Tonight is night one of “Idol Gives Back,” featuring inspirational music.
Each vote tonight equals a charity donation. Laying on the guilt there, eh?
I get the feeling that tonight (and tomorrow) will be very self-congratulatory. Honestly, with the money they are raising, go for it.
- Holy crap–Bono is the mentor! F’n A!
- See-moan and Seacrest went to Africa. We get Coldplay-themed recap.
- First up tonight is on-the-hotseat Chris Richardson, taking on “Change the World,” the Eric Clapton classic. Those paying close attention would know Clapton was on Part One of the Summer Concert Series last night. Wasn’t Babyface involved in this song, too? Yes he was. Strongest performance from Chris in a while. But I didn’t find it all that believeable. Like, when Melinda sings, you believe that she actually wrote it. I don’t get that from Chris, though. Randy really liked it. Paula loved it. See-moan said it was a good show of his potential that they saw originally. Wow. All four of us liked it. That hasn’t happened in a while!
- Besides Africa, Idol toured America to give back money. Randy went to Louisiana. Cameras went to Kentucky, Arizona. Seacrest is from Atlanta? Paula and Seacrest went to a mobile health unit.
- Melinda…wow…chose a Faith Hill song. Did not see that coming. Honestly, Melinda is heads and shoulders above the rest. I’ve never heard this song before. But I was ready to break out a lighter and sing “We Are The World.” Like this:
Back to Melinda. Remember what I talked about during Chris’ performance about a singer connecting with their song? This did it. Big time. Randy: “You’re so dope.” Paula: “You’re magical.” See-moan: “You took a song, you absolutely made me believe you recorded it originally…it was a vocal masterclass.” Again, we’re all on the same page!
- Seacrest encourages ballot-box-stuffing.
- Even with all the giving back, we still have time for Beatbox Blake to hang in the Sponsored Cola Lounge and answer a fan question.
- And the Beatbox picks John Lennon’s “Imagine.” Ballsy choice, as usual. And he does a great job, as usual. The original:
What’s so great about Blake is that he picks cool songs and does them “cool-ly.” This was just a soft, controlled performance, as the song requires. Randy thought it was OK. Paula thought it was OK, but then really liked the emotional display from Blake. See-moan thought it was a little flat, but liked the sincerity. Again, he connected with the song.
- So far, great show. Everyone’s stepping it up!
- Seacrest is in Africa, goofing around with the hungry folks.
- LaKisha again chooses a former Idol contestant’s song, with Fantasia’s “I Believe.” Really, why is she doing that? There are millions of inspirational songs out there. Not sure how I’m feeling about this one. I think it wasn’t one of her strongest vocals. But it was also a return to her comfort zone. Randy liked it, but didn’t think it was her best…bringing up the Fantasia-effect. Paula called her a “powerhouse vocalist” but had trouble comparing her to Fantasia. See-moan thought she shouted a bit. This could be the end of the road for her.
- Phil answers questions in the Sponsored Cola Lounge.
- After the rave reviews of his country twist, he’s staying in the genre with “The Change” by Garth Brooks. Probably a good idea. Phil kind of sounds like Richard Marx tonight. Someone back me up?
I like Phil, but this didn’t do it for me. Good vocal, but it didn’t have enough “wow” factor outside of the high notes, which he hit well. Not bad, but kind of dull. Randy pointed out the country connection and he liked it. Paula loved it, called it his best. See-moan liked it, but wanted to hear more country tone…he thinks that could propel him through the competition. I agree.
- Wasn’t Bono the mentor this week? Did I hear that wrong? I’m confused.
- See-moan visits a food bank. They were giving away Matzah. I saw it with my own two eyes.
- Jordin closes the show with “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” a showtune from Carousel.
Best version of the song ever:
Yes. It’s a soccer song, too. I love soccer.
But I digress.
Another breathtaking performance from Jordin. Starpower, baby. Randy called it one of the best vocals ever on American Idol in the show’s history. Paula called her “glorious.” See-moan thought she was fantastic and that she could release that as a single and do well.
Most Valuable Performer: Wow…terrific performances all around. I’ll give Melinda the nod. Chris saved himself from elimination. Jordin has made it.
It’s starting to heat up outside (at least here in DC). Summer weather means summer concerts, of course. So, let’s roll out Part 1 of the Blog Summer Concert Series!
I ran the idea through Blog Friend Andrea:
Blog Friend Andrea: i have an acoustic band request though
Me: ok
BFA: sister hazel
Me: dude
Me: #1 on the list
Me: my favorite summer band
BFA: ummm so when are we having babies already
So…I’m gonna go do what I do. You enjoy the music!
- Sister Hazel – Leaving On A Jet Plane/All For You
- Gin Blossoms – Hey Jealousy
- Eric Clapton – Tears in Heaven
- Rick Astley – Never Gonna Give You Up
- Seether f/Amy Lee – Broken
- Barenaked Ladies – Careless Whisper (cover)
- Carole King – It’s Too Late
- Dave Matthews/Carlos Santana/Tim Reynolds – Love of My Life
Sorry for the lack of posts over the past week. Besides fighting the plague (or whatever is going around), there really hasn’t been much to joke or laugh about recently.
I haven’t addressed any of these situations (Imus/Rutgers/Sharpton, Duke Lacrosse Case, Virginia Tech) until now because I wanted to gain some more perspective as the flames of immediacy cooled.
I will never claim to be 100% up-to-date on current events. I read the newspaper, watch the news, click on cnn.com, but I’m not a “news-junkie.” What follows is my personal opinion.
These three sad instances have one common thread, as I see it: responsibility or the lack thereof.
- Imus vs. Rutgers (f/Sharpton) – Imus and his producers made stupid, irresponsible remarks. However, their show exists to shock people and create controversy. When you play with fire regularly, there’s a chance you’re going to get burned. That, however, does not excuse the tasteless comments.
What I found most offensive (as a white male), was not the quasi-racist or sexist view of the comment. Rather, it was the total lack of who these players were. Terrible.
On the flip side, I feel that the team has the responsibility to take the comments in stride.
A low-rated, aging radio personality said something anachronistic and stupid. Express your disappointment and move on.
One player said something along the lines of being scarred forever by this. I agree whole-heartedly with Jason Whitlock, a fairly-controversial African-American sports columnist, who basically said the Imus is irrelevant. None of the players had ever heard of Imus before!
I’m not saying let it slide. But put everything into perspective. Imus doesn’t matter. A shock jock was shocking. Obviously, though, he crossed the line.
- Duke Lacrosse Team – Man, if there ever is a bigger case of botched responsibility, I’d never want to see it.
Apparently, the team had several run-ins with campus rule enforcement and was a hair away from “double-secret probation.” So what did they do? Hire a stripper for their big party! Idiots.
The stripper falsely accused them of crimes she either 1) knew they didn’t commit or 2) was so under the influence to as not know. Again, botched responsibility to the truth in conversations with police.
The coach was fired before the case was resolved. Huge mistake. Unless, there were conversations about team behavior beforehand. I don’t know. I can’t say.
The season was suspended. Again, I don’t know enough about their prior run-ins against the rules. This may have been perfectly acceptable. Or another snap-decision in a series of them.
However, the biggest bastardization of responsibility came from the district attorney, Mike Nifong. He recklessly pursued charges against the players without a shred of evidence against them.
In all, the players showed a lack of responsibility by hiring the stripper.
But everyone around them dropped the ball even worse.
Ever wonder what Imus would have to say about the stripper?
- Virginia Tech – Cold-blooded. Horrendous. Chilling. This event will probably shatter the bubble of protection on college campuses around the nation.
I was a sophomore in college during 9/11. Nothing felt the same after that. It was a real-world slap in the face that left an enduring scar.
This massacre will probably have a similar effect on th e current generation of college students. And my heart goes out to them.
The big discussion over the past several days has been what motivated the murderer? What forms of media influenced him?
OK. This is where I go off.
No amount of video games, movies, DVDs, CDs, books, TV shows or magazines will convince a well-adjusted person to commit heinous crimes against fellow human beings.
The responsibility for this lies squarely on the shoulders of his family, who either ignored major warning signs or failed to provide the right environment for their son.
I am personally sick and tired of hearing video games and movies used to justify or explain violent crimes. Violent crimes happened well before any mass media was around. The problem is that nobody put everything into perspective for this poor soul who felt his only method of self-expression was to go on a genocidal, suicidal rampage.
—
All three of these cases, tied together by failed responsibility, present a sad state of affairs in our country right now. People opening fire, with words and semi-automatics. People lying, to themselves and to the public. People abusing their situation, be it a public forum or a public office.
Sometime last week or over the weekend, I caught a heinous stomach bug. Think of the most fun you’ve ever had in your life. Imagine the opposite of that, and that’s what the past day and a half have been for me.
I’m working from home today (productivity in sweatpants is always a plus). One of my (and I’m sure your) sick-day traditions is watching perhaps the greatest game show EVER: The Price is Right!
So, I’ve found some classic footage that can entertain you, even if you aren’t sick on your couch!
“Toxic” by Nickel Creek (Britney Spears cover!)
Responsibility.
April 21, 2007 · Leave a Comment
Sorry for the lack of posts over the past week. Besides fighting the plague (or whatever is going around), there really hasn’t been much to joke or laugh about recently.
I haven’t addressed any of these situations (Imus/Rutgers/Sharpton, Duke Lacrosse Case, Virginia Tech) until now because I wanted to gain some more perspective as the flames of immediacy cooled.
I will never claim to be 100% up-to-date on current events. I read the newspaper, watch the news, click on cnn.com, but I’m not a “news-junkie.” What follows is my personal opinion.
These three sad instances have one common thread, as I see it: responsibility or the lack thereof.
- Imus vs. Rutgers (f/Sharpton) – Imus and his producers made stupid, irresponsible remarks. However, their show exists to shock people and create controversy. When you play with fire regularly, there’s a chance you’re going to get burned. That, however, does not excuse the tasteless comments.
What I found most offensive (as a white male), was not the quasi-racist or sexist view of the comment. Rather, it was the total lack of who these players were. Terrible.
On the flip side, I feel that the team has the responsibility to take the comments in stride.
A low-rated, aging radio personality said something anachronistic and stupid. Express your disappointment and move on.
One player said something along the lines of being scarred forever by this. I agree whole-heartedly with Jason Whitlock, a fairly-controversial African-American sports columnist, who basically said the Imus is irrelevant. None of the players had ever heard of Imus before!
I’m not saying let it slide. But put everything into perspective. Imus doesn’t matter. A shock jock was shocking. Obviously, though, he crossed the line.
- Duke Lacrosse Team – Man, if there ever is a bigger case of botched responsibility, I’d never want to see it.
Apparently, the team had several run-ins with campus rule enforcement and was a hair away from “double-secret probation.” So what did they do? Hire a stripper for their big party! Idiots.
The stripper falsely accused them of crimes she either 1) knew they didn’t commit or 2) was so under the influence to as not know. Again, botched responsibility to the truth in conversations with police.
The coach was fired before the case was resolved. Huge mistake. Unless, there were conversations about team behavior beforehand. I don’t know. I can’t say.
The season was suspended. Again, I don’t know enough about their prior run-ins against the rules. This may have been perfectly acceptable. Or another snap-decision in a series of them.
However, the biggest bastardization of responsibility came from the district attorney, Mike Nifong. He recklessly pursued charges against the players without a shred of evidence against them.
In all, the players showed a lack of responsibility by hiring the stripper.
But everyone around them dropped the ball even worse.
Ever wonder what Imus would have to say about the stripper?
- Virginia Tech – Cold-blooded. Horrendous. Chilling. This event will probably shatter the bubble of protection on college campuses around the nation.
I was a sophomore in college during 9/11. Nothing felt the same after that. It was a real-world slap in the face that left an enduring scar.
This massacre will probably have a similar effect on th e current generation of college students. And my heart goes out to them.
The big discussion over the past several days has been what motivated the murderer? What forms of media influenced him?
OK. This is where I go off.
No amount of video games, movies, DVDs, CDs, books, TV shows or magazines will convince a well-adjusted person to commit heinous crimes against fellow human beings.
The responsibility for this lies squarely on the shoulders of his family, who either ignored major warning signs or failed to provide the right environment for their son.
I am personally sick and tired of hearing video games and movies used to justify or explain violent crimes. Violent crimes happened well before any mass media was around. The problem is that nobody put everything into perspective for this poor soul who felt his only method of self-expression was to go on a genocidal, suicidal rampage.
—
All three of these cases, tied together by failed responsibility, present a sad state of affairs in our country right now. People opening fire, with words and semi-automatics. People lying, to themselves and to the public. People abusing their situation, be it a public forum or a public office.
What can we do to stop it?
Categories: News · Rant · Sports · commentary · duke · imus · radio · rutgers · virginia tech