The last two days have been busy but wonderful, and tonight seemed like the perfect time to wind down a little bit and play catch-up with the DVR. I didn’t have any particular show in mind – I just thought I’d see what looked good and run with it. Because I’m wild and crazy like that.

So I turned on the TV, pulled up our list of shows – and y’all, I nearly gasped when I saw what was close to the top of the list.

American Idol – “Auditions #1: New York and New Jersey”

I had NO IDEA that it was that time again, people. NO IDEA.

And honestly, by the end of last season I was sort of done. Couldn’t say whether I’d stick around for this season or not. I’ve always been a big fan of the show, but last season it felt a little bit like it was running out of steam. Not to mention that I don’t have to hear an AI contestant sing a cover of “Alone” or “Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” EVER AGAIN IN MY WHOLE LIFE EVER I’M NOT KIDDING ONE BIT WHEN I SAY THAT.

I was also a little bummed by the changes with the judges. I mean, even though I thought Simon could be a little harsh at times, he was never wishy-washy, and he was dead-on with his assessments more often than not. It’s just a little hard to imagine that Jenny from the Block and Steven Tyler are going to bring that same authority to the table.

So. To watch or not to watch – that is the question. I just don’t know if I want to jump in this season or not (much less blog about it). What are y’all thinking? Are you watching? And if you are, what are your thoughts / reactions? Will you watch again next week? Or is the AI viewing experience RURNT forevermore?

I’m all ears.

Or eyes.

Or whatever you say when you can’t wait to read the interweb’s take on pressing TV-related issues.

The end.

I went back and forth and forth and back about whether or not I was going to blog about the season premiere of The Office. Last season wasn’t my favorite, and I’ve halfway wondered if I was even going to watch this season.

But who was I kidding? OF COURSE I WATCHED. It’s Steve Carell’s last year on the show. And because of that, my blind optimism and I hopped aboard the season 7 train.

At first things looked pretty promising.

1. Creed on the electric guitar – a promising beginning to season five (and I would also add that you can never go wrong with a musical number featuring Andy Bernard).

2. “Gabe is awesome. He has accomplished so much career-wise and height-wise…it’s been great.”

3. “Oh, look – it’s a humpback whale. How pretty! He’s eating Gabe.”

4. “Dwight Schrute: star salesman, beef farmer, bed and breakfast proprietor, aspiring freelance bodyguard. Add to that list: owner of this building. Then burn the list.”

5. “He calls me The ‘Nard Man. I’m The ‘Nard Dog, okay? The ‘Nard Man is my father.”

*******

Aaaaand it was about that time when I sort of lost interest.

Except that I laughed out loud when Kelly stood up to talk in the meeting about Luke.

So apparently The Office and I are still struggling. I think it would be fun to see some wacky hijinks – some Andy and Erin (because Erin and Gabe? ALL SORTS OF WRONG.), some amusingly self-deluded Dwight (as opposed to creepily hostile Dwight), some kindness from Michael that isn’t born out of desperation.

Overanalyze much? Why, yes. Thank you. I believe I will.

I think my biggest issue is that the characters are just a little bit on my nerves right now. But I’m not giving up on them. Because if nothing else, last night’s opening number is worth giving them another chance (or eight).

And listen: even if I was a little disappointed by The Office, I was pretty delighted by 30 Rock. I laughed out loud a whole bunch. In fact, I even wondered if maybe I need to give 30 Rock my Thursday night blog post attnetion and leave The Office alone for a little while.

Best line on 30 Rock, by the way?

When Liz Lemon was awkwardly comforting Carol and said, “I sorry. Don’t…be…cry.”

Made me howl.

So what did y’all think about the return of the Thursday night shows?

Good? Bad? Don’t know or care because you were reading a book?

I am feeling none-too-chipper right now (apparently what I ate for supper has decided that it HATES ME WITH THE FURY OF A THOUSAND SUNS), so any sort of detailed AI recap probably isn’t going to happen.

However, I will say that after Lee’s first song, I was tickled to see that Casey is rockin’ the ponytail.

I realize that this has absolutely nothing to do with the performances.

Anyway, who do y’all think is going to win?

I’m thinking Crystal.

Also: if you’ve written an AI recap, feel free to post the link below.

And by all means, please do rock on.

I’m running a little late tonight with the Idol watching, and I came thisclose to skipping the festivities altogether. But it’s Top 3. And I usually love the Top 3 show (Elliot Yamin singing “A Song For You,” anyone? Kris Allen singing “Heartless”? YES, PLEASE AND THANK YOU).

So here we go.

Casey James – “Okay, It’s All Right With Me” – This is the type of song that Casey sang in the auditions, and I think the style of it (funky, bluesy) really suits him. That being said, this performance didn’t wow me. The song had about three notes, so it didn’t really show off his voice, and it just felt like Casey was standing there and singing – but not performing. I think this would have been a great time to put an original spin on a well-known song, but Casey went with a cover of a lesser-known song. And I think that was a mistake.

Crystal Bowersox – “Come To My Window” – This one started off a little weird with the whole harmonica thing and then a first verse that seemed hesitant. I couldn’t really decide if Crystal needed to slow down or speed up, but something seemed off. However, she added bits of originality in the chorus, and even though this song wasn’t her best, it was still pretty good.

Lee DeWyze – “Simple Man” – Well, I can’t say that I was expecting for Lee to sing Lynyrd Skynyrd, so I was definitely curious when I heard the song selection. It definitely showed off the rock edge in his voice, but FOR ME the song was a little boring. Between the sort of plodding pace and the slow clapping from the crowd, it just wasn’t my thing. However, I thought he sounded great – definitely the best so far tonight.

Casey James – “Daughters” – I don’t think that Casey seemed comfortable – sometimes the phrasing was a little weird – but I loved hearing him sing this type of song. I’ve never really thought of Casey as having much in common with John Mayer, but as soon as he started to sing, I could totally hear it. That being said, I don’t know if he did enough to make it to the final two. It was better, but I don’t think it was enough.

Crystal Bowersox – “Maybe I’m Amazed” – Well. She sang the fire out of that, didn’t she? My goodness. Well done.

Lee DeWyze – “Hallelujah” – That was absolutely beautiful. Good grief – the emotion and power in his voice, the quiet confidence, the gutsy arrangement – LOVED IT.

Best of the night – Lee
Worst of the night – Casey
Should go – Casey
Will go – Casey

It really struck me tonight that a big gap has opened between Lee and Casey this season. Whereas Casey seemed anxious and a little tense tonight, Lee seemed relaxed and confident. Crystal has been strong throughout – but Lee might have a little bit more momentum at this point.

What did y’all think?

If you’d like to add your AI post to the Mr. Linky, please leave a link to your specific post and not just your general blog URL.