Formspring Question # 53--Kung Fu Fighting Edition

Are the 5 deadly venoms under appreciated, overrated, or just where they should be?

I have never seen the movie, so you are asking the wrong guy. Kung fu movies are not my thing.

Letting the Days Go By

With all due respect to the Talking Heads:We are also on "A Road to Nowhere," are we not?

(Via: Ace of Spades)

Lindsay Lohan Reports to Jail Today

Today is the day Lindsay Lohan reports for her ninety day jail sentence. Evidently, she has very little grip on reality about the situation. Robert Shapiro resigned as her attorney yesterday. While he did not cite a rationale, it is not too difficult to figure out it is because she ha unrealistic expectations about avoiding jail.

Let that sink in a moment. Shapiro is a guy who had no problem aiding in the concoction of a mind bogglingly stupid conspiracy theory involving the LAPD forming a racist conspiracy to frame OJ Simpson, a famous football payer they admired for his actions on and off the field to get him off the hook for double murder. But he cannot handle Lohan.

Does not speak well for what a delusional little child she is no? Her stint in the pokey is not going to be like this, either:

Thirty Days of Doctor Who # 13--Favorite Piece of Music

My favorite score is "The Dream of a Normal Death," written by Murray Gold for the fourth season finale, "Journey's End."

Jimmy Dean (1928-2010)

He was far more than a sausage entrepreneur:

Jimmy Dean (1928-2010)

He was far more than a sausage entrepreneur:

Formspring Question # 20--Tin Ear Edition

Who are your three favorite singers/bands/etc?

1. Jimmy Buffett
2. Eagles
3. Simon & Garfunkel

Formspring Question # 20--Tin Ear Edition

Who are your three favorite singers/bands/etc?

1. Jimmy Buffett
2. Eagles
3. Simon & Garfunkel

Lee DeWyze Wins American Idol

Since I have mentioned the American Idol competition off and on over the last few weeks, should note Lee DeWyze pulled off what is being called an upset win even though he had received every boost imaginable short of the producers hiring armies of college students to text vote for him. I would not put that passed them, either.

I have been comparing DeWyze to Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi, but after watching his inspired pairing with Joe Cocker, their comparison is more apt. But if the notion DeWyze was favored because he is more commercial than hippie chick Crystal Bowersox, one has to ask exactly how viable is Cocker these days? The last song I recall from him was “When the Night Comes.” That was…when? 1988? He is on the verge of becoming a cheap touring act trying to relive forty year old glory like Paul McCartney.

I suppose that is why many fans have been down on this season’s contestants and why the judges kept harping on them to be more contemporary. Even the top two finalists do not fit well into today’s music scene.

Last night’s show was the lowest rated finale yet even though it had the bonus of serving as Simon Cowell’s swan song. Maybe they should not have kept Bret Michaels’ performance a secret. He has been on a tear lately. Perhaps he should have more medical emergencies in the future. It has done wonders for his career. Speaking of, he should be given serious consideration for replacing Cowell.

I imagine American Idol’s ratings are going to continue to erode without Cowell. If nothing else, his American version of X-Factor starting in the fall of 2011 is going to mean a singing competition on FOX all season log. That does not count NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Look for mediocre talent spread really thin over the next few years.

Lee DeWyze Wins American Idol

Since I have mentioned the American Idol competition off and on over the last few weeks, should note Lee DeWyze pulled off what is being called an upset win even though he had received every boost imaginable short of the producers hiring armies of college students to text vote for him. I would not put that passed them, either.

I have been comparing DeWyze to Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi, but after watching his inspired pairing with Joe Cocker, their comparison is more apt. But if the notion DeWyze was favored because he is more commercial than hippie chick Crystal Bowersox, one has to ask exactly how viable is Cocker these days? The last song I recall from him was “When the Night Comes.” That was…when? 1988? He is on the verge of becoming a cheap touring act trying to relive forty year old glory like Paul McCartney.

I suppose that is why many fans have been down on this season’s contestants and why the judges kept harping on them to be more contemporary. Even the top two finalists do not fit well into today’s music scene.

Last night’s show was the lowest rated finale yet even though it had the bonus of serving as Simon Cowell’s swan song. Maybe they should not have kept Bret Michaels’ performance a secret. He has been on a tear lately. Perhaps he should have more medical emergencies in the future. It has done wonders for his career. Speaking of, he should be given serious consideration for replacing Cowell.

I imagine American Idol’s ratings are going to continue to erode without Cowell. If nothing else, his American version of X-Factor starting in the fall of 2011 is going to mean a singing competition on FOX all season log. That does not count NBC’s America’s Got Talent. Look for mediocre talent spread really thin over the next few years.

Thirty Days of Lost # 4--Favorite Musical Score

My favorite musical score is "Life and Death," composed by Michael Giacchino, and used in "Do No Harm." The scene is the dichotomy of newborn Aaron being introduced to the Lostaways as Jack has to tell Shannon her brother Boone has died:

Thirty Days of Lost # 4--Favorite Musical Score

My favorite musical score is "Life and Death," composed by Michael Giacchino, and used in "Do No Harm." The scene is the dichotomy of newborn Aaron being introduced to the Lostaways as Jack has to tell Shannon her brother Boone has died:

American Idol Photo Finish

The attempt to manufacture a win for Lee DeWyze over longtime frontrunner Crystal Bowersox held my attention well enough for me to watch the final performances last night. Several judges’ comments, such as Randy Jackson wishing Lee DeWyze the best of luck in making an album as though he was not going to win a recording contract here, implied they were back to believing Crystal Bowersox was going to win.

I was inclined to agree with that assessment by the end of the show. she strategically opted to perform second so that her performances would be fresher in the viewers’ minds. Good strategy there. She chose “Me and Bobby McGee” for her first song. Another wise choice, considering that song from early in the season is what put the Janis Joplin comparison in play. Then she tore into the Elvis tribute “Black Velvet.“ The final song was this original inspirational bit The American Idol songwriters do not often hit the mark custom making songs for contestants, but they were spot n there.

Aside from some obvious jitters and awkwardness where Bowrrsox dropped the microphone during the opening sequence and was wearing a dress so tight, she could barely walk down the staircase during “Black Velvet,” Bowersox was head and shoulders the best singer of the night.

DeWyze was clearly nervous, too. He blew the melody at points on all three songs. He chose to do ’The Boxer” again. Perhaps I am biased because I love Simon ad Garfunkel, but he sings the song too fast and upbeat. I feel justified in my complaint because e made REM’s ’Everybody Hurts” far more bouncy than it should conceivably be. The song written especially for him, “Beautiful Day,” was decent.

Here is what I am curious about. DeWyze strikes me as a Bon Jovi/Bruce Sprigsteen type. He is a rocker who can pull of a ballad or two now and then. He is not refined, since he makes a lot of warbling mistakes, but he is commercial that way. the show seems hellbent on turning him into a Nickelback or Creed solo act in order to push him over the finish ine. Meanwhile, Bowersox is so much more refined and talented. The problem is she is Nanci Griffth or Kate Melua. Nothing wrong with that. I like them both. But they are not commercial acts, so they are not American Idol material. The goal is not to find an artist but to sell a ton of records.

So DeWyze needs to be the winner. According to the historically reliable Dial Idol, he is going to defeat Bowersox handily tonight. Too bad, really.

American Idol Photo Finish

The attempt to manufacture a win for Lee DeWyze over longtime frontrunner Crystal Bowersox held my attention well enough for me to watch the final performances last night. Several judges’ comments, such as Randy Jackson wishing Lee DeWyze the best of luck in making an album as though he was not going to win a recording contract here, implied they were back to believing Crystal Bowersox was going to win.

I was inclined to agree with that assessment by the end of the show. she strategically opted to perform second so that her performances would be fresher in the viewers’ minds. Good strategy there. She chose “Me and Bobby McGee” for her first song. Another wise choice, considering that song from early in the season is what put the Janis Joplin comparison in play. Then she tore into the Elvis tribute “Black Velvet.“ The final song was this original inspirational bit The American Idol songwriters do not often hit the mark custom making songs for contestants, but they were spot n there.

Aside from some obvious jitters and awkwardness where Bowrrsox dropped the microphone during the opening sequence and was wearing a dress so tight, she could barely walk down the staircase during “Black Velvet,” Bowersox was head and shoulders the best singer of the night.

DeWyze was clearly nervous, too. He blew the melody at points on all three songs. He chose to do ’The Boxer” again. Perhaps I am biased because I love Simon ad Garfunkel, but he sings the song too fast and upbeat. I feel justified in my complaint because e made REM’s ’Everybody Hurts” far more bouncy than it should conceivably be. The song written especially for him, “Beautiful Day,” was decent.

Here is what I am curious about. DeWyze strikes me as a Bon Jovi/Bruce Sprigsteen type. He is a rocker who can pull of a ballad or two now and then. He is not refined, since he makes a lot of warbling mistakes, but he is commercial that way. the show seems hellbent on turning him into a Nickelback or Creed solo act in order to push him over the finish ine. Meanwhile, Bowersox is so much more refined and talented. The problem is she is Nanci Griffth or Kate Melua. Nothing wrong with that. I like them both. But they are not commercial acts, so they are not American Idol material. The goal is not to find an artist but to sell a ton of records.

So DeWyze needs to be the winner. According to the historically reliable Dial Idol, he is going to defeat Bowersox handily tonight. Too bad, really.

All Time Favorites # 6--Shania Twain

Shania Twain is the third and final Canadian in the top ten. I am one of the rare birds who is a fan from her first, self-titled album back in 1993. She did not make much of a splash then, but a couple songs like “What Made You Say That?” and ’You Lay a Whole Lot of Love on Me” are still favorites on the rare occasion I hear them anywhere.

Twain skyrocketed to fame when her producer husband Mutt Lange turned her into a sex symbol for her second album, The Woman in Me. The rest has been history. Her 1997 follow up album, Come On Over, is the best selling album by a female artist and the best selling country album of all time.

Over the years, she has racked up 65 million albums sold, won five Grammys, and 27 BMI songwriting awards.

She gets a mixed reaction among country fans. On the one hand, many blame her and Garth Brooks, with their rock influences, for ruining country music in the early ’90’s. on the other, she is considered like Elvis--ot so much country, but still embraced by country fans anyway.

I am firmly in the latter category. While I grew up listening to my parents’ country music, I liked rock up until rap, hip hop, and grunge took over the airwaves. There was not a place for much of the music I liked--Eagles, Jimmy Buffett, James Taylor, et al--in rock, so any similar artist moved over to country. I was comfortable with country becoming less traditional. I was very comfortable with Twain.

She has gotten a little strange in recent years. She has always been a little odd because of her tough upbringing. She was orphaned in her teenage years and had to take care of her younger siblings. Having to grow up fast does things to you mentally and emotionally. She moved to a chateau in Switzerland, become a devotee of Sant Mat , a philosophy of meditation and vefetarianism, and swears by a beauty treatment is using an ointment applied to cow udders.

I still love her.

All Time Favorites # 6--Shania Twain

Shania Twain is the third and final Canadian in the top ten. I am one of the rare birds who is a fan from her first, self-titled album back in 1993. She did not make much of a splash then, but a couple songs like “What Made You Say That?” and ’You Lay a Whole Lot of Love on Me” are still favorites on the rare occasion I hear them anywhere.

Twain skyrocketed to fame when her producer husband Mutt Lange turned her into a sex symbol for her second album, The Woman in Me. The rest has been history. Her 1997 follow up album, Come On Over, is the best selling album by a female artist and the best selling country album of all time.

Over the years, she has racked up 65 million albums sold, won five Grammys, and 27 BMI songwriting awards.

She gets a mixed reaction among country fans. On the one hand, many blame her and Garth Brooks, with their rock influences, for ruining country music in the early ’90’s. on the other, she is considered like Elvis--ot so much country, but still embraced by country fans anyway.

I am firmly in the latter category. While I grew up listening to my parents’ country music, I liked rock up until rap, hip hop, and grunge took over the airwaves. There was not a place for much of the music I liked--Eagles, Jimmy Buffett, James Taylor, et al--in rock, so any similar artist moved over to country. I was comfortable with country becoming less traditional. I was very comfortable with Twain.

She has gotten a little strange in recent years. She has always been a little odd because of her tough upbringing. She was orphaned in her teenage years and had to take care of her younger siblings. Having to grow up fast does things to you mentally and emotionally. She moved to a chateau in Switzerland, become a devotee of Sant Mat , a philosophy of meditation and vefetarianism, and swears by a beauty treatment is using an ointment applied to cow udders.

I still love her.

American Idol Judges Obviously Want Lee DeWyze to Win

I wrote two weeks ago speculating the American Idol judges wereexercising undue influence in the competition. As of last night, I am sure of it.

When I wrote the post linked above, I said the judges were separating Lee DeWyze from the other contestants to put it in viewers’ mind he should be considered above the rest. He is the Cinderella story of the season: a paint store employee who lacked the confidence to pursue a big break finally got one. He was definitely a mouse when he started out, but has blossomed into a Bon Jovi type.

It makes for good television and presumably good album sales because he is being pimped like nobodies business. Watch him perform Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” then stick around for the judges’ comments; A couple points:

They have not praised anyone like that all season long, including Crystal Bowersox, who had been the definite frontrunner before the judges started propping DeWyzze up. Bowersox is kind of a hippie chick. Very talented, but probably not as commercial as DeWyze. I could see her as a success on the level of Nanci Griffith or the Indigo Girls. If she were to win, she would probably fall off the map like the similar sounding Tayler hicks from four years ago.

DeWyze probably has more commercial appeal, but that oddly does not translate to AI votes without some boost on the judges part. These wannabes are competing for a record contract. I guess the business end does not want to leave the winner up to the unwashed masses, lest record sales suffer.

Simon Cowell assigned DeWyze “Hallelujah” to sing. It is a beautiful, inspirational song that frankly you only have to not screw up for people to enjoy. Add in the back up singers and the suspicion Cowell helped with the arrangement, too, and I think you have a case for manipulation.

Never mind that the judges beat down the other two contestants and for at least one song, Bowersox did not get to play the guitar she often uses as a security blanket. The suspense has definitely being taken out of the competition this season. DeWyze is going to win if Cowell has to drag him across the finish line.

American Idol Judges Obviously Want Lee DeWyze to Win

I wrote two weeks ago speculating the American Idol judges wereexercising undue influence in the competition. As of last night, I am sure of it.

When I wrote the post linked above, I said the judges were separating Lee DeWyze from the other contestants to put it in viewers’ mind he should be considered above the rest. He is the Cinderella story of the season: a paint store employee who lacked the confidence to pursue a big break finally got one. He was definitely a mouse when he started out, but has blossomed into a Bon Jovi type.

It makes for good television and presumably good album sales because he is being pimped like nobodies business. Watch him perform Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” then stick around for the judges’ comments; A couple points:

They have not praised anyone like that all season long, including Crystal Bowersox, who had been the definite frontrunner before the judges started propping DeWyzze up. Bowersox is kind of a hippie chick. Very talented, but probably not as commercial as DeWyze. I could see her as a success on the level of Nanci Griffith or the Indigo Girls. If she were to win, she would probably fall off the map like the similar sounding Tayler hicks from four years ago.

DeWyze probably has more commercial appeal, but that oddly does not translate to AI votes without some boost on the judges part. These wannabes are competing for a record contract. I guess the business end does not want to leave the winner up to the unwashed masses, lest record sales suffer.

Simon Cowell assigned DeWyze “Hallelujah” to sing. It is a beautiful, inspirational song that frankly you only have to not screw up for people to enjoy. Add in the back up singers and the suspicion Cowell helped with the arrangement, too, and I think you have a case for manipulation.

Never mind that the judges beat down the other two contestants and for at least one song, Bowersox did not get to play the guitar she often uses as a security blanket. The suspense has definitely being taken out of the competition this season. DeWyze is going to win if Cowell has to drag him across the finish line.

Is American Idol Influencing the Voting?

I am not talking about Simon Cowell's surprising endorsemet of the Tories in tomorrow's elections in the United Kingdom.

I am not the biggest Frank Sinatra fan, but I wated to watch last night’s American Idol to see if the judges would keep up their advice to make the classic songs the contestants are forced to perform contemporary ad commercial I today’s market. Thankfully, they did not. Mercifully, they did not. Hardly any of the five remaining contestants looked comfortable or competent.

I have wound up watching more episodes this season than any since 2006 or so Perhaps I am looking at the show with a more skeptical eye than before, but are the judges blatantly pushing certain contestants to the finish line? At first, I thought their favorite was Crystal Bowersox. Now I think it is Lee DeWyze


Up util about two weeks ago she could do no wrong. No wrong even though she turned every song into something you would hear from an indie street performer or coffee shop performer. Keep in mind the judges simultaneously criticized contestants Casey James and Andrew Garcia for adapting every song to suit their strongest musical style. The judges’ hypocrisy was blatant.

Lately, that has changed for Bowersox. The problem is more than the themes forcing her out of her comfort zone--I actually thought her alt-country version of Shania twain’s “No one Needs to know” was top notch--but the judges have at best killed her with faint praise and at worst, outright scolded her for disappointing them.

Now they have turned their attention to DeWze. He has been great lately, do not get me wrong. But the judges have begun planting seeds in the audience mind thathe ought to win it all. Ellen DeGeneres ad Kara DioGuardi came right out and said so last night. Tonight on the results show, they separated him from the rest of the group early as if to note he was not only safe, but the top vote getter.

what gives/ is there a fear of a repeat from last year when the less exciting Kris Allen defeated Adam Lambert to everyone’s surprise? Lambert has certainly gone on to attract more attention than Allen post-AI and even served as a mentor a couple weeksago. It is no secret the powers that be preferred he won.

Truth be told, AI winners do not have a good track record of being commercial anyway. Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Uderwood are the only winners who have truly made it while a number of cast offs have done much better for themselves. I doubt this current crop can eve pull that off. A couple have had some bright moments, but nothing I would ever pay to hear. Considering the ratings downturn, I am not alone.

So what is the point of manipulating the results? It is not making the competition more exciting. Winning does not guarantee commercial success. I am stumped at the game the judges are playing. Are they just bored?

Is American Idol Influencing the Voting?

I am not talking about Simon Cowell's surprising endorsemet of the Tories in tomorrow's elections in the United Kingdom.

I am not the biggest Frank Sinatra fan, but I wated to watch last night’s American Idol to see if the judges would keep up their advice to make the classic songs the contestants are forced to perform contemporary ad commercial I today’s market. Thankfully, they did not. Mercifully, they did not. Hardly any of the five remaining contestants looked comfortable or competent.

I have wound up watching more episodes this season than any since 2006 or so Perhaps I am looking at the show with a more skeptical eye than before, but are the judges blatantly pushing certain contestants to the finish line? At first, I thought their favorite was Crystal Bowersox. Now I think it is Lee DeWyze


Up util about two weeks ago she could do no wrong. No wrong even though she turned every song into something you would hear from an indie street performer or coffee shop performer. Keep in mind the judges simultaneously criticized contestants Casey James and Andrew Garcia for adapting every song to suit their strongest musical style. The judges’ hypocrisy was blatant.

Lately, that has changed for Bowersox. The problem is more than the themes forcing her out of her comfort zone--I actually thought her alt-country version of Shania twain’s “No one Needs to know” was top notch--but the judges have at best killed her with faint praise and at worst, outright scolded her for disappointing them.

Now they have turned their attention to DeWze. He has been great lately, do not get me wrong. But the judges have begun planting seeds in the audience mind thathe ought to win it all. Ellen DeGeneres ad Kara DioGuardi came right out and said so last night. Tonight on the results show, they separated him from the rest of the group early as if to note he was not only safe, but the top vote getter.

what gives/ is there a fear of a repeat from last year when the less exciting Kris Allen defeated Adam Lambert to everyone’s surprise? Lambert has certainly gone on to attract more attention than Allen post-AI and even served as a mentor a couple weeksago. It is no secret the powers that be preferred he won.

Truth be told, AI winners do not have a good track record of being commercial anyway. Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Uderwood are the only winners who have truly made it while a number of cast offs have done much better for themselves. I doubt this current crop can eve pull that off. A couple have had some bright moments, but nothing I would ever pay to hear. Considering the ratings downturn, I am not alone.

So what is the point of manipulating the results? It is not making the competition more exciting. Winning does not guarantee commercial success. I am stumped at the game the judges are playing. Are they just bored?