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March 22, 2006
Black. White. 3/22
They are finally having the "creature" conversation... though I'm upset they waited a week.
It's gettin' ugly up in here. Everyone is SO in their respective corners. I have to keep reminding myself what I remind others - that this is edited. And that the editors are going for drama...
Um, if you'd asked me a year ago, I would have said I hadn't read the bible in years...
Ok. No. The woman Carmen chose as her "guide?" NO.
Posted by nikl at 09:35 PM | Comments (0)
!!!
Ryan Seacrest is SHORTER THAN KEVIN COVIAS.
Reality, out.
Posted by nikl at 09:32 PM | Comments (0)
American Idol Top 11
Mandisa - I already don't like this theme. And I'm really bored. Even though I know I will be fast forwarding. Though the song is boring, Mardisa is tearing it up.
Bucky Covington - Bucky and Barry in the same frame - kinda like Bucky and Stevie in the same frame. Ok, kinda like Bucky in any frame alone. I have a feeling that Simon is going to rip this and that this may be it for him... Thank you, Simon.
Paris - That's a lot of make-up. This song is so her - as is that outfit. (Was that Donald Trump on the isle just out of the frame snapping on the 1 and the 3?). She just made Bucky look even more ridic.
Chris - ok. Maybe I shouldn't be fast forwarding through the set-up scenes - b/c Barry is killing me right now, he so hates this choice at first. And now I'm getting why Barry is in with this theme, he is the ruler of all arrangers (except Dan Rieling). Thank goodness the first verse was the only one in the Cash range. This is so why he will be the next American Idol. That was smart AND good.
Katherine - I refuse to use McFever. Such a perfect song for her. Very BCM, very piano bar. How much hair do you think they added under there? People, we have a competition. The belting is on the top of where she belts, but those runs were ridiculously awesome.
Taylor - No meeting him with "Mandy." Only Taylor could get away with that - wait, maybe not even Taylor. (BTW, who's the Taye Diggs lookalike musical director guy who isn't saying anything in every shot?) Is he pulling the mic before he finishes phrases? And are his feet not moving in time? Ok, he's back to Steve Martin land here. Last note, no mic at all. Simon's gonna rip him one... Why does Simon have a lighter in his hand? Regardless, he's right.
Lisa - in mind, she's already gone. Like, really, I thought this was week 10 and that she was already gone. I think maybe the HD fees is a millisecond off, b/c this looks really weird. I'm being reminded of a tap concert, where maybe they let one of the 12 year olds sing the solo. Rip her up, Simon.
Kevin Covias - I love that he's still in this competition. I think he'd last longer than Bucky and Lisa even if he went up there and jumped rope for the next three weeks. It's all about the head shaking.
Elliott - backed off on the vibrato - kinda. He's better than he's performed that last few weeks. He'll be safe though.
Kellie - This make-up and hair is just atrocious. she looks really bored. I'm bored too. Can she please go home now?
Ace - I'm really afraid he's going to crash and burn here. At least Ace had Barry Manilow to help him perform a group song as a solo (5 of you know what I'm talking about). Wow. This starts out POOR. Don't wag your finger at me. What happened to the Ace from a month ago? Did he really just get through on looks? B/c these vocals are decidedly average.
Posted by nikl at 05:31 PM | Comments (0)
March 15, 2006
American Idol Top 12 Round 1
Ace - Steve and Wendy WHINER. Stevie Nasal
Kellie Pickler - Please get voted off. You singing Stevie only makes me want to break my TV. And DON'T TALK. EVER.
Elliott Yamin - He's going to tear this up by definition. Slow down on the vibrato, now... wow... what's happening... my - world... it's um, turning upside down... Elliott is singing off KEY!?
Mandisa - Too low. Wow. Did they sing all the easily sung Stevie songs prior to this round, and now they're really challenged and we have to pay for it? Though when she went up the octave - much better...
Bucky - Bucky and Stevie in the same room is completely UNACCEPTABLE. Very superstishins? What? English? Thought, we're glad the stylists got to him finally. They've probably been salivating this entire time.
Melissa - watch out now - this song'll get ya'. WHAT? WHAT? WHAT?
Lisa - Perhaps if Hello Kitty were on American Idol, it would go something like this. Though Hello Kitty doesn't have a mouth.
Kevin Covias - Is he walk pooping? Or holding off a dragon? Though that was a nice little run. (Watch out behind you!) I don't know what to think about it. I just want to clap and yell, but maybe not becuase it's great, but just because my body needs to react and I don't know what to do.
Katherine - Damn. She's good.
Taylor Hicks - It's like Steve Martin meets Ray Charles on Chuck Berry's knee. But he's unique, he's good, and I actually think he's starting to develop his very own "isms." Can't deny. This brothah's good.
Paris - I'm kinda sick of her. But I'm glad we dispensed of the weave. but she just did a damn good job.
Chris - need I say anything? Not as insanely interesting as some of the other performances, but he just rulz.
My final 4 - Taylor, Chris, Katherine and Mandisa
Aaron's top 2 - McFever (Katherin) and Rocker Boy (Chris)
Kira's seconds Aaron's and her final 4 - Taylor, Chris, Katherine and Elliott
Posted by nikl at 10:37 PM | Comments (0)
March 14, 2006
Go Kat
How proud am I of my friend from Northwestern, Kat Parsons? (see link in right nav bar) She's featured in AT&T's Blue Room, and she rulZ. Capital Z.
Um, and Heahter Headley is coming to St. Louis WITH ANTHONY HAMILTON. Hi.
Posted by nikl at 11:43 AM | Comments (0)
March 13, 2006
Kira's Surprise Party
Was last weekend. Go Aaron for planning and surprising the heck out of her :). Photos here. At the end there are a few from my evening with Kay and Eamon when I was in Chicago for 5 minutes, and a couple of random photos I took over the past few weeks.
Posted by nikl at 10:28 PM | Comments (0)
Black. White.
I've only watched 4 minutes of the pilot, and already, I know to tell you all to watch this show. Synopsis here.
Ok, does the (white) dad realize that he thinks he is giving a complement but really he's being just as derogatory as, oh, I dunno, Hitler? Ok, maybe that's a bit harsh. He just said "as a former basketball player, I'd just really love to jump, slam dunk like these guys. I mean, clearly, blacks are superior - hands down, they're faster, they jump higher, they're just superior."
HI.
I'm a little concerned about 2 families taking the torch for entire races.
I'm really impressed on how they bring in race relations professionals on the process. I hope they continue this throughout the series.
OK. This (white) Dad, I cannot WAIT for the first time he is called the "n" word. He's got this theory that he'll be able to just brush it off and won't bother him in the slightest. I think they're totally setting him up for it to happen and for him to loose it.
WATCH. THIS. SHOW. or don't. But this, is good television.
Posted by nikl at 07:21 PM | Comments (0)
March 08, 2006
American Idol, Season 5, Guys Round 3
Gideon McKinney - ok. The whole record makes the world go round thing just totally freaked me out. But damn can this boy sing. He needs to break out of his Motown thing tho.
Chris Daughtry - Not the most amazing, but he's still my American Idol
Kevin Covias - What a killer song choice. Like as in kill your chances.
Bucky Covington - I could have totally done without any of that. Ever.
Will Makar - for someone i hate for no apparent reason, that wasn't half bad.
Taylor Hicks - ok, THIS was a good idea. Is this Michael McDonald? He branched out, and I think he actually might be winning me over. DAMN. That was REALLY GOOD.
Elliott Yamin - Another great song choice. Thought this isn't his best performance.
Ace Young - nice stretch. and well done. this will seriously catapult his ass. Michael Jackson? I thought it sounded much more like the Floetry version. Who knew it was a cover?
Posted by nikl at 09:57 PM | Comments (0)
March 07, 2006
American Idol, Season 5, Girls Round 3
Paris Bennett - not so sure about this song choice, but good mixin' it up on the chorus
Lisa Tucker - She sounds a little like she's 16 - oh wait.
Melissa McGhee - A little karaoke
Kinnik Sky - oh, girl, honey. Don't sing an entire song just because you can sing 3 or four notes really well. Oh wait, NO NOTES WELL. Bieeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Katherine McPhee - damn. And go BCM!! Though, damn. BCM.
Alaya Brown - I'm a little uncomfortable watching this woman
Mandisa - The girl can just sing
Kellie Pickler - I thought she was already voted off... Too bad there were three people who did worse than she did this week. Ok. Her whole comment section, I can't even talk about.
Posted by nikl at 08:46 PM | Comments (0)
March 04, 2006
Belated Black History Moment
Please tell me that someone else witnessed this on SNL.
Posted by nikl at 11:11 PM | Comments (0)
March 03, 2006
Amazing Race
Oh, yes. SO GLAD that the family all US all the time format is no more. Back to the people who talk to much, over-excited girls, cute couples and international insanity. BRING IT.
"crap a big load of turds" - Lisa & Joni at the heliport are KILLING ME.
What's with the brazilian and the soccer ball? Make it stop.
I AM SO SAD that the gay couple got voted out. Mostly because Lisa & Joni, while hilarious, are going to quickly make me want to throw things.
"The sharing of the growing of the experience, is just something that's a great bond to have." WHAT?
Posted by nikl at 08:56 PM | Comments (0)
American Idol, Season 5, Guys round 2
LATE.
Taylor Hicks - ok, don't mess with this song. though he did ok... It's like, one measure he can really sing, and then the next he's on a street corner in New Orleans
Elliott Yamin - DAMN DAMN DAMN. He so embodies that "late night in a random bar and OMG who IS this unknown vocalist who just WORKS EVERY NOTE." Born. To. Sing.
Ace Young - hmmm. that was pretty lame. No, Randy, that would not be "good lookin' out."
Gedeon McKeon - I'm still frightened. Very frightened. But that's one smooth voice.
Kevin Covais - warm fuzzy smiling giggly. Yet still kind of uncomfortable... (me when he sings, not him)
Sway Penala - I think it's now clear that last week was really worse than everyone seemed to think it was. Pitchy. And I don't know how many more times I'll say this during this competition, but if you can't do the Stevie, LEAVE THE STEVIE ALONE
Will Makor - Don't like him. Somthing about him... And again with one of my favorite songs. Josh Groban meets Kenny Rodgers. And nobody wins.
Bucky Covington - He does what he does VERY well. but he really looks like he just walked out of Vanzo's
David Radford - no more crooners.
Chris Daughtry - Love. Him. Again, can't we just dispense of this whole thing and crown him?
Posted by nikl at 07:07 PM | Comments (0)
March 02, 2006
Bra-vo
Tonight I saw a GOOD PLAY. I cannot remember the last time I saw a really well and solidly written play. If you live in the Lou and can catch one of the final perfomances of Relativity at the Black Rep. DO SO.
And alas, no AI guys. Goodnight.
Posted by nikl at 11:34 PM | Comments (0)
A Maze, I Tell You
Getting to work this morning was like a game. God bless traffic and weather every 10 minutes. And to think, I ALMOST listened to my iPod instead of KMOX.
It started with me hearing the train crossing bell go off as I walked out of the house (there are tracks behind Cameron's that have to be crossed to get to the highway). As I pulled out of the subdivision, the 7:40 report tells me there's an accident on 64 between 50 and 159 (normally I get on 64 at 50 and take it in to the Poplar Street Bridge). So I take 50 down to attempt getting on 64 at 159. When I get there I see that it backed up further than that, and then the 7:50 report tells me that once I get through that, it will be backed up again a few miles from the Poplar Street Bridge. So, in a bold move, I keep heading north on 159, as though I'm going to Edwardsville. I jog over to 157 past Collinsville HS, and get on 55/70 headed back towards St. Louis. It dawns on me that I should have used 255 to do all of this, but alas. It's still only 8am and I'm on my way. The 8am report tells me that there's an accident on the Poplar Street bridge, and I soon start to see the backup with my very own eyes. Thankfully, I use the MLK Bridge to 70W, and that has it's own lane. I resist the urge to roll down my window and yell "SUCKAS!" as I sail by the parking lot-like traffic leading up to the Poplar Street bridge (if I'd come at this from 64 like I usually do, it would have screwed me). But I don't, in fear of jinxing my "luck." I get over the bridge, onto 70W, no problem. The 8:10 report tells me that an accident on 70E has 70W rubbernecking starting at Union - one exit beyond where I get off. As I scoot off at Kingshighway, I see the breaklights half a mile ahead. Suh-weet!
Who's the patron saint of traffic? Thanks whoever you are!
Posted by nikl at 08:58 AM | Comments (0)
With My Very Eyes
Oh. My. Goodness. The things I saw tonight. So fitting were they of Kay's Crazy Crap that I feel as though perhaps I should call her, relay everything to her and let her post it all.
It all started with monthly girls night, masterminded by Melissa, and participated in by many. Though she blatantly excluded me from all except the first, I am now apparently back in the worthy zone and was invited to this month's event (MELISSA, I'M TOTALLY KIDDING :)). We went to Llywelyn's Pub in the Central West End. Because there were TWENTY of us, they sat us upstairs where they warned us "karaoke starts at 9pm." They obviously don't know us. Well, they obviously don't know me.
The karaoke guy arrives, sets up, and I believe, senses he's about to lose the one table upstairs and asks if we mind if he starts karaoke early. We don't. A good time is had by all - B 52s. Thriller, the ususal supets, and then... other people start to come upstairs. This is where it all goes wrong... or right... I will never be sure.
The first sign that we've entered an alternate universe is a duet by two guys who most possibly are grad students at Wash U, perhaps studying, maybe, economics. They sing some hip-hop song that I don't know. Something about "your behind" and "gettin' down." I am shocked, and I know not what to say.
This is followed by a guy (not with their group) who speaks english maybe. He reminds me of someone who might be an extra on Bali H'ai in the movie South Pacific. LIT-ER-A-LY. He sings James Brown - "I Feel Good." I cannot do justice in writing what went on here. Find someone who was there, and ask them to reinact. That's really the best I can do. But as he left the "stage," he let his shirt fall and flexed his muscles for the girls in the front row. No, really.
Then, a woman who said she was a surfer in the 60s (take that mental picture and run - fast) got up to sing "catch a wave and you're sittin' on top of the world." Complete with shout out to surfers in the 60s at the end (with the prerequisite fist raising, showing us her belly button).
Then, the piece de resistance, another grad studen type gets up, and sings some slow R&B jam about takin' it slow, takin' off clothes, et cetera. And he played to girls in the audience as though he were perhaps, LL Cool J. LL Cool J he was NOT. But props for the attitude. Props for the attitude.
I couldn't take anymore after this, and took my leave, only to be lured back by the karaoke guy starting a Luther song (was it Luther?). Once that was over, I _truly_ left, even though the original grad student duo was up, about to sing "I Had the Time of My Life." Lucky me, I COULD HEAR IT FROM THE STREET, LOUD AND CLEAR. I almost went back and told them all that anyone driving the block was hearing the madness, but then, I didn't :).
Lots and lots of madness I tell you - though all of this from a 31 year old woman who can be seen wearing a chococat watch. So there you go.
No AI guys watching tonight. I'll catch up tomorrow after the show (going to see "Relativity" at the Black Rep). Here's Ordinary Whirled's recap if you need it now :).
Posted by nikl at 12:32 AM | Comments (0)
March 01, 2006
Rock Star of the World
Um, hello. My friend from college, Kelly, who's finishing up her masters at Harvard just informed me, IN PASSING, mind you, like as though perhaps she was considering eating Thai for lunch, that she not only got in, but was RECRUITED for the brand spanking new Human Centered Computing Doctoral Program at Georgia Tech.
HELLO.
I've informed her that never, ever, ever, ever will anyone ever be able to mess with her again. Or even think about it.
Get down girl, go 'head, get down.
Posted by nikl at 02:01 PM | Comments (0)