Thursday, February 28, 2008  |  

- semi-pro -

I'm starting to come around on Carly (Hennessy) Smithson. Having failed in the music biz at age 17 really shouldn't count against her, especially when the rest of the top 24 contains (that I know of): 2 other people with record deals in the past, at least 2 others who have put out CDs, 1 ex-boy/girlband member, and 9 ex-reality show contestants (including 2 winners and 2 AI-repeaters). The girl can sing, so let her sing, I say.

My (revised) projected top 6: Alexandréa, Asia'h, Brooke, Carly, Ramiele and Syesha.

Current music: India.Arie - The Heart of the Matter

Wednesday, February 27, 2008  |  

- where the boys are -

Some random notes about last night's American Idol, top 10 guys:

- Robbie Carrico: He rocked a chain-wallet AND a carabiner. Also, a wig (allegedly).

- Jason Yeager: Sigh, 2008 has not been kind to Tom Brady.

- David Cook: Could someone fluent in hankie code please fill me in on his wardrobe choice? I believe right-pocket means he's a bottom, but for what I have no clue.

- Michael Johns: I hate the way he moves his arms.

- David Archuleta: Let it be known that I do not like this kid. Yes, he can sing; yes, he's adorable; yes, he'll probably make it to the top 3 (if not win the whole thing). But he's also like a tiny singing robot that hits all the notes perfectly in a way that totally creeps me out. Like a male, slightly more human/likable version of Diana DeGarmo. Plus, his Melinda Doolittle-esque "Wow, you really think I'm good? REALLY?" shtick is already wearing thin and we're only in week 2.

- Danny Noriega: Despite 2 sub-par weeks in a row, I dig this kid. He's like Sanjaya, only with talent and attitude. And better hair. (Klute > Ponyhawk, any day.)



My (revised) projected top 6: David A, Danny, Michael, Jason C, David H and Chikezie.

Current music: Current music: Pizzicato Five - Happy End of the World

Monday, February 25, 2008  |  

- weekend update -

Tina Fey has joined the very short list of people whose bathwater I'd be willing to drink.

And I don't know who writes for Mario Lopez on America's Best Dance Crew, but he/she should totally win an Emmy. Or a Pulitzer. It's gold, Jerry! Gold!

And finally: John James Preston? Mr. Big's name is JOHN JAMES PRESTON?



Current music: Groove Armada - In My Bones

Saturday, February 23, 2008  |  

- piece of me -

My attempt at the song as a chart meme:



Current music: Röyksopp - 49 Percent

Friday, February 22, 2008  |  

- your retarded -

In the battle for "the funniest thing Hansol has read this year" title:
Random comments on YouTube > Christmas Ape's Reggie Nelson post on KSK



Current music: Tiefschwarz feat. Tracey Thorn - Damage

Thursday, February 21, 2008  |  

- girl power! -

The top 12 girls were far far better than the boys. I like them all! Even the ones who sort of stumbled last night! OK, maybe not all.

- My top 4: Alexandréa, Asia'h, Ramiele and Syesha. It helps to have a weird name.

- Still got potential: Alaina, Brooke and Kady.

- Do Not Want: Amanda Overmyer and Amy Davis (it's looking to be a bad Idol year for the state of Indiana), Kristy Lee Cook (too bad Amazing Grace couldn't save her for the 3rd time) and Joanne Borgella. I think Amy and Joanne will be the first 2 to go.

For now, Carly (Hennessy) Smithson is dangerously close to joining the "do not want" list. There's no question she can sing (or "blow" as Randy would say) and she'll likely make it far in this competition, but there is just something about her that bugs me. And it has nothing to do with her much-debated past. Like Dave White wrote: "it's clearly not against the rules to have failed in the music industry before coming on this show, even if RANDY JACKSON was the head of A&R at the label you used to have a deal with."

Current music: Carly Hennessy - I'm Gonna Blow Your Mind

Tuesday, February 19, 2008  |  

- the sanjaya effect -

For "the most talented group ever," top 12 guys were pretty horrid. Not surprisingly, I agree with Simon on the top 2: David Archuleta (the little kid who won Star Search a few years ago) and Jason Castro (whom I hadn't seen/heard until today).

My picks to go home on Thursday: Chikezie (what happened to Eze?) and Luke Menard.

But more importantly, what's up with everyone's hair this year? From Left to Right:



- David Cook: You can't really tell from this picture, but it usually looks like someone spray-painted a dead skunk and put it on top of his head. (It's not as terrifying as Amanda Overmyer's, but still.) AI Stylists: Please fix him. And shave off that soul patch.

- Garrett Haley: Hey, Leif Garrett called. He wants his DNA back.

- Jason Yeager: He's a pretty good-looking guy (sort of Tom Brady meets Ryan Leaf) but what's with the blonde streak? Is he a long-lost son of Jay Leno?

- Robbie Carrico: OK, we know you're trying very hard to shed your boyband past, but please get a fucking haircut. And lose the chain wallet while you're at it.

- Jason Castro: Did you know that white people get dreadlocks by not washing their hair? I once had a roommate who had dreads and that's how I know. And yes, it was fucking gross. Good voice though (Jason C, not my ex-roomie).

Current music: David Byrne - Dance On Vaseline

Tuesday, February 19, 2008  |  

- jabba vs. kaba -

Some random thoughts re: America's Best Dance Crew:

- Kaba Modern:
I almost jumped on the Kaba bandwagon after the first episode when they were easily the best-choreographed/dressed and also picked the most hip, catchy songs. They weren't so spectacular when taken out of their comfort-zone in the 2nd episode, but I'd still put them securely in the 2nd place, after...

- JabbaWockeeZ:
My fav crew came back after a mediocre first episode (mostly because they picked the suck-ass-est song of the year) and absolutely killed it. I actually think their trademark masks are hurting them though. They seem to be a real fun, likable bunch of guys, but it's impossible to establish any personal connection when you can't tell who's who.

- BreakSk8:
Why do a bunch of white boys from Kokomo, Indiana talk like they are from Compton?

- Shane Sparks:
Does he ever say anything other than "Y'all came with it!" or "That was CRAZY!"?

- Lil Mama:
She definitely has the potential to be the next Emmitt Smith. Like that time when she described one of the routines as "persistent"? I'm pretty sure she meant "precise."

- My ranking after episode 2:

1. JabbaWockeeZ
2. Kaba Modern
3. Iconic
4. Fysh n Chicks
5. Live in Color
6. BreakSk8
7. Status Quo

Monday, February 18, 2008  |  

- click-clack -

Do you take steroids? Do you beat your girlfriend? Then Under Armour has a sneaker for you!

- Big Daddy Drew on Under Armour's Super Bowl ad

Friday, February 15, 2008  |  

- and speaking of fatties -

Bawston, you have a problem. At least he appears to be HGH/Steroid-free.



Current music: Air Supply - Even The Nights Are Better

Friday, February 15, 2008  |  

- respek -

Beyoncé referred to Tina Turner as a "queen." Not queen of gospel, queen of soul, queen of blues, Queen of England. I consider my wife a queen and sometimes call her that. Does Aretha have a problem with that?

- Matthew Knowles

Thursday, February 14, 2008  |  

- everyday i love you less and less -

Four and a half hours of hearings and for me it all came down to one thing: Roger Clemens's ass. It was kissed, it was kicked, it was called, it was fondled and even an abscess on his ass was debated. In the end, I have a simple question for you: Does Clemens look like an ass?

- Michael Landsberg, Off the Record

Wednesday, February 13, 2008  |  

- first american idolatry of the year -

Watch this, Lis -- you can actually pinpoint the second when his heart rips in half.

- Bart Simpson

Tuesday, February 12, 2008  |  

- the itunes meme -

How many songs total: 7,291
How many hours or days of music: 20 days 19 hours 46 minutes and 5 seconds

Most recently played: Shudder/King of Snake, Underworld
Most played: Last Scene, Roller Coaster
Most recently added: Far Far, Yael Naïm
First song that comes up on Shuffle: Angel, Massive Attack

- Sort by song title:
First song: A'ddio, Yang Pa
Last song: ?, OutKast

- Sort by time:
Shortest non-song: Untitled, Hot Hot Heat (4 seconds)
Shortest song-song: We Love Pizzicato Five, Pizzicato Five (21 seconds)
Longest song: 45:33, LCD Soundsystem (45 minutes and 58 seconds)

- Sort by album:
First album: Abbey Road, The Beatles
Last album: ( ), Sigur Rós

- Search the following and state how many songs come up:
doom: 1, death: 71, vomit: 0, fuck: 15, kill: 52, cake: 40

Current music: Daft Punk - Technologic

Friday, February 8, 2008  |  

- not guilty, y'all got to feel me -

They pulled out that blue dress and scared him. That little dress with the DNA, and he lost it. He gave up the lie. But my thing is, who's going to believe a woman who keeps a nasty dress? They oughta toss her right out of court. "Excuse me, Your Honor, she kept the dress." "What? No way. Case dismissed! And get your nasty ass out my courtroom! I should throw you in jail for being nasty, Miss Nasty Ass! What else you keep, some old Q-tips and some tissues? How old are those drawers you wearing, Miss Nasty Ass? Bailiff, wipe all this off where she was sitting, too."

They pulled that dress out and he lost it. A little DNA. Bill's not smart. They had DNA, blood, a glove, two dead bodies, a limo driver, a barking dog, and O.J. still said, "I'm one hundred percent not guilty."

- Wanda Sykes on the Lewinsky scandal

Thursday, February 7, 2008  |  

- finger lickin' good, y'all -

Apparently, this PETA ad was banned from airing during the Super Bowl. Loverly.



Current music: Necrofrost - My Winter of Forgotten Souls

Wednesday, February 6, 2008  |  

- hansol's first law of facebook -

The probability of someone showing up on your Facebook news feed is inversely proportional to your interest level of that person.

Current music: Buckethead - Whitewash

Tuesday, February 5, 2008  |  

- getting his britney on -

No more frosted tips? I'm heartbroken.



Current music: Massive Attack - Black Milk

Monday, February 4, 2008  |  

- you got served -

Some random post-Super Bowl ramblings:

Bill Simmons on yesterday's shocker. I can't wait for the next B.S. Reports.

Is it just me, or did Jordin Sparks totally lip-sync the national anthem?

My new favorite show: America's Best Dance Crew. Just when you thought Paula Abdul had solidified her title as the has-been pop star who is also the most clueless, incoherent reality show judge, Lil Mama comes along.

Blogosphere's going all ape-shit over Kaba Modern, but my money's on JabbaWockeeZ.

Obligatory comment on the proposed Microsoft-Yahoo! merger: What Fake Steve said.

Intel's new uber-processor is called Tukwila. Ew.

In Canada, we got the CTV feed instead of FOX during the Super Bowl. Translation: only lame-o Canadian commercials. Oh well, everyone watches them online the next day anyways. My favorite from the unusually weak bunch:



Current music: Nas - U Wanna Be Me