Even if you’re not watching American Idol, you need to see last night’s performance by Taylor Hicks. Also, for those of you who are blessed to call Merritt your friend, I think you’ll see some parallels between the end of Taylor’s performance and the end of Merritt’s very entertaining rendition of “Two Bits.” Now that I’ve noticed the similarities, I crack up every single time Taylor kicks out that leg.

Stuck at work? Wishing you were in Nashville at the SEC Tournament right about now? Thinking that because you’re at work, you can’t watch the Bulldogs play South Carolina? Or Ole Miss play Kentucky?

Oh, yes, you can!

Live video via the interweb, my working friends.

Enjoy.

This morning I forked over a whole twelve dollars to upgrade the commenting system. The ads were annoying, and I figured it was worth a dollar a month to not have to look at them anymore.

I do like the HaloScan system a lot – it provides some flexibility in terms of monitoring comments, deleting spam, and controlling all manner of geeky pursuits – so I figured I’d make it as user-friendly as possible. I’m sure you’ll miss the all Exciting Offers from the advertisers, but we’ll get through the withdrawal as best we can.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

It’s always neat to see a Queen City boy “make good,” especially when it’s someone as nice as Patrick. Check out this article to read more.

No doubt that Liz’s hubby, T., is outside the Temple right now, waiting for the doors to open – maybe even firing up the grill for a little tailgating – since he is in fact the biggest Wilco fan in the world.

I have high hopes for tonight…so here we go.

Gedeon McKinney – “When A Man Loves A Woman” – I think he needs to drop the Sam Cooke / Smokey Robinson routine. Maybe he figures he needs to stick with the horse that brung him, but at this point I’d like to see that he can do something except old R&B. But Blaiken can sing, no doubt about it. I don’t think Gedeon loves the ladies, unless they’re relatives or close friends, if you catch my drift. Seeing him explain why he chose this song was initially awkward, then downright comical. Great voice.
Chris Daughtry – “Broken” – Another good song choice for him, though I don’t happen to love the song. But the bottom line is this: he already sounds like someone we’d be listening to on the radio…his voice is distinctive, he’s comfortable with who he is, and that’s good. I do think he’s going to have to break out of the alt-rock mode in the next few weeks – just so we see a little versatility.
Kevin Covais – “Starry, Starry Night” – Has anyone ever looked more uncomfortable on stage? He doesn’t have a bad voice, but he is a featured performer in show choir, not an American Idol. Kevin’s going to be singing at a lot of weddings in his future. His voice just isn’t relatable, though – it doesn’t make us want to dance or sing along. He’s a geek gone good – and that’s a great story for him to tell his kids one day – but he’s not geek gone Idol. Not gonna happen.
Bucky Covington – “Wave on Wave” – This is actually one of my favorite songs from back when Alex was a baby. But y’all, Bucky is just not much of a singer, though this was probably the best song he’s picked so far. There is nothing in me, however, that thinks there will be a CD anywhere in Bucky’s future, unless it’s something he produces at home, on his Mac, and sells in the lobby of his church. Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Will Makar – Good thing he didn’t come off as a goob in his taped piece. Ahem. He sang “How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You.” Now you will never, ever hear me say anything negative about a James Taylor song. This was actually a fun change of pace for him, especially after that “Lady” debacle last week. I think he’ll definitely move on to the next round – but the whole performance reeked of a high school talent show. Like where all the moms are on the first two rows with their camcorders, and Will is making eyes at all the grandmas in the audience, and they’re all talking about what a sweet boy he is. Sweet – but boring.
Taylor Hicks – Taylor, here’s a hint: don’t wear a bunny suit on national television. It scares people. But is anything more perfect for him than a Michael McDonald song? Not only that, it’s one of the best Michael McDonald songs – “Takin’ It To The Streets.” Awesome. He sang his heart out – and I think this was his best performance yet. Loved it loved it loved it. I think the audience did, too. I adore how he swings that arm around when he sings, but Simon’s right: he may single-handedly kill the video industry. :-)
Elliott Yamin – Serious song choice miscue with “Heaven,” as I don’t think any of us should ever have to hear a Bryan Adams song ever again. This was Elliott’s worst performance so far, because the song just didn’t show off what he can do (as opposed to last week’s “Moody’s Mood For Love”). Surprisingly, Randy liked it – I think the judges just want to make extra sure that Elliott gets through. I’m totally in agreement with Simon on this one – it felt uninspired.
Ace Young – I have no idea what the song is called, but I’m thinking it might be “Butterflies” – way too much falsetto for my taste. What is this trend with guys singing falsetto in these R&B songs? I do not enjoy it. However, the “lovely ladies” in the audience didn’t seem to mind it at all. Quick aside: I’m tired of Ace looking at the judges all wide-eyed and “sincere,” but I’m willing to forgive it if he wears those jeans again next week. I’m just sayin’.

In my opinion, the guys are much more consistently entertaining than the girls are. It’ll be a pretty strong field of six once they get it narrowed down. My favorite of the night: Taylor. David just commented that he’s so grateful that Randy and Paula kept Taylor in it that very first audition – because he makes this whole competition so much more interesting. I’m encouraged by the fact that I’m still getting a busy signal every time I try to vote for him.

Should go: Kevin Corvais & Bucky Covington
Will go: Kevin Corvais & Bucky Covington
Tomorrow night: the results!

The racers are leaving Sao Paulo, heading to parts unknown.

First they have to go to a tall office building, which doesn’t open until 8 in the morning, thus allowing all the teams to start on pretty equal footing.

At 8, they learn they have a Roadblock: one team member has to climb a fire escape and then rappel down the side of the building. Afterwards, they head to a bus station to find tickets for a charter bus. Next is a Detour: “Press It” – processing raw sugar cane into juice and then into ethanol – or “Climb It” – hiking to a waterfall and completing a 90 foot rope climb. After that they travel 20 miles down the road to the next Pit Stop, a coffee plantation.

Here is my lame summary:

BJ & Tyler – The first words out of their mouths are “OH, crumbs.” It’s my new favorite expression. They’re third after the roadblock. They decide to Climb It. They get some good help from locals, and they’re first to the Pit Stop. They’re totally likeable, a deserving first place team.
Eric & Jeremy – Quick to point out that they have “girls on the brain.” You’re kidding. I would’ve never guessed. And the way Eric talks about D & D is appalling. The Frat Boys are first after the roadblock but hopefully will break their legs soon. Eric asked to touch Danielle’s behind, and she let him, so I have nothing for either of them. They’re dead to me. They pick Climb It, but whatever. They’re second to the Pit Stop, but first in sheer obnoxious behavior. I have decided to openly root against them.
Joseph & Monica – They’re second after the roadblock, and they pick Climb It. Third to the Pit Stop. I haven’t said much about them because I have no idea what they’re like. At this point, they’re enigmas, wrapped in conundrums. No clue about their personalities.
Dave & Lori – Dave says he loves Lori because she has “Body Boom Body with the Naughty Pilates.” I love them. They’re sixth after the roadblock, and surprise, they pick Press It. They converted sugar cane to ethanol in no time at all because they’re geeks like that. Fourth to the Pit Stop – good for them.
Wanda & Desiree – They’re speaking Spanish / Portugese like crazy and seventh after the roadblock. They pick Press It. Sixth to the Pit Stop – and delighted about it.
Ray & Yolanda – Sixth after the roadblock, they pick Climb It and come in an exhausted fifth place at the Pit Stop.
Lake & Michelle – They’re fourth after the roadblock. He’s still on my nerves. They go to the wrong bus station, but surprisingly, Lake doesn’t cuss out his wife. They choose Climb It. He tells his wife to “get your a__ up that mountain.” I have to refrain from throwing something at the television. They have a hard time getting directions to the Pit Stop, but they finish seventh.
Danielle & Dani – This week it’s YELLOW low-cut tank tops, so they’re really breaking out. One of the two girls is panicked at the idea of rappelling. But she recovered…eighth after the roadblock. They’re eighth to the Pit Stop.
Fran & Barry – “Now you’re cookin’,” the hubby says as his wife rappels down the building…and they’re tenth after the roadblock. Surprisingly, they pick Climb It, and they actually make it up the mountain. But their car breaks down, and Danielle and Dani fly past them without helping. Charming. They’re actually the ninth team to arrive at the Pit Stop, so they’re not out of it yet.
Lisa & Joni – Quit screaming. Quit it with the WHOO HOOs. Or we won’t be able to stand you. Ninth after roadblock. Lisa is heading for a meltdown…she seems to be stuck in a negative mindset, and as a result, she is complaining incessantly (here’s a tip: if you don’t like to rough it, don’t sign up for TAR). They choose Press It. And they git ‘er done, but they’re the last team to the Pit Stop. Lisa can’t quit crying when she learns that they’ve been eliminated. The upside is that we don’t have to listen to them scream anymore. Though I’m sure they’re lovely people.

All in all, not a riveting leg…mainly because there was no air travel, which always makes for fun complications, tensions, etc. Next week: we’re off to Moscow, which means…NESTING DOLLS. Stay tuned.