Musings of a Maniac

The Idol - Jordin Wins and Our Journey Ends

As Spring turns to summer and dawn to dusk, our journey ended tonight and now America is left with nothing. This juggernaut has closed another chapter in a dramatic star-studded finale that made America shout, cheer and weep. In the house tonight, we saw Ryan's former pretend love, Teri Hatcher, the Hoff (who was clean and sober), Jerry Springer, Jennifer Hudson, Constantine, Justin, Ace and a long list of Hollywood royalty.  On stage, there were a number of hot performances, but no bald Britney Spears tearing up K-Fed's picture in a Sinead O'Connor retread.  There also was no big star surprise like Prince, unless anyone considers the Divine Miss M's dreadful Wind Beneath My Wings a treat. Bette Midler doesn't belong in Vegas replacing Celine; she belongs in the Bath Houses where she started her career.  I hate to overuse the term, but talk about "pitchy"   What were the Producers thinking adding her to the roster of stars? What an insult to all those who cling to pure American values.

Thankfully for Jordin the nefarious Idol Song Writing Competition solidified her victory, leaving Blake beat-boxing his way to oblivion or at least to the possibility of a record deal.  Let's hope to God the two finalist don't plan a remake of the overlooked and masterful film From Justin to Kelly.   But until the auditions begin in January 2008, I will be singing I Who Have Nothing out of protest for this great loss from our television landscape. 

Although we may gripe about the lack of hard luck stories this season like the Pickle or Fantasia or a real porn star like Frenchie Davis or a criminal record like that of Scott Savoll, we had a lot to talk about and some tender moments that left America in tears along with Paula Abdul who cries every time she hears a sappy sub-par vocal by a male hopeful like Elliott.  Fortunately this season, her antics were limited to tripping over her dog, rather than mauling one of the hopefuls via Corey Clark.

For me the most emotional moment of the season occurred during the auditions at a time when this competition was under assault by the envious hordes who want to bring Idol down.  The Producers easily squelched this onslaught when the age limit for hopefuls was disregarded and 64-year old Sherman Pore performed on behalf of his lady love who died a few days earlier in the Hospital after her long battle with cancer. It was a classic Idol moment and left no doubt that Idol not only has talent, but heart as well.

However, America will not stand for anything but the best.  Thankfully, Simon Cowell rightfully slammed the absurd Ken Briggs, comparing him to a bush baby.  His best friend, Jonathan Jayne and special student, was also given a chance, but the aftermath brought calls of indignation from corners of the world that care nothing for this great country and its majesty, let alone a competition that is the ultimate meritocracy.  Such charges came most forcefully from the horrible Fat Slob and pretend Lesbian, Rosie O'Donnell, who is still smarting from her failed Broadway musical, Taboo. She can't sing, she's not that funny any more and is in obvious need of a tummy tuck and electro-shock therapy.  America saw through her charade and rejected her message of hate and intolerance.  She even had the temerity to call Paula a drunk, when we all know that is a damnable lie.  You can't get drunk on painkillers, can you?

Furthermore, if those two misfits were so wounded by Simon's mean attacks, why did they show up tonight and accept a Golden Idol for Best Buddies?  The Bush Baby even thanked Simon for giving him a chance to make a further buffoon of himself on national TV.  As for Jonathan, is that the only outfit he wears?  Didn't the stylists get a hold of him?  I sure hope he washes his clothes frequently since he wore the same duds back in the auditions.  The other Golden Idols this year came nowhere near the excitement that was created by the Clay Aiken dopalganger, Michael Sandecki, but watching Margaret Fowler in her chicken suit maul Ryan on stage was enough to make it all worthwhile.  Ryan must have rushed back stage and bathed after that tongue lashing.  But I'm sure Ace comforted Ryan after the show to help him get over that distasteful display of raw passion.

Paula ended the season on a loopy note with her erratic dancing and waterworks galore, which of course will bring further speculation about her tenure on the show.  But what would this competition be without our plasticine earth mother?  It's almost laughable that Courtney Love was suggested as an alternative earlier.  That would be like replacing Snow White with Jenna Jameson.  As the season progressed, Paula performed with aplomb and on occasions even out classed Simon with some of her searingly insightful critiques.  Unlike Randy, she has a more extensive vocabulary than "yo yo yo . . . ," "a'right," "blew it out of the box," or "you're in the dawg pound tonight."

Oscar-winning Jennifer Hudson also created a stir in an Essence Magazine interview when she was obviously misquoted by hateful hacks trying to undermine this competition. After mentoring our hopefuls and showcasing Italian-American talent, even Tony Bennett got into the act and chastised the show for its harshness.  I hate to say this, but after that, Tony seemed like a Pelosi-like Italian, rather than the real thing.  How dare he?  But after his masterful performance tonight and the way he brought For Once in My Life home at 81 years old, I just can't stay mad at my Italian-American brother.  Furthermore, how pissed could he be?  He had no problem sucking up air time on Idol. As for my Italian-American sister, Gwen Stefani, I'm a little annoyed with her.  If you can't show up in Hollywood to perform, then no one needs to listen.  Furthermore, I didn't dig the song and what was that thing attached to her ass?

Another crew who was too good to show up live was Green Day, who had the audacity to sing another B.S. song from that drug addled communist John Lennon.  What does a song entitled Working Class Hero have to do with Darfur any how?  In the words of my junior blogger, "I'm beginning to fall asleep" listening to this performance.  I wonder how much flesh Yoko extracted so that her husband's songs could be used on Idol?  That controlling Beatles destroying miscreant surely didn't just allow it without extended negotiations and a hefty payment.  After all, she is the ultimate Leftist who lines her pockets with money while pretending to be Glynda the Good Witch.

Another major controversy from this season was Chris Sligh's snide Il Divo attack and subsequent early demise.  Did he really think America would forgive him for attacking the creative genius of Simon Cowell?  I don't care if Il Divo looks like Mannequins in an S&M Boutique.  You don't come to Hollywood and talk that way to Simon Cowell! Perhaps if Chris had avoided such antics and Sundance had held it together better, one of the biggest Idol scandals of the season, even more so than the NJ Slut and her suggestive poses on a toilet seat, would have never occurred.  Indeed, I refer to Sanjaya and the cadre of help desk workers and crying girls who voted for him week after week even though his performances were so bad they actually made me wistful for Fergie again. Tonight Sanjaya accompanied by Aerosmith's Joe Perry rehashed his disastrous You Really Got Me and made Ashley cry all over again. Why waste out time with that, when the medleys and hopeful performances were so fantastic. 

When Kelly Clarkson emerged on stage singing Never Again, I thought it was Season One all over again.  Her performance was fantastic and captured the crushing pain caused by a low down dirty dog who had the audacity to cheat on her.  Any man who covets another over Kelly Clarkson is no man at all.

Even more powerful was Carrie Underwood's haunting rendition of I'll Stand By You from Idol Gives Back Week.  What a great talent!  She truly deserves all the recognition, including getting a plaque from Clive Davis for selling six million copies of her smash hit CD, Some Hearts.  Not only talented, Carrie is beautiful and pure, but what was up with that outfit?

Taylor also reemerged and performed Heaven Knows. I didn't expect much, but in the end, he did a great job including the harmonica solo.  But I must take issue with the song title.  Didn't Donna Summer have a song with the same name?  It looks like he is taking himself a little more seriously and I was pleased that he didn't have a spass attack on stage.  After 74 million votes were cast last night, we didn't need a goofy.

Although Fantasia couldn't make it tonight due to her critically acclaimed performance in The Color Purple on Broadway, the elusive Velvet Teddy Bear showed up in pin stripes with a pink tie and blew it out of the house in his duet with Jordin.  Their rendition of You're All I Need To Get By was great theater and made me wonder why we haven't seen more of Mr. Ruben Studdard.  A shout out to the Velvet teddy bear!

Blake's duet with Jordin of I Saw Her Standing There was a fun and cheeky performance.  They even fanned into the audience, which I loved.  I so hope we get to see this at the Idol concert.  Get your tickets or be damned!  Blake also brought down the house when he and Doug Fresh beat-boxed together.  What a show stopper!  I could barely understand a word of it, but it was excellent.  Although Blake lost, he handled his defeat with the grace of a gazelle, unlike other spoiled sports like Al Gore and John Kerry.

Equally incomprehensible, but also masterful was the African Children's Choir from Idol Gives Back Week.  What a treasure of a performance!  It reminded me of the Lion King all over again and I'm sure America loved it.  Once again, this show spares no expense in highlighting important social issues and putting money behind all the nice words.  A show like this sets a fine example for our children, unlike the greedy Left who take money where every they can grab it while trying to steal ours through high taxes. For example, John Edwards, the champion of the poor, was found to have taken a $55,000 for a speech at the University of California at Davis, a tax-payer funded institution.  Who gets that much money for a speech about poverty? Does the hypocrisy ever stop?

The top six girls and boys also performed as expected.  First the boys did a Smokey Robinson medley and brought down the house.  These kids really sounded great.  I guess when the pressure is off and they arem't being judged, they sound a lot better.  Brandon was so good it almost stunned me, particularly the way he blew things earlier in the season,  Similarly, the girls and Gladys Knight brought down the house.  Kiki, Weezie and Gladys are a lethal combination and their rendition of Midnight Train To Georgia really had it going on.  Weezie also did herself proud and really stuck her neck out with Bebe and Cece Winans.  In the words of Randy Jackson, "that was a hot one one tonight!"

The show concluded with a medley to beat all medleys with Joe Perry playing guitar in a montage of Beatles songs including material from Sargent Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band.  Kelly performed again along with Carrie, Ruben and Taylor and all the hopefuls from this season.  It was so nice seeing them together and it was a well put together montage along with the Ford Commercial, Time After Time.

At the end, Blake got to go home with keys to a Mustang while Jordin got the crown and closed the show with This Is My Now with fireworks and confetti, which is typical of seasons past.  When Seacrest wished us well and asked us to start the journey again in January, America's living rooms shouted a resounding yes.  There is simply nothing like this competition, which captures the spirit of America like no other forum.

Although I must end my reviews of this important cultural phenomenon, I plan to make a few postings as the year progresses until next Season.  So stay tuned and feel free to leave suggestions as to what you'd like to see, if anything at all.  But I promise you this.  I just can't watch So You think You Can Dance.  It's just too painful coming so close after Idol.

Maniac - - out   

The Idol - Special Spoilers Update for the Finale

Although the Producers have been quiet as to the special guests, I posted a few yesterday and have some further updates, which are as follows:

1)  Peter Noone may return and perform a Herman's Hermits medley.

2)  Green Day will appear as a surprise guest, which is no big deal in my opinion.  Green Day is a'right, but they don't even come close to Prince, last year's special guest.

3)   Tony Bennett has apparently gotten over his earlier criticism of the show and plans to perform tonight according to rumors.

4)   Not only will Taylor return and sing his new single, which no one has even listened to, but both Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood are returning.  I kid you not.  My two favorite Idols on one show.  What could be better?  I sure hope Carrie blows us away with her haunting rendition of I'll Stand By You, which was one of the highlights from Idol Gives Back Week. As for Kelly, she could sing Old MacDonald and it would be a smash hit. I'm so excited right now words escape me.

Rumors continue to swirl that Britney will make an appearance and if that is true, we won't even remember Prince.  That would certainly be an Idol moment and if she performed sans a wig and then tears up a picture of K-Fed at the end, she would stir more controversy than Sinead O'Connor.  I so hope this is true.

If anyone hears anything further, keep me posted and I will make a special bulletin.

If not, until the results,

Maniac - - out

The Idol - Blake v. Jordin

It's hard to believe that Season Six is coming to an end and in many ways I must agree with Linda Stasi's recent article in the venerable New York Post, New York City's only true newspaper unlike the hacks at the treasonous New York Times.  This season has lacked the drama and emotion that we have had in the past.  What is Idol without a trailer park tale of woe?  With no Kellie Pickler and Fantasia, we were left with Sanjaya's hairstyles and some soft-core porn from the epitome of Garden State values, Antonella Barba, aka the NJ Slut.  However, despite all this and the absolutely astounding results show last week, I remain steadfast in my support of this competition.  American Idol, however tarnished, still reflects the best of our hopes and dreams and offers a forum for the voiceless who have been spurned by the media elites.

Without the Fox Network, Jordin and Blake may have never seen the light of day along with the hordes of Americans who are scoffed at for still believing that the promise of this country is endless for those who dare to dream the impossible.  Rupert Murdoch started off this media enterprise against all odds and created a ratings leviathan that has put the Leftist scolds of the MSM in a hysterical frenzy as indicated by Al Gore's recent book, Assault On Reason.

Clearly Al is off his Klonopin and the title alone says it all.  If there is one person out there lacking rationale thinking skills, it's Al Gore.  Isn't this the same man who stood in Rose Garden after we learned of his boss' perjury and declared him the greatest President?  I don't know about you, but when thinking of great leaders names like Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, Roosevelt (Theodore) and Reagan pop up. Almost as laughable was his early book, Earth in the Balance, which was later found to have been riddled with scientific inaccuracies.  Why doesn't Al Gore stick to what he knows best:  eating and acting as co-conspirator in one of the most corrupt administrations of the 20th Century.  How many Buddhist Temples must be used for money laundering illegal campaign contributions before the rantings of this spoiled sport aren't given the time of day.  It's too bad he failed to steal the 2000 election, but instead of writing a book of sour grapes about the man who defeated him, he should spend more time making sure his multi-million dollar homes don't expend more electricity than the average American uses in a year.

Some would say he was the worst Vice President ever, but that wouldn't be nice except of course if you are some dullard Peanut Farmer who never met a dictator he didn't like.  Jimmy Carter calls Bush the worst President in terms of international affairs and then retracts the statement!  I guess after looking in the mirror and reflecting on his own Presidency, he realized there may be one President who was far worse than Bush.  Gas lines, hostages in Iran, an expansionist Soviet Union in Afghanistan and setting up further satellites in Central America and all he could do was lust in his heart.  This self-righteous scold has spent his years after the White House meddling in foreign affairs.  Even the inept Clinton had to to put the breaks on his naive manoeuvrings. 

Although some might suggest that this season of Idol is the worst ever in a Jimmy Carter-like malaise, I could never succumb to such negativity, particularly after tonight's dynamic and spirited finale.  The show began with that wisp of a man Seacrest in a three piece suit ensconced in the shadows as if he is an intelligence officer at the MI16. When the stage was lighted, the grand majesty of the Kodak Theater was there for all of America to see as the crowds excitedly cheered in anticipation for this showdown between the great entertainer and singer as noted by Randy, who looked as if he had bought that jacket from Michael Jackson's yard sale.  Paula, with wounded nose, didn't show any signs of injury, except that the pain killers made her loopy as ever throughout the night.  Who bruises their nose tripping over a dog named Tula? Ryan for once was on his game when he asked Paula about her condition and then quipped in front of all of America that the "bitch is okay."  What a clever double entendre from a man whose sexual orientation has left many thinking twice as well?

Both Blake and Jordin were discovered in Seattle along with the bush-baby, his "special friend" and a number of other assorted freaks like Nick Zitzman and Darwin "Meisha" Reedy, who did an uncanny rendition of Don't Cha' by the Pussy Cat Dolls.  At the time I wasn't amused, but now as I look back wistfully at our journey this season, I long for more auditions and all the rest that goes with finding the next pocket of joy that fills are lives with song.  With all the hopefuls in the house tonight including Chris Sligh, Kiki, Melinda and Phil, I couldn't help but hope for more seasons of this juggernaut of a show.  On American Idol, the best is always yet to come.  However, I had to scratch my head and wonder why Marlee Matlin was in the house.  I hate to be mean, but how could she hear the singing? But she certainly deserved to be there over Denise Richards, that skanky home wrecking trollop who makes Antonella seem chaste.  Perhaps, she can hook up with Constantine, who was also in the house, now that she has been dumped by Richie Sambora. 

Like a gentleman, this quirky little tattooed man won the coin toss, but still let Jordin choose if she wanted to go first.  Although I have had my issues with Blake over this season, he gets props for good sportsmanship.  No only that, his first performance of You Give Love A Bad Name was dynamic and ballsy. He even mixed it up with more beat-boxing than the last time.  He started off the show on his game, while Jordin's rendition of Fighter was questionable.  Her vocals were strong, but she is no Christina and the performance put me off.  Simon was right on when he declared that Round 1 had gone to Blake. 

However, Rounds 2 and 3 clearly went to Jordin.  For the second round, Blake did another Maroon 5 single, She Will be Loved.  It was very good vocals, but Simon correctly noted that it was too safe of a song for him.  Not only that, his argyle sweaters are a little overplayed.  He really does have to stop shopping with Seacrest and try so something a little more basic, but by all means should shy away from Simon's nipple hugging Armani T-shirts.  Jordin's replay of Broken Wing was absolutely fantastic and it gave me chills.  She blew the house down and the audience went wild.  Even Simon acknowledged how powerful those vocals were.  I'm at loss for words in terms of criticism, except that I did notice in the video montage that she had braces at 12, which angered me.  Our hopefuls have always had bad teeth and without that, it's hard for America to experience their pain. 

The final song and Idol Song Choice winner, This Is My Now, by Jeff Peabody and Scott Krippayne, was clearly designed for Jordin. I also thought the title was a bit of a rip off on A Moment Like This, Kelly Clarkson's master class single from Season One. But it wasn't a bad finale song particularly after some of the disasters we have had in the past. Blake's rendition was weak and unacceptable for a competition of this stature, while Jordin blew it out of the box.  If there is one moment that solidified this competition for her, it was this last song.  America may do crazy things, but if Jordin doesn't win, I'll have to drink some propane. In the words of my junior blogger, "She is my Idol!  I don't think I'll be able to sleep tonight without the results."

In the end, American Idol is about the best singer.  Although the purity of this competition has been compromised on many occasion, America usually gets it right each season, with the exception of Clay Aiken's second place finish.  And what a way to close out the show!  Chris Daughtry made a not so surprising appearance and brought down the house with Home.  It was great to see him back and at the same time made me wonder where Taylor is - at the all you can eat buffet at Stuckey's.  I'll assume he'll be back tomorrow night, but who really cares  He can diss this show all he wants, but without it, he'd still be the wedding singer on speed.

With only two hours left of Idol remaining in what will most likely be a spectacular results show, I tear through my TV Guide wrestling to find an alternative, but there is nothing.  What are we going to do when this is all over?  Read a book?  Write a poem?  Or sit around in a depressed funk until these young hopefuls with stars in their eyes capture our imagination with talent that only America can provide?

Until the results,

Maniac - - out

The Idol - Song Choice Spoilers and the Finale

As our journey comes to an end this week on American Idol, I once again will publish the latest buzz about what to expect during this momentous finale week.  However, I will caution that some of this information may be inaccurate as it has in the past.  Perhaps Al Gore is the one supplying this information since he seems to have certain skills when it comes to making things up like he did in his junk science movie that only Hollywood could love.

The following are the alleged song choices:

Jordin:

A Broken Wing by Martina McBride
Fighter by Christina Aguilera
Winning single From the Song Writing Competition

Blake:

She Will Be Loved by Maroon 5
You Give Love a Bad Name by Bon Jovi
A Winning single From the Song Writing Competition.

As you recall from last season's finale, there were many high moments including the Clay Aiken doppelganger and Prince along with a huge host of talent including Dione Warwick, Toni Braxton, Mary J. Blige, Meatloaf and the classic Puck and Pickle video.  I don't know how they plan to top last year, but Sanjaya will be highlighted in a video sporting his mohawk.  There is also a rumor that Britney Spears will appear, but I highly doubt that even though watching that train wreck make a comeback would be almost as good as Prince.  As for the other guest appearances, below are some of the names that have popped up:

Gladys Knight (singing with the top 6 girls)
Smokey Robinson (singing with the top 6 guys)
Doug E Fresh (beatboxing with Blake)
Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce and Anika Noni Rose (singing with Jordin)
Bebe and Cece Winans (singing with Melinda)
Joe Perry (singing a Beatles medley with the top 12)

Once again, I'm sure some of this is wrong and that the finale will have much more in store for us before we say goodbye to season 6, but at least we have some idea of what to expect.  I also hope that Paula's plastic surgeon is able to fix her up before the finale since she apparently tripped over her Chihuahua and broke her nose over the weekend.  On the Tonight Show last night, Simon referred to Paula as the annoying little sister who you love, but never want to spend any time with.  After the latest incident, I couldn't agree with him more. 

Until the performances,

Maniac - - out

The Idol - Oh My God!! Melinda Goes Home!

For the love of God!  I have waited all season for a shocker and had given up hope for such a startling lightening bolt out of the blue.  Tonight America spoke and rejected the most consistent hopeful whose vocals were powerful, controlled and precise.  After last nights performances, I had no doubt that Melinda would make it to the finale and either Jordin or Blake would be gone.  However, America had other plans for us.  With 60 million votes and a close call, America chose personality over technical abilities.  This is simply one of the most astounding results show in Idol history, even more so than when Chris Daughtry was voted off last season in favor of Elliott, Taylor and Katherine.

I will admit that I have been hard on Weezie throughout this competition as she lacked a "wow" factor, not to mention a neck.  But this Barney Rubble look-alike really shined last night.  Both Blake and Jordin gave it their all, but Melinda appeared destined for the finale.  At least she got a street named after her at Belmont College and a meeting with the Governor of Tennessee, a left-wing Democrat who had no problem declaring Do-Little day for all of those he wants to keep on welfare dependent upon his meager handouts.   There is nothing a Democrat hates more than a citizen who works hard and tries to get ahead without their helping hand.  I'm surprised he would even agree to appear on a Fox Network show since all the Democrats are afraid to even debate on Fox-sponsored events.  After the economic war criminal Soros declared through his puppets at MoveOn.org that Fox was unworthy, the spineless nominees for President in that Party of moral midgets folded like houses of cards.  If they can't stand up to some overpaid, tax sheltering, insider trading fraud, how will they deal with Al Qaeda?

Even worse, these petty and hateful religious bigots have yet to even issue a statement of condolence on behalf of Jerry Falwell.  Even Larry Flynt who hated everything he stood for said that he was someone he respected after meeting him in person.  However, the small-minded Left hates anyone who prevents them from foisting their secularist agenda upon the rest of America.  Look what Pelosi and her cronies are trying to do in the House. After a series of embarrassing votes, she has threatened to shut down the floor to the minority in a change to procedural rules that have not been tampered with since 1822.  Who ever said it was hyperbole to suggest that the Democrats are dedicated Stalinist should think twice. 

On Idol, all those who never had a voice are given a chance and seeing our hopefuls at home was emotional and powerful.  When Jordin went back to her school and met up with her best friend Bailey, America got to see her human side and it was beautiful.  Similarly, Blake's tearful Dad, who lost his parents at a young age, burst with pride for his son.  But, I found it highly disturbing that they showcased Blake at the Space Needle, which was clearly a subliminal phallic reference.  What does that say about Blake?  However, watching him take pride singing the National Anthem at the Mariners Game was enough to overcompensate for that uncomfortable moment, not to mention the lack of a medley.

At least the Ford Commercial, Everybody Wants You, was once again well done, particularly the young actress playing Melinda who even had an afro-puff.  However, I have to wonder why a singing competition seems to have so few performances and so many commercial breaks.  I scratch my head and I just can't figure it out.  I wonder if it has something to do with collecting revenues.  How else are they going to pay for Paula's Botox treatments?  She can't even move her lips any more as she has been injected more times than Seacrest got wedgies back in High School.

As for the two musical performances by Elliott and Maroon 5, at least one of them was worthwhile.  Elliott who arrived on stage with a new look, great teeth and a curly hairdo really did a great job.  My junior blogger said "he looks like he's from Il Divo."  I never liked him, but I have to give him credit for the makeover and his performance of Wait For You.  Paula's plastic surgeons should be very proud as they have done a masterful job with Elliott.

After Elliott finished, Ryan seemed to joke that Melinda was going home before the commercial break.  Who would have thought Cresty was actually giving us straight talk?  As far as I can see, Ryan and straight are about as likely of a combination as Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes.

Maroon 5 has a look and the vibe and the lead singer "kind of does the moves like Prince" as noted by my junior blogger.  But the song, Makes me Wonder, wasn't all that.  Why do they waste our time with these tepid performances when we would have preferred a medley with our hopefuls?  With Brandon, Kiki  and Haley in the house tonight, it would have been nice to see them all on stage tonight.  It really is painful to think that my coming weeks will have no medleys, except for my moaning and crying at the loss we all feel at the end of the season.

Without Melinda in the finale, we will certainly have an interesting end.  Jordin clearly is the favorite, but I wouldn't underestimate Blake.  He's been crafty and persistent throughout.  Although Jordin has the more powerful instrument, Blake knows how to play the game with Machiavellian like precision. 

With only one week left, I still have hope for a better and stronger Idol.  I also have hope that next season will be with us soon enough and fill our lives with song, not to mention water cooler conversations that stifles American productivity. But what's more important?  American Idol or turning out widgets for the man in the trenches of Corporate Amerika?

Until next week,

Maniac - - out

The Idol - The Final Three

As Season Six of American Idol reaches its climax, my world seems to be collapsing around me.  How will I fill my Tuesday and Wednesday nights without Paula, Randy and Simon?  The void that will be left is immense and the summer concert in August is too far off to provide much solace. But compared to last year's semi-finals, this year provided us with some great drama and outstanding performances.  I will be sorry to see any of them go, even Blake who made a dramatic comeback tonight. Despite all the darkness that surrounds us where Hollywood elites continue to degrade our culture, American Idol provides us with pure family fun and drowns out the nattering nabobs of negativism who even think they can covert our children into disciples of their sick vision of moral relativism, materialism and hypocrisy.

Indeed, I refer to the latest attempt by the Left to brainwash young Americans into supporting their unsubstantiated, baseless and radical environmental policies.  Laurie David, the mastermind behind Al Gore's science fiction thriller, An Inconvenient Truth, is now writing literature trying to encourage our children to become activists.  What better than a Hollywood Leftist Elite to teach our children about protecting the environment?  She certainly has a long track record when it comes to standing up for the planet.  At her multi-million dollar estate in Martha's Vineyard, she was fined by local authorities for violating environmental ordinances when building this edifice to her ego.  Not only that, when transporting herself to her Elitist getaway, she uses a gas guzzling private plane.  At the same time, she has referred to those who drive SUVs as "terrorist enablers."  What does this make her?  I so hope Dick Cheney finds a special place for her at Guantanamo where she can contemplate further schemes for telling us how to live, while flagrantly ignoring her self-righteous harangues.  After all, don't those who are even more treasonous than "terrorist enablers" deserve a special place in hell, unlike Jerry Falwell?

The founder of the Moral Majority who gave a voice to those who have been stifled by the secularists of the Left passed away today tragically.  R.I.P. Jerry Falwell.  America owes him a debt of gratitude for being one of the pillars of the Reagan Revolution and defending the majority of Americans who have been mocked and ridiculed by the Left for following a script that differed from the one written by Chardonnay sipping elites in the parlors and salons of the Upper West Side of Manhattan and Nob Hill in San Francisco. Even I have been subjected to their baseless and foolish campaigns of distortion in a manner reminiscent of Goebbels as noted by the attached link:

http://www.fatladysings.us/the_fat_lady_sings/2007/05/leftist_elites.html.   

In this attack, it has been suggested by one of these Howard Dean loving buffoons that I held the Left responsible for Kiki's demise on Idol.  First of all, I want to thank Fat Lady Sings for the free publicity and increased traffic due to her posting.  But, anyone who can read at the 3rd grade level understands that I made no such suggestion.  What I did say was that the Left created the Welfare State in order to ensnare clients by keeping them dependent on the government for their livelihood. This brilliant mind also went on to suggest that it was George Bush who cut welfare during the last six years and he is responsible for all the poverty.  If that were actually the case, his approval ratings might be even be higher than the failed Pelosi Congress, which is viewed favorably by 29% of Americans in a recent Gallup pol, while Bush is holding steady at a lofty 33%.  Hasn't Bush left us with sky-rocketing deficits?  Hasn't the Left, who never misses an opportunity to spend our tax dollars, been complaining about his deficit spending?   Yet now they yammer about his alleged cuts in welfare programs.   

The Pelosi Congress has been in power for over 100 days and is now getting the approval from America that some of us expected.  I guess when your position is to lose a war on an installment payment plan, American loses respect quickly.  If you truly are against this war and you believe life is being lost for no good reason, don't you have a moral obligation to cut funding now?  Of course that will never happen with morally and intellectual bankrupt Democrats who cowardly voted for this war for political reasons and now want to lose it for the same purposes.  I rather have a principled idiot in charge, than consultant driven opinion poll dominated elites.

Unlike these foolish harridans, the Producers of Idol really know how to keep us coming back for more and decided to put Jordin as the first performer of the night.  As expected, Simon chose Wishing on A Star for her, which was a questionable song choice.  We also got a brief clip of Jordin in Glendale, Arizona where Mayor Scruggs announced the selection to throngs of well wishers.  By the way, wasn't that the hottest Mayor you've ever seen?  Can't you just picture her running around her living room in granny panties?  Sorry for digressing but who could blame me after being exposed to such a ravishing beauty.  Perhaps my perspective is a little distorted about female politicians since in New York, our junior senator is so ugly she would even scare Godzilla.  Jordin, of course, looked beautiful and her performance was very strong even though the song was somewhat repetitive.

I hate to admit this, but Paula gets the award for the best song choice, Roxanne by the Police, as Blake had more to work with.  I was disgusted with him for singing that horrible ode to anarchy, Imagine, and then totally blowing Bee Gees classics.  But his version of Roxanne was very strong.  The song suited him and Simon couldn't have been more off in his critique.  He was just jealous that Paula finally out-judged him.

Randy will never out-judge any one and dressing like a Dalmatian in an important semi-finals is not acceptable nor was his boring song choice, I Believe in You and Me.  Yet despite setting Weezie up for failure, she was the best vocals of the first round and brought down the house.  Let's hope her career doesn't end up like Whitney Houston's who makes Paris Hilton look like a clean-living nun.  Although Melinda was great, her outfit of knickers may put America off.

The Producers chose the songs for the second round and in my opinion, did a much better job than the judges.  A shout out to Nigel!!  Jordin performed She Works Hard for the Money and it was masterful.  I even overlooked her gold disco shoes and her most favorite song by Hanson.  For the love of God, I realize she is only 17, but Hanson's HMMBob?  Although Idol has a slight degree of cheesiness, I'm not sure how America will react to that.

Blake performed This Love and it was a return to some of his classic performances that made him entertaining.  He may not have the strongest vocals, but he did a great job with this and nicely worked in some beat-boxing without overdoing it.  He may think the title of the movie about his life should be Organized Chaos, but he certainly knows how to play to the crowd. As for offering Jim Carey the starring role, that was a dreadful misstep.  Any one who has the bad taste to shack up with a used piece of goods like Jenny McCarthy should not be referenced on a family show like Idol.

Nutbush City Limits was another great choice and Melinda almost seemed to have a neck as she strutted on stage taking on that classic Ike and Tina Turner song.  She didn't falter and most likely sealed her position in the finale.

For Round Three, the Idols made their own selection and Jordin went back to British invasion week and performed I Who Have Nothing.  Unlike Simon, I had no problem with her performance.  I always thought that was one of her better performances of the season.    Jordin not only deserves a star in some mall in Arizona; she needs one on the Walk of Fame right next to Ryan Seacrest's.  She closed out with strength, but Blake's comeback may have earned him a place in the finale.

Unlike the others, Blake chose a new number, When I Get You Alone by Robin Thicke.  I was at first skeptical, but this was a creative and interesting performance.  Randy may have been unimpressed, but America will disagree.  Once again, Blake did what he did best and used his beat-boxing skills effectively.  I also enjoyed watching him back home with Sir Mix-A-Lot. Although Blake is probably the one most at risk, he did himself proud and certainly surpassed last years runner-up, snaggle-tooth Yamin, who will be performing on the results show.

Melinda closed the show with I'm A Woman and Simon, randy as ever, liked the strip tease.  I don't care how well Weezie sings, but the last thing I want to envision is her without clothes.  Regardless, she did a great job, but since I heard this song before, it felt a little boring.  However, she does have strong vocals and deserves credit for her instrument.

The results should be interesting and we will also get Maroon 5 performing along with Elliott.  It's hard to predict who will be out but perhaps America will surprise us and we will have a Blake and Melinda finale.

Maniac - - out

The Idol - Preliminary Song Choice Spoilers

Our hopefuls will sing three songs tomorrow night and I have the following information as to what the judges have selected:

Jordin Sparks - Wishing Upon A Star, which was selected by Simon Cowell.  Last year he chose Somewhere Over the Rainbow for Kat and she blew it out of the box.  Wishing Upon A Star was a commonly used prom song in the 1980's and it will be interesting to see if Jordin can update it.  She has also selected I Who Have Nothing from British Invasion week, one of the higher points of the Season.  The original performance was masterful and that should solidify her position for the finale.

Blake Lewis - Paula chose Roxanne for Blake and that should be interesting.  The Police have a distinctive sound and I'm not sure Blake can master such a classic.  I also wonder why Paula selected a anthem to a prostitute.  What does that say about her?

Melinda Doolittle - I Believe in You and Me was selected by Randy, which further solidifies his position as the weakest judge of the Season.  Didn't we get enough Whitney Houston earlier in the season?  Furthermore, Melinda needed something more updated than this overused standard.  Is Randy trying to knock her out of the way?  Or has Clive Davis been pushing Randy to select a Whitney song?  After all, Clive is trying to mastermind her comeback after she spent the last decade in a drug addled stupor.  However, Whitney should get props for that spectacular Reality Show, Being Bobby Browne.  For anyone on a diet, looking for a warning about the dangers of drugs or for motivation for financial restraint, this show was must-see TV. 

If I get the other song choices, I will be sure to post them. 

Maniac - - out

The Idol - A Tribute to Kiki

Lakisha's Jones journey ended last night, which wasn't unexpected.  She started off this competition with a masterful performance, but was never able to equal that earlier high note.  She often ignored the advice of the guest judges and made some horrible song choices like Diamonds Are Forever and Stayin Alive.  But when Seacrest announced she was out and Blake was safe, I was sad.  The video showcasing her journey said more about her than we had heard all season.

Throughout her life, Kiki struggled and was enslaved in a cycle of dependency created by the Leftist elites who want to maintain their hold over the underclass by creating a permanent class of clients.  How many times do you think Kiki had to hear some condescending educational bureaucrat say, "You aren't going anywhere, so you better forget any dream you may have and learn how to type?"  Fortunately, Kiki ignored that advice and pushed ahead with her dream and ultimately ended up getting far in this competition.  She rose above the morass and at moments sent shivers up our spines.  It's too bad that all we saw of her was a pout, rather than the spunky Diva we saw last night who has overcome the obstacles that were placed in front of her.  I'm sad to see her go, but inspired by her grit and determination.  If anyone ever deserved a shout out, it is Ms. Lakisha Jones.

Blake who dressed like a chubby penguin last night and continues to sport his new Gremlin-like haircut should have been out, but he was saved since the votes for the girls were split among three.  He proved last night that he is a one-trick pony and if doesn't clean up his act, he will be out next week, beat-boxing his way home to grunge land.

But for the emotional departure of Kiki, last night's show was sorely lacking.  At this stage of the competition with only two weeks left, America deserves better than a pre-recorded Pink performance that wasn't all that.  Furthermore, her strappy slut suit looked like a lobster trap and she needed to shave her arm pits.  A few weeks back I griped that she didn't show up for Idol Gives Back Week and this is what we missed?  In the words of my junior blogger, "one of the Desperate Housewives could have worn that outfit."

Barry Gibb's rendition of Too Love Somebody was off as well and that see-through black shirt may have been fine many moons ago, but today when he needs Depends, something more age appropriate would have been a better choice.  His performance disturbed me since it highlighted how the ravages of time have impacted him.  He clearly needs to consult with Diana Ross' surgical team and stylists.  As a mentor, he was probably one of the weakest.

Seeing an old man trying to be hip is never a pretty sight as noted by Bill Maher's appearance in the audience.  Why was he allowed on the show?  My guess is he was looking for jail bait since he is often sited in L.A. bars with underage girls, except for his brief romance with Ann Coulter in 1994.  I wonder what Rupert was thinking letting this man on a family show.  Perhaps he is getting soft in his later years unlike the radical Left's financier, George Soros. 

With the blood money of an economic war criminal, Soros has financed the far Left's assault on America and through his Open Society Institute, donated $20,000 to the legal defense of Lynne Stewart, a woman who was recently convicted for aiding and abetting Islamic terrorists.  His illicit activities extend globally as he was convicted in France for insider trading and was responsible for attacking the Bank of England in 1992 on Black Wednesday.  Yet the Left continues to take his money while excoriating Oil companies who provide them with fuel to sashay around Rodeo Drive in their gas guzzling SUVs.  It is truly sickening.  Why can't they drive more fuel efficient vehicles like a Ford?

I can't believe I'm pimping those death traps, but I guess all the Ford Commercials with our hopefuls are working.  Last night's You Really Got Me commercial was once again a show stopper and I nearly fell off my chair when I saw Kiki booking it down the street from the hordes of fans.  Who ever said fat bottomed girls can't run?  Melinda also demonstrated her athletic prowess and ran like a champion, while Blake looked as if he was tip-toeing through the tulips.

The medley this week showcasing a number of Bee Gees hits like Emotions, Too Much Heaven, Guilty and Islands in the Stream  fell a little flat.  First of all, what happened to the sound when Weezie started to sing?  Have the Producers of Idol donated so much money to Idol Gives Back that they forget to pay the electric bill?  America deserves better than such amateuristic staging.  I also thought it would have been better if the Idols had done one song, rather than this litany of lesser quality hits.  At the end when an unshaven Seacrest referred to the top four as the Lewis' sisters, I wondered if he managed to forget that Blake as far as we know is male.  At least they had a Disco ball overhead in honor of that era of darkness, but why didn't the hopefuls wear bell bottoms and platform shoes?

In addition to the music, we were treated to another segment of Seacrest at the Farmer's Market, which really is getting kind of lame.  However, seeing that old lady singing Stayin Alive and referring to Cresty as Brian was a treat, not to mention the dirty old man who salivated over Paula.  Can you blame him?  Last night Paula's business was hanging out for all of America to see, which may explain why Simon sat in the middle last night.  As a gentleman, he wanted Paula to be less noticeable or perhaps he was pissed off that he got cut off by Seacrest many times on Tuesday when he was ready to dissect the performances.  If he wanted to get closer to Jessica Alba, he should have taken Randy's seat.

By the way, a shout out to the Fantastic Four.  I will surely go see that masterful art film that will only be shown at art houses throughout America.  I realize this show continues based on its commercial success, but is it really necessary for Jessica Alba to get a good chunk of air time to pimp this film?  But she looked so hot last night even Seacrest looked as if he was considering changing teams. 

Next week, our final three will visit their hometowns in what will surely be an emotional moment for all of us.  We got a brief snippet of that last night with some of the bios where we learned that but for Jordin, all the hopefuls are only children.  While Blake was thrown out of choir practice for being rowdy, Weezie never caused any trouble as a child.  What a stunning revelation!  I did admire Weezie's afro-puff as it really provided her with the elongation she needs, but I wondered how rowdy you could possibly be to piss off your choir teacher.  Does anyone really believe that Blake is the next James Dean?  He's more like Fonzie, who was played by Henry Winkler.

We now have two weeks left in this competition and I'm already feeling the void.  Although this season has had many lows, there is nothing out there more than Idol that fills our living rooms with the struggles, trials and tribulations of reaching for the stars.  Idol is becoming an enduring American tradition as it showcases like no other forum what can happen in this great country when you take a risk and go for it with all you have.  With unstoppable drive, this journey we have been on this season still leaves hope that America's better days have yet to come.

Until next week,

Maniac - - out

The Idol - Disco Inferno Fizzles

Who can forget America's pinnacle of cultural decline known as the Disco era or the 1970's?  We had gas lines, an expansionist Soviet threat and a President who could only lust in his heart, rather than kick some Communist ass.  At the center of this morass with double-digit inflation and unemployment, hostages held in Iran and the rise of the modern welfare state was the musical style of the Bee Gees, which was showcased in the penultimate film, Saturday Night Fever.  With the misery index at 21.98%, who could quibble with a movie where the first line is “Will you just watch the hair? You know, I work on my hair a long time and you hit it. He hits my hair.”

Unfortunately, time has been cruel to Barry Gibb and he was certainly looking a little long in the tooth tonight and he sounded like Sean Connery, rather the King of Falsettos.  He must have spent way too much time at Studio 54, and not enough time in the 80's and 90's detoxing. Ryan, of course, couldn't get enough of Barry and gushed during the introduction about his 5 decade career and his significant achievements.  I have a feeling that Ryan was more impressed with Barry's place of birth, the Isle of Man.

Tonight's show held a lot of promise for me and Paula even dressed in honor of Disco in all white just like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever.  But it seemed that the decade of free love and the feminist movement didn't agree with last week's star, Blake.  Poor Blake may be too young to remember the failed Leftist policies that led to the economic malaise of the era.  It is certainly not highlighted in history books, which are written by the elites who still live in denial over the damage they caused and they way Ronald Reagan saved us from their miserable failures.

The 1970's seems so long ago yet we shouldn't forget what happens when the Democrats control the House, Senate, Presidency, the courts and state legislatures.  The Me Decade epitomized their failed leadership and complete antipathy for the American way. Without the Left, we may have won Vietnam, rather than running away like cowards from the war they started.  A great man would have never been unfairly forced out of office at the behest of the media elite who turned the other cheek when worse offenses were committed by the Boy President in the 1990's.  With their morally corrupt values, we witnessed increased divorce rates and single-parent households along with crippling strikes from organized labor (a.k.a., organized crime).  America can never recover from that damage, but at least we tried with the help of the greatest President of the 20th Century - Ronald Wilson Reagan. 

Although his vision of an America as that shining city on the hill remains in our hearts, the reality of another Leftist coup make such a dream tenuous.  Of course, the Big Hipped Bolshevik isn't breathing easy these days, particularly after she had to witness her socialist sister in France go down in favor of a pro-American conservative.  The dissembling from the Left is already mounting.  At first Royal was dubbed the French version of Hillary, but now that she lost, we hear how competent and thoughtful Princess Pudge is in comparison.  Isn't Hillary the same person who was behind her husband's historic defeat in the 1994 mid-term elections after she unsuccessfully tried to commandeer 7% of our economy through a socialized medical scheme?  I didn't realize a Robot programmed with discredited and antiquated 1970's thinking was any different from an elitist anti-American French woman, except that Ms. Royal actually looks as if she has been eating Mediterranean cuisine instead of super-sized meals at McDonald's with Mr. Quadruple By-Pass.

It really does seem that we are going to hell all over again and the shock waves seemed to hurt the Idols tonight.  Pulling off the Bee Gees isn't easy, particularly with the falsetto, but earlier songs might have helped.  No one shined tonight, except for Jordin's rendition of Too Love Somebody.  It was the right song and she blew it out of the house.  In the words of my junior blogger, "if she gets voted off, I will kill America." It's too bad that when she tackled a Woman in Love, she was a little off, but still good.  I'd rather hear Jordin sing any day over that loudmouth Clinton apologist Barbra Streisand, whose hackneyed political viewpoints are about as progressive as her lounge lizard act that some old ladies in Queens and Miami prefer.  In the end, Jordin should be safe by far tonight as is the case with Melinda.

Her first song, Love You Inside and Out, was solid but boring and totally lacked charisma.  Even Paula started to suggest that winning this competition requires more than good technical abilities.  Melinda may be the NASA scientist of this competition when it comes to singing, but as an entertainment personality, she reminds me of a neckless June Cleaver. She needs to step it up a notch or else she will have to burrow her head further into her body.  But the second song, How Do You Mend A Broken Heart, was absolutely fantastic. I was pleased with the song choice as I had hoped she perform it, but instead of dropping the lines about being loser, she should have lost the "Heart" and gained a "Neck."  America would have loved that. 

Neither Blake nor Kiki should sleep soundly tonight, even with Judge Judy in the House.  A shout out to this polished jurist.  Can't you just picture her on the Supreme Court?  I wonder if she would distort the Constitution to find rights that don't exist like all the hordes at the A.C.L.U.  If you ask me, non-citizens housed in Guantanamo aren't protected by the U.S. Constitution and more power to all those guys down there who torture them for information about their sinister acts.  Unlike the Left, I have no problem putting a few volts through their system and saving American lives, rather than providing them with cable TV, a weight room and a right to counsel. 

Blake's rendition of You Should Be Dancing should be a crime since it was the worst performance of the night.  Not even the beat boxing could compensate for vocals that were so off.  Things didn't really improve that much when he chose the obscure, This Is Where I came In.  Perhaps Barry Gibb is delusional enough to think that Blake could turn that song into a hit, but America probably viewed things clearer.  Frankly, Blake should be out this week based on these putrid performances, but his earlier good will may save him, not to mention support from the voting block that went for his "best friend"  Chris.

Kiki's bizarre song choice of Stayin Alive may finally have done her in.  It certainly wasn't a great vocal and Simon was in no mood to share the love with her, but it was far better than Blake's crimes against humanity.  In addition, her second song, Run To Me, was very good, but for going horse at the end.  Kiki has a compelling life story and she deserves props for getting this far, but this may be the end of the road for her. 

If she departs, I sure hope she doesn't hitch a ride with Paris Hilton, who was sentenced to 45 days in jail after being caught driving with suspended license after a D.U.I. conviction. She's now asking Arnold for a pardon and I sure hope he doesn't oblige.  If her hapless parents ever disciplined her, or at least left her threatening voice messages via Alec Baldwin, she might have turned out like less like a little spoiled pig, not to mention the epitome of Hollywood values.  If anyone ever deserved to share a cell with Big Betty, I couldn't think of a more fitting candidate.  As for the results tomorrow, I wouldn't be sorry to see either Kiki or Blake go.  Although I had originally hoped for a Blake and Jordin finale, his performance tonight combined with choosing Imagine two weeks back have left me feeling his time on this show should end.

Maniac - - out

The Idol - Song Choice Spoilers

This week our hopefuls have selected two songs from the long list of Bee Gee's songs and it should prove to be a pivotal week in Idol history.  For those who watched last season, this was the point when the favorite, Chris Doughtry, was sent home, leaving America scratching its head and wondering how someone like Elliott Snaggle-Tooth Yamin, Katherine Pampered McPhee and Taylor Decrepit Hicks made it to the final three.  It would have been so much better with a Chris and Pickle finale.

For this week, the following are the alleged song choices, which I believe may be more accurate than last week based on a report in USA Today:

Blake Lewis

• You Should Be Dancing 
• This is Where I Came In

Jordin Sparks

• To Love Somebody
• Woman in Love

Melinda Doolittle (two of the following)

• Love You Inside
• I Just Want to Be Your Everything
• How Can You Mend a Broken Heart - I wonder if she'll change the word Heart to Neck

Lakisha Jones

• Stayin’ Alive - With a choice like that, she can almost guarantee that she will be dead rather than alive
• Run to Me

The results show should also be exciting with a medley of How Deep is Your Love with beat boxing, a pre-recorded performance from Pink and the Ford Commercial,You Really Got Me, which is a take off on the Beatles Hard Days Night, with fans chasing after the Idols.

Based on the song choices, Kiki could be in big trouble, but it also has been reported that Jordin had problems with the song choices.  Therefore, it is possible that this show that never stops entertaining us may finally provide us with the shocker we have all been waiting for this season.

Enjoy the show!

Maniac - - out