On Television

Paula Abdul “American Idol Judge” with another bout of confusion. This morning while promoting her jewelry line on QVC, she became tongue tied and confused. Having a slight case of Brain Fog Paula?

Or, imagine you download a show, and the first fourteen minutes deal with housekeeping and inside jokes from the previous episodes. You normally talk about real estate, but you wanted to start by talking about a great episode of “Lost” that you saw on TV, or American Idol.

Sadly, Americans are likely too preoccupied with who is going to win the next American Idol or whatever became of Natalie Holloway to likely care about this travesty, fiddlin’ away their lives while America burns.

I don’t watch television, no I’m above television. Well, ok I do watch a wee bit. I’ve got my little addiction to bad reality shows like Project Runway, Top Chef, and the Jerry Springer show. But I’m superior, I don’t fall for American Idol madness, the sunday football game, and the latest episode of Lost. No, I watch Lost on DVD like any civilized human being.

This past week a crew from ABC weekend world news report visited my classroom to interview me and observe how I infuse the show American Idol in the classroom. It will probably air on ABC around May 21st or 22nd - I’ll post the details when I know them. I posted my response to the National Association of Music Education inquiry about the use of American Idol in the classroom a few months back. It was a great experience to be able to share with the crew and viewers of ABC world news report a couple of ways American Idol can be used in the music classroom.

I have been inundated with these annoying, anonymous chain e-mails stating that Whitefolk are trying to sabotage Jamie Foxx's upcoming music show because he refused to put token white performers on the roster. And to foil the success of his show due to his insolent Black pride, they've purposely put him up against 'American Idol'. Is this true? Was Foxx acting with conviction or with racial malice? And regardless, so what?

I swear I think the morons behind “American Idol” pull this sort of BS just because they cannot stand their name not being in the media every 30 minutes. “American Idol” could not add one iota to Shakira’s career. Yet, she agrees to perform to add some buzz to their pathetic little show. They were the beneficiary of her performance. Not her. They gained by her appearance. Not her. They should have been thankful. Instead, either because of an honest misunderstanding or, perhaps even her failure to acquiesce to their every egocentric desire, they pull this crap.

There have been several television events in the past couple of months that I have really wanted to watch, but due to our crazy schedule, it just wasn’t possible. And that made me mad. Things like the opening game for the Oakland A’s (I know they suck, but I’ve always been an A’s fan), The National Geographic’s airing (First and encour) of “The Gospel of Judas”, American Idol’s episode where Andrea Boccelli performed “live” (I don’t like American Idol, but think Andrea is freaking awesome!), etc. So we talked and we ‘worked some things out’ and got a good deal on DirecTV’s DVR service. It will be hooked up tomorrow. OOOOOHHHHH yeah! It sounds petty, but we’re happier than flies on a dung heap about being able to watch shows from TV at our leisure.

As you know, I have become addicted to American Idol this season. In the last few weeks, I have been disappointed by the song/genre restrictions on the contestants and by the performances, which have appeared more like costume karaoke parties to me. Last week, with Queen music, marked the epitome of the disappointment.

My 7 year old was really angry at me last night. He thinks I am personally responsible for Mandesa getting voted off, because I didn’t waste my night calling the “idol lines.” Y’all know I am a confessed reality TV junkie. So fill me in on your shows. BTW - Flavor of Love 2 will be coming soon for those (I hate to admit) who actually watched 1 - LOL. Amazing Race - not doing it for me this season - again! Survivor - OK, Intervention - depressing but great, Surreal Life - nothing beats the season with Janice Dickinson…

Nah, just kidding. Pure gossip folks but I read over on Page Six that Prince might be doing American Idol.

When all is said and done, it is remarkable how Pastor JR got one side of the coin completely right - that there is a harshness in American Idol which is nasty stuff, and how do we explain it - and CelebrityTalk picked up on something quite remarkable, too, which is the other side of the coin: Who exactly are we watching when we watch American Idol? I have my disagreements with both, but both are onto powerful lines of reasoning that explain a lot more than American Idol merely.

I didn’t watch last season’s American Idol because I kept forgetting what nights and times it came on t.v. This time I missed a majority of the auditions but now I am getting back into it and have selected a few of my faves for this season:

I hear that the infamous and controversial Simon Cowell has issued his prediction for the top three finalists of this season's American Idol.

Carrie Underwood has become a household name since her appearance and win on American Idol, Season 4. I am a fan of the show and watched every episode of Season 4. I was rooting for Carrie all the way and contributed a fair amount of votes toward her win. The 22-year old from Checotah, Oklahoma is becoming very successful. Her first album, “Some Hearts” was released November 15th and she performed her first single, “Jesus Take The Wheel” at the CMA Awards the very same day. Her album includes two song which she co-wrote, “I Ain’t in Checotah Anymore,” and “Before He Cheats.” “Jesus Take the Wheel” made it into the top 25 after two weeks. The Country Music Industry is hoping that Underwood will reverse the 10% slide in sales this year.

This diminishing of things Canadian, translating to diminishing of citizenship in this country, should not be taken lightly. My niece thinks American Idol is superior to Canadian Idol. She puts down her own fellow citizens in favour of citizens of a foreign country, yet both shows are franchises of the British Pop Idol. They have the same graphics, the same theme, similar staging, the same format. They differ only in the judges (predictable and cliched in the American Idol, more entertaining in the Canadian one) and talent (overall better talent in Canadian Idol, some of the Americans make you want to hide your ears) and attitude, all of which is a reflection of our cultures. Yet she thinks the entire American version is better than the Canadian one. She isn't tone deaf, so the only explanation is that she has already got the filters in place that says things Canadian are never as good as things American -- or in Conrad's case, things British. Those filters morph reality to meet this fantasy. The sad thing is that my niece is just reflecting many Canadians' views.

Anyway on Monday November 8, 2005, we had to do something in World Studies to represent the things we just learned, our group Jean, Me, Eddy, and Kristine chose the Roman Catholic Counter-Reformation. We made up a hypnotik routine of sorts. It sucked too but it was funny. I was the Council of Trent and Jean was St. Vincent de Paul, Kristine was St. Francis Xavier and Eddy was St. Ignatius Loyola, or I to the Iggy. It was supposed to be like American Idol except with dance. Me and Jean danced. Here’s how it went:

Yesterday I gave in and bought Clay Aiken’s CD, Measure of a Man on Amazon, as it’s not been released in Brazil yet and God only knows when it will be - if ever. What can I say, I absolutely love his voice and his songs, not to mention the fact that the folks at American Idol turned him into this gorgeous hottie in the outside, aroud the already beautiful person he already was on the inside. I have been a fan of him from the first audition on, long before the “makeover” thing. I will still have to wait another month before I can hear the CD, though, as the estimated delivery date is November 16!!! This estimate made me realize I should have ordered the Christmas album as well… Too late now.

My recap of my time at the American Idol competition in cold & rainy Chicago.

My favorite channel would have to be MTV. Then I like VH1, E!Entertainment, the style channel, and all the local channels for the news and things. Those are the channels that I watch the most. I would have to say that I do like some of the reality shows out there today. I did watch American Idol, Americas Next Top Model, all the Quiz shows, The Bachelor, and The Real World just to name a few.

Since official channels are silent, informal sources continue to be the only source of updates regarding Bo’s health. These posts from the official American Idol board provide the latest update:

The annual MTV Video Music Award aired in Miami yesterday despite sitting on the outer edge of hurricane Katrina. Notable mentions include Greenday for taking the most prestigious award, video of the year. American idol alumni, Kelly Clarkson took best female video and best pop video.

During a live broadcast last night in Montreal, Massaro was crowned the winner of World Wrestling Entertainment’s 2005 RAW Diva Search competition - a sort of “American Idol” for would-be wrestling starlets.

One thing has been made abundantly clear this evening. I CAN’T SING! oh god, it was horrible. I bought this game for Sarah and decided to try it out. I came home, locked every door, stuffed wet towels underneath the doors, put it in and proceeded to soak in my own humility. The game is simple enough, a song plays, you sing along and try to match the pitch with the singer. I barely got through a few choruses before the game would boo me and tell me GAME OVER! *sigh* Guess I’ll have to stay home again this year and leave the American Idol auditions to those who know thier stuff.

From 18th Century Christian Revivalism to Television, the technology has been refined and implemented. If it bothers you too much, just stare glassy-eyed at the next “American Idol” and repeat “I do not believe in Mind Control… I do not believe in Mind Control.” Your masters will be pleased.

But go take a straw poll of your office and see if ANYONE other than a fellow news junkie has a clue what the hell you’re talking about. I’m betting you’ll be met with blank stares. Now ask them who won American Idol. Sad. Pathetic and sad.

Allowing for-profit media to supply us with our information, our young people with their education is a mistake. Why? For-profit networks are in one business: making money. They show the public what will make it happy, like the quest to become this year's American Idol, or man-on-the-street-interviews with up to the minute responses to the shocking outcome of the Michael Jackson case. They don't show is what we need to know, like the story of the woman who was gang-raped in Pakistan as a punishment for a crime that her twelve-year-old brother committed, and is currently being denied the ability to travel to America to speak out about it. They don't show stories about that because suddenly your need to try the new flavor of toothpaste or test drive the new model of SUV with lowlow interest rate pales in comparison to this woman's plight for gender equality, for social justice. Instead, we watch tanned/plucked/cosmetic surgeried/slim/"sexy" news anchors who have never been to Iraq smile over stories about waterskiing squirrels, Tom Cruise's latest engagement, and America's latest "victory" in Iraq. They gloss over the 2-3 suicide bombings a day, they don't report the stories of our soldiers who were supposed to be through with their service that are now being sucked back into combat through the stop-loss back door and are killed in combat for a war they were not supposed to be a part of. They don't tell us that in two years our public broadcasting organizations will likely be left on their own to sink or swim.

I am having a blast watching these 6 celebs dance it out every week. They started out with 6 stars who are: John O'Hurley Elaine's boss Jay Peterman from Seinfeld, Trista Sutter from the Bachelorette, Joey McIntyre formerly of New Kids on the Block, Evander Holyfield the boxer, Rachel Hunter former SI model and ex wife of Rod Stewart & Kelly Monaco from General Hospital. They trained for 6 weeks before the 1st episode and each week they compete against eachother, they have 6 days to train during the week now for each episode that airs on Weds @ 9pm on ABC. I love this show, I think its brilliant.... its American Idol for dancing!!

I know a lot of people would like a chance to try out for American Idol, well in my search for places to bring you something unique I found this newsletter about aduitioning for American Idol. To be honest I can’t sing, but I love American Idol and just thought I would pass this on since it is free.

If I ever audition for American Idol, I think I’ll sing “Harden My Heart” by Quarterflash. Or “To Be With You” by Mr. Big. I was rocking both of those songs in the car today. Sadly, I’ll probably never have the chance to strut it in front of Simon & Randy (assuming Paula will be too wasted to focus on me) because in a mere 2 1/2 months I’ll be too old. Too old even for their “extended age range!”

In the past, I have not been much of a fan of American Idol. BUT the media attention aroused my curiosity enough to check out the final episode last night.

That’s about all of the show that I remember. Kenny G. came out and performed with the singers. I couldn’t help but wish - in an ultimate display of irony - that an elevator would fall on him. But alas - American Idol is on a budget.

The “American Idol” seems to be a lucrative first step for all singer wannabes. To date, all of the Idol winners have made platinum records and, collectively with season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken, have sold more than 12 million albums and counting.

So are you sick of American Idol yet? Not according to the Nielsen polls which prove this to be one of the most successful seasons yet. Every episode this year seemed to attract more viewers, as scandals piled on top of each other, and the Idols seemed to get better every week. I know I can't wait until next season to see what new schemes and scandals will erupt from this mess. If there's any Idol producers in the audience:

I'm happy for her and all because she seems like such a sweet kid, but I voted Bo...so I'm bummed.

Corey Clark is angry because the 2005 season finale of American Idol made fun of Clark’s allegation against AI judge Paula Abdul. Just what was Clark expecting from AI? Thus far Clark has refused to help the Fox Network’s investigation of Clark’s allegation. Perhaps Clark is waiting to receive an offer from Oliver Stone.

Cingular Wireless announced today it has set a new record for wireless text messaging in the fourth season of “American Idol.” The company recorded more than 41.5 million text messages throughout the show’s 12-week voting period, which is believed to represent the largest volume of text messaging in a single campaign in the history of the U.S. wireless industry. Slashphone reports.

And then, just when I thought it couldn't get any better, CARRIE IS THE NEW AMERICAN IDOL!!

Just wanna give my 2 cents on American Idol yesterday…..Carrie and Bo perform well…but im still a Carrie fan…..Bo is good…but not really a type of singer i would wanna see…..maybe hearing him alone is fine….i have a thing bout man with long hair….i find it haggard looking….simply say it…i dont like it….

Well, tonight is the finale of American Idol, and yes, I watch it.. I’m a sad, sad person. Well actually, tomorrow is the finale because that’s when the results will be announced. Rocker Bo Bice vs Country Girl Carrie. In my opinion, Bo shouldn’t have even made it in the final 12, he has a generic rocker voice, nothing special about it. Carrie, although lacking personality, is such a cutie. She may be a quiet one, but since when is that bad? So my vote is for Carrie, even though I don’t vote.

Where to go from here…I think I will call her back when American Idol is over. Maybe I’ll even watch the end of it so I know who won. I’m not a big fan of that show though. Simon annoys me and Paula bores me. ” Seacrest, Out ” has to be the (insert Comic Book Guy voice here) worst phrase ever.

To ensure that I write some sort of American Idol recap this week, I'm writing this semi-live, almost as it's going on. The credits just ran and Ryan is introducing himself and the three judges. Everybody is showing Paula lots of extra love. It makes me feel all warm and nauseated inside. Corey who?

My mother and I. Watching American Idol. Because we love Anthony. And get this, we have hot wax strips on our upper lips. It don’t get cuter than that.

Anyhow, as a treat to all of the Constantine fans that read this, below I have attached his performance that he did on the Ellen Degeneres talk show on the Monday after being voted off.

Fox Network retaliates for ABC's "Primetime Live" expose on Paula Abdul's unethical relations with an "American Idol" contestant by proving that Sam Donaldson wears a toupee.

American Idol, Season Four, seems to be mired in scandal—phone snafus, Constantine’s early exit, now the potential indiscretions by AI Judge Paula Abdul. Note I say, potential, because who can say if Corey Clark (American Idol contestant from season two) is even telling the truth. I’m just wondering how and why Corey had her cell phone number. And if his phone records are legitimate, why was Paula calling him? I’m sure it’s not common practice for American Idol contestants to have AI judges’ cell phone numbers...

I have this big, huge, important thing to write for work today. If I write it well, the earth will reverse its axis, the sky will open up and rain Frosted Strawberry Pop Tarts on famine-stricken African nations and that chubby wife-beater with the forced vibrato will be voted off of American Idol tonight with extreme malice.

Paula Abdul's lawyer has threatened to sue ABC if it airs its Primetime Live exposé of American Idol Wednesday night as scheduled. But ABC is sure all its footage will pass legal muster. Along with allegations of vote-tampering and Abdul's backstage-and-beyond affair with Idol contestant Corey Clark that included a fair bit of one-on-one "coaching," there is, according to today's Drudge Report, answering-machine audio of the tiny 42-year-old judge leaving purring late-night messages for the 22-year-old wannabe (who was subsequently fired from...

The evil on American Idol has been vanquished: Bye, bye Constantine! You smoldering, teen idol wannabe!

This week was the very first night I ever watched American Idol (though my wife has been watching a while.) Without any built in biases, I thought the order of judging last night was exactly according to the performances on Tuesday night.

Last night I tuned into American Idol for the first time this season, and I was reasonably surprised by how much better it seems this year. The REAL MUSICAL instruments impressed me as well. But really, who can take anyone named Constantine seriously?

As the runner-up to Fox TV's second American Idol: The Search for a Superstar competition, vocalist Clay Aiken wowed television audiences in 2003 with his Southern charm, sweet demeanor, and bright, glorious voice, and became a pop star. Originally, Clay Aiken planned to try out for the reality TV series The American Race, but went ahead and auditioned for the talent contest to please an encouraging friend. Out of 7,000 hopefuls, the Charlotte, NC, native won the hearts of the judges as well as millions of fans across the globe.

At the urging of Leann (and with a little nudging from my friend Kristin) I finally tuned in about 3 weeks ago and I immediately got a sense of why the network is promoting the show so heavily - because it's good. And I don't just mean "good" as in it's entertaining for an hour, I mean it's really good. It's better than 90% of the shows on network television, American Idol included. So why hasn't it been picked up by struggling ABC or NBC? Don't the TV execs know that country music is a bigger demographic than Pop or Rock? Apparently...

The finalists on the fourth season of "American Idol" will release "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" as a 19 Recordings/RCA Records single on April 19. RCA and 19 Entertainment will donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund $.50 for every CD sold and $.21 for every digital download sold.

The viewers of Fox-TV's massively popular "American Idol" series decided which song would be released as a charity single by voting online for their favorite among three choices. So many viewers cast votes that all three songs will be included on the single.

The lead track, "When You Tell Me That You Love Me," was a No. 2 hit for Diana Ross in the United Kingdom in 1991. The song is the biggest Diana Ross hit in the last 18 years. Written by John Bettis and Albert Hammond, the song was also recorded as a duet between Julio Iglesias and Dolly Parton. The version by the "American Idol" finalists was produced by Desmond Child and includes vocals by the top 12 contestants: Bo Bice, Lindsey Cardinale, Anthony Fedorov, Mikalah Gordon, Constantine Maroulis, Anwar Robinson, Scott Savol, Jessica Sierra, Vonzell...