Whine & Cheese

Express Lane: Issue 65

Remembering Tiananmen - The Big Picture - Here's some amazing (as usual!) pictures from the protests and tragedy at Tiananmen 20 years ago - plus photos from today as well. Fascinating! (6/6/09)

Adam Lambert Responds To Clay Aiken's Blogs - "If he wants to ride my coattails, good for him" Oh, snap! Don't mess with a gay man Clay... well, errr... a gay man who's been doing it a lot longer and much better than you! (5/29/09)

Dancing Danny Gokey with the Stars? - Yikes! Before you get too upset, it could be worse... apparently Gokey's fellow Top 10-er, Scott MacIntyre is also interested - hopefully their IDOL/FOX contracts forbid it! (5/27/09)

Samantha Harris to Join Cast of Broadway's "Chicago" - Ok, they've officially just let anyone star in this show now! C'mon, the woman is challenged by having to read off a teleprompter and do basic math! (5/20/09)

Final AI8 Performances, DWTS 8 Crowns Champ

It was a big 3 hours of reality last night, though for the two-hour DWTS finale it was a good thing to time-shift and leave plenty of room to fast-forward, which we did quite a bit and "caught up" way too quickly.

But first, the final IDOL performances for Adam Lambert and Kris Allen...

 Overall, I didn't think it was that great of a show.  The problem being that the contestants had little choice, despite what Adam said, when it came the songs.  It is no surprise that the best of the night IMHO was the first round where the guys encored their favorites from the season... and both picked the songs I would have picked for them.  But I think, Adam had a little advantage with all that mood lighting and fog machine. 

As far as the 2nd round with producer/creator Simon Fuller's choices, well I was not impressed... as he seemed to have forgot that the finalist were two white guys... and he deals them two soulful songs... with "A Change Is Gonna Come" being an iconic song of the civil right movement... so I just don't think it's a song that's particularly effective sung by a white person (there I said it!)... and I will say, I didn't love Adam's spin on it... i.e., screaming, but that's been my quibble with him the entire season and why thus far the only song I have purchased of his from iTunes is "Mad World."  I thought Kris was similarly saddled with a tough R&B "power to the people" song of "What's Going On"... and I was a bit befuddled by criticisms that it was too low-key... it is a peaceful song to start (literally and figuratively) and we're talking Kris here, so I am not sure how Kris was supposed to make it "big" as this finale apparently deserved.

And, as usual, there is no words for the awfulness of the IDOL anthem... and how the same exact song is supposed to be a good fit for both these guys is just silly.  As soon as I heard that the song was called "No Boundaries" there was no doubt in my mind who IDOL wants to win (not that we had to wait for tonight)... or heck, even for that matter it was a bit obvious with their choice of  "A Change is Gonna Come" with IDOL thinking they would be responsible for a groundbreaking moment if a gay guy wins (which granted it kinda sorta would be)....  though I am not sure if Adam does win that'll be the song he'll be wanting to sing that piece of dreck from Kara and friends (I suspect Kelly Clarkson doesn't have "A Moment Like This" on her concert playlist.. and does anyone else think Kara just got stranger and more cartoon-ish as the season went on?).

I think either guy could win. I thought Adam won the night pretty convincingly... but Kris is not the kind of "artist" that is going to deliver a knock-out punch... though he is my personal preference in the type of music I like to listen to... as mentioned, just bought 1 Adam song, 4 of them from Kris.  Pretty much everything I read from the "pros" and friends, seems like this should be a slam-dunk for Adam... but I think Kris will get a lot of support from the middle of the country and he will certainly get more of the Gokey vote (which appears to be considerable given the bespectacled one's run this season)... so my guess, kind of like the DWTS finale last night, is that Kris will pull the upset. 

And speaking of which, I was a bit surprised that Shawn and Mark pulled it off.  I will not shy away from my Twitter status that I thought she "didn't stand a chance."  While a very good dancer, I just didn't think she won it in the personality and charisma department.  While there is no doubt that she is a very nice girl (unlike her snooty seeming US gymnastic teammate Nastia!!), she just seemed quite shy and not enough to pull off the win in that department against someone like Gilles, who pretty much had it all... except maybe that he wasn't American (not that I think that was the deciding factor, after all Helio won).

Samantha Harris provided the most offensive moment of the night... right before the announcement was made, she noted that Shawn "in the past few weeks you have risen to the level of a true champion"... now I shouldn't blame Samantha, she was likely just a victim of writer's joke to see if she would actually read what was written for her... but I am glad that after having that great and utter disappointment of winning an Olympic gold-medal in one of the premiere sports of the Summer Games, that Shawn finally had the opportunity to get a taste of what it feels like to be a true champion.

Anyhow, the Ballas-Hough DWTS dynasty stretches to 5 wins in a row! 

So yes, Gilles would have been a more deserving winner (oh, so glad Melissa came in 3rd... as she really did stretch that definitiono of a "star" to the limits... you know I love my reality TV, but I place the romance sub-genre in an outer circle of oy!/oh brother!)... but I was fine with Shawn winning... and that's pretty much how I feel like the IDOL finale, pretty much fine with either way it shakes out... and then there's always that realization that none of this has any impact on my life.. at all!

Express Lane: Issue 64

American Idol's Danny Gokey Sets His Sights on Eyewear - Surprise, surprise! But Gokey states he was doing his "heart" hand gesture long before the recent wave of Lenscrafter ads doing the same thing. (5/15/09)

Derek Hough: Dancing With Footloose? - Seems like both Dancing Houghs are under consideration for roles in the re-make of the Kevin Bacon 80s classic... though very likely only one will get it, since the characters are (ick) love interests. Derek also notes he and Mark Ballas may follow Julianne's lead and take time off from DWTS to pursue a music career (Booo! don't bite the hand that feeds you!) (5/7/09)

The 2009 Kentucky Derby - The Big Picture - Guess that says it all... the always fine TBP pix from this year's Run for the Roses. (5/4/09)

Obama's Book Club Is Back: Netherland - I've pulled off the rare "O" book double ... reading a book just before Oprah (with 'Edgar Sawtelle') and now Obama picked it! (4/29/09)

Human Landscapes From Above - The Big Picture - Been lagging a bit in my TBP postings, but these aerial shots (from the same guy who did the London series) are pretty awesome. (4/29/09)

Julie Chen Is Pregnant - I'm pretty much through with 'Big Brother' but may just have to check in with the Chenbot to see the cylon - errr... baby bump. The Chenbaby is due in October. (4/22/09)

DWTS Rants

Ok, time for a little ranting about Dancing With The Stars... don't worry I still love it, though there are a few things that are starting to grate on me. 

First off, I think the "stars" need to undergo a rigorous medical examination prior to competing in the show... include full body x-rays!  Heck, these days the "stars" can't even get to the first episode... but I am tiring of the show turning into General Hospital... ah, the good 'ole days when someone would just faint on live television!

... which leads to my next "new rule"... if you can't perform live on Monday night, you are off the show!   I know this is entertainment, but if a tennis player can't go on the court they are not getting a potential pass to the next round on the hopes that they may recover... or a gymnast isn't getting scored on a taped warm-up routine.  Again, I know the show has to run a certain number of weeks... and ABC is certainly not going to end their big ratings bonanzas early, but they have to figure some other way of dealing with this.  Steve O survived the week of his injury and I'm guessing Melissa will do the same... and if for some reason anyone goes but Ty/Chelsie (who actually gave one of their better performances), it doesn't seem fair.

And alas, I am sad to report my love affair (chaste, of course!) with Julianne Hough might just be over. 

I feared this might happen when it was announced that she would be dancing this season with her real-life boyfriend, Chuck Wicks, on this supposed season of love on DWTS (which didn't quite work out with Jewel leaving hubby Ty on his own from the get-go and real-life lovers pros, Maks and Karina, not lasting long). 

Basically, young people in love are annoying... and young and beautiful people in love are even more annoying!   Now, they haven't been too cloying... but still enough that it is starting to rub on me and Julianne certainly doesn't have that objectivity in working with Chuck (understandably so, but still). 

Also, Julianne had this whole purity, goodness and light, virginal thing working for her... but that's just been blown to pieces (though I think other DWTS pairings have generated hotter/sexier chemistry)... but I kind of preferred Jules in innocent Mormon girl mode... instead of thinking her rumba is ... as Mark Ballas referred to it once... a vertical expression of a horizontal act.  I mean I'm no prude... good for her (and Chuck too), they'll make beautiful babies together... but I don't like imagining them trying... haha!

However, what bugs me the most is how cynical I feel about the pairing.  Since Julianne released her first country album, she's been threatening to take off a season to pursue her music career... which she readily admits is her first love and the thing she really wants to do... so pretty much suggesting she's a "singer who just happens to dance" vs. "a dancer who just happens to sing."  (On a quick sidenote, and based on just a couple of songs... I think she's a competent/good singer, but a better dancer).

That kind of attitude always bugs me... the whole "oh this is just a stepping stone" thing... same thing on IDOL when booted contestants are already have their album planned, their Grammy won, and the world tour planned....

What we suspect (allegedly!) happened this season was that producers wanting to get their golden girl back on the show ... offered to have her boyfriend on the show, who while known in the country music community could probably use his own PR boost of his own... while country music isn't my most listened to genre, I am pretty familiar with who's successful... so kinda sorta maybe thought I had heard of Chuck, that's certainly all changed now. 

So again just makes me cynical about the whole thing... and I will be the first to admit that I am putting Julianne on a higher and double standard here and shouldn't faulting her for doing what it takes to get ahead (and her boyfriend ahead) in the business... but it still bugs me.

DWTS8 Finals Predictions

Thanks for sticking around, just in case you haven't been checking out the sidebar and wondering about my disappearance, I was/am sick... actually, our house has been sick (well, except Rocky... though there was that one day when he vomited 5 times that required clean-up.  Note to self:  train dog to vomit on TILE only!).  But anyhow, Todd started feeling bad the weekend before last... I really kicked in with things last Wednesday night... and we are both in recovery mode.  The worst of it was a very bad night (the worst I can remember in recent years) to kick it all off with fever and chills and repetitive dreams and pretty much no sleep.  Still some lingering congestion and coughing, but hopefully a few more days and it will have worked its way out of both of us!

Okay, onto Dancing With The Stars.  As long time readers will now, I like to make predictions of who will make the final based on only 1 performance.  I have been reasonably accurate in the past, but if last night is any indication, I am not sure it is much of a challenge since I seem to whiddle down the potential teams pretty easily.  So let's get choppin'...

DWTS never keeps around the models very long, brainless reality stars don't have a great track record either... so I doubt late replacement, Playboy reg Holly Madison is going to stick around for long.  She actually wasn't bad (and a shame we won't get to see much of new pro Dmitry Chaplin), but again just not the type that sticks around without superior dancing or personality

Even with Jewel out, I don't think DWTS' whole "husband vs. wife" angle would have lasted all that long as Ty Murray's boots are made for walkin', not dancin'.

Steve O did much better than I expected, but the fact that he did take it seriously, worked against him.  Though not sure if the acting crazy stuff would be any better.  He's not going to be a good enough dancer and I just don't see him connecting with any of the demographics that watches the show.

Normally I would pencil in NFL players to the final, but Lawerence Taylor seems to be lacking both the dancing ability and/or charisma that got likes of Jerry Rice, Emmett Smith, Jason Taylor, and Warren Sapp far in the competition.

Ok, I have already run through the gone-gone and she's doesn't have the beat jokes, but as with most of the "mature" woman on the show, Belinda Carlisle doesn't seem to stand much of a chance... and she doesn't seem as crazy devoted or deluded about it as some of those other have either.

And alas, Steve Wozniak is no surprise to round out my list of immediate no-consideration votes.  Again, give him all credit for stepping outside the box/comfort zone... but his time is short. 

Onto my next round of cuts, these aren't as knee-jerk "out" reactions... but I don't think they'll make it either...

One of the better teams of the night was Lil Kim and Derek, but she's certainly a bit of spitfire and I don't think her personality will keep her around to the end, no matter how good the dancing is... modest usually wins over confidence on this show and Lil Kim was having none of that on the premiere

Before the show started, my gut told me Denise Richards would stick around for a while and while she may, I don't think she will make it to very end.  She's trying to be this season's Brooke Burke... but it was pretty clear she doesn't have the maturity or composure or ability of last year's champ.  I think fan fave Maks, might keep here in for a bit, but it won't be enough.

The biggest surprise of the night was David Alan Grier.  The comedian did a far better job that I ever would have imagined, but again I question the fanbase that will keep him in and/or I have a feeling his weaknesses will be more on display with the Latin dances. 

And my last will likely not make it to the "end" end, is the other replacement "star" Melissa Rycroft.  Now I know nothing about the whole Bachelor fiasco other than what's made it onto the entertainment news programs and stuff like GMA, etc... plus entertainment websites... so probably more than I would or should know.  I know the dumped Melissa has the sympathy of the world it seems (and more importantly a major DWTS demo who watched The Bachelor!).  But I know I am also tired of hearing about all of it, so I think there is gonig to be some kind of backlash about her... and this is now her 3rd reality show (pre-Bachelor, she was in a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader reality show), so that never sits well the whole 'famous for being famous' thing.  She did dance pretty well though, so who knows.

Okay, so that's my process of elimination, let's see who is left! 

And even these teams, I have some reservations with!

There seems to be no reason that Shawn Johnson and Mark should get to the end, but I think we remember the shocker of Mark and Sabrina Bryan being ousted early a few years back and I am getting that vibe off of them as the clearly dubbed favorite to win this season.  Also, I think Shawn has to work the personality a bit more.  I know she's young, but seemed a bit word-less last night.

I wasn't that blown away by Chuck Wicks and real-life girlfriend Julianne last night... but she since is the sweetheart of the show and Chuck certainly looks to be an upstanding gentlemen, I sense this couple will be sticking around for awhile... unless everyone gets tired of them.  I think Julianne has stayed cute and innocent without crossing into annoying territory, but a real-life romance playing out this season may test that.

The final, and quite pleasant, surprise of the last night was Gilles Marini.  We don't know much about him other than being Samantha's often-naked Malibu neighbor in the movie version of Sex and the City... but ay carumba!   Or I should say c'est magnifique?!!  The guy has something and like little know Cristian de la Fuente, I have a feeling that Cheryl will be keeping the hunk around for a while.

DWTS8 Cast Pix

After the messy Dancing With the Stars cast announcement post... this one should be quite reliable as once the couple gets photographed for their cheesy "official" photo things are pretty locked in!

Here they are!

Shawn Johnson w/ Mark Ballas

Lil' Kim w/ Derek Hough

Chuck Wicks w/ Julianne Hough

Denise Richards w/ Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Jewel w/ Dmitry Chaplin

Ty Murray w/ Chelsie Hightower

Steve-O w/ Lachey Schwimmer

Lawrence Taylor w/ Edyta Sliwinska

Belinda Carlisle w/ Jonathan Roberts

David Alan Grier w/ Kym Johnson

Gilles Marini w/ Chery Burke

Nancy O'Dell w/ Tony Dovolani

Steve Wozniak w/  Karina Smirnoff

Express Lane: Issue 61

USA cancels 'The Starter Wife' - While it certainly wasn't brain surgery, it was still a cute and fluffy show led by the charming Debra Messing... so a bit surprised it got the cut after just 1 post-mini-series season. (2/12/09)

Joanna Pacitti out of 'American Idol' - This ouster is not a huge surprise for the gal gal previously dropped from a record label, friends with execs at 19 Entertainment (Idol's production co.), and rumored to be dating DWTS' Mark Ballas (reason enough for me to get rid of her!). (2/12/09)

China's Lantern Festival, And An Unfortunate Ending - The Big Picture - What a transition in this photo set from the beautiful celebration to a 40-story hotel under construction being set accidentally ablaze by stray fireworks. (2/11/09)

Bushfires in Victoria, Australia - The Big Picture - TBP isn't always fun stuff... here their usual collection of stunning pics from the devastating fires in Southeastern Australia. (2/10/09)

Etta James Takes Shots at Beyonce & President Obama - Stand back folks we got a cat fight on our hands: "I tell you that woman he had singing for him, singing my song, she gonna get her ass whupped" (2/5/09)

ABC Will Announce Cast of DWTS 8 During Prime-Time Sunday - Eschewing 'Good Morning America' for the cast reveals, Tom Bergeron will pop up and drop the "star" names over 3 hours of ABC's Sunday (Feb 8th's) line-up. (2/3/09)

Cable Provider Apologizes For Porn Interruption - We were a bit skeptical when Todd's parents told him about this during a post-Super Bowl phone call, but crazy enough it was true! (2/3/09)

DWTS8 Partners! (Revised and Re-Revised)

Wasn't sure I was going to get to a post today... had some work come in (a very important Dora the Explorer project!) and plus I had one of those delightful "What's new?" Facebook requests from a good college friend I hadn't been in touch with in about 15 years... ah, where to start?!  But you know me, I managed... though only with a small/medium amount of rambling!

Anyhow, I have finally found out the celebrity partnerships for the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars, which I now find to be just as exciting as the "star" announcements. 

For you So You Think You Can Dance fans, there is another cross-over "pro" - Chelsie Hightower.  Lacey Schwimmer is also back (though I don't like her chances of lasting too long this time around).  I had read Dmitry Chaplin would also be joining the show this season, but I don't see him on the list, which I should add is "unofficial" since it's not off the ABC website. 

UPDATE (Wednesday late afternoon):  Go a whole different list/order?!!?

UPDATE (Thursday - OK, below are allegedly the *final* pairing according to Entertainment Weekly via ABC!)

Anyhow, here's they are:

Belinda Carlisle w/ Alec Mazo Louis van Amstel Jonathan Roberts (EW confirmed)

David Alan Grier w/ Chelsie Hightower Edyta Sliwinska Kym Johnson (EW confirmed)

Jewel w/ Derek Hough Dmitry Chaplin (EW confirmed)

Shawn Johnson w/ Mark Ballas (yeah, Mark will probably stick around this season!  sort of confirmed by paparazzi pix of them leaving practice studio)

Lil' Kim w/ Tony Dovolani Derek Hough (EW confirmed)

Gilles Marini w/ Chery Burke (with the exception of Wayne Newton, Cheryl always seems to do pretty good for herself, though who know about Gilles except that he's hunky - confirmed on his Facebook page)

Ty Murray w/ Edyta Sliwinska Chelsie Hightower (EW confirmed)

Steve-O w/ Lachey Schwimmer (again, not a good draw for Lacey this season after Lance - confirmed on Jimmy Kimmel)

Nancy O'Dell w/ Jonathan Roberts Tony Dovolani (confirmed on Access Hollywood )

Denise Richards w/ Maksim Chmerkovskiy (certainly the hottest looking couple, though we'll see if Denise is serious/hard worker that Maks thrives on - confirmed on GMA)

Lawrence Taylor w/ Karina Smirnoff Edyta Sliwinska (EW confirmed)

Chuck Wicks w/ Julianne Hough (real-life boyfriend & girlfriend - confirmed on ABC)

Steve Wozniak w/ Kym Johnson Karina Smirnoff (EW confirmed)

It will definitely be a "season of love" on DWTS this season... with a bunch of real-life couples... married (Jewel/Ty Murray)... engaged (Maks/Karina)... and dating (Chuck/Julianne).

Will post couple pix when I stumble onto them!

DWTS8 Cast Revealed

Just in case you missed the "name drop" sprinkled through 3 hours of ABC primetime television and haven't scoured the Internet this morning,  here is your cast of the next installment of Dancing With The Stars.  With the exception of one, I don't know the pro match-ups but, of course, will add them in once I know.  So here you go!

Belinda Carlisle - Singer and former Go-Go and making me feel quite old as I think she is the "mature" woman on the show this season

David Alan Grier - Comedian, formerly of "In Living Color," more recently seen on Comedy Central's "Chocalate News"

Jewel - Singer, host/judge of "Nashville Star" and married to....

Ty Murray - 7 All-Round World Rodeo champion

Shawn Johnson - Recent Beijing Olympic gold medalist gymnast

Lil Kim - Hip-hop's bad girl, know for outrageous fashions.. the one I most remember was when she just wore a pasty and Diana Ross felt her up before giving out an award

Gilles Marini - The object of Samantha's lust in 'Sex and the City' movie as her often naked and sexual Malibu neighbor

Nancy O'Dell - co-host of Access Hollywood

Denise Richards - "actress" but more well-known of late for a messy divorce from Charlie Sheen and a train-wreck of a reality show on E!

Steve-O - MTV's self-proclaimed "Jackass"

Lawrence Taylor - the requisite former or current football player

Chuck Wicks - country music singer, who I think has gained more attention for his romance with DWTS pro Julianne Hough (who will return and dance with her bf... don't they know reality and romance are a dangerous mix?!!)

Steve Wozniak - Co-founder of Apple...apparently Steve's first stint on reality TV as Kathy Griffin's paramour on the "D-List" wasn't enough!?

Express Lane: Issue 60

Springsteen Calls Wal-Mart Deal A Mistake - Glad to hear The Boss, and champion of the working man (and woman!), express regret and take responsibility for the exclusive deal made with the retail beheamoth for an upcoming greatest hits album release. (1/30/09)

Comeback Kid Kelly Clarkson Makes History - The inaugural Idol is the first person to ever hit #1 with a song with "suck" in the title - also, the largest jump in Hot 100 history (96 spots) and, perhaps most surprisingly, the first Idol to score a second #1. (1/29/09)

Donny Osmond Won't be on DWTS, At Least Not Until Fall - Seems like Mr. Little Bit Rock 'n Roll got caught in a lie! (1/28/09)

More of London From Above, At Night - The Big Picture - It figures the day I go back and post a re-working of one of my London pix, TBP comes out with an amazing set of night pix of London! (1/28/09)

Donny Osmond to Follow in Marie's Dancing Shoes? - Alas the first substantive (if somewhat predictable) casting rumor for the upcoming DWTS season. (1/27/09)

Chinese New Year: Welcoming the Ox - The Big Picture - I've become semi-obsessed with China since our trip to Beijing, so was wow'd by this collection (I even have a very similar - well w/out the Qing Dynasty characters - to photo #21). (1/26/09)

Is This Nadal's "Wardrobe Malfunction?" - Nike hoping to increase clothing sales appears to be the reason behind Nadal's on-court wardrobe change this year... the belief being the "average" person is not going to wear sleeveless shirts and pirate pants. (1/26/09)