On American Idol…the pening group song was pretty good…then the girls started singing. What? I know they can sing. I just like the guys better, what can I say?

Who will Ryan coldly send home this time? (I am a bad, bad person, but when it was down to White Streak and The Noriega, I knew Jason was toast, but it didn’t bother me too much that they messed with Danny. Just a little.) So, Jason has to sing the song that got him kicked off (always seems kinda cruel) and then it’s the girls turn.

Back row gets stood up and I’m thinking, looking at the whole row, it’s either Christy or Rawker Nurse. Christy gets sat down first thing, then we finally get down to Amanda and Alex-Andray-ah, so it’s going to be Amanda. Aaaaaand, I’m wrong! Wow, Alex-A goes home. Surprised by that one. (And, double rats! Two blondes make it through, but there are still two more chances when the bottom row gets their turn!)

Girls go again, the bottom row gets stood up. Please let it be Kady. We do get down to the two blondes, so I’m going to be happy either way. We also find out that these are two of the bottom three (the other being Alex-A, I presume.) Kady handles the moment better, so I’m waivering…. Aaaaaand? Kady is safe, much to her honest surprise. Leaving Alaina looking like there’s a pretty good chance she’s going to puke right there on stage. Which makes me think this was the right choice. Kady won’t last much longer anyway. So, they two blondes stand there really awkwardly, making me believe they weren’t the best of pals. Then Alaina falls completely apart and announces she can’t sing. Clearly, she wasn’t ready for this, and by that I don’t mean getting booted, I mean this whole competition. A shame. (And who is bawling even harder? Noriega?!? What’s up with that?) To her credit, she’s peer pressured into singer, and does it - looking back, she’s going to be really glad she did.

The guys’ turn…front row stands. Should be Luke, could be Bandana Boy. And, wow, this time I’m right on as those two are pulled center stage and everyone else sits down. So, they are two of the bottom three….and it’s Bandana Boy Robbie who goes home, leaving 90120 Luke to sing another week. But he’ll be leaving us soon, too.

So, a few surprises on the women’s side, not so much on the guys. I don’t think next week will yield any big shocks. Hope not! Then it will be Top 12 time and the “real show” begins.

What did you think? Right? Wrong? I wasted a perfectly good bowl of ice cream watching this? Dish!

On Survivor…will a fan or a favorite go home? Gauging by the Blog Babe votes, folks really want to see a Fan leave. I selfishly hope you’re right!

Ozzy proves his awesomeness all over again by swimming like no other, then finding the idol, play the Yau Man diversion, and still finding food for dinner. Seriously. Cirie, also awesome just for shutting Jonathan down. (Because, he has the nerve to be upset about anyone flipping sides? The Flipper King of all time?)

Faves win chickens. Immunity? Yay, also goes to the Faves! Woo hoo!! They totally rocked this week. I enjoyed every second of it. They worked very well together.

Fans go to tribal where I will be shocked if it’s not Chet. Kathy is the second choice. So I don’t see this one as being a big issue for them.

But, I’ve been wrong before.

And, um…wow, Tracy is turning into quite the little player, isn’t she? Strokes Joel’s ego and makes him think he’s truly running the show by flipping the tribe to vote out Mikey B. Over Chet. And he goes for it! Um, Joel, guess what? Tracy is running the show now. Wow. And he does it. Mikey B goes home. Now I would have said that was a mistake, to send a strong player home when you have so many literal weak ones. But then the previews show that tribes are changing up next week and getting blended, so I guess they got rid of a threat when the getting rid of was good. Never ceases to amaze me, these people.

So, a Fan goes home….which puts a whole lot of Blog Babes in the running for this week’s SHaQ Attack contest, but there can only be one winner. And the winning Blog Babe is? Judy F!! Woo hoo!

Have a fabulous weekend, all. Tune in Monday where I will try not to forget to post and announce a new contest!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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So…the girls can all sing. I think we can all agree on that. And there are some that stand out, or are at least memorable from one week to the next, even if you can’t remember their names. Or how to pronounce them. Alex-Ahhhhhndrea. But there were no boffo performances from the ladies last night, either. A not-bad-but-kind-of-listless week. And, while I agree that the Mandisa’s and the Sanjaya’s and the Melinda Doolittles all had their variety of talent levels, from stunning to the just stunned, and we all had difficulty imagining any of them, truly, as pop stars…..they were a heckuva lot more entertaining than this batch of perfectly fine singers.

I really looked forward to this week of singing, and, on both nights, as I watched, I wondered….what was it I was looking forward to again?

Of the ten, I thought several aquitted themselves well, but there wasn’t a single performance that wowed me, or even held my attention long enough to keep from fast forwarding to the final belt-it-out note and straight to the judges comments. No one in the audience really lost their collective minds over any one of them, either. (David A does seem to have the advantage on that court.)

So…from the remaining twenty, I’d be okay with David White Streak Yaeger and Luke 90210 Menard going home. Bandana Boy could go, too, and I’d be okay with that. (Because we all know we’re going to be subjected to The Noriega for some time to come.) For the ladies…I can’t even say who was just That Bad. I’d like to see Ramiele Polynesian Dancer stay, along with Alex-Andrea, the cute smiley one who went second and Asia’h who went last. Rawker Girl can stay long enough for us to see more of the real her. The blondes can all go. Even the one with the guitar. Maybe especially her. Not because she’s not good, she did give one of the best performances of the night. She just creeps me out for some reason. On the guy’s side, I want Aussie Man and Dread-Twinkles to stay. David A is a no brainer to stay on. I’d like Chikezie to stay. I enjoyed him singing this week. And maybe Word Nerd David…if he learns to read a room, as well as he does a crossword puzzle. The rest can go in whatever order America chooses.

What did you think? Who would you send packing?

On Project Runway, I am still sniffling over the fact that Rami made it to Fashion Week over Chris, but take faith in the knowledge that all four of them, and Sweet Pea, actually showed their lines at Bryant Park (so as not to spill on who made the finals) so he did get to show, it just won’t run on television. You can find links to it all over You Tube, though, if you want to see all five collections! Who do I want to win? I love Jillian’s stuff, just wish she’s annoy me less. So…as much as I’m sure it pains a lot of people, I’m actually rooting for the Little Fierce One to take it all home. We’ll see…..

And, last, but never least, we got Our Alaskan Hotties back. Well, two of them anyway. Men in Trees returns, and we get a nice dose of both Cash and Plow Guy Sam. Ahhhhh. Now if they would just pick a night and leave it there, please. Honestly.

Don’t forget today is the final day to enter this week’s contest. You have until 8pm EST to get your vote in. See Tuesday’s blog post for all the details. Winner announced in the morning. Along with some Survivor MAC!

Aaaaaaaand, dish!

Tags: Writing by Donna
3 Comments »

But which two, that is the question! Last night the remaining ten guys sang on American Idol, to mixed results (for me anyway.)

So, the theme this week is Classic 70’s…(stupid idea, theme weeks in the prelim rounds, but at least there is a bit more diversity in 70’s tunes - let’s hope! I do like the band and back up singers…)

They don’t make me wait tonight, and give me my Aussie Man straight up first time out. And see? I knew he was the man for me - he’s also a major tennis freak! Ha. Michael is singing Fleetwood Mac’s Go Your Own Way. It wasn’t my favorite from him, this song (and it’s a song I love) but he did get into it more as it went along. Judges could go either way I think….Randy agrees with me, Paula is Paula, (ooh, a Phil-worthy Eyebrow Pop from Aussie Guy. Wow. Must be a Down Under thing.) Simon Says it was just okay. I’m thinking the same. I hope that, plus his going first placement, doesn’t hurt him in the votes….

Wow, I get all my honey’s up front. Jason Dreadlocks Castro is next up. God, he’s so adorable. Love that he brings the guitar again. He’s singing the Bee Gee’s I Just Want To Be Your Everything. To which I say, alrighty! It’s just really great feel-good music. I heart Dread Guy. Judges…Randy says that as a music and singing act, it was good, but the singing by itself was just okay. I can see that. Paula says he’s cute and who cares. (Not me! I love him.) But she wants to see him without the guitar next time, and I think she’s right. Simon Says he also played it too safe, and I’ll agree with that. Unfortunately!

Luke Menard is up….hopefully as he was one of my bottom three last week, he’ll step it up this week. We learn he’s part of an acapella group. He picks Queen’s Killer Queen. Wow, that is a surprise from him (for me anyway.) And, well, he’s…..not Freddy Mercury. But then, who is? Michael did such a huge job knocking Bohemian Rhapsody out of the park during Hollywood week, that it’s a risk tackling any Freddy and you’d better bring it. I applaud the risk, as the first two did play it a bit safe, but…this was a risk that failed for me. Sorry, Luke! Judges….Randy agrees the risk was high and thinks it might not be his best, but liked the direction he was going. Paula liked it. Simon Says the song choice was a mistake because he’s not Freddy. And….agreed.

Now we get Robbie Carrico, he of the long hair and seriously white smile. We find out he’s a drag racer for a hobby. He chooses Foreigner’s Hot Blooded, which golf clap for choosing something more “hard” in the rock realm and less “pop” - except he doesn’t have the depth of tone to his voice to bring the rock. I agree with Simon from last week that’s he more pop oriented, even when he’s rawking out. He can’t help it, it’s just the tone of voice he has. I predict after his pre-preformance comments this week that Simon will just have to get used to his brand of rock n roll, that he’s in for a dressing down. And….sorry, but I’m going to end up agreeing with Simon. I just feel it. Judges? Randy completely agrees about the voice tone. Paula agrees in a round about way, but she thinks he can actually pull it off with the right attitude. I believe he wants to be a rocker, and so therefore he is a rocker, he just doesn’t have the depth of voice for it. Simon? Just to be perverse, thinks the vocal was okay.

Oh dear, it’s Noriega Time. We find out he was a punk rocker. Briefly. Yeah. Move on. You know, I loves me some Christian on Project Runway, but in one week Danny Boy here has managed to become what I’d have predicted Christian would be, and wasn’t. The one who makes you alternately cringe and want to smack his smart mouth. I’m sorry, but he can’t leave too soon for me, talent or no. A Singing Sanjaya With ‘tude we do not need. He tackles a Carpenter’s ballad and slows it down even further. A bit too low in register for me, from him, but he performs it well. He can sing. I didn’t care for it, but he did a nice job. Randy says he over thought it. Paula admires his madd singing skillz, but agrees with Randy. Simon Says mmkay on the song choice, but thinks he is distinct and does stand out. Yeah, he does. Just wished I liked him!

David Hernandez is up next. We find out he was a gymnast as a kid. He chooses to sing Papa Was A Rolling Stone. He jazzes it up a little, but man, this song has been SO done, so I’m surprised he’d go for it, without a distinct “sound” of his own. He does a nice job, but he’s not going to be the stand out guy from this group I don’t think. And I like him, but he’s not Wow! He does end impressively, and the boy can sing. Just don’t think he has that “it” charisma to go all the way. I like a mediocre Michael or Jason Castro over a standout David performance. Judges - Randy was happy to see him live up to his potential, as is Paula. Simon Says it was the best so far (which, isn’t really saying a ton….but still, nice.) And after pre-season dissing, he admits he does like the guy now, so that’s a bonus.

Jason White Streak Yaeger is next. We learn he plays guitar, piano and drums, all self taught. And he has a pretty nice smile, too. He chooses Doobie Brother’s Long Train Running - which, it’s a band song, not a singer’s song. He does okay, but doesn’t have the depth of voice to knock it out of the park. It’s making me wish even more that Michael had really knocked it out on the opener because there hasn’t really been a bar set tonight. I’m guessing with Archuleta up last, that will be the bar….and set too late. Randy completely agrees with me, almost word for word. Paula says ditto. Simon Says ew.

Chikezie explains the origin of his name (Nigerian) and how it is originally pronounced (which sounds quite lovely and musical.) He chooses Donny Hathaway’s I Believe, which is a a song I’m not sure I’ve heard, but bluesy and great for him, and he strides right out and owns it, which is a nice change this evening. Wish he’d been wearing another killer suit instead of the golf shirt (man, I’m being picky tonight) but that would have sold it better. Still, nice vibe, nice change. Glad he brought it after than last week. Best of the night for me - I wasn’t even tempted to fast forward. Randy loves it. Paula enjoyed it. Simon Says applauds him. And even their exchange afterward is more fun than Noriega-ish. Loved all of it. Finally something tonight I fully enjoyed.

David Red Streak Cook tells us what we don’t know about him is he’s a word nerd. Yeah. I know. Not necessarily the thing that’s going to make us all go ooooh. (And this coming from a writer who adores a great vocabulary. So go figure…) He plays electric guitar and sings The Stones All Right Now, and, you know, does an okay job for trying to do Mick. I was surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. But I really did. Hunh. It’s all upside down tonight. Loved the guitar which this. Randy says he’s the real rocker. Agreed. Surprisingly. Paula loves the band with him, loves him. Simon Says he pulled it off, but agreed with me on his choice of personal revelation, although, honestly, it had nothing to do with the rocker performance for me. Then David goes and kind of mouths off to Simon where he really didn’t need to. Didn’t pull any points with me, either, that particular one. Ya gotta pick your moments and that wasn’t one of them. A shame as it negated a lot of the good he’d just engendered with me. Go figure. He does seem to get it, otherwise, though. I just hope he learns to pick his moments better.

Last up is Our David Archuleta…..who gets the biggest audience cheers. He sings a ballad (sigh…) which he does, of course, stunningly well, but it’s a song I also really don’t care for (John Lennon, Imagine) and…great job, just selfishly not my fave. But he does a rock solid job and the arrangment is a nice change, which he pulls it off beautifully. Mostly I just love his hair cut - it does make him look slightly closer to his seventeen years. Every little bit helps. By far the purest voice in this competition, that hasn’t changed. Crowd goes wild. He looks sincerely touched, which I love. Judges - Randy loses his mind. Paula just loses it. David’s parent’s cry. Then you can tell he goes stone cold sober waiting Simon’s Declaration of Worthiness and that, as much as anything, makes me love him, because he so completely cares and so wants to do well, as if he has no clue how brilliant he is without even trying. Simon correctly Says how risky it was to sing anything by John Lennon and then says he nailed it and that he’s the one to beat. Which…..true. He’s so sincerely sweet and shy. Lap it up.

All in all, a weak night from the guys, but nice to see it end on a positive note with those last few performances. Who will rise to the top next week? Nice to see a different range of talent do well (relatively speaking) this week. Tonight the girls sing, and can any of them make us care? It remains to be seen.

Also - don’t forget to enter this week’s SHaQ Attack contest. Details in Tuesday’s post. You have until 8pm, EST this Thursday to enter. Good luck!

Tonight? We also get part one of the Project Runway finale. Woot! Finally a decent night of fun to watch.

Aaaaaaaand, dish! Who goes? Who stays? And, even with two people being carted off to the hospital on Big Brother, does anybody care about these people?

Tags: Writing by Donna
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You write your blog Sunday night, because you’re going to be more organized if it kills you….and then you forget to actually post it Monday morning.

Yeah. And I can’t even blame it on deadline dementia, as I’m in the beginning of a book. (A really fun one, though!) Maybe that’s it….I’m distracted by my (literally) wounded hero… Sigh. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.

That, and I’ve also recently begun teaching paper-crafting classes at a local shop (Angela’s Happy Stamper for anyone in the DC Metro/Virginia area!) and it’s been a total blast…but wreaking havoc with my new “get organized” agenda. I’ll get it all figured out. But for anyone who might be interested, you can click on Angela’s link in the “Other Cool Lists” right hand column there and check out the class list. Wouldn’t it be fabulous to see a Blog Babe pop up in my “other life?” Ha! I’d love that.

So…last night (Monday night, I am aware it’s Tuesday now…) was Television Wasteland. My blog for yesterday was going to be about Big Brother, but honestly, have they ever assembled a more lackluster cast? I cannot bring myself to care. However, tonight all will be forgiven as we get to see Dreads Boy and Aussie Guy sing on American Idol - Boys Night. I require so little to make me happy…you think they’d try harder…

And just because I’m a total blog spaz does not mean we’re going without a contest this week! Nay, my Loyal Babes, we shall give away a free book come Friday! However, you have to work at it a teensy-tinsy bit. I was going to make this a Pick the Winner week since Project Runway concludes (at least I think it does!) but then I went and screwed that up by forgetting to post and erasing a day’s worth of time to enter, and since the show is Wednesday night….yeah. So that’s not going to happen. However! We can make it a Survivor Week! No, there are too many people still there to vote on a specific person. All you have to do is decide whether you think a Fan, or a Favorite, is going home this week. 50/50 shot, so even if you don’t watch (and really, come join us!) you have a good chance to make the final drawing. I will choose one name from the correct guesses and announce the winner in Friday’s blog. (Seriously. I won’t forget. I promise.)

So….intrepid contest enterers, send an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with “Survive This!” in the subject line, and tell me Fan? Or Fave? You have until 8pm EST Thursday night to enter.

Good luck! Now….who are you looking forward to seeing sing tonight? Who do you think will go next? And do you even care that the girls are singing tomorow night? Dish!

Tags: Writing by Donna
2 Comments »

So, our first elimination and…I didn’t have a problem with who they sent packing. Or, should I say, who we sent packing. I might have picked a few others first on both sides, but just listening to them do their sing out pretty much confirmed the choices. Boy, were there a lot of flat notes in those songs. Wow. So, we say good-bye to Joanna the plus-size model, and Amy (I think was her name….who didn’t even earn a modifier from me.) On the boys side, Leif Garrett Haley goes home, as does Ellen Degeneres. (Who knew she could even sing?) Of the four, I was probably most surprised, initially, anyway, with that last one, but his sing out confirmed that America occasionally does know what it’s doing. Nice to know.

Oh, and don’t hate me, but I really liked Paula’s video. I thought the technique of freeze-framing the dancers in mid air was cool, and I liked that red wavy fabric effect. I know. Old as dirt. That would be me. I’ve mentioned this. So, just leave me with my Paula CD’s and my Madonna tunes, and the occasional Janet Jackson video throwback, k? We’ll be very happy.

On to Survivor…where last week, the brilliant strategy was to vote off players because they think when you’re still in tribes of more people than there are names you can remember, it’s important to vote like you’re going to the final tribal council. Joel. Of course, Mikey B (honestly, what grown man calls himself that? And a tattoo of a ticket stub? Honestly?) So, I can hardly complain. Let them cannibalize themselves. That would make me very happy, since the only real enjoyment I’m getting out of this season is on the reunion side of the Blue Lagoon. I’m loving that part.

But, though my Faves win the reward challenge and sleep dry through a monsoon, it’s the Fans who manage to pull out the immunity win (rrrrr) so…who goes home? First, though, way to go, Cirie, always thinking. I’m still loving her. But, we need more Yau Man commentary. He was hardly in this one. Well, until the end when Cirie convinces everyone to vote him off. Dammit, Cirie, I love you, but I would have been totally fine with Eliza going home, but noooooo. One more week? Can’t believe he’s already gone. However, your tribal slapdown with Penner (who, honestly, best eyes ever) was awesome. I am enjoying watching you two circle…but I think Cirie has the upper this go, thus far.

And, did you notice that Penner’s whole group fell apart? Everyone voted Yau, except Yau and Penner. And Ami voted for Cirie? So…uh, not much of a division, more like a massacre. Interesting that he’s still going after her next week, when everyone kind of went their own way except Yau, and he went home. (Sob.) Hopefully the scant fan preview doesn’t mean we lose another fave next week!

Now, time to announce the winner of this week’s SHaQ Attack contest, the easiest contest ever. Drum roll…..winning Blog Babe is? Rebecca! Woo hoo!! Tune in next week for another contest. No promises on difficulty level.

Hope everyone has a great weekend….

Aaaaaand, dish! Were you okay with this week’s eliminations? Who would you send home next? Who are you already rooting for? Does he have an Australian accent? Who should be sent packing on Survivor? And, honestly, didn’t you like Ozzy better with shaggy hair? Enquiring minds….

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Which would have been great, if I’d remembered to record it. So, since Fox, in their head-scratching wisdom, doesn’t have their number one show available for view on the internet (just every other show they air) I wasforced to wade into You Tube to track them all down. Which means it was hit or miss whether I got the judges comments or not…

All in all, good singers, but just so-so performers in many cases. I didn’t feel they distinguished themselves from one another as much as the guys did. With some exceptions, as always. Of course, you’re never going to inadvertantly confuse Joplin Nurse Rocker for anyone else. A’siah (or however you spell her name) did a nice twist on Janice. Liked her. The blond birthday girl youngster has a set of pipes and had fun. (Can you tell I have no idea what any of their names are? Possibly because we only got to see like, three of them in the audition phase… Nigel-I’m-all-about-telling-their-stories-this-year.) Irish Tattoo girl Carly sang pretty well, I thought, despite Simon’s bash. Liked the tiny Phillipino girl. Aaaaaaand, I don’t know that anyone else stood out after my wandering search through all those clips.

What did you all think? Who stays? Which two go home? I don’t even know who I’d send packing. It was too disjointed watching them the way I did to keep track of what was what and who was who. First, it would probably help me to learn names.

Of just keep voting for Aussie Guy and not worry about it.

Don’t forget to enter this week’s incredibly easy SHaQ Attack contest! Details in Tuesday’s post. Winner announced tomorrow. Along with some Survivor MAC!!

Aaaaaaaaand, dish!

Tags: Writing by Donna
3 Comments »

We get theme weeks in the semis this season. Kicking it off is 60’s week.

David Hernandez was a good opener, tho the last few notes were a bit rough. I like him. Judges were gentle.

Chikezie started off rough for me, but he pulled it up in the end. Then Simon calls him Jacuzzi by mistake, and it sort of went downhill from there…

David Cook…I liked his rendition of Happy Together….in the beginning. Wish he”d kept that slowed down version. Once he took off it was a bit ahead of itself the rest of the time. But I still like his zen-ness. I’m alone as the judges loved the frantic part.

Jason Yaeger is up next, one of the few over-25’s this time around (last season there was more over than under. Totally opposite this season.) He has a young son, who is a cutie. And he’s a cutie. And it was great seeing him go for it. Beyond that, we know little. But we want to know more! He sings Moon River. Hard to be really distinct with this standard, and while he (mostly) has a lovely voice, I don’t feel we know him any better now than before. Judges were constructive. (I know!)

Rocker Robbie Carrico of little-to-no-airtime is up next…and we discover he actually has a boy band past. Well, it was a boy/girl band, which he was in when he was 16 (now 27, so eleven years back, long time) but, oh yeah, that girl/boy band happened to tour with Britney Spears. Which would have been back during her hey day, not her current haze days. So, some background with this guy, but he wants to rawk, dontcha know. So….well, can he? We’re about to find out. He’s singing Three Dog Night’s One (which I never thought of as a 60’s song…I would have said 70’s. God, I’m old)…and it’s is a song I love. Don’t screw this up, Rawk Boy. So, here he goes, and….he looks disturbingly like my son’s best friend, so that’s kind of weird to be looking at and hearing, then he kind of rushes through the opening and, well, it’s not distinct for me. When it could have been. He’s got a good voice. He just sort of sings merrily along with it, very serviceably, but he really doesn’t get the crowd truly into it and never really goes full tilt rawker, even at the end. But he has promise. I hope. Also interesting that they get back up singers. Judges were more into it than I was, and Simon felt it was done in a current style, whereas, thus far, not so much. On that, I’m agreed. But then, it’s a non-60’s sounding 60’s song. (Cuz, seriously, not 70’s? I would have sworn…. Must have been December 1969….) He’s very twinkly-eyed and cute, so I get Simon questioning his rock-ness, but I buy that’s who he is, or certainly who he wants to be. But let’s see more!

So now we get David Archuleta, he of the previously paralyzed vocal chords and also the previous winner of Star Search. And yeah, he’s short, and cute, but he’s 17. So I don’t think he loves being called Little David Archuleta. Ryan. That said, I do like his infectious smile, and he can sing his heart out, but that past paralysis has left a kind of tightness in the back of his throat, and though it’s freaking amazing that this kid came back and can sing at all, much less as good as he does, it’s a tone thing that just…isn’t my thing. I know, I’m kicking a puppy. But not really. It’s just a musical taste thing. So, then he’s the only one so far to come out and totally dominate the stage straight off. Straight. Off. He’s so comfortable up there and very authentic. I take it all back. Well, not the tight tone thing, that just bugs, I can’t help it, but you can’t help but love this kid. Great song choice. He really works great with the back up singers. He’s has so much passion for what he’s doing. But it’s the absolute joy it gives him on top of that, that shines through. And that counts for a lot. The crowd is really engaged. Finally. Judges rightfully praise him. Really, no contest. And it completely touches him. So, keep the humble thing for as long as you can, David. It looks good on ya!

Next is Danny Noriega, and though he can totally sing, totally, he’s kind of the anti-Archuleta for me. In fact, he has a very strong Sanjaya-like vibe for me. I just don’t buy into his particular brand of cuteness. I know. Clearly I’m ice cream deficient as I watch this. But…the boy can sing. No doubt. Still…Elvis? He channels…well, not macho alpha swagger. And I’ll leave it at that. Word of advice, stick with cute. Or emo. Macho…not so much. It would also help to stay on beat. Judges? Randy and Paula dance around it. Simon clearly has a bigger problem with his precociousness than I do, because he blisters this kid a new one. And while it seems over the top harsh, personally? I think it’s exactly what this kid needs early on. Given the ‘tude, however, I don’t think he’ll actually do anything with it. A shame. Because, love him or hate him, (and though he’s a fare more verbally harsh than I’d ever be, I do generally agree with more often than his compatriots) Simon Sways Voters. Say it with me, Danny. Then embrace it, or learn the hard way. Just sayin.

Luke Menard, another invisible finalist. He looks all hot and mature, but the voice that comes out is Boy Band, Early Timberlake. Very early. So…I’m not sure. But he does look mighty fine. (Pass the ice cream.) And I loved the way his wife just naturally patted him on the ass as they were hugging and jumping up and down when he got his golden ticket. I’d pat him, too. (Really. Pass the scooper.) So he sings Everybody’s Talking. Very soft singer, very safe. Cute, but not charismatic. I fast forwarded. Sorry! I hope he gets a chance to show us more. Maybe if he sang shirtless… Judges…agreed with me across the board. Finally! And Simon nailed it. It’s why I couldn’t sit through it.

Now get Ellen Degener–wait, no, that’s Colton Berry. He’s from my neck of the country, so it will be interesting to see what he does. He takes on Elvis, too, but chooses Suspicious. You immediately understand the thing about his theatricality, which, considering his theater background is kind of duh. But it makes him come across more “performancey” than authentically. Like he’s playing at being a pop singer instead of just being one. He does have charisma though, and a great voice, not to mention he is very comfortable up there. It would be interesting to see where he goes…I’d keep him in.

17 yr old Garrett Haley. Okay, seriously, who is this kid? Leif Garrett 2K8? (I know, half of you are like, who’s Leif Garrett? Me? Old. As. Dirt.) But have we ever even seen this guy? Hopefully he’ll bring it, because so far tonight, very serviceable, very good technical singers, but nothing has really grabbed me. (I’m still waiting on Dread Lock Guy. Another of the Invisible Ones. And don’t forget Aussie Man.) Oh my god. Ryan totally just called the Leif Garrett thing. I feel so much….younger now. And Frampton! Yeah, definitely that, too. So…here we go. A very sweetly sung ballad. Actually, very nice if you like that kind of thing. I imagine teenyboppers everywhere are swooning. Me? Not so much. Next? But, he’s listening to the criticism and taking it to heart. Danny.

So, FINALLY, we get to hear the Dreadlock Guy, Jason Castro, who has been beyond invisible. He’s the first one to take advantage of the play-along-instrument clause this year. Boy, I hope that pans out for you. We’d like to know you for more than five seconds. Okay, I totally like him straight off, and I think it’s a corny song and I don’t even care. Love his eyes, great smile, the dreads are interesting. He’s shy and adorable and he can sing. Shoot me. The audience was into it, too. So there! Charisma squared. The ending lost me a little, and yet? My favorite so far this night! I don’t even know exactly why. And don’t care! Then Simon goes and totally agrees with me? And, this is exactly what I was just saying. Ha. Way to becoming instantly visible, man!

Pass the damn ice cream already! We still have Aussie Man to go!

He closes the show (big shock!) and? Just as great as we expected. Better maybe. That? Is a star. 29, Michael John, Aussie, Gorgeous, Tall. Comes straight out and tackles Jim Morrison (because, duh.) Loved it. Loved the scarf. Finally a MANLY voice. Sigh. Dayum. I’m a happy girl. That said, I hope he comes in 4th and goes the non-Idol, Daughtry route. Just sayin.

So, after Semi Final Round 1 - the ones to beat, David, Jason, and Michael.

Which two should go home after tonight? Jason Yaeger, Luke Menard, and….well, I’d love to see Danny go, but that’s just the mean mom in me.

Girls tomorrow night. Will be interesting to see the contrast.

Aaand, dish! Who was your fave, who was not so much? Who can lick ice cream off your spoon anytime? Just asking…..

Tags: Writing by Donna
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The highlight of the finale? Jerry, Kenny & Lisa’s Dance Center: Reveal! Ha. Loved it. Love Kenny’s over the top glam dancer makeup. He just cracks me up.

So…sure sure, Team Carrie Ann won, yadda yadda, whatevercakes. I liked their single, Come With It, better anyway, so I’m good with the outcome, even though I have no idea how they’re really going to play as a singing group. Like…do they even have a name? (It’s not…Team Carrie Ann, is it?) Wait, what do you mean Team Bruno won? What’s up with that? See, this is why I didn’t get invested in this show. More important?

Who is on this season of Dancing With the Stars!

Wow, what a line up! But first…no Maks this season? Wait, I think I need an ice cream break while I deal with this devastating news….

Okay…fully loaded with Edy’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, I think I can continue without a breakdown. But Maks? Call me. I need…private tutoring. Yeah, that’s it, priiiiiivate tutoring.

So, ahem, where was I?

Oh yeah - what a surprising list. I’m a little bit excited by this line up!

We have: Marlee Matlin, Penn Gillette (of Penn & Teller), Marissa Jaret Winkour (Tony award winner for Hairspray - so…Broadway vet? Um, hard to do without being a trained dancer at some point. This season’s ringer, anyone?), comedian Adam “The Man Show” Carolla, Olympic figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi (wow, that will be fun!) Christian de la Fuente, apparently a Latino heartthrob and I’m thinking my pulse might have kicked up a little (sorry, Maks! I’m fickle!) so…I’m willing to give the guy a chance (yes, I’m also shallow. Pass the ice cream, will ya?) Next? Monica Seles! I know! Get out. I’m such a tennis freak. I love this. Mario (R&B singer, #1 bestseller…another ringer?), actor Steve Gutenberg. So, not exactly the Jerry Springer/George Hamilton set (I mean, he’s only two years older than me, but…) He just seems like Old Guy to me. Not sure why. Next is NFL star Jason Taylor, and actress Shannon Elizabeth (also Maxim’s Hottest Woman. Whatever. Hi Christian!) And finally, Priscilla Presley. Yes, she’s a legendary icon, the forme Mrs Elvis and mother-to-Lisa Marie. But I think she’s gotten a little…off as the years have passed, witnessed by the exceedingly high number of face altering plastic surgeries she’s had. Even Wayne Newton said no more at some point. So, I think she might be our freak show factor this year. Sorry! I know she’s a legend. I hope I’m wrong! Now, Lisa Marie? THAT would have been interesting!

So….whaddya think, Blog Babes? Dish already!

Tonight the guys sing on American Idol, but right this very second, you can enter this week’s SHaQ Attack contest. I was tough on you last week, so this week, since it’s a short one anyway, I’m going easy on you. Just send an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with “Pick ME!” in the subject line. I’ll draw a name from the entries and announce the winner Friday. You have until Thursday midnight EST to enter. Winner gets a free book from my wesbite bookshelf.

Aaaaaand, GO!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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It’s a MAC’n Bonanza today. I’ve got dish on everything from Big Brother (shudder) to American Idol (who are half of those kids anyway?) to Survivor (a Tribal Council blindside? Already?)

But first, I know you all want to know the outcome of this week’s true Scavenger Hunt Question contest. I asked you to name three critters of differing species from my books, their name, and the title of the book they were featured in. Winners get an advance copy (when they hit my doorstep) of my August release, The Black Sheep & The Hidden Beauty. And, if you answered the bonus question and named the upside-down swimming fish, you got a bonus book!

We have three winners this week, and you all named a bunch of different critters, so that was cool! Blog Babes rock, but we already knew that. First winner is Pat L, who had to work off two different computers in two different states to pull this off! WTG, Pat! She named Cleopatra the alligator from Wild Rain, Balgaire, the dog from The Legend MacKinnon, and she rightfully named the upside down swimming fish as Fred, from The Legend of the Sorcerer. So she wins her advance copy AND a bonus book of choice from my website. Woo hoo, Pat!

Next up is our very own Angie-la, who named Ringer, the shape shifting cat from Royal Hunter, Bagel, the beagle/bassett hound from Black Sheep & The Princess, and she also got Fred, from The Legend of the Sorcerer, for the bonus book!

And, last but never least, Pam P also won, with her entry of Digger, the dog from Men of Courage, Mango the cockatoo from His Private Pleasure, and Ringer, the shape-shifting cat from Royal Hunter. She also correctly named Fred the goldfish, and she also wins a bonus book!

Way to go, ladies!!!

Next week, I’ll give you all a break, I promise!

So, now on to the MAC Daddy of MAC.

First up, American Idol - they paired down from 50 to their final Hollywood Week 24, whom we now get to vote for. And since they were kind enough to leave Hot Aussie Guy in the competition, I might actually vote this season. At least once. They also let Josiah go, which I know was kind of like kicking a puppy, but he really needs to get his life in a bit of order before being thrown to the recording industry and celebrity sharks. Hopefully, he’ll find his path. I liked a lot of the folks they put through, but once again was disappointed there were so many in the final 24 we’ve never once seen grace our screen. It gives the ones who have an unfair advantage, I think, since we feel more invested in them already. But we’ll see! I want to hear Dreadlock Boy sing, for one. I’m curious about him!

Next in line was Big Brother and man, oh, man, just…wow. It should be called Season of Tools, except that pretty much describes any season. The secret couple already told their partners they’re a couple, and while it will help the Parker Pairing, Ryan’s partner is SO going to blow that secret wide open. Yeah. But more importantly, we had Jason, who (Sharon? Thank your lucky stars you are far, far away from this loser now! Wow.) He decides, in his brilliance, to just stir stuff up because he can. For absolutely no strategic reason. At all. Just…wow. Worst player of all time, Which is saying something, even in this specific crowd. So, instead of sending home Adam and Sheila, and thereby saving me from spitting repeatedly at the screen everytime Adam wanders into camera range, they had to send home The Idiot. A real shame his partner had to go, too, but at least she’s not partnered with him for real anymore. But, more gross? Adam. I think Sheila could stand to man up a little, and it appears she at least tried during the HOH competition (which was won by Amanda, who REALLY, hon? We know you have a muscular ass. Now stop smashing it in my face and cover it up for gods sake.) So, where was I? Right. Sheila is trying, but still majorly on my nerves, but she gets a complete and total pass when compared to her partner, Adam. Aka, the most disgusting human being ever. Not only is he manic and gross, this is a guy who works with autistic kids for a living - it’s his JOB, y’all - and he couldn’t understand for the life of him why people were offended when he called his challenged charges retards. Yeah. He said it. And casually, in the way that you know he uses that term to describe them all the time and thinks absolutely nothing of it. Just…there are no words to describe the disgust. Please let him be gone next week, or I will jump ship. None of the players really does anything for me anyway.

Aaaand, then there was Project Runway, where the final five get paired down to the final three who all get to show their own collections at Bryant Park during fashion week. They have to design a final piece inspired by art they see at the Met. In the end, clearly Sweet Pea is out of her element and her league. I did love Christian’s design and thought he deserved his final slot. Jillian also came through in much deserved fashion. Which left Rami and Chris, and I didn’t think either of them deserved to go home on their final pieces…and neither did the judges. So they are going to keep the final four and let Rami and Chris both design a line for Fashion Week, however, both will show their three strongest pieces to the judges prior to the runway walk, and only one will actually get to show. (of course, as we all know, they have all five of the remaining contestants show a line at Fashion Week, since it was a week ago and they couldn’t tip their hand as to who was in the finals….but it only counts for three of them. I guess.) I think it will come down to Christian and Jillian, but, in my heart, I’d love to see a Chris win. I heart him in a big way, which is the only way to heart Chris.

On to Survivor! So, Jonny Fairplay is history, which - I think I speak for us all when I say YAY! The Fave Team seems to have their act majorly together, and since every player picked for that team lasted at least 30 out of the 39 days in their respective seasons, they should have their act together. We still have Squicky Couple Island Action, but it’s early enough in the game, maybe they don’t stink really badly. Yet. Still? Ew. Which Cirie reflects upon and which is why I still heart her, too. Can’t wait to see how she works this game. The Faves pull off the win this time, so it’s the Fans who have to go to Tribal. I have no clue who these people are, no names are sticking with me at all, and I don’t really care. Can we go back to the Fave camp now? No? Sigh. So, we have two alpha males who want to be in charge. But only one of them thinks he actually is, and he orchestrates what he thinks is a foolproof plan to auf one of the Oldsters (yes, we have old vs young - how original. Although they actually built separate shelters, so that’s new. Only no one seems to get on the younger tribe, that it was the oldsters who got the shelters done…. Yeah. Sharp tacks, all.) So Alpha Dog 2 decides he needs to weaken Alpha Dog 1, and the best way to do that is to vote off his honey–er, “alliance” and send her packing. Which would be a total blindside given there are at least three hundred more deserving candidates for the boot before her. But Alpha 2 pulls off the upset victory…except, of course for tha part where he forgets that being Alpha Anything in this game just paints a big ol target on your back and maybe he should have just shut up and stayed in the background. Tool Two. Time will tell on that one. But I’ll be interested to hear the campfire chatter once they get back to the beach. Next week? Wrestling!

In other reality news….we get a new season of So You Think You Can Dance on May 22! And I just saw a blurb where Big Bro lost a houseguest and had to get a replacement…. Hmmm…..wonder who? Wonder why? And can you really just replace someones Twu Soulmate, snap, just like that? Hunh. Who knew?

And, with that, I am MAC’d OUT. We have a lovely three day weekend, during which both of my sisters have birthdays, and my youngest, my baby, turns eighteen. Yes, I am officially old as dirt. Which I will prove again next month when I have a birthday. But, better to have them, my mother always says, as the alternative? Not so much fun.

Enjoy the holiday, enjoy the sales, and I’ll see you Tuesday!

Aaaaaaaaand, DISH!!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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So, I just got done writing a huge, MAC-laden Val Day message and……poof, into the internet ether it went. I will do my best to recreate and repost later. Sorry, gang!

However, I will repost the one important part of the note - seeing as it’s Valentine’s Day, I decided to give a Valentine to my Blog Babes and giveaway not one, not two, but THREE advance copies tomorrow in the SHaQ Attack contest. You have until midnight tonight, EST, to get your answers in. Details in Monday’s post. Good luck!

And Happy Hearts and Flowers Day

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