tv

It’s taken a long time but I honestly think I can say that TV is not an obsession these days.  I know, I know.  I ran TV blogs for years, blogged about The Bachelor more times than I count and still do my fair share of GetGlue check-ins.  And I do love a great TV show.  Not much else can move me like a poignant CODA or a great father-daughter moment with my favorite characters.  But something has changed in the last year or so.   As this fall season is taking off, I find myself apathetic. 

During the summer I took a complete TV break.  I could have canceled DirecTV, thrown out the 52” and never have known the difference.  I’ve really enjoyed the time in the evenings, particularly since I’ve started working out of the house more and I need that time to be productive.

I only have a handful of shows that are on my radar and even then, there are none that can not wait for DVR.  A few years back, I had 2-3 shows every night and was sure not to miss it live.  It kind of makes me sad all the time I spent parked in the recliner.

So here’s where I stand.  This season, on the short list is Parenthood, Modern Family, The Vampire Diaries and Chuck and One Tree Hill when they come back. I look at that and the TV guru in me wants to shout what a weak line-up that is.

I’ve left so many shows on the chopping block (Gossip Girl, Grey’s Anatomy, The Office, Private Practice, Desperate Housewives), some have left me (LOST, Friday Night Lights), there are so many more I would like to get into (The Big Bang Theory, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Parks and Recreation, Community, Sons of Anarchy, The Good Wife, Hart of Dixie) and I’ve even checked out some new ones (XFactor, PanAm, Revenge).  Those are some FANASTIC, Emmy-winning shows in my wish list. The bottom line though is I’m one person with one life and I can’t do it all.  And honestly, I’m not sure I want to anymore (I didn’t even get into the spiritual aspect of this!).

But I have to ask, are there any shows you feel like I just HAVE to give some recliner time?  A post like this a few years ago is how I found Friday Night Lights and I would be super sad not to have some Coach T in my life.

Scotty McCreery

Scotty’s Choice – I felt like this was a good pick for him since it was more current.  However, it was good but didn’t blow me away.

Jimmy’s Choice – Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not– One of my favorite performances by him so far.  He owned that song and I know his little girl fans are swooning in the chat rooms right now.
Judges Choice – She Believes In Me – This was just so beautiful and moving.  His voice is so pure and beautiful.  I’ve been to enough concerts to know that people just do not sound that good live sometimes.  *cough* Taylor Swift *cough*  He’s just a natural talent to me that is going to be a huge country star. I can not wait to see him follow Carrie’s footsteps with hit after hit.

Lauren Alaina

Lauren’s Choice – Wild One – I thought this song moved way too fast for her.  She was breathy and it seemed like she could never catch up with it.

Jimmy’s Choice – If I Die Young.  She reminded me so much of Kelly Clarkson when she was singing this one.  I thought it was gorgeous.
Judges Choice – I Hope You Dance – I felt a few rough spots during that but I think she pulled out some unique moments.  I’m not sure I’m with Jennifer that it was her favorite tonight but it was a good note end on.  Hardy har.

Haley Reinhart

Haley’s Choice – What Is and What Should Never Be – I have to admit it was fun seeing Haley sing with her dad.  I felt like she had a confidence that we haven’t seen before.  She’s been confident before for sure but this one seemed a more humble one, born out of comfort of being with her dad.  I thought she sounded great.
Jimmy’s Choice – Rhiannon by Fleetwood Mac – I think this is in my top songs for Haley for sure.  I thought it was a perfect fit for her.  In fact, I think Jimmy did a fantastic job picking songs for all three of them
Judges Choice – You Oughta Know by Alanis Morrisette – This was the old Haley I do not like.  The verses were insanely bad and I hated the performance aspect.  Not a good way to close out the show.

Favorites: Scotty’s Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not and Haley’s Rhiannon

In trouble: I really have no clue except to say one of the girls.  I still think this is Scotty’s to lose and he had 3 good and 2 fantastic performances tonight.  If I were to pick, I think Lauren SHOULD leave but I WANT Haley to leave.  Basically I think technically Haley can out sing Lauren any day but I think Lauren’s personality and style will take her way farther.

James – I loved the first one. I’m giving metal a chance 🙂 Second one he was just too emotional and it took away from his control. 

Lauren – I loved seeing the confidence and spunk back in Lauren on the first one.  The second one was just too far from the original.  I missed the high notes and overall she just seemed too timid.

Jac0b – Oh my gosh.  Jac0b needs to go home.  That first one was the biggest train wreck I’ve seen in months.  The second one was better but still not enjoyable.

Scotty – I loved both of Scotty’s.  He’s like every single classic country artist rolled into one fantastic performer.  I love him.

Haley – I think the judges were way too hard on her first song.  I’m not a Gaga fan and I’d never heard that song but I thought she at least sounded good.  And the second one?  Favorite performance of the night.  That was her moment and for that performance alone I will shut up about her going home.

Favorites: Haley and Scotty

Going home: Oh please Jac0b!!

Jac0b – There’s not much about that that I enjoyed.  I wish Simon were around because I think he’d say it was a mess.

Lauren – I wasn’t a big fan of that song but I loved those high(er) notes she was busting out.  More!  Give us more, Lauren!  And can we all just remember she is only 16?  It’s so crazy.

Haley and Casey – Brilliant.  I’m shocking myself to say again that I enjoyed Haley on this.

Scotty – I disagree with what they did with Scotty on this song and I disagree with the judges.  Instead of stepping it up I think it sounded like he was holding back.  Even physically I kept wanting him to stand! up!  I’m no professional singer but I just did not hear what they heard.  I mean, it was good singing but not my favorite.  What’s wrong with his baritone voice?  That’s what we love.  A few weeks ago I though Scotty had this competition but the way James has been coming out and Scotty holding back, I don’t know.

James – Now, THAT beginning was holding back but making it more.  So gorgeous, I was hanging on every single note.  And that last few notes? Holy cow.  It made me laugh and clap.  He actually reminded me of Jon Bon Jovi tonight.  That rocker singing a love song.  That needs to be recorded and put in some movie.

Lauren and Scotty – I love these two.  They need to make a Garth and Trisha or Tim and Faith move and just get hitched.  Maybe not my favorite song ever but I loved hearing their country voices together.

Casey – I was glued to Casey just to see what he was going to do.  So entertaining.  Am I going to rush to download that?  No. Should it on the radio?  I doubt it.  But it does play well to the American Idol stage and that was FUN to watch and he sounded great.

Haley – OK so I’m not on the Haley train but I think after last week and this week I’m not begging Haley to get voted off.  I thought she did great and thought her voice was perfect for it.

James and Jac0b – I totally wanted to throw a T-birds jacket on James and have him take off and rock it out.  I don’t think Jac0b added too much to it.

Favorites: James, James and James

In trouble: Jac0b

Was it just me or was tonight all discombobulated?  I felt like my frontrunners weren’t the frontrunners and I liked people I don’t normally like.

Scotty – I think it was clear this was one of Scotty’s weaker moments.  But come on, that verse he sang waaayy doowwn there was amazing and to borrow a phrase from JLo tonight, he just has so much character to his voice.  He truly is a storyteller I can visualize what he sings.  I think the weak part was more the song choice than the vocals or performance.  And I have to say after my tweet about it last week, I was CRACKING UP about them giving him a hard time about the flute holding.

James – I’m not sure it will be fair for me to judge this.  I’m not a Muse fan.  I mean, it’s not that I dislike them.  I just am not that familiar with them.  But whatever I heard tonight was pretty amazing.  That part he sang waayy up there was craziness.  Also, thank you for addressing the tail/scarf thing.

Hailey – Hold the phone, I loved Hailey tonight.  And that’s saying a lot because I puffy heart that song and Adele and JLo was right, at some parts, I would say she topped Adele.  Or at least gave a respectable spin on it.

Jac0b – I wish Simon was around for this.  I thought it was a disaster.  Even vocally I couldn’t respect what he was doing.  I could barely understand the words and almost had no idea what the song was about for all his jibberish.

Casey – I love Maroon 5.  I’m not sure how that’s really going to affect my opinion here except to say that was no Maroon 5.  Parts of it I enjoyed but give me the original any day.

Stefano – Dude is starting to gross me out.  I’m seeing now what I didn’t like is what I never liked in Adam Lambert.  He’s so full of himself!  Vocally, it may have been one of my favorites of his but ugh, I just can’t watch him or listen to him talk.

Lauren – Lauren is a sweetheart.  I think she has the full package as far as looks, personality and voice.  And that will take her far.  I wasn’t giving any standing ovation for that performance but it certainly was pleasant to listen to.

Favorites: James and holy cow, I think I’m going to say Hailey

Going home: Oh please be Stefano.  Since I still didn’t get that right last week (but did pick James correctly as my back up since someone is clearly voting for Stefano to save him) I’m going to go with a second again and say Jac0b.

Tonight was awesome. I mean thinking back to some other Top 9’s in other seasons, there’s just no comparison. It’s going to get really hard in the next 2-3 weeks to say goodbye to some of these constants. I wouldn’t be surprised if many of the top 10 got contracts. But let me not get too ahead of myself. Here’s a rundown of tonight.

Jac0b- No one can deny that Jac0b can sing but I think if anyone is a single act show it’s him. All drama, all the time.

Casey – Yes! I was so excited to see Casey with his bass tonight. Randy is totally right that Casey is making it cool. Because when Casey is playing it he sounds cool. There’s a comfort level and sassiness he gets when he’s with it. Awesome, awesome.

Lauren – Not my favorite of hers but she did well. I’m ready to see her funky/sassy side show through again.

Scotty – I am telling you I was giggling like a school girl watching him sing Elvis. And that’s about all I can say about that.

Haley – I think I may have enjoyed last week better. I felt like she was screaming this one. And really, I still don’t know what kind of album she would make.

James – Could be my favorite of his so far. I was a little disappointed we didn’t get to see him rock on rock week but his gamble paid off with the end of that song. Gorgeous!

Stefano – I could barely pay attention. I’m just not a Stefano fan and just don’t see what Jennifer is fawning over.

Pia – I heard some really great stuff in that song. Maybe even some Christina. Definitely in the right direction but I’m with jennifer, there’s more in there.

Paul – I love Paul. He’s so fun and his voice is so unique. He’s got such an old soul that Johnny Cash was a perfect fit. Loved it.

Favorites: Casey, James, Scotty

In trouble: Stefano

Casey – I was least impressed with this performance.  Could be because Danny Gokey sang this song at his audition and it’s all I could compare it to.

Hailey – Hailey sounded great but I still don’t have a clue how she would fit into today’s scene and I still feel like she has a lot of work to do on her performance.  I feel like she tries to be too sexy and it’s very off-putting.

Thia – THAT is what Thia should have done two weeks ago.  Her voice was gorgeous, so controlled and so beautiful on those lower notes.

Jac0b – Definitely my favorite performance from him so far.  I haven’t been a huge fan and I’m still not sure how he will fit into radio but wow, that was powerful.

Stefano – Judges were completely right.  He has everything except stage presence.  It was downright awkward watching him trying not to close his eyes.

Lauren – Lauren has the WHOLE package.  Her voice is perfect and unique, her performance is right on, she looks great, and I can certainly hear her on Country radio right now.  I can definitely see her winning if she consistently delivers a little more each week and picks great songs.

Pia – Pia could be a classic. I always think of Celine when she sings.  But watching her is a bore.  Well, except I spend the time admiring her perfect figure and beautiful dresses.  But seriously, I’m not sure she has enough personality to win this whole thing.  Celine Dion HAS PERSONALITY.

Scotty – Scotty just needs to exit the Idol stage and go make a record.  I can’t believe how awesome that song sounded with his twist on it.  That needs to go on radio again stat.  Like Lauren, I think he has the whole package.  AND he has the fangirl factor that could topple Lauren in a finale.

Paul – Paul’s strength this week was that he was behind his guitar and I could actually enjoy him singing instead of trying to not watch his dancing. I loved the song and I really hope he puts a record out.

James – Someone on Twitter said that James is a more tolerable version of Adam Lambert.  All I know is every time James is on stage I am a happy person and I enjoy watching him “do what he do”.  It also makes me happy that he has a family behind him that really NEEDS him to do this.

Naima – If there was one performance of hers I could put my stamp of approval on, this would be it.  No pitchiness.  Strong vocals.  Dancing was not so erratic throughout the song.  Definitely a performer.  Again though, where does she fit in mainstream?

Favorites: Yikes, so many good ones this week.  I think Jac0b and Scotty are two I would like to go back and watch again

In trouble: Hailey, Stefano, Pia

Ok, I watched late last night, on fast forward and I’m sitting here right before I head off to work but quickly, here we go!

Lauren – Definitely not my favorite of hers but I liked what she was trying to do with it. I think sans a cold she’d do great..

Casey – No thank you.  Yuck.

Paul – He’s so weird to watch but I LOVE his voice.

Pia – Yep, I’m a fan.  That was amazing.  She reminds me of Kelly in that she came out of NOWHERE from Hollywood.

James – I loved it.  He reminds me of a mix between Adam and Chris Daughtry.  I love it!

Haley – I couldn’t even listen to the whole thing.

Jac0b – He’s so good!  I think I see him doing something other than Idol though.  Broadway?  Vegas?

Thia – I know it was boring but it was BEAUTIFUL.  Disney needs to call her and figure something out for her.

Stefano – I’m still not on the Stefano train but I thought he sounded good.

Karen – Another weak week for Karen.  Was she off-key or was it just a bad key she was in?  Wasn’t pleasant at all.

Scotty – Paled in comparison to Travis Tritt.  Surprised Randy gave him such high props.

Naima -  She seems so angry.  What is her deal?  Pitchy and awkward and angry.  No thanks.

Favorite of the night: Pia, James, Paul

In trouble: Naima