Keepin' it real dawg: AI Weekly Wrap Up

Top 5 this Week.

Holy cow, it's Neil Diamond. I luuurve Neil Diamond. We all love Neil Diamond in the BagMomma house. In fact, when we found out that David A. was going to sing "Sweet Caroline" we made for great backup singers and my David even got out his guitar to accompany the music.

But you know what was even better than Neil Diamond night?

Paula totally zoning out and forgetting the show was only half over. Oh yes, that provided the best laughs of the night. Did you miss it? Watch here:


Oh yeah, we have a show to talk about....

Jason Castro: I really did not like Jason at all this week. It was just uncomfortable to watch. He's really starting to bore me. I hate to say it, but he's on his way out. He's just not connecting with the audience anymore.

David Cook: This guy is just good, good, GOOD. The first song was classic David C., and the second song was even better. He's just truly wonderful to watch every week. Love it. I also loved his jacket. Very cool, and custom (I hope he gets to keep it).

Brooke White: Brooke starts singing her first song, and all I'm thinking is SHREK. And then I am thinking that she's really gone bonkers thinking she could sing that song without looking like a total dork. Nope, I hated it. She redeemed herself with the second song, behind the piano. It was like watching a bipolar performance. Too much for me.

David Archuleta: As I noted above, we love "Sweet Caroline", but I'm pretty sure we loved hearing ourselves sing it more than David A. The second song just seemed.... I don't know... like "Leave it to Beaver" style. You know, like Brooke when she's tripping. I REALLY hate to say this, because it's so unpopular to say... but I am just not into David A.'s singing anymore. It's like hearing the same thing over and over. I'm sorry. You can chastise me in the comments.

Syesha Mercado: I loved her first song, not stellar, but she did a great job. I much preferred the second performance, but again, like in the case of Jason... I don't feel her connecting with the audience. She's good, but not that good.

I feel like it's a foregone conclusion that the finale will be David vs. David.. and we are just biding our time until we get there.

Who SHOULD be voted off this week:
Paula
oops, I mean Jason.

Who WILL be voted off this week:
Brooke

Best Performance of the night:
David Cook's second performance.

Only a fool tests the depth of the water with both feet

My blog was ready to self destruct this morning. I think I got a little too confident that I could rule HTML, and who am I kidding? I may be in the technology business, but I have no right to be arms length from my blog template. After cursing at my computer to hell and back, I think I fixed my wrongdoings.

So, sorry if you arrived at BagMomma.net to find, well, nothing for a short-time. I apologize for being a complete loser. By the way, if you know someone who designs blog templates, let me know. I am feeling like I need a blog makeover.

That being said, there will be no American Idol review today. I know, I know... Mariah Carey makes for such good blog fodder, but I am neck deep in my work today with a deadline.

What I will say is I was blown over by David Cook. Not even considering the sympathy vote (although I did tear up when they showed his brother in the audience). And, I've decided that should I ever consider hair extensions, I want Brooke's hair. That blonde, tousled look is something I could never get my hair to do in a million years.

And how BIG was her hair?

"Jacked up to Jesus!" ...one of my favorite lines about big hair, from the former big hair queen herself, Reba McEntire.

Amen.

Keepin' it real dawg: AI Weekly Wrap Up

Top 8 this Week.

Inspirational week. I was waiting to be inspired. For the most part I was, except for a few (one) performance that was decidedly uninspiring. Read on...

Michael Johns: I liked last week better, but I still think this was good. Randy, you were harsh, dude. I do agree that he hasn't found his place/style. If I wished anything for him it would be to go back to the bluesy thing. Digging the ascot though.

Syesha Mercado: Oh Syesha... you just had to go do that, didn't you? As if we all haven't warned you enough about singing BIG songs, now you tromped on another BIG song, and you just MAKE everyone want to compare you to the original. If I had advice for Syesha, it would be to go your OWN thing. Stop it already... we know you have a voice. ahrghh.

Jason Castro: Me likes it. The ukulele was way cool man. And I love this version of the song. A+ for song choice.

Kristy Lee Cook: You have to hand it to Kristy, she knows when to pull it out. When I first heard she was doing Martina McBride I was a wee bit nervous. After all, Martina is the Whitney of country ya'll. But you know what? Kristy did a great job. I was happy for her.

David Cook: Was I the only one that didn't immediately know this song? But then I did. And then I was sad because I wasn't excited about his performance. It was o-k, but not fabulous. But let's face it, he's not going anywhere this week.

Carly Smithson: She seemed so MAD singing this song. Wait, wasn't this supposed to be inspirational? I was left with the distinct feeling that Carly is definitely on the chopping block this week. And color me not inspired in the least.

David Archuleta: Let me say that when I see David sing, my heart is all a pitter patter. He's just so darn cute. Maybe it's the "David" thing, but I just feel like being his Mommy and giving him a hug. What a talent.

Brooke White: Safe song. Love the song, but I wonder is Brooke really so sunshiney all the time? I mean ALL the time? To be honest, I don't see her winning this competition, but I like her because of her realness (or perceived realness). I bet in real life she probably is a very good friend.

Who SHOULD be voted off this week:
Syesha or Carly

Who WILL be voted off this week:
Maybe no one, it is America Gives Back Week.. so they might save all and chop two next week....

Best Performance of the night:
well, duh, David A. of course.

Keepin' it real dawg: AI Weekly Wrap Up

Top 9 this Week.

I do love Dolly Parton. Such a sweet lady. Of course I know this to be true via my Mom who met Dolly about a year ago before a show in Atlantic City. Dolly spent a long time chatting with my Mom and my Aunt, and had to be pulled away (hello Dolly? you have a show to do) by her "people", otherwise my Mom was sure she would have gone on for another hour of chit chat. I love celebs who aren't full of themselves.

Oh yeah, the show. I had high expectations. But I came to the conclusion that Dolly is indeed so brilliant, that her not singing a song can lead to disastrous results.

David (my David) couldn't join me to provide comment. He was tired, and nodded off early.

Brooke White: I think she did a good job. I love the song "Jolene" and I expected her to do more with it. I would have rather that she slowed the song down more and really did something out of the box. A'right for me dawg.

David Cook: I love this guy. And I loved the version of the song. I think I am overusing the word "love", but how could you not when talking about David Cook?

Ramiele Malubay: She's little, she's cute, she's sassy... but I am so underwhelmed by her lately. And, please, does her stylist insist on torturing her with those freaking jumper dresses? Is this a fad I am not aware of? The performance was mediocre, sorry dude.

Jason Castro: Another performance I could have lived without. What is wrong with this week? I know the judges thought it was ok, but I hated it. I was waiting for Dolly to walk out and start singing the song the way it should be sung. Oh, Jason, you just are starting to bore me.

Carly Smithson: I thought she did a great job. Her voice is just great, compared to some of the other girls. I hated that Simon was so blunt dissing her choice of outfits.... but he's right. She needs a wardrobe makeover, STAT!

David Archuleta: Like the voice of an angel this kid. He does make it look effortless, doesn't he? That's all that needs to be said.

Kristy Lee Cook: Kristy, you know what? I think you didn't suck this week. Even though I missed talking about your "star spangled" performance last week (which I thought was over hyped by the way), but I think you did a very decent job this week. For redeeming yourself, I promise not to wish for you to be voted out this week.

Syesha Mercado: Sighhhhhhhh. I just KNEW she was going to pick this song. Please people, haven't you learned ANYTHING over the last 7 seasons of Idol. Do NOT sing Whitney or Celine. This performance was.... predictable, as Simon might say. I didn't dislike it.. in fact this is one of the best songs written by Dolly... but I didn't feel uplifted by the performance.

Michael Johns: I hate that they had to rush the judges... poor Michael gets to sing at 8:58PM and they nearly ran the show credits over his face. Because dude rocked tonight. This was the perfect song for him. PERFECT. Thank goodness.


Who SHOULD be voted off this week:
Ramiele

Who WILL be voted off this week:
Ramiele, but I worry for Carly.

Best Performance of the night:
Michael

Keepin' it real dawg: AI Weekly Wrap Up

Top 11 this Week. Ok, remember when I said last week that I was not impressed? Color me blue (again). I just didn't like most of the performances. Was it me? The second week of Beatles songs? Why are they shoving the Beatles down our throats this season anyway?

On to the fun....

Amanda Overmyer: As I noted last week, I just am getting bored with her (now I am sounding like Simon). I am also a bit peeved how big the heads are on these contestants this year. Whoa, nelly.... you are not famous YET. I can't really say more than that. But having spoke my peace, you and I both know she will still be around next week.
David says: "Bad!" "No, I like it!" ok Sybill......

Kristy Lee Cook: I cringed through most of this song. Just was all over the place. Even Paula didn't like it, and you know what that means.
David says: "I'm not sure, she has long hair." I don't know if he meant he didn't like her performance, or if he thought she had a hairpiece. lol.

David Archuleta: He's got the voice of an angel, this kid. I'm worried he might not be old enough to handle what will come to him from this show. I know, I sound like a worried mother. Great performance.
David says: "I like all the David's". Well, he is down to just TWO brothers now.

Michael Johns: So frustrating! Like when you get your nails done and you mess up a fingernail fiddling for your car keys in your purse. I just want him to have a good week. This was not one of them.
David says: "Good! Is he the other David?" No honey.

Brooke White: I was on board until she got up from the steps and twirled into that "woooooo!". I actually didn't think she was as bad as the judges made it seem. And who are we kidding? She's not going anywhere this week. She can redeem herself next week.
David says: "Where's the peeeeano?" He's got a good memory.

David Cook: Rock it out dawg! I love this guy, and I think Simon was way off base with his assessment of "predictable". Ok, the voice box thing was a little Bon Jovi'ish, but who cares? He's entertaining. Did you notice the looks Simon was giving him after his performance? What's up with that?
David says: David was in bed for this one. I'm sure he'd have a lot more to say, but it will have to wait until next week OR when the show is reduced from two hours to one hour.

Carly Smithson: Ok, I was scared at first. I saw that red shirt with the roses and it made me think of a bad prom gown. But as she sang, I forgot about that hideous shirt. I like it. Simon didn't. Big surprise. Self-indulgent Simon? What is wrong with you tonight?

Jason Castro: Well, I'll give him my vote for singing the song that spawned my first name. My parents loved that song, so they named me after it. I imagined Jason was singing the song directly to me... because there are so few Michelle's in the world. (that was sarcasm... how do you think I got the nickname... Shelli? Let's just say when I started elementary school there were SEVEN Michelle's in my class... I digress.. but it's an important point. )
Oh, his performance? Lackluster. Sorry dude.

Syesha Mercado: "Yesterday" is one of my favorite songs of all time. I was ready to put Syesha onto the chopping block this week, but she knocked this one out of the park. Good job. You just bought another week.

Chikezie: Cikezie, my man. You had me so excited last week. I just wasn't feeling it this week. The transition to the fast part with the harmonica? You should have kept the song slow. I didn't like the hoe down thing.

Ramiele Malubay: More harmonicas. Thankfully from the band. I thought this was a sorta odd song choice for her. And I felt like her performance was forced... like pretending you can't wait to get a root canal.


Ok, and the drumroll please...

Who SHOULD be voted off this week:
Kristy Lee

Who WILL be voted off this week:
Kristy Lee

Best Performance:
I can't decide... it's between Syesha, David C., and David A.

Where art thou?

I'm here, I really am. Just taking a siesta.

I am grumpy, I have a UTI (again) and my doctor is closed (how dare they! I need antibiotics!), and some extended family sadness drama going on. More on all that later.

I will be watching American Idol tonight, so tune in tomorrow to hear more comments from the (almost) 5 year old thespian who is my son, David.

Until then, got any Mac.robid for my bladder infection? Sorry... oversharing.

Keepin' it real dawg: AI Weekly Wrap Up

Top 12 this Week. Was it me, or was last night a little bit of a letdown? I saw a lot of nerves and the people I expected Great Things from.... were..... mediocre? Let's press on to the meat of the matter.

Be prepared for David's comments... they are insightful and well, childish.

Syesha Mercado: Hmmmmmm.... all I was thinking during this performance was how much it was just ok. "Just ok for me dawg..." as Randy would say. The song makes me happy... but I just wanted more.
David says: Nothing. He was still in the bath.. but hang on, because he has something to say about Chikezie...

Chikezie: I love this guy. I love his personality. Does he not just seem like the nicest person you would want to meet? Great song. Great Energy. One of my faves for the night. And I was so close to writing him off last week... but I know he's not going anywhere this week.
David says: "Dawg!" He liked it.

Ramiele Malubay: I so want to like this girl. She's pretty and has shown such a great voice. But she's uncomfortable (still) on the stage. I fear that if she doesn't open up and "bring it" (as Randy would say) she's not going to last very long.
David says: "That song was old. Boring!" But I should also say that he was swaying his arms over his head with the audience.

Jason Castro: Paula said, "I feel your heart" talking to Jason. But dude, I wasn't feeling it. I found his delivery weird and awkward. I wanted something else from him. But it's not hair tips.
David says: "I don't like him, he has girl hair". Sorry Jason...

Carly Smithson: I have to admit, I don't know what all the hub-bub was about this girl. But tonight I started to see the light. She has a very powerful voice, and that was one great song choice for her. I am beginning to want her to succeed.
David says: "Good!" Short and to the point, my boy is.

David Cook: Every time I hear his name I think "Daniel Cook" from the Disney channel. If you don't have a child under the age of seven, forget about it. His performance: awesome. And the odd thing is I did not like him early on, but his rockin' edge makes me tingle. And is name is David, so what's not to love???
David says: "I like him!" and also notes he has "his" name, which makes him his brother?? Huh? Apparently I've been traveling the wrong way down the infertility path. I just need to adopt another David according to David.

Brooke White: I liked this girl from the start. She just exudes heartfelt excitement. And she's very musical. First the guitar, and now the piano? Why can't I be so talented? Why can't I have her hair?
David says: "Wow Mommy, she plays peeeano!" It's easy to impress a four year old, what can I say?

David Hernandez: Yes, his name is also David. But I have to say, sadly, I find him.. I don't know.... cheesy. The song was presented hokey. Dude, I don't care if you actually did "cabaret" in your past. You have a great voice. You just ruin it with your song choices and dancing. Sorry.
David says: "I'm going to bed Mommy." Yeah, ok that's pretty clear.

Amanda Overmyer: Ok, let me be frank here. I don't understand what her lure is. I find her to be a one-trick pony. However, I will say that thank goodness she made to the portion of the competition where they get stylists. Her hair looked better, and she looks SO MUCH better without all that caked on makeup.
David unavailable for comment. But I will share his comment from last week which was "Mommy, why does she look like a skunk?"

Michael Johns: He's Australian. He's got a great accent. He's got a great voice. And, the song he sang... "Across the Universe" is one of my favorites. I wanted him to have a great week, and he alllllmost made it. I am pulling for him.

Kristy Lee Cook: Ugh. She was either going to knock it out of the park or give the public the reason to vote her off pronto. Unfortunately it was the latter. She butchered a great song. I'd love to give her props for doing the country thang, but she ain't Carrie Underwood by a longshot.
Sorry hon. You do seem sweet though.

David Archuleta: My favorite in past weeks, but oh how I cringed when he forgot the words. The poor kid looked out of place and out of time. I hated having to watch his decent into the abyss. David. I know you can pull it out next week... and no one in their right mind will vote you off for one bad performance. Just don't do that again. Also, for the record, I think you are sooooo cute I just want to pinch your cheeks.
My David was asleep by this time, but if he was awake, he would have happily noted that this was his third brother and for that reason he should stay. ;-)


Ok, and the drumroll please...

Who SHOULD be voted off this week:
David Hernandez

Who WILL be voted off this week:
Sorry, Kristy Lee. The tribe will have spoken.

Best Performance:
Tie between Chikezie and Carly.

Ready dawgs?

This blog needs some lightening up. So whether you like it or not, I'm dragging you back into the"kitsch" that is BagMomma.

Specifically, tomorrow starts my first in a series of American Idol Blogging. If you were a reader last year, you'll remember my dedication to the cheese, the irreverent humor, and the soul-wrenching performances.

This year I promise more of the same, with a twist... My son will provide commentary as well. Because sometimes I get a little too critical, and there's no better barometer of truth than an *almost* five year-old's opinion.

Join me tomorrow for my first installment.

Will there be another Sanjaya? Hell yeah, and I have a sneaking suspicion it's a female this year.

Will Shelli (that's me) revert back to using the lingo of a 21 year-old to describe performances? But of course, dawg...

I promise to be truthful, but not hurtful. Because the blogging world is small, and last year I found out that the contestants actually Google themselves and sometimes land here.

Do you think it will scare them to see infertility blogging and AI blogging on the same page??? hehe.

Stay tuned, this will be fierce!!! (Oh wait, that's Project Runway... sorry...)

Random Thoughts

U/S and blood draw was this morning, and I'm down to just two lead follies (one on each side..... a little less exciting than last cycle) 16x15 and 15x15. Another check on Friday, and possible IUI Saturday or Monday.

Did you watch American Idol last night? It was my hometown (Philly) night, and I am now convinced that I live in the land of crazies and crack whores. Most of the people that got through to the next round weren't even from Philadelphia. Am I going to do another season of weekly AI posts here when the finals start? Hmmmmmm... I don't know, I'll have to see if the mood strikes me.

Work.... has been heinous. I am working myself into the ground, all while surfing job postings. I've decided I need a change.

I started walking two weeks ago as a means to get healthier and lose weight while I am in infertility hell. Yesterday, I almost had a heart attack when a neighbors dog (tied to a tree... don't get me started) lunged at me as I walked by and almost cracked its neck. That's the second time in two weeks that I had a dog incident. Now I know why people use treadmills. It's not always safe on the mean streets of the Jersey suburbs.

It's 3 weeks to my 40th birthday (Feb. 2nd). Sigh.

Freaks Invade the City of Brotherly Love

Does it feel like it's been a loooong time since we last talked about American Idol?

American Idol is in my hometown today. Yes people, the hometown of our very own Justin Guarini (didn't he break out with a stellar career? ooops, that was Kelly Clarkson.) As we speak, masses of young people are at the Wachovia Center in Philly. Three times the crowd they've seen in the other audition cities.

They have camped out for days, and now face a 10 hour wait (AFTER registration) to get 10 SECONDS in front of a preliminary judge (Paula, Randy, and Simon don't hit town until next week, when they whittle down to the 'best' contestants). 'Best' being described loosely...

What can you judge in ten seconds? Ten seconds is nothing... which I guess is why they end up seeing so many people dressed in costumes like chickens and drag queens. How else can you make an impression in ten seconds??

I am betting that the cheesteak joints in South Philly are doing a brisk business right now. Nothing like warming up the vocals with a cheesesteak wiz wit.

Sorry, out of towners... translation: cheesesteak with cheese wiz and fried onions.

Yummmy. I haven't had a cheesesteak in ages from Geno's or Pat's.

Must. Make. Trip. For. Carbs. and. Fat.

Good luck Idols, have fun in our fine city!