Fri Mar 21, 2003

From: Shonda
Date: Fri Mar 21, 2003 10:17:49 AM America/Los_Angeles
To: Sandie
Subject: Re: well did you see it? warning contains time sensitive information!

I did see it! Fox in their infinite wisdom decided to interrupt the war in favor of AI. Forget the USA's drive for world domination! Cheesy renditions of Footloose and Dirty Dancing are WAY more important!

Of course, I was very glad that Fox had their priorities all screwed up. Because I got to see the HORROR that was Julia DeMato hanging on for yet another week! Why? Oh why? OH WHY?

Of the horror, Debbie said (and I quote): "WHO IS JULIA D'AMATO SCHTUPPING THAT HER SKINNY, HAIRDRESSIN' A** IS STILL ON THE SHOW?!"

She's got a point. And exactly why didn't Blond Can't Sing get voted off either? Is this a conspiracy to make us all suffer?

Mar 20, 2003

Subj: well did you see it? warning contains time sensitive information!
Date: 3/20/2003 12:38:40 AM Eastern Standard Time
To: shonda

Network came back on here, but I wondered if you got to see the show so I'll write:

First person in the bottom 3: Julia (ah imagine the shock - NOT!)

They went through everyone til they got to 3 final people: El Debarge, Charles and Blonde Can't sing Girl. Two will join Julia, one is totally safe. Hhmm... I was thinking my predictions will be a clean sweep...

Not to happen. There is clearly some freakishly bizarre following of madrigal singers because Blonde Can't Sing Girl was NOT in the final 3!!! WHAT?!?! HELLO?!?! Who the heck were they listening to? She was safe. So now joining Julia, there's Corey and Charles in the bottom 3.

Just when I'm wondering if everyone is losing their minds... it's confirmed: Julia is safe! She is NOT in the bottom 2. Corey did not have it going on last night, but come on Julia just plain sucked the big one.

Whatever.

SO Charles and Corey remain.

Charles voted off just as I predicted.

I'm out.
sandie

Wed Mar 19, 2003

From: Shonda
Date: Wed Mar 19, 2003 1:14:29 PM America/Los_Angeles
To: Sandie
Subject: Re: IDOL OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I GOT TO SEE IT! My DirecTV installation was complete literally TWO minutes before the show started. I was sweating and the poor install guy was sick of me asking, but he made it just in time.

Now here is what I thought...

I LOVED IT.

LOVED.

LOVED!

LOVED!!!

Show tunes? A whole two hours of movie show tunes? HELLO! Heaven in my living room. Now for the play by play...

The King
Ruben: Oh, my god, I want to be ten years younger so I can marry Ruben. I don't care what he looks like. He can gain 200 more pounds and have to be moved via forklift if he wants. I LOVE HIM. Everytime that boy sings, I cry. He literally moves me to tears. I was one of the people screaming three notes into his song. I ADORE his voice. And he was flawless last night. As usual. You are CRAZY INSANE when you say you are not sure who is top dog now. The answer is RUBEN. Now and forever RUBEN. He was the best of them. Now for the rest of them...


Those that BROUGHT IT: Trenyce, Clay, Ricky, Kimberley and Joshua.

Trenyce: I TOTALLY agree that she has earned the right to have only one name (I just wish it was something better than Trenyce). She was AMAZING. And yes, when I heard her say she was singing some Whitney, I actually yelled at the TV, "OH NO YOU DIDN'T!" Because who is crazy enough to think they can pull off Whitney? ESPECIALLY BodyGuard Whitney? And BodyGuard Whitney LIVE? That's only for crackheads. But Trenyce proved she is NO CRACKHEAD! Crack-free. Because she sang the HELL out of that song. She was perfect. And you are right again when you say that she isn't ugly anymore. Once the stylists got hold of her, she turned beautiful. And the Diana Ross thing she was pulling was exactly what she needed. It gave her the Diva Effect.

Ricky: He was flawless. Okay, he had one flaw. And that is that even though he sang INCREDIBLY, his voice still doesn't do what Ruben's does. Ruben's voice makes you believe he is handsome. Ruben's voice makes you believe that Ruben is Denzel. Ricky's voice is great but the whole time he was singing, I kept thinking what a shame it is that the boy is so ugly. That said, he was the third best singer in the competition after Ruben and Trenyce. He will continue to grow and I think will definitely make it to the top five.

Clay: Number 4 on my list. I love Clay. I think it's the Opie, boy next door, working with handicapped kids thing he's got going. Plus he has the Broadway thing. Which I happen to love and it seems the rest of America loves it too. The boy is talented -- no doubt. I am beginning to believe that the competition is going to come down to Ruben, Trenyce and Clay in the end. Because Clay never stumbles.

Joshua: Except for the fact that the boy does weird things with his mouth when he is singing, I like him. He's got the All-American, apple pie, fight for his country, loves his baby girl thing going on and it's all good. And you get the feeling that he could be the next country star with cross-over appeal. If he sings "God Bless the USA" on any of the nights, he will shoot right up into the top two. Because America goes crazy over cracker boys with patriotic zeal. Not that I'm trying to dis him. He's good and frankly, I'd like to hear him sing God Bless the USA. He's number 5 on my list and I'm pretty sure I've just named the last five people who will be standing at the end.

Kimberley: Note to Kimberley...STRAIGHT HAIR MAKES YOUR HEAD LOOK FAT! Oh, my God, what was she thinking? She has those amazing curls and she flattens them? WHY OH WHY? The dress was okay but she did look like she was 40 years old in it. That said, I LOVED THE SONG. It was great. But she's gonna have to work A LOT harder to stay in week after week. I'm sad to say that I don't think she's going to make it into the top 5. My poor baby. But maybe she will surprise me.

Those that FORGOT IT AT HOME:

Corey aka El DeBarge: He was okay. The crowd seemed way more into him than I could ever have been. There was something...off about the whole performance. I agree that the his appeal with get him through at least another three rounds. Because there are many others that deserve to go (no, NEED to go -- if only to preserve my sanity) first.

Kimberly Lite: I don't like her, never have. But until tonight, I felt she had a chance to win. But Simon was SO right. She should be singing at a theme park. That's how she sounded. The girl is total crap and very fake ("I want to run out and hung my sister" -- like I believed that schmaltz!). Can't wait to see her go. Although, she'll probably end up sticking around many more weeks to come. So sad for me.

Charles: There are no words to describe how painful his performance was. I just offer him this advice: It's always a mistake to sing an MJ song unless you are wearing the glitter glove and the Jheri Curl and the year is 1982.

Those that NEVER HAD IT TO BEGIN WITH:

Carmen aka Blond Can't Sing Girl: Is she a singer or a whore? I couldn't tell...WHAT WAS WITH THE MAKEUP FROM HELL? Why is she in the competition? She's good enough for the high school Madrigals and that is about it. I COULD HAVE SUNG BETTER THAN SHE DID. Seriously. I could do Hopelessly Devoted WAY better. And I am slightly tone deaf! She sucked. Please, dear God, let her get voted off so I don't have to talk about her another week. But even she was not as bad as...

Julia: AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH! Dear God, the pain in my head from the creaky, freaky sound of this girl DEFILING my beloved Irene Cara song...make it stop, make it stop. I had nightmares about it. I happen to believe that you CAN put an Irene Cara song up against the others in the competition (never forget Vanessa singing Out Here On My Own). I just think you have to actually have the voice to pull it off. And she did not have the voice. Also, the sight of a pink, off the shoulder, ripped sweatshirt combined with glitter eye shadow will haunt me for weeks to come. Oh, the horror...

And then we had Kelly. Last year's American Idol. Here's the problem. They shouldn't have put her up there AFTER everyone sand. She should have gone first. By going last, with the tones of Ruben, Kimberley, Clay, Joshua and Ricky still in our heads, it became painfully obvious that Kelly doesn't have HALF the talent as this year's group. Plus, she wore a dress that made her stomach look really fat. Plus, I don't like her. Plus, I really don't like her.

Okay. Enough. This is Shonda, reporting live from my sofa.

Mar 19, 2003

Subj: IDOL OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Date: 3/19/2003 1:38:53 AM Eastern Standard Time
To: shonda

Did you see it!!!!????????????????? Oh my god I hope they got your Direct TV installed and you got to see it!!! If you did not see it I did actually tape it. Let me know. I can send it to you to watch. Even if you see tomorrow's show before you get it - it's well worth watching! Do NOT read the following analysis if you didn't see it and don't want to hear about it.

I don't even know how to describe the quality of tonight's performances!!!!!!!!!! Everyone (well with the great stand out exceptions of a few) was BRINGING IT!!!! The show was incredible. Those that were good were really good and those that don't belong in the finals hands were tipped tonight. Tonight's show was a major turning point in the competition. No doubt.

I'm not sure if I can say after tonight who is top dog now! Really. I mean, Ruben, Trenyce, Clay, Ricky, Kimberley and even Joshua (who I just don't happen to enjoy, but he is good) came out big time tonight with the competition.

My favs/my predictions:

Ricky blew me away tonight! He was absolutely smooth as butter!!!! I'm scared of him ... he outsang Kimberley tonight again. He outsang everyone except Trenyce, Ruben and Clay. I take that back ... he may even have outsung Clay. Prediction: he's the sleeper in this competition. He's pulling it all out now in the finals!

Trenyce earned her right to use one name tonight! Incredible. I was scared for her when she said she had chosen Whitney Houston. I mean, I was thinking "girl you can NOT half ass whitney. Either you have it or don't and if you don't bring it with a whitney tune you will just sound terrible" That's what I was thinking... til she opened her mouth! Holy crap that girl can do some Whitney! And you know what? She's not ugly anymore. Although she was doing a vintage Diana Ross look tonight it seemed.

Ruben is just awesome and enough said! Everytime he opens his mouth he's just melting the ladies. Did you hear them screaming tonight after 3 notes?!? Man. Prediction: his appeal with the ladies is growing mighty large - they do not care about his weight or anything else. He's a magic crooner and that's all there is to that! To quote Gladys Knight - his voice strokes the soul. And the ladies where screaming tonight all through the song!

Clay was just what he's been all along - awesome and consistent. I figured out what it is about his stage presence. To me, he is just at his best and at his most peaceful when he's singing. He just has this calm about him that makes it all seem so effortless and fabulous. Prediction: I am no longer sure that he will even be in the top 2... what's crazy is that as fab as he is he was possibly outsung tonight by 2 or 3 people and it may continue to happen.

Kimberley has me worried. She was good tonight! But the level of the other performances has risen to meet her talent. Clearly she no longer stands out against this group we saw tonight. Very good performance, did not like the dress. Disappointed to see the hair straightened. Prediction: I worry about her longevity although her fan base kicked back in tonight it seemed. She's really got to kick it up a notch.

And now for the unfortunate appearances of the evening:

O.K. blonde girl can't sing: BAD. And everyone, but Simon dissed her tonight and let her know it. You do NOT belong in the finals - get real! Prediction: She will be in the bottom 3 - But will not get voted off.

El Debarge: they liked him - I didn't. Good personality, but did not sound all that hot tonight in my opinion. Prediction: his appeal will get him through the next few rounds.

Charles: He's now way out of his league with the competition that showed up tonight. Prediction: He will be in the bottom 3 - is likely to get the ax, although it should be Julia.

Kimberly Lite: Hhmmm... King's Island Theme Park here you come. Even Simon jumped off her band wagon tonight - now if he could only let go of the other blonde fantasy in the finals! Prediction - even tho she sucks she will continue on in the competition much like Ryan Starr did last year due to crowd appeal alone. I certainly have no fear that she will win though!

Julia - sad, sad, sad story of the night. Poor song choice to say the least. You can NOT bring no Irene Cara up against what we heard from the competition! What was she thinking? Prediction: Bye, bye. If it's not Charles, it's her.

And last but not least Kelly Clarkson. I'm sorry but even she was outsung tonight! Not half as good as the talent this year. Simon has to stand by her though so he jumped up for his obligatory standing O. I'm sorry, but she goes in my "unfortunate" category tonight! Thumbs down. Simon's comment about the "clowns in last years finals" had me laughing my butt off!

and that's all I have to say.

sandie

Mar 12, 2003

Subj: Re: AI in all its Motown glory
Date: 3/12/2003 8:46:35 PM Eastern Standard Time
To: shonda

Well...

I SOOO wanted to tell you all of this when I called after watching it, as you could probably tell, but I knew it would be death unto me.

Kimberley Locke - You wouldn't have believed me if I had said that Kimberley didn't even sound good. Until you head it for yourself... Hhmmm... interesting. I am also worried that she will not make it through. She has a good following though and perhaps they won't turn on her so fast. Then again... let me remind you what happened to Tamyra after one poor showing. <> The thought is distressing. I shant speak of it anymore. <>

DIVAS live: Ruben,Trenyce, Clay. Incredible to watch and incredible to listen to.
I totally agree that Trenyce has the X- factor when it comes to performing. It even worked on me! I actually didn't notice how ugly she was last night (now her mother on the other hand... poor thing).
Ruben is no doubt the best singer there! I mean can you hardly stand it when he's singing??!! Can't even think of anything else to say. I have watched my tape of his performance exactly 14 times now. Can't stop watching Ruben... can't stop... must stop... help I need intervention.... we love you Ruben!!!
Clay - oh Clay... I love this boy too! I stand firm on my last week's comments that he is perhaps better than Kimberley. He has it going on 100% of the time. Let's be clear about something: he is NOT a pop star and therefore does not really belong in this competition. This weird kid is out of his element. But he IS a hell of a singer and deserves to be noticed and thrown a bone when this is all over.

Nutty Performer (Ricky) - incredible voice and FA-BU-LOUS singing that type of song. Dead on everytime we see him. Don't realistically see him winning though. Wish him the best.

Corey - El Debarge reincarnated for those of us old enough to remember the group Debarge! Very same sound, very same look. I will forever more call him El Debarge. I love the cornrows - vast improvement over the nest. Even if his head is too small. Love him as a contender in the end. PERFECT singing this type of song.

The Marine - well... he CAN sing. No doubt about it. Does not do anything for me as a so called pop star. But I don't doubt that the 20 year old girls and patriots are loving him. I certainly do NOT want him to go on, but he will.

Kim lite - hhmm... I just don't see it. I really don't. I hated her last night. Honestly. Hated her. Didn't see what they saw at all. Obviously didn't hear what they heard either. But she too will go on...

Those not worthy of their own section - blonde can't sing girl: I agree that she is dangerous. A weird appeal, teens will follow her. HATED her performance. Confirms that Simon is a freak. Julia - Not impressed last night in the least. So unimpressed I have no other comments. Vanessa: I so wished she had been better. Not too much going on but her personality last night. She actually seemed awkward on stage. I so hope she is not voted off.

My prediction: Vanessa or Charles will get the ax tonight.

No wait! I must rewatch my tape (fast forwarding thru the bios and commercials of course) before the show to get another view.... my prediction may not be accurate without another look.... I definitely need a life! HAHAHA!

sandie

Tue Mar 11, 2003

From: Shonda
Date: Tue Mar 11, 2003 10:39:43 PM America/Los_Angeles
To: Sandie, Deborah
Subject: AI in all its Motown glory

I've just finished watching AI and I felt compelled to climb from my warm bed, race upstairs and begin the dish with the two of you immediately. (okay, so I have no life -- cut me some slack)

The word for the night was "surprise". I was surprised by the choice of Motown and even MORE surprised at how many people rose to the occasion. Just to be anal and clear, I have broken the contestants down into categories.

THE PROFESSIONALS: Josh (aka Marine Man) Gracin and Kimberly Caldwell. They were exactly as we expected them to be. Motown's not their forte but they still sang alright. I admit to HATING the two of them because a) you know little white girls love them and b) Kimberly's a big fake and Josh works that Marine thing WAY too hard.

THE WHACK PACK: Charles and Julia. Both sang well but did anybody else notice that they both had some SERIOUS rhythm issues when it came to dancing to the music? Paula said that Julia looked the best she'd ever seen her but THAT AIN'T NO COMPLIMENT. A dog in a miniskirt and high heels is still a DOG. I do love Charles and pray each night that he can find a dentist to fix them teeth.

THE PLUS SIZE DIVAS: Kimberly Locke and Vanessa (aka Latina Cyndi Lauper). I love both these girls. Much of that love comes from principal and solidarity with my big-butted sisters. Sadly, I thought Kimberly was merely OKAY and thus, I was compelled to rush to the phone to vote for her the second the show was over. I want her to stay in and show us some of that major voice she debuted in her now famous duet with Frenchie. As for Vanessa, she was cute and funny and sang alright but nothing to die for. I hope she makes it through.

THE BROADWAY BABY: Clay (aka Opie). Clay, oh, Clay why did you let them mess up your hair? He sounded great but Simon was right -- he performed "Motown -- the Musical". But the boy has a presence and I LOVE that the chicks respond to him as scrawny and weird-looking as he is. He will definitely make it to the next round.

THE BRITNEY FACTOR: I think Carmen (aka Blond Can't Sing Girl) is dangerous. She looks like a puff ball and SOUNDED like one -- until tonight. She's not as good as ANY of the other singers but that cute, "I'm in high school and sing with the Madrigals" thing she has going could keep her in it for the long haul. Plus, for some crazy reason, Simon seems to think she has talent. WHAT IS THAT? I think it all boils down to to his need for cute blondness.

THE THOROUGHBREDS: Both Rickey (aka Hercules) and Corey (aka Mechanical Bull boy) sounded great. They always sound great. I worry that they will get lost in the shuffle. Although I think the comparing of Corey to Smokey Robinson helped him. Oh, and I want to take a moment to give a shout out to Corey's corn rows. Especially the ones that swirled around his head. Did anybody else notice that it made his head look like it was the size of a pea? He needs the big Justin Guarini hair to hide his pea head.

THE TRAMP IS A LADY: Trenyce was the biggest shocker of the night. That girl...I know Deb has called her ugly and Sandie has called her whack but THAT GIRL CAN PERFORM. Note that I didn't say That Girl Can Sing. I said PERFORM. Because she got out on that stage tonight and turned it ON. She did what Diana Ross did -- which was make you forget that she has a face like a horse. I was all over clapping for her and now she joins Ruben and Kimberly in the ranks of my faves. Plus, she was working that black skirt and knee high leather stiletto boots. Although she needs to do something about that name. Trenyce. What is that? Can she get a last name? Trenyce does NOT have the same magic ring as Madonna. Maybe her last name is horrible. Maybe her last name is Butts or Pitts or Vagina. Whatever. I say Trenyce Butts better get over it and use it because she is no Cher. Although she could be the next Whitney -- without all the crack and the fool husband.

THE KING: Is it just me or do you well up with tears every time Ruben sings? I LOVE THIS MAN. LOVE. Not only is he perfect in every way on stage, he's the sweetest boy. The best moment of all the video clips was the shot of Ruben walking up to the front door of the Alabama Govenor's mansion and knocking. Hee. Then he sat there IN HIS FOOTBALL JERSEY as the Governor proclaimed Ruben Studdard Day. I was on the floor. Only he could pull off something like that.

My final analysis is that I think that Kimberly Locke, Vanessa and Carmen are the ones who are most likely to be voted off. I'm thinking it will be Carmen because she has not built up any kind of a strong following thus far. PLEASE LET IT BE CARMEN.

Oh, and did anybody else notice that EVERYBODY (well, all but two) is from below the Mason Dixon? Is the South rising again? Should we be scared?

Okay. That's all I have to say about that. Write back and tell all.

This is Shonda, reporting live from my sofa.

Thu Mar 6, 2003

From: Shonda
Date: Thu Mar 6, 2003 2:36:50 PM America/Los_Angeles
To: Sandie
Subject: Fwd: WHA...?

Here's Deb's take on what I had to say about last night's AI debacle. Hee.

Begin forwarded message:

From: Debbie
Date: Thu Mar 6, 2003 12:22:03 PM US/Pacific
To: Shonda
Subject: Re: WHA...?

I agree with the Wha...", but here's what I think about Simon's lapse of
judgement last night:

Simon is ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. He knows that the finalists are full of
freaks and geeks and folks of color, and that he has no IT GIRLS that will
garner the attention ($$$$) of advertisers and that ever-important
demographic "white boys." So...he padded the finals with one more white
girl (Blond-Can't Sing Girl). He knows she sucks. He knows she has NO
BUSINESS up there. But he also knows that the white boys will call and vote
for her, thus giving Kimberly Locke (my all-time personal fave) a run for
her money. Seriously, though...she won't last 'til the top 5, no matter how
low her jeans are slung.

As for Randy's pick of Kimberly Lite: I actually agreed with him because she
doesn't suck. She's clearly better than I-don't-know-how-to-smile Nasheka
and all the other girls on the wild card show (save Trenyce). The issue
with Kimberly Lite is that she's a b**ch and no one likes her.

Here's what I think of Trenyce: No matter how much make-up and how much new
hair you slap on that girl, she's just UGLY. The ain't got no alibi kind of
ugly.

Chip: Mediocre at best. C'ya!

Clay: He's going to have to get ear-tack-down surgery or he can kiss his
Idol career goodbye. Can you do that in one week?

Mar 6, 2003

Subj: Re: Wha...?
Date: 3/6/2003
To: shonda

Well... I told you it was a stressful, bizarre show. Totally WHACK picks from Randy and Simon! That was just crazy. Very weird. I really thought Simon or Randy would pick Chip... heck EVERYONE up there was a better singer than blonde can't sing girl. And I honestly WAS worried as the show went on that Opie wouldn't get through to the finals. I just kept thinking that it would be THE crowning moment of such a freakishly weird show! Hmmphh. I'm tired thinking about it.

Simon = crackhead for sure.

I do have to say that after hearing Opie (Clay) sing in this round I am SO wound up about the finals. He is every bit as good and in someways better than Kimberley (yes I said that) and can give her and Ruben a run for their money. He has a great sound. It's a very different sound and style than them and will undoubtedly appeal to a different audience, but he's just too dang good. The three of them are just flat out pure voice, natural talent that is always ON. That's one thing that Randy was saying that is so true. The winner should be someone that at any moment has their stuff so together that they aren't nervous performing & never has an "off" night. I will say that Kelly and Justin did have that. (I'll give them that, but they still wouldn't come close to the talent in this group though!)

Anyway - dying to see the next show so I can hear Kimberly and Ruben sing again and be able to directly compare Opie's voice. Plus I need to get a refresher on the rest of the talent (or lack there of in blonde can't sing girl's case). Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sandie

Thu Mar 6, 2003

From: Shonda
Date: Thu Mar 6, 2003 10:31:24 AM America/Los_Angeles
To: Sandie
Subject: Wha...?

AMERICAN IDOL -- Things that make you say "Wha....?"

Yes, on Tuesday night's Wild Card show I was less than impressed with EVERYONE except Opie Big Ear boy. Yes, I felt so-so about the whole thing and could not care less who got picked from this group. After all, I've already got Kimberly, Ruben, Latina Cyndi Lauper and Hercules-Hercules to root for. So what did I care who else got in? Except...

Okay, I was down with Paula picking Trenyce. She could sing, no doubt. That was fine. But...

But then Randy picked Kimberly. And KIMBERLY SUCKED. SUCKED SUCKED SUCKED on Tuesday. And they claimed that everyone was starting with a clean slate. So then what was UP with Randy picking Kimberly? Over Arms of the Angel girl? Over Chip? Wha....?

Okay, so that happened. Annoying overly peppy Kimberly (forever after known here as Kimberly Lite to distinguish her from the real Kimberly -- my Band of Gold singing diva with lungs) is in the finals. I raised my hand and shook my head and said, "WHAT-ever." No biggie. Opie boy was safe -- I knew America would pick him. And Simon had been ranting and raving for all these weeks, being a total whiner about bad singing. So I just KNEW he would go for someone who could sing. Like Chip. Like Arms of the Angel girl. So imagine my surprise when he picked BLOND CAN'T SING GIRL?!!!

Wha...?

Once more with feeling: WHA....?

Blond Can't Sing Girl is a FINALIST. Blond Can't Sing Girl looked shocked as Simon said her name. And I know why. Because she KNEW she didn't deserve to be up there and she KNEW that whatever crack Simon was smoking had saved her ass.

Wha....?

Thu Feb 27, 2003

From: Shonda
Date: Thu Feb 27, 2003 4:16:34 PM America/Los_Angeles
To: Sandie
Subject: BREAKING NEWS

Sandie,

Did you hear? FOUR of the wild cards will advance to the finals. FOUR out of NINE. Simon is so trying to fix the finals with skinny pretty people. So now there will be 12 finalists.

shonda

Feb. 26, 2003

Subj: Re: AI
Date: 2/26/2003
To: shonda

shonda writes:

What was with Ms. Over-Enunciation? I thought she was having some kind of a fit.

I was laughing my butt off when Simon said she looked like some kind of ventriloquist dummy!!!! Crazy - but the playback revealed some sort of freakish recreation of a scene from the movie Child's Play.

shonda writes:
girlfriend who had the nerve to get mad because Simon was COMPLIMENTING her by saying she was like Tamyra?

Clearly she didn't even get what he was saying!

shonda writes:
Did she not get the memo that the early 80s is over? And could someone PLEASE call the weave police? Cheap hair ain't working.

AHAHAHAHA! I told you... ghetto. Miss Diagonal Disaster was just unbelievable with her "do you know who I am?" line!!! I was rolling!!! She could have just took it all the way ghetto and snapped her finger in the air and said "You betta recognize! Okaaayyy!" She was sooooo close.....

shonda writes:
And someone needs to tell him that the ZZ Top look is not working.

Tonight was even worse ... he sports a braided beard thing?!? HUH?!?

shonda writes:
That leaves us with Simon's top two. Marine Boy and Hair Boy. I
don't see what all the fuss was about.........

You are too much. But you saw what I saw then... I wasn't sure why they thought they were so fabulous. They were good, but nothing to be getting a standing O over! (hair boy) But ... my opinion of one of them changed tonight - can't elaborate ... must hold back ... can't be strong ... oh the struggle...

Anyway - tonight's results ... well one choice surprised me and they announce the wild cards too! 8 (well maybe 8) of their choice come back for next week's show. Then we still get to vote. But Simon says there's a twist to it! Can't wait! I honestly didn't even recognize half of the people picked. And I was surprised at who wasn't picked. All right, enough so I don't give it away since you haven't seen it yet! I'm breaking out in a sweat trying to holdback the information ... must log off ... can't hold back...

have fun watching tonight!!!!!

sandie

Wed Feb 26, 2003

From: Shonda
Date: Wed Feb 26, 2003 4:03:19 PM America/Los_Angeles
To: Sandie
Subject: AI

Here are my thoughts on last night's AI contestants.

1) GHETTO FABULOUS: You were right on the phone. There were three total ghetto girls. All of whom had some singing problems. What was with Ms. Over-Enunciation? I thought she was having some kind of a fit. And then girlfriend who had the nerve to get mad because Simon was COMPLIMENTING her by saying she was like Tamyra? PLEASE. And the OUTFITS? What was with that one in the one shoulder top and short-on-one-side-but-long-on-the-other skirt? Did she not get the memo that the early 80s is over? And could someone PLEASE call the weave police? Cheap hair ain't working.

2) ROCKER BOY: He was righteous about rock and roll being here to stay but HE COULD NOT SING. And someone needs to tell him that the ZZ Top look is not working.

3) CHIP DAYS: That's #2. The guy you liked but Simon said had no personality. I liked him. I thought he was good. But not spectacular. But I definitely will argue that he was the best looking guy there. Which ain't saying much.

4) "Britney": Oh, that poor thing. It was so sad. Sadder than sad. I COULD HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB SINGING. But then, a howling DOG could have done better. She was one of those pretty vacant little things. But I felt bad for her because you got the feeling that she's dumb and talentless but NOT so dumb and talentless that she doesn't know what she's missing. So she's always going to be disappointed. Plus, she looked like a hooker in that dress.

5) That leaves us with Simon's top two. Marine Boy and Hair Boy. I don't see what all the fuss was about. Neither of them sounded that good. In fact, they both sounded just okay to me. What struck me as I watched them sing was one thing: It is very important to have one's teeth fixed before one gets on National TV and sings. They were SNAGGLE TOOTHED! Both of them. Not as bad as some but totally snaggly.

It was just WRONG.

Gotta go.

Feb. 19, 2003

Subj: Re: Idol weekly chat...
Date: 2/19/2003
To: shonda

shonda writes:

Now her "best friend in the world" looked FIFTY if she was a day.

AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! I was soooooo thinking that same thing! She said "that's my aunt, that's my best friend, that's my grandmother" - I was looking really closely wondering "wait a minute, I only see 3 old ladies, where's this friend she's talking about?"

shonda wrote:
Something wrong with her? I'm suspicious

AHAHAHAHHAAHA!

shonda wrote:
And I know you like #8 but all I could do
while he was singing was look at his HORSE TEETH ...he brought out the worst in me.

OH NO!!!!! AHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Clearly you were not feeling him like I was! I did say that he wasn't too good looking, but you have me laughing SO hard! Well, that's alright. Tonight will probably be the last you have to see of him anyway. He wasn't that good. You are too much though.

I can't wait to see the good, the bad and the ugly special show tonight!!!! I'm taping it so I can laugh at the fools over and over again.

talk to you later! (Oh, I was only still up (and keeping myself awake at the computer) cause I was watching the snow storm/school closings during the news)

Tue Feb 18, 2003

From: Shonda
Date: Tue Feb 18, 2003 10:32:53 PM America/Los_Angeles
To: Sandie
Subject: Re: Idol weekly chat...

Here are my comments:

I also wasn't blown away by anyone at all. But I did have several thoughts.

1) Equoia (who needs to smack her mama for that name): she had a really strong voice but chose a bad song for it. I know she's talented because I remember her from the auditions. But she has some problems. a) she is straight out ghetto, b) she smiles way too much when she sings and she looks like she's working the infomercial/telethon circuit and 3) she pointed to a woman standing between her mama and her grandmama and said, "That's my best friend in the world." Now her "best friend in the world" looked FIFTY if she was a day. What's up with the old lady best friend? Why can't she make friends her own age? Something wrong with her? I'm suspicious.

2) Hercules, Hercules: I adore him but he didn't sing that great tonight. Plus, he OVERWORKED the Nutty Professor act and, while it was still cute tonight, if he does it one more time, it is gonna get OLD and people will begin to hate him. But I think he'll make it through.

3) Cyndi Lauper-Olivarez - I adored her. Plus she sang one of fave songs ever (I know you remember it from the Fame album) and she did Irene Cara justice (although it is easy to do Irene Cara justice since all she's up to these days is a Menthos commercial). ANYWAY, I thought she had great personality. And then when Simon told her to lose weight? Oh, NO HE DIDN'T! She instantly became my fave performer of the night just because Simon was so mean. I mean, while she singing, I was thinking how cute she looked and how well she wore her little plus-sized self (unlike Kimberly Locke who always has me scared she's showing back fat). And Simon disses her? All I could think is that he truly is out of touch and does not realize that little "Cyndi" looks like most of America and is a part of the backlash against the tyranny of thin. Because of what he said, she will advance with no question.

4) Little chickie who tried to sing Aretha Franklin was SO NOT cutting it that I felt bad for her. And I know you like #8 but all I could do while he was singing was looking at his HORSE TEETH. I know it's wrong. But boyfriend needs some serious dental time. And I don't like that song. And he should get his ears pinned back. I'm not trying to hate but...he brought out the worst in me.

Nobody else struck me as that good. At least not good enough to remember. No one sucked, I agree. Just no one shone either. Plus I spent the whole time FURIOUS with Simon because this would have been Frenchie's group and she would BLOWN EVERYONE OUT OF THE WATER. Grrrr......

But if I have to call it, I think it's going to be Equoia and Cyndi. But I'm rooting for Hercules.

Oh, and had I known you were awake typing while I was watching, I would have called you. But I'm scared to call after 11 without knowing you are up.

love ya,
sho

Feb. 18, 2003

Subj: Idol weekly chat...
Date: 2/18/2003
To: shonda

SO... I enjoyed the show as usual. But I certainly was not blown away by anyone in this group. Simon and Randy agree. I know you're watching it even as I type, and here are my personal picks from this group:

Eqouia (huh?!?) - very strong voice, slightly ghetto bio on the website

Hercules, Hercules, Nutty Performer - charming personality

Cyndi Lauper's younger, cuter, more polished cousin - I really liked her whole thing going on. It actually worked for her and she has a great voice. Simon's comment was unbelievable, even for Simon! Wow. Couldn't believe he said it.

And the skinny crooner #8 - not such a good looking kid, but he has a really great voice, smooth as butter

What did you think? This group was weird. They were ALL good singers. Noone sucked. But they were all on the same level... no one seemed to jump out as fabulous either. One maybe - Eqouia (whatever the heck it is) has a better voice than the rest. She just didn't showcase it well with the song choice tonight.

sandie

Thu Feb 13, 2003

From: Shonda
Date: Thu Feb 13, 2003 12:09:29 PM America/Los_Angeles
To: Sandie
Subject: Re: AI

I think the families should be there but I also think they should use them more. They never show the faces of the loser's family -- which they should TOTALLY do. And I think they only use Ruben's brother as comic relief. If I were him, I wouldn't play along.

Why must I be forced to see Kimberly's bra each time she is on the show. Can the girl put on something that isn't sheer? It isn't a good look for ANYONE.

Last night I was so scared that the scrawny white kid with the fab voice was going to pull ahead of Kimberly. So glad he didn't. And did you see the Whitney Houston bad singer girl get so dissed? I think she thought Ryan was telling her she made it to the top ten when he said "...and the public agreed." So she got this excited look and then he said "you will not move on" and she burst into tears of humiliation. I felt for her but I was also thinking, "DID YOU ACTUALLY THINK ANYONE VOTED FOR YOUR NO TALENT BUTT?" I mean, please. If you taped it, rewind and watch that part again. She completely thinks she's in the top ten for a split second and then she realizes.

Okay, gotta go.

I read somewhere that frenchie has no chance of being put back on the show because the pictures she took are so raunchy.

Feb. 12, 2003

Subj: Re: AI
Date: 2/12/2003
To: shonda

Oh yea... this was a FA-BU-LOUS show!!!! I seconded that feeling that poor little Hadas Bullock was very good... but wished her no love. Like I said, she put a kink in my plans for Ruben and Kimberley! But good she is. I had one thought after listening to Kimberley sing Over the Rainbow: THIS girl IS a s-i-n-g-e-r. All you others are just singer wanna be's with very good voices! Big difference! Next to her, maybe even Tamyra Gray was just a singer wanna be with a very good voice. This girl is a SINGER already - period! Incredible voice. I have to say that since working at the theater, I get that chill sort of feeling when I'm listening to a truly fabulous vocal performance. And I get that listening to her. Whew! But she needs a new stylist! Bad choice of pants tonight that's for SURE! Not a good look.

I like the way they have their families there this time around. But did you notice that after the parent got involved last week they did NOT engage the families at all this time except for on 2 occasions. Hadas and Ruben's family. Still did not allow them out on the couch though like last week - once again except for Ruben's brother. Interesting. Thoughts on the families thing? Like it, don't really care, wish they'd drop it all together?

sandie

Wed Feb 12, 2003

From: Shonda
Date: Wed Feb 12, 2003 8:09:18 AM America/Los_Angeles
To: Sandie
Subject: AI

Okay, I was going to chat about the beauty of last night's AI what with its Sandra Bullock look-a-like, it's Luther sound-a-like and the very cool but badly dressed Kimberly Locke. Yes, I cried when Ruben sang so beautifully, I laughed aloud at the girl who tried to sing like pop star Whitney of the 80s (as opposed to crack ho Whitney of the 00s), I got real close to the tv to see if Kimberly was showing visible fat back on National TV (thank the gods she was not). I wished little Hadas Bullock well but gave her no love because we all know that Ruden and Kimberly are the ones who should go on to the next round. I even voted.

But none of that MATTERS. Because they have kicked Frenchie off the show before we even hear her sing. Yeah, she did porno, blah, blah, blah. WHO CARES? Is this even legal? Is this even right?

I was waiting for the Revolution. The Revolution would have occurred when an overweight black woman with weird hair beat every other contestant out there and won the American Idol title.

So now the Revolution won't be televised.

ARGH!!!

Get everyone you know to sign the petition from the site I sent you.

Feb 12, 2003

Subj: Re: frenchie debacle
Date: 2/12/2003
To: shonda

shonda writes:
Here's the skinny on what Frenchie was up to in her spare time five
years ago.

> http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/frenchie1.html
Your thoughts?


Well, after reading that article here is an excerpt and it's EXACTLY what I think and may be what the problem was...


"In describing Davis and fellow contestant Kimberley Locke, Entertainment Weekly wrote, "From the second these two bodacious beauties strutted their stuff on stage, all those navel-baring lightweights should have headed home."


Well... this sums it up for me.

Feb 12, 2003

Subj: Re: What? WHAT? WHAAAATTT? NO NO NO!
Date: 2/12/2003
To: shonda

They are basically claiming it's all about protecting their image and the show...(I will assume they mean the AI image rather, cause FOX has no sort of morally sound image of course!)

Executive producer NIGEL LYTHGOE and FOX executives held a press conference today in which they explained their reasons for eliminating the popular contestant.

"There are photos and there is live footage," Lythgoe told reporters. "If that photo had come out and you'd seen an 'American Idol' logo on that, you'd go, 'No, I'm sorry.'"

Hhhmmm.....

Wed Feb 12, 2003

From: Shonda
Date: Wed Feb 12, 2003 11:42:53 AM America/Los_Angeles
To: Sandie
Subject: frenchie debacle

Here's the skinny on what Frenchie was up to in her spare time five years ago.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/frenchie1.html

Your thoughts?

Wed Feb 12, 2003

From: Shonda
Date: Wed Feb 12, 2003 7:44:28 AM America/Los_Angeles
To: Sandie
Subject: What? WHAT? WHAAAATTT? NO NO NO!

They are kicking Frenchie off American Idol because...well, who cares why. It's wrong. WRONG.

http://jenniferweiner.blogspot.com/

http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2003-02-11-idol_x.htm

MAKE IT STOP! Fight the power. SAVE FRENCHIE!

Feb. 6, 2003

Subj: Re: American Idol
Date: 2/6/2003
To: shonda

shonda writes:
Her "faux" warm and friendly performance last night drove me insane.

Oh yeah agreed ... you know what kept running through my head the whole time I was watching her? Simon's comment the night before when Julia got done performing: "She doesn't want you to do well. And if she tells you she does she's lying. She wants to win!" Uh-huh. FAKE.

shonda writes:
Plus I think America voted for Julia over her because we all saw how
Julia was treated by Kimberly in the last round.


I think this is true. Kimberly was dissed BIG time by the viewers, I mean, she could definitely sing. Although the 16 year old blond girl that was in their foursome group for the Hollywood auditions was on our morning zoo radio program this morning had some interesting things to say about that. She said that whole thing where Kimberly and the other 2 members of the group dissed Julia that night they were supposed to practice and the next morning was not portrayed accurately by the editing and narration. She says it wasn't anything like that and the thing between Kimberly and Julia was made out to look far worse than it really was. Who knows. ANYWAY - no tears shed for Kimberly here either!

I was so shocked by the picks this time around since in the first show all that got the votes were the "cute" people. (case in point Ryan Starr, that pink wannabe girl (?) and EJ-RJ-RC WHOEVER could NOT sing that well and should never have made it to the final 10!) I really thought that Kimberly and the dead president boy would be the two picked - simply based on their over all "pop look" thing going on. But I was pleasantly surprised when Charles made the top 3 - still not thinking he'd be picked over either of those girls. And what was nice was that Simon didn't say anything whack about him making it, but instead something rude about the rest of them! After putting much thought into the whole voter's choice today (our new cook started today so I got to sit at my desk and do NOTHING!!! heehee) I have come to the conclusion that the popularity of the show has spread to an older and generally broader audience this time around. My brilliant scientific analysis is that this is not a teenage audience looking for a Backstreet boy or a Britney Spears... they just want to choose someone who isn't too annoying and can sing! And the majority of the contestants that have made it to this level are not that bubble gum pop star image anyway - there's a much broader look there to choose from too. That said, I also believe that Kimberly will be one of the wild cards chosen by the judges anyway.

I can't wait to see if my theory pans out next week!!!! There should be no competition once Ruben and Kimberley sing. But my theory will definitely have to be proven true in order for those two to be voted through!

You asked what I thought... heehee... I LOVE THIS SHOW!

sandie

Thu Feb 6, 2003

From: Shonda
Date: Thu Feb 6, 2003 11:28:52 AM America/Los_Angeles
To: Sandie
Subject: American Idol

How happy are we about Charles making it into the next round! Whoo-hoo! I think he's talented and adorable in a non-obvious way. Plus, his family is so sweet.

I was even more thrilled to see that Kimberly did NOT make it. Her "faux" warm and friendly performance last night drove me insane. She was hugging everyone and cooing and driving me MAD. And she just KNEW she would make it because the judges said she would. So there she is being Miss Sweetness and Light ONLY because she's sure that she's going to be the next Kelly Clarkson. And then America dissed her! Hee. Did you see the shot they got of her crying? So I felt a LITTLE sorry for her. But not enough. Definitely not enough.

Plus I think American voted for Julia over her because we all saw how Julia was treated by Kimberly in the last round.

Your thoughts?

--------------------------------------------------


WHO WE ARE: We are Shonda and Sandie, two sisters who are separated by 2000 miles. We hardly ever see each other but talk on the phone and e-mail almost every day. Our favorite topic these days (note that we have small children and thus, NO LIVES) is American Idol. This blog starts midway through Season Two so first I'll post our old e-mails from the beginning of the show and catch you all up.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER: We're not trying to hate on anybody. In fact, we applaud every one of the American Idol contestants for making it onto the show. However, we're not blogging a love fest here. Our stance is that a) if you get on National TV, you are fair game for any insults that we hurl your way; b) anything we say can't be used against us as we are both sleep-deprived what with our kids getting up at the crack of dawn; and c) everybody's thinking it so we might as well SAY it. So you can't sue us, stalk us or otherwise bother us. Don't even think about it.