David Cook Wins Idol--UPDATED

Update: I'm stealing this pic from Sister Honeybunch. Thanks, lovey!

Some people, including myself, got my wish tonight. I think the right man won. He's going to follow in Carrie Underwood's footsteps and have a spectacular career. I look forward to what he comes up with. Some years, there seems to be no justice. But this year, it all seemed right.



And the real winner is George Michael. Wow.




A couple contestents are going to have kick ass careers even though they lost: David Archuleta, of course, Brooke White and that Australian dude.

Ann Althouse calls him "pretty damn cool". Amen to that.

UPDATE: Sister Honey Bunch says, "My boyfriend won." I was waiting for her post. Yay for sister!

Idol: The Davids Duel For Dominance

Sorry, that's just sucky alliteration, but I'm trying to drum up some excitement. Who do you want to win? Here's yer choices: the cute little button of magical-voiced pixie dust or the gravelly slick-haired bar-tending he-man. If you own ovaries that have matured beyond age 15. the choice shouldn't be too difficult, but hey, I think it's the sub-15 set who choose these things so the verdict is by no means in. Sister was right about the finals, but so was the rest of America. I'm still not sure why Syesha lasted so long except for that fact that she's model-gorgeous and has great boobs that she just didn't flash enough and that's definitely something; everything else can be worked out on the mixing board, right Alan?

I want him to win
	David Pixie Archuleta
	David He-Man Cook
pollcode.com free polls

Idol Hatred--Live Blogging The Cursed Event

I hate myself for watching American Idol.

Paula Abdul is drooling as usual. David Archuleta singing "And So It Goes" by Billy Joel. My favorite Joel song. Shit. And he's starting a cappella. He's kicking it. What a soaring voice this boy possesses. Simon sez it was predicable but not outstanding. Randy calls it "dope" and Paula felt he "told a story".

Syesha is going to do Alicia Keys. Randy Jackson chose "I Ain't Got You". I love Alicia Keys, but ouch for Syesha because she doesn't have the depth and passion of Alicia Keys and it's obvious. I want her to go AWAY. Why is she still here? She does look gorgeous. Meh. Goodbye Syesha. Let's see what Randy says she's "peaking at the right time". Syesha needs to go home, but I bet she stays because the boys split the vote. Ugh. Just go home.

David Cook will be singing a Roberta Flack song "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". Wow, incredible song. Let's see what he does with it. He's kicking it. Dahum. He's hurting me with this song. Shit. He just won the whole thing with this. He needs to be thanking Simon for picking this song because it's off the hook!

David A. will be singing a Chris Brown "With You". He's doing great. My son is singing along enthusiastically. It must be good. My reaction? OK and I'm hearing Rick Astly again. Bleh. I'm ignoring the judges.

"Fever" by Peggy Lee, huh? Well, Syesha is ambitious I'll give her that. Cute little dress. She's lookin' adorable and sexy. Again, the song is too big for her, beyond her. This song is meant to be song by a woman who has made her way in the world, right? Syesha is too much a little girl. And now she's just annoying me. Randy likes it. I agree with Paula. Simon says that he thinks she'll regret the song--Cabaret. Yep. Blech. Buh-bye Syesha!

American Idol just makes me mean. And you know what I'm thinking during the commercials? No, you don't know. All I'm thinking is: hurry up! I want David Cook. I want him to sing to meeeeeee. Now! And I have to wait through stupid commercials and two twits singing for the real superstar! Back: Hey babeeeeeee!

Bring it, David! Switchfoot's "Dare You To Move". Ambitious choice, David. Everyone knows this song and it's still popular right now. Ooooo and he's playing his guitar, too. I'm not liking it. What in the hell? The chorus is better, he's feeling it now. Let me predict. Randy will say it was "pitchy". Oooh, surprise, he didn't. Not the best choice, I don't think.

For the second round all the performers chose their songs. That was a bad idea.

"Longer" by Dan Fogelberg for the midget. I'm kinda sleeping. Of course, he can do this and do it well. My daughter gives it the it's-kinda-ok hand move. I agree. He's putting me to sleep, but that's the song. I'm snoring. Randy says that it's a good one vocally. Paula says "lovely". Simon says it's a song for a 90 year old. Amen. I'm still snoring in the rocking chair.

Good song, Syesha is doing average. But you know what? In a studio they'll tweak her voice and she'd be fine. She can't hold the note. Her voice is all friggin' over. Yuck. No one likes it. My daughter says, "but she's still pretty though". Well, there's that.

Sigh. David Cook comes on strong at the end, finally, but up 'til then, blah. The crowd loves it. Randy loves the song, but the performance was "predictable". Paula Abdul says he's going to the finals. Simon says that he wins the night. I think so, too.

I like David A. more watching at the end. I like Syesha even less. And David Cook is a star already.

And there is one more hour of my life I'll never get back and I regret it and I knew I would.

American Idol Liveblogging--UPDATED

Do Neil Diamond's songs not translate well? Simon was right about the first five. Ew to all of them.

Jason Castro's soulful eyes cannot overcome his sucky, sappy vocals. Bleh.

David Cook. First, who does his hair because so splattered on the side of his head it's distracting. But he does a great job with this song. He's a rock star. Period.

Brooke needs to go. I'm sick of her. She has pretty blond hair and blue eyes that look they'll cry all the time.

David Archuleta--Blech! And everyone loved him. Why? I don't get it. I realize who he reminds me of: Rick Astly. Oh yeah, that's him. Weird voice going with a little body.

Syesha needs to go too. She's beautiful. She has a nice voice. She doesn't stand out.


Here's the order as I see it: 1) David Cook 2) David Archuleta 3) Jason Castro 4) Brooke White 5) Syesha Mercado.

UPDATE: Sister has some good stuff about AI.



I think I'm sick of American Idol again. (But Sister Honeybunch is in love.)

American Idol--UPDATED

Checking in on the show.....last year, I was consistent and irritated that the show consistently sucked and yet I was addicted. This year, I determined to not get hooked and I haven't. Ha! I am in control of my TV consumption. It's one of the few habits I've broken. So, imagine my additional irritation this year when the contestants are actually good. Unique singers, beautiful, great vibe, all potential rock stars and I've been skipping the dang show!



Well, I caught the end of the show and saw the review. Holy crap! Who will they cut? I have no idea. Who are your favorites? Are you ready to predict a winner? I will say this, Jason Castro did a version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow that's very familiar to me and he didn't do it justice. He was trying to imitate this:


On to the vote:

Who should go?
	David Archuleta
	Jason Castro
	David Cook
	Christie Lee Cook
	Michael Johns
	Syesha Mercado
	Carly Smithson
	Brooke White
pollcode.com free polls

UPDATED:

Rachel Lucas had the exact opposite experience with Jason Castro. She says:

It was convenient that I was in touch with my boobs right then, because when Jason Castro started singing that funky little version of “Over the Rainbow,” I began spontaneously lactating. True story. I’m not too sure about the physiological mechanisms involved here but I’m pretty sure it’s something to do with wanting to have his babies.

Hypothetically, of course. Although I totally support the rumor that I’m pregnant because that gives me one more opportunity to disappoint people.

After Jason and his extremely confusing sex appeal (he looks like a girl, but also like a man, pretty but virile…shit I don’t know…he was playing the ukelele for Chrissake but it was almost erotic), the show went downhill hard and fast.

American Idol Live Blogging--UPDATED

Gwen Stefani all flowered up. Kelly Clarkson angry. Don't you feel like there is some serious back history with this girl? I think she's been through hell. She doesn't seem congruent with her success.

Weird yellow girl attacks Ryan. He gets lost for a minute. It feels like a staged Ricki Lake show.

The top six guys in white now singing with Smokey Robinson. Wow. He looks good. And his voice is so distinctive--he makes the boys sound....plain. Tears from a Clown. Great song.


GO BLAKE GO! Beat boxing with Doug E. Fresh! Woo Hoo! They did awesome!!

Why are we doing these stupid awards?

Blueberry Eyes says, "The girls are way better than the boys." Amen to that, sister. Gladys Night. Oh, yes! Remember, how I compared Melinda to her? See her sell it? She believes the story she's telling. Ewwww, Haley is back. I didn't miss her vamping it up for the camera. Blech! But I sure did miss Gina! How cute does she look? On A Midnight Train To Georgia...whew! listen to Lakisha and Melinda hold their own with Gladys. Yow!

Tony Bennett. Sounds great--does he ever sound anything else? I just wonder, though, why the recording industry picks old greats to venerate. It seems so capricious. For a while it was Johnny Cash, now it's Tony. Both deserving men, to be sure, I just don't get the group think.

BeBe and CeCe Winans singing with Melinda up front. Lord of the Light, AMEN! Save the world from darkness. I wonder what Simon thinks of this unique American belief. As long as it makes money, right?

"I'll stand by you" remake of the Pretenders. I like Chrissy Hines better, but Carrie Underwood does a nice job. What a beautiful girl. Six million records. And an award from Clive Davis. Woop-de-doo.

Sanjaya is back and still can't sing. He gets the star treatment: Fanfare for the Common Man. Good grief! Why the hell did Joe Perry agree to this? He's awesome. I'd just like to hear him play. Sanjaya can shut up any time.

Does winning matter? I don't think so. Maybe losing means establishing your own terms. Well whaddya know..... Taylor Hicks answers my question for me. He's annoying. Grandpa belongs in Las Vegas in a bar band. Snooze.

Reuban Stoddard--what a great voice. Why hasn't he done better? Is he not cut out for the big-time pressure? He seems to have such a sweet personality. You know there will be a show some day about the psychological trauma of being on American Idol. It will be like those shows about child stars. Ha!

Blueberry Eyes says of Bette Midler, "She looks like an old grandma except with a good voice." I can hear Randy saying, "Dog, dog, it's all right. It was a little pitchy, but it was just all right." Everyone loves her. A tear here and there.

Talk about dragging it out. Fifteen minutes left. Who's in the finals again?

Kelly Clarkson sing Sargent Pepper's Lonely Heart Club Band. Oh, I guess this is a butcher Beatles medley. Taylor, oh Taylor.... Redeemed by Reuben. I love his voice.

AND THE WINNER IS: JORDIN SPARKS!


UPDATE: I came out squarely in the middle of Brendan Loy's Idol pool. A guy named Mark won the last six consecutive weeks. That's pretty amazing. I was too emotionally attached to Melinda. I would have scored better. Oh well.... I think she'll have a great career. Ditto Blake.

Breast is Best And Interesting News

Back to the breast, men. Why? Because God wants you to.

Another reason to get excited about iPods.

I've always wanted to do this with my Suburban. Maybe if I had a Hummer.....

And for all you Brown People Haters, you'll like this.

Would these amendments to the Immigration Bill make you more likely to support it? It's warming my cold, dark heart a bit.

Mickey Mouse propaganda that Disney won't fight.

And from the hubris desk: another huge hurricane season. Because scientists just know it.

I predict Jordin Sparks will win. Because I just know it.

Melinda is Gone

I'm in shock.

American Idol: Blake's Not So Sexy, Jordin & Melinda Push It UPDATED

Okay, to get right down to it, I couldn't put my finger on what's been bugging me about Blake lately. Tonight it became clear: he's got no sexy in his singing. The best singers are making and giving love to the listener. They tell a story and they are selling it. And, we all know sex sells. The only time Blake relaxed enough to sex it up was when he sang the Zombie's song Time of the Season. Otherwise I've found his delivery to be rather mechanical. Tonight, singing Maroon Five's This Love, he sang around the overtly sexual lyric "dig in my fingertips" which leaves little to the imagination. To deliver that line means going after it enthusiastically. Enthusiasm and comfort in sexiness. Eh, he's 26, but if Justin Timberlake can bring sexy back (where did it go?) so can Blake.

Melinda got pushed tonight and she actually did better. She will thrive with input from producers and song writers. She's a pro. No matter how this ends, she's going to win.

Jordin continues to improve. She's absolutely gorgeous and the camera loves her. She's going to have a career, too.

I like all three, but I like Melinda best.

Now, off to House and the mind-numbing ridiculousness that is debates this early in the process.

What do you think?

Who do you think will be voted off tonight?
	Blake
	Jordin
	Melinda
pollcode.com free polls

American Idol Reveals A Racist America?

That's the line anyway, if a white guy wins. Ann Althouse thinks that three black women in the final means something:

But, traditionally, over all the seasons, we've seen white male singers stay on the show when superior black female singers have been voted off. That did not happen last night.

Well, one person has to win. If the winner isn't a black woman is America racist?

Once Sanjaya and Haley were out, the voting seemed to be an honest representation of talent. Since this is the first season I've watched, I think the results have been fair. I would have liked Phil to stay another week. I can't believe I just wrote that. He's truly grown on me. The other contestents seem heart-broken that he's gone, too.

Once you get into the top four, though, it starts to become a preference of style. That's why I think the race question is bogus. This is a competition for a pop singer. The winner won't be touring with the Three Tenors. So while Blake doesn't possess the most gifted voice, and still must deal with nerves, and needs to put more feeling into his performances, he is fun to watch. Give me a break! Gwen Stefani and Madonna have both had long careers and it's been all style over substance. At least Blake can carry a tune and he's innovative. Does it mean that America is racist is they pick Blake as the new Idol because the girls can sing better? I don't believe it.

The girls remaining are so incredibly different vocally and yet all have big voices.

• Lakisha reminds me of Nell Carter. Don't laugh! Nell started on Broadway and had an incredible singing voice. Lakisha needs training on breath control and phrasing--that will help her with her pitch problems. As far as sheer power, Lakisha has tremendous potential. She really should get some operatic training.
  
• Melinda Doolittle has true vocal versatility and the most control of her instrument of anyone on the show. The comparisons....she's Gladys Night and a little Aretha Franklin thrown in and a whole lot herself which is why I love her voice so much. It's unique. If Melinda has a weakness, it's that she doesn't look popish. I know, it doesn't sound fair. From the positive perspective, the no-necked troll Natalie Maines from the Dixie Chicks has a career. Or had one, until she thought someone cared about her political opinions. Jordin and Blake have the "look", while Melinda must try really hard to be hip. Her voice wins though. She's my favorite. (And, most of you probably don't know this, but I'm white.)
  
• Jordin Sparks has the best stage name, doesn't she? She is fun and vibrant and her vitality comes through her music. She doesn't have the vocal maturity and control yet, though. So while Melinda could handle Bon Jovi week, Jordin kinda fell apart. True, it's not her style, but great singers can move between genres pretty effortlessly. That being said, this competition isn't all about voice which is why Blake is such a big contender. Jordin possesses stage presence in spades. She loves the stage and given the right handling, she will thrive there.
  

Overall, stage presence is a concern for Lakisha. She has not sold me yet that she loves being up there. Melinda and Jordin connect with the audience on a core level. They are singing and believing. Elvis sang and believed and you believed watching him. All the greats, even Bon Jovi, sing and believe and make the audience believers. Bon Jovi said, "This is my church." Well, when Jordin and Melinda are up there we're hearing the Word through their delivery.

I guess I feel that the race question is unfair. All the final contenders have their strengths and weaknesses. All could be great. In fact, I believe that the top four will have significant music careers. (They all seem better to me than that dopey dude who won last year.) For that matter, Phil and Gina Glockson will probably have winning careers as a result of the competition.

The Final Four on Idol are unique talents. Their skin color doesn't count as a talent. Their reproductive organs don't count as a talent (okay, well, Antonella's might). American Idol seems to be the best indication that Martin Luther King's dream is closer to reality than ever. But not if we keep bringing up race.

American Idol: Bon Jovi Is In The House

Who knew that being big haired, boy bands belting bleeding heart lyrics were so tough? Last night's Idol made Jon Bon Jovi look really, really talented. Actually, one of my all-time favorite rock-n-roll songs with the best lead-in of all time is Bon Jovi's. Here are two versions. The first is a live version where the band is ad-libbing. The second is pure, unadulterated rock "experience" video.

The song, Lay Your Hands on Me, is delivered like a religious experience. He's talking about healing, no doubt.



Drudge says that LaKisha and Chris are out tonight. It's anyone's guess. I figure Melinda and Blake for the finalists with everyone else peeling off between now and the end. Jordin kind of fell apart this week. I don't see her as #1, though. That's the current ranking. What do I know?

American Idol: Stamp Out Malaria

No mention whatsoever of why so many kids are dying of Malaria. The answer is that environmentalists succeeded in getting DDT spraying discontinued in Africa. Mosquitos carry Malaria. Malaria spreads.

Newsflash: these people will have to come out of their bug netting eventually. Luckily, countries have reversed their DDT stance and will use it to save the children and pregnant women who are primarily afflicted:

Noting that the rate of malaria infection in Tanzania was "unacceptably high", the minister said between 16 and 18 million cases were reported every year, leading to more than 100,000 deaths, of which about 75 percent occur among under-five children and pregnant women.

It's true, children need to be saved. So, let's really save them.

American Idol Gives Back: Just Imagine

Melinda Doolittle made me cry. This whole show is making me cry.

Blake did Imagine.....just as I imagined he would. The melody is so magical and if I pretend to not hear the line "imagine there is no religion", the song takes me away to that place of imagined perfection. While he is no vocal powerhouse ala Melinda or LaKisha (later: or as Jordin), this is the first time it seemed like he believed what he sang. I still see him as a front for a boy band.

LaKisha sang beautifully and got ripped by the judges. I've never heard Fantasia sing this song, so I have no reference point.

Wow. Phil is growing on me like a fungus. He was so awkward. He viewed himself as such a poseur for so long he convinced me to see him that way, too. Last week he seemed like a real person for once. And tonight he did it again. Simon gives him really good advice. Go country, young man. My brother thinks he's "thoroughly mediocre." Well, his mediocre has gotten better. Maybe my expectations were so low the only way to go was up.

You'll Never Walk Alone. Go Jordan, go! And boy does she nail it. Ha! The kids in my church choir will know the song now. I told them that they'd be singing this and they said, "What?" They'll know now. Good. What a beautiful song. What a lovely voice. She believes.....

I missed Chris' performance. And seeing the recap, I think tonight might be his last night.

How great is it that American Idol is turning its massive audience toward helping the world's needy? It's a thoroughly American solution: innovative, efficient and, fun. Who knew that stamping out hunger could be fun? Wait a minute, lots of people know that serving their fellow man is fun. And that brings me to Simon.

Simon's comment about the food bank volunteers,"I've never met nice people" struck me. Really? He's never met nice people. Huh. England must be more far gone than feared. My thought was: Simon needs to get religion. There are nice people serving the needy in churches all across America and all over the world. Who does he think serves meals to the starving? Who runs the food banks? Who gets to New Orleans before the Feds? Who houses those displaced? Who feeds them? Who clothes them? Churches. Christians. Believers.

Maybe he just doesn't know any religious people. Or maybe he is getting to know them. I heard on the local Christian station that one of the past Idol contestants believes that Simon's heart is changing. Melinda Doolittle "has a heart for the Lord" and what we see on Idol, what Simon keeps thinking is fake, her friend says, is real. She really is that nice and that humble. He has a tough time believing.

That's okay. Lots of people struggle to believe. It's tough to have faith in a Higher Being who can't be touched or felt. It's tough to imagine that a person's life can be transformed by faith in a Savior who died for each person. Hang out at the food bank or visit missions in Africa, it's a little easier to believe. Imagine, Simon Cowell being transformed by the witness of believers.

Just imagine.

Simon's Life is Safe, Sanjaya Gone from Idol

Sanjaya wept tears of sadness and shock (which, in itself, is shocking) and Simon wept tears of relief (not really, he cried on the inside). More touchingly, LaKisha cried crocodile survivor tears and Blake wiped them away.

I don't know how competitive American Idol has been in the past, but these young people seem very close. Having never watched Idol before, I wonder if this is always the way it is. Anyone?

Simon Cowell's Eye Roll: Was He Mocking Virginia Tech?

Drudge features Simon Cowell's dramatic eye roll this morning. I watched Idol last night and saw the eye roll. Cowell had just raked Chris over the coals for a lackluster performance. I agreed with the general assessment, but called the criticism "unduly harsh" and noted that Chris seemed on the verge of tears. Although the Virginia thing was probably the emotional background for Chris, I also thought that his bringing up the shooting thing was a way to hide behind an unassailable defense--sympathy for the Virginia Tech victims. Chris made the uncomfortable situation more wrong.

Ann Althouse noted the incident and said this:

Chris defends himself, hilariously: "Hey, nasally is a form of singing. I don't know if you knew that." Simon: "Oh, so it's intentional?" Chris: "Yeah." Then he defends himself a bit underhandedly: "My heart goes out to Virginia Tech. I have a lot of friends out there. Be strong." Does LaKisha get to come back out and say that she cares about the massacre victims too? Or, once you bring up the massacre, does it seem wrong even to talk about whether Chris is being unfair by bringing up the massacre?

No, it's not wrong. Chris was wrong to use his personal discomfort to exploit the true, real pain of those caught in the massacre.

Someone must have talked to Cowell before the end of the show because he made a half-hearted, "Our hearts go out to the victims and their families" statement. Cowell wasn't rolling his eyes at the V-Tech friends and families' pain. That seemed obvious. He was rolling his eyes at Chris's avoidance and excuses.

It was a tough night for the cotton candy that is American Idol during an American meat-n-taters disaster. I said as much last night.

Still, and all, I can't concentrate on Idol tonight. I'm thinking about when bad things happen to good people.

Althouse asks, "How do you do a cheesy singing contest show the day after a massacre?" She answers her own question. "The show must go on."

Well, it went on. It was obviously a tough night to watch, judge or sing. I think it best that everyone just move on. It will be tough tonight, too. I alluded to why here:

The V-Tech students, faculty and families will wake up tomorrow and be stunned to find that the world keeps on rotating.

How can anyone give a crud about Sanjaya's hair when this happened? Well, we didn't really, did we? But what else can be done? The show, life, must go on.

And I'm not suggesting touchy-feely forgiveness out of the gate, lest I be misunderstood. What I am saying is that for those outside the direct difficulty, wallowing helplessly doesn't help. (Besides, it's insulting to the real victims to act as if this is my loss, too. My children are still alive and well. Indulging in too much sadness is offensive.) People are thinking what can I do? Know how to wield a spring-loaded knife or at least make the killer flinch, for one. As much as the progressive Left scorns the military, does anyone doubt the benefits of knowing one's way around defensive maneuvers and taking down a shooter? We all need to be better trained to deal with these types of situations.

I've already talked to my kids about running in a zig zag, and just plain running, if someone points a gun a them. We have already taken defensive martial arts. Learning to land a good punch seems like a good idea, considering that my son got bopped on the head twice (purposefully and meanly) by an older kid on the bus this week. Talking didn't work. He tried.

Some people have had a bad life and decide to unload all their pain in the form of bullets into 33 people. Really, I'm tired of wondering why (I still always want to know why). The badness just needs to be stopped. Americans need to learn how to stop it. Preventing it would be nice, but there will always be crazy people. So, we need to know how to defend ourselves.

So while those directly injured suffer the pain and loss, the only productive thing everyone else can do is figure out what to do next time. And how did I get here from Simon Cowell anyway? Oh yeah. Americans watched American Idol in the midst of this sorrow and there was a reason. People need to be distracted and that's one of the main purposes of entertainment. But there's also this: The show must, sadly, awkwardly, go on.

American Idol Results: Please Send Haley Back to San Antonio

What she said. And she said. But I'll be live-blogging the results anyway. Because I have things better to do, but don't want to do them, and isn't that the definition of blogging anyway?

See ya in five.

Here we go. As a side note, I agree with Ann and Anchoress, J-Lo impressed me more than I expected.

Group effort: Jordin's voice soars over scary Phil's. Otherwise, the song, bleh.

Opinions about Idol kids--man on the street stuff. I've been to that mall. Ha! Who's Chris? That's what I'm sayin', too. Good-bye Chris. That's my prediction. I'm in the pool over at Brendan Loy's place. Maybe I'll be right this week. Odds are against me, though.

Akon singing. More personality in his little toe than all the Idol contestants put together.

Freaky Ford commercial. Sanjaya into Melinda-Aiieeeeeeeeeeeeeee! LaKisha looks so uncomfortable. How would she be an Idol? She's not okay in the skin she's in.

African kids cute--making fun of Simon's moobs. (Man boobs, if you must know.) We're you thinking what I was thinking? If we can adequately educate 10 kids with $185, what the hell are we doing in America? And with all the trees killed by loads of paper and homework, that chalkboard looks really good. I've wondered why we don't still use them. Talk about environmentally friendly.

Perhaps it's the five years without TV but I am very disturbed with the provocative commercials during a family show. Venus razor and Victoria Secret bras? Come on!

Phil goes low.

Yahoo Haley is low!!!!

Toying with Sanjaya.

Chris is in bottom three.

Well, I'm wrong. Chris is staying. Phil is "just blessed to be here." Video of J-Lo's butt. Family show. Family show! Ugh. She's singing in Spanish. Hola, Ms. Lopez? Besamé and all.....but si no hable Espanól. Oh well, she sings with passion and confidence and demonstrates her talent as an entertainer. She truly seemed kind. I like her a lot more than I did before this show.

Scary commercial: Disturbia. Do you notice all the scary, supernatural, freaky movies?

Haley goes home!!!!! It's harsh, watching that retrospective video and then having to sing.

But now she's singing and I'm really glad I don't have to hear her anymore. More than any of the other remaining singers, her voice makes my stomach feel like lemon juice mixed with gravy straight up. Hurl.

Let's hope next week is better.

American Idol Results Live-blogging

Last night was a waste, but tonight at least one bad performer is going home. So, I'll start soon.

UPDATE: Well, a medical building is burning here in Houston. Wow, are those fire fighters brave. The whole building is melting and they are going in floor by floor, closet by closet.

Here we go. Will tonight be anti-climatic? I'm already irritated by Gwen Stefani. Ryan is doing Sanjaya's hair. Simon and Randy both look aghast.

Phil is so dang creepy. His eyes, his awkward moves. Something is wrong with him.

Commercial time. Did you hear about the website that says to vote for Sanjaya and that's why he's getting all the votes? You know, I felt at the beginning when they were choosing people for the final 24, that they were making some ode to multiculturalism and that at least half of them they knew wouldn't last no matter what. They should choose the best singers, singers they'd be happy with if they succeed. That guy who won last year looks fifty years old and is dull. Taylor Hicks. Ugh.

What the heck is this? Mustangs, huh. Chris is actually riding, I think. That was weird.

Three Lowest: Freaky Phil Stacey in the bottom three. No surprise. Hallelujah! Haley is in the bottom three!!! Please be Chris, please be Chris. Aww, Gina is left hanging.

Safe: Blake and LaKisha safe. After being at the bottom, Chris is safe. Melinda, of course. Jordin safe.

Here comes Gwen. I actually like this song, but she cannot sing. See how she's very tight with her moves on the stage? She should have given the singers advice about using the stage, stage make-up, creating a persona, that type of thing. That's her strength, it's certainly not carrying a tune.

Chris and Gina. Gina is safe. Yay! I'll be happy if any of the bottom folks go. Phil is safe. Please, send Haley home. Argh!!! Haley stays. Chris is going home. Well, the song did stink as his singing it again demonstrates.

Generally snoozy.

Fauxhawks, Stefani Snoozer & American Idol Liveblogging--UPDATED

I'll live-blog it tonight on my brand new, super spectacular MacBook. Yeah, it's pretty cool!

UPDATE: Here we go.

Gwen Stefani will be helping the Idol wannabes this time.

LaKisha goes first. Gwen's "blown away" by her. Donna Summer here we come. '70s again. Okay, the problem that Simon mentioned last week about not making the song her own, is true again tonight. She needs to do a better job of making a song her own--reinterpreting it. This is hard to do. She's technically great. Cute dress. Looks the youngest she's ever looked, while singing old.

"Fly Diva", says Randy. Paula says she "did Sommer proud". Simon loves the boots. "You're 30 years younger this week. Love the big note at the end. Great vocal." She's back in the fold.

Spiderman looks good based on the commercial, don't you think? Steve was meh on Spiderman II. Save the gratuitous violence (I don't like implied almost-rape scenes in movies an 8 year old might see), I liked it.

Chris Sligh is up. "How much downtime do you have during the competition?" He knits, crochets and plays the bongos in his undies. Mostly, he just sleeps. He looks like he's lost weight. Singing Police. Wow, he sounds pretty good. Don't like how he's tugging on the notes in the chorus. I like it punchier. (Oh, he's singing Everything She Does Is Magic.) He's got a nice strong voice, I just like more variability during the tune. Weird end. Abrupt.

"Good song," says Randy. Rhythmically "you could never get in the pocket" and "Gwen was right". Paula says "the audience wants to groove with you." "I thought it was a mess," says Simon. "It just didn't feel right."

Gina is emotional. This is a big day for her. "It's all about the lyrics," says Gwen. Good song. Excellent choice, Gina! I can't help wonder if her diction would improve if she got rid of that tongue ring. I get that it's her schtick. Wow, it's hard to sing Christy Hines, Pretenders. She gives it a good go, though. Crowd loves it.

Randy: He says it's one of her best performances ever. Paula loves that she's improving each week. Simon toys with her: wasn't one of the best, it was the BEST. Best performance tonight, enthuses Simon. Audience loved it. I like her. She has spirit. Brendan Loy wants to do naughty things with her. Those boots, honey. I can see why.

Sanjaya--Bathwater by No Doubt. Gwen says, "Good luck to him. It's a tough song." Oh, good grief. What has he done this week with his hair? Dude, he has a mop on his head. He's actually doing a decent job on the song. "You're my kind of girl." Oh, boy.

Randy's laughing. "I'm speechless every time. You can actually sing. Go out there and do it." Paula, "If you had the gumption to really go for it, go for it. You can do it." Simon, "I presume there was no mirror in your dressing room. I don't think it matters what we say anymore. If people like you, good luck." Seven pony-tails for good luck.

Haley is singing True Colors. "Go back and tone it down." Uh oh. One of my most favorite songs. Don't wreck it Haley. Man the girl can't hang on to the melody. She looks gorgeous. I'm guessing that Simon will like that. She can't sing, though. I want her to go home. Didn't take the advice from Gwen. I hope she gets smacked for it.

Randy's not "grabbed". Paula says it requires nothing but the melody. Simon says "sweet, but forgettable." They are all being far more generous than I would have been. Yuck. Her song sucked. The way Ryan is in to her makes me think he's not gay. Have you noticed how he moons over certain artists and kind of acts annoyed with others? It's subtle, like how a newscaster delivers the news with small smiles or barely-there winces but the audience is subtly being manipulated. Ryan wants you to like Haley.

Phil Stacey. More questions, how's it feel to be a household name? He's too busy. Every Breath You Take--Police. Gwen thinks he should stick to the melody. Something bugs me about this guy. Can't put my finger on it. He's doing pretty good--honey voiced--with the song. Nice back up help. Nice transition. I'll be watchin' you. Makes me think of the Stalkers Skit on Saturday Night Live.

Randy thought it was solid. Kinda liked it. Paula thinks that his voice has some color. They all seem blah on it. But Simon says it is a great choice of song. He feels that this is the first time Phil is taking it seriously. Hmmmm.... I don't know. Does he just think he won't actually make it so is playing it safe? I've wondered where his head is about this. He always seems somewhere else. Maybe he misses his family or the military family? Don't know.

Melinda is "mind-blowing, your voice is crazy" says Gwen. Melinda in her lower register. She's got control. Oops! First flat note I've ever heard. Typed too soon. Hair looks cute. She shouldn't go sleeveless.

Randy: Interprets the feeling of the song--that was the bomb again! He loves her. Paula says she tells a story and has charisma. Simon sez...I don't think this is the performance you'll be remember for, hate the outfit. I agree with Simon, actually.

Blake singing The Cure. I like Blake. Smoky. He is the most Idol-worthy, I think. He should get a contract no matter what. He knows how to work his way around a beat. Sounds nasal in parts and then goes Chris Martin Coldplay-ish. He looks tired. Still, on his worst day, he's better than the other guys and most of the girls, too.

Not perfect song choice, Randy says. Paula loves it. You're taking risks and she wants to see him in the finalé. Simon calls him the front-running guy.

Jordin singing Gwen Stefani. Gwen calls Jordin "refreshing". More boots, bad skirt and she's trying to go little girl with the outfit. She's actually singing it. Gwen yells this song. Of course, Gwen can't really sing. Ha! She's a showman, though. I like Jordin. She's young and can sing.

Randy thinks it was risky and says it was great. Paula calls her "adorable, young and hip". Simon calls her "the most improved".

Chris doing Don't Speak by Gwen. Gwen says he likes to do "the vocal olympics. Focus on the song and emotion." I find it interesting that all the contestants can sing better than Gwen. Funny. Chris needs to wear something brighter and more fun. He's young. Taking off with it now. Nasal finish. I don't think he's the worst. I was surprised he was second from the bottom last week.

Paula says, "You're good." Simon not crazy about the vocal. He feels that Chris is struggling with the vocals. I haven't watched Idol before this season, but it seems that all the contestants really get along. They seem truly pained when someone is voted off.

This week: #1 Gina, #2 Blake, #3 Melinda, #4 Phil, #5 Jordin, #6 Chris Richardson--the rest is a toss up.

Who would I vote off? No Doubt: Haley or Sanjaya. Who will get voted off? Who the heck knows.

UPDATE II: There is some discontent about Gwen Stefani apparently phoning it in for last night's show. Ann Althouse says this:

Gwen Stefani was the lamest celebrity mentor they've ever had on the show. For a while, I had the theory that she's just an idiot, but I think what it was was that she wouldn't put any time into the show. So they had fake shots with her and each contestant, and we never saw any interaction.

Personally, I think Gwen revealed herself right away when she said that a lot of her favorite singers weren't actually very good singers. Gwen herself can't carry a tune in a bucket. She rivals Madonna when it comes to form over substance. I think Gwen was intimidated by the talent of the singers. She said as much. What advice do you give people who sing better than you? Gwen's strength is rhythm and she did give good advice to Chris about that. Otherwise, what can anyone expect from her? Remember her Superbowl performance? That's what I thought. Here's a reminder, try to not cry:

American Idol: Top 12

I made up ground in Brendan Loy's pool, but still not enough ground. Watch out Brendan! I feel a surge coming on. And it's not the kind of surge one gets when contemplating an Antonella Playboy spread.

Sundance Head was one of the best guys I thought--although almost all the girls are better than the guys. We live in a strange country. First, 37 million people voted. Second, a lot of people voted weirdly. Sundance goes and Haley stays? Now that's just not right.

Self-Awareness & Humility

While driving the hubby to the office in our trusty, rusty Mali-shmoo (paid for), I listened to Dr. Laura for a minute. I hadn't heard her for years. She has a kid who's a paratrooper in the Army! Who knew? Last time I listened, her husband was secretly following him while he rode his bike to school. She even has a blog. Anyway, a woman called in who had a son who had been suspended three days this week for slapping a couple kids at school. He slapped them for laughing at him when he fell, for "calling him out", etc. Dr. Laura's recommendation was simple: start the kid in Karate. He has impulse control issues. Karate will put him in "embarrassing" situations and he will have to develop emotional control to deal with it, otherwise, he will be doing a lot of knuckle push-ups. Great advice, really. Simple and effective. And it was clear by the woman's tone, she had zero intention of following it.

Last night, once again, the girls on American Idol got feedback. A couple, determinedly ignored it and ignored it again. Lakisha, one of the singers I love, took Simon's advice (which was right--he rarely misses his mark) and benefited. She dressed better. She looked beautiful. And her dress didn't distract from her incredible performance. It is interesting how the most talented, most gifted girls on this show humbly soak in the feed-back while the least talented ones ignore it and scorn it. This phenomenon is not rare. In life, the world can be separated into a couple camps: Those too good (usually not good at all) to be better and ignore feedback, and those who want to be better even if it means hearing painful feedback.

Can people change from being unaware to being self-aware? Yes, but it requires a bit of self-awareness to recognize that you're unaware and therein lies the paradox.

One book I recommend for unaware business types is Emotional Intelligence: 10th Anniversary Edition; Why It Can Matter More Than IQ by Daniel Goleman. The most important point from the book illuminates the key to leadership: Self-Awareness. Self-awareness means recognizing strengths and weaknesses and getting help for the weaknesses and building on the strengths. In fact, I don't suggest spending a ton of time trying to be something you're not (for more on that notion read First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently). What I do suggest is acknowledging what you are not and getting help in those areas while also building on your strengths.

For example, neither my husband and I are very good with detail orientation. While we both love to be organized, we possess a long nutty-professor streak (our daughter is exasperated with us quite a bit of the time). So, one of the first things we did when we had enough money to do it, was to hire a bookkeeper. Now, we could have continued slogging through Quickbooks with our multiple endeavors and live in perpetual fear of being out of compliance with the government and probably make a lot of mistakes--if we were too proud to get help. As it was, we paid fines over the years because we forgot this paperwork or that paperwork.

Another example, we laid out a problem we were having in our practice to a great practitioner friend of ours. He gave us some harsh advice in not-so-nice language. He was absolutely correct. We could have ignored it because he didn't say it kindly, but we would have been stupid. He was right. We were doing it wrong and we needed to change.

But there is the sticking point, isn't it? A lot of times, getting feedback means doing the dreaded: changing. Oh, my! Change is very real evidence that the way we were doing it wasn't so great at all, right? In fact, it often isn't the advice, it's the changing that is so burdensome. It brings up questions: Does that mean I wasn't good enough before the way I was? Yup. But who is good enough? Does that mean I don't have all the answers? Yup. Does that mean I wasted years of my life being stupid? Maybe. The key is that you know now. The future is before you.

All that realness can be tough for someone who is attached to their own greatness. Only a chump refuses to take feedback and work on it, though. Those who refuse to listen ignore information that others will take and use for their advantage. The self-unaware, the prideful will continue to make the same mistakes over and over. They will harm themselves and their future. And that's too bad.

Everyone has gifts to share and it is a crying shame when a lack of awareness interferes with success. When given advice, think long and hard before dismissing it. Try not to focus on the delivery or situation. It is easy to ignore feedback when it isn't given in a good spirit or delivered in a gentle way. Listen anyway. Listen to your wife, your husband, your kids, especially. They have no reason to want you to fail. They want you to succeed. They are not a competitive co-worker or a mean mother-in-law.

The most successful people in the world listen to feedback and use it. Pride goes before a fall. Humility can build a very abundant life.