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American Idol Top 4

May 9, 2012 by Amy Leave a Comment

Phillip – Well, that is the Phillip I like. I’m so glad his brother (in-law?) called him out on that other song last week. But this week was very nice.

Hollie – Hollie wants to win this and that’s how you do it. Sing recognizable songs and do it well. Well done.

Joshua – First, I’m not a huge fan of that song. He did it as well as anyone but it was just ok.

Jessica – I’m going to say this until I’m blue in the face but she is a great singer, but I just cannot connect with her.

Joshua/Phillip – YES. Best duet of the season. That brought out the best instead of showing their differences.

Jessica/Hollie – Wow, someone is trying to get Hollie to win. That was WAY partial to her. I love that song though so it was fun to sing along. Does anyone else not really care about these duets? I just feel like they’re a commercial almost and don’t go into my voting.

Group – Very nice. There was one note in there from Joshua that was very, very nice. Phillip also had a lovely moment too.

Phillip – Y’all! Phillip is back tonight! That was gorgeous. And for once, I agree with Steven! That is a song that I would buy and listen to constantly. Not *quite* as enthralled as Jennifer but yes, that was awesome.

Hollie – She thought too much if you ask me. Also, Randy was right in that it was the wrong type of song for her. Just not big enough for her big voice.

Joshua – Honestly, the first part of that was boring. I kept saying, why does he keep singing such old songs. But wow, the end of that was ridonkulous. Seriously. Those notes…I mean, were those even notes? I don’t think I’ve ever heard some of those. Amazing.

Jessica – Well, my, my, my. That was the best version of that song I’ve ever heard. Girl can SANG. I totally felt like Jennifer…someone said DO NOT MOVE. The good news is it worked. All that energy came through her voice and wow.

Favorites: First round goes to Hollie. Second round ummm…Jessica but I really, really liked Phillip too.

In trouble: I didn’t mention Joshua at all so you’d think I’d pick him but I think Hollie is in trouble.

American Idol Top 5

May 2, 2012 by Amy Leave a Comment

Round 1

Hollie – I really, really liked that. Strong voice and a commanding performance. Perfect? No. But great for Hollie. I’ll half whisper this: she reminded me of Celine Dion. I know, right? That’s huge. Definitely what Hollie needs to stay around.

Is it just me or did Phillip look really sick in rehearsals? Stay well, P2!

Phillip – Did I love that vocal? No. But I do appreciate the effort and like Jennifer said, he makes me pay attention.

Skylar – I loved her energy level and she sounded great but gosh that song was repetitive.

Joshua and Phillip – Phillip is just not good in groups. He’s fabulous on his own. So charming. And Joshua was trying to knock it out of the park. Just can’t love that as a duet.

Jessica – First off she looks amazing. Maybe too much for a 16 year old. And wow, she sounded amazing too. Performance was there. That was great.

Joshua – Sometimes I just don’t like the songs he picks but really he is an amazing singer. I’m just trying to figure out where he belongs in today’s music. I’m not sure I agree with Randy that he could make a record like that right now.

Round 2

Hollie – Love her dress so much. The song not as much. It’s pretty enough but for me the emotional aspect wasn’t there and her timing was weird in the beginning. Didn’t agree with the judges as much. It wasn’t bad, just didn’t blow me away.

Phillip – I loved the song until the chorus. It looked like he was really having to dig deep for those notes and it didn’t always work. Made me feel a little uncomfortable watching and when I closed my eyes to listen it didn’t sound up to par 🙁

Skylar – Woo Hoo! Shout out to Rizzo on Grease! I loved that. Skylar has totally come around this season. She’s harnessed all that energy for good.

Steven is so pointless as a judge. What a waste of money. I can’t understand half of what he says.

Jessica – Seriously? I mean seriously? I heard this song spoiler before the show and just assumed that a guy would sing it. I mean, why would a girl sing this song?? I was so excited to hear Phillip or Joshua sing this and then Jessica picks this? Who was she singing that to? For someone that is really needing to connect with a song emotionally, I think that was a complete fail. Sure she sounded great but it was just so unemotional for me and completely ruined the meaning and power behind that song. Go back and listen to Danny Gokey to see how it’s done.

Joshua – Joshua Ledet can SANG. I loved that. Loved how he held back and then it let it wail.

Favorites: This is hard because everyone had one strong song. Favorite first round Jessica and second round Joshua.

In trouble: Weakest tonight was Phillip 🙁 but if anyone goes I’m picking Jessica just for the YASB performance.

American Idol Top 6

April 25, 2012 by Amy 1 Comment

Jessica – I think her voice was fabulous but she didn’t connect emotionally like the judges wanted. I think it was a bad song choice for her at this point.

Skylar – I felt like I was listening to a pro tonight. Reba definitely came to mind. I felt like the middle was weak but she was spot-on emotionally in the beginning and loved the big notes at the end.

Joshua – Why do I feel like this is hokie? He’s a good singer but I just can’t excited over him singing that.

Elise – If any night should be good for Elise, this is it. Felt like she fit just right. The question though is if that is her best, is that our American Idol? For me, no.

Phillip – Wow, for once I wasn’t totally taken by Phillip. I think tonight he didn’t feel effortless. He was having to push too hard.

Hollie – Somehow that sounded like a gospel song to me. And I actually really liked it. The judges were way too harsh if you ask me.

Jessica – Definitely beautiful. She’s like Whitney and Beyonce combined. Great to have that emotional aspect too.

Skylar – The country music lover in me loved that so much. So ready for her to make an album. It’s amazing the strides she’s made just in two months.

Can I just say I love whatever is going on between Joshua and Hollie. They’re so cute.

Joshua – That was just gorgeous. Favorite Joshua performance yet. Soulful, sexy. Gorgeous.

Elise – Gosh, I didn’t like that at all. Was something off key or what? And the speaking thing was weird. That’s gonna get her sent home.

Phillip – This is just not a Phillip night for me. That was just odd for me. The violin was really awesome though.

Hollie – Perfect song choice for her. Now that’s the way she’s going to get herself top 2.

Favorites: Joshua, Hollie and Skylar’s second song. Jessica was good but I don’t know, I just can’t get myself to root for her to win.

In trouble: I think this is going to be Elise’s week to go after that second song

American Idol Top 7

April 18, 2012 by Amy 4 Comments

Hollie – Nailed it. Very, very nice. First time I’ve seen Hollie be relevant and sound great the whole time.

Colton – Colton’s fan girls just fainted. I liked it. Pure rock is not where I see him but he did they well enough.

Elise – Wow, she was definitely ON in that song. I’m close to saying I love that better than the original.

Phillip – omg omg omg Favorite performance this season. That was amazing. I was giggling like a fan girl and then had this nasty look on my face at the end. That was sick. J Lo got it right. “That was sexy, baby.” Holy cow.

Jessica – Beautiful. But copycat. How do you follow such an original like Phillip?

Skylar – Too much angry redneck for me. Not my favorite.

Joshua – I wasn’t loving the front end of that but wow, by the end the Joshua I love showed up.

Hollie – That fell a little flat to me. As big as her voice is I can’t believe she couldn’t put more umph into it. That last note was great though.

Colton – I think that might have been one of my favorites of his. I can see myself listening to it. Maybe not powerful like the judges wanted but it was good.

Elise – Randy hit it. She over sang that.

Phillip – Phillip is singing like he’s already won. In a good way. Love this confidence he’s found. And J Lo is cracking me up.

Jessica – I didn’t particularly enjoy that.

Skylar – I just, I don’t know. I think Skylar might be more than I can handle. That felt like the old manic Skylar to me.

Joshua – That song was perfect for him.

Favorite – Phillip

In trouble – Hollie and Elise

American Idol Top 7

April 11, 2012 by Amy 1 Comment

Skylar – I think that was my favorite Skylar performance yet. Really, really good.

Colton – I liked that but wasn’t blown away. The chorus with his falsetto is my problem. I think he hit the note but it was too like, not shaky, but not confident enough or something. Just made me uncomfortable.

Elise and Phillip – Wasn’t a fan of their last duet but that was really good. Very cool vibe.

Jessica – I have no idea what song that was but it could be her first single. So beautiful, powerful, controlled. Wow.

Joshua – Wow, I just didn’t see quite as much as the judges did. I love Joshua’s voice I really do and he sang that well. I just felt like it aged him instead of showing something current. I don’t know. Just not my favorite.

Skylar and Colton – The front end of that was shaky but I think they got into it as by the end I was singing along. Nice job.

Hollie – There were some pretty moments but I just don’t think she brought the emotion to it that the song requires.

Phillip – So basically Phillip has this female vote. I’m to the point where he could sing the phone book for me and I’d be happy. Maybe not my favorite song to date but still good.

Joshua, Hollie, and Jessica – eh.

Elise – Wow, I really enjoyed that. I think one of her best to date. I think after Hollie’s night she could have just saved herself.

Bottom – Hollie

Favorite – Skylar, Colton and Jessica

American Idol Top 8

April 4, 2012 by Amy 1 Comment

Deandre – There was a lot of that that I really liked actually. Also a lot I didn’t like though.

Elise – Ok I just can’t handle that song messed with. The chorus felt shouty and I just didn’t like what she did in the verses.

Phillip – Good gracious, I love this guy. I just loved that and really want him to just go make an album already.

Colton and Skylar- that was a brilliant choice for both of them. Loved it.

Hollie and Deandre – Why can’t Hollie sing like this on her solos? Deandre was eh.

Joshua – I usually love Joshua but for some of that I felt like he was pushing too hard.

Jessica – Not her best but a decent copycat of Whitney. That said, her voice is just so pretty.

Phillip and Elise – Yikes, that was just a little rough. They just have different styles that didn’t mesh well.

Hollie – First, that dress was so much fun. Pitch problems galore though.

Joshua and Jessica – Loved that. Felt like those two were definitely finale worthy. Wow, J Lo said the same thing!

Colton – This is one of my favorite songs from him. My only complaint with him continues to be enunciation.

Skylar – Wow, I’m not sure I’ve ever heard that sung with so much conviction. Great moment for her.

Favorites: Phillip and Skylar

In trouble: Elise and Deandre

Goodnight, One Tree Hill

April 4, 2012 by Amy 9 Comments

I couldn’t seem to get through the day without talking a bit about One Tree Hill. The last episode is on tonight and while I’ve only watched just a few from this season, I can’t help but acknowledge the mark it made on my life. Can a TV show make a mark on one’s life? Should it? I don’t know, but it did.

My sister finally got me to watch it just when Season 4 was on. I was hooked. That sad, introspective boy with the crush on the girl got to me and I was staying up night after night trying to catch up. I remember one particular Friday night I stayed up until 4am watching episodes.

About this time in 2007, monetizing blogs were really taking off and I watched as one of my friends made several hundred dollars from a fan site. I was already blogging about One Tree Hill on my personal blog and as much as I loved the show, I just knew I could do that too. Well, I did. Off went onetreehillblog.com in just a few months. I remember the first month I was shocked when I made .30 in a day. Nine months later, the site had blown up and if the money had continued at its peak, I could have completely replaced my income. But it wasn’t all about the money. I truly loved the show.

My parents got into the show and before we knew it, we had to visit the nearby set in Wilmington, NC. We went for my 30th birthday in July of 2008. We got to see Quinton’s funeral filmed, visit the set and really get to know this Tree Hill.

Oh, and how about running into “Nathan”, “Brooke” and “Millie” on our way to get ice cream?

In March of 2009, Heather and I went for a unofficial fan reunion where we saw a ton of filming and I finally got my picture with CMM and creator Mark Schwahn as well as many other cast members including Nick Lachey who was guest starring at that time.

(Yes, I know. I look like I’m about to eat him. I was trying to talk.)

03122008

I went back to extra in the show in 2009. Although minute, I’m happy to say I was a part of the show.

I ended up selling the blog at the end of 2010 and my interest the show waned as characters left and the show really changed. I’ve also (tried to) tempered my obsession over TV in the last year or so but I can’t deny how much I loved it.

I have friends that I would have never met…Carolyn, Denise, Kaitlin, Amanda and Jason just to name a few. The show monetarily provided for my family and many others. And of course, the characters gave me something to cheer for, laugh with, hope for, cry over, learn from and simply enjoy.

Lucas, Peyton, Brooke, Nathan, Haley, Mouth and Skills especially will always be special characters. Thanks to all the cast and crew that brought them to life and all the people that supported OTHBlog and shared my crazy love of a TV show.

Goodnight, One Tree Hill.

Mad Hatter Sebastian Stan

April 2, 2012 by Amy 5 Comments

Have you been keeping up with the show Once Upon a Time? To be honest, it’s not the best show ever but it has a few things going for it. I’m captivated by the Snow/Charming storyline. I’m always interested to see how they’re going to finally tie the two worlds together. And finally, I’m curious every week to see a new fairytale tied in.

Well, I just caught up with the The Hat Trick episode and I have to say, I was completely enthralled with the Mad Hatter. Well, not the Mad Hatter but the guy who plays the Mad Hatter—Sebastian Stan. Rarely do I pay attention to guest appearances but I seriously could not quit obsessing how good this guy was. In true Amy fashion, I wanted to know more! And of course, I’m going to share it with you. First, off, here’s a little screencap I took of him as The Mad Hatter.

For once on this show, I actually believed the guy and his insistence on knowing the two worlds. His love of his daughter was moving. And yes, the guy with his scruffy face is pretty to look at. If Johnny Depp and Robert Pattinson had a kid, I think this would be him.

So it turns out I’ve seen this guy on screen and didn’t even know it. He played Carter Baizen in Season 2 of Gossip Girl. I watched that whole season but don’t remember him as a stand-out. I rewatched this scene and could recall neither him nor the entire scene.

He also was in Captain America and Black Swan although I’ve seen neither of these and from what I can tell, I wouldn’t have picked him out of the crowd.

Seems like he’s pretty popular in real life as he dated his Gossip Girl costar Leighton Meister for two years and up until December dated Dianna Agron, better known as “Quinn” in Glee.

In any case, I just have to put it out into the Internets that I like this guy and I hope we see more of him. At least checking out the The Hat Trick will be worth your time. I think I’m going to have to give it a second spin myself.

Sebastian, if you have Google Alerts on yourself and happen to read this, please let me thank you for a terrific performance in the OUAT episode. Without giving away the ending of the episode, I do hope we see you again– GraceFully.

Anyone still watching the OUAT? Anyone a Sebastian Stan fan?