Anyways, the bottom 3 was:

1. Scott
2. Lil
3. Anoop

Bottom 2 was the above minus Lil. Scott went home. It’s bittersweet. Sure, he deserved it but he put in a good run and it sucked to see him leave. Having said that, he’s increasingly looked more and more awkward up on stage and in the Ford commercials (the latter especially). I will miss him but he was the weakest.

Power List

1. Danny
2. Allison
3. Adam
4. Matt
5. Kris
6. Lil
7. Anoop

[8:05] Danny is singing “Stand By Me”. Performance seems safe but definitely has that soulful characteristic. Ending is far more impressive than the beginning. Randy didn’t like the arrangement but loved it anyway. Kara had the same feelings as Randy. All Paula can say is “Wow”.. and liked the arrangement. Simon thought it went from okay -> lazy -> terrible so overall “Great”.

Grade: B

[8:13] Kris up next.. talking about their first day off in two months in the last week. Apparently when he was little, he wanted to be a taxi cab driver. “All She Wants To Do Is Dance” from inside the pit w/ guitar. Judges seem bored.. and this seems like a safe performance.. it was mediocre. Kara says she liked the song pick but she thinks it was like homework for him.. Paula says he’s the most likable. Simon thought it was boring, indulgent, forgettable and that he came off as a guitarist wanting to sing.. and calls it a stupid song choice. Randy agrees and bashes the arrangement.. because he got drowned out by the instruments.

Grade: C

[8:19] Lil’ up next. Origin of her name – Lily.. pronounced “Leel”. “What’s Love Got To Do With It” by Tina Turner. Girl has pipes… I cannot lie. Seems like a subpar performance… and safe…. for her. Paula compliments her attire.. but thought the band led her.. or something like that. Simon called it a 2nd/3rd rate Tina Turner… and thinks they’ve lost her. Randy doesn’t think she’s listening to them.

Grade: C-

[8:30] Anoop explains his outburst at Kara’s comments as out of character and out of passion. “True Colors”. Back to the soulful, slow song.. and it’s pretty good.. but the arrangement is okay. Super, super safe. Randy congratulates UNC and liked the vocal. Kara says he controlled the song. Paula loved song choice. Simon thought it was very good.. made the song original.. and says there’s no need to apologize.

Grade: B-

[8:39] Here we go with Scott. “The Search Is Over”.. with an electric guitar?! Starts off mediocre and goes downhill fast. All over the place with the notes to me. Kara commends him for taking on a difficult song.. calls it an okay performance.. some parts being overambitious. Paula – “Bravo”. Simon suggests he go back to the piano next week. Randy thought the problem that it was all okay.

Grade: D+

[8:45] Allison is up next! “I Can’t Make You Love Me”. Terrible song choice.. you can’t make this song rock. It’s just impossible. I love her voice and it sines through here. Very good performance. I admire her trying to make it sound rock. Paula and Simon thought it was really good. Randy says Allison reminds him of Kelly Clarkson. Kara loved it.. for making an old song young. 

Grade: A-

[8:54] Matt’s up! 1985! Stevie’s “Part Time Lover.” Good song choice! Nice riffs. Definitely a fantastic performance.. nice ending too. Randy thought it was one of the best vocally. Kara thought it was incredible. Simon thought it was a million times better than last week.

Grade: A

[9:01] Adam’s up… with 10 seconds left before the show is scheduled to end. 1982! Love the beginning of the song. The weird notes actually are bearable this week. Good riff. Dude can hit high notes… notes guys shouldn’t be able to hit. Simon gives him a standing ovation… he’s the only one to talk out of the four.

Grade: A-

First Impression Bottom 3

1. Scott
2. Lil’
3. Anoop

A dying man is admitted along with his wife after the wife starts to sick while the man gets better. In the end, the man is diagnosed with a rather curable disease of the lungs while the wife is diagnosed with something she picked up in Rio. The only problem is she said she never went to Rio. She did.. with another man. Ethically, the man was ready to die to give his liver to her so she could live… since he was ready to die anyways. In the end, they reconcile. However, the disease in the woman progressed too far before they caught it so she passed.

However, this takes a backseat to a plot that unfolded 3 minutes into the episode. After Kutner didn’t show up for work, 13 and Foreman are dispatched to his apartment to figure out what he’s doing. They find his body with a gunshot wound to the temple.. gun nearby. They administer CPR but he’s already dead. House thinks it’s murder and his mind is fixated on that instead of the case. Foreman isolates himself from 13 because he deals with tragedy alone. Wilson, still reeling from his brother, offers House a helping hand when Cuddy tells him to. Taub is basically emotionless to the loss until the end of the episode when he breaks down in tears… either because of the case or Kutner.

First off, I’m upset with this plot. If they give a decent reason as to why Kutner would off himself, I’ll be okay but as it stands right now, this is a stupid plot. Kutner was growing on me as the best member of the new team… it doesn’t seem right that Kutner dies and Taub, my least favorite, lives.

Medical Accuracy: Pending

• Lady Gaga – What the hell was that? I didn’t think anything would beat Kanye’s abysmal performance but that was close… especially with the zipper eyepatch. She actually does have some vocals, which was surprising.
• Matt’s impersonation of Danny was hilarious. Danny’s impersonation of Matt was low (since that performance garnered terrible reviews) and not even close to the real thing.
• Sure, Megan said she didn’t care about the comments but since when is that a bad thing? Simon saying that since she didn’t care, neither will they was a bit over-the-top dramatic… I mean, she wouldn’t have been saved regardless so why would you let her go out the way she did? A bit cruel… even for Simon.
• David Cook’s performance albeit pre-recorded was sweet.
• What the hell was the Ford commercial?! That was freaky. Go back to water balloons.
• Allison being in the bottom 3 is just more evidence that America listens to what the judges say… regardless of how stupid it is.

That’s all for now. America got it right.

My power list now…

1. Danny
2. Kris
3. Adam
4. Allison
5. Matt
6. Lil’
7. Anoop
8. Scott

If Scott or Anoop, the latter especially, do not do well with the judges, they’re out.

TLC announced today that Jon & Kate Plus 8 will return for a fifth season. The popular show that attracted record ratings for its March 23 finale will join a busy roster of returning programs, such as 18 Kids and Counting, A Baby Story, American Chopper, What Not to Wear, and Little People, Big World.

Although not entirely surprising, it is a sense of relief to devout fans of the show after the finale left open the possibility that they would not return (because Jon essentially revealed he hates that he’s famous).

[8:01] This entrance is becoming annoying… it was honestly better when Ryan introduced them.

[8:02] Kara defends her overuse of the term “artistry”. Paula has no props unlike last week. Simon looks forward to everyone being amazing. What the Top 9 did this week playing… they visited Seacrest at American Top 40.

[8:06] Anoop starts it off. He’s singing Usher “Caught Up” attempting to get back to his fast paced music that people loved. Sounded like okay vocals to me. Wasn’t really the performance I was looking for when he said he was returning to the fast paced. Randy doesn’t think it’s the right song choice. I have to agree. Kara thought it was safe and thinks a bunch of frat guys dared him to sing Usher. Paula likes how he went back to the fun side… then rambles on with nonsense. Simon thought it was a complete mess and thought he’s a wannabe and the performance gave him a headache. Anoop thought Kara’s critique was completely wrong.

My grade: C .. wrong song choice and it was awkward to watch.

[8:16] Megan Joy Corkrey up next singing for her life. She’ll be signing Bob Marley & Lauryn Hill “Turn Your Lights Down Low.” She’s still doing those quirky dance moves that she’s become infamous for. The vocals seem okay but I just don’t think the judges are going to be that gungho about this performance. Certainly better than last week. Kara thinks she’s in trouble.. and is getting booed by the audience. Paula rambles about nonsense. Simon thought the song was boring and indulgent. Randy blasts song choice too.

My grade: C- .. Again, song choice sucked. Bottom 3 for sure.

[8:27] Danny Gokey up next. Rascal Flatts “What Hurts the Most”. This could be really, really, really good. Ryan quizzes Danny on last week’s performance which Simon called amateurish and clumsy. Danny didn’t want to do a different one but couldn’t for whatever reason… okay? 

The vocals start off pretty terrible to me… he has a history of being weak on the verses and strong on the chorus… and it seems to ring true here again but the chorus is STRONG. Paula kicks off the judges’ table with rave reviews. Simon thought it his best performance of the series and even applauds. Randy thinks tonight’s show starts here but wants him to move around. Kara applauds the soul and says she had goosebumps.

My grade: A- .. love the song and good performance from Gokey.

[8:33] Allison up next! (No commercials). She’s singing (w/ guitar!) No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak”.

I’m really digging the beginning of this song. Just behind Gokey, this could be the top song choice. Does playing the guitar count if it was for 10 seconds? Regardless, the vocals were great in the beginning but I did not like the tail end of it. It also seemed to be a minute shorter than Danny’s performance. Randy (for the first time ever) critiques Allison’s apparel decision. Kara doesn’t care about apparel since the rock comes out regardless… thought it was good but not her best. I’m tuning out Paula now. Simon thought her outfit was out of the Adam’s Family and he thought she shouted it, which is certainly true.

My grade: B .. I don’t care about the outfit but she did shout it. Beginning was great. End was mediocre.

[8:44] Scott’s singing “Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel.. which is a fantastic song choice. The preview clips are not promising. His aim is to be intimate with the piano. I hope he does as well. This is one of his better performances.. for sure. To me, the vocals were the best in a while. Kara thinks it was a good choice in every aspect of his performance. Simon thought it was his best performance “by a country mile”. Randy agrees .. one of the best of the night.

My grade: A- .. he’s back.

[8:53] Ryan interviews Matt G about being in the bottom 3. Matt says it was a surprise. Matt will be singing The Fray’s “You Found Me”, which is another good song choice. Matt’s playing the keyboard in the pit surrounded by fans. Beginning was cringe-worthy but it’s becoming pretty good. He went really high for a second or two, which was terrible. Paula thinks he moved away from what the judges liked and called it a sing-alike and didn’t think it was great. Simon thought it was somebody trying to be somebody else and called it uncomfortable. Randy thinks it was just the wrong song choice. Kara thinks he’s flip-flopping between the Rock and R&B side of Pop (I think that’s what she said) but says he doesn’t deserve to go home.

My grade: B .. it was a sound alike.

[8:59] Lil is singing Celine Dion “I Surrender”. The preview clips sound terrible. Lil looks terrible… her hair is a la Melinda Doolittle. The vocals are mediocre but the song is just too powerful for her to sing. The only points she should get are for being ambitious, in my humble opinion. Randy didn’t think it was the song choice but liked the vocals. Kara thought it was going to be bad (as did Randy) but surprised her at how well it was. Simon likens it to a wedding performance.. and questions the contemporaryness of her song choice.

My grade: C+ .. I hated how it sounded. I must have no taste in music because I cringed a few times.

[9:09] Adam is up singing “Play That Funky Music” by Wild Cherry. It starts off well.. mostly because it isn’t going too crazy. Chorus is okay until he’s back to scream-o Adam. I don’t know why the judges love him but this is ridiculously annoying. Personally, I want Adam out because I would not listen to one of his songs. Judges love him.

My grade: B- .. It was great until he did he screaming shit.

[9:19] Kris closes the show. “Ain’t No Sunshine” with the piano. Dude’s talented. Possibly the best vocals of the night. This is the most complete performance of the night minus the ending.. when he was breathing into the camera. Randy loves it. Kara had three words.. “That is ARTISTRY.” Simon compliments the show of confidence.. and liked the arrangement and calls it his best performance so far.

My grade: A .. fantastic. Simply fantastic.

[9:22] Replay ‘em!

Really good night of TV just ended for me.

In what is quite possibly one of the most interesting cases ever on House, Dr. House has to treat a patient suffering from “locked in” syndrome. Essentially the brain is unable to get the rest of the body to do anything so he looks and acts braindead but is not. The most interesting aspect of the show was that about half of it was shot in first person as if you were the patient complete with voiceovers of what he was thinking while they were discussing the case. Mos Def (who I believe played the patient) did a pretty good job. Lots of humorous aspects.

Aside from the medical drama, House is deflecting questions about why he was in upstate NY (where he and the patient actually met… House was being treated for a motorcycle accident). I don’t believe you ever actually figure out what he was doing. Also, Taub has to deal with House after he resigned then resumed his post. House pushes Taub to come up with a genuine idea to save his job. In the end, Cutner discovers that rat urine in a house the patient stayed at for a few days is the culprit. Taub takes credit for it… Cutner doesn’t fight it wanting to help his colleague. House realizes this but doesn’t care… he says that lying is proof enough that he wants still wants it.

It was a pretty good episode. The first person view got old at times but it was definitely nice to see a different side of the differential diagnosing. Cutner used to be my least favorite person on the team but that’s now given to Taub. The guy is either still in shock from being conned and can’t concentrate or he just sucks as a doctor. Either way, he’s got to go. I don’t entirely believe that liver failure can be diagnosed with an itchy right foot.. that’s a bit far fetched in my opinion. Either way, a really good episode.

Non-Medical Drama: B- — Not much really. Taub saving his job. Little hint that Cuddy likes House when she turns around while he’s walking away. One of the positive points of the 1st person camera.
Medical Accuracy: C- (Click Link HERE)
Medical Mystery: A — Hard to beat it, really.
Can I (a future med student) believe the final solution?: B — Again, pending medical accuracy, it sure seems plausible.. although I would think it’d have to be a lot more urine than what they’re leading on to suggest but we shall see with a fan site favorite of mine that critiques the medical accuracy.

The buildup to the next episode is beyond belief and better deliver… it’s setting up to be a WOW moment… although I don’t think anything can top last season’s finale.

Onto 24! When we last left off, Jack just got off the phone with Larry Moss at FBI and told him to send CDC to his location since he thought he was infected. Amazingly, 2 seconds later, the CDC was there… they scrub him down. Meanwhile, Tony’s being interrogated by the bad guys. Moss calls the President with an update. The President is meeting with Olivia, her daughter, as they go over prospective candidates for Chief of Staff. President asks Olivia to the provisional CoS until they hire the new one. Of course, she agrees and has that power hungry face.

As more information comes in about the pathogen, Moss decides that action has to be taken but they can’t attack without more proof. Tony’s about to get shot by a bad guy but he gets saved by an actor whom I can’t place at the moment. They contact FBI with information but the informer wants immunity in exchange for the location of the weapons. Moss calls the President with the updates and she signs off on the immunity agreement. Informer updates FBI with the location and they get on choppers en route to the location. Once they land, they search the building but it’s empty. Informer just told them what they wanted to hear… they’re actually on the other side of the compound.

They all go outside. Moss tells the units to search building by building when multiple humvees come out from nowhere. About 10 humvees and trucks pull up and it’s a showdown. FBI vs. Starkwood. Starkwood men claim they searched the building they came here to do and to get off their private property. Moss retaliates that they won’t leave until they get the bioweapons. End of episode.

Previews for next episode show more of a tense showdown… apparently they have 1500 people in the compound? Jack collapses. And the head bad guy comes out to negotiate with the FBI. I thought we were going to see a showdown.

Ruben Studdard performed in his first major gig in the last 7 years. Stevie Wonder also performed… which was pretty impressive. Even though I support Obama, it was truly unnecessary to throw in that little “I love you, Obama” thing.

Michael Sarver, the oil rig man, was voted out. It’s hard to disagree with this decision. What is easy to disagree was Matt G being in the Bottom 3 with Scott. Scott was sent to the seats earlier… presumably because he’s just so awkward to look at standing up there. I hate to say it.. he’s such a nice guy but there’s no way he lasts another 2 weeks.

Gone unless they rock the house…

1. Megan
2. Scott

Safe with a decent performance

1. Anoop
2. Kris
3. Matt G
4. Lil
5. Allison

Safe even with a terrible performance…

1. Danny
2. Adam

My Own Personal Power List

1. Danny
2. Allison
3. Matt
4. Adam
5. Anoop
6. Kris
7. Lil
8. Megan
9. Scott

Michael’s in the office… not caring since he gave his two weeks notice. He’s pretty content on drinking scotch with splenda because he knows a new job will be easy to find. That is, until someone interviewing for his job shares that the market is brutal right now. Michael immediately starts to panic not knowing what to do. He decides on starting a new company. Michael Scott Paper Company.

Michael goes around the office asking everyone (with the exception of Angela, Kevin, Creed and Meredith) to join him on his endeavour. When Charles finds out, he gets Hank the guard to escort him out. That doesn’t last long as Michael sneaks back in. He pleads one last time before Charles kicks him out again. Michael willingly goes without anyone following.

Throughout the day, Pam is frustrated with a new copier that has been delivered but not setup. After ~4 hours, it works! She proudly stands by the copier as Phyllis makes a copy… not showing much care for the time and work that Pam put in. Pam has a very disappointed look on her face. As Michael walks out and pleads his case to join.. rhetorically asking if people have done everything they wanted to do here in Dunder Mifflin, the camera zooms in on Pam’s inquisitive and realizing look on her face.

As Michael leaves the office, Pam decides to follow. Jim follows her out of the office to see if she’s serious. Pam has just one requirement. She wants to be a salesman… not a receptionist. Michael obliges… and Jim tells her he’ll pack her stuff for her.

Awkwardness Level: C+ – Pretty tame episode for The Office. Only real awkward moment was when Charlie found Michael on the floor attempting to drag Phyllis out of the office.
Humor Level: B- – More of a serious episode but there were humorous moments. Michael not caring. Pam explaining how she won’t lose to the copier.
“What the hell” moment – Charlie’s TH where he says he understands why the ladies drool over him… or something like that.
Best Talking Head – Nothing stood out as amazing. 

Grade: B+

My Grades So Far…

1. Matt G.

“Let’s Get It On”

I thought it was a really good performance. I loved, loved, loved how he started at the piano then got up and sang. He did a bit of an over the top sequence when he was up in front of the judges but other than that, it was a really good performance. Judges all loved him, too. No one’s stock has skyrocketed as quickly as Matt’s.

Grade: A-

2. Kris A.

“How Sweet It Is”

Another really good performance for a quick riser. It was great with the guitar, which didn’t overpower him. Judges as well loved it. Good vocal and his personality is contagious.

Grade: B+

3. Scott M.

“You Can’t Hurray Live”

Behind the piano in what is basically a slap in the face to Paula’s advice. Paula’s defensive when confronted with this fact. It’s not a good performance. He just doesn’t have the vocal skillset to compete with the front runners. All of the judges with the exception of Kara (who liked the tempo of the song) didn’t think too fondly of it.

Grade: C

4. Megan C.

“For Once In My Life”

Yikes. That was ugly. Terrible song choice. It does nothing for her good, quirky voice. All the judges agree. She’s in the bottom three, for sure.. and a good chance to leave.

Grade: D

5. Anoop D.

“Ohh Baby Baby”

It was a bit of a dip down from last week’s AMAZING performance. It was a boring performance though… too slow for my taste but the judges all agree, for the most part, that it was the second straight week of a good performance for Noop-Dawg.

Grade: C+

6. Michael S.

“Ain’t Too Proud To Beg”

I thought it was borderline okay and certainly thought it was good enough to stay especially after Megan’s bomb but the judges are currently ripping on song selection and vocals. Kara notes that he’s not an artist. Simon thinks he has no chance to win it, which is true. I think we have the second part of our bottom two.

Grade: C-

7. Lil’ R.

“Heat Wave”

I’ve always thought that Lil had amazing vocals but this performance, so far, seems like she’s yelling the song, which she has done since Day 1 but for some reason tonight is the first time I’ve noticed. She’s sporting a new  hair-do, too. I get the feeling the judges will love it. Randy thought the front half was bad, which I absolutely agree and doesn’t think it’s her best performance. Kara agrees and takes the you’re beautiful road and has some harsh words.. saying that this was the week to show us that she is the diva they all think she is, but she doesn’t think she accomplished that.. and noticed the screaming. Paula disagrees. I tuned out after that. Simon thought it was an authentic tribute to Motown but didn’t think it was a good song choice.. notes that she is one of the best singers in the competition.

Grade: C

8. Adam L.

“Tracks of My Tears”

The pre-song clip shows Adam singing a very sweet version of the song. This may actually be good. His hair is terrible… looks like Taylor Hicks with the way the light hits his hair. There’s no screams or screeching but he’s taking some notes unnecessarily high… which is Adam’s MO. People are either going to love or hate his last note that lasted about 10 seconds. Paula loves it. Kara stands up for that performance and calls it one of the best of the night.

Kara: “I’ve got 6 words for you. One of the best performances of the night.”

That’s 8 if I’m not mistaken. Simon disagrees with Kara… it was the best performance of the night. Randy loves it too. I don’t have quite the lovefest but it was definitely better than last week.

Grade: A-

Up Next: Danny

“Get Ready”

Danny’s pre-performance clip shows a lot of promise. This should be good.. Danny is full of soul. The song seems a bit fast to start but Danny’s catching up and really doing well with this song.  He even dances with the backup singers. Props. I think he batted this one out of the park. They’re running short on times, which is disappointing. Paula likes it. Simon thought it was clumsy and amateurish. Randy didn’t think it was his best but he loved the energy. Kara thought it was good but still a huge fan.

Grade: B+

10. Allison I.

“Papa Is A Rolling Stone “

Closing the show is 16-year old (so hard to believe), Allison. Immediately that smoky (pun intended) quality to her voice comes through. There’s no way this girl is 16 with a voice as good as this. Paula’s up and about…. again. That was a very, very, very good performance. Randy thought it was “blazing hot”. Kara is having an orgasm… very energetic in her comments. Paula, with a mustache Simon drew on her, thought it was good as well. Simon calls her a survivor. One of the best she’s ever done.

Grade: A