Idol - Gives Back!!

Last night's American Idol was quite the mixed bag. Bono was announced by Ryan Seacrest as the mentor, but was never seen. Maybe he has nothing to plug. The six performances were interspersed with footage from Africa and all around America of needy children. It was all very moving, and I do think that Idol is trying to be genuine with this fund raising effort. One of the best pieces was Simon going to a huge food bank in LA and meeting the volunteers. He proclaimed "I've never met nice people before!". Maybe that's part of his problem? Ryan also informed us that NewsCorp (Fox's parent company) would be donating 10c for every vote called in up to 50 million votes - that's $5 million dollars. So everyone was endlessly encouraged to vote and often!

The performances were ordinary except for Jordin, who stole the show with "You'll Never Walk Alone". She was amazing. Blake Lewis sang a flat and uninspired version of John Lennon's "Imagine". Lakisha murdered Fantasia's "I Believe". I can't remember what Chris Richardson sang. Melinda gave a nice performance of a Faith Hill song and Phil did quite a good job with Garth Brooks' "The Change".

My prediction - Idol will get 50 million votes and make $5 million from NewsCorp and either Blake or Lakisha will get the hook.

America's Love Affair with Bad Singing is Finally Over

Wearing a brown t-shirt that said "Life is Beautiful" and sporting a curly bob - Sanjaya sobbed on Lakisha's sholder when Ryan Seacreast informed him that he was going home! I'm really shocked that he took it like that. I thought for sure he was expecting to be getting the boot every week, but it looks like Sanjaya thought he was in it for the long haul. I guess that explains all the cockyness. Sanjaya managed to pull it together to give us another horrible performance of "Something to Talk About" changing the words at the end to "Let's talk about hair, hair hair". Good one.

Inexplicably, Fergie was allowed to "sing" one of her songs. She's awful. How she got to where she is today is totally beyond me, although she was wearing interesting shoes.

Martina McBride sang, she was fabulous, but her daughter stole the show chatting with Ryan and answering questions meant for Martina, and generally being adorable.

Ryan Seacrest split the Idols into two groups and then asked Melinda to choose which group she thought was safe. Melinda wouldn't do it and sat down in the middle of the stage. Totally predictable move on her part. She probably didn't want to formally acknowledge that Jordin is her biggest competition.

Randy Jackson was the worst dressed of the night - wearing a pink t-shirt and a horrible hat that was too small for him, decorated with white skulls. Get a mirror, dawg.

So, Dial Idol did get it right! Blake Lewis is safe - but for how long?

American Idol News Round Up

Tonight on American Idol is "Tony Bennett - American Classics". Not only do I predict this to be boring, but everyone except Melinda, Lakisha and Jordin are going to murder all the songs and make horrible song choices.

Speaking of Jordin, Ryan Seacrest is tipping that Jordin Sparks is going to be the next American Idol. Ryan says: "She's non-threatening, cute and attractive. Plus, she has this sincere likeability that is rare and genuine." I have to agree with him. Although Melinda Doolittle is a fantastic singer, her personality isn't really that sparky and I'm sure that people are going to get very tired with her "aw shucks" attitude, or just not vote for Melinda because they think she is safe.

We can all breathe a sigh of relief as the Sanjaya hunger strike person has decided to eat again and is just going to concentrate on getting Sanjaya voted off. Good Decision. He's not worth dying for.

Is Sanjaya the most hated American Idol contestant ever?. Probably. Unless you are a weeping 10 year old girl. I think that Votefortheworst.com is definitely ruining this season of Idol, although most of the contestants are managing to do that for the viewing public without any outside help.

Click here to see TMZ's video of the Idols eating lunch

Bye Bye Brandon

Yo! Wassup Daawg? How do you think you did? ???The results are in - and Brandon Rogers - forgetter of words, was sent packing from American Idol last night. I thought he looked relieved. Sadly, he will be but a faint memory by next Tuesday.

Diana Ross on the other hand was unforgettable last night, for all the wrong reasons. She should have been wearing her Spanx, the lighting made her dress look horrible on her, and I'm sure if Simon could have critiqued her he would have said " I don't mean to be rude, but you were shouting for most of the song.

Incredibly, Sanjaya Malakar survived to sing another week. I think everyone feels sorry for him. Ryan was wearing a fabulous purple tie, and Paula didn't speak.