My Two Sense

American Idol Season 9

2010-01-13T23:00:00.009-06:00

I have come to the conclusion that I simply cannot watch American Idol and not jot down some thoughts and observations, so throughout this season I'm going to do just that - starting with the first two nights which aired on January 12th and 13th.

Boston and Atlanta

Not to point directly at the elephant in the room, but the first show was like going back to school with your favorite teacher missing. Paul Abdul's eerie absence was evident , and the fact that Victoria Beckham was sitting in her seat sans the diet Coke was even stranger. Although I will admit that Becky seemed a little nicer than I expected. The stone faced beauty reserves all emotion and expression during photo ops, making me wonder at times if she's even capable of cracking a slim grin. She appeared to be quite warm and sympathetic to the contestants, however, and I found this side of Victoria to be both charming and refreshing.

Randy is still Randy, the coolest dawg there is. Love his facial expressions and the repartee he has with the contestants. All is good there. I got mad love for ya, Randy!

Kara is, well..still Kara. I'm still trying to decide how I feel about her. At times, she seems to follow the pack and take her ques from the other judges. At other times, she is boldly opinionated and borders on mean. She seems to feel more comfortable without Paula thus far, but we'll see how much she is able to establish herself as a distinctive entity on the show. Either way, she'll have her work cut out for her as she jockeys for position on a panel that will soon include Ellen DeGeneres.

Then there's Simon. I predicted at the end of last season in an article I wrote that he would be leaving very soon... Recent news about his departure at the end of this season has proven me right. Not that I'm an "I told you so" kind of person. I only mention it to punctuate my next point, and the point is this: Simon looks like he's got one foot out the door already. He's only completed auditions in two cities,yet he appears to be bored, restless, and ready to move on. I think Kara bores him, Randy humors him, and Paula's absence bothers him more than he'd care to admit. I predict that he will be more intolerant, increasingly feisty (if that's possible) and nearly impossible to please this season. Short-timers disease can be a bitch.

With only a handful of real contenders thus far, and far more wanna-be Idol hopefuls yet to be auditioned, the weeks ahead will uncover the caliber of talent that will make up the final 24. Some of us are still swallowing that pill we call pride, after swearing off the show at the end of Season 8. The outrage we felt over the voting controversy has left a bitter residue, and I myself, had to down a glass or two of seltzer before tuning in.

So what is it that keeps us coming back then?

Is it Ellen? Is it Simon? Is it the fundamental thrill we get watching the common man/woman realizing his/her dreams? I think it comes down to something relatively simple. We like to be entertained by the good, the bad, and the ugly. The curiosity factor, the laugh factor, the X factor..whatever it is...it does, indeed, keep us from looking away. At least for now.

The X Factor is a whole other story...

Next week, the troops are in my town...Chi-town.., so tune in. We have lots of wind in our pipes!

Check out one of the highlights of this week's auditions...'General' Larry Platt, 62 years old singing one of his own compositions called "Pants on the Ground"...Only on American Idol, my friends...Only on Idol.

American Idols Live Concert Review - Chicago

2009-09-10T10:15:00.015-05:00

On Wednesday, September 2, 2009 the top ten American Idols came to Chicago, and I was there...Follow this link for a re-cap and review of all the performances.

Feel free to leave me your comments...

http://www.pioneerlocal.com/parkridge/entertainment/1759640,entertainment-cook-idols-091009-s1.article

Adam Lambert CD drops Nov.24th.

2009-09-06T21:01:00.003-05:00

For all of you "can't wait for Adam's CD" fans...here it comes. His debut CD is scheduled for release on Tuesday, November 24th. It will contain " a little bit of everything", per Lambert. It's release falls one week after the debut of Kris Allen's CD.

Adam Lambert-One Voice

2009-08-19T00:29:00.004-05:00

It's the voice that started it all.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Adam-Lambert---One-Voice

Idol In Distress

2009-08-19T00:24:00.003-05:00

It's rough seas ahead for American Idol. Viewers say three strikes and you're out!

http://hubpages.com/hub/Idol-in-Distress

John Hughes - Take a Bow

2009-08-07T02:04:00.003-05:00

An homage to the director who brought us Sixteen Candles, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club, and more....

http://hubpages.com/hub/John-Hughes---Take-A-Bow

Adam Lambert - You've Got Mail

2009-08-02T00:35:00.007-05:00

Mr.Lambert...your fans are calling.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Adam-Lambert---Youve-Got-Mail

Adam Lambert video montage

2009-07-20T01:37:00.004-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jg_BqNH5R1I&feature=player_embedded

Adam and Kris sing for the Title

2009-07-19T21:14:00.002-05:00

http://hubpages.com/hub/Adam-and-Chris-Sing-For-The-Title

From Season 8 American Idol, as previously published on Hubpages

Adam Lambert Rocks It Out

2009-07-19T21:10:00.004-05:00

http://hubpages.com/hub/Adam-Lambert-Rocks-It-Out

From season 8 American Idol, as previously published on Hubpages.com.

The Anatomy of the Adamgasm

2009-07-14T23:57:00.005-05:00

The follow up to "Adam Lambert - Sexed for Success"

http://hubpages.com/hub/The-Anatomy-of-the-Adamgasm

Las Vegas' Odd Transformation

2009-07-10T21:57:00.002-05:00

Just returned from a trip to LV....Here's my thoughts.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Las-Vegas-Odd-Transformation

American Idol Upset

2009-06-28T22:23:00.001-05:00

American Idol Upset

Adam Lambert Sexed for Success

2009-06-28T21:09:00.004-05:00

Adam Lambert Sexed for Success

The post-Idol hoopla on Adam Lambert's rise to stardom.

Two Gone, Too Soon

2009-06-27T01:20:00.000-05:00

Pop culture took a major hit on June 25, 2009 with the loss of Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson, respectively. Even though the loss of Charlie's favorite angel appeared imminent, it was still sobering and left the world saddened. The untimely death of Michael Jackson, on the other hand, turned it on it's axis.

Jaws dropped and tears were shed for both of these larger than life figures-neither of whom ever imagined that they would share such a day. Nor did we.

While Fawcett and Jackson made very different contributions to the world of entertainment, they were fused by some commonalities as well. Both were recognized as American pop icons who surfed the waves of international stardom. Each of them unabashedly displayed their talents- Jackson with his unbridled musical performances, and Fawcett with her Ultra Brite smile and hand-tousled mane. Michael captivated us with his moonwalk, silver studded glove, and gritty street snarl, while Farrah's smile alone could stop traffic.

And who could forget that poster?

No man over the age of 40.

Behind the curtain however, stood two very different people from what they showed us; vulnerable, child-like, fragile, and not always able to keep up with our demands. Occasionally subjected to gossip and ridicule, both sought refuge in their art.

It can, indeed, be lonely at the top.

Neither were tremendously successful in the department of love, but not for lack of trying. Farrah did find her own Love Story with Ryan O'Neill, an irony not lost on fans of the movie.

Michael had the love of his children and his siblings; perhaps the only ones who can explain what went wrong.

Or maybe we know enough, and should just let him sleep now.

In any event, we bid farewell to Farrah and Michael. The world will never see the likes of them again.

But they'll be remembered, nonetheless.