I couldn't respond to this week's surprising boot before now because Blogger went down--perhaps recappers everywhere flooded the system? Anyway, I skipped all the nonsense and went right for the results...James is gone! Who knew?
I was convinced it would be Haley, then Lauren, then the boys would face off in the finals...but once Ryan announced that both girls were safe, I knew it was the end of James' road. Scotty has this thing in the bag. Do you think the judges' singling out of poor Haley on Wednesday galvanized her fan base? Or is it just that America is sick of hearing James sing off key?
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Top 4 - Inspirational Songs and Leiber & Stoller (and Gaga)
We are getting down to the wire, beloved readers! This week marks our final four, and I thought it would be home visit week, but I jumped the gun. Guess that's next week. But first, there must be judges! And singing! The judges walk out and Steven Tyler appears to be wearing a raccoon tail in his hair. The contestants come out, and one of the girls has a long train--oh, lord, it's Lauren, wearing the classic Trailer Park Ball Gown--miniskirt in the front, chapel-length train in the back. Klass-ay, Lauren. She must have slept with Angry Stylist's boyfriend.
Once again the contestants will be singing multiple songs. In round one, "Songs that Inspire Them." Ugh, that is an impulse that does no one any good. Round two, "Songs from the Oeuvre of Leiber & Stoller." Way to keep it fresh, show--when you need to post a black & white picture of your theme artist, you're reaching too far back. And of course, the natural musical mentor for Leiber & Stoller week? Lady Gaga. I love her, but that's insane. Why didn't they just do a Gaga week?
Once again the contestants will be singing multiple songs. In round one, "Songs that Inspire Them." Ugh, that is an impulse that does no one any good. Round two, "Songs from the Oeuvre of Leiber & Stoller." Way to keep it fresh, show--when you need to post a black & white picture of your theme artist, you're reaching too far back. And of course, the natural musical mentor for Leiber & Stoller week? Lady Gaga. I love her, but that's insane. Why didn't they just do a Gaga week?
Monday, May 9, 2011
The Editor's Natural Habitat
Hello! It's Editors' Month here at PAD, which means that the most shy and retiring creatures in the publishing ecosystem must reluctantly emerge from their burrows and face the spotlights (so harsh on our pasty skin!). Today, nature lovers, you're in luck--you'll have the opportunity to examine a wild Editor's natural habitat up close. So climb aboard and let's go! (Note: Please keep all hands and arms inside the car until the ride comes to a complete stop. Do not poke, harass or throw things at the Editor--although leaving bonbons or wine is welcome. Please avoid making sudden movements or loud sounds, as the Editor has delicate sensibilities and is easily rattled. Last time a school group came through here, the Editor hid under her desk for a week and savagely excised every adverb in the manuscript she was reading at the time. That author is still in therapy.)
I'm happy to answer any questions you have about the care and feeding of Editors. Here are some of the most common:
I'm happy to answer any questions you have about the care and feeding of Editors. Here are some of the most common:
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Top 5 - Finally!
No full recap for this one, but I'm happy to report that Jacob is leaving us at last. And he goes as he arrived, with an overwrought rendition of "God Bless the Child." He and Lauren wind up in the bottom two, Lauren weeping almost from the beginning of the show. Jimmy wryly acknowledges the scolding he got from the judges for giving Haley bad advice, but of course Haley saved herself with "Rising Sun" at the end of the show, so no harm no foul.
Oh, also there was a whole lotta J.Lo. Her dancing pants were bad--unflattering crotch. That's all you need to know!
Oh, also there was a whole lotta J.Lo. Her dancing pants were bad--unflattering crotch. That's all you need to know!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Top 5 - Now & Then
I'm practically on time this week! And have been working my butt off during the day, so I don't even feel guilty about recapping tonight. J. Lo is dressed like Miss Havisham in a gauzy high-necked blouse with a flower in her upswept hair. Ryan tells us that this is the most important night in Idol, and asks Randy to tell us why. Randy says that tonight is when they look for "who is in it to win it." This would be more meaningful if he hadn't declared each of these contestants IITWI at multiple points in the season already.
Tonight's theme is "Now and Then," and everyone will sing two songs--one from "the last few years" and one from "back in the day." Way to be specific, show. And our mentor tonight is Sheryl Crow. Well, that's fresh. Or did they choose her because she's what you get when you split the difference between "now" and "then"?
Tonight's theme is "Now and Then," and everyone will sing two songs--one from "the last few years" and one from "back in the day." Way to be specific, show. And our mentor tonight is Sheryl Crow. Well, that's fresh. Or did they choose her because she's what you get when you split the difference between "now" and "then"?
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Top 6 - Results
This is cheating, since I'm doing it immediately after watching the Idol show late...but that should keep it short. I wasn't going to do a post at all, but upon seeing that Steven Tyler came dressed as Bella Abzug today, I felt it required comment. Hell, it requires illustration:
Just sayin'.
Top 6 - Songs of Carole King
Hello, Idol fans! I'm sorry I was so late this week...was out Weds and Thursday nights, and have only just been able to sit down and watch the show. But I appreciated all the "where's the blog?" queries--it's nice to hear you're out there reading :).
So, this week's theme is "the music of Carole King." Now, I think she's great (and not just because she guest starred on Gilmore Girls), but are the producers truly concerned about making these kids seem fresh and current? It's not that the music's not wonderful, but even in the intro video about how great she is, they show a roster of album covers to indicate who she's written for, and the most recent one there is Celine Dion. Explain again why you dragged Gwen Stefani onto the show and only let her dress the girls that week? Ah, well, I certainly don't begrudge King the royalties. And the songs are cool--maybe one of these kids will manage to pull a David Cook/Adam Lambert and do something fresh with it. Then again, maybe not.
So, who will be the first contestant to stare blankly at Jimmy while he talks about these songs? It's Jacob, who meets Jimmy and special guest Babyface as the mentor. Perhaps Will.i.am is off harvesting new periods. (Incidentally, Babyface is...no longer babyfaced.) Jacob is a little rattled by his bottom three finish of last week, but he jumps into rehearsing "Oh No, Not My Baby," which he'll be singing as a duet with a woman who isn't introduced. Jacob is having trouble getting the timing right...perhaps it's because of the terrible mom jeans he's wearing.
So, this week's theme is "the music of Carole King." Now, I think she's great (and not just because she guest starred on Gilmore Girls), but are the producers truly concerned about making these kids seem fresh and current? It's not that the music's not wonderful, but even in the intro video about how great she is, they show a roster of album covers to indicate who she's written for, and the most recent one there is Celine Dion. Explain again why you dragged Gwen Stefani onto the show and only let her dress the girls that week? Ah, well, I certainly don't begrudge King the royalties. And the songs are cool--maybe one of these kids will manage to pull a David Cook/Adam Lambert and do something fresh with it. Then again, maybe not.
So, who will be the first contestant to stare blankly at Jimmy while he talks about these songs? It's Jacob, who meets Jimmy and special guest Babyface as the mentor. Perhaps Will.i.am is off harvesting new periods. (Incidentally, Babyface is...no longer babyfaced.) Jacob is a little rattled by his bottom three finish of last week, but he jumps into rehearsing "Oh No, Not My Baby," which he'll be singing as a duet with a woman who isn't introduced. Jacob is having trouble getting the timing right...perhaps it's because of the terrible mom jeans he's wearing.
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