Dancing with the Stars - Live!

Posted Jan 24, 2007 by Chris Kuhn

Updated Jan 24, 2007 at 11:28 AM

So were you out in the crowds enjoying last night’s live Dancing with the Stars: The Tour appearance at the Forum? I was the one clapping really, really loudly for Drew Lachey. If I weren’t sitting next to my parents who I invited to join me, I probably would have let out a few hoots and hollers, too, but I had to behave myself a little, you know?

Last night’s show, which I like to affectionately call the Buy Joey McIntyre’s CD Plug-a-thon, was energetic and pulsating. They definitely put on a spectacular show for the crowds. The evening started with a 30-minute local Slim-Fast Dance Challenge during which first season pro dancer Alex Mazzo (that’s right Kelly Monaco’s partner) selected the two finalists from a sea of 10 bright-eyed couples from everywhere but here - there was just one Tampa student in the bunch. (Later, during the regular show, they crowned a local champion - well, make that two, since human audience clap-o-meters Drew Lachey, Joey Lawrence and Joey McIntyre could not decide on a winner - so both pairs won!) But Dancing Stars, that’s what we want to see and by 8 p.m., the main event was finally ready to begin.

Every pair got its chance to thank the audience for their votes and perform twice during the night, among many group performances. My favorite moments were opportunities to see two of my favorite Drew Lachey and Cheryl Burke performances (their paso doble set to Thriller and their championship freestyle country-fried dance) and husband and wife Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna dance the waltz together after a touching look at their wedding. She dazzled me during season two but anyone who chatted with me during season three knows I wasn’t too knocked out by Mr. Hamlin’s moves. Together, they were heavenly on the dancefloor, and she really brought out the best in him.

The crowds made it very obvious that their favorite performers were Drew Lachey and Joey Lawrence. But award for the most enthusiastically self-serving goes to Joey McIntyre. He sang three of his own songs from his new standards CD which he proceeded to hawk on more than occasion, even advertising that he’d be signing CDs after the show. I was especially amused at posted flyers on the ladies bathroom walls promoting this exclusive autograph-signing event.

The performers gave us two full hours of dancing excitement, charming banter and sultry moves. The show’s musicians and singers showed their range beautifully, and the show’s lighting and sound fit the sizzling, sparkling evening perfectly. Only during Mr. McIntyre’s performances did there seem to be some audio difficulties, or maybe Joey just couldn’t hit the low notes. I’m not sure which.

Overall, it was a very entertaining showcase of some of the best celebrity talent so far. I did miss Willa Ford and her partner Maxsim who pulled out recently and had just learned that pro dancer Kim Johnson would not be present since she injured her wrist recently, but they had an engaging company dancer as her replacement. And obviously, I would have loved it if Mario and Karina were dancing together and Harry had been joined by one of my pro favorites, Ashley DelGrosso, but no Mario or Ashley in this celebration.

I still cannot believe they’re planning on bringing the show back in March. I think they should leave the show as a Fall fan favorite just as Idol is our Spring sweeps delight. But I will say that last night’s show reminded me just how much fun it is to watch these celebrity performers transform themselves over a season. And soon, a new batch of victims – er, performers will dazzle us.

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American Idol—- 01.23.07

Posted Jan 24, 2007 by Chris Kuhn

Updated Jan 24, 2007 at 08:25 AM

We’re in a new city for yet another American Idol audition and compared to Seattle, the Memphis people are refreshing and normal. But who will stand out among them as having the most talent or the most YouTube potential?

Meet some of tonight’s bizarre characters from the city of B.B. King and Elvis.

Frank – This spunky, spirited male cheerleader brings his teammates for support and he’ll need it because Simon’s not amused by his soulful medley. Give me an N and give me an O – what’s that spell?

Timika – her unbridled enthusiasm and precise articulation are almost too much to handle. Please make her stop singing, I can’t stomach it (or understand it).

Christopher – aka the “WHOA” boy, sings “Superstition” and WHOA is it bad.

Wandera – she’s a little bizarre looking with her pointy red hair but she sings with some heart and she’s good. Simon and the gang say she’s not unique though, and I’m surprised that she doesn’t get through. I think they missed the boat on this one.

Travis – he vows to get people emotional in the judging room but who can understand a word he’s saying. But the dance moves look like the rubberband man from the office supply store ads and that’s the nicest thing I can say about this audition. Really.

Topher – the poor guy, he’s really got it bad for Paula and he’s in a bad place right now. His wife just left him and he knows when he’s the next American Idol, she’ll probably come back to him but he won’t have it. Unfortunately for him, neither will the judges.

Janita – she disco infernos up the stage and Paula’s just worried that the Mary J. Blige wanna-be will pop out of her dress. But not to worry, she’s given the hook before breaking any FCC regulations.

Robert – he sings, he dances and writes stories. He’s a hunka, hunka something but it’s not the burning love he’s singing about. Robert, it’s back to the writing desk for you.

But a few people are able to knock out the judges:

Sundance – a husky fellow with the strangest of goatees and a semi-famous dad (his dad had an obscure hit in the 60s that got bumped off the charts by some lesser known quartet from Liverpool) but the dude can sing. He does a little Bobby Blue Bland and he’s got some real soul, even though he doesn’t look like your typical Idol. Hmm… sounds like last year when Taylor came through, doesn’t it? Simon thinks he’s better than Taylor, but I don’t agree.

Danielle – she sounds like Catherine McPhee and looks like Kellie Pickler and Simon likes her (I think it’s her blonde hair and sparkly smile). He and Paula pull her through to Hollywood but Randy’s not convinced she’s got it. I think she deserves a chance.

Sean – he looks like Fidel Castro but he sounds like a soulful Backstreet Boy. He reminds me of Elliott from last year, and he needs as much a makeover as he did last season. And they’re giving him that chance to shine.

Melinda – She’s a background vocalist who is trying to overcome her fear of singing solo in front of people, and I think she’s awesome, and so do all three judges. Keep your eye on this lady. You will definitely see her again come finals time.

Phil – he became a father again for a second time last night and he wasn’t even at home for the delivery. But he is here to audition and says his baby is more important than going to Hollywood, but I don’t buy it. Simon and I don’t like it. He sings in much too high a register, but Paul and Randy like him and put him through. I don’t think he’ll get past Hollywood.

Twenty-two people in Memphis made it through to the next stage of American Idol and we get to watch Phil meet his new little girl. It’s so sugary sweet, I’m getting a toothache. Next time, we’re off to the Big Apple but will we hear some big talent? Who the heck knows.

What did you think of tonight’s auditions? Anyone in particular stand out to you as a favorite to follow through the competition? I’m not sure that Sundance will do as well in the next stage to make it to the finalists round as Simon predicts because the boy can’t dance. He admitted it himself and awkwardness like that can really hurt you in Hollywood. But we’ll see. I say watch out for Melinda. With a little confidence in herself, she’s destined to go far. Stay tuned…

 

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Hey Losers! Leave Those Kids’ Beads Alone!

Posted Jan 23, 2007 by Clarisa Gerlach

Updated Jan 24, 2007 at 11:59 AM

As a former South Tampa resident, I tolerated all sorts of aberrant behavior during the annual Gasparilla Parade: public urination, public copulation, copious vomiting, loud and drunken arguments, piles of trash everywhere and ridiculous traffic snarls. Not participating meant being trapped in my apartment until mid-evening (at best) or leaving early. This I could deal with.

But the most repugnant thing I ever witnessed was one of the few times I attended. A pile of beads thrown from a parade float landed and a mob of kids descended on it. Then this adult male (“man” doesn’t really apply here) began pushing little hands out of the way to grab for himself those worthless pieces of plastic meant to amuse youngsters. When someone called him on it, he glared with the fearful-aggressive look one sees in a cornered rat , then turned and ran to find the next bead hot spot.

I long assumed that was an isolated incident. But a letter to the editor in The Tampa Tribune (1/23/07) reports that the same thing was happening at this past Saturday’s Children’s Parade. That’s right, adults - chronologically, at least - fighting with tots for cheap plastic beads. At a kids’ parade.

Good God. Did these scumbags wake up one morning and think, “I’m truly a parasite, a blight on this fair city and a total waste of seed and egg. Yet, there must be a way I can push my already negligible human worth down a notch.”

Congrats, creep. You succeeded.

Obviously, most of the beads at the main parade Saturday will be going to those with the biggest and most fully bared breasts. Such is Tampa’s proud tradition. But for the love of God and Gaspar, could you grown-ups curb your lust for useless trinkets enough to let the kids have some fun? And if not, could some of the real adults have word - with or without extreme prejudice - with these ridiculous slugs?

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Zune Isn’t As Social As We Thought

Posted Jan 23, 2007 by Wes Phillips

Updated Jan 23, 2007 at 09:16 PM

Microsoft’s Zune music player is growing on me. It’s not going to beat Apple’s iPod in market share, but the Zune has a nicer screen and a cool interface. One of Zune’s catchy features, the ability to wirelessly share songs with other Zune owners, is not performing as advertised. It’s not really Microsoft’s fault that the sharing function - or “squirt” as it’s called - is crippled. Content owners such as Sony and Universal are placing their heavy DRM restrictions on the songs. 

Microsoft has gone further than any other service in catering to rights holders, giving $1 of every Zune sold to Universal. But they are still stingy. About 40 percent of artists on the Sony and Universal labels are locked down. It doesn’t make sense for two reasons. First, is the argument over all DRM. I own the song. I want to play it how I want. Second is the fact that the “squirt” function only allows three plays of another person’s song anyway before it’s locked and they have to buy it. 

Once again, content providers just don’t know how to survive in the digital age. And it will hurt the Zune in the long run, even if Microsoft has the right idea.

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Reality Bites Back

Posted Jan 22, 2007 by TBO.com

Updated Jan 22, 2007 at 02:43 PM

The “Second Life” phenomenon (or, as our co-worker Rich prefers to call it, “online loserville”) is now officially big enough to have spawned a backlash site:

“Get A First Life.”

Come to think of it, why can’t I build a dirigible with my mind?

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