Idol Whatnot
So, apparently my Idol Dream was in fact, just a dream. I suspected as much. Oh well.

Last night's Idol evening as a whole was an amusing event for me. While I was sad that my dream didn't come true, especially the part where I dreamed Trenyce fell off of her stool while performing, I was able to find immense pleasure in the fact that someone did a search and found my blog last night using the keywords 'trenyce smells'. Thank you, whoever you were! You have no idea how funny that is for me.

What a night for cameo celebrities on American Idol!! Oh, the glamorous were out in full force last night. Did you spot the girl from Mr. Personality in the audience last night? Me neither, til Ryan pointed her out. And you know someone had to tell him she was there, who she was, her name, and her exact seat number. She has a completely unrecognizeable face. And I think the only people watching her show are herself (whatever her name is), and her mom. I also spotted Tia and Tamara Mowry, from another show nobody ever watched, Sister Sister. Apparently they don't realize their show was canceled a long time ago, because there they were, still together, looking almost exactly alike, much like on their show, I would imagine. Did you notice the first shot of them with their names at the bottom of the screen happened to be of two girls sitting next to them? Yeah, the show producers don't know who they are, either. I wonder if you're a has-been, or not-quite celebrity, when you come to American Idol do you fill out a form saying who you are, and where you are sitting, so that the show knows you are famous and there? I wonder if Ryan Seacrest has to fill out that form every week?

In fact, I honestly would not have known who Neil Sedaka is, or if I just spelled his name right, or that he wrote all those songs, had they not told me so. I mean, I know the songs, but had no idea (nor have I ever thought about) who wrote them. How do they come up with these celebrity judges? I mean, I actually really liked him and all those songs performed last night. I thought he was a great celebrity judge. But seriously, why haven't they had Britney Spears night? Or N'Sync night? Or Marilyn Manson night? Something more targeting the audience of pre-teens screaming behind the judges. Who wouldn't want to see Ruben perform "I'm a Slave For You"? I'd love to see Marilyn Manson and Simon duke it out to give the most 'honest' responses.

Anyway, on to the actual show. FOX again managed to stretch out what should be a 30-minute show into an hour. How? By making the Idol-ees sing not one, but two songs. Now, on one hand this can be a good thing. I have no problems listening to Ruben or Clay or K. Lo sing twice. They are worthy of gracing my ears with more than one tune. But, the rule should be: if you suck the first time out, you don't get to make us listen to you again, twice in the same night. Yes, Josh Gracin, I'm speaking to you. He should have been sent to scrub the latrine with a toothbrush for the rest of the show after his first song.

Ruben was in fine form, as usual. And I'm just so proud of him for continuing to ditch the 205 gear. He looks fabulous, even with his scared 'deer in headlights' look right after he sings his final notes, which Simon so accurately pointed out. His brother still proudly displays the 205, and I think that adequately covers the 205 bases. Good for them, working together as a team. Did anyone notice during one of Ryan Seacrest's roams through the audience, he stopped by the large fellow wearing 205 and asked, "So how 'bout that Kimberly Locke? Let's give it up for Kimberley, singing . . . (yada yada, whatever she sang)." Later, the large 205 wearing fellow joined Ryan and Ruben on stage as none other than Ruben's brother. I would assume the bro' was not interested in being on tv in support of a contestant other than his brother, Ruben. Good call, Ryan. Next time when seeking support for K. Lo, pick one of the people holding a K. Lo sign. Just some advice.

I have to say that I was really impressed with K. Lo last night. Clay and Ruben were good, as always. Clay, definitely a tad less cheesy with the facial expressions, which I do think will work in his favor. But I think K. Lo was my favorite last night. I anticipate a really fabulous final showdown between Ruben, Clay, and K. Lo.

Trenyce and Josh are currently involved in a dramatic duel for who gets to go home tonight vs. who gets to go home next week. America, if you do something stupid and send someone home this week or next, who isn't Trenyce or Josh, I will be very, very upset with you.

If America truly votes according to performance, and not favorites, Josh will be heading home tonight. He's been going downhill the last few weeks. Trenyce annoyed me last night, as usual. But Josh, in fine Marine form, was the very best at singing poorly last night. Semper Fi!

And, I thought we were finally Carmen-free, at long last. The show had a much lighter feel to it. There was an air of freedom, now that something evil back to Bountiful went. But it seems she merely switched networks, because there she was on David Letterman last night, doing the 'Top Ten Reasons You Know You're Voted Off of American Idol'. Reason number one should have been, 'Because I'm here doing this Top Ten, while the rest of my former contestants are still in LA, singing.' My question is, when will the truancy officers realize that she has skipped school for the last two months, and is now apparently in New York, staying up way past her bedtime? I mean, she's just flat out taunting them at this point.

Oh well. At least she didn't sing the Top Ten. Yikes.

Josh, pack your Marine-issue duffle bag, rinse out your highlights, drop and give me fifty. You're heading back to base.

C.T.