Straight to it:

Taylor Hicks – “Easy Like Sunday Morning” – I liked this song for him. I would download this off of iTunes in a heartbeat. He didn’t do a lot of the Elaine dancing this week :-) – and he also did a great job of making this song his own. He was a little off at the end and did lots of “WHOOs” – but I bet after he processes what the judges said, he’ll come back stronger next week. It bothers me a little that he’s going first – I will be voting often.
Elliott Yamin – “Moody’s Mood For Love” – Oddly enough, I love this song. And oh my gosh – what a neat arrangement…David and I are sitting here “OH MY WORD”ing like crazy. WHERE DID HE COME FROM? He may be the most talented guy there. This performance is right up there with Fantasia’s “Summertime” for me. Flawless. Awesome.
Ace Young – “If I’m Not Made For You” – Boring. Boring. Boring. Not to mention that he doesn’t sound all that great to me. And I’ve got to tell you – I’m getting a different vibe from Ace than I did the first few times I saw him. Anybody else feel that way?
Gedeon McKinney – Some old song. Okay, y’all – let’s be honest. He’s talented. But it’s like watching a drag queen who forgot her dress and wig but decides the show must go on. In other words, he’s a black Clay Aiken (“Blaiken”). He sounded great – and I like him.
Kevin Covais – “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” – I should tell you that I never need to hear this song again. It could disappear off the face of the planet and I would not care. Now EK, I know you like him, but his performances are like a John Hughes movie where the class geek gets up in front of the student body and sings a song and everyone cheers for him because he’s such a likeable geek. But you know what the geek can’t do? Sell CD’s.
Jose “Sway” Penala – “Overjoyed” – I am trying not to hold last week’s performance against him – because I did not get last week’s performance at all. But you know what? I just don’t get him. Maybe it’s his singing style…too much vibrato, too many runs – it’s like he takes a lovely, simple melody and makes it over-complicated. Not for me.
Will Makar – “Lady” – I’ll go ahead and say it: this has train wreck written all over it. No 17 year old has any business singing a Kenny Rogers ballad. By the way, David and I are CRACKING UP over how excited he was to meet Justin Guarini, who looks in their picture like the cat who just ate the canary. Anyway, this sounds like the Powerful Ballad at a Critical Plot Point in a Major Musical. An all-around odd performance. But I appreciated, for purely comical reasons, the “Oh-oh, lay-ay-dee” at the end of it.
Bucky Covington – “Thunder Rolls” – Um, at least he’s making Southerners look really intelligent. Not. As for the song, not very impressive. Bucky is not an entertainer. I feel like he’s the guy who tops out headlining at HoJo’s. But now I do love him forever for saying he wants some sweet tea (when David and I were in LA, I nearly lost my mind with all the fruit-flavored tea, so I feel Bucky’s pain).
David Radford – “The Way You Look Tonight” – He is, as hubby just said, a one-trick pony. I get the idea that Mr. Radford’s idea of a wacky time is loosening the tops of the salt and pepper shakers at the country club. I think we’ll be saying good-bye to David tomorrow.
Chris Daughtry – “Hemorrhage” – Can I just say that I love his speaking voice? Okay, the song. I think it’s a great song – and he nailed it. This guy is the real deal. He’s way talented, and I’d buy his CD tomorrow. I think he’s the person to beat, male or female. In fact, David and I would like to predict it: Chris Daughtry is the next American Idol. Just for the record.

On the whole, MUCH better across the board than the girls were last night.

Should go: Bucky Covington and David Radford
Will go: Bucky Covington and David Radford
Tomorrow night: the results!

When we lived in Louisiana, people would talk for weeks about what they were planning to give up for Lent. I would always pick a sacrifice that, for me at least, was difficult: no sugar, no diet Coke, no carbs, etc. I don’t think D has ever been more ready for Jesus to get on up out of that tomb than the year I gave up diet Coke – that was my most difficult Lent sacrifice yet, no question. Nothing makes me die to self faster than the absence of caffeine.

One year I heard an idea that instead of giving up something, we could take on something – a few more hours of volunteer work, finally reading that Max Lucado book sitting on the nightstand, visiting an elderly relative or friend on a regular basis. I thought the idea was a revelation, so I started my own little Lent tradition of going to a Christian book store on Ash Wednesday and looking for a new devotional book – something that would give me some new perspective during the 40 days leading up to Easter.

Here in Alabama, I find that people don’t talk about Lent as much…probably because there’s not as much of a Catholic influence in these parts (in restaurants in south Louisiana, there are actually different menus for Lent – no meat, only fish). I thought about that today when Sister emailed me and mentioned that she was heading to church at noon – and then when I picked Alex up from Mother’s Day Out this afternoon, his teacher had obviously been to church as well (the black marks on her forehead gave her away).

I realize that we’re a pretty diverse denominational group, but I’m just wondering: are any of you giving up something or taking on something for Lent this year? If so, what?

As for me, I’m reading C.S. Lewis’ The Problem of Pain. Just a little “light” reading, you know, so that my brain can finally implode from sheer effort.

Holla back in the comments.

I thought I was going to be TV superwoman tonight and cover AI and The Amazing Race before I went to bed, but that is THREE and ONE HALF HOURS of television, so the Race will have to wait until tomorrow.

By the way, I’m blogging as I watch AI – I love me a laptop.

Katharine McPhee – Gorgeous, rich voice…but I think she needs to do something more up-tempo. This week was too much like last week’s “Since I Fell For You.” What I do like so much about her is that she’s subtle…not trying to win a screaming contest. Most puzzling? Her wardrobe – pedal pushers and a maternity-ish top.
Kinnik Sky – Odd choice of a Gretchen Wilson song – plus, she still sounds like a Miss Florida contestant. I think the most telling detail is that she’d been singing for about 30 seconds when I asked David, “What’s her name again?” She just looked like someone who was out for a night at the karaoke bar. Excellent call by Simon that it was “a theme park performance.”
Lisa Tucker – Gosh she’s poised for a 16 year old. I guess my problem is that I can’t stand the kind of song she sang (I am not, in general, a fan of R&B unless Ike and Tina are involved). In terms of performance, she seemed decidedly average.
Melissa McGhee – Much to my surprise, though she’s not great, she’s the best of the first four tonight. I think the sassy Reba tune suited her. (I’m listening to Randy right now, who seems to agree with me). All that being said, she seems more like a lounge singer than a star. (By the way, David and I are sick of Paula interrupting Simon all the time. It’s rude.)
Heather Cox – Mariah Carey’s “Hero.” Her performance would be perfect for the end-of-year show choir showcase at your local high school. I’m a little puzzled as to why she’s even in this competition. She’s not a very, um, strong singer. Next to go, I predict. (Hey, they’ve split up Paula and Simon – literally changed Paula’s seat.)
Brenna Gether – I hate hate hate the song “Last Dance.” HATE IT. Couple that with the fact that the person singing it tonight is terribly unlikeable (but yet seems to think she’s funny), and I’m bored before she even starts to sing. She does sound better than last week, but she’s just so incredibly unpleasant that I’m ready for her to leave.
Paris Bennett – “Wind Beneath My Wings”?!?!? So very Beaches of her. Y’all, this song is not just tired – it’s exhausted, and someone needs to put it out of its misery. So I really don’t care how Paris sounds (which is just “aight,” for the record), because I DESPISE THIS SONG WITH EVERYTHING IN ME. WHY OH WHY would someone voluntarily sing it? (As it turns out, because her great-grandmother likes it – which speaks volumes. Volumes.)
Ayla Brown – Okay, she’s a little too earnest for me. She’s singing some Celine Dion song, but I don’t care, because once again – SHOW CHOIR. The song is called “I Want You To Need Me” – and David just said it best: “Well, we don’t, Ayla.”
Kellie (Dawn) Pickler – “Let’s Give Them Something To Talk About” – perfect song for her. Sort of country, lots of attitude. First person all night who has made my foot tap a little bit. I said it last week – she’s just so easy to like that it makes you root for her. She’s about THIS big – adorable. Her hair is really cute, too. I like her. I’ve decided that she’s a Southern Elle Woods. “Pick Pickler,” y’all. “Pick Pickler!”
Mandisa – “Cry” by Faith Hill – and girl, she gave it some ATT-I-TUDE. I love that it doesn’t sound like Faith’s version – it sounds sassier and earthier. Best of the night – no doubt about it. I LOVE HER.

All in all – a disappointing night. I felt like I was watching a talent show on a cruise ship – nobody came across as a legitimate performer, except maybe Mandisa. Hope the guys fare better tomorrow night.

Should go: Heather Cox and Brenna Gether
Will go: Heather Cox and Kinnik Sky
Wednesday night: Guys’ top 10 – go, Taylor!

Without a doubt – lamest title ever. I do hope you’ll read this anyway.

Tonight marks the season premiere for one of our household’s very favorite shows in the history of all television: The Amazing Race.

And you’re thinking, “HOW CAN YOU PEOPLE POSSIBLY WATCH MORE TELEVISION?”

It’s just a matter of priorities, really. And two TiVo‘s.

I’m particularly excited about this season because it marks a return to the regular, two-person-per-team format. Back in the fall, CBS experimented with a family format, and it was a disaster. I gave up, in fact, after the second episode – it was just too hard to try to keep all the people straight and to listen to all four family members talk at once. Plus, since there were small children involved, they restricted the race to North America, and basically, well, it stunk. If I’m going to watch people race around the globe, I don’t want to hear little Kaitlyn whine about how her feet hurt and she wants a juice box. I want COMPETITION. Not to mention that when you take away jet lag and subsequent attempts to navigate foreign countries’ rail systems and airports, you take away half the fun.

I have contended for some time that my sister would be the Best. Race. Contestant. Ever. She is a savvy traveler, never intimidated by her surroundings, and always up for an adventure. I have several friends who have tried out for TAR and not made the cut, but I do think that if my mother-in-law and I tried out together, we would immediately be selected because of her tendency to say everything in threes.

Just picture Martha in India: “Now, sugar, where DID you get that burkha? Oh, honey, it is ADORABLE. Cute. Cute. Cute. Did you SEE that? Oh, S., did you SEE that? Did you SEE that? I have GOT to get Mother one. That color will be so PRETTY with her eyes. Pretty. Pretty. Pretty. ”

And then I’d say, “Martha, you do NOT need a burkha. Sissie is NINETY-FIVE. SHE does not need a burkha.”

And she’d say, “Oh, I have to have one. We can’t get these in Meridian. You know, we don’t have anywhere to shop there. I mean, we have a Dillard’s and a McRae’s, but I think they just send the leftovers from all the other stores there because one time, Rubena and I were looking for suits, and I wanted a sort of periwinkle one and it had a darling collar because the button came up right under my collarbone, and Rubena found her size, because they have lots of her size, since she’s bigger than I am, but of course they didn’t have my size and you know I have to get the sleeves taken up on EVERYTHING…”

And then the camera would cut to me, with my eyes rolling back into my brain, banging my head against the side of some poor Indian man’s kiosk, while Martha continued to tell the man, who doesn’t speak her language, about the deficiencies of the Susan Bristol section at the McRae’s department store in Meridian, Mississippi.

Because he would of course be terribly interested.

It would make for some mighty good television, I’m telling you.

Anyway, I know we have Idol tonight – and I’ll be watching that, too – but if you are technologically able, find a way to see both.

It’ll be double the bloggy fun for all of us.

Well, color me surprised.

Dr. McHottie (better, Daph?) picked Sarah, the sweet girl from Nashville. The nice girl finished first.

I have to say, I sensed a little chemistry between them tonight. They didn’t start off hot and heavy, but I think their friendship honestly grew into something deeper, and well, I could sort of relate to that. :-) I also very much appreciated that his mind was made up long before he handed out the final rose – it gave me some faith in his character.

Y’all, she’s SWEET. She’s genuine. She’s Southern.

And I actually got a little teary-eyed when he was talking about Sarah right before she got out of the limo. I think he respects her, which is very refreshing in this age of hoochie-mamas. His smile was HUUUUUGE when he saw her.

I’m so proud that he picked up on the signs of t-r-o-u-b-l-e with Moana. And can we talk about the breakdown in the back of the limousine? The word “unstable” comes to mind. I loved his brother-in-law’s perspective: “it’s not a matter of who has fallen hard for you – it’s a matter of who you want to be with.”

Moana’s parting remarks? “You’ll always have a piece of me that I can’t ever get back.” Did you hear the music in the background? It was like something from a psychological thriller, where the spurned woman is sitting outside her ex’s house, waiting to ram her car into his when he gets near the driveway. It had the faint sound of knives being sharpened in the background. I’m telling y’all – Travis Stork better get an unlisted number ASAP and leave NO forwarding address when he leaves Nashville. Because Moana? She will hunt him down.

But last thing. Ring on a necklace? CHEESY. I believe that Carrie Bradshaw and Aidan broke up over this very issue. Either say, “I want to date,” or “I want to get married,” but not “With this ring, I thee commit to getting to know you better.”

Sister, would you get your sources to ride by his house tomorrow and see if Sarah’s there? I need LOTS of details.

Okay – I’m only about 45 minutes in to The Bachelor – and I wonder: why does Moana seem to feel like love is a weakness? Why does she think it’s “intense” for someone to ask her what she sees in a man who she has this “unbelievable connection” with? I don’t understand. I mean, Travis’ sister said, “What is so special about my brother?” And Moana said, “It’s not in my character to answer something like that.”

HUH? I’M SORRY?

DANGER, Doctor. DANGER.