So Shannon and I are going to be blogging about season eight of American Idol over at Culture11. We’re calling it “American Idol Watch Party” because all the punny Idol-y names are taken. Unless we call our posts “Idol-y Thoughts,” which, now that I think about it, sort of makes me smile.

Anyhoo.

Here’s my first Idol-y post. In case you want to read it. And maybe comment. And you can even rate it, but oh, FOR THE LOVE OF PETE, PLEASE BE KIND.

Finally.

I keep going back and forth about using my full name when I “write” at other places. I’m starting to get used to the idea, but part of me likes holding on to just a little bit of anonymity until the little guy gets old enough to understand all this interweb bloggy bidness. After talking to my husband this morning I decided that I was going to step out and use my full name over at Culture11, but a few minutes ago I clicked over to the article, saw that my byline says “Sophie Boomama,” and laughed my head off. So for now, “Sophie Boomama” it is.

Have a great day, everybody!

I just watched last night’s episode of “The Bachelor.”

I HAVE SOME THOUGHTS.

And I will present them in a numbered format at this juncture, oh thank you.

1) In examining the hairstyles of this season’s contestants, I noticed that there was a decided lack of bangs. A few of the girls had sideswept bangs, but there weren’t any Reese Witherspoon-ish bangs in the bunch. Was this some sort of hair anomaly? Or are bangs out? Or did the producers just want to make sure we had ample opportunity to wonder if some of the girls had been dabbling in the Botox? The mind boggles.

2) In general I think it’s probably bad form to meet a large group of strangers and throw down some compound curse words right off the bat. Might not be the best first impression. I mean, I’ll be the first to admit that I participated in some extensive curse word-related experimentation in my 20s, but I like to think that I would have stopped short of venturing into compound curse word territory on national television. Not that I was ever on national television, you understand. So I have no way of proving my hypothetical compound curse word restraint. But still.

3) When contemplating one’s options for cocktail attire that is to be worn on a reality television program (for some reason I want to type “programme,” because as we all know, I am deeply British), I feel it is wise and prudent – and here is where I must tread very carefully – to, um, make sure you can, um, you know, handle what you’re wearing. Because certain styles of cocktail dresses limit your undergarment options. And supportive undergarments? ARE YOUR FRIEND.

Which is to say: this is one instance where there’s no shame at all in being BOUND UP. And maybe – just maybe – the plunging neckline isn’t the best option. Just imagine the freedom of being able to lean forward! Or bend over! Or walk without worrying about whether or not one of your girls has escaped her flimsy, non-supportive perimeter!

BIND ‘EM UP.

4) What’s up with DeAnna showing up again? Anybody know what that’s about? Other than being a set-up for THE MOST DRAMATIC “Bachelor” EPISODE EVER?

5) I love it when the producers try to throw us “Bachelor” curve balls. First they sent out the voting-box-of-doom, and then they pulled the old switcheroo in terms of what they did with the results. Every installment gets a little bit more like a game show. Next season I will not be at all surprised if the ladies have to spin some sort of ginormous wheel and then compete in a Showcase Showdown.

On a group date. In a foreign country. While riding horses on the beach.

Well it wasn’t exactly an episode that was chock-full-o-Christmas cheer, what with Meredith’s alcohol ish-ahs, Dwight’s doll scalping business, the failed intervention, Phyllis’ manipulation of Angela, Michael trying to drop off Meredith at rehab, and then Phyllis spilling the Angela / Dwight beans.

So basically tonight’s episode was what The Office would be like every single week if Tennessee Williams were the head writer.

Except Dunder-Mifflin would be in Mississippi, Michael would wear white suits, and everyone in the office would sweat a whole lot and smoke.

Nonetheless, some moments:

– “This isn’t your grandmother’s Christmas party. Unless she’s from Morocco. In which case it’s very accurate.”

– “I’m not going to judge Phyllis for desecrating Christmas. There is one person who will, though, and Phyllis just stuffed him in a drawer.”

– “Really, Andy? It’s Christmas. And you’re singing about nudity and France.”

– “I call it an Orange Vodjuiceka.”

– “Fa la la la la, la la ka-ching.”

– Dwight putting out Meredith’s hair with the fire extinguisher, OH MY WORD I LOVE HIM.

– “They called me ‘Puke.'”

– “They called me ‘Ace.'”

– “They called me ‘Buzz.'”

– “Meredith, you lit your hair on fire today. What is going to happen when you come into work, and you’re dead?”

– “I need to find ways to push Meredith to the bottom. I think I can. I did it with Jan.”

– “RUDDDD-DUTT-DUTT-DUTT-DO, RUD-DUT-DUT-DO.”

So while there was plenty of sarcasm, there wasn’t so much of the funny.

And I like the funny.

What about y’all? What did you think?

So we’ve been out of town for a few days and are just now playing catch-up on the ole DVR, so I recognize that this Office post may be a little too late to be considered relevant.

But that’s never stopped me before, now has it?

And in the latest episode, a $4300 surplus produces all manner of wacky hijinks, including but not limited to a scheming, manipulative Pam (in my opinion, she wasn’t very Pammian) and some good ole boy behavior on the part of Jim and Oscar.

Truth be told, this one wasn’t my favorite (whenever characters act out of character – HELLO, PAM – I get thrown off a bit), but I did chuckle a time or eight:

1. “YOU are the silent killer.”

2. “I’ve swallowed all your ideas; I’m going to digest them and then see what comes out the other end.”

3. Pam: “It is SO ON.”

4. Jim: “Michael? HEEEEEEEEEY!”

5. Stanley: “There he is. There HE is.”

6. “Being here with you – and the German Mennonite minister – somehow it just all felt right.”

7. “I hate disappointing one person…but I love Burlington Coat Factory.”

8. “Now. I’m going to tend to a legal issue.”

9. “Hello, Tamequa.” (That’s from 30 Rock instead of The Office, but SWEET MERCY Kenneth makes me laugh.)

10. “I want to go to there.” (Okay. Again, 30 Rock. I do apologize. But it makes me laugh a lot lately.)

So what did y’all think?

Aside from the fact that the whole championship angle is kind of silly (it’s a singing competition, and we don’t have to couch it as some sort of prizefight, m’kay, nice Fox people?), I am curious to see what the guys are going to sing tonight.

And I’m also crossing my fingers that no one has to sing a ballad about soaring on angels’ wings to the mountaintop of love so that you can find the heart of who you are in your crystal-clear reflection and seize your dreams while reaching for the stars.

Or something like that.

David Cook – “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” – You would have to pay me large sums of cash money to convince me to tackle a song that’s even remotely connected to Bono. Because not only do you have to bring the voice, you have to bring major quantities of cool. I think David Cook brought plenty of the former but not so much of the latter. It was a little overdone for my taste…but I still think he’s just great.

“Dream Big” – The arrangement of this song seemed totally in his comfort zone. And while the lyrics were a little on the cheesy side, he sounded great. It wasn’t necessarily a memorable performance, but it was a really good one.

“The World I Know” – In my opinion, this is the kind of song that needs to go on his CD. Great song, great vocals – but maybe not the best choice for his final performance on the Idol stage because it’s got a little bit of a dark sound to it. Then again, maybe it was a stroke of brilliance – because it made me pick up the phone and vote so that the grown-ups might just have a say in the outcome of this deal.

And I’ve now voted three four times. And counting.

David Archuleta – “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” – This is one of my favorite songs in the whole wide world. And the first thing I noticed is that David A. seemed to be making a concerted effort to make eye contact, which did wonders for his performance, NO KIDDING. And I have to say that this was one of the few instances this season where I felt like we’ve seen some emotion from the young Archuleta. Really good job.

“In This Moment” – Okay. This is sort of that Olympic theme song genre that I struggle with. So while I thought the vocal side of this was pretty strong, I didn’t like the song AT ALL. There’s no question that young David is gifted, though – he just needs some confidence. Maybe we need to send him some encouraging text messages. Or perhaps a balloon bouquet. I’m just thinking out loud here.

“Imagine” – I’m pretty sure he won it with this one. DID Y’ALL HEAR ALL THE SCREAMING? Sweet mercy. That was a lot of screaming.

All in all, it was a pretty even night-o-singing, and though I’m partial to David the Elder, I thought that David the Younger did a remarkable job. I’d be really, REALLY surprised if he isn’t the winner tomorrow night.

(p.s. – LOVED seeing Reuben perform. I pretty much adore him.)

(I don’t in fact know him. I just adore him.)

(That’s all.)

It’s been a fun season, y’all – thanks for reading and / or playing along!

If you’d like to add your reactions to the AI mix, just add the URL for your specific post to the Mr. Linky below.

You might be sad if you knew how I looked forward to tonight’s episode of The Office ALL DAY LONG.

Because make no mistake: my life is TERRIBLY EXCITING.

I was actually a little surprised by all the bittersweet in this episode, what with Michael’s excitement over a potential new girlfriend being almost completely wiped out by his conflicted sense of responsibility for another woman who doesn’t even love him.

And don’t even get me started on Jim and Pam. Because that whole thing made my heart hurt. For both of them.

Nonetheless, a few highlights:

1. “Good news. I’ve married. Tell Father.”

2. “If the devil were to explode, and evil were gone forever, what kind of party would you have?”

3. “I am downloading some N3P music for a CD mixtape.”

4. “Hazing is a fun way to show a new employee that she is not welcome or liked.”

5. “Act-TIIIIIIING!”

6. “Holly is sweet and simple, like a lady baker.”

7. “I SAID OKAY.”

8. “I LOVE PIE!”

And earlier I was going to say something about how there wasn’t near enough Andy in this episode, but never mind all that because I sort of want to kick him right now.

Thoughts, interpeeps?