Buh bye, Brandon…

So, forgetting your words is okay if you’re Hayley and Simon makes you cry tears of exhausted relief, but not okay if you’re perpetually smiley and upbeat. Anyway, though we all would have rather seen Sanjaya go home than just about anybody, it wasn’t exactly a huge shock that Brandon made his exit Wednesday night. At least Sanjaya finally hit the bottom two, so there is hope.

Next week? I hear the theme is British Invasion, with Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits fame as the mentor. If this is true, I refuse to get excited. After what they did to Diana Ross songs, I’ll just wait over here with my expectations carefully shelved if you don’t mind.

No Survivor last night thanks to March Madness. Pout. And you know I’m a big basketball fan, but hey, Grey’s Anatomy could put on a new episode, so what gives with not putting up a new one till next Wednesday? This Wednesday would have been just fine, thank you very much. Speaking of Grey’s…great episode. More like the good ol Grey’s. Well, except for that last scene. I could have gone a really (really) long time without them going there, except we all had to see that one coming a mile away with all the Izzy build up. Ugh. Seriously.

On the Good News front, Amazing Race is Sunday night, aaaaaand, Dancing With the Stars finally premieres Monday! Woo hoo!!

On the Good News Right This Very Second front, it’s time to announce this week’s SHaQ Attack winner. I asked you to name the heroine who went to Barbie Boot Camp and the title of the book she was in. The answer was Lucy Harper from Sleeping With Beauty. And this week’s winning blog babe is our very own Jackie O! Woo hoo!! Tune in next week for another round.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. It’s my birthday weekend and they’re calling for snow. In the middle of March. And no, I do not live in the snow belt. And it’s been gorgeous and in the sixties and seventies all week. Something is terribly wrong with this picture. I plan to make up for it with a trip to our newly opened Cheesecake Factory restaurant. (Hey, we all have to do what we have to do. The sacrifices I make.)

Check in on Monday for some Morning After Commentary on the latest round of Amazing Race! I’ll probably have a cheesecake hangover, but I will find a way to muddle through, I swear. (I know. I give, and I give.)

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day Eve! Be safe everyone. :)

Tags: Writing by Donna
15 Comments »

Well….

…that was underwhelming.

Here I thought Motown week (okay, so it was Diana Ross Songs week, but god knows she sang a bajilion songs for Berry Gordy…) and I’m all prepared for a groovin’ evening of soul music and what do these guys pick? Music from The Wiz, Lady Sings The Blues, and some Disney movie. Seriously?

Sure, the power houses did well. Melinda, Stephanie, and LaKisha were fine, but even their performances weren’t all that riveting, just “yeah, they can sing all right…what are they singing?” And what was up with all the forgetting the lyrics stuff? Wow. I expected better from this group. It was like they were just collectively psyched out or something.

The Good: I enjoyed watching Melinda, but the song didn’t inspire. Enjoyed listening to LaKisha, but it was kinda like Whitney last week, nothing earth shattering, just more proof that she can tackle anything. Stephanie did okay, though I was also waiting for the fast part, and Jordin handled herself very well. But it’s not like I can remember this morning what they even sang last night. I just remember thinking at least they didn’t suck.

The Average: Gina managed her song okay, as did Phil. Didn’t bring the house down, but didn’t make me cringe. I thought Blake did okay, and Chris Sligh, and give them props for not copy catting classics (which is what the judges have told them to do - don’t copy cat - so they “make it their own”, and get slammed for having the nerve to mess with the classics. Mixed signals much?) I did appreciate that they actually worked on their performances and didn’t just take the song and sing it as is. But they didn’t knock me out either.

The Fugly: Poor Haley. I thought she’d do better than that. Clearly, so did she. I felt for her when Simon was kind and it just undid her. Poor girl. Sanjaya. What else is there to say? Except his singing AND his hair were both a hot mess. Brandon kind of fell apart all over the place. I’m still not getting Chris Richardson’s appeal. He didn’t tank, and doesn’t really belong in this category with the other three, but I didn’t like his performance at all. I guess I just don’t hear his voice like other’s do. It’s all nails on a chalkboard to me.

Who should go home? Tough call. Of course it should be Sanjaya. But we’ve been saying that for weeks. If it’s not him - again - then I’m thinking Haley and Brandon are both vulnerable. We’ll see tonight!

Don’t forget to enter this week’s SHaQ Attack contest. See Tuesday’s blog for all the details!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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SHaQ Attack time!

Okay, for this week’s contest, we’re going to play “Extreme Makeover.” Tell me which heroine of mine went to Barbie Boot Camp and got the makeover for her high school reunion. Name the heroine and the book.

Send your answers to donna@donnakauffman.com with Barbie Boot Camp! in the subject line. I will draw one winner from all the correct entries this Friday. Winning Blog Babe receives book of his/her choice from my website bookshelf.

Happy hunting!

American Idol tonight — all 12 sing against each other for the first time. Predictions who will go home? I’m thinking it will be one of the guys. If there is a god, it will be Sanjaya. But it could be Brandon. Vulnerable on the girl’s side? Hayley. But, as we’ve learned, anything can happen! Tune in tomorrow for all the MAC. :)

Tags: Writing by Donna
3 Comments »

Sure, where’s the NEL when you need one…

This week on Amazing Race, Phil rocks the leather jacket. Hard.

In other news, there was a race going on.

So, yeah, I admit, I actually like Rob and Amber. Seeing them go from first to Sequesterville was not good times for me. But seeing them go out at the hand of Mirna and Charla? Oh yeah, that grates. My god, her entitlement rant just boggles. Boggles. I’m even past the train wreck entertainment portion of her program. For that reason alone, I’d have loved for R & A to be saved by a non-elim leg. HA! Except, no. And Uchenna? Can also go home anytime. I didn’t mind the friendly rivalry bit with Romber, and I think his wife is Class A, but the whole Mirna and Charla thing at the end, which you know he only did because he knew it meant Romber was out (because why else was he even still waiting around there?) just didn’t sit well with me. But I’m not a big Uchenna fan anyway. You got your million. What do you possibly have left to prove?

In other news…my Danny and Oswald love knows no bounds. Loved their Phil Mat Chat. That’s a reality show I’d line up to see! Those two couldn’t be more adorable if they carried around a basket of puppies (tm Television Without Pity poster.)

Terri and Ian/Eye-an still grate, though not nearly like they did during their initial season. Still think Eric and Danielle have zero real relationship (”I’m treating her like a guy.” Oooh, that’s the man I’d love to race around the world with!) and it looks like my opinion of them sinks even lower next week. The Guidos are entertaining in the way Mirna and Charla are not. I don’t want them to win, but I do enjoy their enjoyment of the race. The BQ’s are doing okay and I actually enjoyed them this leg. I hope they stick around a while longer.

So I’m rooting for the Cha Cha Cha’s all the way (nickname for Danny/Oswald from their season, btw) and maybe the BQ’s and Guidos can stick around to give them a run…but Eric, Uchenna, and Team Trainwreck can please leave. (God help me if Mirna/Charla come in last next week and get saved with an NEL!)

Who are you all rooting for now? And what did you think about those letters? I thought they were a riot and hope that CBS posts them in full on their website. I’ll have to check that out. Was anyone surprised to discover that Karlyn is still a grudge-holding witch? Lyn, however, still class. And Frank? My son and I are watching Season 1 on DVD and my god he’s still an ass. How nice to see he didn’t learn anything from self observation. I hope his poor wife ended that separation they were in when they ran their race with a divorce. (And thank goodness we don’t have any more of those “best of the worst” teams on the race!)

Tune in tomorrow for this week’s SHaQ Attack contest!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Top 12 and a SHaQ Attack winner!

So the Top 12 managed to have a few surprises on American Idol. I thought Sabrina or Stephanie might get Antonella’d. Turns out Sabrina got Haley’d instead. You know, as much as I think Sabrina is a waaaaay better singer, from a final 6 perspective, it’s nice having a bit more diversity. If Haley sticks with the country music, it will add a bit of dimension. For a week or so, until she goes home. Well, maybe a bit longer as I suspect some guys will head out first. Speaking of guys, we all knew Sanjaya was going to stay, but still… Sorry, Sundance. I think you’re at the end of the line anyway, but would have much rather had you in the line up for a few weeks rather than Hula Boy. Ah well. As for Jared, not real surprised there since I doubted they’d send Phil home. I dreamed though. They did get Antonella right, and that was worth it all. Looking forward to the first week where they all compete head to head. Diana Ross is the mentor, so I am guessing Motown week? Well, that’s got to make Melinda< Stephanie, and LaKisha happy. Can't wait!

Now, for this week's SHaQ Attack winners!

All ya had to do was email me with your book choice this week, so a bunch of contenders this go around, but the two winning Blog Babes are: Patty from Chaptico and Teresa from Toledo!! Copies of your winning book choice will go out with the next mail batch. Woo hoo!!

Tune in next week for another contest and a bit more MAC. :) Have a great weekend, everone!

Tags: Writing by Donna
10 Comments »

Let’s hear it for the girls…

So, yeah…the boys might as well get that plane ticket home Simon is always talking about. The difference between their nights and the girls is, like, galactic.

Very enjoyable night.

Jordin did a nice job. Didn’t blow it out, but it was head and shoulders above anything the guys did. Loved it when she crouched down to Ryan-size. She’d have made a cute linebacker.

Sabrina is still on the shouty side with me, but mainly because I have singers like LaKisha and Melinda to compare her to. She rocked that dress, but I wonder sometimes how memorable she is in this particular crowd. She should go through, but I think she’s at risk with the Antonella Effect.

Speaking of which…Antonella? Dear child, buy a frakking clue. Simon was actually quite decent with you considering you hit more flat notes than good ones. Seriously, close your eyes and just listen to her performance. My dog hid under the bed. And I thought it was kind of Simon to note the difficulties she’s faced with all the media stuff, but still essentially tell her that she’s simply outclassed in this particular group. Then she’s snotty and entitled anyway. A? Take a page from the Melinda Book of Being Humble. ::shakes head in disgust:: I hate it that she might not go home tonight and a far more deserving singer might be booted from a chance at the final 12 and all the attendant Good Stuff they get. (See above.)

Haley…I thought going the soft country route was a good idea for her, but one she’s grabbed on to too late. We have no country singers this year and this might have made her stand out a bit more. Because she is Haley Who? Simon is so dead on in what he says in regards to where they stand in this competition. Good singer, far better than Antonella, but not distinct enough. She should go home tonight.

Stephanie is such a lovely performer, and she always looks great and has wonderful stage presence. It’s tough when you’re running in a pack with singers like LaKisha and Melinda, but her style and verve will take her far. I like her. She’s final four material.

LaKisha, girl, if anyone is going to tackle Whitney, it’s you. I cringed when I heard the opening notes because, honestly people, just leave the Big Divas out of this, but she does have that same powerful Houston voice and she sang the dang song. I’d still rather hear her put her gorgeous voice into songs that aren’t already power hits, but I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. Her relatives in the audience need their own reality show.

Gina was definitely way more at home rocking the tongue stud and doing some rock n roll. A bit screamy, but clearly this is her niche and I’m glad she claimed it. She’s made enough of a presence for herself that she should move into the final 12, but I fear for her with the Antonella Effect, too. I hope she makes it through. She’s a much needed alternative dimension to the soul singers.

And last, but not least, dear, sweet Melinda. Boy, I just love her. I know, she’s just so dang lovable. But last night she owned that stage. Loved loved loved Simon’s reaction to her. Cracked me up. How does anyone just own the stage like that with such incredible conviction, then the second the last note dies out, turn right back into sweet, vulnerable, shy little Melinda - and it’s totally believable?? Love. Her. She is one I look forward to hearing every week and my hands on favorite for final two. (Can you imagine a final throwdown between her and LaKisha?)

So…in order for me: Melinda, LaKisha, Stephanie, Gina, Jordin, Sabrina, Haley, Antonella. Please let that be America’s final ranking, too. Well, at least those last two. We can work on the rest.

Crossing fingers for tonight!

Also - if you haven’t entered this week’s SHaQ Attack contest, see Tuesday’s blog for details!! Winner announced tomorrow. :)

Tags: Writing by Donna
4 Comments »

AI…more like aiyeeeeeee

You know, I really thought, going into the semi final rounds on American Idol, that the guys were going to totally kick bootay. As it turns out? Not even.

So, last night is the remaining 8 trying to become one of the six who go to the finals (and get to be on tour, and make the cd, etc etc.) I couldn’t pick six of these guys I want to see perform for the next month or so if I was paid to do it. I’d be hard pressed to pick four.

Blake does (for me) one of the more enjoyable performances of the night, though the band needed to way reggae that up more. I am worried about him going first, though. Him, I would put through.

Sanjaya hulas. Yeah. Not “I lived in Hawaii and learned to swallow burning swords and do the warrior dance.” No. We get “I lived in Hawaii so thought it was perfectly normal to learn to hula.” Even the pre-teens swooning over him have to be more clued in than that. Come on.

Chris R goes country and I thought it sounded all nasal-whiny and just plain boring. But then, I don’t get the appeal with him anyway. He’s a good performer, entertaining, but his voice is just this weird high pitched nasal whine to me that is totally unappealing. Close your eyes and listen to him sometime. Ew. And ouch. Cute kid, but no.

Sundance tackles Vedder. Color me…really? On AI? It was horrible and somewhere Eddie must be tied up and held hostage cuz no way did he okay them using this song. But I digress. I was impressed that he went for something like this and I got what he was trying to do, but I thought he totally missed the delivery. I also think “more blues - less grunge” might be an idea worth pursuing. If, you know, he was still on the show, which I fervently don’t believe he should be.

Jared sings Stevie (because boy canNOT buy a frakking clue.) The thing with Jared is his voice has no depth, no richness of tone. It is one dimensional at best. But he is darned good looking, so he coasts on a high school musical voice. A shame. It’s no where near enough for what this show should be.

Brandon sings Rare Earth and I appreciate that he is really trying to entertain. I think he has a good voice, surely better and richer than Jared’s, but it’s still background vocals to me. It doesn’t reach the nose bleed seats. Still, I like the guy, and if I had to put through six of these wannabes, he’d make the list. (Faint praise, but it’s the best I can do.)

Phil. I do NOT get the love with this guy. He cannot start a song to save his life. It takes him a full minute to finally find his pitch and his range, then he glory notes his way out, and people love him and say he can sing. Intermittently, yes, he can. But singing sort of requires you can do, like, the whole song. All at once. Crazy, I know. I think he’s impossible to watch (he just creeps me out completely) but, close your eyes, and, you know, it doesn’t get better, people. Shudder.

Chris Sligh. Sure, he’s a huge voice inside a mop top body. But…that voice. THAT is richness of melody. THAT is reaching the back row. THAT is what I’d pay big bucks for the rest of the guys on this show to have. Sure, weird song choice, a bit safe, but he’s the only one with a voice anywhere near as powerful as the top girls.

So, my rankings in order…Chris S, Blake….then I guess Brandon, and if I have to, Chris R. After that Sundance/Phil/Jared in no particular order because none of them should stay, and last would be Sanjaya because…do I really have to explain why?

Yeah. Not all that exciting. Not one of them I’m compelled to vote like a mad fiend for. Or, you know, vote at all for.

Looking forward to the girls tonight. Melinda, LaKisha, Stephanie, Gina, Jordin, and, I suppose, Sabrina (but really, girl shouts a lot) all work for me. Antonella, go home. Haley (I know, who?) go home.

Tags: Writing by Donna
5 Comments »

If it’s Tuesday…

…it must be time for a SHaQ Attack contest! Woo hoo!!

Since this is both my birthday month AND the month a new book of mine hits the shelves (The Great Scot…see my homepage for a little excerpt!) I thought a fun way to celebrate would be to double the fun and give away two books this week. I know! The excitement just never ends around here. I’ll even let you decide (should you win) what title you want. (Can I throw a party or what?)

So…if you want to be in the running, this is what you gotta do. Send an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with Party time! in the subject line, and the title you’d like to win in the email.

Yep. That’s it. No hunting this week, no pulling your hair out trying to figure out which book had the three-legged alligator, or which book featured a disappearing leprechaun. I’ll save that for next week. (Hey, fun is fun, but you can’t get off this easy every week.)

So, let the party begin! I’ll draw two names from all the entries and announce the winners on Friday. Good luck!

Oh yeah…I’m blogging over at Brava Authors today. Check it out if you’d like. :)

Tags: Writing by Donna
3 Comments »

Stopping by with a little MAC…

I am woefully out of date with my reality show viewing (sob!) but I did manage to catch up with Amazing Race last night and thought I’d offer up a little MAC to the blog babe masses…

First, and most important, Hi Phil!!!

So, it’s an All Star season (okay, for me it’s more like a Some Stars, Some….Not So Much season, but I didn’t get to choose who came back.)

Who I’m enjoying?

The Cha Cha Cha’s - Oswald and Danny, love them. (More cardio!) and, I know it’s not a popular opinion, but Romber - Rob and Amber. Lots of people love to hate Rob, but he’s pretty harmless to me, and he greatly respects his partner, and, frankly, they rock this thing. I’m enjoying their consistency, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t love to see some other team actually make it a race for them.

Teams I’m meh about?

Teri and Ian (or is that Eye-an? Make up your mind, Ter.) Their original season he was such a jerk, it’s hard to shift gears, but they really aren’t all that offensive this go around. I should like them more. Maybe the affection will grow in time. The Mirna smackdown did earn Ian a few points, I must admit. The Beauty Queens - they need help with navigation, and some of their “banter” isn’t all that amusing, but again, another team that works well with each other and, despite some navigational issues, are good racers. Not rooting for them, but not feeling opposed to them either. Yet. Guido - Bill and Joe. Another team I loved to hate on their season, who seemed to have gotten a little self awareness this go around. Not feeling the love, but not wanting them off my screen quite yet. Frat Boy and Pink - Eric and Danielle. A show of hands for everyone who believes there is an actual romantic relationship going on here? Yeah, I didn’t think so either. Never liked him the first go around, and she is essentially invisible. They could leave and I wouldn’t feel badly. Same for Uchenna and Joyce. They already won this gig once, and the “failing marriage” thing was done last time around. Not actively against them, but not feeling the love this time either.

Teams I want to see go down in flames Right This Minute?

All together now, everyone! Charla and Mirna. Sure, they are entertaining to watch in a flaming train wreck kind of way. Mirna is such a freak show. But I will be first on my feet cheering when they finally get eliminated. Which cannot happen too soon.

Teams I was sorry to see eliminated? Jill and John Vito could have hung around. I’d have gladly swapped them out with Eric and Danielle. The other two teams? Not so much. I was a huge Drew and Kevin fan, but they were not themselves this go around. It was painful watching them. And Team Kentucky - relief was what I felt when they were Philiminated last night. For the most part, I enjoyed Mary Discovers the Big Wide World on their first trip around the world, but this time I could not stomach her whole “they were my friends!” thing (it’s a frakking RACE, Mary!) And her constant berating of Dave while consistantly being in the wrong and never apologizing. And, frankly, his letting her get away with it just to keep the screeching down to a dull migraine. Buh bye, Kentucky! No love from me on Round 2.

Once Charla and Mirna mercifully disappear (please, race gods, make it next week!!) the race is pretty wide open for me. My preferred order of finish, at this point of the race would be:
Oswald and Danny
Rob and Amber (second place again would be wickedly delicious, but only if it was to the Cha’s)
Teri and Ian (if anyone had told me after his season I would ever rank them so highly…)
(fourth through sixth place could really be in any order)
Bill and Joe
Dustin and Kandace
Joyce and Uchenna
(and finally…)
Eric and Danielle
Charla and Mirna

So…discuss! Who are your faves? Which teams would you loved to have seen again? (For me - Bowling Moms!) Who do you want Phil to eyebrow pop into obscurity?

Tune in tomorrow for a new SHaQ Attack contest!

(And thanks for all the notes…and for the support of the new release, The Great Scot. You guys rock!)

Tags: Writing by Donna
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