I wasn’t kidding around back in January when I said that I was not – WAS NOT – going to watch American Idol this season. I’d read a few things about drama during the auditions, and I just couldn’t muster up the energy to watch judges argue. I’d much rather use that energy to count the number of times that someone says “amazing,” “connection,” or “journey” on The Bachelor. I think that we can all agree that it’s a much more valuable (and productive!) use of a person’s time.
I didn’t watch a single second of Idol auditions – not even Hollywood Week, which has always been my favorite. I kept my distance all the way through the selection process, in fact, and even when the finalists started the “real” portion of the show in the studio, I stayed away. But once the finalists were narrowed down to the top 10, I took a little bitty peek at the singing when I was flipping around on the TV on Wednesday night, and I sorta / kinda / maybe got slightly hooked again. Granted, I don’t watch it as intently as I used to – if a contestant doesn’t grab my attention during the first few seconds of a song, I fast forward the DVR – but I have to say that I’m enjoying the show.
My favorite so far is Candice Glover, a South Carolina girl who can flat-out SANG. I also like Cree and Janelle a lot – they are super-likeable on stage, which is a big deal with me for some reason. Interestingly enough (well, it’s interesting to me, at least, but I certainly won’t presume to speak for the group), Candice won me over for good when she sang a song that I absolutely loathe, “I Heard It Through The Grapevine.” It’s a nice enough song, I guess, but I watched a lot of TV in the early 80s, and I saw those California Raisins commercials so many times that the “Grapevine” song was OH-SO-DEAD to me.
But then Candice made it better.
Now. Pretend that this sentence creates a lovely transition into the next topic.
I have never had a Facebook page for my blog. The reason I have never had a Facebook page for my blog is because I didn’t want one. It was one more thing to keep up with and one more thing to manage and I kind of like to keep the social media part of my life low-key and breezy. But what I am realizing is that over the next couple of months, I’m gonna have announcements and questions and ponderings that pertain to the book, and I don’t want for the blog to become All Book, All The Time. I also don’t want to use my personal Facebook page for book stuff, mainly because someone who hasn’t seen me since 2nd grade probably isn’t going to care a whole lot about whether or not I’ve scheduled any book signings.
All that to say: I caved and set up a Facebook page for the blog / book / general writing-type endeavors. I actually set it up on Tuesday, but it’s taken me a couple of days to work up the nerve to mention it because, well, I am weird. It is currently a very sad, desolate Facebook page with upwards of three “likes” (my friends Anne and Nicole found it somehow even though I hadn’t told them about it, so clearly they have magical Facebook powers). I do think that I’ll enjoy having a separate place to share book news / blog news / whatever news, and that way the blog can continue to be a place to tackle all the hard-hitting issues of the day: pillow selection, snack cracker flavors, meats we don’t enjoy, vegetables that strike us as friendly, etc.
And I would love to know if you’re watching AI and who your favorites are.
I’m glad we’ve had this talk.
Happy Weekend, y’all!
I always enjoyed your recaps of AI and have been missing them this season! I am watching AI about 12 hours after it airs in the States, way over here in Indonesia! There is a group of us here who enjoy watching together and commenting on the performances (or, to be honest, during the performances sometimes!) I think we are due for a girl winner this year – they WAY outshine the boys this season. Candice is also my favorite, followed by Kree. I like Burnell, too, but I am not sure how much longer he is going to last. His performance of “Let it Be” was outstanding but the last 2 weeks haven’t wow-ed me like that one did. Glad you jumped on the AI bandwagon!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Cree, Janelle and Angie the most! I’m inspired by Lazarro and his struggle, but feel like it is time for him to go home. I am not a huge fan of Nicki Minaj (okay, not a fan at all) so this season has been a struggle for me. I’m thrilled with the competition, though! Glad you’re checking it out!!!!
I have to be honest and say that AI became dead to me a couple seasons ago, when I felt that there was just too.much.happy.happy.joy.joy. during the coaching times. And the couple of time I have stumbled on this year (I live by a hard and fast “DVR only” watching rule), it has been the guys in one way or another. Never the girls.
So, I watched the clip, and have to say that for someone who came. to. loathe. those CA Raisin commercials, I loved her version of it.
Loved.
Have you watched “The Voice?” I actually like it better than “American Idol.” And this year the talent on “The Voice” is really incredible. There is not near as much suspenseful drama when people are selected or cut which I greatly appreciate! And the judges make the decisions not dial-in America which I also like.
I can not believe Lazaro is still there! And in the top three!? I love Candice and Kree. The girls definitley carried the talent this year. I usually fast forward through the judges’ comments. None of them have anything constructive to say. I cannot stand to even hear Nicki speak.
I watched early on this season because I adore Mariah Carey and Keith Urban and have been an semi follower of AI through the years. And I was so impressed with them both and loved how they were so nurturing and kind to the contestants. But then, THEN Nikki Minaj (sp? I want to spell it mange like the disease that dirty dogs get but that wouldn’t be very Christian like now would it?!?) anyway Miss Thang spoke and I was done. The show became dead to me. WHAT ON EARTH WERE THEY THINKING ASKING HER TO BE A JUDGE? I mean, how long has she been a recording artist? A minute? A week? Does she even SING? Every song I’ve ever heard of hers was a compilation with a rapper and had very little if any real singing. It’s like the other judges are baseball players (you know tenure and longevity, well respected, many many hits, in the business) and she’s playing croquet, not even in the same league! Plus, I’m all for being an individual and expressing yourself blah blah blah, but her appearance is a straight up distraction. I can’t even look at her. THEN she opens her mouth to speak and says things that don’t make sense to anyone in THAT voice. Ugggh THAT voice. I can’t handle it. I feel like if they don’t get rid of her she’s going to ruin the whole show which is a shame because Mariah and Keith are delightful. I’m a devout “The Voice” convert now, no more AI for me. Blake, Usher, Shakira, and Adam Levine ALL THE WAY.
My apologies for the rant as you can see I’m very passion in my opinion about the ruination of AI. :)
Hi Sophie! I’ve been reading your blog for years but don’t comment too often. Just wanted you to know that I’m so excited about your book. I’ve read the first chapter and come to the conclusion that we must be related. But, I expect you’re going to get that a lot as people start reading the book! Ha! Congratulations!
please watch the voice, you will not regret it..that is all THE VOICE:)
Boo Mama: You are too freaking cute. ;) This is me hugging you… not in a weird way …in a sweet endearing way…
Too cute. Das you.
Loving Kree and Candice. I want to love Angie, because she was terrific doing her own songs. But this show has not brought out the best in her. On a different note, I read the first chapter of your book yesterday and can’t wait to read the rest! Loved it!
Hi Sophie! I too have read your blog for years and I have never commented. I feel like I have to now that we are friends and all :) Anyway, I read the first chapter of your book and cannot to read this rest! So excited!! I was always a big fan of AI but couldnt watch this year because just can’t take Nikki so…… change over to The Voice and oh my word it is great!!!!!!!!! Love those judges and great talent you should give it a try.
Forgot to click on the link you provided, so I decided to type in Boomama at the search page on Facebook. Word, girl. Have you done that? Lotta boomamas and variations of boomamas. I think my favorite is Pya Boomamang….or Boomamaza Boozza (which I will now be saying all day long.) Then of course we have the basic Ala Boomama and the requisite hyphenation, Desiree Caj Boo’mama.
And you, poor child of the 80s, may have had to endure “I Hoid it Trew tha Graypevahn” but we 60s/70s babies suffered through “I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing!”
Well done for holding out so long – I can’t handle Nicki Minaj, so it’s out entirely for me :{
Okay, so I turned to my husband the other night and said, “If BooMama was watching this and saw Candice, she’d say, ‘That girl can SANG, slap out!’ or something like that.” Apparently, I’ve been watching with you too long or we’ve morphed or something.
Anyway, I totally agree. I didn’t start watching till a week ago because I just can’t handle all the judge-drama. I usually fast-forward through their comments; but please! Promise me that Candice is going to win this thing?
Hey Boo! First of all as soon as I’m done here I’m gonna pop over and like you on FB. I just made a page (due to the encouragement/harassment of a dear friend) for my blog this week. She said that maybe- of course not her- not everyone cared about my blog updates as I did and that everyone else was doing it so of course I should too. Anyways, it’s all very nerve racking. Now- more important stuff: AMERICAN IDOL! Oh my. I promised I wouldn’t watch too! Yet, now I watch. Religiously. Sometimes even more than once. Sad but true. The girls are amazing. I’m so done with the boys. My 16 year old loves Angie…so do I. You really should listen to her Hollywood week solo- she sang an original and WOW! It was amazing. I’m sure you can find it on YouTube. If not send me an email and I’ll send you a link. Well, I’m off. Gotta go like some new page on FB! :) Amy
Well apparently my “giftedness” on the internet knows no bounds. I clicked on the link to your FB page and it sent me to nowhere land of a blank page. I tried searching for Sohie Hudson on FB but there are like a million of you, I tried searching for BooMama and it sent me back here. HELP! please.
I think it’s going to come down to Cree and Candace. Love both of them and I felt the EXACT same way about Heard It Through The Grapevine. When they said that’s what she was going to be singing and groaned and rolled my eyes and then she sang and it was lovely and I don’t think I’ll every think of the California Grapes again.
Boomama! I’m so excited about this book, and so happy for you. I’m a bit bummed about the Facebook page because I’m not on Facebook! Yes, I’m in that group of non-FB ppl. And if you put all your book/writing news on the FB page, I’ll never hear/see it. Is there any chance you can at least say, “hey all, I put something on the FB”? I completely want to experience this book thing with you!
We have not watched American Idol in quite a while. I have to say we do enjoy The Voice. The bantering back and forth between the coaches is so funny. And everyone is so nice and helpful even if the person is not picked. I also enjoy that they pick truly because of their voice and they choose all kinds of voices. Not just the ones that will sell records ot CD’s or iTunes or whatever we buy.
I said a million times that I was going to “quit” idol. (like I’m so important, and it matters if I stop watching something…) However, I have been sucked right back in, as always. I try not to be a reality T.V. junkie but somehow It is magnetic to me.
I will “like” your facebook page! I loved the first chapter of the book and can’t wait to read the rest.
I’ve been an avid AI watcher for years. It was my *thing* with my mom until she passed away a few years ago. I tried watching this year but I couldn’t stand the chemistry of the judges. I could deal with Ellen and even Stephen Tyler, but not this group.
I’ve switched over to The Voice and I’ve found it is 10x better. The judges are to die for (I have a slight crush on Usher. Who knew?) and they are encouraging, fun and the show hasn’t made fun of people. I found myself sitting on my couch smiling for a whole hour last week. (I may need professional help. Or a life. Or both.) Check it out on NBC this Monday. I don’t think you will be sorry.
I had zero.zero interest in Nicki Minaj and Mariah Carey. Possibly less. So I’ve switched over to The Voice. LOVE. LOVE. LOVE IT. It’s so much more positive than Idol. They give helpful critiques when necessary, but it’s a much different perspective when they are trying to get them on their team instead of judging them. All we see are lovely stories and good singers. The coaches are delightful. Love Shakira. Love Blake. Usher is much better than expected. And I may have developed a small crush on Adam Levine. I don’t know. It’s fun to watch people being nice. Even when people don’t get picked, the coaches might run up and give them a hug. Or just tell them a few things to work on and encourage them to come back. IT’S NICE. I thought maybe I’d like to give it a try one day last week, and I caught up on all 4 episodes in 24 hours, because I couldn’t stop watching. Love. It. (And this is from someone who loved Phillip Phillips so much I listen to his album daily and am CRYING over missing his concert 20 minutes from me this Friday due to my middle baby’s birthday party.)
I think American Idol is worth watching just to hear what Keith Urban is going to say. He has a very quick mind, he’ll make a pun if there is any available material, and he KNOWS music inside & out. Now that there are only girls left, I don’t think America can make a bad choice.
AND you really should watch The Voice if you can at all possibly squeeze another show in. You’ll be wowed by the talent and equally entertained by the judges.
Looking forward to your book!