Sanchez
Song: I’ll Be There by Jackson 5
Steven: Perfect song. Perfect voice.
Jennifer: Perfect tone. Almost sounded like Michael.
Randy: Okay. Never a moment moment moment.

Phillip Phillips
Song: We’ve Got Tonight by Bob Seger
Randy: Your best performance on the show ever.
Jennifer: Just like a lullaby.
Steven: It doesn’t matter if you hit the notes or not.

Jimmy by far picked the better song for Jessica, but I’m not sure what to think about that Phil song. Was it a problem because it showed he’s a weak singer, or was it genius because the girls voting for him won’t care?

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol Season 11 Episode 38, which airs Thursday at 8/7c on Fox.

No Biggest Loser This Fall

Every year since 2004, The Biggest Loser has occupied NBC’s Tuesday night time slot in the fall, typically for 2 hours to help fill NBC’s empty schedule. Hope you weren’t expecting that to happen again this year.

The Biggest Loser is absent from NBC’s fall schedule for the upcoming season. The network that brought you Deal or No Deal 4 times a week will be giving us The Voice twice a week twice a year, until we’re sick of it (too late), to be followed by new comedies Go On and The New Normal, with Parenthood finishing out the night.

A start date for the next Biggest Loser has been scheduled yet, but it is currently slated for midseason.

America’s Got Talent Season 7 Episode 2

Although not a lot of people had faith in him, Howard Stern kicked things off as a pretty good judge in American Idol Season 7 Episode 1. Appropriately buzzer happy, funny, and mean, in spite his lack of Britishness, and only occasionally mildly inappropriate (less so than Steven Tyler and Christina Aguilera). The new judging panel turned out to go together well. We also saw a couple good acts, including earth harpist William Close and Light Wire Theater.

David Garibaldi has put together a grafiti, music, art dance group and is joined by his CMYK’s. I don’t get the whole dance portion of this routine, but the painting is pretty good. I’m not sure who it’s supposed to be, but it’s definitely a person, one who is not Howard Stern.

Mr. Special is a grown man in a chicken costume with a horn on a tiny bicycle. That was not very special at all.

Kim McAfee is a singer who loves Howard, the king. She’s a duet, or at least half of one. Her terrible singing quickly draws three buzzes. So seeing as she’s a disaster, Nick decides to prolong it. That doesn’t last any longer.

Cristin Sandu comes out on stage shirtless. He’s a balancer. The judges are impressed, but they wonder whether he can deliver more next time. Howie wonders enough to say no, but the other two want to see more.

What is up with the cameras and microphones on the idiots in the crowd this season?

The Lisa Clark Dancers tell us they are trained in many different styles of dance. Jack of all trades, master of none, but they’re narrowly decent enough to go to Vegas.

Dave Burleigh is a comedian impressionist, one who has to tell us the names of each person he’s impersonating, though I’ll take Howie’s word that they’re spot on.

Luiz Meneghin sings to his elderly patients every day during lunch. He manages to convert Howard into an opera fan.

Paula Nelson is known as Granny G. She makes her way out on stage with her walker to rap about horny boys making babies.

Kotton Kandy is a fat guy wearing entirely too little women’s clothing. The crowd loves him for some reason, but the judges have some sense.

Tim Hockenberry has been singing for 20 years. He wanted to do something before he turned 50, which gives him about 3 months. Howard calls his performance of You Are So Beautiful a breath of fresh air.

Funk Beyond Control is a tween dance group. They could go far.

Alonso “Turf” Jones is an extreme hip hop contortionist dancer. Oh, another one of those. His mom kicked out when he said he wanted to dance, leaving him homeless for 2 years. He hopes that he just proved that you can dance if that’s what you want to do.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of America’s Got Talent Season 7 Episode 3, which airs Monday at 8/7c on NBC.

America’s Got Talent Season 7 Episode 1

With American Idol just about finishing its run, it’s time again. Time for American Idol Lite, where some lame singer will beat out far more talented variety acts.

Piers Morgan has decided to focus on his work at CNN, leaving a gap in the judging panel, to be filled by Howard Stern, who I’m not looking forward to, but at least he gives me hope of not being stuck with a fluff judge afraid to criticize. He joins returning judges Sharon Osbourne and Howie Mandel, as well as host Nick Cannon.

Aoni Jackson is a magician. He needs to borrow a ring from somebody. Howie’s game as long as he dosn’t touch his hand. Howard buzzes him after he takes his ring and makes a lame joke. Then Howard buzzes him for Howie. Then Aoni changes into a cop so he can be a stripper. Once Sharon sees the ring hanging from his nipple, he gets his third buzz. Howie doesn’t want his ring back.

Les Golan is the creepy bird lady. She has 22 birds sitting on her who eat out of her mouth and go to the bathroom on her. Apparently, she’s just a singer. What’s the point of the birds? Turns out there isn’t one. Howie votes yes, but he’s outvoted by the sane judges.

William Close has brought his earth harp, the world’s largest stringed instrument with over 3000 feet of string that stretch the length of the stage and up to the balcony. For the sake of sheer size, this has to be awesome live, and he gets a standing ovation from the room, one that seems more deserved than the joke ones that they give out like candy on American Idol.

Elements Dance Cru are cloggers. They lose points already for the name. Not crazy about the dancing either, though they’re competent. Sharon loved the concept. Howie’s aware of who was better than not, but he won’t name names.

Jorge and Alexa Narvaez are father/daughter singers. 7 year old Alexa quickly steals the spotlight.

Ben Blaque does a crossbow act. In Nick’s direction. Starts off slow, but it gets better when he shoots a balloon in his assistant’s mouth, then splits a newspaper and some string.

Light Wire Theater is a dance act similar to the acts last year that should have won, with more props.

Sanjula Vamana is a circus performer/stay at home dad. He jabs things through his cheeks while Nick covers his baby’s eyes. Howie buzzes and covers his head. The other two judges join him.

Loyalty Dance Crew is a high energy dance team. They say they’re a family who want to stand up for the people to just be themselves, and the judges love their emotional journey.

Simply Sergio Cojella says his voice cannot be defined. I anticipate a disaster. Nick and Howie encourage the trainwreck. His performance of Girl from Ipanema falls apart, but he perfoms moderately okay when he sings God Bless America.

Shanice and Maurice are father/daughter street musicians. She’s the far better singer of the two, but their relationship with each other helps them stand out.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of America’s Got Talent Season 7 Episode 2, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on NBC.

The Celebrity Apprentice 5 Episode 13

Teresa got fired after losing as project manager in The Celebrity Apprentice 5 Episode 12. Then the final four were narrowed down further when Lisa was fired, in spite of for the first time not having a bad attitude for a stretch of about half an hour.

With one person having already faced the post-interview firing, that leads us to one more person left to be fired.

Because the interviewers thought she was an inexperienced chess player, finally Aubrey been fired. Finally. She walks out the door with her ego as big as ever, but acknowledges she’s an unfinished person.

What a productive few minutes that was. First Lisa, then Aubrey. Good riddance to the people who insist they came up with every (bad) idea in the most abrasive manner possible.

That leaves us with a final two of Arsenio Hall and Clay Aiken.

They will have to sell tickets for their charity event, produce a 30 second charity awareness ad, and put on a variety show.

Having won every time he was project manager, Arsenio gets to start building his team first.

Arsenio: Adam Carolla, Lisa Lampanelli, Paul Teutul Sr, Teresa Giudice
Clay: Penn Gillette, Debbie Gibson, Dee Snider, Aubrey O’Day

Arsenio focuses on comedy with his strange first picks, while Clay somehow manages to land all three musicians.

Adam suggests that his team tell donors they’re buying tickets not for themselves but for kids. When I think kid friendly, Adam Carolla and Lisa Lampanelli sure top my list. Arsenio promptly rejects this concept.

Aubrey hopes that Clay wins. She doesn’t like Arsenio.

Arsenio thinks the comedy will be easy enough. He can get a laugh at a funeral. But his end goal is to have Magic Johnson’s words about the charity take the spotlight.

Clay chose Penn in an effort to show Trump he could work with anybody. He’s starting to regret that, as Penn is shooting down ideas, which is what Clay had such a problem with when they worked together. Penn’s hope is to present the overcoming of the disability, rather than wallowing in it.

Why Arsenio snapped up Paul is now clear. He’s the money raiser. If history is any indication, this is very smart, as Paul raised over $300k in week 1. Lisa was so sure she was going to win that she’s already got $50k set aside for this task.

On the other team, there is no apparent focus on raising money, though they do seem to be creating a good event.

Dee’s dreading where this task is going. Is he really going to have to sing Baby Love with Debbie Gibson? In addition to that, Debbie is looking forward to singing her long forgotten tune that we’ve heard 108 times this season, Shake Your Love.

Clay wanted to shoot the video in a park. In New York City, they’re having trouble finding anywhere outdoors that’s not a skyscraper. The best they can get is a place with bars on the windows, but the director of photography is sure he can edit it so it doesn’t look completely depressing.

Lisa may be on the other team, but to thank Clay for helping raise money for her charity, she wants to buy a ticket to his event.

Clay’s getting frustrated, which is rubbing off on the rest of his team. Penn and Clay never got along to begin with, while Debbie is taking personal offense to what’s happening with the mural she wants her cousin to paint on the wall, which Clay refuses to give the okay for until he sees a sketch.

Arsenio has taken the opposite approach, as he’s a lot more hands off and just trusting those he’s appointed, some might say too much.

Adam’s crew has finally delivered the file of the footage of Magic Johnson. What Adam failed to reveal to Arsenio is that these aren’t professional video people. We get the hint of this when the entire thing is sideways.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of The Celebrity Apprentice 5 Episode 14, where we will find out who The Celebrity Apprentice 5 winner is, which airs Sunday at 9/8c on NBC.

Survivor: One World Winner

Tarzan was voted off the island in Survivor: One World Episode 13 because he’s a mastermind (who the jury hates and who can’t remember anyone’s name).

Dull cast, dull season. And then there were 5: Alicia Rosa, Chelsea Meissner, Christina Cha, Kim Spradlin, and Sabrina Thompson. As has been the case all season, I find myself struggling to find someone to root for, though the edit she’s gotten combined with the morons she’s competing against would suggest Kim is going to walk away with this, if she can make sure the jury does not hate her enough.

Kim says that the only person that can beat either her or Sabrina is Chelsea. This target is news to Sabrina, who was under the silly impression they should all stick together to the end.

For the challenge, they will untie a gate, race across a balance beam maze, collect bags of puzzle pieces on a rope net, solve a puzzle for three numbers, and use those numbers to solve a combination lock. Christina and Kim are first through the gate, but both fall off the beam, giving Alicia and Chelsea the lead. Alicia inadvertently unties other people’s bags, giving them an advantage and Chelsea the lead as they head into the puzzle. Kim is the first to piece together her puzzle, followed by Alicia and Chelsea, while the other two have no shot. Kim’s solution is incorrect, so she returns, followed by Alicia. With an alternate answer, Kim wins immunity.

Like Sabrina, Chelsea wants to stick with the final three plan with Kim, in spite of the fact that she considers Kim her biggest threat.

Alicia, the idiot who got rid of Tarzan last week, feels comfortable in her position in this tribe because Kim would be stupid to go to the end with Chelsea and Sabrina rather than her and Christina.

The jury is looking pretty miserable, a repeat of what we’ve seen in previous weeks.

Tonight is the last night Kim may play her hidden immunity idol. She declines to play it or hand it to anyone.

Votes
Chelsea
Alicia
Chelsea
Alicia
Alicia

With 3 votes, Alicia has been voted off the island. Strangely, she’s mad at Christina, who was on her side, rather than looking in the mirror and blaming herself for being an idiot last week.

Kim apologizes to Christina for lying to her this whole time. Christina doesn’t want to get even, though. She just wants to get rid of Sabrina.

The final immunity challenge has them using a long wooden pole to maneuver 10 wooden bowls through a maze and stack them on the maze platform that’s held in place on a spring. Interesting challenge. Hardly what I’d expect for a final challenge. Kim quickly finds herself with a healthy lead. As Kim makes a mistake, Christina closes in on her. Sabrina remains perhaps the biggest challenge non-threat of the season, even worse than Tarzan. Christina keeps things moderately interesting, but Kim never relinqueshes her lead. Kim wins immunity.

When they return, Christina poses a question to Kim. “So it’s me?” Nice to see her fighting to the end.

Votes
Sabrina
Christina
Christina
Christina

With 3 votes, Christina has been voted off the island.

Now we head to questions from the jury, none of whom like anybody sitting in the final three.

Jonas comments about how badly Sabrina sucked at challenges. Chelsea takes credit for taking Kat out. He doesn’t understand why Kim didn’t take Christina with her.

Kim tells Christina she would get rid Chelsea if she had to choose. Christina’s question to Chelsea: “Why do you hate people?” This from the girl who didn’t connect with a single person her entire time on the island.

Jay points out that Sabrina didn’t do anything at camp either, and wasn’t just a failure at challenges.

Mike says that Kim failed to deflect blame to anybody else when she was blindsiding people, a key part of the blindside she seems to have missed.

Tarzan apparently brought a thesaurus as his luxury item, as he rambles in big words with little relevant point. A tearful Chelsea responds by saying she aspires to what he and his wife have.

Kim didn’t feel bad about Leif’s name being written down. Sabrina says Leif’s elimination was Kim’s fault.

The main point of Alicia’s comment is to talk about how great she is. Delusional, party of one. She congratulates Kim for having her pawns.

Kim tells Troyzan that his plans fell apart when she got rid of Jonas.

Kat tells them they all hurt her, but Kim destroyed her. In spite of all her negative comments and crying for the past couple weeks, she says she doesn’t have time to be angry with them.

Troyzan votes for Sabrina because Kim may have won a lot of challenges, but that doesn’t make her the best player. Kat votes for Kim, which she calls a lesson learned, voting for the best player rather than based on hurt feelings.

Votes
Kim
Sabrina
Kim
Sabrina
Kim
Kim
Kim

Kim is the Survivor: One World winner. Not the most compelling winner ever, but it became increasingly obvious she was going to win as her opponents made increasingly boneheaded moves. Chelsea received 0 votes, Sabrina received votes from Troyzan and Leif, and Kim swept the other 7 votes.

So apparently Blossom is still on TV.

Kim, Tarzan, Troyzan, and Chelsea are in the running for America’s vote. Kim won the vote and the $100,000 prize that goes along with it.

Survivor will be back for season 25 in Survivor: Philippines, which includes three castaways who were airlifted out of previous seasons. I hope it’s better.

American Idol Season 11 Episode 36

The top 4 performed in American Idol Season 11 Episode 35. Tonight 1 more will be sent home.

Phil notwithstanding (I still don’t get it), I wouldn’t be too surprised by any of them leaving, though Hollie, who will tie Elise’s six times in the bottom if she is there again, seems like the most likely candidate, a position with which she’s familiar.

Phillip Phillips is up first. He… returns to the couch and may or may not be safe. Lame, Seacrest.

From there, we fill an hour, concluding with Jennifer Lopez doing what made her famous, wearing revealing clothing and shaking her butt (in between, she sings a little).

All four contestants gather on stage for the results. Jessica Sanchez is in the top three. Joshua Ledet is joining her. Phillip Phillips takes the last spot in the final three. Hollie Cavanagh has been eliminated.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol Season 11 Episode 37, which airs Wednesday at 8/7c on Fox.

American Idol Season 11 Episode 35

Skylar Laine found herself on the losing end of the audience vote in American Idol Season 11 Episode 34. Tonight the top 4 perform. For 2 damn hours. We start off with California songs. Whatever that means.

Phillip Phillips
Song: Have You Ever Seen the Rain by Creedence Clearwater Revival
Jennifer: Joe kind of Cocker quality that I haven’t heard before.
Randy: Started a little rough, but then you were right on the money.
Numbers: 1-866-IDOLS-01 or 1-866-IDOLS-05

Hollie Cavanagh
Song: Faithfully by Journey
Randy: Peaking at the right time.
Jennifer: Been waiting to see that from you.
Steven: Over the top choice of song.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-02 or 1-866-IDOLS-06

Joshua Ledet
Song: You Raise Me Up by Josh Groban
Jennifer: Great performance. Loved the drama.
Randy: So excited to see what you do.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-03 or 1-866-IDOLS-07

Jessica Sanchez
Song: Steal Away by Etta James
Jennifer: One of the best in such a long time.
Steven: Nailed that. Showed the other side of your voice.
Randy: Amazing again.
Number: 1-866-IDOLS-04 or 1-866-IDOLS-08

I still don’t know what this California Dreamin’ theme was supposed to be about. I expected some Beach Boys, but I guess not. Next we move on to “Songs you wish you wrote.”

Before we get to that, Phillip and Joshua sing This Love by Maroon 5, without anyone trying to embrace anyone. Then the girls do a duet of Eternal Flame by The Bangles. Why are they swinging? As with last week, the girls are a lot stronger singers. And we keep dragging out the night with I’ve Been Waiting for a Girl Like You by Foreigner, an awkward combination of all four singers. I’m about ready to run of things to fast forward.

Phillip Phillips
Song: Volcano by Damien Rice
Steven: Heard the musician that time.
Jennifer: One of the most beautiful, poignant moments.
Randy: One of your best performances of the season.

Hollie Cavanagh
Song: I Can’t Make You Love me by Bonnie Raitt
Steven: Fell a little short.
Jennifer: Emotion got the better of you.
Randy: Didn’t give you a moment. Nowhere to go.

Joshua Ledet
Song: It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World by James Brown
Steven: Never heard anything that good in my life. My life. (Okay, judges, tone it down. We got the hint who your favorite is a long time. You’re running the risk of doing more harm than good.)
Randy: One of the best performances in the history of any show.

Jessica Sanchez
Song: And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going by Jennifer Holliday
Steven: Another winning performance.
Jennifer: Just let out so much. A real moment.
Randy: In it to really win it.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol Season 11 Episode 36, which airs Thursday at 8/7c on Fox.