The Celebrity Apprentice:Shock Value (3/27/11)

So far this season I've been able to predict the winner of the task before we get to the boardroom. This week I was way off. This week the teams had to make a 30 second commerical for ACN's new video phones. The company specificly asked for a video that pulled at the heart strings and be emotional. Then HOW DID TEAM ASAP LOSE?!?

Team Backbone-Winning Team

Project Manager: Lil Jon

I'm still trying to figure this one out. They decided to go the viral shock route for their video and had Jose play the gay fiance of Gary Busey's grandson. It was really funny but totally the opposite of where the company told them to go. After thinking about it, besides the fact that the adviors votes saw it as a huge viral success for the company, the fact that they had Lil Jon hosting it, giving off the massive energy and that they went second were the reasons they won. I wonder what the vote would have been if they went first.

Team A.S.A.P.-Losing Team
Project Manager: NeNe Leakes
The ladies went the more traditional route and had Marlee Matlin play the deaf mom of a teen overseas in Paris and talking in signs on the video phone. I was sure they were going to win. they lost 53-47%, very close, but still three losses in a row. So that led to a very interseting boardroom where LaToya and Dionne were put on the chopping block. Then Dionne shocked me, and probably everyone, by challenging Trump to fire her. So well he did. That being said something good came out of this, I've been wanting to get rid of her for weeks.

Gary Busey Line of the Show:

"Did you see Big Wednesday? That's what my fiancée calls my apparatus, Big Wednesday."

NCAA Tournament-Elite 8 Results (3/26-27/11)

Record: 2-2
Overall Record: 39-25

East Division:
#2 North Carolina vs. #4 Kentucky (76-69)

Southwest Division:
#1 Kansas vs. #11 VCU (71-61)

Southeast Division:
#2 Florida vs. #8 Butler (74-71 OT)

West Division:
#3 Connecticut vs. #5 Arizona (65-63)

NCAA Tournament-Elite 8 (3/26-27/11)

East Division:
#2 North Carolina vs. #4 Kentucky

Southwest Division:
#1 Kansas vs. #11 VCU

Southeast Division:
#2 Florida vs. #8 Butler

West Division:
#3 Connecticut vs. #5 Arizona

NCAA Tournament-Sweet 16 Results (3/24-25/11)

Record: 4-4
Overall Record: 37-23

East Division:
#1 Ohio St. vs. #4 Kentucky (62-60)
#2 North Carolina vs. #11 Marquette (81-63)

Southwest Division:
#1 Kansas vs. #12 Richmond (77-57)
#10 Florida St. vs. #11 VCU (72-71 OT)

Southeast Division:
#2 Florida vs. #3 BYU (83-74 OT)
#4 Wisconsin vs. #8 Butler (61-54)

West Division:
#1 Duke vs. #5 Arizona (93-77)
#2 San Diego St. vs. #3 Connecticut (74-67)

American Idol-The *@#*$@% Results Show! (3/24/11)

Well this wasn't your typical results show. On this night Stevie Wonder sang Happy Birthday to Steven Tyler, Hulk Hogan came out and surprised James and Paul and then threw Ryan into the crowd, Sugarland sang their big crossover hit, Jennifer Hudson returned to the Idol stage and the crowd almost rioted over the result. Yes folks, Idol has grown up to the point where Ryan looked scared at the crowd reaction.

Group Performance:Ain't No Mountain High Enough
I enjoyed this song, it was really entertaining and just great on the ears.

And now...dim the lights...on to the results....

Bottom 3:
1. Thia
2. Stefano
3. Casey

Okay I didn't see that one coming. Where did this bottom three come from? Out of no where.

Bottom 2:
1. Stefano
2. Casey

This is where the crowd started to get angry. Shock and anger was in the air.

Up for Elimination:
Casey

As Casey hugged Stefano, the crowd really got angry. To point where the censors came out and the sound dropped out for almost a minute because the crowd was cursing.

Then Casey started singing for his life and then Randy actually cut him and the judges saved him. That being said the gloves were off. I think Casey forgot he was on live TV and he started cursing up a storm.

So that means NEXT week it is the top 11 again and there will be two eliminations. What a night!

American Idol-It's Motown Week! (3/23/11)

This has always been one of my favorite weeks of the season, Motown week! Tonight I always have my amazing wife Mandy, tweeting in her comments on the show. Let's get right into it...

Casey
Song: Heard It Through The Grapevine
Blake: Very nice especially without the growling. His charisma is unreal. Performances like this will keep him a massive crowd favorite.
Rating (out of 5): ****
Mandy: Casey's got a Taylor Hicks vibe to him. It was screetchy and he needs to shave, but he is an original entertainer. Safe.

Thia
Song: Heatwave
Blake: Nice change of pace! She can sing fast paced music. But for me she seemed confused and like she was getting lost in the lyrics. It also felt like she was distracted by her background singers.
Rating (out of 5): ***
Mandy: Thia is absolutely gorgeous. I was kind of bored and she looked confused. Hell of a voice, but she may be in danger.

Jacob
Song: All I Need To Get By
Blake: Motown is defiantely his sound. This is the first time I can honestly say he sounds good. Still not a fan but I don't want to slit my wrist this week.
Rating (out of 5): ***1/2
Mandy: Church choir, yes. Broadway stage, yes. Idol, no. I just can't get on Jacob train. I actually cringe at his theatrics and voice changes.

Lauren
Song: Keep Me Hangin On
Blake: I really like this. Very fun and energetic. She's fiesty in a good way.
Rating (out of 5): ****
Mandy: Lauren breathed new life into this song. I love her spunk and attitude. She's Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood's love child.

Stefano
Song: Hello
Blake: Really good but not great. Very mellow but enjoyable. Could have done a little more and overall not the best he's done.
Rating (out of 5): ***
Mandy: Since Ricky Martin is gay, women need a new heartthrob. Hi Stefano. You oversang the song, but you will be fine.

Haley
Song: You've Really Got A Hold On Me
Blake: She's just bad. The background singers are better than her at this point. She's trying to be sexy and flirt but it's coming off as uncomfortable and annoying.
Rating (out of 5): *
Mandy: I think Haley's drunk. As my son said, she was wearing "no clothes." Please go home. Stop shrieking and growling.

Scotty
Song: For Once in My Life
Blake: Never did I EVER think I'd hear this song as a country song. Fantastic. I want this single. Best of the night so far. Most original by far.
Rating (out of 5): *****
Mandy: Scotty knows who he is and that could be a hit on the radio now. Loved it. He and Taylor Swift would have pretty, talented babies.

Pia
Song: For That's Fair in Love
Blake: I love her voice and she is amazing. I was just a little bored till the end but that's just me.
Rating (out of 5): ****
Mandy: Pia is gorgeous and her voice matches. A little boring for me, but she's safe. On a side note, her and Stefano should hook it up.

Paul
Song: Tracks of My Tears
Blake: Still do NOT like his voice BUT this was good. With his guitar he wasn't as spastic so it makes it easier to watch. Might be his best performance of the season.
Rating (out of 5): ***1/2
Mandy: Paul's best performance so far, it reminded me of Cook or Allen. I didn't want to punch him this week. I still want his drugs though.

Namia
Song: Dancing in the Streets
Blake: She made up for last week's eh performance. This was really good and she has the chops, charisma and dance moves. Bonus points for the Milwaukee shoutout!
Rating (out of 5): *****
Mandy: I may be partial to Naima, but she is a full package. Plus CJ clapped and unless you're a Mover, he doesn't care about you. Great!

James
Song: Livin For The City
Blake: Really good. More pure charisma. He knows how to play the crowd. Not his best, in my opinion, but still fantastic.
Rating (out of 5): ****1/2
Mandy: James is a much more tolerable version of Adam Lambert. He is just enough and I love that. He (pardon the pun) rocks!

Should/Will Go Home: (we both agree) Haley

Dancing with the Stars:The Insanity Returns! (3/21/11)

Writer Note: Last season was my first year reviewing this show so I was trying to find a format that worked. This year till we get to about 6 will be when I get into full recap mode. Till then I'll figure it based on the theme.

Well here we go. It's must be spring time because we returned to the ballroom last night. That being said this is quite a cast of characters and will be alot of fun this season. But here's the kicker this week, there is no elimination this week. Tonight was almost a feeling out kinda night. The total votes from last night's show will be combined with the votes from next week's show and then the lowest number will be eliminated next Tuesday night. There's alot to get to, let's get to it...

Chelsea/Mark
Dance: Foxtrot
Song: King of Anything (Sara Bareilles)
Judge's Score: 21
My Rating (out of 5): 3.5

Wendy/Tony
Dance: Cha-Cha-Cha
Song: I'm Every Woman (Chaka Khan)
Judge's Score: 14
My Rating: 2.5

Hines/Kym
Dance: Cha-Cha-Cha
Song: Club Can't Handle Me (Flo Rida)
Judge's Score: 21
My Rating: 4

Petra/Dmitry
Dance: Foxtrot
Song: Don't Know Why (Norah Jones)
Judge's Score: 18
My Rating: 3.5

Romeo/Chelsie
Dance: Cha-Cha-Cha
Song: Romeo (Basement Jaxx)
Judge's Score: 19
My Rating: 3

Sugar Ray/Anna
Dance: Foxtrot
Song: The Power of Love (Huey Lewis & the News)
Judge's Score: 17
My Rating: 3.5

Kendra/Louis
Dance: Cha-Cha-Cha
Song: When Love Takes Over (David Guetta & Kelly Rowland)
Judge's Score: 18
My Rating: 3.5

Ralph/Karina
Dance: Foxtrot
Song: Ain't That a Kick in the Head? (Dean Martin)
Judge's Score: 24
My Rating: 4.5

Chris/Cheryl (aka Chericho)
Dance: Cha-Cha-Cha
Song: Show I Stay or Should I Go (The Clash)
Judge's Score: 19
My Rating: 4

Mike/Lacey
Dance: Foxtrot
Song: Cooler Than Me (Mike Posner)
Judge's Score: 13
My Rating: 2

Kristie/Maksim
Dance: Cha-Cha-Cha
Song: Forgot You (Cee Lo Green)
Judge's Score: 23
My Rating: 4.5

Overall a good fun start. Ralph and Kristie totally stole the show tonight and became massive frontrunners right from the start. The middle of pack is about what I expected. Wendy was terrified so I think she might be able to save herself next week. The worst of the night was by far Mike who doesn't belong in this world and will not last next week. There are way too many good couples this season to survive.