Formspring Question #145--Poll Position Edition

Are you going to abide by the results of the current poll, or are you only looking to see how your readers feel?

I am going to abide by it. Whichever series wins gets reviewed next, so be sure to vote for the one you want to see.

Formspring Question #145--Poll Position Edition

Are you going to abide by the results of the current poll, or are you only looking to see how your readers feel?

I am going to abide by it. Whichever series wins gets reviewed next, so be sure to vote for the one you want to see.

A Charlie Brown Segregated Thanksgiving

Notice they all huddle together as much as possible so Franklin has to sit by himself, except for that one anonymous girl who has moved close enough to satisfy her progressive instincts, but not so close she has to have anything to do with him. A Charlie brown Thanksgiving aired in 1973, so do not tell me the seating arrangement was a compromise to avoid controversy.

You racist b*st*rds! /Achmed the Dead Terrorist.

The Satanism of the Smurfs According to My Nutty Sixth Grade Teacher

The recent flaps over Delaware GOP candidate Christine O’Dennell’s admission to flirting with witchcraft as a teenager has brought back memories of my days at Emmanuel and the conspiracy theories many of the more Bob Jones University inclined teachers used to scare us with. For whatever reason, O’Donnell has reminded me most of the surfs are Satanic rumor my sixth grade teacher adamantly pushed on us poor, impressionable ids on a unrelenting basis..

Some background: Mrs. Radin was a gung ho, BJU fundamentalist. The woman was the type who feared her alphabet soup could one day spell out demonic incantations. Everything in the natural world had an underlying evil to it. He was more than happy to point eery bit of it out to her class, usually after bein prompted by some kids innocent remark about something her had experienced outside of clas, be it music, a movie, or something he had heard his parents say. The Devil was lurking everywhere.

She also had this fascination with describing how often and for what reasons she spanked her five children. Frequently and legion best define the terms. I thought it was disturbing then. As I got older, I figured out it was creepy because the way she described it was revealing an underlying sexual thrill in the practice. Religious inspired repression tends to do that. One of the reasons Muslims revel so much in brutalizing women is the sexual thrill of it. It is an immature and dangerous response by people who have not learned about sex properly. I digress, but it helps set the woman’ mindset up for you.

She could not teach worth a lick, either, but she was the principal’s wife, so we were stuck with her no matter how bad she was.

I do not recall what prompted her Surfs rat. Someone may have brought a lunchbox to scool or just said he liked the cartoon. Many of us, including me, had watched the show for some period of time in the six years it had been on at the time. We knew there was magic and spells and such, but any Christian who would have been bothered y that stuff was not watching anyway. We got the biggest lecture we ever received that school year over the blatant Satanism of the Smurfs. While I do not recall the specific catalyst, the lecture still sticks out in my mind twenty-two years later.

First, the show brought a curse on kids who watched it because of its magical content. The Satanism was first marked when Gargamel, the evil wizard, placed candles in the form of a pentagram on the floor of his house I some episode Radin had never seen or even knew for a fact existed. From that episode on, kids watching were affected by Satanic forces. Specifically, Radin claimed that n episode in which Smurfette‘s pet mouse Squeaky died lead to the unusual deaths of pets all around the country.

I am going to concede to Radin two points here, because it is only fair to cut slack when it can be done. One, Gargamel did famously place candles I a five point formation once in order to cat a spell. Big deal. Two, there was an episode in which Smurfette’s pet mouse died. There is nothing that ever proved a large number of viewers’ pets died simultaneously.

Two, because of the Satanic power inherent in the show, cults dressed as Smurfs I order to worship Satan. I later learned this rumor actually started in Puerto Rico after a television station began airing the Smurfs. Depending on who you believe, either devoutly Catholic parents were upset their kids were becoming obsessed with the show or a revival station was upset by its loss viewers started the rumor to knock the Smurfs off the air.

Finally, somewhere along the line, a child had a toy Smurf that was possessed. The toy compelled the child to kill himself with a knife from the kitchen. One of the first things I ever did when I discovered the internet in college was to search high and low for the source of that rumor. I just tried again before writing this post. There is nothing which sounds even in the ballpark. There is a story floating about that a child brought a Smurf toy into a Jehovah’s Witness service. The toy allegedly came to life, said something like it could not stand here and listen to such blasphemy, and walked out on its own. But seriously, there is no way any JU person would accept the word a Jehovah’s Witness.

As for me, the Smurfs was a frivolous little cartoon I enjoyed for awhile as a kid. Some BJU oriented life lessons/ did not enjoy them quite as much.

Formspring Question # 48--Broken Funny Bone Edition

You haven't watched a sitcom in 12 years? What's the last one you watched?

Okay, my claim is not exactly true. I have seen episodes from scores of sitcoms over the last twelve years, either first run or in syndication. A lot of them were funny. But I never cared if I missed an episode or six. I cannot claim to like ashow if that is true, no?

I used to like Wings. The show did not get the recognition it deserved for its combination of talented cast and writing staff. A lot of people must have dismissed the show as some goofy comedy centered around a small airport. It was much more than tat, though.

The creator of the show, David Angell, was on American Airlines Flight 11 when it crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Not a selling point for the show, but a tragically interesting factoid.

If you really want to know, I have seen quite a few episodes of The Simpsons, Frasier, Friends, The Drew Carey Show, Seinfeld, The King of Queens, Better Off Ted and Family Guy in recent years to varying degrees of enjoyment.

The Big Bang Theory is the only cannot miss I have experienced in a long while.

NBC Orders Locke & Linus Pilot

All right, it is not exactly Locke & Linus, but that is how J. J. Abrams pitched the potential series re-teaming Lost veterans Terry O'Quinn and Michael Emerson's as retired black ops secret agents who still manage to get into trouble. Te show has been ordered to pilot by NBC.

So there is some potentially good news to brighten up what is shaping up to be a bleak future for the television landscape. Presumably, the as yet titled series would not appear until next fall even if picked up, but i suppose it could be a summer series. One would hope not. those are awfully forgettable.

Anyone who remembers Millennium remembers fondly how O'Quinn can play a nasty, but entertaining secret agent. Emerson's evil Ben Linus has got to be even fresher i your mind. The chemistry between the two on lost was one of the highlights of the show. I am looking forward to a potential series here.

Thoughts on the Television Season So Far

It is pretty sad I can go ahead and write this on Wednesday night, but there is nothing left I pan to check out for the foreseeable future. I may still be firmly in the coveted 18-49 demographic shows are shooting for, but not much of what they are offering amuses me in the slightest.

The only returning show I care to watch is The Big Bang Theory. Perhaps my geekiness explain my general disinterest in current television offerings. I keep saying I will try Frige, but like Heroes, I keep saying that until its cancelled. I watched the first episode of that series--Ali Larter stripping for an online custumer. That did not even make me want to tune in for more.

Speaking of comely lasses, I did not watch Dancing with the Stars, but I have seen promo photos of the dancing teams. All snarking aside about stretching the definition of star to the breaking point, Bristol Palin is a goo looking youg lady. What did she ever see in that creepy redeck Levi Johston?

Out of morbid curioiusity, I flipped between the first act of Two and a Half Men and The Event wondering how the show would play out after Charlie Sheen’s legal troubles and heated salary dispute. It turs out the show still killed in the ratings, which is awful. Right off the bat, there was a joke about statutory rape as the two main characters watched a sixteen year old girl leave the kid, jake’s room. Alan (Jon Cryer) quipped to Charlie something like, “At the risk of having to testify, tell me that she is one of yours.” Stay classy, guys.

They are goig to take what little fun there is left in American Idol out next season. They are no loger goig to have strict theme nights, so you will no longer see some black kid from the Philadelpia slums squirm tryig to warble Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” on Country Night. There will no longer be celebrity mentors, either, so no moreSid Vicious wannabes assuring Rod Stewart he is his bigget fan. Bummer. I like that stuff more than Simon Cowell’s mean spirited remarks.

Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lope as judges does not strike me as an audience grabber, either. A cut above Ellen DeGenres maybe, but not much else. The guy who has to feel most awkward is Randy Jackson. He is the only original judge left. He really ought to hae umped sip, too, just to save face. Staying ehind gives the impression he has no other irons in the fire. To be fair, I do not recall if he is still under contract or had the opportunity to bail, so I will leave it at that. Maybe he is happy there and that is good enough.

Not much else going on, unfortunately.

Formspring Question # 45--Absorbing New Phosphor Dots Edition

Will you be covering any new fall season shows?

It does not look like it. The only two new shows I was interested in watching were The Event and Hawaii 5-0. They merit a split decision.

I tuned into The Event to see if it would live up to its hype. The ad campaign looked like it was trying too hard to make the series a big hit. Setting themselves up for failure, I thought. Sure enough, it did not live up to its marketing campaign. The characters were bland, the mystery did not hook me, and the time shifts were too confusing.

I might ’”get it” if I invested some time into it, but I am not going to. The event is being compared to Lost, but it does not measure up. With Lost, I liked the characters right off the bat and was hooked by the overall story arc. No such luck with The Event.

I did enjoy Hawaii 5-0 and will watch it agai next week. But it is good in the same way Burn Notice is good--a lot a fun action, but not much interesting stuff to write about later. I quit reviewing Burn Notice at The Eye even though I have yet to miss an episode. The show does not make for interesting blogging. You may recall 24 reviews were canned for the same reason.

Maye if one or the other picks up the pace. Something tells me The Event will be a one season wonder anyway.

Palin Derangement Syndrome Stoops Even Lower

I thought it was odd enough wishy washy conservative David Frum used Bristol Palin's abandonment by Levi Johnson As an argument in favor of overturning Proposition 8, but Palin Derangement Syndrome has managed to reach new lows since then.

The left side of the photosphere was in a tizzy yesterday over video of Palin’s encounter with Kathleen Gustafson, a teacher who was holding a sign which said “Worst Governor Ever.” Palin went over to tlk to the woman and got an earful.

Gustafson was obnoxious and rude, claiming that Palin has sworn an oath “on her precious Bible” to serve the state of Alaska, but resigned early. Gustafson is making herself out to be a cheated citizen when she also makes it clear she was never a palin supporter in the first place.

Did Palin have to go over and address the woman? No, and the “Worst Governor Ever” sign was a big hint to not do so. But it is not in Palin’s nature to play it safe. Did she roll her eyes at Gustafson? Probably. Was it justified? Sure, why not? The woman was not sincere in her feelings. It the incident thw gotcha moment for which progressives have been waiting? I would hope progressives have higher standards, but spero meliora.

Now comes word that Levi Johnson, rather than making an adult film or getting the snot beat out of him by Michael Lohan in Celebrity Boxing, has a couple networks interested in a reality show in which he will run for mayor of Wasilla. The prospective series was arranged by Johnson’s agent, Tank.

Yes, Tank. Presumably, Johnson discovered his talent agent’s phone number scribbled in crayon on the men’s room wall of a tattoo parlor. One would think a guest spot on Jersey Shore would be too classy a career coup for this chap.

The best part? Johnson is disappointed. He would rather make an adult film, I guess, but he is being used as a dupe to embarrass Palin. The self-proclaimed ’effin redneck” is too stupid to know it.

But the real kicker here is not that Johnson is stupid. That is a given. It is that someone wats to make a reality show mocking the election process of a small town in Alaska as a means of taig jbs at Palin. Could they not be a little more creative about it? Set MacFarlane is still taking victory laps over a Family Guy joke about a developmentally challenged girl saying her mother was the governor of Alaska that I thought was neither mean spirited or funny.

If one is going to crow of possessing an air of superior sophistication than Palin, should not one not demonstrate a superior sophistication? It does not appear to bea requirement. Using her daughter as an example of white trash or an underage sex joke (Hello, David Letterman), pitching fits overran imperceptible eye roll, producing a reality show about her home town, and joking about having handicapped children will do I the high class criticism department.

Jessica Simpson as American Idol Judge?

So the rumor goes. The funny thing is gossip sites are saying she would be replacing Simon Cowell when everyone knows the producers are only trying to repeat the spaced out, air head antic of Paula Abdul.

The Further Adventures of Your Intrepid Television Reviewer

You have no doubt noticed we are fast approaching the end of the DS9 reviews. I will cover the series finale on Sunday, which means we will be heading iota new series starting Monday. I was going to wait until August1st, but that falls on a Sunday. It does not seem right to start a new project on the slowest readership days of the week. I figured I should go ahead and reveal te plan now so everyone can have a few days to vent their feelings about what is coming next.

I have drawn the conclusion I inevitably thought I would as Ds9 wound down--the series took Trek about as far as it could go. Neither VOY, nor ENT could break any new ground. In fact, they did not even try. They were both awful, from VOY relying on Jeri Ryan’s cat suit for ratings to Brannon Braga admitting right off the bat there was no grand plan for ENT even though they had introduced an overall story arc. Sorry, but I cannot bring myself to spend the next nine months slogging through that stuff.

At least not right now. Later, perhaps, which is why I am going to compromise. I have already had comments expressing irritation I might skip VOY even though I promised poison pen reviews at best, so here is what I am going to do.

Starting Monday, I am going to cover an old non-Trek series. It lasted four seasons I its original run, so there is a smidgeon over one hundred episodes to cover. That should take up until late October or early November. After the break from Trek, I will probably be more inclined to tackle VOY.

Those of you who want to see VOY reviews are going to be happier with them After I have had a break from Trek as opposed to starting them now even with the wait. Although I have to reiterate--be careful what you wish for. I will eviscerate much of VOY when the time comes.

Now for the news you are really going to hate me for--I am going to review The Wild Wild West for the next three moths. It is a childhood favorite for which I have noticed there is very little online content, but does still seem to have favorable reactions from many folks. I am looking forward to digging into the complete series DVD set.

If you have not seen the show, take heart. It is James Bond in the old west, but nothing like the awful 1999 Will Smith movie. The show hasa fun, adventurous tone much like TOS, of which it was contemporary. In fact: the two shows are heavily connected by : creators and actors: Stick with me. You will like it.

Formspring Question # 23 Absorbing Phosphur Dots Edition

Are you going to cover any new television shows?

I have not seen anything about the upcoming television season which excites me. Networks pull the plug on so many new series after six or twelve episodes, even shows that look promising are not worth becoming invested in until until they have been picked up for a second season.

While it does not look like it considering the coverage here, I am a snob when it comes to watching television. Most anything I watch has to have been around a while already and caught my attention somehow. I have tried watching stuff right out the gate--Bionic Woman, Studio 60, Heroes, Bones and Fringer most prominently--and been disappointed for various and sundry reasons. So I do not jusy sit down, flip through channels, and watch the most interesting thing I find.

Something has to speak to me. Lost was engaging and philosophical. Doctor Who is the best science fiction on television right now. Burn Notice is a nostalgia trip for the ’80’s adventure shows I liked as a kid. All three give me something to write about. A few shows, like 24 and The Big Bang Theory, are fun to watch, but do not offer up much to write about. You will notice most of these shows have either been cancelled now or have short seasons.

I have not decided about Caprica, my lone exception to the no first season reviews inclination . I watched because I was so fond of Battlestar Galactica, then kept watching because it was like the aftermath of a horrible car crash. The mangled mess is disturbing, but too compelling from which to turn away.

Feel free to recommend something, but you are going to have to sell it. Two caveats. One, I have heard every sales pitch for House to be made. None worked. I act too much like the character to enjoy the show. Two, anyone who dares suggest Glee will be hunted down and murdered in their sleep.

As for an episode a day older series, I have not decided. I have access to plenty of complete series with a few I would not mind running through at some point. I may take a poll with some top choices. I have not conducted a poll before.

One thing is for certain--once the Ds9 reviews aredone later next month, that is it for Star Trek. I cannot bring myself to sit through VOY and ENT. Besides, someone pointed out to me not too long ago that if you Google my name, one of the related search suggestions at the bottom of the page is “Jamie Jeffords Star Trek.” Mercy, mercy. What have I wrought? I thought reviewing Trek would be fun. I never wanted to become that Weird Trek Guy.

There are 39 more DS9 episodes left to go, so we will cross the ridge of whether I will pick up another show and what it might be in a few weeks.

Formspring Question # 23 Absorbing Phosphur Dots Edition

Are you going to cover any new television shows?

I have not seen anything about the upcoming television season which excites me. Networks pull the plug on so many new series after six or twelve episodes, even shows that look promising are not worth becoming invested in until until they have been picked up for a second season.

While it does not look like it considering the coverage here, I am a snob when it comes to watching television. Most anything I watch has to have been around a while already and caught my attention somehow. I have tried watching stuff right out the gate--Bionic Woman, Studio 60, Heroes, Bones and Fringer most prominently--and been disappointed for various and sundry reasons. So I do not jusy sit down, flip through channels, and watch the most interesting thing I find.

Something has to speak to me. Lost was engaging and philosophical. Doctor Who is the best science fiction on television right now. Burn Notice is a nostalgia trip for the ’80’s adventure shows I liked as a kid. All three give me something to write about. A few shows, like 24 and The Big Bang Theory, are fun to watch, but do not offer up much to write about. You will notice most of these shows have either been cancelled now or have short seasons.

I have not decided about Caprica, my lone exception to the no first season reviews inclination . I watched because I was so fond of Battlestar Galactica, then kept watching because it was like the aftermath of a horrible car crash. The mangled mess is disturbing, but too compelling from which to turn away.

Feel free to recommend something, but you are going to have to sell it. Two caveats. One, I have heard every sales pitch for House to be made. None worked. I act too much like the character to enjoy the show. Two, anyone who dares suggest Glee will be hunted down and murdered in their sleep.

As for an episode a day older series, I have not decided. I have access to plenty of complete series with a few I would not mind running through at some point. I may take a poll with some top choices. I have not conducted a poll before.

One thing is for certain--once the Ds9 reviews aredone later next month, that is it for Star Trek. I cannot bring myself to sit through VOY and ENT. Besides, someone pointed out to me not too long ago that if you Google my name, one of the related search suggestions at the bottom of the page is “Jamie Jeffords Star Trek.” Mercy, mercy. What have I wrought? I thought reviewing Trek would be fun. I never wanted to become that Weird Trek Guy.

There are 39 more DS9 episodes left to go, so we will cross the ridge of whether I will pick up another show and what it might be in a few weeks.

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.

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.

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.

Family Guy Jabs Vietnam Vets

Richard Blumenthal is not the only one dishonoring Vietnam veterans these days:

I am not particularly prudish when it comes to humor. If it is funny, I will laugh regardless of whatever sacred cow is being turned into hamburger meat. but this scene not only is not funny, it I senseless and juvenile.

What is Seth McFarlane making fun of with it? The war itself? The veterans? The Vietnamese? All three of those elements are presented in the most unreasoned, stereotypical ways possible. This scene is every bit as offensive to the Vietnamese as it is to American veterans.

I posted the clip not to generate any outrage. I am the one who says haters are going to hate, so it would probably be best to ignore McFarlane and hope he will be forced to draw dirty pictures of his boss on the bathroom wall of the Dairy Queen where he has to scrub toilets for a living. I just think it is necessary from time to time to be reminded of what passes for politically incorrect among progressives.