Looks like "Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino will be in the Shenandoah Valley on May 3. Fantasia will serve as the grand marshal of the upcoming Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival. I've posted the full news brief here.

Continue reading "Fantasia Barrino coming to Shenandoah" »

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• Posted by rt in Idol news ::
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Here's my latest "Idol" column. It's a musing on David Cook vs. David Archuleta.

See ya, Kristy Lee!

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• Posted by rt in Voted off ::
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You know, I joke a lot on this blog. Because to me, "American Idol" isn't real life. For most of us, it's a fun way to escape the reality of our own lives. I think most of you would agree.

But, today, my heart isn't really into "Idol." I spent the day at Virginia Tech, helping to gather and post news, during this first-year anniversary of the shootings, this day of remembrance. My heart is with the friends and families of the victims. And with the university. There was something bittersweet about being there.

Take a minute to check out all the vignettes, video and photographs from the day at Virginia Tech: One Year Later.

Thanks for reading.

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• Posted by rt in Random musings ::
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I'm nervous. Totally nervous right now. What's going to happen? Brooke can't go home. No ... she will at some point, yes, but not over Kristy Lee! NO!!! Can you tell I'm in freak-out mode?

OH, sweet!!! I'm so totally relieved. For me -- and, yes, Brooke will go eventually (and soon) -- but I'm just not ready for that yet.

Guess y'all are still stuck with me!

(p.s. To the dude who bought Kristy Lee's horse: Give it up. Or at least wait until she cuts a CD and you can probably get more $$ for it.)

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• Posted by rt in Voted off ::
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Just answer me that, please. Please?? I just don't get it.

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• Posted by rt in Participants ::
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I'm a little stumped at who is in the top three and who's not with this weird split-stage maneuver. I guess we'll know as soon as Golden Boy David Archuleta is sent to one side or the other. At this point, my guess is the bottom three are on the right side of the stage ... with Carly and Syesha.

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• Posted by rt in Voted off ::
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I'm having fun with my random collection of thoughts, so I think I might keep doing it.

What's with Paula's outfit right now?? That flower?
Jason Castro's slitty eyes ... um, can we say 4:20, anybody?
David Cook's elf shoes
OK people, Carly has a fan base if the audience cheers are any indication. Take that, haters! (OK, it's looking like she might be in the bottom 3, though, but whatever.)
Kristy Lee Cook calls Simon a "butt." Classic.
The Ford commercial to the tune of Queen's "Break Free" was actually pretty good. The message, anyway. Not necessarily the Ford.
Why is it that during Elliott Yamin's performance that only the four contestants who were called onstage previously were allowed to watch him live? The others had to stand in the back.
I admit: I fast-forwarded during Mariah Carey's performance. Nice blogger, yes?
Mariah Carey's Fran Drescher-ish laugh during her interlude with Ryan.
The fact they cut out the show before KLC got to even finish her goodbye song.

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• Posted by rt in Random musings ::
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David Archuleta's bad leather pants. The pink "Hello Kitty" band-aid on Mariah Carey's hand. (Not sure if it was "Hello Kitty," technically, but it looked like it.) Is that a trend? Simon's weird comment about Brooke being a burger with no meat. Paula actually making sense for once. Just David Cook's hair in general. The way the audience cheers when Brooke White puts her shoe back on after playing the piano. Randy likening Jason Castro's performance to a "weird beach luau." Kristy Lee Cook's fake girlie hug with Mariah.

Randy Jackson to Syesha: "That's one of the toughest songs to sing, as well." How is that? Only one can be the toughest, Randy. Simon's awful sweater that looked like it came from Wal-Mart. David Archuleta sounding like Kermit the Frog when he was talking to the judges. Carly letting it fly to Ryan that she thinks her fellow competitors are boring (in not so many words, of course). Random flashes of Minnie Driver in the audience (maybe with Teri Hatcher?)

That is all. Add your own if you have any.

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• Posted by rt in Random musings ::
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If you've been reading any of the comments posted to this blog, you likely ran across one from Nona saying she's noticed a pattern lately: The contestant who performs first is usually the one who goes home. I don't think this will be true in the case of David "Golden Boy" Archuleta, who kicked off the night with Mariah Carey's "When You Believe." Of course the judges just luuuuuuved it. I thought it was yet another snoozer by David No. 1. (And, seriously, what was with those leather pants??)

Carly Smithson, who looked stunning in that dress, did a decent job of "Can't Live," although her confidence waned part of the way through it. (Did y'all notice a lot of shaky confidence this evening?) Carly certainly cleaned up for the audience, didn't she? She was (consciously) smiling throughout and doing her best to be as sweet as pie to Ryan and the judges. Although her comment about the week being boring without Michael Johns might not have pleased her fellow contestants. Still, Carly has the best vocals of the remaining female performers.

Continue reading "Bottom three: Carly, Brooke, Syesha?" »

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• Posted by rt in Performances ::
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Mariah Carey is the mentor on "American Idol" tonight. I've never really been a Mariah Carey fan. But it's OK, right? We all have our own opinions. I like Madonna. Many of you probably don't. So I can take it.

Therefore I will keep my comments to myself and admit that, yes, I know she recently surpassed Elvis in No. 1 hits. And she is talented. On the flip side (maybe just one comment), Elvis has been dead (or has he?) for a long time.

Continue reading "Mariah Carey the mentor" »

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