On The Set

AI: And The Winner Is ....

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Wed, 20 May 2009 18:51:00 +0000

OK……so we had the FINAL 2 perform last night, and tonight….we get our IDOL SEASON 8 WINNER chosen by America on a 2-Hour PLUS Idol Finale, so set those DVR’s for EXTRA time, at least 10 minutes!!! Both Adam and Kris sang 3 songs: One personal choice that they did during the season; One picked by the show’s creator, Simon Fuller, and finally, the so-called Winners Song ‘No Boundaries’ which was co-written by KARA DIOGUARDI.

Here’s my FINAL IDOL thoughts on what went down last night on Fox!

Kris Allen—Thought after Round 1 and his version of ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ that he was actually ahead of Adam song for song. He did a great job with the song! As Kara said, you feel the song when Kris sings it! The 2nd song, chosen by the Simon Fuller, ‘What’s Going On’ by Marvin Gaye, was NOT a good song choice at all for Kris and his performance was weak at best. There just wasn’t much energy to it and he under-performed it. The last song was NOT made for Kris at all, and again, it showed as he struggled to hit the high notes in it and stretch his voice to that level. One could argue that Kris was set up to fail, but the songs are the songs, and the ONLY one they have control over is their personal choice. I thought Kris was solid and competed hard! He was a MUCH better match-up for Adam than Dokey Gokey could ever be on his BEST day! OK….now you know I couldn’t write this without slamming ‘Ol Danny Boy, wouldn’t be right! ;-/

Adam Lambert –Though his personal choice and rendition of ’Mad World’ was very dark and rather haunting, but he did it with such emotion and brilliance, it was better than the first time he performed it during the season! Loved the outfit too, very ‘Twilight’ like and smart of him to wear it and reach out to that audience. Now….I’ll want some additional feedback here from BEST FRIEND PETE in Washington, PA on Sam Cooke’s R+B song, chosen by Simon Fuller, ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’, but I thought this performance, aside from when Adam did ‘Tracks of My Tears’ by Smokey Robinson, may have been his best all season!! This is the song that many will remember, another WOW moment from Adam!!! Incredible rendition!! His last effort on the winners song ‘No Boundaries’ wasn’t stellar, a bit pitchy in spots, but certainly much better than what Kris performed, as Adam was much better suited vocally for the song than Kris was, without a doubt.

NOTE: In RED are those who I originally had predicted for the TOP 12!

AND THE WINNER IS…….………..ADAM LAMBERT!!!!!

Bottom Line: Kris was very worthy competition, and he’s going to be quite relevant and successful in the music industry, but I (and many millions of other Idol viewers!!) will be absolutely SHOCKED tonight if ADAM isn’t announced as the WINNER!!!! Could Kris pull the upset? Anything is possible with it being in America’s hands, but Adam is clearly the better and more deserving contestant to take home the title! He’s just got SUPER STAR QUALITY written all over him!! It will be interesting to watch him evolve in the industry and see if he follows Randy’s advice and stay true as a Rocker! I certainly hope he does!

Fun Eddie Fact: OK…..I voted 10X for Adam last night! I want him to win!! :-0
So what does everyone else think of last night’s show? Who do you think should be the IDOL WINNER? Who’s your pick tonight?

OK….we’ll know the IDOL SEASON 8 WINNER after tonight..…until then…it’s Eddie ‘Little Simon’ Idol…OUT!!

PS--I’ll be back with some bonus ‘After The Finale’ Eddie Idol thoughts tomorrow!

Kim's Two Cents: IDK Eddie, if Adam doesn't win, I'm out like Secrest for next season!!! And I thought Kara's song was crap!! I have nothing against Kris. I like him, in fact, but none of this season's rivals could compare to Adam. He's is a class by himself. He alone, kept me watching .... and I usually don't even start watching until they are down to the final five or six.

And Now A Very Special Message From Ray

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Thu, 14 May 2009 00:17:00 +0000

Kim: OK, I couldn't resist posting this. It's a little feedback for our dear, unopinionated Eddie Idol.

Let's hear it for Rockin' Ray, Eddie's AI point-counterpoint cohort!!

Ed,

Admit it. You wrote this whole article on Sunday night, and just left blanks for the song titles. Gokey could jump off the stage perform life saving CPR on a nun, deliver two premature babies in the crowd, discover a cure for AIDS on the way back to the stage, then turn in a performance that would outshine any effort by Elvis, Freddie Mercury and the Beatles combined, and you would still say he sucked (and you’d comment on how lamely his technique was on the CPR).

Meanwhile, Kris Allen could walk on the stage with an Uzi, blow away the same nun and pregnant women, give AIDS to fifteen cheering teeny bobbers on his way back to the stage, flip off the crowd and walk away without singing a note, and you still said it would be better then Gokey.

Now, in my unbiased opinion, none of the six songs last night blew me away. There isn’t a song this year that Kris Allen has sung that made me take notice; not one. He’s not bad… just nothing of interest. Gokey has done a couple of numbers this year that were of interest, some really bad ones, but for the most part, I’m indifferent to him. I guarantee you that neither Allen or Gokey even make the final 3 last year with the two Davids and Syesha.

Adam’s the clear frontrunner, though nothing he did last night was outstanding. He his the owner of the only ‘wow’ moments this year, with 3 or 4 of them, and he’s darn well entertaining each week, and he had better win… but last night was just okay for me from him.

Thanks for sharing Ray -- way to keep our Eddie in line!! Now, let us know what you're thinking .... Adam (squeeeeee!!), Kris or Danny??

As for me, I'm just hoping for a repeat of that delicious white suit Adam sported two weeks ago!!

AI Semi-Finals

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Wed, 13 May 2009 23:53:00 +0000

OK……so we had the TOP 3 perform last night, and tonight….we get our FINAL 2 chosen by America to see who will compete next week for the Season 8 Idol title! All contestants sang 2 songs, one picked by the judges and one personal choice. Here’s the skinny on what went down last night on Fox!

Danny Gokey –OK…..the first song, a choice by Paula called ‘Dance Little Sister’, was performed OK, not great….although not the song choice I would have done for him. As Simon and Kara said, the dancing was a bit awkward. His personal choice, Joe Cocker’s ‘You are So Beautiful’, was just awful in my opinion, from the first note right thru to the ending!!! So, I totally disagree with the judges! Just what am I missing with this kid?? I don’t know, but I know one thing, Kris and Adam are way ahead of him in talent, and I don’t feel there’s any way he should be in the FINAL! HE MUST GO HOME TONIGHT!!!

Kris Allen—Thought Randy and Kara’s choice for him with ‘Apologize’ was a good one, but he certainly didn’t need ripped by Biatch Kara after he sang it, and I really thought he did it quite well! His personal choice, ‘Heartless’ was absolutely what Idol should be all about: Originality, Creativity and pure, raw talent! This kid is relevant and could cut an album tomorrow and be very successful! He blew away Gokey with this song, and I believe it put him in THE FINAL! He’ll be BOTTOM 2 and America may screw it all up and send him home tonight….but I’m saying he’s in the THE FINAL with Adam… and it’ll be GOKEY going home!

Adam Lambert –Great song pick from Simon with U2’s ‘One’ ….and Adam absolutely covered it incredibly well!! Best performance of the night, with Kris’s ‘Heartless’ a close second! Although I will say, that his personal choice with Aerosmith’s ‘Cryin’, which I thought was a perfect choice for him, was NOT his best performance, a bit indulgent (love that word!) and was all over the place at times, with just too much of the screaming lyrics in it. But…..this kid deserves to be ‘off’ a bit with a song now and then….and for ADAM, it’s THE FINALS….anything less would be absolutely shocking!!!

One final thought…. I do think what Simon said in critiquing was critical, that we all cannot just assume that Adam will be in the FINAL unless America voted early and often! It may be the case that if people think that Kris or Dokey Gokey needed the votes more, that all the voting was heavier for them, and Adam is on the OUTSIDE looking in tonight! Could it happen? Certainly……but will it happen? I doubt it!! But again, KUDOS to Simon for stating the case as he did to end the night!

NOTE: In RED are those who I originally had predicted for the TOP 12!

Bottom Line: FINAL 2: ADAM vs. KRIS….& GOKEY MUST GO HOME!!!!!! Having a hernia that I need surgery for soon, I can’t scream too wildly and loudly tonight if Gokey stays and makes it to the final, but I’ll be quite nauseous and will increase my intake of alcohol to compensate!

So what does everyone else think of last night’s show? Who do you think should be booted off tonight? Who’s your pick to win it all?

OK….we’ll know the FINAL 2 after tonight..…until then…it’s Eddie ‘Little Simon-NO FINAL FOR DOKEY GOKEY’ Idol…OUT!!

Kim's note: If Adam goes home tonight, I'm not watching next week!!! I luv me my guyliner!! GO GLAMBERT!!!!

AI Recap from April 28

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 23:48:00 +0000

On a night when the contestant’s had to sing songs from ‘The Rat Pack’, here’s Eddie’s ‘quick’ recap of Tuesday Night’s TOP 5, and predictions for who will be booted OFF tonight, who are your BOTTOM 2, not Bottom 3….and who I think will be the FINAL 2!

Kris Allen—Incredible rendition of Frank Sinatra’s ‘The Way You Look Tonight’! WOW!!! Again, ORIGINALITY wins here! I still think this kid could sneak into the FINALS!! VERY SAFE!

Allison Iraheta –Performed ‘Someone To watch Over Me’, and it was OK, not as great as Randy and Kara said. After Simon crushed her ego, she may need someone to watch over her tonight! BOTTOM 2 tonight…..but she’s the ONLY girl left, and she is one hell of a talent at 17, so I think she cracks the FINAL 4 and moves on!

Matt Giraud—Performed ‘My Funny Valentine’ , and I have to agree with Randy on this one, it wasn’t that great, but it was definitely his own style, and Simon, unlike the slam on Allison, absolutely loved him, so…who knows!? But…I say he’s BOTTOM 2 tonight and going home!! End of the road Matt, sorry….thought you’d make the FINAL 4! L

Danny Gokey –Notice I didn’t us any ‘karaoke’ or other words here for his name? Is everyone sitting down? I thought he was very good last night and BY FAR his MOST IMPRESSIVE performance to date! It wasn’t the most original, but he was really into it and definitely hit a home run with the ending! Is he better than Kris? NO…..Adam? NO….but he could very well be in the FINAL vs. Adam in a few weeks! VERY SAFE!

Adam Lambert –ANOTHER WOW!!!!! Mind blowing last note of the song, which he carried for almost 10+ seconds!!!! Theatrical? YES…..Cocky?
YES….Brilliant….Absolutely!! SAFE TO THE FINALS!!!! Incredible talent!

NOTE: In RED are those who I originally had predicted for the TOP 12!

Bottom Line: Think the talent that’s left after tonight will prove to make the next few shows VERY interesting!! FINAL 2? ADAM vs. KRIS…..write it down! But I won’t be at all surprised if it’s Adam vs. Danny or Allison, who has to be considered the Dark Horse at this stage!

So what does everyone else think of last night’s show? Who do you think should be booted off tonight? Who’s your TOP 2 Finalists and Front-Runner to win it all? Who’s your choice to win that 2nd spot and go up against Adam Lambert in the FINALS??? Let’s see some predictions here folks, let Eddie Idol know your thoughts!

OK….we’ll know the FINAL 4 after tonight..…until then…it’s Eddie ‘Little Simon-FINALLY OKIE FOR GOKEY’ Idol…OUT!!

PS---If you hear a loud, wailing type of scream tonight, it’s me, out on my patio and in pain from watching Taylor Hicks perform on the Idol stage!! UGH!! :-0

Note from Kim: Now, now, Eddie, no sour grapes from you my dear Tay-Tay won fair and square!! Shame I won't be able to watch tonight though, because LOST is celebrating it's 100th episode and I'm hoping for more Shirtless Sawyer!!!

BTW -- I was totally swooning over Adam in that white suit last night!!

AI update

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:23:00 +0000

On a night when the contestant’s had to sing Songs from the DISCO ERA, here’s Eddie’s ‘quick’ recap of Tuesday Night’s Top 7, and predictions for the TWO being booted OFF tonight!

Adam Lambert –WOW!!!!! Incredible performance…..AGAIN!!!! Has this kid had a bad week yet? Most original (along with Kris Allen’s) of the night! This is what American Idol is all about!! SAFE TO THE FINALS!!!!

Allison Iraheta –Looked great and sounded great doing ‘Hot Stuff’….still like her to ‘UPSET’ one of the guys and make it to the finals vs. Adam! SAFE!!

Lil Rounds – OK…..I’ve heard and seen enough!! UGH!! My early favorite to win AI this year just doesn’t get it! So many great Disco songs she could have done and put her own touch on….She’ll be in BOTTOM 3 tonight and going home!! Se ya’ Lil!

Matt Giraud— Did a Bee Gee’s song, ‘Stayin Alive’, and I thought it was pretty good! Judges weren’t blown away, but he was better and more original than Karaoke Gokey! But….he could very well once again be in the Bottom 3 tonight and be sent home though, but I think he’ll be the SAFE one of the BOTTOM 3 tonight!

Anoop Desai – Don’t think Anoop did himself any favors last night, and tonight when Ryan says ‘Dim The Lights’, the lights may go OUT for Anoop! Bottom 3 and 2nd one booted off tonight with Lil!

Kris Allen—Incredible rendition of Donna Summer’s ‘She Works Hard For The Money’! WOW!!! Right up there with Adam for BEST OF THE NIGHT! Again, ORIGINALITY wins here! Cross between Santana and Jon Mayer! This kid could sneak into the FINALS!! He’s certainly way better than KARAOKE GOKEY!!

Danny NO ORIGINALTY/KAROKE Gokey –VERY KAROKE!!! The only judge who really GOT IT RIGHT last night was Simon! NO STAR POWER!! NO ORIGINALITY!! CLUMSY! AWKWARD!! Just plain not very good!! And someone at Fox please shut up Paula on this kid, or just let her sleep with him, unless she already has!! This kid should be in the BOTTOM 3 tonight, but he’ll be SAFE…why oh why, I have NO IDEA!! :-/

NOTE: In RED are those who I originally had predicted for the TOP 12!
Bottom Line: My two cents to the judges….If you’re going to slam contestants for originality and karaoke type arrangements and performances, be CONSISTENT and FAIR across the board to ALL who perform that way!!! Enough said!

So what does everyone else think of last night’s show? What two contestants do you think should be booted off tonight? HOW ABOUT SOME FEEDBACK PEOPLE!! Who’s your TOP 2 Finalists and Front-Runner to win it all? Who’s your choice to win that 2nd spot and go up against Adam Lambert in the FINALS??? Let’s see some predictions here folks, let Eddie Idol know your thoughts!

OK….we’ll know the FAB 5 after tonight..…until then…it’s Eddie ‘Little Simon-BOTTOM 3 FOR KARAOKE GOKEY ’ Idol……OUT!!

AI Recap

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 23:13:00 +0000

On a night when the contestant’s had to sing Songs from Cinema, with Quentin Tarantino as the mentor, here’s Eddie’s recap of Tuesday Night’s Top 7…..drum roll please…..
Danny NO ORIGINALITY Gokey –Absolutely a horrible, horrible rendition of Lionel Ritchie’s Endless Love…..thought I was listening to some Joe Smoe at a wedding or at karaoke night at a local bar. Simon was nice by saying it was boring and VERY traditional, no originality at all….weak! Bottom 3 tonight and really, let’s be honest and serious here…..it just was NOT a good performance!!

Allison Iraheta – Great Aerosmith song in ‘I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing’, thought she did it pretty well, not great, but good enough, and The judges FINALLY agreed with me….as they can see this girl in the final with Adam Lambert like I can!
SAFE!!

Adam Lambert –Simon said 50% off all who listened to his version of ‘Born To Be Wild’ wouldn’t like it. I disagree….I grew up playing this Steppenwolf song over and over on an 8-track tape player, so if anyone was going to hate it, I would…..and I LOVED IT!!!! Incredible performance…..AGAIN!!!! This kid is head over heels over anyone else in this competition!!

Lil Rounds – What is with Lil??!! She continues to make BAD song choices and picked another with Bette Midler’s ‘The Rose’. Bottom 3 tonight, and as I said last week….I will NOT be shocked if she goes home, and I truly don’t think the judges would save her at this point, esp Simon!!

Matt Giraud— Mr. Inconsistent wasn’t on top of his game last night singing Bryan Adams’ ‘Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman’, but I also don’t think the song was performed as bad as Kara and randy led us to believe! Thought they were way too negative on him. Yes, it was pitchy and he probably tried to do too much with it, but it was good enough to stay in the competition. He could very well be in the Bottom 3 tonight and be sent home though, so don’t be surprised.

Anoop Desai – OK…..at one time I hated this kid, but the kid CAN sing, and last night he was really good with another Bryan Adam song choice, ‘’Everything I Do, I Do It For You’…..great job by Anoop!! (I can’t believe I just said that!!) …….SAFE!!

Kris Allen—I’ll be honest, I don’t even know the damn song he did, very obscure,,….I thought it was weak and I totally agreed with Randy, it was pitchy from the start and maybe one of his poorest performances to date. Bottom 3 tonight!

NOTE: In RED are those who I originally had predicted for the TOP 12!

Bottom Line: I really enjoyed Quentin Tarantino mentoring these kids, but I just cannot believe someone didn’t pick a song from Pulp Fiction!! I’m sure best friend Pete would agree, one of his favorite movies!So what does everyone else think of last night’s show?
Who do you think should be booted off tonight?

HOW ABOUT SOME FEEDBACK PEOPLE!!

Who’s your TOP 2 Finalists and Front-Runner to win it all? Anyone think that any contestant seriously has a chance of beating Adam at this point??? Let’s see some predictions here folks, let Eddie Idol know your thoughts!

OK….we’ll know the TOP 6 after tonight..…until then…it’s Eddie ‘Little Simon-BOTTOM 3 FOR GOKEY ’ Idol……OUT!!

Eddie's AI Update

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 13:12:00 +0000

On a night when the contestant’s had to sing a song from the year they were born, it was 80’s night, as they all were born in the 80’s! Here’s Eddie’s recap of Tuesday Night’s Top 8…..drum roll please…..

Danny DORKEY Gokey –Oldest and most irritating contestant on the show……did a 1980’s version of ‘Stand By Me’, which I did not like at all and thought he was off key and the song arrangement out of whack. Why are the judges always praising this kid? He’s another Taylor Hicks, and we all know what a bleepin’ bum he was! Good that Dorkey-Gokey went first though because I got to throw up my dinner early in the show and then drink heavily! He’s safe though….UGH!!! L

Allison Iraheta –Let me say this now…..I can see this girl in the final with Adam Lambert! I loved the Bonnie Raitt song she did, ‘I Can’t Make You Love Me’, and she did it really well, putting her own spin on it. One thing she is, week in and week out, is consistently very good! SAFE!

Adam Lambert – This talented kid, much like David Cook did in 2008, knows the importance of putting a spin on a song people might already know, so he chose to perform ‘Tears For Fears’ 1982 Mad World song…..but….he went a step further and chose the alternate version of the song that appeared in the 2001 cult film "Donnie Darko." Doing some research on MTV, that more haunting, slowed-down and melodic version was performed by little-known
California singer/songwriter Gary Jules, who recorded the song with his childhood friend and producer Michael Andrews for the "Darko" soundtrack. The tune also appeared on Jules' 2001 indie album Trading Snakeoil for Wolftickets. An unbelievably superb performance, worthy of the STANDING O Simon led the judges in doing to honor the performance!!! This kid is going to be in the FINALS and should WIN IT ALL!

Lil Rounds – Another average performance, cheap Tina Turner impersonation, disappointing for the 4 th straight week! She hasn’t shown up since the TOP 12 was announced! As I said last week, no longer anywhere near the front-runner and may not even make the FINAL 4 at this point. Bottom 3 tonight , and I will NOT be shocked if she goes home, unless the judges save her!

Scott McIntyre –I’ll give him props for stepping out of his comfort zone and getting away from the piano, but it was a horrible, horrible rendition of Survivor’s 1984 song ‘The Search Is Over’…..Simon was probably crying from being in pain while he sang this and tried playing guitar….weak! Bottom 3 tonight and really, let’s be honest and serious here…..he should go home at this point, he’s just not a good vocal performer!

Matt Giraud — Great comeback here after a bad week last week. Standing O from judges for his 1985 version of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Part Time Lovers’….great arrangement, and vocally, agreed with the judges as one of the BEST of the night….after Adam’s of course! SAFE!

Anoop Desai – Sang Cyndi Lauper’s ‘True Colors’ and I didn’t like it at all, so I’ll totally disagree with the judges on this one, not nearly as good as they said it was. I say he could be Bottom 3 tonight, it’ll be him or Kris Allen in the Bottom 3 positions.

Kris Allen —Performed the 1985 Don Henley song ‘All She Wants To Do Is Dance’……agreed with Simon and Randy, horrible arrangement and using Simon’s fav word, INDULGENT !! Bottom 3 tonight possibly!
NOTE: In RED are those who I originally had predicted for the TOP 12!

Bottom Line: Word to the wise for all contestants on future performances…….STEP AWAY FROM PERFORMING IN THE MOSH PIT!! It’s a bad move!!

So what does everyone else think of last night’s show? Who do you think should be booted off tonight? Who’s your TOP 2 Finalists and Front-Runner to win it all? Let’s see some predictions here people, let Eddie Idol know your thoughts!

OK….we’ll know the TOP 7 after tonight..…until then…it’s Eddie ‘Little Simon-NO GO-GOKEY’ Idol……OUT!!

Eddie Idol's Wrap-Up

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:53:00 +0000

Note from Kim: This is from last week's results show, sorry for posting so late ...

Sorry….another very late post today….. but here’s a QUICK recap of Tuesday Night’s Top 10 from ‘Motown Night’…..

Michael Sarver –-May be going home tonight….definitely BOTTOM 3….not a great performance, but not as bad as judges said!

Danny Gokey –I’m still SICK from watching him last night! My son Jon said it best….he’s every family’s fat boy cousin at the dinner table!! Unfortunately, he’ll get through tonight.

Kris Allen – Not the greatest performance or song choice, thought it was more James Taylor than Motown, but he’s SAFE!

Allison Iraheta –She continues to turn in solid performances! She’s SAFE!

Adam Lambert – WOW!! Another Awesome performance!!! And he looked like a young Elvis! This kid has it all going on! Flies through easily!

Lil Rounds – Not a strong performance, disappointing for the 2 nd straight week! But she’s SAFE!

Scott McIntyre –Another just OK performance…..have I said that before!? But….he’s safe, but may be BOTTOM 3 tonight!

Megan Corkrey – Not her best at all! She looked great, but she was all over the place with her song! BOTTOM 3 and may go home tonight, but I hope not!

Matt Giraud— Another fantastic performance…..he’s SAFE!

Anoop Desai – It wasn’t all that great, another tender moment song, but nothing like the previous week. May be in BOTTOM 3, but think he’s SAFE!

NOTE: In RED are those who I originally had predicted for the TOP 12!
Bottom Line: Motown was a FUN show, but not as good as I had hoped, a little disappointing, thought it was going to be a bit better, and some contestants just didn’t pick good songs or have good arrangements!

So what does everyone else think of last night’s show? Who do you think should be booted off tonight? Did you like ‘Motown Night’? Let me know your thoughts!! OK….we’ll know more come tomorrow..…until then…it’s Eddie ‘Little Simon-NO DOKIE GOKEY’ Idol……OUT!!

Eddie's American Idol Preview

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 23:23:00 +0000

Well, I’ll definitely miss little Alexis tonight, thought she definitely should still be in the competition and Michael Sarver sent home and not her, but….America voted stupid again and the Judges ruled, and she didn’t get the save! Bummer!! L

I’ll also try not to throw up my dinner tonight when Danny Gokey sings!! UGH!!! Hopefully I’ll be intoxicated to help ease the pain of watching him perform.

Should be a FUN night with Motown Songs and Smokey Robinson! I know friend Pete will enjoy and look forward to his comments, as he is the expert on Motown! Look for Lil Rounds to shine….and just what will Adam Lambert do next after the Johnny Cash shocker last week!? By the way….I played back last weeks show for my son Jon who’s visiting, and he said 3 most talented folks are…….with No surprise on #1!!......drum roll please…….

1. Adam Lambert
2. Meg Corkrey
3. Matt Giraud

Let’s see what happens tonight as the TOURING TOP 10 perform!! More to come tomorrow!!

Cheers,

Eddie ‘I HATE GOKEY’ Idol

AI Tuesday Night

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 02:41:00 +0000

Sorry….very late post today….. but here’s a QUICKIE recap of Tuesday Night’s Top 11 from ‘Country and Western Night’, which I actually really enjoyed it and knew every song!! J My predictions for THE TOP 10 TOURING IDOLS FOR 2009…..

Alexis Grace—Could be ‘on the bubble’ tonight but I loved the performance of this cute mini Dolly Parton! TOP 10!

Michael Sarver –-May be going home tonight….not a good performance on a Garth song….Bottom 3 and maybe GOING HOME!

Danny Gokey –Can I just say how much I despise watching this kid, and what’s with another chick song!!?? UGH!!! I dislike this kid MORE than Anoop!!!! TOP 10….hate saying that, as I really thought he was horrible last night!! Carrie Underwood was probably throwing up as he performed her song…..or tried to….man do I wish he would GO HOME TONIGHT!!!!

Kris Allen – Great job on a Garth Brooks classic!! Tender Dog is through to the TOP 10!

Allison Iraheta – One of the BEST of the night!! Great rendition of a Patty Loveless classic!! TOP 10!!

Adam Lambert – WOW….ODD!! Took a Johnny Cash classic ‘Ring Of Fire’ and really shocked everybody, with a very odd middle eastern flavor and arrangement. Bottom 3 tonight….may have to be saved from elimination! Think he’ll get through though….let’s see…this will be interesting!

Lil Rounds – Not a strong performance. I’d put her in the bottom 3 or 4 tonight, but she’s through to the TOP 10!

Scott McIntyre –Another OK and safe performance, blah, blah, blah….but how much longer will he last!? TOP 10!!

Megan Corkrey – Incredible performance (she had the flu all week!) of a classic C+W song….and she looked great!! TOP 10!

Matt Giraud—Maybe the BEST performance of the night!!! This kid is DOPE!! TOP 10!!!

Anoop Desai – From ZERO to HERO!! I’ll give credit where credit is due, he took a Willie Nelson classic and put his own spin it, great job by Anoop, who stays in the house!! TOP 10!!

NOTE: In RED are those who I originally had predicted for the TOP 12!
Bottom Line: Don’t be surprised if the judges execute the ‘Judge’s Save’ Rule Tonight!! Just a GUT feeling!!

Inside the Numbers: TOP 10…..THESE ALL GO ON TOUR!! CONGRATS TO ALL!! Unless…..the Judges Save is instituted tonight….& we still have a TOP 11 until next week!!! Then two (2) get booted next week….would make it interesting for sure!!

Note from Kim: Eddie, I'm a huge Johnny Cash fan and I LOVE that song ... but I thought Adam made it his own ... I loved his rendition!

AI boots first 2

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 00:19:00 +0000

So……AMERICA VOTED……and once again…..got it dead WRONG, at least on one of the two booted off on Wednesday night! No way Anoop is more talented or performed better Tuesday night than Jasmine! Not that Jasmine is talented enough to win this thing, but she’s definitely got more going for her than Anoop!! Oh well…I think we’ll see Jasmine back next year or the year after….she’s young and has room to grow, esp. vocally….and let’s hope Anoop gets the boot next week!

Kim's Note: Eddie, nice of you to mention that Jorge was also sent home! I know, you were just so blinded by Anoop's talent!

Bottom Line: It didn't take long during Wednesday night's "American Idol" results show for Seacrest to reveal what the big new twist on the show was. He then called out the names and showed videos of Tamyra Gray, Michael Johns, Jennifer Hudson, and Chris Daughtry before announcing the "Judges' Save”.

So…here are the details on the new rule: Until the top 5, the judges can save ONE contestant from elimination just ONCE. It has to be unanimous among the 4 Judges, and once they use the save, they cannot use it again the entire season. The week they use the save, no one will be eliminated. But the next week, two will go. EARTH TO FOX…HELLO!

But am I the only one who remembers that Chris Daughtry was eliminated in fourth place? So…if this new rule only applies until the top 5, it wouldn't have saved Daughtry! Same would be true for Tamyra Gray, who also finished fourth. Think someone at FOX would have researched that just a bit more!?

Thanks Eddie for giving me the chance to post a schmexy Chris Daughtry photo!

Personally, I'd have rather seen the following scenario - take the bottom 2 vote getters (Seacrest not revealing who is lower) and let the judges decide each week who stays & who goes out of those 2 (up until the FINAL 4, not FAB 5). In the event of the judges having a 2-2 split decision, then the lowest vote getter would definitely leave each week!

Inside the Numbers: TOP 11 now…..who gets the boot next week??? Important week, because the TOP 10 left are the ones that go on tour!! PLEASE LET IT BE ANOOP KICKED OUT OF THE HOUSE!

So what does everyone else think of last night’s show? Who do you think should have been booted off tonight? What do you think of the ‘Judge’s Save’ new rule? Let me know your thoughts!! OK…until next Tuesday’s TOP 11…..have a great weekend and Happy St Paddy’s Day to all…..it’s Eddie ‘Little Simon- BOOT NOOP’ Idol……OUT!!

OK Eddie, I warned you, here's for talking smack about Anoop Dog Millionaire! Feast your eyes on your all-time favorite!! HAHAHA!

Yes, I know, I am a shiteous wench, aren't I?

AI Recap: The Final 13's First Appearance!

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 18:50:00 +0000

WOW!!!! What a great start to AI’s TOP 13 last night! Some incredible and signature performances!!! This is one VERY talented group this year, maybe the strongest from Top to Bottom that I can remember! But….some of the songs chosen by contestants from Michael Jackson’s BIG collection of hits/tunes were quite obscure to say the least, half of them I’d never heard before!? Guess that proves that I’ve never been a fan of the freaky so called ‘King of Pop’! OK…..here’s my thoughts from last nights TOP 13 with the infamous ‘BOTTOM 3’ predicted for tonight as well as who should be going home….

NOTE: I’ll also keep in RED those who I originally had predicted for the TOP 12 (OK…13!) before it was announced!

Alexis Grace—She proved her worth again last night! Agreed with Kara, she was very naughty and sexy in her song, but added her infamous Memphis bluesy accent to it as well! Just hope that she doesn’t get screwed tonight by people dialing or texting the ‘13’ instead of ‘36’ and costing her votes!! Still TOP 4 for me!

Michael Sarver –-I thought his song choice (You’re Not Alone) sucked, but the judges gave him a pass! Still don’t think he’ll go too far. If he makes it a few more weeks, he’ll go on tour…..and he’ll be happy to have reached that level in the competition!

Danny Gokey --Still a Dark-Horse for TOP 4. Another OK song choice with ‘Pretty Young Thing’. Thought Paula was going to run up and jump his bones on stage! I agreed with Simon, thought his stage presence was a bit gawky!

Kris Allen – Knows the MJ songbook better than anyone on the show, and supposedly helped other contestants too. Thought the guitar gig was a bit odd, but this kid reminds me of John Mayer….so that’s a good thing! I’m staying with my Top 6 prediction.

Allison Iraheta – Rocker babe who kicked the show off with ‘Give Into Me’, another song from MJ I didn’t know! Not sure what she had ‘bleeped out’ by FOX, but don’t think it was a good thing that she said (noticed Paula motioning her to zip it??) Still a long-shot, dark-horse candidate for TOP 4….sooner or later, she’ll get exposed in a song where she can’t rock it out!

Adam Lambert -- AWESOME!!!!! His rendition of ‘Black or White’ was just freakin’ incredible!! I said it yesterday and I’ll say it again…. I think he’s extremely talented and capable of being in the Finale’ against Lil Rounds! Now….whether or not he makes it with all the negative publicity is another story, but this kid has stage presence like no one I’ve ever seen on AI!

Lil Rounds -- As I predicted, very strong start for her last night! Good song choice with ‘The Way You Make Me Feel’! Still see her in the FINALE’….and eventual AI Season 8 WINNER…..I THINK!!?? (Uh oh….is Eddie wavering already!?)

Scott McIntyre --Sticking to my guns here, he’s just not a good singer! Hid behind his piano last night and struggled doing an obscure MJ song. He’ll move on, but he’s not even in my Top 8 at this point! Bottom 3….maybe!!??

Jorge Nunez—Hey Jorge…..nice song choice in ‘Never Can say Goodbye’…..because one should NEVER say NEVER! Good-Bye….you’re in the BOTTOM 3 tonight and going back home to Puerto Rico!

Jasmine Murray---Looked great and sang ‘I’ll Be There’ quite well! I still think she’s TOP 6 or TOP 8 at best! She’s through tonight easily!

Megan Corkrey -- I said before she had no stage presence at all, and I thought she’d struggle with MJ songbook, but….I was impressed and totally disagree with some of the judges (except Kara) and I thought she did well with ‘Rockin Robin’ from The Jackson 5 Portfolio. At least she stepped away from the mic and worked the stage a bit….and she looked incredible!! :-0 If she’s in the Bottom 3…..I won’t be shocked, based on what the judges said, but she should move on!

Matt Giraud**-- As I thought, he blew away Scott MacIntyre on the piano doing ‘Human Nature’ and this kid can perform!! I think he’s capable of going up against Lil Rounds or Adam Lambert in the FINALE’! Still TOP 4!

Anoop Desai – I think he really thought he was MJ singing ‘Beat It’ and hand-slapping all the people around the stage…..PULEEEEEEZZZZ!!!!!!! Hey Anoop……go back to Chapel Hill…..and just BEAT IT!! Bottom 3 and going home tonight!

Bottom Line: As I predicted…..and confirmed happily by Simon….to keep the show’s FINALE’ during the same week as last year (May 20th) and END AI before Memorial Day Weekend, they’ll be booting two (2) of the TOP 13 contestants off tonight! Simon also said at the end of the show that a CHANGE in the "Idol" structure involving the show's judges would be revealed tonight. Ryan Seacrest said it will change "the entire theme and concept of the show.”

Hmmmm….lots of speculation here, and from what I’ve read today, the most popular theory: The bottom vote-getters must now "sing for their lives" and the show's judges will have the ability to save a contestant from being sent home. My theory….there will still be a ‘Bottom 3’ or ‘Bottom 2’ as voted on by America each week, but then the judges will simply decide who goes home and who stays, something that I’ve been saying should happen for years, as America time and time again has made very stupid choices….can anyone say Taylor Hicks here!? Either way, I’d applaud the change of the judges becoming more involved and America less involved!!

Inside the Numbers: FOX is putting Idol on at 9 tonight instead of 8PM, so set the DVR’s! Two contestants get sent home tonight….that will be Anoop and Jorge’ (As I SMILE typing that!), making the Guy vs. Girl #’s a bit closer: Guys 6…Girls 5, as the TOP 11 move on!

So what does everyone else think of last night’s show? Who do you think should be booted off tonight? And what changes do you think are in store for the show going forward? Let me know your toughts!! OK….we’ll know more come tomorrow..…until then…it’s Eddie ‘Little Simon-BEAT IT NOOP’ Idol……OUT!!

Note from Kim: I got news for you Eddie -- Cindy, Lona and myself used all our votes for "Anoop Dog Millionaire" last night (we really liked his movie) -- so we'll see ... Ouch, that Taylor Hicks comment hurt! I personally think it's funny that Fox is telling all the news media that tonight's the big AI vs. LOST in the ratings .... HaHa -- that explains why the wusses at ABC decided to show a repeat episode of my fave show tonight!! Any thoughts Ray??

American Idol Preview

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:43:00 +0000

OK….It’s time for the TOP 13 to perform!! It’ll be a 2-Hour AI show on Tuesday night, and contestants will sing songs from Michael Jackson’s collection of tunes, but thankfully, the ‘freak-show’ himself will NOT be there in person tutoring them! Hurrah for that!!

As promised, here’s your TOP 13 with some notes and my bold predictions for the Final 4 and Finale at the end of May!

Alexis Grace** --TOP 4! She’s HOT and America will love her! Should do OK with MJ songs and other genre of music.

Michael Sarver –-TOP 8 at best….nice, polite guy, hope he makes it farther, but doubtful. He’s lucky to even be here!

Danny Gokey** --Dark-Horse for TOP 4….though I don’t think he’s nearly as good as the other guys, but the judges love him!

Kris Allen – TOP 6 possibly…..not much farther! Should do well with MJ songs!

Allison Iraheta – Dark-horse candidate for TOP 4….not sure how she’ll do with MJ song-book though?

Adam Lambert** --Will all the nasty rumors and ugly postings hurt him? I think so……although I do think he’s capable of being in the Finale’ against Lil Rounds, but doubt he makes it anywhere close to that with all the negative publicity!

Lil Rounds** --FINALE’….and eventual AI Season 8 WINNER!! She’ll start strong tomorrow night!

Scott McIntyre** --He’ll hide behind the piano for a few weeks, then at some point America will realize he is simply NOT a good singer! No better than TOP 6! Can’t see him doing many MJ songs, will have to be a slow one….’BEN’ maybe?

Jorge Nunez—Out early….won’t make the TOP 10! Struggles with MJ tonight!
Jasmine Murray**---TOP 6 at best….that’s it….has the looks, but just does not have the pipes others do!

Megan Corkrey** -- She has no stage presence at all, and if she continues to act oddly on stage, out EARLY! She’ll struggle with MJ….I think!

Matt Giraud**--TOP 4….should do well, and I think he’s capable of going up against Lil Rounds in the FINALE’! If there was a dueling piano segment, he’d blow away Scott MacIntyre!

Anoop Desai –Should last at least a few weeks, long enough to be annoying and go on tour…..so TOP 10 at least, probably farther…..UGH!!! :-0

Bottom Line: To keep the show’s FINALE’ during the same week as last year (May 20th) and END before Memorial Day Weekend, they’ll have to kick two contestants off to start, and maybe they will since they are starting with 13 vs. 12, then one contestant kicked off each week after. Otherwise, it’ll get extended to after Memorial Day and we’ll crown the new AI Winner on Wed, May 27th, must end in May for May sweeps!

Inside the Numbers: Of the TOP 13, Eddie Idol picked 8 to be there, all shown in RED and noted with **!

OK….I’m still waiting here folks….let’s see some predictions from EVERYBODY on this list before tonight’s show! Come on, who’s your favorite to win it? Who’s the TOP GUY and TOP GAL? The Final 4? And who do you think will be in the FINALE’? More to come tomorrow..…until then…it’s Eddie ‘Little Simon-NO NOOP’ Idol……OUT!!

American Idol: Final 12

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 04:40:00 +0000

OK….so last night, I went as far as to predict the FINAL 3 spots from the WILD CARD ROUND: Matt Giraud, Jasmine Murray and Megan Corkrey, to move into the TOP 12….EDDIE RULES!! J PERFECT!!…… Until Anoop was let in to ruin it all and make it 13!! But, truth be told, I didn’t think Megan (per my earlier post after Anoop was done singing) was as worthy as Jessica was tonight, but she’s going home and Megan luckily moves on! Some more reactions from the Wild Card Round of contestants in the order they performed on Thursday night:

1. JESSICA LANGSETH—She FINALLY showed me why she was still competing and I thought she really sang her song very sultry and sexy, and sassy and jazzy, but certainly NOT indulgent, and good enough to move on. I think she was just ever-so-barely edged out by Megan or Jasmine, confirmed by Simon telling her as much!

2. MATT GIRAUD- Predicted he’d be back strong, he picked the right song, and he’ll be a force to contend with! Just wait until he gets behind the piano again!!

3. MEGAN CORKREY- Same awkward and quirky moves again at the mic tonight, didn’t think she sang all that well either…but….she’s in the TOP 13!

4. VON SMITH—Horrible song choice for him, it was very dark and boring! He should have known better!

5. JASMINE MURRAY—Didn’t think she did as well as the judges thought she did, but well enough to go through. She’s the youngest of all the TOP 13, so she’ll carry the young vote for quite a few weeks!

6. RICKY BRADDY—Another not-so-great song choice for him doing Stevie Wonder’s ‘Superstition’. Why is it that people have such a hard time with picking the right song for them to excel at!?

7. TATIANA DEL TORO-She didn’t sing all that badly, but she’s just soooooo over the top with drama, and really….how many times can you sing the same damn song!!?? Three times was NOT a charm for her!!

8. ANNOP DESAI- I’ll use Simon’s favorite word here----INDULGENT!! Who let this Noop Dog IN!!?? What a joke! He should be on a plane back to NC or wherever he’s from! UGH!!!

BOTTOM LINE: Of the TOP 13, I predicted 8 of them, not too shabby: Jasmine Murray, Megan Corkrey, Matt Giraud, Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace, Adam Lambert, Scott MacIntyre and of course….Lil Rounds!

Inside the Numbers: Of the TOP 13, 8 are guys and 5 are gals, so you would think the odds are stacked in the guys favor? We shall see!

So now that we now have the TOP 13, I hate typing 13 and not 12….let’s see some predictions from EVERYBODY on this list before next Tuesday’s show! Come on, who’s your favorite to win it? Who’s the TOP GUY and TOP GAL? I’ll have my predictions out on Monday on who will make The Final 4, and who I think will be in the FINALE’ …..but for now, have a great weekend, enjoy the Spring-time temps, and don’t forget to turn the clocks ahead Saturday night! Until next week…it’s Eddie ‘NO NOOP’ Idol……OUT!!

American Idol Recap: Tuesday Night

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 02:05:00 +0000

I thought last night’s 3rd group of 12 was the STRONGEST yet and tonight could be a ‘pick-em’ for the TOP 3……after Lil Rounds of course, who in my eyes is the one to beat in this competition!! I’ll keep it short and sweet here and drop the contestants into 3 categories based on their performances from last night, YES…. NO....and MAYBE…..here we go!

The YES’s ....

Lil Rounds— I’ve said it for weeks….she’s the one to beat in this competition! DEFINITELY in the TOP 3 vote getters and into the TOP 12 tonight! Plus….I think she’ll hurt Ju’not Joyner’s chances of getting in the TOP 3, reasons are obvious!

Von Smith- I like this kid, and had him listed as a dark horse for the TOP 12 when the TOP 36 was announced…..think he sang well enough to get into the TOP 3 tonight, if not….expect him back tomorrow night on the WILD CARD Round!

Scott MacIntyre— I do NOT think this kid is a very good singer at all, but with his disability and overall courage, he’ll get the sympathy vote tonight and make it into the TOP 3….if not…expect him to pushed through to the WILD CARD Round and the judges will then put him through…..so…..either way….LOCK FOR THE TOP 12!!

Felicia Barton--- I picked this girl from the auditions with her 15 seconds of face time, and she’s the one who got the call for a 2nd chance after Joanna Pacetti got booted off the show….and I think she’s a dark horse for tonight’s TOP 3….so, if she’s not voted in, expect her to be back tomorrow night singing in the WILD CARD Round!

Jorge’ Nunez— I never thought this kid would make it this far, but he has, and sang pretty well last night, well enough that I won’t be SHOCKED if he’s in the TOP 3 tonight! If not….expect him back in the WILD CARD Round!

The MAYBE’s…..

Ju’not Joyner—Little face time for this guy up to this point and aside from the fact that he did a song I absolute hate (The ‘Hey There Delilah’ overused and overplayed song! UGH!!), he slowed it down and did it very well!! Outside shot at tonight’s TOP 3!

Kristen McNamara—Not that it should matter, but she should really learn how to style a bit and dress better! Geez!! Liked her more before than I did last night, she’s a bit of a fake…but she was better than most last night and could sneak in to the TOP 3, but she’s a long-shot at this point!

Kendall Beard- Because she’s as great looking as she is, and the only ‘Country’ artist in the competition, she’s going to get a lot of votes! But….will it be enough?? I doubt it…..but with America, one never knows, so she may be the 3rd overall vote-getter tonight!

The NO’s….

Taylor Vaifanua—I’ve never really liked this girl very much at all, and her performance was just OK and pretty forgettable! No loss here…..bye-bye Taylor, you’re going home!

Alexander Wagner-Trugman— A calmer version of Norman Gentle….but certainly not worthy of being in this competition. See ‘ya Alexander….back to being just a plain dork!!

Ariana Afsar—Thought her rendition of Abba’s ‘The Winner Takes It All’ sounded like Meryl Streep on steroids from the Mamma Mia movie! Take the ‘cute as a button’ compliment Ariana and exit gracefully!

Nathanial Marshall- Sorry….this kid got way too much face time than necessary last night, and I agree with Simon, he’s a cross between Richard Simmons and Olivia Newton John with the ‘look’ he has going on. Time for him to back home and singin’ grandma to sleep in the rockin’ chair!

BOTTOM LINE: I thought this group was considerably better overall talent-wise than either of the last two from top-to-bottom, and as I said earlier….when tonight’s results are announced, it could be a real surprise for several contestants! I do expect several from this group to be back Thursday night in the first ever WILD CARD ROUND, where the contestants chosen will get to compete one last time for the FINAL 3 spots in the TOP 12!

The contestants performing will be decided on by the Idol producers and judges, and America will have no say in the outcome as to who will be the FINAL 3 that move on in the competition! Let Kimmy and I know, based on last night’s performances, who you think should make it through to the TOP 12, and/or if you agree with all that get voted through after the results are announced tonight on Fox!

More from Eddie ‘Little Simon’ Idol tomorrow……after the 1-hour results show tonight!! Until then…..Eddie’s OUT and on a break!

American Idol Recap: Thursday Night

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:55:00 +0000

After yet another week of poor song choices by many contestants, or as I said yesterday some good song choices just performed poorly, from the 2nd Group of 12, America voted and once again gave us a ‘SURPRISE’ TOP 12 contestant! I knew Allison Irahuta would be the top girl vote getter, and I also knew Adam Lambert would make it in, would have been a real shocker if either one of them wasn’t sitting in the TOP 3 last night! I certainly thought Megan Corkrey’s performance would have made her the 3rd top vote getter and a spot in the TOP 12….BUT…..once again America, or should I say mainly young female Americans who texted millions of votes Wednesday night, voted through Kris Allen, who I had picked out early in the auditions after only 10-15 seconds of face time as having some serious talent, but never listed him as a serious dark-horse candidate.

BOTTOM LINE: I lost THREE more (OUCH!!!!!) last night from my predicted TOP 12: Jasmine Murray, Matt Giraud and Miss Megan, who I think was more SHOCKED than Kris Allen was when Ryan Seacrest announced that it was Kris and not her moving on! She looked just crushed! Thank the good Lord again (and all of Simon’s hours of praying!!) that Nick &/or Norman are finally going home! I was bummed and very disappointed that young and talented Jasmine Murray and my dueling-piano guy Matt Giraud sang so poorly this week, but as Simon reiterated at the end of the show that we’d see some of this week’s folks again, I truly do expect both of them and Megan to still have a shot at the Top 12 in the Wild Card Night sing-off on Thursday, March 5th….so let’s see if they make it to the ‘Wild Card Round’, pick better songs and move into the TOP 12 after that night!

OK…..we have one final group of 12, Group #3, an interesting and eclectic bunch, this coming week, let’s hope they serve up some great performances for us all to watch on Tuesday night….until then…..a great weekend to all, and hope you celebrate ‘Open That Bottle Night’ http://www.openthatbottlenight.com/ on Saturday! For now, it’s Eddie ‘Little Simon’ Idol……OUT!!

American Idol Recap: Wednesday Night!

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 14:37:00 +0000

Sorry this is up late -- not Eddie's fault, it's mine -- not finding a lot of time to blog this week!

My Top 12 predictions may take yet another beating tonight depending on how America votes! After last night’s show….I believe I lost at least one (or more!) who I thought were a lock for the TOP 12, and think I’m safe on at least two more, but may get a sweep if one of my originally chosen 1/2 dozen dark-horse candidates again makes it IN to climb into the TOP 12. Hoping for a clean sweep, but knowing America, there’s always a surprise! So…..here are my thoughts on last night’s performers….

Jasmine Murray- Here’s the one I take the hit on! L Had here pegged for TOP 12. Started out badly with ‘Love Song’, got better, but it was very pitchy and I don’t think it’s going to be good enough to get her through. I do think she’ll be back for the Wild Card Round though next week on March 5th, so she still may be in the TOP 12 when it’s all said and done!!

Matt Giraud—I had this kid pegged for stardom too, and the TOP 12….but picking Coldplay’s ‘Viva La Vida’ was a kiss of death! Very risky, give him credit for that, but too tough to perform. He tried putting his own spin on it, but I don’t think he performed it well enough. Look for him to be back in the ‘Wild Card’ round next week, as the judges do like this kid!

Jeanine Vailes— GREAT LEGS!!!! :-0 But another tough song to do with ‘This Love’ by Marroon 5. She just didn’t do it well at all, but look for her as a Model in a legs commercial somewhere down the road!

Nick Mitchell---Just a ghastly performance that isn’t worthy of any comments other than he got his few weeks of fame, and now it’s time to go home!

Allison Iraheta—This girl wasn’t even on my radar through Hollywood, and I don’t care for the red hair or her look, but she’s got a great voice! She nailed a great Heart song ‘Alone’ and deserves to be the Top Girl Vote Getter tonight! TOP 12!!

Kris Allen—Little face time for this kid all the way thru Hollywood, so he needed to make an impact. Kiss of death picking a Michael Jackson song ‘Man in the Mirror’, but actually he did it pretty well. I just don’t think it was good enough for the TOP 3 on this night, so think he’s going home. Possible that he’ll return to the Wild Card round next Thursday night!?

Megan Corkrey—Liked this girl from the start and had her pegged for TOP 12! Like her new look with the curly blonde hair, great eyes too, very photogenic! HATED her song, ‘Put Your Records On’….UGH!! She did do it well though, but I wasn’t crazy about her little, quirky twists and turns while singing. She’ll be the 3rd one through tonight! TOP 12!!

Matt Breitzke- OK….here I will agree with Simon, what else is new, and the other judges in saying BAD SONG CHOICE with Tonic’s ‘If You Could Only See’….not his style at all! Back to welding some more pipes Matt….and get some damn hair too!

Jessica Langseth—I’ve never really liked this chick very much at all, and even though I loved the song she picked with Kim Canes’ ‘Bette Davis Eyes’, it was just OK and pretty forgettable! No loss here…..bye-bye Jessica, you’re going home!

Kai Kalama—I like this kid, had him pegged as a dark-horse for the TOP 12, and think he still has a shot at it. YES….he picked an OLD song n ‘”What Becomes of the Broken Hearted’ by Jimmy Ruffin, but I though he sang it really well! I hope he makes it through tonight, and if not, hope he’s back for the Wild Card night next Thursday!

Mishovanna Henson— Love the name, and absolutely loved her song choice with ‘Drops of Jupiter’ by Train, which I don’t think she did all that badly, since it’s a guy/group song. But probably, for the 2nd season in a row, she doesn’t make it through to the TOP 12, but think we may see her back in the Wild Card round next week!

Adam Lambert- He’s the ‘double’ for my son Jonathan, so yeah….I liked this kid from the start and think he did what he needed to do to move on to the TOP 12 last night. Pretty awesome rendition of the Stones ‘Satisfaction’ song, this kid has talent and incredible range, and the ‘David Cook’ persona going on! Yes, he’s theatrical and that could catch up with him, but he’s a LOCK for the TOP GUY VOTE GETTER tonight and IN for the TOP 3 from last night! TOP 12!

BOTTOM LINE: It was yet another night of several poor song choices by many of the contestants, which is getting a bit old with the judges based on their comments. It’s as if someone does an ‘older genre’ song than their supposed to do because of their younger age, it’s a poor song choice! I don’t always agree, and thought many picked great songs, but….they just didn’t rise to the occasion and perform them as well as they should have! Contrary to what others feel (friend Pete mostly) I thought this group was considerably better overall talent-wise than last week’s group from top-to-bottom, and tonight’s votes could be a surprise for several contestants!

Let Kimmy and I know, based on tonight’s voting results, who you think should have made it through from last night’s show, or if you agree with all that get voted through!

More from Eddie Idol tomorrow……after the results show tonight and 3 more lucky contestants are added to the TOP 12!

Oscar Notes

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 16:55:00 +0000

So last night Hollywood offered up its best and most glamorous for the 81st annual Academy Awards. This is one of my favorite nights of the year and my Oscar party, as usual, kept the actual show from putting me to sleep.

No, I won't be recapping who won what here, if you're really interested, visit http://www.oscar.com/ for the official winners list.

For me, it's always all about who's there, who they're with, and, of course, who they're wearing! Fashion, fashion, it's all about the fashion! The Acacemy Awads Red Carpet is the Superbowl of Fashion. And just to prove it, Heidi Klum AND Tim Gunn were there last night!

So, I started my evening off watching E! from 6-8 for the oh-so-awaited arrivals.

ABC, knowing full well, that the red carpet draws almost as much attention at the awards themselves, opted to start their evening with red carpet coverage at 6:30. It was interrupted at 7 for the Barbara Walters Special and then returned at 8 as a precursor to the Oscar telecast, which began at 8:30.

What follows are just my notes and observances of the evening.

First acknolwedged celebrity to arrive on E!'s arrival show was Miley Cyrus, who I guess was there to support Animated Feature nominee Bolt. She was wearing a hideous scalloped dress that did nothing for her ... and her mom was showing off her first-ever pair of real diamond earrings.

Are you serious??? Is Billy Ray really that cheap, that he never bought his wife of something like 20 years a pair of REAL diamond earrings??

Next notable celeb up was the oh-to-pretty Zac Efron and his onscreen-offscreen love Vanessa Hudgens, who had a lovely black mermaid dress on. So far, this one's my fave.

I also loved Viola Davis' golden halter creation. It looked beautiful on her and flattered her skin color. I was not nearly as impressed with fellow nominee Taraji P. Henson's white layered gown as Miss Jay from E! was. I thought it looked like she was wrapped in toilet paper.

My highlight came at 6:55 when vampire Edward Cullen, I mean presenter Robert Pattinson, showed up dressed head-to-toe in Dolce & Gabbana! OK, so I'm biased here, but I was so thrilled that he went the classic route with perfect tux and bow tie, instead of the I'm Young Hollywood and Don't Have to Comply with the Academy look that some younger stars donned.

Remember, even though you're not nominated now, the Academy is watching, showing respect now will pay off later ...

OK, now I'm getting annoyed ... Is it really necessary to have the camera on Marissa Tomei so looonng? Her geometric-layered white (yes, another white) gown, while better than others that she wore this awards season, was a miss.

I'm liking Amanda Seyfried's red dress -- although later when she was presenting, I took that back ... that bow was ridiculous!

Oh my, who's the Cinderella at the end of the red carpet -- why it's Sarah Jessica Parker, in a full white/silver ball gown. A tiny bustiere topping a very full dress -- like I said, Very Cinderella. (I later found out it was Diore couture, very ooh la la!) Why is she the only celebrity that can pull off such a variety of looks?

This photo doesn't do the dress justice, watch for it on TV tonight during all the post-Oscar entertainment shows!

And she confirmed to E! that all four principals have signed on to make another Sex & The City movie -- yay!

7:15 pm -- Seacrest finally does something worthwhile and interviews Pattinson! Oddly enough, Ryan's the same height, which only proves my speculation that he's standing on a box behind that fake hedge. Ryan, we all know you're not that tall. Anyway, Pattinson admits to "catastrophically" blowing his rehearsal Saturday and predicts he will be the let down of the whole show. Actually Rob, you were my high point of the whole show!

And a big thank you to the person who had the sense to seat Rob behind Mickey Rourke. Rourke donned a hideous white suit (though it looked better than anything else he had worn to an awards show) and every time the camera panned the audience, he was easily spotted. Then all I had to do was look immediatly behind him and Hello Rob!

Back to Rourke for a sec -- I thought it was totally endearing that he wore a necklace with a photo of his recently deceased best friend, Loki, his chihauhau, who passed only six days ago ... Loki was supposed to attend the show with her master and Rourke had a little tux made. He said he had it with him.

Right after that 15-time nominee (yes, that's a record) Meryl Streep showed up -- frumpy as usual. While one of the greatest actresses of all time, don't look for her on Project Runway anytime soon. Meryl couldn't pick out a flattering dress to save her life.

Next up was Ron Howard (who ALWAYS looks better when he's wearing a hat). Howard was nominated for best director for his film Frost/Nixon, and walking the red carpet with him actually was Sir David Frost!!

Josh Brolin walked with wife Diane Lane. Is it just me or does Josh look more like his handsome father everyday? Yeah, James is still better looking, but Josh is catching up ...

Queen Latifah looked great in custom couture, joking that it had to be custome 'cause "They don't make couture in my size!"

Flipping over to the Barbara Walters Special just in time to see The Jonas Brothers -- hey WTH, where's the sound???

Back to E! Jessica Biel shows up, looking like she just rolled outta bed. What was with her hair? Not a good look Jess.

Peter Gabriel, who backed out of performing his best song nominee -- just looked old, while 74-year-old Sophia Loren looked fabulous!! Man, that lady's got some great genes!

Natalie Portman was gorgeous in a fuschia strapless gown. Another of my faves.

OMG -- at 7:38 Brangelina shows and she's looking fabulous too. After making frumpy appearances at the Golden Globes (where she opted to wear her gown backwards) and the SAG Awards. Angie stunned the red carpet in a black strapless sheath-gown that fit her in all the right places. Brad looked tired -- hey, the man's got six kids now! Tired or not, he's still gorgeous.

Yay, Kate Winslet's here! Can't wait to see what -- what the hell?? - is she wearing? Oh Kate, don't do this to me!! You showed up at the Globes and SAG looking spectacular and tonight is sooo going to be your night. After 5 nominations, Kate will finally win and that's what she chose to wear? Sorry, your Yves Saint Laurent dress is not working for me babe.

Hey Robert Downey Jr. just showed up -- looking amazing! I don't know what he's had done since the SAG awards, but he looks amazingly younger! Good for you Robert -- so glad to see you back and doing so well.

Back Barbara Walters, and yes, she's interviewing Oscar host and Sexiest Man Alive Hugh Jackman. I love this guy and soo looking forward to the show because of him! In typical style, Babs goes for the tears -- and Jackman, while not blubbering, does well-up while talking about his father coming to see him at Carnegie Hall.

And how's this for irony? Hugh's dad was a senior partner at Price-Waterhouse, the same company that famously tallies the Oscar votes year after year, and now his son is hosting the Oscars.

E! coverage ends with a tribute to Bollywood! Indian dancers, who will later grace the Oscar stage, stop in to teach E!'s hosts how to dance Bollywood-style. And, hilariously, E! gets the jokeand proceeds to show everyone from E! doing the Indian-style dance!

Over to ABC's official red carpet, hosted by GMA's Robyn Roberts and Tim Gunn (Yay Tim Gunn!!). Roberts looks superb in a lovely red gown, while Tim is always the personification of class.

The ABC coverage gave us the chance to see Gunn gush over Brad & Angie, practically accosting them, while Mickey Rourke continued to pay homage to Loki.

And finally it was time for the show.

Jackman hits the stage performing a song & dance number for each of the movies nominated for Best Picture. He enlists the help of Anne Hathaway, who managed to change dresses. It's better than when Rob Lowe danced with Snow White, but nothing like what Billy Crystal would've done ...

Jackman is rewarded for his efforts with standing ovation from his peers. Overall, the show felt more intimate, like theater. However, that intimacy dragged on and left some people falling asleep in their chairs and me in mine too ...

Then Whoopi Goldberg showed up in that hideous leopard print nightmare (sorry I couldn't find a photo, probably 'cuz that dress cracked every camera lens trained on it)!! Along with her was Tilda Swinton, last year's winner for best supporting actress -- looking equally horrible. It's OK Tilda, we expect that from you.

Fortunately, Jennifer Aniston walked out with Jack Black and showed them all how it should be done. Her beaded white strapless was perfect.

Right off the bat, I'm annoyed because one of the new "changes" to the format is apparently not showing clips from the nominated-actors performances. Instead they're bringing out former winners in the acting categories and having them each say something (drawing things out more ... snore) about a nominee. Yawn!

These must be the "surprise" presenters, as we did not see them on the red carpet.

Then finally, some comic relief arrives in the form of Ben Stiller channeling his outer Joaquin Phoenix, complete with sunglasses and messy beard. Thanks Ben, we needed it!

Afterwards it was time for that atrocious musical number. Sorry Hugh, I love you, but this really didn't work for me. I was especially disappointed it didn't end with a kick line -- and I'm serious! Hugh's long legs kicking is a sight to behold. Although I gotta give it to Beyonce, she worked it girl! And managed to look better than everyone else.

After many, many minor categories were presented five former best supporting actor winners hit the stage to present the same -- and leave it to Cuba Gooding Jr. to make us laugh again. He was honoring Robert Downey Jr.'s performance as (here we go again, last time, I promise) "the dude playing the dude disguised as another dude" in Tropic Thunder, and congratulated him on his next movie -- "Shaft."

During the same presentation, Kevin Kline teared up while honoring the late Heath Ledger, who went on to win as expected. Heath's family got a standing ovation while accepting his Oscar. Queu close-ups of Brad Pitt, Adrian Body, Robert Downey Jr., Ben Kingsley, Anne Hathaway and Angelina Jolie, all visibly tearing up.

Boy this is really getting long isn't it? Now you know how I felt last night ...

Next up, Best Documentary feature -- and it goes to "Man on Wire," a film about a French man Phillippe Petit, walking a tight rope stretched across the World Trade Center. While the producers are accepting, Petit runs up to the stage to say thank you and balances the Oscar upside-down on his chin!

Will Smith takes the stage and he's such a big star that he presents 4, yeah 4, Oscars. This must have been to make up for those unknown A-listers who allegedly backed out at the last minute ...

It's song/dance time again -- this time for the songs actually nominated. Thank goodness for Bollywood!! The two songs from Slumdog Millionaire actually livened things up for a minute or two. And the Oscar goes to -- "Jai Ho" from Slumdog! I might actually have to look up this soundtrack. (Note to producers: Every Oscar ceremony shoul feature an upbeat Bollywood song, even it none is nominated!)

At 11:05 ABC airs a preview of next week's Brothers & Sisters. While I've been encouraged many times to watch this show, I never have. But after watchig that wicked promo, I might actually tune in next week!

Either that or I was just really, really bored at this point.

Here comes a shocker -- Waltz with Bashir didn't win Best Foreign Film (what???????). Yeah, after winning every other award that came along, it's completely shut out by Japan's Departures.

Where the hell is Hugh Jackman? He's been missing a long time now. And I guess that's my main complaint. I think he's doing a great job, they're just not using him enough!

And here comes another highlight of the annual Oscar telecast for me.

In Memoriam.

C'mon now, you all know that you like this segment too. It's always interesting to remember those who've entertained us over the years and pay homage to them. And this past year was a doosy! Included were Cyd Charisse, Bernie Mac, Van Johnson, Michael Crichton, Isaac Hayes, Ricardo Montalban, Stan Winston, Sydney Pollack, Anthony Minghella, Roy Scheider, Charlton Heston and Paul Newman. God bless ...

I promise, we're almost thru.

Finally, the big ones -- Kate Winslet got her Oscar for Best Actress -- finally! Shouting out for her dad to whistle so she could find him in the audience. And he did!

Robert DeNiro had the privilege of honoring Sean Penn for his nomination, asking "How did Sean Penn for all those years play straight men?" And pointing out the way he "gently reasons with the papparazzi."

And here's my favorite part of the whole show -- while the camera was trained on Mickey Rourke, being honored for his nomination, Rob Pattinson could be seen lurking over his shoulder! I swear I missed everything that was said about Rourke,because I was completely mesmerized by Rob!

In the upset of the evening, Penn beat out Rourke, winning his second Oscar. And who knew Sean Penn could be so light-hearted.

"You commie, homo-loving sons of guns!" joked Penn to the audience. "I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me." Before the end of his speech, Penn returned to his usual political demeanor, asking the audience to reflect on shame for being against gay marriage.

Then Penn got all emo on Rourke for winning his award.

Finally Steven Spielberg arrived to present Best Picture, which went, as expected, to Slumdog Millionaire, and it looked like the entire cast got up on stage to accept.

All in all it was a typical Academy Awards evening. And although I seem to be complaining now, I had a great time! I think I'm just a bit cranky 'cuz I didn't get to go to all the after parties, even though this morning I felt like I had been up all night!

Till next year!

For more pictures, interviews, etc. visit http://www.oscars.org/

American Idol First 3

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 01:17:00 +0000

As I said in the AI blog earlier this week, after a night of very poor song choices and forgettable performances from the first Group of 12, I’d have been shocked if the 3 people I chose (Alexis Grace, Ricky Braddy and Danny Gokey) didn’t get voted through.

BUT…..true to form, America voted…..and pulled a BIG surprise! I thought Ricky Braddy’s performance was worthy of a TOP 12 spot, but America said….as Lee Corso so often does….Not so fast my friend!!!....and voted through Michael ‘Oil Rig’ Sarver, who I had in my ‘GOOD’ performance category from Tuesday night, and listed as a serious dark-horse candidate.

If it would have been anyone else besides him, I’d have been really ticked off! But….Michael Sarver’s incredible likeability, politeness and just overall super personality got him through!

Thank the good Lord that Tatiana has gone home!

I was bummed and very disappointed that Anne Marie Boskovich and Stevie Wright sang so poorly, and I truly do expect Ricky Braddy, and come to think of it, possibly Anne Marie to still have a shot at the Top 12 in the Wild Card Night sing-off on Thursday, March 5th….so let’s see if they resurrect themselves that night!

Bottom Line: Think this next Group of 12 is a stronger group than the first, and now that they’ve seen one group already sing, it’s definitely an advantage to them, especially on SONG CHOICES!

Next week’s Idol Shows are Wednesday and Thursday nights, no Tuesday night show! LOST fans, for which my brother Ron is #1….make a decision….& set your DVR’s on Wednesday to one or the other!!

OK…..let’s hope Group #2 gives some way better performances this coming week….until then…..a great weekend to all….for now, it’s Eddie ‘Little Simon’ Idol……OUT!!

Kim: No decision needed Eddie -- LOST always wins!!

OMG - Blogger David Dust attended the Project Runway Show today!!

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 23:57:00 +0000

Hi Project Runway fans ... I totally squeeeeed in delight while perusing David Dust's blog today and saw that he attended the Project Runway Season 6 finale in Bryant Park!!

David has commented over here and left the link to his blog. Check it out. I think he's brilliant!

Anyway, if you're dying for a Project Runway fix, since we don't know if we'll ever actually see Season 6, here's the link to David's post!

http://daviddust.blogspot.com/2009/02/project-runway-season-6-fashion-show.html

Enjoy!
And if you likey, leave a comment and show Mr. Dust some love!

Top Chef Final Four Recap

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:14:00 +0000

Sorry I haven't posted this sooner, I've been in mourning. If you watched Wednesday night's episode of Top Chef and are a regular reader of this blog ... you already know why. If not -- read on ...

The Final Four -- Hosea, Carla, Fabio and Stefan -- were summoned to New Orleans to compete for the title. Obviously, they had been sent home after last week's episode for an undetermined amount of time, because Fabio arrived not only with a Mohawk, but his broken finger is now A-OK!

After arriving at one of those historic plantations New Orleans is so proud of, the cheftestants were greeted by hostess Padma, who couldn't wait to introduce the challenge's guest judge -- New Orleans Embassador de Cuisine Emeril Lagasse. I guess now that he's done with the Food Network, Mr. Bam! is free to appear on Bravo.

This week's QuickFire Challenge offered up a twist. The Final Four wouldn't be competing. Instead prior cheftestants Leah, Jaime and Jeff were brought back for a chance to get back in the game.

"Give me a break!" exclaimed Fabio, obviously flabberghasted that one would win the right to compete again.

Hmmm, it looked to me like things were a little awkward between Hosea and Leah ... don't forget that little make-out session they had a few weeks back.

The three returning chefs were tasked to create a dish with crawfish -- one of Emeril's favorites.

Leah's worried (big surprise), seafood was never her strong suit. Although now she's complaining about having to cook outdoors. She chooses to go the safe route with that old southern standby Gumbo.

Jeff, who always tries to do too much (which lead to his downfall), decides to simplify with Crawfish and Grits. He admits to being nervous cooking for Emeril.

Jaime decides to make a corn cake and greens with a ham and crawfish cream sauce (??).

In the midst of all, Stefan let's out a shocker and says "Leah's a good chef" (whaaaa?).

Jeff's nerves prove to be unworthy of their troubles, as Emeril chooses him as the winner. This puts Jeff back in the competition.

Bye-Bye Leah and Jaime.

The remaining cheftestants are all invited to spend the evening dining at Emeril's Delmonico Restaurant. And, of course, they're all very impressed with the quality of the food.

The next morning, the chefs travel to one of New Orleans' famed Mardi Gras warehouses, where the various floats are kept. Padma informs them that for the Elimination Challenge they will cater a charity event for the Orpheus Krewe. Each chef is responsible for creating 2 dishes (one must be Creole) and a cocktail for about 100 people. They will have 5 hours to prep and cook at Delmonico. They also get full access to the kitchen and food supplies.

Jeff is informed that in order to progress to the finale, he must win this challenge. If he does, two other chefs will be sent home. If he loses, Jeff is out, along with one other cheftestant. The winner of this challenge also gets a brand new Toyota Venza auto. Fabio, who really wants this prize, declares, "My car is a piece of poop!"

Time starts now!

Hosea decides to go with Duck, Andouille and Chicken Gumbo (more gumbo, sheesh!), Pecan-Crusted Catfish and a Hurricane with Grand Marnier and Rum.

Carla keeps it simple with Oyster Stew, Shrimp and Andouille Beignet and a non-alcoholic Cranberry Spritzer. Unfortunately, Carla later finds out that the oysters, while aplenty, are not shucked!

Stefan opts to make Duck and Rabbit Gumbo over Grits (more gumbo, anyone?), Apple Beignet and a Black Cherry & Rum Cocktail (mmm, could I get one of those now, please?).

Fabio gets daring with a Sausage and Rabbit Maque Choux with Grits (I have no idea ...), Muffuletta Bread, Crawfish & Crab Stew over Casereeci Pasta with a Bell Pepper Martini (oh yeah, gotta try one of those *smirk*).

Jeff goes with Fried Oysters with Sausage, Crawfish Pot de Creme (WTH??) and a Cucumber Mojito.

Sorry, I just have to laugh to myself right now, because I also watch Fox's trainwreck Hell's Kitchen, and after looking over the names of these dishes, I triple-dog dare any of the so-called "chefs" on that show to attempt making just one of them! Hell's Kitchen is the anti-Top Chef, but that's another story ...

As the chefs settle in and get to work, Hosea and Stefan realize that gumbo might not have been such a great idea, as it takes a lot of time to cook right. But Stefan's biggest problem is that over-sized ego of his, he thinks he's got it in the bag! And Carla's freaking out over the 100 oysters she has to shuck.

When Head Judge and Chef Tom Colicchio drops by to check on everyone, he wonders out loud why Carla doesn't just steam the oysters open (good question).

While Carla's stew is going just fine, she hasn't yet added said oysters and is worried that they won't get done and she's "gonna have to MacGuyver it!"

On to the Masquerade Ball at the New Orleans Museum of Art -- Carla's still shucking oysters, by the way.

As everone sets up their serving tables, the judges enter wearing masks. One by one they are revealed, and to my delight (and I'm sure the chefs) Gail Simmons is back!! Yay Gail!

By this time, I'm sure Elfman's getting all hot and bothered, because Padma looks smoking hot in her gown! Padma, we expect no less from you, ever!

Back to the cheftestants -- Carla finally asks for some SHUCKING HELP!!

(Yeah, I just liked writing SHUCKING HELP!)

The guests arrive and everyone goes right for the food. Fabio's a big hit with the crowd, as usual. He officially calls his bell pepper martini a "Trinitini," and some guy said Fab's caserecci pasta "was like a parade in my mouth." .... Oh, don't even go there!

Carla receives "hootie-hoos" from her fans over her offerings, while Emeril calls her dishes very New Orleans-inspired. (good sign C-babe.)

The judges are happy with Hosea as well. Emeril says he loves Hosea's gumbo! WOW! you go boy!

Of course, all the fun and frolicking must come to an end and everyone's summoned to Judges Table.

Jeff: Judges loved his oyster dish and praise him for his homemade sausage -- (again, don't go there).

Fabio: Judges wanted more heat. Fab thinks it was hot enough .. C'mon you hot Italian man, more heat please. While his cocktail smelled good, it didn't live up to the expectation, it was deemed too sweet. Fab says he likes sweet.

Stefan: Emerial says "never in 28 years have I seen Gumbo over grits" and they were very good grits! Tom slugs Stefan for being "over-confident." Whew, didn't see that coming, did you Stefan?

Carla: Thought her dish was too hot -- no girl, actually you're the one on fire! Judges have only praise for her oyster stew, drink and beignet -- Oh snap!! Have I mentioned how much Carla has grown on me over the season?

Hosea: Apologizes to judges for them getting to his table so late in the evening. Why, it's not his fault? However, judges loved his gumbo, with Emeril adding, "If I was blindfolded, I could be in any great restaurant in New Orleans."

Then Padma says ... "We have a TON of things to talk about. I'll see you in a MINUTE." Really, it'll only take a minute to talk about TONS of things?

Judges deem Stefan and Fabio as their least faves and worry openly that although they've both have been great competitors, they may lose one or both of them.

After a minute (??) Judges summon everyone back in and remind Jeff that if he doesn't win, he's gone! Oh thanks, like he forgot ....

Emeril names Carla the winner and Jeff packs his knives and goes ... for the second time.

Padma congratulates Hosea, letting him know he made it to the final.

And then there were two ... arrogant Stefan and fabulous Fabio. Two of the most promising chefs of this season.

Fabio's flavors were not layered correctly and he just missed the mark.

Stefan's food was good, but you're cocky.

Either way, it's the end of Team Europe!

Padma -- no, don't say it!! -- FABIO, please pack your knives and go.

**NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! said in Darth Vader's voice by James Earl Jones at the end of Episode 3!**

Fabio graciously hugs Stefan and tells him, "if you don't win I'll kick your ass!"

God I'm gonna miss that guy!

Next week -- the final of the finale! Somehow, it's lost it's excitement for me. But I guess I'll be rooting for Carla now.

And for those of you who dare -- check out David Dust's Top Chef Recap -- it's LOL Funny, Wickedly Crass and bound to make my recap look bad ... enjoy!

http://daviddust.blogspot.com/2009/02/top-chef-episode-thirteen-return-of.html

Coming up this weekend: Survivor Recap, Amazing Race Recap, Real Housewives NY Recap and, of course, THE 81ST ANNUAL ACADEMY AWARDS -- man, I'm gonna be busy!!

Top Chef Final Four Tonight!!

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:21:00 +0000

Love this shot!

Just a quick reminder for all my Top Chef fans -- the finale begins tonight. Yes, I said "begins," as all die-hard fans should already know, tonight is the first in a 2-part finale, ending next week.

Tonight, the Final Four from Top Chef New York -- humble Hosea, wacky Carla, the fabulous Fabio and arrogant Stefan (pictured in order above) -- will travel to New Orleans where Emeril Lagasse will serve as guest judge.

The Big Easy's Embassador de Cuisine will get the unenviable task of eliminating two cheftestants tonight, with the remaining two competing next week for the Top Chef crown!

"Watch what happens" on Bravo at 10 p.m.

And let's not forget about Lost -- the Oceanic 6 will learn how to "find" the island tonight at 9 p.m.!

Still watching the Real Housewives of New York episode from last night -- and it's not disappointing!! Those bitches came out guns blazin' at the onslaught and it's been snarky badness throughout! I'll be posting that, hopefully, sometime tomorrow!

Also, I haven't forgotten about the Amazing Race, just haven't had time to actually watch the entire episode yet. Will catch up before the next episode!

Cheers!

Eddie's American Idol Update: Tuesday Night

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 23:08:00 +0000

Call me Nostradamus, or call it coincidence…..but in my TOP 36 recap last weekend, before truly knowing that only 3 contestants would make it through out of each 3 groups of 12, I had 9 folks listed as ‘sure-bets’ for the TOP 12 and had several (6 total) others as ‘dark-horses’ to make up the final 3 spots! After last night’s show….I believe I lost two and was dead on for one, with another one of my dark-horses set to climb into the TOP 12.
Who are they you ask? Here ‘ya go….the GOOD….the BAD….and the UGLY!!!...

The GOOD
Alexis Grace—She made a believer out of me weeks ago, and last night’s rendition of ‘I Never Loved A Man’ by Aretha Franklin validates why she’ll be a force in this competition! She’s sultry, dirty sexy and can sing! In my opinion, BEST of the first group! She’ll get voted through tonight, and be part of the TOP 12 as I predicted!

Ricky Braddy—Who?? Yes…Ricky Braddy! Little face time on the show up to this point, and I agreed with Simon on the fact that this kid lacks ‘star quality’ and could be forgettable, but how do you NOT put him through after his incredible rendition of ‘A Song For You’ by Leon Russell? At first I wasn’t sure I really liked it, but played it back later on the DVR and was blown away! He’ll get through tonight….TOP 12!

Danny Gokey—Yes….I really did just type his name! And like Simon again, I’m not all that jacked up on all the hype this kid gets week in and week out, and what’s with another chick song, as he performed ‘Hero’ by Mariah Carey?! But of the first 12 last night, he’s gotta’ be in the TOP 3! I had him as a dark-horse for my TOP 12 before last night’s show!

Michael Sarver—I disagreed with the judges and think he did pretty well with the ‘ Gavin DeGraw’ song ‘I Don’t Want To Be’. His likeability factor may be enough to get him through, but now, I’d list him as a dark-horse to move on!

The BAD:
Jackie Thon—Never liked her annoying personality and thought her rendition of Elvis’s ‘A Little Less Conversation’ was just downright bad! I never liked the song even when EP did it, and I’m sure he was rolling over in agony in the grave last night!! Before last night thought she was a dark-horse candidate at best, but no way she moves on…..but then….I’ve been wrong before!

Brent Keith—OK…I’ll give him credit for one thing, he stuck to his CMT country roots with his ‘Hicktown’ song, but it just was OK, and quite forgettable! Bye-Bye Brent, back to CMT for you!

Anoop Desai-Thought his song choice was poor, ‘Angel of Mine’ by Monica…Who? What? Ugh!!! Too girly and too old of a song for him! NOOP will no longer be in the house!

Anne Marie Boskovich—Think I’ll suffer through another ‘TOP 12’ gone bad here! Sang Aretha’s ‘Natural Woman’ and just didn’t do any justice to it at all! Horrible song choice for her, did not fit her style at all!

Tatiano Del Toro—Drama Queen who looked high on some ‘relaxing drugs’ last night sang ‘Saving All My Love For You’ by Whitney…..and even though at times it was OK, overall the whole performance was plain bad. Save some love for yourself Tatiano, you’ll be going home tonight!

THE UGLY
Stephen Fowler—OK…so he didn’t forget the words to MJ’s ‘Rock With You’, but I agree again with Simon, he should have! Very karaoke-like performance, another poor song choice here! Fowler gone fowl!

Stevie Wright-Another sweet, young girl who I thought had TOP 12 potential….NO MORE! Picked a ‘young’ Taylor Swift song, ‘You Belong With Me’, but just killed it! Very pitchy, not well done in any aspect. Very disappointing performance by her, one she’ll hopefully learn from.

Casey Carlson- Calendar Girl gave by far the WORST performance of the night!! UGH! Singing ‘Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic’ by the Police, there was NO THING that was magical about this, and I was ready to call the local Police on this one for an ‘annoying disturbance’ from my TV! Go back to modeling bikini’s and selling calendars Casey!

BOTTOM LINE: After a night of very poor song choices and forgettable performances, I’d be shocked if the 3 I chose here don’t make it through, especially Dirty Alexis and the Dokey Gokey guy! And if you’re wondering whether or not I texted any votes in….YES….I text messaged votes in after the show for Alexis and Ricky Braddy, 2x for each one!

As Always, tell me who you think should make it through from last night’s show! Let me know your thoughts! And I’m still waiting to see everyone else’s ‘TOP 12’ predictions…or are you waiting until all 36 perform!? ;-0

More from Eddie ‘I’m Getting More Like Simon Every Day’ Idol……after the results show tonight! (Kim: Simon, I mean Eddie, you took the words right outta my mouth!)

Get Double the Real Housewives Tonight

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:54:00 +0000

OC Wives

Tonight over on Bravo, it's a double dose of those knit-picky, nouveau riche, bitchy, "real" housewives!!

Tune in at 10 p.m. to say good-bye to another season of the Real Housewives of Orange County. I'm sure there'll be plenty of shenanigans between Lynne, Tamra, Gretchen, Jeanna and Queen Bitch Vicki!

Then stay tuned 'cause at 11 p.m. it the second season debut of the wickedly successful Real Housewives of New York (my personal favorite)!

These vulgar "ladies" really give new meaning to the word "class."

And if you're a fan of the Bravo Network, you've already seen the preview many times. It features single gal, Betheny (why she's a "Housewife" I'll never know, but I love her!), yelling "Holy Catfight, what did you do now!" into the phone.

Tonight's episode centers on "plotzing," as snarky NY wife Jill would say. It seems that Jill talked a little too much to New York Post columnist Cindy Adams regarding other NY wife Alex's husband (you remember, the guy she can't leave the house without!), prompting the aforementioned decree!

Other highlights, according to the NY Post, include a descripton of the pool at the rented house Alex and her mankini-wearing hubby are styaing in being called "reminiscent of ancient Babylonia," and LuAnn, the Countess, ordering a pizza on the phone and identifying herself to the pizza man as the "Countess de Lesseps!" Remember last season, she had the audacity to correct Betheny for introducing her to Betheny's driver as "LuAnn." God forbid!

Thanks for all the appropriate snarkiness NY Post TV Critic Linda Stasi!

And, judging by the above photo, it looks like Jill (right) gets into it with the Countess (left) as well!

Next week, the show moves to its usual 10 p.m. Tuesday time slot -- be there!!

American Idol Update

kim.gardengal.toth@gmail.com (Garden Gal) — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:36:00 +0000

AI UPDATE………AI will be doing a whole new format this year to get to the TOP 12… The Top 36 are divided into 3 groups of 12. Group 1 performs tonight. After the show, America will vote as usual. During Wednesday night’s results show, AI will announce the 3 highest vote-getters–Top guy, Top girl and next highest of either sex–to advance to the Top 12. By Wed. of Week 3, America will have filled 9 of the Top 12 slots.

On Thursday of Week 3, (March 5th) a group of contestants, hand-picked by the producers, (mostly from the Top 36 but not necessarily) will perform AGAIN for the judges. At the end of the episode, the judges will choose the last 3 contestants to round out the Top 12.

Bottom line, in this crazy and confusing new format, is that by Friday, March 6th, we’ll know the TOP 12! So….that’s when you should start the contest to pick the AI winner, with all entries recd via the WEB by March 10th, before the Top 12 perform the following week on Tuesday and Wed, March 10th and 11th. Short window of time here!

Cheers,
Eddie Idol