Let me be clear. I am a fan of Ramiele's. Indeed the Filipina-American songstress (born in Saudi Arabia) has made it to Hollywood "Against All Odds." When asked their most embarrassing moments over the last two nights, most contestants chose to share trifles. (The cunning Christy Lee Cook's story about spending a year barking like a dog with rats crawling on her back was a gross exaggeration, calculated to impress. It didn't.)
Ramiele told a very different tale: a young girl in a strange land (Florida), leaving a picture of herself at the door stoop of an American boy crush. At this point in the story my heart swelled at the possibility of young love crossing this racial barrier. I couldn't help but think of Lt. Cable and the Polynesian Liat from South Pacific. Alas, in Ramiele's tale, the boy looks at her picture in disgust, mutters something unprintable, then tosses it aside! Sadly this is the kind of racism that exists in pockets of America - or at least in Miramar, Florida. (To be fair, Lt. Cable ends up dying at the end of South Pacific, so Ramiele's story is arguably happier.)
Ramiele of course is cute as a button. (I quite like her anime style hair.) But the kind of rejection she's faced has made her vulnerable not only to the taunts of Miramar's virulently anti-Filipino community, but also to the influence of Satanists like Danny Noriega.
Yes, I believe Ramiele may be under the svengali-like spell of Noriega. This could mean that with Noriega gone, Ramiele will be free herself. But my fear is that Noriega plans to use Ramiele as a vessel, to continue doing his "work."
The best that all of us can do is keep a close watch on Ramiele -- with an exorcist on speed dial. (Chikezie may need one, too. During his marathon embrace with Danny, I got the distinct impression that a spirit was passing between them.)
Other things I noticed:
- It was nice to see Beat Boxing Blake Lewis. He sounded good, though I'm convinced he cannot become a star. His mouth is simply too small.
- This season has a preponderance of contestants with beautiful mothers: David Cook's mother looks like Vanessa Redgrave. Carly Smithson, the lusty Lucy Lawless of the bunch, has a mother who looks like Jane Seymour.
- This year's competition is teeming with Mormons: David Archuleta and Brooke White, just to name two. I am a big Brooke White fan. I love her indie-folk sound, and she has a huge mouth. From certain angles she looks like Cate Blanchett. Go, Brooke! (For a fascinating discussion of Brooke's Mormonism, click here.)
- Kady Malloy will play Anna Nicole Smith in a TV movie.
- The video obit themes were songs I didn't recognize. Presumably Daughtry's I'm Going Home will be back as the contestant video obit dirge, starting next week.
- Amanda Overmyer is competing with Carly Smithson for the role of group Earth Mother. I give the edge to Overmyer. (The Hoosier with heart reminds me of Bonnie Hunt.) She's tough. She's brassy. She may be the only one who can save Ramiele.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. Daughtry's song won't be back. Seacrest said last week that Ruben has recorded a new exit song for this season.
Shannon at 7:27AM on Mar 7th 2008
2. I just watched the video and I wouldn't call Ramiele's reaction as a "meltdown". She was simply crying because one of the more interesting personalities among their bunch got booted out. Danny's got spunk, and he's a real person, he doesn't feel the need to change himself for the sake of the game. He believes in himself, and I like that. Most likely, Ramiele also likes him for that. They probably hit it off and became good friends... and maybe, that's why she had her so-called "meltdown".
Vanessa at 10:39AM on Mar 9th 2008
3. Great analysis Mo!
I'll focus on Chikezie. Just as a desperate,targeted, and panting fugitive knows, seconds count before the call home is traced!
That embrace lasted way too long, ie MISSION ACCOMPLISHED-folks!
Danny, known in my circle, as "Rasputin with a Pout" or "Raspoutin"-well,.....(insert knowing chuckle here) hasn't left!!!!!
TSK! A.I can only be all the more fascinating hence forth!
ah, Clem at 8:51AM on Mar 7th 2008
4. Aw Mo,
This just in: Exclusive!
What Danny Noriega whispered to Chikezie during the
Endless embrace.
What matter where, if I be still Noriega,
And what I shall be, bigger than even Abdul
Whom booze has made brazen? There at least
On YouTube or Nick Jr., sans Simon,
My purple locks shall flow as River Styx
Underground, a cult of teenage queens
To sing my name. Hail Tiger Beat:
Better to reign in High School than serve on AI.
Thank you tripping friend for my Fortunate Fall!
And of my new abode, my fiery crib
I humbly say “Thanks Mulciber, Totally Hot!”
--American Idol Lost, Book I
by John Melted
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=zw6rgyHiykw
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_Beat
JG^^
John Giza at 10:22AM on Mar 7th 2008
5. Ooh, Mo seems to have big mouth & MILF fetishes! ;)
Natalie at 12:02PM on Mar 7th 2008
6. Aw Mo,
I really don't get it?
How could Floridians be so averse to
Filipina-American Ramiele
and yet so beholden to Flipper?
Oh, wait, you said she was born in Saudi Arabia?
Well, that explains it. The Flipper lovers were
thinking
"The Day of the Dolphin."
Mo, when you said "...racism that exists in pockets of America," I am reminded of the witty rejoinder
"Would you care to have some suit with those pockets?"
On a positive note, things do appear to be changing for the better.
VOTE DEMOCRATIC '08!
PS: Ramiele, I melted down too.
Guess I'll have to get behind the Rockin Nurse, Andrea Overmyer.
JG
John Giza at 1:25PM on Mar 7th 2008
7. Aw Mo,
Since it appears to be a slow moment on the Blog, maybe you'll allow me to address a matter of housekeeping?
Something Nancy said on the “This or That” post struck me
as important enough to warrant an editorial reply.
No, I am not Doug Morrione, but I do play Lou Grant
on the internet.
Nancy mentioned that some of the jokes on 180 may be too
“inside” for someone to get.
Nancy: I can see where you are coming from, so, please
allow me try to clear up any confusion that may exist regarding
“Inside” jokes or any suggestion that Roccats are exclusive.
First, Roccat membership is open to anyone who wishes to consider themselves
one and who contributes to the blog comments in a thoughtful and courteous manner.
It helps if you are a Mo Rocca fan, but it is not required (under current by-laws.) Some member named Alberto keeps pushing for an amendment.
Second, the comments which appear on this Blog do not result from ex-parte communication. In other words, Roccats do not all work at the same Insurance Company on the 23rd floor and talk about stuff all day and then come home and carry on with it on the Blog. Actually, I don’t think any of the Roccats have ever met in the flesh. This is called “safe text.”
SO: then why do some comments seem inside? Here’s why. There are two types of comments which may appear “inside:”
1) Byzantine comments: These are comments that the reader may not “get” but other commenters respond to. The answer here is that these are truly “byzantine” comments. Roccats are a diverse group of commenters, hailing from all different backgrounds, educations, geographical areas and life experiences etc., who come together for the sharing of information and to have a good time. It is a tribute to them that they put the energy, enthusiasm and their own personal imprimatur into their thoughtful comments. In most instances, Roccats will supply an internet link to support their reference; however, this is not required as of the last by-laws committee. Most of us just keep a dictionary and Google nearby.
2) Historical comments: These are comments which may refer back to a previous Mo Rocca Blog post commentary or a specific comment made by one of the commenters. For example, if I were to say, “Mo, you have to lay off the liverwurst sandwiches,” that does not imply I know anything other than that last July Mo mentioned that he was having a liverwurst sandwich in the Park on a sunny day. It is in the public domain. As of the last by-law meeting, there was no time restriction on how far back a person could reach to retrieve historical Blog artifacts. One member named Blayze is pushing for a thirty day limit.
It should also be noted that there is no membership fee for being a Roccat (Andrea is currently in the process of returning the funds that were misdirected to her personal bank account.)
Thus, in conclusion, I promise to never go on this long in the future (unless I use Caps Lock).
God Bless everyone!
Hank Kimball at 3:04PM on Mar 7th 2008
8. When are the next debates?
Gabrielle at 5:27PM on Mar 7th 2008