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Now that the shilling is over, let's get on with this issue...
(If you want to read my thoughts and opinions on night one of the finale, read it here.)
That's how you close out a season. This might be one of the first times in a long time I wasn't bored during a big finale episode. The time flew by and was just alot of fun.
The first thing I will say is I loved all the video packages. It showed off how bizarre and fun this season was. My reports just haven't done this season justice. Those videos might have actually shown people who just tuned for the finale what they missed and made them wonder "why didn't I watch this?"
As for the rest of the show, there were alot of highlights.
I'll admit I didn't expect them to breakout Call Me Maybe and Gangham Style again. Since the finalists were busy working on their final dances, they were replaced in these numbers. Joey & Kym took over for Kelly & Val in Gangham Style and Drew & Anna and Helio & Chelsie replaced Shawn & Derek and Melissa & Tony in Call Me Maybe. It was alot of fun to watch again.
Now I was way too excited for Dance Center with Kenny Mayne, Jerry Rice and Len Goodman. They were part of the constant recaps of the season covering the hilarious lighter side. If you want to laugh, watch these segments, if only for Len's facial expressions alone.
Finally there was indeed still competitive dancing going on. At the beginning of the show the final couples picked their instant dances and music to perform to.
Kelly & Val
Song: Nikki & Rich-Cat & Mouse
Dance: Jive
Score: 28.5Melissa & Tony
Song: Tom Cochrane-Life is A Highway
Dance: Samba
Score: 28.5
Shawn & Derek
Song: Aretha Franklin-Respect
Dance: Cha-Cha-Cha
Score: 30
After an emotional ride, we reached the end of the show and a new champion was crowned...
Third Place: Kelly & Val
Second Place: Shawn & Derek
Winner: Melissa & Tony
That's it for the All-Star season. What a ride, what a season.
I'll admit it's strange to not air a Thanksgiving episode of Glee on Thanksgiving night, but I guess for story purposes, this works.
Onto the plots. First of all, I feel like the whole trophy being stolen thing was just an excuse to Blaine a story. I guess worked for the gimmick in the episode, plus it gave an excuse to have an awesome old school Warblers performance, Dark Side. But it just didn't work for me.
The story I loved was actually Ryder and Jake's. Finn, in his wonderful sweater vest, was trying to get the group to mesh together. (Great Avengers reference three by the way.) So he put the guys (and Marley & Kitty) together even though they don't get along. After they performed Superman, they got into a fight in the choir room (been awhile since that happened). After breaking them up, Finn got them to open up to each other. This all led to finding out that Ryder is dyslexic. I personally like the fact we get to see this develop.
Moving on, I still really hate the Kitty/Marley story. But since I ranted about that last week, I will say that as much as I hate it, I loved Holding Out For A Hero. It's rare that song comes up so it made me happy.
Now as much as I had a hard time enjoying the "Blaine might leave New Directions" storyline, because it just wasn't believable, I LOVED Sam & Blaine singing Heroes. If them being friends is going to lead to them doing duets like this more often, I'm all for it. Finally the show ended on the stage with New Directions singing Some Nights and it finally felt like New Directions to me. From the voices meshing well to everyone having a spotlight to the matching red outfits. This was amazing.
Episode: Tough Sh*t
This week's show was actually a little dull in comparison to the way this season has been paced. The Stash hosted a massive Kevin Smith book signing, with Jay Mewes and Ming being security. It was fun but definately not a huge to do.
As for transactions, it was a good night. First there was a cool concept TMNT artwork for issue #1. Walt wouldn't bite on the high price that was requested. (I'm going to ignore the guy who walked in wearing the homemade latex Mechani-Kong costume, that was too weird for me.) The one thing that made the show for me was Walt reaction to Marvel World play set, it was also cool that Kevin bought it for him.
Next week is going to be fun, Stan Lee will be in the Stash!!
11/23/12-Milwaukee at Peoria
A new week of games and the Ads seem to just find new ways to lose. After coming back from being down 3-2 in the third, Mark Van Guilder and Austin Watson scored within 30 seconds of each other to give them a 4-3 lead. But Ian Cole scored with 41 seconds left for the Rivermen to tie the game. The game went to a shootout and Peoria won 2-0.
11/24/12-Milwaukee at Chicago
After 14 days, the Admirals finally won a game. Milwaukee's Austin Watson was by for the star of the evening. He tallied two goals and an assist, leading to a 4-3 shootout win over the Wolves.
11/25/12-Milwaukee at Grand Rapids
After a long road trip, the Ads won their second straight being the Griffins 3-2. This win also snapped Grand Rapids' eight games winning streak. Chris Mueller scored the game winner midway through the third period.
After two weeks, the Ads return home for two games. Friday night the Chicago Wolves return to town, and then Wednesday night they play the Texas Stars.
Quick Hits
- It's officially the video and song that never ends. Gangham Style became the most watched video in YouTube history. It surpassed Justin Bieber's Baby over the holiday weekend and continues to grow in views more than ever.
- Okay now I'm excited about Girl Meets World. Ben Savage and Danielle Fishel are going to return to reprise their roles as Corey & Topanga! While I'm not completely thrilled this show is happening, this made me happy.
- This weeks' DWTS finale saw the end of the run of Maksim Chmerkovskiy in the ball room. There are now rumors that Derek Hough might be waking away as well. After so many seasons I'm not surprised, but it's sad to see them walk away.
- The NHL & NHLPA have agreed to meet with a federal mediation this week to try to settle the lockout. This is ugly and the longer this goes, the more fans are angry. At this point, get this over with or just cancel the season.
Coming off the unexpected success of Home, this album got moved up to the Christmas season instead of during Idol season. The one thing about Phillip is that he has a very unique voice and stands out. I respect the fact that this os not a typical Idol album. There is very little pop to the sound, to the point where when I heard Gone, Gone, Gone, I had to check to make sure that I was still listening to an Idol winner. I also appreciate that he doesn't try to sound exactly like Mumford & Sons. The best compliment I could give is this is a really good driving album, you know the kind of album that you can listen to straight through on a road trip. I could honestly see Drive Me becoming a huge hit. Overall this is one of the better non-country Idol albums of recent memory.
Grade: A-
Favorite Song (that is not Home): Drive Me
Normally I don't review Greatest Hits albums, but while the inclusion of A Moment Like This made me smile abs actually hearing Because of You without Reba was actually kind of weird, there is new music. First there's the catchy Catch My Breath, which is just a really good pop single that will be around for a long time. People Like Us, though, is more like an anthem. It's similar to My Life Would Suck Without You, as a song that can be rocked out to and just get you out a funk. Don't Rush is her latest dip into country music with Vince Gill. This is a really romantic song and just, plus you really don't hear Vince Gill much in the song. The new songs fit in really well with the rest of Kelly's amazing catalog.
Grade: A+
Favorite Song (of the new ones): People Like Us
With Blake's popularity right now, you knew this was coming. As much as I love him, I'm not really sure what I think about this album. I love his rendition of White Christmas and his duet with Miranda on Jingle Bell Rock, but other than that there's nothing overly memorable. Even getting Reba and Kelly Clarkson to sing on here doesn't work for me. It's too bad but I'll still watch the Christmas special.
Grade: C
Favorite Song: Jingle Bell Rock
That's it for this week. As always jump over to see my NFL Picks for Week 13, especially after a good week last week.
Next week there will be coverage of the Glee Thanksgiving episode, Stan Lee visiting the Secret Stash and TNA Final Resolution. All that and much more.
Thank you for reading as always. If you have thoughts, comments or even want to contribute to the Report, email me at EntertainReport@gmail.com or tweet me @Reilly21106. Spread the word and have a great week.
