Metro I-4 News

You are browsing the archives of 2008 March.

First, let me say here that I am not a big basketball fan. Not of the NBA, and not a great deal of the NCAA. There are a couple of teams that I would have enjoyed watching, but my beloved Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles didn’t have a great enough season to earn a space in the 65 team bracket, and the South Florida Bulls missed out as well.

It looks like the economic downturn is coming close to home.

It seems as though the programme that I am currently assigned to at the call centre where I work is making some big changes. The client, a national company that many of you are familiar with, has decided to exit the online/catalogue flower and gift business in the next few weeks, determining that it would not be able to make enough revenue to justify the expense. That means some of us will be reassigned to another client within our center, and others may be out the door. The reassignments will be somewhat limited. When I began with the company a year and a half ago, we had seven clients represented in the centre; now there are only five, and a couple of them have scaled down in recent months.

A few among our number are already checking out the classifieds. As for moi, I’m not that concerned for now. I’m good at what I do on the phone; after all, running my mouth is what I have done for virtually my entire adult life. I am on the job every day and on time, and also help in handling other areas within the programme when needed.

We should find out something by the first of April, so I’m not afraid to ask for your thoughts and prayers at this time.

My apoligies to you for the delay in bringing this to you. I try to provide this as early as possible Friday afternoon, but yesterday due to family chores and the fact that I was simply tired after a full day, I didn’t bother getting online. That’s life…

ABC NEWS / This Week with George Stephanopoulos: Three U.S. Senators will appear to discuss hot topic issues: Chairman Charles E. Schumer (D - NY) of the Joint Economic Committee and Finance Committee member John Kyl (R - AZ) will talk about the current economic downturn and their differing ideas on what government can or should do. Then Chuck Hagel (R - NE) will be on to promote his new book as well as talk about Iraq and the 2008 elections. After all that, the political roundtable featuring Cynthia Tucker, Editorial Page Editor of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Time magazine’s Deputy Washington Bureau Chief Jay Carney, Claire Shipman of ABC News, and conservative columnist George Will of the Washington Post Writers Group.

BAY NEWS 9 / Political Connections: Bay News 9 no longer provides advance notice of who the guests or topics will be for Political Connections.

CBS NEWS / Face the Nation with Bob Schieffer: Iraq five years later. Guests will be U.S. Senators and Armed Service Committee members Lindsey Graham (R - SC) and Jack Reed (D - RI). Then to banter about the issues of the day will be Time magazine Washington Editor (and Wonkette founding editor) Ana Marie Cox, Los Angeles Times Washington Bureau Chief Doyle McManus, and Roger Simon, Chief Political Columnist of The Politico.

FOX NEWS / Fox News Sunday with Chris Wallace: Looking ahead to the important Pennsylvania primary, Chris will talk with Governors Edward Rendell (D - PA) and Bill Richardson (D - NM). After the interviews, the weekly roundtable discussion featuring Fox News Washington Managing Editor Brit Hume, Bill Kristol of The Weekly Standard, and Juan Williams and Mara Liasson of National Public Radio.

NBC NEWS / Meet the Press with Tim Russert: The economy and related events of the past couple of weeks will be the focus of this week’s programme, featuring a discussion with CNBC anchors Maria Bartiromo and Erin Burnett. Afterward, a political roundtable with Newsweek editor Jon Meacham, Wall Street Journal columnist Peggy Noonan, Eugene Robinson of the Washington Post, and NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd.

SYNDICATED / The Chris Matthews Show: The questions for this week: If Barack Obama wins the Democratic presidential nomination, will the current debate over race hurt his chances in the general election? And is Republican nominee-apparant John McCain be smart enough to focus on national security issues this fall? The panelists: Chicago Tribune columnist Clarence Page, New York Times correspondent Elisabeth Bumiller, New York magazine columnist John Heilemann, and MSNBC Chief Washington Correspondent Norah O’Donnell.

WEDU-TV 3 / Florida This Week with Rob Lorei: WEDU does not provide advance notice of the panelists who will be participating or subjects to be discussed.

WFTS-TV 28 / Flashpoint with Brendan McLaughlin: Brendan didn’t post anything regarding the upcoming episode of Flashpoint this week.

Next week city officials are traveling to Tallahassee to discuss CSX and other issues. Arriving ahead of the group is a letter from the Lakeland City Commissioners to the Polk Legislative Delegation. It’s an interesting missive. On the face, the Commissioners seek to clarify some issues. The meta-text is that the Commission is willing to bend, but they’d like the State and CSX to bend in return.

The complete letter is presented after the jump. However, I found this paragraph most interesting:

while the City’s adopted resolution stated that no funds should be released prior to the completion of a comprehensive statewide study, we now recognize this position could jeopardize the Orlando metropolitan area’s effort to move forward with the CFCRT system. Given the potential leverage of Federal Transit Administration funds, we would accept a written commitment from the state to re-route freight rail out of our downtown by a date certain as an alternative. 03/20/08 Letter to Polk Delegation

That paragraph is going to be seen by many as caving in to CSX. Groups such as the Downtown Lakeland Partnership have stated the project’s origins are circumspect and it should be canceled. I’ve not read or heard that the groups are anti-commuter rail, but are against this project. The Lakeland City Commission is obviously not on board with canceling the project.

Bright House Cable customers who use Road Runner Internet service might have recently noticed an odd page occasionally pops up. The page looks like a Road Runner branded search page. There is a notice that mentions the page is “powered by Yahoo.”

It probably means you’ve entered an incorrect web URL. Without asking customers to opt-in, Road Runner recently enabled their “non-existing domain landing service.” That means Road Runner hijacks your normal error page to show you their advertiser-supported page.

I found a professor in Texas who had a problem with the Road Runner “service”:

I probably never would have noticed this service had it not malfunctioned on my computer. I still don’t know why it did, and Road Runner seemed both unable to tell me, and uninterested in finding out. The problem is that I wasted quite a bit of time trying to figure out what was wrong with my Internet just to find out that my ISP quietly launched a new service that still seems to have a few bugs. Why not just contact customers and let them know that this new service is about to go into effect and that they can opt out? — Corinne Weisgerber

You can opt-out both the Web Address Error Redirect Service and the Typo Correction Service at the Road Runner non-existing domain landing service preferences page.

Tonight, I disabled all options and everything returned to normal in just a few minutes.

Just days after reports of sextracurricular activities by a Hillsborough County school teacher, here we go again.
Freedom High School teacher Mary Jo Spack was arrested for engaging in sexual activities with a 17 year old student at the high school. This one is even weirder.
The student victim is nearly 18, so you can almost [...]

Big Apple Style Deli Rocks It In Carrollwood
There is nothing like a good deli sandwich. Piled high with whatever cold cut you want, slathered with condiments, dripping with plump tomatoes and chopped lettuce on good ole fashioned baked bread.
I crave this from time to time.
Tampa isn’t necessarily known for its delis. If [...]

Early in my adult life, I enjoyed working 15 years as a radio personality back home in Mississippi and later in Winter Haven. While not blessed with a great deal of talent, I was able to attract a decent audience through a combination of playing the hits and providing information of interest and/or necessity to my listeners.

While I’ve been out of “the biz” for a number of years now, I still enjoy keeping up with what’s happening behind the scenes as well as on the air. So needless to say, I’ve been somewhat entertained this week with the news that two of Tampa Bay’s best known morning drive hosts are likely headed to Hillsborough County Circuit Court over alleged on-air personal attacks.

As he began a scheduled vacation week, Todd Schnitt (a/k/a “MJ Kelli”) of Clear Channel Communications‘ Contemporary Hits powerhouse WFLZ-FM (93.3) and his wife, attorney Michelle Schnitt, filed a lawsuit against rival Bubba Clem (a/k/a “Bubba the Love Sponge”) of Classic Rock station WHPT-FM (102.5 “The Bone”) and station owner Cox Communications. The legal action was filed after Clem reportedly refused to apoligize for what the complaint referred to as “false, highly offensive, insulting or fighting words and defamatory statements” made about the couple during his programme.

Without going into all the sordid details (you can read the 17 page complaint on .pdf file by clicking here), I can say that it will be interesting to keep up with this case and if it actually gets to a jury trial as the Schnitts have requested. Of course, the rules for determining defamation are different for people in the public realm, so my feeling is that much of the complaint is questionable. The two most serious items noted have to do with Mrs. Schnitt, who appears regularly via phone during her husband’s show. “Bubba” has accused Michelle Schnitt of being unfaithful in her marriage, and suggested that the former Assistant State Attorney used her influence to have an animal cruelity charge filed against him following a 2001 pig slaughtering incident on-air (he and his co-defendents were acquitted in a jury trial several months later).

Clem has continued the verbal assults on his morning competitor this week while Schnitt, who also does a conservative-based afternoon call-in show on Clear Channel sister station WFLA-AM (970), is vacationing.

So…where is this craziness going? Stay tuned…

Chuck: Ryan opens the show with a bunch of jibber-jabber. Truth is, I can’t find the remote to turn up the sound. I try to read his lips. I think he’s apologizing to Yoko Ono & Paul McCartney. Then I believe he says the mentors this year are George Martin, Jim Carrey, Neil Patrick Harris, and Lou Diamond Phillips

I finally get the sound on as the Beatles Medley begins. It sounds like the Beatles Love versions of the songs. High points include the silencing of Ramiele’s mic and saving Amanda for “And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.”

Was that a subtle clue?

I’d like to point out that all the talk about Amanda sounding like Janis Joplin is off-base. She’s the chiiillld of Melissa Etheridge. Not the one fathered by Crosby, Stills and Nash. Amanda sounds like Melissa Etheridge playing a Harley Davidson showroom.

They insist on playing a recap, even though everyone watching tonight was tortured enough last night. Of course, they show film of David A’s flub. From two weeks ago. To make up for that mistake, they show film of Chikezie playing the harmonica. Twelve minutes into the show and even I am starting to wonder why anyone listens to the Beatles.

They’re bringing them out one at a time this week. Brooke first. No suspense. She’s safe. They send Carley out before Ryan is ready. She’s in the bottom three?? America is shocked. I’m shocked. Kat Von D is shocked. They say she’s in the bottom three, but you’ll notice only the bottom two are told they have the two lowest vote totals. I think they put the third person in just to scare people into voting for her or him.

Lorrie: I agree. This junk is rigged.

Chuck: David A. He’s in the top ten. Ho hum. Michael Johns. Zooming through. On his knees. Top ten.

During the commercial I wonder how Carley is in the bottom three? I conclude America hates her because she’s Irish. People, we Irish helped build the railroads!

We apologize for that.

Lorrie: SPEAK UP! I can’t hear you over the CSX whistle a block away.

Chuck: Cut back from the commercial to a three minute commercial about the commercial. They ruin the Clash’s Should I Stay or Should I Go. I recommend listening to Know Your Rights to make up for the pain.

David Cook is next. Top ten. No surprise. Kristy Lee Cook! Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Please. Yes, I begged a TV. I have no shame. It works. She’s in the bottom three.

Jason Castro floats to the stage. The Dude is safe. He yells “Tour baby!” Ramiele is up next. Top Ten. Of course, she was going to be safe.

That leaves sYESha, Amanda & Chikezie. My wife predicts Amanda. I predict America’s harmonica players banded together to vote for Chikezie…on the condition he plays trumpet next week. I think they’ll put Amanda in the bottom three.

Then the I Am Legend DVD commercial states you get to see the version they didn’t think was good enough for the theater. I guess that’s better than seeing the Charlton Heston version again.

It’s question time again! Simon is right. It’s a rude question. It’s a silly question. They all are. God. But at least Michael Johns admits he peaked in Hollywood.

It’s Kellie Pickler. Ryan does a bad joke. Lorrie will tell you about it.

Lorrie: No. I won’t. I refuse. But I will say this- Kellie Pickler spent some of her earnings on boobs since her season on American Idol.

Chuck: I call the show and ask if they can go back the question segment.

Kellie sings Happy Birthday, Mr. President to Simon. Wait. I hit the remote to switch to a biography on Marilyn Monroe. I switch back. Pickler’s off. Did I miss anything?

Commercials about Idol Gives Back. No jokes here.

sYESha is safe. Who is voting for her? Amanda & Chikeze walk on stage.
Chikeze walks to the couch. Amanda tries to take a stool. Ryan stamps his feet and demands they let him do his job. He opens the card and pouts that Chikezie is safe.

They bring the three to center stage. Ryan simply says, “After the nationwide vote…Carly you are safe.” No surprise there. Ryan then announces that Kristy is safe. That Amanda is out.

We hear Lorrie whooping for joy blocks away.

Kristy Lee has officially entered the Sanjaya Zone!

Lorrie: As much as I didn’t like Amanda, I liked Kristy Lee even less. I second your Sanjaya Zone motion.

Chuck: Amanda sings out with a reprise of “Back in the USSR.” The band plays six bars of “Jumping Jack Flash” before remembering it’s Beatles night.

That’s it for tonight. We’ll be back next week with a shorter column. They’ll get shorter each week as singers are dropped from the show. By the end of the series it’ll be six words each.

In a world where perception is often considered more important than truth, the USF Lakeland campus scored a coup with a simple pronouncement from Governor Charlie Crist:

“You don’t have to sell me; I’m sold.”

There was a lot of confusion last year when Crist killed money for the campus. It was mistakenly added to a list of projects deemed “turkeys” by Florida TaxWatch. The group advertised their error too late for the Governor to approve the cash.

What followed was a months long campaign to convince Lakeland and Polk County politicians, and area citizens, that the project will be a boon for the metro I-4 area.

It seems to have worked. Both the Lakeland and Polk County Commission have pledged funds to help construct the campus.

The new campus is a good idea. We need a full, four year university for one of the faster growing parts of the state. There is no doubt about that.

However, in the world of politics as usual, one of the main supporters of the campus sounds willing to throw it under the bus in an effort to promote a poorly planned project — the CSX Rail Hub.

However, another booster for the project at the meeting, Sen. J.D. Alexander, R-Winter Haven, said afterward that Lakeland supporters of the project should stop fighting a deal with CSX to bring commuter rail to Orlando and reroute more freight through Lakeland.

“I think it’s important for everybody in the community to understand it all goes together. It’s all important,” he said.

Alexander was asked by a reporter if he was suggesting that the USF campus funding could be trade-bait with Lakeland lawmakers to drop opposition to the rail deal.

“They’re not connected,” he said. “But folks ought to understand that all these things are important.” — Orlando Sentinel

“They’re not connected, but…”

If Alexander doesn’t want the projects connected in the perception of the press and the voters…why bring up CSX at all? If he wanted to talk about how “all things are important” then why not use the opportunity to discuss water conservation, gas prices, or the population boom’s impact on our infrastructure?

Alexander has publicly allied himself with that hub. He seems willing to taint the wonderful work he has done for education because he’s in the middle of a political fight over CSX.

There is no connection between USF Lakeland and CSX Winter Haven. To put that perception into the public mind is an example of the worst of deal brokering.

For those who are not regular readers of Lakeland Local, my wife is the Librarian at USF Lakeland. I don’t run USF articles or editorials past her. She doesn’t ask me to write any. We have had disagreements over the proposed USF Polytechnic campus. (Gist: She’s for the idea. I don’t think it’s the best option.) Please read this personal statement about bias.

Update: 5:44 pm. At 3:19 pm the Orlando Sentinel blog, Central Florida Political Pulse reported that JD Alexander released the following statement this afternoon:

“Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting with Governor Charlie Crist, along with Rep. Seth McKeel, University of South Florida President Judy Genshaft, and Dr. Marshall Goodman, about proposed funding for the USF Lakeland campus. I am very pleased to see the Polk County community rally around this crucial project and present a united front of support for the USF Lakeland Polytechnic campus … With the Governor’s backing and the support of our community, we look forward to seeing this dream become a reality.” — Orlando Sentinel

Aaron Deslatte headlined the article Alexander clears up the record on CSX, USF-Lakeland. Unless Deslatte left something pertinent out of the statement, I don’t see that comment pushing the genie back in the bottle. If Alexander wants to clear up the record how about: There is no connection between USF Lakeland and CSX Winter Haven.

This weekend may be a long weekend for some to celebrate Good Friday and Easter. My family has to work on Friday but we are looking for something to do on Saturday that has an Easter theme. On Sunday, the little one will spend the holiday with her mom, and the teen has [...]

Pre-Show Stuff…
Chuck: “When I get older losing my hair”…no, that’s not how the show started. That was me dreaming. I nodded off after dinner. I guess “many years from now” have arrived.

Lorrie: It’s Beatles weak. Oh no, gentle proofreader- that spelling is correct. I have the feeling tonight’s show is going to bore me into a coma. I predict it will be tough picking a Top Three and a Bottom Three, but fear not- I shall manage.

Chuck: I’m going to try live blogging the show tonight. Lorrie will add her sarcastic well thought out comments afterwards.

Ryan states America demanded we get another week of songs from the “Beatles” songbook. I think America demanded AI not let Kristy Lee sing.

Randy’s yawning. He’s 64, too. Cue up Vera, Chuck and Dave.

I think they’re adding Harrison and Starkey songs so Kristy Lee could sing “Don’t Pass Me By.”

Oh my god. They are explaining the importance of the Beatles again?!

Lorrie: Here’s an interesting aside- If you look closely at the Beatles footage that aired tonight, you can see Chuck as a little boy, screaming right along with all those girls.

Chuck: I can see David A. singing “Within You, Without You” tonight. Bring back the plastic soul, David.

Amanda Overmyer- Back in the U.S.S.R.

Chuck: That’s scary. Half the audience won’t know Chuck Berry. Another half has never heard of the Beach Boys, and only the Reagan-era conservatives remember the USSR.

Lorrie: I think I’ll certify myself as the style police tonight. It makes sense, since I’m a walking fashion icon and all. I think her hair looks the best it’s looked this season, and I like her clothes this week. Anyhoo, before even hearing this song, I think this is an excellent choice for Amanda.

Chuck: Amanda is changing the lyrics. “BOFC? Dreadful flight?” Changing gender also. She sounds weak.

Lorrie: You know, sometimes she truly sounds good. Other times, she just sounds raw. Too raw. Hamburger meat raw.

Chuck: This is Georgia Satellites Sing the Beatles. I would like her to go further in this competition than I think she will. She’s one of the few who fits the “amateur” aspect of the show. Randy and Paula think she’s 7 out of 10 and Simon thinks she was worse.

Lorrie: Paula wants to see Amanda do a ballad? Lord, help us all if that happens. She simply doesn’t have the voice for it.

Chuck: Someone convinced Amanda to speak back to the judges. Simon doesn’t like it.

He thinks she’s jumping the gun talking about selling tickets to a bar show in Lafayette, Indiana, but she sounds like she has a realistic view of her chances. John Mellencamp started by selling out bars in Seymour. Well, she’s no John Mellencamp. Never mind.

Kristy Lee Cook- You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away

Lorrie: I recommend hiding it where you stowed your talent- not a soul in this world has found that yet. I’m being harsh. She has talent, but she’s good, not great.

Chuck: She says she picked it by the title alone?! She heard it only for the first time that
day?!

Lorrie: I cringed when I heard her saying this, Chuck. I had visions of you coming unglued over those comments.

Chuck: She’s doing a lounge version! The crowd is shocked silent! She tries to inject the patented AI up tempo kick halfway through the song. But she isn’t powering it.

Lorrie: She is soooooooo going home tomorrow night. I hate this musical arrangement. Chuck, she’s in her fighting stance again.

THE BEATLES THING IS “KINDA NEW” TO HER?! God, shoot me now.

Chuck, it’s obvious she’s not reading our blog and she didn’t get your memo about how you should never admit that.

Who told that girl to wear a Glad Forceflex bag as a dress tonight?!

Chuck: Simon says she’s not a good performer. The same person who convinced Amanda to talk back, also got to Kristy Lee. She tells Simon she can blow his socks off.

I don’t think she could blow her nose with conviction.

Lorrie: And that is the point where I want to crawl under my couch. She sure is committed to claiming her weekly real estate onstage among the Bottom Three.

David Archuleta- The Long and Winding Road

Chuck: David brought up his lyric flub and they’re rubbing his nose in it again.

Lorrie: Here comes my fave! Awww, he borrowed his daddy’s polyester coat for tonight’s performance. David doesn’t just sing- he can SANG (this is said in my deepest, proud mama, southern accent while waving a hand fan).

Chuck: “The Long and Winding Road.” The long and safe version. He hasn’t walked down more than a short dead end. He’s 17! He can sing, but I don’t believe him and these lyrics.

Lorrie: I don’t love this song, but I love me some David Archuleta.

Chuck: Simon thought he was amazing. Well, baby, I’m amazed Simon thought that.

Lorrie: Paula thinks this was his best performance?! It’s official- this bitch is on drugs. Paula, go crawl in the pill bottle. Chuck, I hope people get your “baby, I’m amazed comment.” Half of last night’s studio audience would not.

I have to say that at this point, I’m really bored with tonight’s show.

Michael Johns- A Day in the Life

Chuck: Michael is doing A Day in the Life? Which part? Lennon’s? McCartney’s? Evidently he chose to go with George Martin’s part.

Lorrie: A day? Really? That felt like he stole a week from me in a minute and a half. That high note in the beginning made my dog bark. And that’s not good.

Chuck: Ouch? He blew the note on “Lords.” He is trying to sing both the Lennon and McCartney bits. Well, I’ll give him points for that. It gives the song that certain bipolar feeling it needs. He messed up the last few lines though.

The director runs tape of David A. from last week.

Lorrie: No matter what he sings, he always reminds me of Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison in The Doors movie. This performance looked like hard work for Michael. It’s like he held that mic for dear life.

Chuck: Simon is spot on…it was too complex a song for 1:40.

Lorrie: Shhhhh….do you hear that Chuck? It’s The Price is Right Music playing, and- wait a minute- is that? Yes! It’s Rod Roddy calling from Beyond, telling Michael to “Come on down!” To the Bottom Three, that is.

Chuck: All of Paula’s complaints turn out to be off the mark. She blamed Michael’s in-the-ear monitors. He wasn’t wearing them.

Lorrie: This is Paula- gah, gah, goo, goo, drool, stammer, stutter, etc., etc.

Pffffffssssst. Hear that? That was a fart. And it made more sense than anything Paula has said all night.

Brooke White- Here Comes the Sun

Chuck: Brooke is singing Here Comes the Sun…and she’s all in yellow. Isn’t that cute? I’m telling you, if the Beatles need anything to capture the younger audience it is to raise their Cute Factor.

Lorrie: Awwww, she looks pretty in yellow. I really love her voice. Oh, I get it. She’s wearing yellow to match her song! Like we couldn’t see that one coming from a mile away…

Chuck: No one mentions George Harrison wrote this? Well, I just have.

Sounds ok, but as my wife just said: “She MUST NOT dance.” She doesn’t. She shimmys like my sister Kate. My dance-challenged sister Kate.

Lorrie: I don’t think this was her best performance, but it’s enough to get her through to the next round.

Chuck: Randy thought she was never connected to the song. Paula likes her low tones. Brooke immediately decides to sing Muddy Waters next week.

Lorrie: I’m speaking to Paula: God. Shut. Up.

Chuck: Simon thought it was weak. She explains she has a plan. Oh, I get it! She meant to tank this week. I’m surprised she didn’t want to sing the David A. version of “We Can Work it Out.” That would have been a plan.

Almost to the halfway point and I realize something. These people are not funny. Who has convinced everyone to talk back to the judges? At least we have less of Ryan fighting with Simon.

David Cook- Day Tripper

Chuck: David Cook is doing Whitesnake’s version of Day Tripper? It starts with a redhead writhing over a car.

Oh no! Two mics! He’s going to use a vocoder!!! Sorry. I’m having Frampton flashbacks.

Lorrie: Chuck, here’s where I hate that I’m giving you the first word and I’m taking the last. Now everyone is going to think I’m copying you and that I’m not hip and cool in my own right. This was the comment I wrote last night: “He’s goin’ all Peter Frampton on that junk!!!!”

Chuck: I watch the song in fear. I stare at the vocoder microphone — afraid he really will use it. God. He really did. My wife just asked, “Was he actually trying to say something?”

Lorrie: I’m not so sure the vocoder was a good call on this song, but I think this was the best performance of the night so far.

Chuck: Again, they explain the Beatles importance to music. I am in pain. Deep, spiritual pain.

Lorrie: Simon’s said something about David looking smug or cocky. Hello, Kettle! You’re black!

Carly Smithson- Blackbird

Chuck: Carly sings Blackbird. She’s going for a thoughtful, deep sound. The audience thinks she is doing Freebird. They start to sway. Where are the lighters?

Lorrie: Her shirt reminds me of the Rose Parade.

Chuck: The judges will love this. Randy “Another great performance” - Paula gives her an “F” …for Fantastic? — Simon doesn’t like it. She tries to explain the lyrics to Simon. Lost cause.

Lorrie: Her eye makeup looks so pretty tonight! Randy used the word “cooliosis?” Whatever.

Jason Castro- Michelle

Chuck: Jason Castro is up after the break. Gives me time to….get some Suzy Q’s.

Dude. The rest of this review will be mellow. I love you all. I’m high.

A sugar high.

What did you think I meant?

Jason learned French for the song. My French-Canadian wife is cringing every time he sings the French bits. He is doing a bad Maurice Chevalier impersonation. It’s like he’s singing this at midnight in his dorm room. With a towel at the door jam.

Lorrie: Maurice Chevalier? I was thinking more like Peppy LePew. That hand wavy thingy he just did made me feel embarrased. This performance did nothing for me.

Chuck: Simon says Jason’s face sold the song. It sure wasn’t the music. He’s safe though.

I’m going to listen to the Beatles for a solid week to get the bad sounds of this group out of my ears.

Lorrie: Paula’s polka comment actually was funny to me. Dang it! I hate admitting that!

sYESha Mercado- Yesterday

Chuck: She has the key to the song. Scream every SIXTH word. It wakes up the AUDIENCE! She doesn’t make it a unique version, but it’s better than last week. She’s safe this week.

Lorrie: Hey there, Straighty McFlatiron! I like the hair. I don’t love this version of this song. Perhaps I can say this, whereas Chuck can’t (without sounding like Pervy Perverson): that dress and bra made her boobs look really big.

Chuck: The judges like it. Simon thinks Brooke should have sang that song. Why is the girl on the JC Penney commercial stepping on her birthday cake?

Lorrie: Focus on the Idol, Chuck.

Chuck: Ryan finds Paul McCartney in the audience! No, it’s someone’s great-grandfather.

Chekezie- I’ve Just Seen a Face

Chuck: Chikezie claims he is learning harmonica just for “I’ve Just Seen a Face.” I wonder if he can in just a couple of busy days? He starts off way too slowly. I predict he’ll speed up the tempo for the famous AI Speed Bump. He pulls up the harmonica. There’s your answer. He didn’t learn the harmonica.

Lorrie: Chikezie, put down the harmonica and walk away. No! No! Don’t turn around and take one last look. Just. Walk. Away.

Chuck: He kicked up the tempo. He’s mugging for the camera. He’s not singing. This is the multiple personality disorder version of the song. Still, I think he’s safe.

Lorrie: I think he’s really been the biggest turnaround performer for me. I was eyeing him for a trip home within the first two weeks. Now I don’t think that’s gonna happen.

Ramielle Malubay- I Should’ve Known Better

Chuck: Ramiele is singing “I Should Have Known Better.” She’s pretty weak. No energy. She dances like she’s a three-year-old wearing her mom’s heels. Her voice sounds country. A little Dolly Parton mixed with Charlie Pride.

Lorrie: I Should’ve Known Better. You’re darn tootin’! The very first word out of her mouth was shaky.

Gosh, it’s the “I” - every time she sings it, it’s just awful. Hello, Bottom Three.

Chuck: Simon says the singers chose really mediocre songs. Seriously? No, these were mediocre versions of good songs as sung by inexperienced singers.

Chuck’s Predictions

Top Three: Carly, David Cook, and the flashback of Brooke singing Let it
Be from last week.

Bottom Three: Amanda, Michael Johns, Kristy Lee and Ramiele

Yes, I can count. It’s a very rare tie. I think Kristy Lee is gone.

Please America?

Lorrie’s Predictions:

Top Three- Who cares. I’m bored.

Bottom Three- Ramielle, Michael Johns and, of course, Kristy Lee.

This show left me in a bad mood. Perhaps I’ll go buy an iPhone and drink a Coca-Cola and I’ll feel better in time for the results show.

Way back in 1861, the Mayor’s Office (John Jackson?) of the City of Tampa issued a promissory note for $299.58 to pioneer storekeeper Thomas Pugh Kennedy.
Now his great granddaughter Joan Kennedy Biddle wants to collect on the note. With 147 years of interest added at 8%, Biddle says the city owes her $22.7 million.
Nice. [...]