So, with my bank robber/coyote shifter story done, done, done, I am in the mood to discuss TV. I watch quite a bit of it…and today is going to be reality TV time.
I’ve watched several reality shows in the past…some of which were one-time-only type things…like The Bachelor. Never. Watching. Again. But there are some that I stick with every single season because they give me some modicum of pleasure for some reason. A few others I like, but won’t be discussing today: The Amazing Race, America’s Next Top Model, Project Runway and Last Restaurant Standing.
This morning it’s American Idol and Top Chef.
Let’s start with Top Chef, since the finale was last night. What do I like about this show? It’s not the food, since I have no idea what any of the dishes taste like…I think it’s the challenges and how some chefs shine and others fail miserably. I tend to like the Quickfire Challenges better because there is more pressure and less time to produce.
I like to cook, but I could never imagine wanting to be as precise as most of these chefs. And their knowledge about proteins and strange vegetables blows me away. Personally, I don’t think Hosea should’ve won last night. I think the final judging should take into consideration the whole of a chef’s performance over the entire show. Although Stefan was a jack ass and arrogant and did stumble a bit at the end, he won a bunch of Quickfires and the overall challenges more than any of them. I would’ve given him first place. Carla should’ve gotten second. Hosea third.
Did anyone else feel just terribly for poor Carla? Why oh why did she listen to Casey WHO LOST!?! And why, during a FINAL challenge would you try a style of cooking YOU HAD NO EXPERIENCE WITH? (this would be her beef dish) However, at least Carla has the consolation prize - brand new car! Can’t feel too badly for her.
Okay, no onto American Idol. I’m a semi-musical person. I played piano for many years and also have a decent singing voice…I even sang in some choral groups in my younger days. So I think that is the draw for me when watching this show…my own knowledge about music and singing. I feel like I have a decent opinion, which I yell out quite frequently at the tv while watching. 
Last week, I think they got the top 3 pretty much right…although I would’ve exchanged Anoop for the country boy oil drill guy. I think Anoop picked a bad song to showcase his mad skillz. So I’m hoping he can come back in the wildcard round.
However, last night, I still don’t know how this will go. I actually enjoyed more of the female singers than the male singers yesterday.
Okay, if I were on this show in the top 36, I would be using my time between the Hollywood round and the top 36 to think up all the songs I want to sing, if they fit my voice, and if they worked to showcase what kind of singer I think I am. I’d get opinions from other musicians (not my family) to help me with it, because I’m sure these people might have knowledge about songs I don’t know well or have never heard of. Sure, you don’t know what the themes will be, but doesn’t it help to be prepared? Look at the decades - 50s, 60s, 70s, etc. - and pick some songs that work for you. When the time comes to fit into a theme, you will already have a better understanding of yourself as an artist and a list of songs which fit your style. Then, it should be relatively easy to choose a similar type of song for the theme week given if none of your prepared songs are on the list.
It seems when most of these poor people finally get a chance to let America see them, they choose these completely horrible, forgettable songs. As skilled a singer as I think Adam Lambert is, did he really choose “Satisfaction” as the song that defines him? Personally, I’m quite sick of that song, and it is so rooted in my head as being sung by Mick Jagger, that to hear someone else perform it is just a little offputting. Not sure what I would’ve wanted him to sing, but that would not have been anywhere on my list of choices for him. But he will make it through. His range is incredible, and he has a stage presence that’s miles ahead of most of his competitors. (Would someone just please get that chunk of hair out of his face? Stylists? Where are you??)
The women I liked last night? Allison with her INCREDIBLE performance - ‘Alone.’ I cannot believe this girl is only 16?! If she doesn’t make it into the final 3 of the whole entire show, I’d be crushed. She’s amazing.
For some reason, I really liked quirky Megan Corkrey. She has an odd way of singing and an awkward stage presence. Loved her cute little innocent white dress with the flats. As a tall woman who hates heels, I say, THANK YOU for not wearing stilettos. Flats can be cool. See? And she is absolutely stunning. The problem with Megan is that she is not the kind of singer everyone will love. I don’t think she has a shot at winning, but I do believe she has a career in singing. I would recognize her on the radio in a heartbeat.
The last memorable person for me was the redhead who sang “Bette Davis Eyes.” I’m not sure what the judges were hearing, but I thought she did an excellent job. Her outfit was a little blah, but her delivery was smoky and sincere. Sometimes you can wow an audience with just five notes, judges. Go back and watch the playback. She was better than you think.
What are your thoughts???
