I'm going on Fox TV's "Mike and Juliet Show" this morning to discuss Idol. Here's what I'm thinking right now:
The contestants are getting desperate.
Chris Richardson's post-performance tantrum about how he really meant to sing "nasal" was embarrassing - and his invoking the tragedy at Virginia Tech was inappropriate. Yes, the camera caught Simon rolling his eyes at Chris. Although Simon clearly was not rolling his eyes at the tragedy, this could prove to be a costly camera move. The producers obviously swept in for damage control and asked Simon to express his own sorrow later in the show. It was an awkward moment.
LaKisha's latest mention about how difficult life is raising Brionne as a single mom is pushing it. I have always been a LaKisha fan and when Martina McBride lavished praise on her, I was excited. Unfortunately, when Jesus took the wheel this time, the car careened out of control. (Worse than Eddie Griffin in that Ferrari.)
As for Sanjaya, the Willie Nelson/Isaac Mizrahi doo-rag was a disappointment. It was a stunt and a shameless pander to the VFTW/Howard Stern crowd. Last week Sanjaya made a valiant and successful attempt to sing well. He was headed toward a coup, bucking the cynics who scoffed at him. Now we're not sure who Sanjaya is: Is he the guy who really wants to be an American Idol and prove himself? Or is he the jaded jokester, willing to debase himself to stay in this competition? Is he Mario Lopez ... or is he Dustin Diamond?
I feel vindicated now that Simon has called Melinda on her "Who, me?" shy act.
I'm a huge fan of Martina McBride's and look forward to her performance tonight. I expect we'll all have shpilkes in our geneckteckessoink. (Until last night Kinky Friedman was the only country singer to use the word "verklempt.")
UPDATE: I just returned from the Fox "Mike and Juliet" Idol panel. It included Season Three's Jasmine Trias (very charming) and Food Network's Paula Deen (very "country"). Outside the studio Paula wore a floor-length fur coat. Raccoon? (Presumably she spit roasted whatever animal she killed for that thing.) Jasmine was surprisingly outspoken on the subject of ethnocentric American Idol voting. She asserts that she went as far as she did by galvanizing the Polynesian vote. I pointed out that she was the only thing residents of Guam and American Samoans (two groups which historically have hated each other) could both agree to like.
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Chris Richardson: Desperate Idol ... Plus: It Was Worth It To Hear Martina McBride Say Verklempt
Posted Apr 18th 2007 7:14AM by Mo Rocca
Filed under: American Idol, Sanjaya Malakar, Sanjaya's hair, Melinda Doolittle, Jordin Sparks, LaKisha Jones, Simon Cowell, Chris Richardson, Jasmine Trias
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Reader Comments ( Page 3 of 3)
31. I missed all this, because I cleverly avoid watching most of the show. I tune in just 5 minutes before HOUSE. I watch the 15 seconds clips, and I don't have to put up with the rest of this nonsense. It's more entertaining than a results show!
Daniel K at 5:31PM on Apr 18th 2007
32. Lets not get any more upset than this country is already, he was not rolling at the tragedy
in my eyes. stop the tearing down of people
just because WE are a mess in this country
john at 5:31PM on Apr 18th 2007
33. Number # 25
I speak your language and i surprised that you think
in a multi cultural country like america one does
Not understand what you wrote you are disgusting
and make me ashamed of beeing an immigrant
shame on you.
Simon rolled his eyes at the singing not VT tragedy
Bob at 5:39PM on Apr 18th 2007
34. The tradgedy in the Commonwealth of Virginia, is of monumental proportion and to "dis" Chris, who is from Chesapeake, and call him "desperate" is insensitive. Chris said he has friends there , as he is of college age, and he may not even had know if they were alive at the time of the show. If you don't know Virginia and you don't know the South, don't even comment on what Chris needed to say or how he might feel. It is not the same as California and New York. Chris was hurting, I am sure you wouldn't get it!
Julia Love at 6:13PM on Apr 18th 2007
35. Chris is a sweet southern boy and Simon is a cold British a--. I don't care what the rason was or is that would make a person who is supposed to be guiding and encouraging these young contestants not rolling his eyes in disgust! This a very rude thing for anyone to do but I guess in Simon's rich circles they are used to such actions. Get a real life Simon before no one watches your program because it is getting to that point here lately. And Paula the same goes for you. I have seen you do the exact same thing.
Violet at 6:43PM on Apr 18th 2007
36. Simon is a no talent piece of trash!
scott at 8:42PM on Apr 18th 2007
37. I said iy before and
i'll say it again"Simon is a pure Jackass. Idol needs to replace him immedietly.
bboydbaltimore at 6:58PM on Apr 18th 2007
38. I AGREE WITH MOMMY313,THATS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPEND.
rick at 7:26PM on Apr 18th 2007
39. I kind of agree that Phil needs to go. He seems nice and has a good voice but his eyes and teeth bother me. Maybe I should say his smile. I think Sanjaya is entertaining. I am sick of Lakeshia thinking she is above the others. She is good but not better than Jordan or Melinda. Melinda's shocked look has been bothering me a long time, though.
This year is really dull except for Sanjaya, so I hope he will not go tonight.
J. Fair at 7:28PM on Apr 18th 2007
40. just a FYI: "blue" by tim mcgraw????
actually that song is "when the stars go blue" by ryan adams. he wrote it.
not bono, not mr mcgraw.
only when mr mcgraw sings the song is it his song.
argh...
just bitching
erin at 2:32PM on Apr 19th 2007
41. OH SHUT UP!!! Everbody just whines whines whines if it don't go your way.Why didn't you try out for A.Idol ?
Teresa Pfeiffer at 12:30AM on Apr 22nd 2007
42. I hear everyone, it was sad to see everyone go home. But, This is American Idol...there can only be 1 winner.
There were very good ones in the bunch, so this was bound to be a rough time for everyone...seeing them all leave.
Some are bound to record deals anyways. It's time to have someone that is different frm the rest... Thats why me and my kids LOVE BLAKE!!
GO BLAKE GO!!!
WE ARE BLAKER GIRLS ALL THE WAY!!!
Heidi Rodriguez at 6:44AM on May 29th 2007
43. The Three Stooges are at it again, getting ready for another season of America’s #1 Show “American Idol.” These guys are so hilarious when you put them together. You must listen to this interview, just log on here: http://ryan.kiisfm.com/cc-common/losangeles/podcast/onair.html
thekiisfmcaster at 4:48AM on Dec 12th 2007