American Idol - Idol Gives Back by Finally Getting Rid of Tim!

I'm so relieved, all I have to say is THANK GOD!!!

American Idol - Before Tonight's Judging of the Top 7 - In Defense of Casey James

As I said in yesterday's post in the performance episode of American Idol, I was surprised that some reviewers put Casey as possibly in danger. But when I was finished with my post, I went to see what more of them had to say. Although several reviews praised Casey, pointed out highlights in his performance, or said he was at least consistent and clearly better than some other contestants, there was still a lot of talk about his possibly going home this week. DialIdol also has him ranked at the bottom, below Tim.

Now I'm not only surprised, I'm confused. How did he go from a top contestant (in reviews as well as DialIdol) to the very bottom? His performance wasn't even called "bad" last night---the judges just said they'd hoped to see more from him. Well, I'd hoped to see more from him also, but that didn't mean his performance was bad in any way. It was great! It was fun! He sang well, played well. Sure, he could have been more innovative, more emotional, or chosen something very different from what he's generally done. But what he generally does is good, and last night was no exception.

Furthermore, Crystal Bowersox also did what she always does. She picked a hippie song, sang it straight, and used some hippie-schtick homey props. Usually the prop is the guitar and the dreads or the rug or the bare feet or whatever, but this time it was the mike stand. But she didn't push herself in any new direction, and she didn't even sing as well as she has on some other songs, like "Me and Bobby McGee." And the tears everyone keeps oozing about, those tears were not because of the song---it was clear to me on rewatching. It was because her father was there.

Lee also did what he always does, and it was even more boring this week than it's been in the past. The more I think about it, the more outraged I am that this performance is being praised. This is a song that I find difficult to sing because the lyrics are so intensely emotional. He sang it like a singalong, trying to be faux-heartfelt, but not even understanding it. He's a sham.

But onward. Michael did what he always does. Aaron did similar to what he usually does, but his song choice was a bit off and he didn't get quite up to par. Siobhan did her usual Anita Bakering of a pop song, and Tim did his "trying hard but off-key" type of performance (his other performance choices include "robot monotone" and "high school musical understudy").

If Casey is eliminated, I hope Tim wins. I think that's part of what the judges deserve for wasting their one save on Michael the Mundane. I'd originally have supported Crystal for the win, because I honestly think she has incredible talent, but she lost a lot of respect in my eyes by deciding to walk off the show, even if she was convinced to stay. People would cut off fingers to get in her position, and she's willing to leave it? That's not the kind of person I consider an "idol."

Okay, if I'm honest, maybe I'd still say Crystal is a top contender. But it relay bothered me that when Mike was saved, she said "thank god." I don't know what the story there is, but unless she's deaf, she should know that he doesn't belong in the top 5. She's not using musical judgment in the way she approaches the show, and it appears she's not understanding the music industry either. Would she even survive and produce if she won the show? I think she has a mindset that doesn't meld with this show or what she's aiming to get from it. In her case, it probably would have been better to work her way up through a coffeeshop/gathering circuit. In spite of her incredible talent, she's just an impractical choice.

I also stopped seeing any progression in Lee a few weeks ago. For me, his performances have been declining. So I don't understand why people are still enjoying his off-key singing and smirking. I absolutely could see him singing in a band, but he really needs to work on using his voice properly first.

Casey is a consistently good singer, a better guitar player than Crystal or Lee, shows more dedication to the music than Crystal, more sincerity and skill than Lee, and more soul than either of them. At this point, I honestly think he is the best choice for American Idol---that may change in the next few weeks, I leave the possibility open. I've changed my mind n the last few weeks of competition before. But I don't see any reason he should not be in the top 3. He's one of the top 3 performers there.

American Idol - The Top 7 - "Inspiration"

I have to admit I'm slightly influenced, in two ways, this week. Firstly, I've been listening to Casey James all week. I just found his performance of "Jealous Guy" on my mind repeatedly, and had to listen to it. And when I did, I decided to listen to a few more performances. But "Jealous Guy" and "Heaven" are definitely my favorites. I don't know what the American Idol production did with "The Power of Love," but although I liked that one on the live show, the studio version sounds very weird. I almost thought I'd gotten the Huey Lewis version by accident until I realized I still could understand the "change a hawk to a little white dove" line, which I never could with the original. It's also strange that they kept the cheesy bridge exactly the same!

I have to be clear, however, that I have never done that before. Even though I thought Adam Lambert was amazing last year and theoretically would have listened to him, I didn't actually do it. I think I planned to listen to "Mad World," but just didn't. This year I felt compelled to hear Casey James's "Jealous Guy," had to or I'd go crazy. I hope that's a good portent for him. And it's been fairly addictive. Oddly, it also triggered some immediate Stevie Ray Vaughn hankering, even though I don't feel like they connect as directly as it sometimes seems. I can definitely sense a semblance in sound and performance, but I think in some respects the almost antisocial-appearing kind of performance stance that worked really well for Stevie Ray Vaughn works against Casey James. Especially matched with the sort of nervous smiling. He's got to pick the cooler, totally into the guitar attitude of Stevie or come out more and share more of himself with the audience in a relaxed and open way. I think the latter is a better choice for him, because the cool guitar god attitude has to be naturally produced, like a diamond, and I don't think it comes naturally to him. An open friendliness definitely would, if he got over his nerves and any doubts about himself.

Another influence was that I saw a few tiny bits of other recaps of the show before I got to write mine. I had to get the numbers to vote, because the voting opened before I got to start the show! But I tried to block it all out and not be influenced in my own take on the show. Turns out I didn't really agree with the little bits I saw, anyway. In fact, I'm surprised at some of them. I saw two reviewers praising Lee and suggesting Casey was in danger---I think that's crazy, but it shows how people are influenced by the judges.

My take? Here we go, in order of rank, not appearance;

• Crystal Bowersox, singing "People Get Ready," is ever-unwilling to ditch her hippieness. The a cappella part was gutsy and well-done, and ah, blessed be, no guitar! No instrument at all! Her voice is truly beautiful, and she uses it well. The crying seemed slightly. . . I know exactly how that works, because that happens to me a lot when I'm singing, especially since I like to sing when I'm emotional. I think it really had more to do with her father than the song, but that's fine, and she handled it charmingly.
• Casey James, singing "Don't Stop," has more vibrato than I like in his voice again, and while his voice sounds amazing apart from that, and the guitar is enthralling, he has that slightly nervous shakey head, blinky, a little too smiley delivery again. He really has to get away from that. I thought he was getting away from it, and even worried he might be getting cocky, but he seemed more nervous again, and then when he heard the judges' opinions, he looked really shredded. As he should have been! They were really mean. I agree it would have been better had he mixed up the song a bit, but I do think the song is an inspiring one and he sang it as though he was inspired and that was a joyous thing, not necessarily as though he's trying to inspire others by prodding them.  He's just a glow that you can feel shining. I think that's why he's so good to hear. His voice sounds honest and just plain good, so whether it's happy or serious, it's appealing.
• Aaron Kelly, singing "I Believe I Can Fly." I feel really bad for Aaron, because I think without even factoring performances, he's in danger this week, just by the way people are voting. And I'm sorry, Aaron, but with no saves left, I cannot use my Casey votes on you, because I have to make sure Casey isn't eliminated, since at this point I think it should be Casey or Crystal for the win. But Aaron has honest talent. I think this was a crappy song choice, though. It was too obvious and a little too big for him. But he did a good job feeling it and selling it, in spite of getting off in a few parts. He truly deserves to stay, and I hope he does. I voted for him last week (along with Casey and Katie), so I hope there are others out there voting for him as I'm trapped in a loop of frenetically redialing for Casey. I hope the fact that the judges are rather sweet and loving toward him indicate the treatment he'll get from viewers. Go Aaron! Good luck.
• Lee DeWyze, singing "The Boxer," was okay. But his voice doesn't really stay on key, and he gets strained and sometimes nasal on the passionate parts of songs. I also just don't believe he really feels and knows what he's feeling as he sings. He seems more concerned with putting out his rough wail voice, and it comes across contrived. But the biggest problem is the non-key singing. I think Kara was psychotic to say this was his "moment" performance. Simon's comments were borderline disgusting: he's never really liked The Boxer? Well, he's already an idiot, then. As for comparing Lee's performance to Casey's the way he did, he obviously doesn't understand there are different ways to be inspired and be inspiring. I think it's far more inspiring to sound beautiful and sincerely happy (Casey) than faux-trodden and clearly arrogant (Lee).
• Siobhan Magnus, singing "When You Believe," sounded okay at first in the audition, but her so-called "money" spot sounded off-key to me. But maybe you had to be there. In the performance, it was right. I was also pleased that she limited her nasal ice cream weirdness, but her voice sounded a little more wobbly than usual. But she's just not getting to the truly heartfelt and professional performances she had nearer the start. It's a pity, but she doesn't seem like a vocal artist, although I recognize she may be an incredibly inspired glass artist. Her explanation that the song inspired her doesn't change the fact that I didn't feel that while she sang the song, which is when I should feel it. She can say whatever she wants, but she's not delivering.
• Michael Lynche, singing "Hero," had a pretty interesting start to his performance, but almost immediately went into a performance that highlighted the weaknesses in his vocal ability. The song was a bad choice, way too singsongy and not melodic enough. He sounded like someone singing at a fair or amusement park festival stage. What is wrong with Simon, though? Is he purposely being stupid? The song is not "about Spider-Man." More and more, I think Simon is screwing around in his last season of American Idol so people feel less attached to him. It's working for me in the short term, but I know how valuable he is and have a hard time seeing how the show will be as successful without him.
• Tim Urban, singing "Better Days," sounded good in the auditions, but much weaker in the real performance, showing once again that he has no control of his voice. I think he does have good ideas of where to go with melody, but unfortunately he isn't capable of reliably delivering those sounds. It was a nice arrangement, but a poor performance, all over the place, with large sections of flat and monotone.
  

Who should go? I'd hope Tim would go, but I just can't depend on that happening anymore. He should go. Then Michael Lynche just barely pulls ahead of Siobhan in terms of who "deserves" to go, in my opinion. That's mostly based upon how strong Siobhan was when she started, and the ability she has under however much confusion she piles upon it. 

Unfortunately, who I think should go doesn't matter at all. I could hope that Michael's stay of execution last week was due to the eliminated/saved bounceback effect, and that he is eliminated this week. I don't know, though. He may have staying power. I don't know if Siobhan could be in danger, since she never has been before. I think people do recognize her raw ability. So I'm really worried for Aaron. I know the teen girls who think Tim is so cute are also the girls who are the right age to like Aaron, and I think undertalented Tim is stealing the fire (or at least the votes) of truly-talented Aaron. It's a real shame.

At this point, it really seems unfair that Tim keeps making it! Who am I kidding? It's been at that point for a long time. Beyond that point. I hope hope hope that justice is finally done this week. Tim is so much worse than any of the other contestants, it's just insulting to have any more of them go instead of him.

This post is dedicated to my sister, who voted for Casey James for two solid hours straight, including six votes in the last minute alone. ;)

American Idol: 9 - 2 = lame

American Idol dismissed Andrew Garcia with about as much care and attention as they could fit in, I guess, which meant he basically got a pat on the back and a shoeprint on his ass. Unfortunately I don't know that he deserved much better. He already coasted a lot longer than he should have, and didn't do anything with it. So he had special treatment just in the fact that he got to give a good three extra performances in front of an audience of millions.

However, the elimination of Katie Stevens was just plain wrong. If the judges hadn't wasted their save, they could have (and should have) used it on her, but instead we're stuck with Michael, who has no chance of winning and most likely will be eliminated this week or next. Ideally, Tim should have been eliminated with Andrew, but of course things go wrong sometimes---usually not this wrong, though. I'm a little surprised the judges didn't even say anything about how she shouldn't have been eliminated! Perhaps they felt so stupid they didn't want to open their mouths and draw attention to their own mistake.

Katie was definitely one of the top 5 voices/talents on this season, and performed well enough across the board to deserve to stay. She should have made it much closer to, if not all the way to, the top 5. She wasn't a contender to win---she does need to grow more, and as I said all along, it may have been better if she's waited a few years before auditioning. But she didn't deserve to go before Tim and Michael.

American Idol - The Top 9 Redux

So somehow in the year since losing American Idol, Adam Lambert has gained "mentor" status. Bad enough that AI has already used Miley Cyrus this year, but Adam Lambert? Last year I enjoyed him immensely, and I thought he should have won, but that doesn't mean he's qualified to be a mentor to people in the exact same position he was last year. Especially in the position of coaching them on performing Elvis songs! But Adam really has some great advice for everyone, so I suppose he's a better mentor than I'd have imagined. It's not surprising that he does know his stuff, performancewise. You just never know if it will translate well to helping others also. It's not a guarantee you can do it for others just because you're good at it yourself. He had excellent advice for Tim, Andrew, and Lee, even if they didn't fully embrace and deliver it. It was also nice Adam was aware of his position, and rightly humble and helpful. Also looking very adorable. Except for, yuck, the ear plug. Not a trend I enjoy. At least it's a small one. Almost totally distracting from the ear plug was the amazing size disparity between Ryan and Adam's heads. It looked like Barbie vs. Darci!

I'm curious as to why I keep hearing the "let's put on a show!" glam prep line a la Velvet Goldmine. This was not such a fab show, but ranked as follows:

• Crystal Bowersox, singing "Saved," was good, but I'd prefer she not a play a guitar at all for at least a few performances. Has she does that yet? It would just be nice to see her plain straight sing it. She had a teensy wobble, but on the whole she was very good, as usual. I agree, very Bonnie Raitt. I wish she were a little more unusually fresh than she is, but at least she's sincere and genuine.
• Katie Stevens, singing "Baby What Do You Want Me to Do?" was back to pulling her faces and head sliding, but her vocals were pretty damn hot. It was too bad she couldn't get more into the anger like Adam suggested, but I think she was almost there, almost comfortable enough to be genuinely angry. I thought she was very good, and probably more fun than she would have been had she gotten some real anger out there. She can sing beautifully, and she has power.
• Lee DeWyze, singing "A Little Less Conversation," showed me shades of Taylor Hicks, but also some shades of Steven Tyler and the Doors, which is pretty interesting for an Elvis song. All in all, I think it was a strong and individual performance from him. It veered a bit from my personal taste (although I love the Doors), but very good. It's unfortunate that he's unable to smile and that it's actually come to such attention. I think unless he can smile and get a bit more passionate and animated, he's going to start heading down the losing road, no matter what he sounds like. You just don't win people when you're blah.
• Casey James, singing "Lawdy Miss Clawdy," I don't really like the vibrato in his voice when it comes out in a fast song. And it often does. But he worked this song in an extremely interesting way, and performed it well. I think he needs, weirdly, still a bit more confidence, and I would also like to see him less in the blues track than he was here again. I am sad to say I agree with Simon that I think he could have used Elvis week to do something really incredible. I think everyone else could have also, and really no one did! But I'd have especially liked to have seen Casey do it. I might place Casey higher than Lee, but since I want to be sure I'm not letting him rest on his laurels, I'll put him below. I want to keep those laurels nice and fluffy, so he can win off them. ;)
• Aaron Kelly, singing "Blue Suede Shoes," was making me nervous before he even started. I wish he could have the confidence he should. He's really breaking himself with his insecurities! He's got an incredible voice, and can do amazing things with it, but he's got some nerves that prevent him from being totally comfortable right off and throughout all his performances. The middle and end of tonight's performance was definitely better than the start, but I think it was good enough in those parts to make up for the beginning. It was a very endearing performance, and showcased his voice enough to show that he has more vocal ability than, say, Tim.
• Tim Urban, singing "Can't Help Falling in Love with You," was a bit wobbly, but nicely done. Too bad for Tim that he didn't have Adam mentoring him from the start, because I think Adam gave him some very good advice. I still think, however, that Tim is more someone who would like to be a singer rather than someone who really is a singer. If he were already acting on a TV show, which is sort of where he belongs, it would be very easy for him to segue into a successful career, and perhaps he still will, with the exposure he's getting here. But he's not a naturally gifted singer, and he's not someone who has worked his voice into a beautiful instrument. If he continues to grow, he can definitely have that career, but I don't think he deserves to win the show and I certainly don't think he has the best voice or performance ability.
• Siobhan Magnus, singing "Suspicious Minds," which is one of my favorite Elvis songs. She sounded good in the rehearsals, but I don't know if she'll revert into the creepy performance Siobhan she keeps doing. I think she did much better this week than last or the week before, but she still had colors of the nasal in there. In the whole first section there was something very Mandrell Sisters about it, which was okay with me but would probably be tagged "dated" by others. There were some interesting bits and some pretty and powerful portions, but I didn't love it so much. Still, she was better than she has been recently. I agree with Simon (an Kara, I guess) that she's probably lost who she is fully, or has too diverse an interest for commercial categorization, which is fairly important in a competition like this and the music industry in general. She does have the ability to sing better than some of the people I rank above her, but she's not doing it, so I can't place her higher.
• Michael Lynche, singing "In the Ghetto," sounded nicer than I've heard in a while. I think the echo on his mike had a nice open, spare sound to it. He still doesn't have the kind of presence or voice that deserves to win this competition. He wasn't magical, and wasn't even on key everywhere. It was a pretty little song, but almost an afterthought. I don't know why the judges were so happy to have saved him, because they hardly paid attention to him other than to say "you were great, let's move on."
• Andrew Garcia, singing "Hound Dog," needs to update his look. He has a very feminine look for a guy with a tattoo on his neck. Maybe he should lose the earring, get his hair a little more masculinely flattering to the shape of his head, or something. "Hound Dog" is a bad choice right off, because it's iconic and there's not much room to fiddle with it. Or if there is, Andrew Garcia didn't do it. It seems like all he did was slow it down. The vocals were all right, and at least he had some nice long phrasing rather than the clipped little nothings he so often does, but there really wasn't a lot special in his performance.

"Wassup" with Big Mike, Ryan wanted to know? What's up with Ryan is what I want to know. He's a total loser for saying that, and an even bigger loser for mocking poor Brian Dunkleman. Is it not enough you got the job and a zillion others, Ryan? You have to be rude to those who haven't been as successful? I think "Seacrest" must have fallen into a box of snuff before the show began tonight, because he was acting like he'd flipped his lid, hyper and shrieking and squealing and generally being far less tightassed and boring than he usually is. I'd describe him as "inappropriate."

Who should leave besides Ryan? Michael Lynche and Andrew Garcia. I'm hoping they will. Who else do I think is in danger? Tim and Aaron.

American Idol - The Top 9 Judging

As stated in the post, I didn't get much of a chance to comment deeply on the Top 9 Lennon/McCartney performance week. Also stated in the post, there were some surprises, and those surprises continued in the judging.

I was so very pleased I was wrong about Michael Lynche being untouchable. When I saw he was the lowest vote-getter, I was relieved we would finally be rid of him. I suffered through his revoltingly sacrilegious version of "This Woman's Work" yet again, and waited for the judges to summarily explain they would not waste their one save on him. I almost felt bad for him by the end of it all. I definitely felt bad for his wife. But he'd be touring, and he had fans---he'd be fine.

Then the judges decide to keep him? To waste their one save on him? Unbelievable. In my opinion, the save should only be used on a contestant the judges feel should be the winner. And if they think he should be the winner, then that explains the travesty of a "singer" Kara presented on the results show. No, I don't remember his name, because why would I?

I think Simon just doesn't care anymore, and the others are pathetic with regard to successfully judging talent on this show. Hence the saving of Michael Lynche. I wish he could leave twice this week, but as long as he leaves at least once, that's fine with me.

As for the performances of the others on the Lennon/McCartney show? I'll give it a brief rundown:

• Casey James, singing "Jealous Guy," was incredible. I think I'm almost decided that he should win. And I was so worried at his song choice! I don't even really like Bryan Ferry's cover of the song, and Bryan Ferry is a near-god. Casey made it as real as Lennon, but in his own way. Stellar. Honestly, I liked the performance so much I was almost embarrassed, because I really bought it, really felt that he felt it. I could get moony over it if I wanted to let myself. I saw shades of rock idolatry in myself, and for an American Idol contestant! Ironically, that's usually a paradoxical situation.
• Katie Stevens, singing "Let it Be," was incredible, and I think it was her best performance. Again, I was worried hearing the song choice, but she was so sweet and more sincere and heartfelt than I've ever seen her. Exactly what the song required.
• Crystal Bowersox, singing "Come Together," was okay. I don't understand why she would choose this song, which shows very little range for a singing competition, but I suppose some of her changes showed more of her voice than would be expected in it. It was predictable, though.
• Aaron Kelly, singing "The Long and Winding Road," was a bit wobbly but extremely emotionally sincere and quite good. I don't know what Simon was on about with the song meaning, but if he's going to pretend someone is stupid on national television, he should do so only when there's some evidence to that. In this case, Simon, only you look stupid. Aaron's feeling about the song is a completely valid feeling to get from it.
• Tim Urban, singing "All My Loving," was shockingly decent. It was a cute performance, and an able one. I also agree that he has interesting poise and grace under extremely difficult circumstances. But a few good performances do not a singer make. He either needs to work more or change his line of work.
• Andrew Garcia, singing "Can't Buy Me Love," was disappointingly faux-zesty and (yet again) clipped and strained. And if he is going to hold a guitar, there should be some purpose to it.
• Lee DeWyze, singing "Hey Jude," was a disgusting travesty. I don't know what the judges were smoking, but he sucked, and he dragged that poor bagpiper into his sucking. Anemic, strained, and often off-key. He also should learn to pronounce words using a source with proper phonetic articulation, and not a recording of an apparently drunken Dave Matthews.
• Michael Lynche, singing "Eleanor Rigby," was like a nightmare. I hold a grudge against everyone associated with allowing him to sing this repellant perversion of the song.
• Siobhan Magnus, singing "Across the Universe," has evidently become a Muppet. While her nose is singing, it would be nice if she could close her mouth so we don't have to see her tongue lolling around in there. The mesh lace Bo Peep's wedding underdress of her outfit was interesting, though. I don't know what's wrong with this girl. She does have the ability to sing well, but instead she goes way closed-throat nasal and lisps. Now and then in the song you could hear her actual voice, but then she would get to the next line and it was as though she was singing with a gob of salt water taffy blocking her esophagus. I feel sorry she was forced to embrace a strange man onstage (no, not Ryan!), but if she doesn't get back to singing the way she first did, she should get gone.

Though I was wrong about Michael being untouchable, my prediction of his company Aaron and Andrew in the bottom three was right on target. I really think Aaron has more talent than Michael, but I fear if Tim stays, Aaron will go, in spite of his superior talent. Andrew is really teetering near the edge, and I'm fairly certain this week will be his last. Probably rightly so.

The top picks for me at this point are definitely Casey and Crystal. I think if Katie stays on track, she's up there as well. Aaron needs to stay in top form as well, but he hasn't been. Still, he's better than some of the others still around. Lee veers in and out for me, and this week pushed him far out. But generally, I'd include him in a top 5 pick, so perhaps those are my top five dream set. It's unfortunate, because when the competition began, I really though Siobhan was incredibly talented. And she is. She just uses her talent poorly, and worse, she makes me uncomfortable. Michael is a mall/bar/fair singer, not a professional.

I don't know what's going to happen for sure this week, but Michael and Tim would be my top choices to leave. Andrew would be my next pick. Who do I think might really go? Andrew and Aaron. But I hope it's Michael and Tim.

So Good, Johnny Weir

When I was watching the Olympics back in February, I remember seeing Johnny Weir and thinking how he seemed like a talked-about contender at the 2006 Olympics in Torino, and wondered why I hadn't heard too much about him before or during this Olympic season. When I saw him skate, I thought he was incredible, and way underscored. He skates in the way I remember skating before the intense and somewhat boring focus on jumps, jumps, and more jumps---when just watching skaters move on the ice was awe-inspiring and peaceful, like watching a gliding ballet. I understand the judges have complicated scoring systems that award points for every element in a program, but it seemed fairly obvious to the naked eye that Johnny Weir skated better than his scores showed, even allowing for programs that included quadruple jumps and more difficult transitions. He also makes me feel that since figure skating has traveled so far away from "figures," there should be a new category of skating that involves the more traditional and beautiful artistry of skating rather than the circus-trick jumping.

After watching the Olympic skating, I saw that Sundance aired a show, Be Good Johnny Weir, all about Johnny and his skating season in hopeful preparation for the Olympics. I finally got a chance to watch the show, and it's yet another pleasure from Johnny Weir. I don't know where his skating career is going in the future, or what else he may have planned (I hear fashion is a possibility, and he seems to have made a good start designing his own costumes), but watching him train and prepare, even with very little footage of skating competitions, is more entertaining than I'd have expected. Johnny Weir is like your funniest friend, a hyper but sweet son and nephew, the most stylish member of your social circle, strong and fragile, admirable and occasionally even pitiable all at once. He's hilarious, genuine, cheeky, and fun. Somehow what should be a boring life of practice and good health is brought to a level of sparkling display by Johnny's earnestness and truly radiant personality. He successfully makes it entertainment to watch him vacuum and drive. His show really is like being with an outrageously fun friend---you like to go grocery shopping or even to the DMV with that friend, because just hanging out is fun. Such is "hanging out" with Johnny Weir. I wish there were more of the show to be had, but I don't know if it's the kind of thing that could develop into a long-running series, or if Sundance even does that.

After watching Johnny Weir's show and re-examining some performances like the Vancouver Olympics, I also easily saw the unfair bias against Johnny in the skating world. I wouldn't want to diminish other skaters who obviously do their fair share of training and have incredible talent. But commentators and writers feel just fine doing that for Johnny Weir. There is a clear tone toward Johnny that places him as a more personality, less athlete; a little pleasing pet rather than a true contender; and it's unfair. Having people support and believe in you is, I imagine, a great help when one is a world-class athlete. It's cruel to withdraw that support from a worthy competitor because someone has decided his manner or public presentation isn't as proper or traditional as others. More personality does not mean less athlete. A fun demeanor does not mean you're not a true competitor. Johnny Weir deserves more support than he has gotten from the skating world. Most of the commentators devaluing him were skaters themselves, so I can only imagine that they are jealous that Johnny doesn't feel the need to conform to unwritten rules of behavior. Too bad for them he has more strength of self than they do.

For some people, Olympic medalists is all they'll be*, and that's definitely enough to satisfy, please, and impress. But Johnny Weir is more than that, and I have no doubt he will continue to be more. There are people who win Olympic gold, then there are people who are generally golden. It's unfortunate that as of yet, Johnny Weir hasn't been awarded an Olympic medal. In my opinion, his performance this year should have won him the bronze. But I think he's luckier to be himself, and amazing just as he is.

* Some others, like me, will be much, much, much less.

American Idol - The Top 9

I'm late, I know, but you'll have to take my word for it these are/were my picks. I don't have time to elaborate, explain, or edit it up nicely like I usually do, either. I'll try to come back and do that later, since there were some surprises and some need for elaboration.

1) Casey James, singing "Jealous Guy"

2) Katie Stevens, singing "Let it Be"

3) Crystal Bowersox, singing "Come Together"

4) Aaron Kelly, singing "The Long and Winding Road"

5) Tim Urban, singing "All My Loving"

6) Andrew Garcia, singing "Can't Buy Me Love"

7) Lee DeWyze, singing "Hey Jude"

8) Michael Lynche, singing "Eleanor Rigby"

9) Siobhan Magnus, singing "Across the Universe"

Since I think Siobhan and Michael are generally untouchable at this point (though I hope Siobhan at least gets bottom 3), I expect the biggest danger is to Andrew Garcia, probably along with Aaron Kelly and Tim Urban.