CMT Awards Predicitions

The CMT Awards are happening on June 9th and I know I will be watching, so since I am voting, I will make my picks known as well.

Breakthrough Video of the Year

1. Easton Corbin-A Little More Country Than That
2. Laura Bell Bundy-Giddy On Up
3. Luke Bryan-Do I?-My Pick
4. Steel Magnolia-Keep On Lovin' You

 Performance of the Year

1. Reba McEntire-Consider Me Gone-My Pick
2. Tim McGraw-Southern Voice
3. Brad Paisley-Then
4. Lady Antebellum-Lookin' for a Good Time
5. Carrie Underwood-Temporary Home 

Collaborative Video of the Year

1. Kellie Pickler and Taylor Swift-Best Days of Your Life
2. Blake Shelton and Trace Adkins-Hillbilly Bone-My Pick
3. Jason Aldean and Bryan Adam-Heaven
4. Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews-I'm Alive

Duo Video of the Year

1. Brooks & Dunn-Indian Summer-My Pick
2. Steel Magnolia-Keep On Lovin' You
3. Sugarland-Keep You
4. Sugarland-Nightswimming/Joey  

Group Video of the Year

1. Rascal Flatts-Here Comes Goodbye
2. Gloriana-How Far Do You Wanna Go?
3. Lady Antebellum-Need You Now
4. Zac Brown Band-Toes-My Pick

Female Video of the Year

1. Reba McEntire-Consider Me Gone
2. Miranda Lambert-White Liar
3. Carrie Underwood-Cowboy Casanova
4. Taylor Swift-You Belong With Me-My Pick 

Male Video of the Year

1.  Toby Keith-American Ride
2. Billy Currington-People Are Crazy-My Pick
3. Tim McGraw-Southern Voice
4. Keith Urban-Til Summer Comes Around
5. Jason Aldean-The Truth 

Video of the Year

1. Toby Keith-American Ride
2. Carrie Underwood-Cowboy Casanova
3. Lady Antebellum-Need You Now
4. Kenny Chesney-Out Last Night
5. Keith Urban-Til Summer Comes Around
6. Zac Brown Band-Toes
7. Jason Aldean-The Truth
8. Brad Paisley-Welcome to the Future-My Pick
9. Miranda Lambet-White Liar
10. Taylor Swift-You Belong With Me

TV Show Fall Analyis (Early Version)

It's the time of the year when we find out the fates of our favorite television shows, especially on the big four networks. As of this morning all the schedules for the fall (and some next spring) have been released. (I will not comment on the content of *most* new shows till my next report and I find out more about them.)

CBS
Big Surprises:
First of all the cancellations of Cold Case, Ghost Whisperer and New Adventures of Old Christine caught me off guard. I always heard good things about Cold Case from people so I figured it had a fan base. As for Ghost Whisperer, the ratings were low, but it always lead Friday nights. And Christine I thought was more popular, I guess I was wrong.

As for the schedule, moving Big Bang Theory to Thursday caught me off guard but it might actually be good for the show to get even higher rating then it already is getting. The rest looks good to me, nothing crazy.

WTF Moments:
Okay, I'll bite. I'm going to have to watch S--- My Dad Says after Big Bang just for the curious factors. Finally, Hawaii Five-0 is back? Really? Who's idea was that one?


I will say, I loved Accidentally on Purpose. I thought it was a funny quirky show that took a little while to get used to. But I do appreciate the fact that at least the season finale closed all the storylines so there are no loose ends making this show ending not as big of a deal as others.

ABC
Big Surprises:
The only real big surprise was that they kept V on but canceled FlashForward. I figured, by people who have watched both shows, that it would have been the other way around. But alas, that's the decision they made. Also Scrubs finally getting canceled is NOT a big deal, it should have ended last year.

I'm not a big ABC watcher anymore to be quite honest. I think it's a very good move to have a full comedy night on Wednesdays. But other than that, no major shakeups or changes.

NBC
Big Surprises:
Number one with a bullet is the cancellation of Law & Order. The TV stable should have at least had a chance to say goodbye the right way. I mean I hear there is going to be a big TV movie sometime next year but still they should have gotten the chance the Ugly Betty and Lost got to say goodbye to their fans the right way. Also the same could be said for Heroes, which I know the ratings have been down since season one but still give it a chance to end with class. I also find it amusing that Wednesdays have officially turned into cop drama night with this new show Undercovers, L&O:SVU and the new spin-off L&O:LA.

I do like the fact that they kept Tuesdays in tact though with Biggest Loser and Parenthood staying back-to-back, I think that's huge because that's NBC's biggest night ratings wise, even bigger than their comedy block on Thursday night. I am also happy that Celebrity Apprentice is returning next year. I was never a fan of the original show but I love the celebrity version big time.

FOX
 Big Surprises:
I have to admit, I didn't expect FOX to renew The Cleveland Show and keep it on their Animation Domination block on Sunday nights. Most people I've talked to that watch it said it's lame and kinda dumb, then again the same could be said for American Dad and that show is still going strong. As for Til Death, I will say the same thing I said about Scrubs, it should have been canceled a long time ago. I tried to watch this season and it was really terrible.

Scheduling Change-ups:
The big change-ups include three of FOX's biggest shows, Glee, American Idol and Hell's Kitchen. Personally I love the fact that Glee is moving to the lead-in spot on Tuesday nights in the Fall. I think that's a HUGE move. The show deserves the chance to show how good it can be in by itself in the ratings. What I don't like is moving it to Wednesday nights at 9pm in the Spring. I think that's going to really confuse fans, so I hope they do a good job advertising the move because if not it could suffer from a massive drop. As for Idol, the Tuesday performance show is being extended to a hour and a half and the Wednesday results show is now a half hour. I like the idea of the results show being a half hour (and it is the lead-in for Glee) but not sure if even I could sit through a hour and half Idol show especially when it's down to the last couple of weeks. Hell's Kitchen is moving to Wednesday nights instead of Tuesday nights which I don't agree with personally. I have problems with the show moving time slots in the middle of a run and I don't really see a major issue with it following Glee, but then again the audience for both shows are very different so that might have something to do with it.

That's what the big four have announced for now for next year. It seems interesting for now. I wonder if they will change anything between now and August when the big fall preview issues come out.

WWE NXT 5/18/10

After last week's triple elimination, I was skeptical that this week's show was even going to be worth watching. Fine there would be yet ANOTHER elimination, but what else would there be?? Well I was pleasantly surprised.

First of all, I loved the fact that the pros were out on the stage all show. (But where were R-Truth and Carlito?) They actually added alot and made the show feel more legit.

Second, the Bryan Danielson-Michael Cole fight was priceless and awesome. It was needed. Again helped make the show feel real. I can't wait to see where this goes in weeks to come.

Finally the elimination of Darren Young was well done. He went out with class and style and actually showed why he deserves to be with the company down the road.

That's about it for this week's show. It was pretty much short and sweet because there wasn't alot of other notable things going out.

Get rid of the guest hosts...

Last year on Monday Night Raw, they announced a concept where they would have a different "celebrity" guest host every week and that person would run the show like a general manager.


This was put into place originally as a summer ratings-boaster and then ended up sticking around because it was starting to catch on. Then they said that it would be over at Wrestlemania. Then they continued it because of TNA moving to Mondays. Now TNA is back on Thursday night.


It was a great idea at first. A few highlights included Bob Baker, Shaq, Floyd Mayweather, Ben Roethlisberger, Nancy O'Dell, The Osbournes, Mark Cuban, Mike Tyson and William Shatner. (not including the wrestlers that did it like Stone Cold, Piper, Jesse Ventura, Trish, DiBiase and Dust Rhodes) But for every good host, we have Jerry Springer, ZZ Top, Dennis Miller, Criss Angel and the guys from Hot Tub Time Machine and MacGrauber. 


The key was that they were "running the show" and could do whatever they wanted, so the concept works. Well last week on Raw they announced that the "guest hosts" would lose their power. So now what's the point? Publicity? Fine have a celebrity show up every so often. But last night was the last straw for me.


During the commercial-free special Raw, they brought out Buzz Aldrin, and with all respect to an American legend, what the hell was he doing in Canada on a wrestling show last night? What was the point? Was it to show how the old man can't follow a script because that was evident? Was it to show that they couldn't get any Canadian legends to host the show? Or was it just a cry for help that they are running out of legit celebrities to have on the show.


With a few exceptions, Betty White, Neil Patrick Harris maybe, The Rock would great, let's please get this guest host crap. Next week they are supposed to announce a new official GM. With that announcement can it please end this pop-culture experiment? It's become a stupid joke at this point, and the only reason that people didn't tune away last night was because it was commercial-free and they offered us a good main-event.


So WWE, I ask as a long-time fan, can we please put an end to the guest host concept? It's old and getting to be more of embarrassment every week.

VH1 Top 20 5/15/10

Every Sunday morning, I watch the VH1 Top 20, so I've decided to go through the countdown on a weekly bias and give my reaction and comments to the videos and the countdown.

5/15/10:

#20-Nickelback-This Afternoon (Debut)
There are alot of people who have problems with Nickelback. I'm a fan but for some reason there's alot, ALOT of hate for them. But in this video, very Revenge of the Nerd-esce, they totally made fun of themselves. I like the song alot but the video definitely had a different feel just with the line "You brought me Nickelback?!?!" Very fun.

#19-Rihanna-Rude Boy (down 4 spots)
My hatred for Rihanna is very well known. I don't like her. I don't like her music. I think she's annoying and just isn't attractive to make up for it. When I watch the countdown DVRed I fast-forward through her videos. I'm just not a fan at all. So I was very happy to see this song almost fully crashing and burning and it didn't even get shown in full so I was even happier.

#18-Jack Johnson-You and Your Heart (Debut)
This is a new song for me. Not sure if I like it yet. It's not terrible. Just have to hear it more often. The video has nothing to really do with the song, But it's alright, take time to get used to it.

#17-Taio Cruz & Ludacris-Break  Your Heart (up 3)
I can't even explain why I love this song. It's catchy and really honest. The video is dead on with the song. The other thing with this song is while it's very catchy, it gets stuck in your head for hours. It's rare I like a Ludacris song, but this one really works. 


#16-Theory Of A Deadman-All Or Nothing (down 3)
It took me a few weeks, but I now really like this song. It's actually a really romantic rock song. They don't come around often. So this song and video really works, hope it sticks around for a while.


#15-Angel  Taylor-Like You Do (down 3)
This is such a corny little song. The video is so fitting in the coffee shop. It's that feel. I like this song, it's very cute. There's not much else to it. It's a catching cute corny ditty.


#14-La Roux-Bulletproof (up 4)
This is a very very very strange song. It has annoying beat, the words make no sense, the video is very chaotic and the girl is okay to look at, but not hot. Then why is it even on this countdown? It took me a few weeks but one afternoon it dawned on me. It's the chorus. When you listen to this song, all you remember is the chorus and you catch yourself singing it hours later. Thus this song is popular and now I understand why.


#13-Alpha Rev-New Morning (up 4)
Who are these guys? Am I really that much out of the rock loop that I have no idea what song this even is? It's very slow and morbid, I really don't like it. I can see why it's popular, but it bores me. The video is just as boring.


#12-Lady Antebellum-Need You Now (down 5)
How the mighty have fallen. This was a top 1 song. It jumped up this countdown extremely fast and became country music's latest cross-over hit. And now just as quickly it is sinking. I love this song, Hillary Scott is hot, nothing else to say there.

#11-Christina Aguilera-Not Myself Tonight (down 2)
What the hell? Where did this come from? No offense to Christina Aguilera but this song is bad, even for terrible pop songs. And the video is even worse. She found a way to make looking like a whore, dressing like a song and lesbianism feel unattractive and boring. This video so far fetched and over-the-top sexy, so much so that it's reaching too much. Just doesn't work and shouldn't have been made.


#10-Bon Jovi-Superman Tonight (up 4)
Yay! Bon Jovi is back in the top 10! Great song! This video is amazing and tells the story of the song perfectly. If you haven't seen this video, you have to. It's amazing and should be a number one video. Maybe one day.


#9-B.o.B. & Bruno  Mars-Nothin'  On You (up 2)
Ah, another really good song moving into the top 10. This song is fantastic actually. Another unexpected love anthem. The computer work done in this video is perfect for explaining the song's story. Not much else for me to say but I will have no problem seeing this song skyrocketing even higher in weeks to come.


#8-Jason  DeRulo-In  My Head (down 4)
I was convinced this song was going to be the #1 song this week because he was the guest. It seems to be how it works. But in all seriousness, this song is alright. Not one that I personally like, but I wouldn't argue to dancing to it at the bar or something like that, as it is a sexy dance song. Just don't like him.


#7-Lady  Gaga & Beyonce-Telephone (down 2)
I know I'm going to killed for my feelings on this song. I think this song is just annoying, the dancing is terrible and it's just a stupid song and video. Too much work went into this video, a simple format might have been easier. But in a different light, this video did help me in an argument at work. There was a discussion about whether or not Lady Gaga is a man or not. I said that after watching this video, she is DEFINITELY female. Just watch the first 2 minutes of the short form if you really are questioning that.


#6-Muse-Uprising (up 2)
The fans of this band confuse me, big time. Two weeks ago  the song Resistance was on the countdown, I was just getting used it and it was getting popular. Then suddenly, out of nowhere, last week the Muse fans voted this song onto the countdown. This is the older song from last year, but it's actually the better of the two songs. I like it better, I just didn't expect it at all. I didn't know you could vote a song onto the countdown after it was already on the year end special from the year before. I guess this like TRL rules right?


#5-Usher and will.I.am-OMG (up 5, leap of the week)
When this song debuted on the countdown, again out of where, I was okay with it because I didn't like the previous single. But now weeks later, I miss the video for Little Freak. At least the terribleness of this song was disguised with the hotness of the girls in it and the story it told. But onto this song, just a boring video and annoying beat. I don't get why this is so popular, except that it's Usher.

#4-The Script-Breakeven (down 1)
I really liked this song originally. It was a very good song. I'm a stickler for breakup songs or songs about heartbreak. For me, depressing songs are fantastic, I've always felt that way. But then VH1 started airing the Unplugged version, and I love this one even more. The acoustic sound works so well with the beat of the song and it added alot to the story.


#3-Adam  Lambert-Whataya  Want From  Me (up 3)
Ah, Mr. Lambert. I just can't get you off my TV can I? At this song isn't half bad or I'd be more pissed about it. I'm convinced the only way I'm going to finally get rid of you is the 20/20 club, and that's coming very soon. The video ain't bad, and like I said the song is okay, but I'm so over Lambert at this point, that I just want to move on.


#2-Jay-Z & Mr.  Hudson-Young Forever (down 1)
This song makes me laugh. It's so obvious that the name of this song should be "Forever Young" but they couldn't use that title. If this was just a Jay-Z song, it wouldn't be that good, just to be honest. But Mr. Hudson brings soo much to this song with the chorus riff and occasionally singing. The video is really good to tell the story of this song. I completely understand the popularity of this song. No doubt.


#1-Colbie Caillat-I Never Told You (up 1)
Wow, this song came out of nowhere. This was a HUGE surprise, but a very pleasant one. I really like this song and video. Back to my love and depressing song. It also helps that she's a total cutie. She deserves this push to the top, it probably won't last long, but it'll be fun while it last. Very awesome way to end the show.

Stanley Cup Conference Finals Thoughts

Here we are, the first almost full day of the Conference Finals.

My picks were made official last night,

Montreal over Philly in 6 games
Chicago over San Jose in 6 games

Honestly I think Montreal has some magic left in them big time and it's time for the Hawks to return to the finals. I think that the Sharks will choke again.

I will keep updating as the series continue on. It should be a great ending to what has been a fantastic Stanley Cup playoffs.

"The Team of Destiny"-The Montreal Canadiens?

Last night continued one of the most compelling and unexpected runs in NHL playoffs history.

The 8th seeded Montreal Canadiens BARELY made the playoffs and then they got put into a series with the Washington Capitals. No one gave them a chance. No one thought they could beat the mighty Caps, not even I. My official pick was Caps in 6. I figured the Habs would steal a couple of games at home and then the Caps would turn around win. No biggy. It seemed that not only would the Caps win but they would do it in a typical fashion when they took a 3-1 lead in the series. But boy was  I, and everyone else wrong. The Habs had other plans and backed by one the most unbelievable goal-tending runs ever in the sport by Jaroslav Halak, they turned the series around and the entire conference up-side-down and stunned the hockey world and won the series.

So when the matchups for the 2nd round came out, they were given the reigning champs, the Penguins. I went on record when the series started and said, Canadiens in 7. Other than Mandy, everyone, co-workers, twitter people, and even my two best friends, looked at me like I had two heads. How can the lowly Habs beat the unstoppable Sid the Kid and the Pens. Well, look what happened.

Last night the ultimate underdog story, this side of the Mighty Ducks improbable run to the Cup finals in 03, continued. The Canadiens not only beat Pittsburgh but they embarrassed them in the last game to ever be played at the Igloo. But not only that but the face of Canada was humbled by an one-time legendary Canadian franchise.

I believe Stan Fischler said it perfectly on Twitter and I couldn't agree more:
"How long before Canada realizes the Kid is a fraud? Gold medal goal was Iginla's hard work. Cup was Malkin's. Sid should really cry now."

Last night wasn't just a hockey moment or sports moment. Last night proved to me that indeed anything in life is possible, if you have the drive to succeed and the want to achieve.

Always remember, if the Canadiens can upset the Caps and the Pens, how is anything else impossible?