Reality Bytes

Perez is reporting that Ryan Seacrest has a girlfriend.  That just breaks my heart.  She's on the E! show Sunset Tan and kind of looks like a slut.  Ryan, I'd make you so happy and I'm NOT a slut.  Honest!

This sounds interesting...  Nick Lachey is apparently producing a new show for MTV about students at the School for Creative and Performing Arts in Cincinnati.  If it's about Ohio and musical theatre, you'd better believe I'm going to be watching!

Farmer Wants A Wife.  I don't think I really need to elaborate.  It's starting on The CW on April 30.

Have you noticed previews for a plethora of dance shows?  In addition to the upcoming seasons of Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance?, Lifetime has joined in with Your Mama Don't Dance, in which dance-hopefuls must partner with--gasp--their PARENTS!  Also, Bravo has a new show called Step It Up & Dance.  I haven't seen either of these newbies, but I bet they're fierce!

American Idol: Atlanta & etc.

So, the Atlanta auditions (broadcast on Monday) brought over 12,000 Idol hopefuls and only 19 made it through to Hollywood.... Here are some of the highlights:

*Asia'h--first of all, is that really a name? Her dad recently passed away so she has the sob story, but does she have the voice? She sounds a little like Monica (of Brandy & Monica fame).

*Brooke--the blonde pageant girl. Too many runs, and, as Simon said, "Possibly the most annoying person I have ever seen in my life."

*Alexandra Lushington--my favorite from Atlanta. "My Funny Valentine" was a GREAT song choice, and it's all about the song choice sometimes. Fierce.

*Amanda--the motorcycle nurse chick. Reminds me of Nikki McKibbon but with a better voice?

*Josiah--the guy who lives in his car. He's cute but needs a few years to mature before he'll be ready to be a real singer.

Also amazing was The Paula Montage, a few minutes of clips of our favorite judge being a complete mess. I love her!

And then Tuesday's show was "The Best of the Rest." Basically people and stories they didn't have time for during the other auditon shows...

*The Twins--I hate them. The only good thing about them is their Polo shirts.

*Cardin--she sang "One Night Only." She's a poor man's version of Katharine McPhee.

*JoAnne--one of my favorites so far this season! A fierce, pingy, high belter. Loves it.

*Chikeze Eze--yes, that's his real name apparently. He's amazing and goes off.

*Danny--the fierce young gay who sings "Proud Mary." He would be amazing in The Singing Hoosiers, my choral alma mater.

Another great moment was when Ryan did a little singing of his own, even thought his outfit was pretty awful...


Final Thought: If you missed it live (as I did), check out Jordin Sparks singing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl. Pretty good!

Idol goes to Omaha...???

Omaha???  Really???  Whose idea was that?  I just don't get it; why is American Idol going to these random cities?  I mean, I definitely understand the idea of giving opportunities to people in different locales, but let's be honest: you're not going to find the next American Idol in Omaha or Charlotte.  You're just not.

That one guy who they let through--the one who kept forgetting his words--that pisses me off.  But you know what doesn't piss me off?  When Ryan arm wrestles with that blond girl.  His bulging bicep is incredible and makes me want to love him FOREVER.  (And his smile is absolutely adorable.)  It's also pretty fun how Ryan and Paula switch jobs for a while; Ryan would be a great judge I think!  

Omaha has too many Carrie Underwood wannabes; light poppy country isn't something to be discovered for on a show like Idol.  You have to be something NEW to actually make it, you know?  Like, Carrie Underwood succeeded because she brought that light country pop sound to the show; Jordin Sparks failed because she was nothing new and nothing exciting.

They keep talking about how people aren't that good--"you need to sound more like an individual," "work on your performance skills," etc.--and then sending them through!  Angelique, for example.  The Celine Dion knock-offs just don't do it for me.

Final Thought: Ryan is hosting the Super Bowl pre-show?  Nice.  I just might have to tune-in...

AI: San Diego & Charleston

My friend Adam is TiVoing American Idol this year because everyone works on Tuesday and Wednesday nights...  So we got together on Thursday and watched the San Diego and Charleston auditions.  Oh!  Before that, we watched a clip from last week's auditions in Dallas.  Watch out for Zpia (pronounced Pia); she's a singer at my roommate's bar and she's totally fierce.  

Anyhow, on to San Diego.  It was great for me to finally see Paula, Simon and Randy back behind the table with their oversized Coke cups.  Randy needs to shave those hideous sideburns, though.  Oh, it was also awesome to see Ryan, of course, but I see him in my dreams quite often.  Here are my notes about some of the standouts:

-Perrie--a single dad.  Nice.  The 90's called and want their voice back.

-Michael--he's a really cute Australian guy with a great voice, minus his nerv vibratto.

-Christopher & Monique--both absolutely horrible.

-Samantha--her sister got to sit in on her audition.  Needs a makeover.

-David--survived "vocal paralysis."  Great smile.  Sounds a little like Nick Lachey.

Then, it was off to Charleston.  No one good.  That's why you don't have auditions in the South unless it's Nashville--seriously, American Idol, FIO (Figure It Out).  The only thing that was better in Charleston than in San Diego was Ryan--he looks much hotter in the South.  Mmm.  My notes:

-DeAnna--"I waitress."  Classy.  Kellie Pickler is her idol; she's an f-ing idiot.

-Michelle & Jeffrey--the big brother and sister.  They should be singing in church.

-Amy/AC--16 years old; virgin; annoying.  Can't believe she's going to Hollywood.

-Arethat--with a name like that, you have to be better.  Changed keys multiple times.

So yeah, I'm looking forward to the next round of auditions.  Hopefully I missed some amazing singers two weeks ago when I didn't watch; we'll find out soon enough in Hollywood!

AI Returns in January :)

AMERICAN IDOL IS COMING BACK ON JANUARY 15 & 16!

The website has all kinds of information about the auditions that took place this summer and fall in San Diego, Dallas, Omaha, Atlanta, Charleston, Miami, and Philadelphia. Check it out!

I didn't watch more than a couple episodes of the last season, but I will definitely be tuning in to see if Season 7 will bring back talent like Latoya, Jennifer, Kelly, Kimberley (Locke), Clay, Katharine, and Diana. Oh, and Ryan Seacrest, of course. I love him.