Don't put Barack in a box

Members of the artistic set--whether actors or sculptors or musicians or authors--like pretending they know more about politics than politicians. Because of course there's no better way to understand politics than spending your working hours in a studio.

Just as most non-artists have no idea how hard it is to create good art, so most non-politicians have no idea how complicated politics is.

Journalists, though, should know better. Which is why Holland Cotter's an idiot for suggesting that Barack Obama is lagging behind behind artists when it comes to talking about race.

His article sounds good, but let's be serious--Obama has done more to bring topics of race into the national discussion, and has better ideas about addressing problems related to race, than any artist you might catch in a gallery near you.

To play it any other way is just being silly.

The Topic Is Race; the Art Is Fearless: Recently a new kind of Mythic Being arrived on the scene, the very opposite of the one Ms. Piper introduced some 30 years ago. He doesn’t mutter; he wears business suits; he smiles. He is by descent half black African, half white American. His name is Barack Obama.

On the rancorous subject of the country’s racial history he isn’t antagonistic; he speaks of reconciliation, of laying down arms, of moving on, of closure. He is presenting himself as a 21st-century postracial leader, with a vision of a color-blind, or color-embracing, world to come.

Campaigning politicians talk solutions; artists talk problems. Politics deals in goals and initiatives; art, or at least interesting art, in a language of doubt and nuance. This has always been true when the subject is race. And when it is, art is often ahead of the political news curve, and heading in a contrary direction. ...

Today, as Mr. Obama pitches the hugely attractive prospect of a postracial society, artists have, as usual, already been there, surveyed the terrain and sent back skeptical, though hope-tinged, reports. And you can read those reports in art all around New York this spring, in retrospective surveys like “Wack! Art and the Feminist Revolution” currently at the P.S 1 Contemporary Art Center in Queens, in the up-to-the-minute sampler that is the 2008 Whitney Biennial, in gallery shows in Chelsea and beyond, and in the plethora of art fairs clinging like barnacles to the Armory Show on Pier 94 this weekend. ...

In a 1980 performance video, “Free, White and 21,” Ms. Pindell wore whiteface to deliver a scathing rebuke of art-world racism. In the same year Ms. O’Grady introduced an alter ego named “Mlle Bourgeoise Noire” who, dressed in a beauty-queen gown sewn from white formal gloves, crashed museum openings to protest all-white shows. A few years later Ms. Piper, who is light skinned, began to selectively distribute a printed calling card at similar social events. It read:

Dear Friend,

I am black. I am sure you did not realize this when you made/laughed at/agreed with that racist remark. In the past I have attempted to alert white people to my racial identity in advance. Unfortunately, this invariably causes them to react to me as pushy, manipulative or socially inappropriate. Therefore, my policy is to assume that white people do not make these remarks, even when they believe there are not black people present, and to distribute this card when they do.

I regret any discomfort my presence is causing you, just as I am sure you regret the discomfort your racism is causing me.

Sincerely yours,

Adrian Margaret Smith Piper...

In a television interview a few weeks ago, before he formed plans to deliver his speech on race, Mr. Obama defended his practice of backing off from discussion of race in his campaign. He said it was no longer a useful subject in the national dialogue; we’re over it, or should be.

Cotter gets it exactly backwards--Obama has never said we're over race in this country. To think that an intelligent black man could believe that is every white person's dream, their 'I told you so' silver bullet.

What Obama's been trying to do is get people to look beyond his race when judging his fitness to be president, which, as far as we know, is not a job that requires scruity of someone's race. To get to a point where every discussion of him doesn't mention his race.

It's too bad that Cotter seems to only value and assess the works of these black artists in terms of their contribution or lack thereof to the discussion of race in this country.

Lucky for us, Obama's candidacy is about so much more.

Agency classifies U.S. military as terrorists

The Post has a startling article up, hidden behind a horrible headline. The gist is the terminally dysfunctional U.S immigration service has decided to temporarily stop enforcing nonsensical rules while it figures out what to do.

If this sort of thing were affecting anyone but immigrants, there'd have been a huge outcry years ago. But as is par for the course in this area, nobody seems to have cared until the Post found a particularly-embarrassing case.

U.S. to Hold Off On Green Card Denials Based On Terrorism, Karen DeYoung in the Washington Post: The U.S. immigration service said yesterday that it will temporarily stop denying green cards to refugees and other legal immigrants on terrorism grounds, placing their cases on hold while it determines more "logical, common-sense" rules for judging them.

The decision will potentially affect thousands of pending applications for permanent U.S. residence. The cases of hundreds of others who have been denied green cards since December will also be reexamined, said Jonathan "Jock" Scharfen, deputy director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. All the applicants are living in this country under refugee or other visa provisions or political asylum.

Most of the applications involve people linked to groups that U.S. immigration and counterterrorism laws have defined as "undesignated terrorist organizations" because they took armed action against a foreign government. The groups include U.S. allies that fought against former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein and the Taliban government in Afghanistan, as well as Burma's military junta and Sudan's Islamic leaders.

Scharfen said that USCIS recognized the illogic of admitting immigrants under one provision of the law and then labeling them terrorists for green card purposes, calling it a "very good question." At the same time, he said, the restrictions are "written so that the definition of a terrorist organization and activity is very, very broad." Even groups that have been "closely associated with the United States," such as Montagnard tribesmen who fought with U.S. forces in Vietnam, "fall under the definitions."

In addition to the Immigration and Nationality Act, restrictions are contained in the 2001 USA Patriot Act and the 2005 Real ID Act. The laws, Scharfen said, "cover groups that are opposed to the government. Any government."

Although there are waiver provisions, they are cumbersome and rarely used. Denials and delays in processing applications -- with determinations made by the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department -- have been sharply criticized by many in Congress and by nongovernmental immigration groups.

"USCIS is right to review such cases, especially for people in Iraq and Afghanistan who have helped the U.S. and suffered persecution for doing so," said Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), who chairs the Judiciary Committee's subcommittee on immigration. "It would be tragic to prevent such people from receiving the full protection of our immigration laws because of a harsh interpretation of laws that should be used to go after true terrorists."

The catalyst for yesterday's decision, Scharfen and other officials said, was a Washington Post article last weekend about a translator for U.S. forces in Iraq. Saman Kareem Ahmad, 38, arrived in the United States under a special visa program for those assisting the nation's war effort, after his life was threatened in Iraq. He had received commendations from the secretary of the Navy and then-Maj. Gen. David H. Petraeus, now the top U.S. commander in Iraq, as well as strong support from Marine and Army officers with whom he had worked. Ahmad was later granted political asylum, but his application for permanent residence was denied last month on grounds he had once served with Kurdish military forces that fought against Hussein.

The USCIS letter denying Ahmad's petition said that the Kurdistan Democratic Party forces fit the definition of terrorist, based on information it had gleaned from public Web sites, because KDP forces "conducted full-scale armed attacks and helped incite rebellions against Hussein's regime, most notably during the Iran-Iraq war, Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom."

The KDP, a U.S. ally, is now part of the elected Iraqi government, and Ahmad teaches Arabic language and culture at the Marine Corps base in Quantico and other military facilities, working with Marines who are about to deploy to Iraq. Although the letter said the denial could not be appealed, Scharfen said yesterday that Ahmad's case is now "under review" and should be resolved "in a matter of days."

Idol cuts to 9

They run the exact same promo for the songwriting competition that they did last week--why would they do that right off the top? They can't cut a new promo? Sheeseh.

Medley is as bad as it usually is, Syesha busts out halfway through, she and Ramiele seem to have become friends. Back, Ryan talks about how well the Idol downloads do on iTunes, they show what's essentially an extended commercial for the downloads, complete with the contestants praising iTunes.

FOX is going to kill the golden goose, they don't need to do stupid things like this that eat up show time. The camera work is horrible, hard to figure out what's going on.

They waste more time, then get to the elims. Chikezie up first, is indeed in the bottom three, as he himself thought. Brooke White next, it means she'll be fine; she is. Carly Smithson next, unfortunately it looks like she'll be fine. She refutes the pregnant rumor; and is safe.

Hmm, almost zipped past the Ford commercial. It's pretty cool, actually, you don't really see them, but they're 'singing' on t-shirts, CD covers, etc. David Archuleta next, he's fine of course. He brushes off Simon's remarks yesterday, Ryan just zips him over to the safe area. David Cook, he's fine too of course. Syesha Mercado, she could still be in trouble despite the reviews... she's in the bottom three.

That means it'll be Kristy Lee Cook in there too. Michael Johns is next, he's fine. Ryan says the others will be meeting Dolly Parton for sure, somehow I don't think either Syesha or Chikezie care about Dolly. It's been a pretty white year so far, from the Beatles to Dollywood.

Some chick asks Chikezie if he's single, says he's currently very very single. Hey, this segement's pre-taped, weird--guess it's a screening thing. David gets asked about his odd song choice, says he loves it, and that he did actually pick it. Some chick asks what she needs to do to take Ryan's job, Simon predictable replies well, you don't need a lot of talent.... Some chick asks Brooke if she could do a duet with anyone who, she says John Mayer. Another dumb question, and then it ends.

Kimberly Locke is back, so odd that they've got her performing, from season two. Her CD cover looks pretty airbrushed. The segment with her is boring, and goes on forever, the predictable weight struggle gets spotlighted. Yet another infomercial.

They do something else about Idol's charity efforts last year and where the money went in the U.S. Ramiele goes up next, she should be fine, she's her usual nervous/slightly quiet self on elimination night, and is safe of course. Leaving Castro and Cook to come out together, it should be KLC for the umpteenth time.

But Kristy's safe, Castro is in the bottom three. Ryan gets them all up and standing next to him. Three non-whiteys, Jason keeps talking about how he knew this was going to happen, goes back to the stands after Ryan tells him he's safe. Chikezie gives Syesha a sweet peck on the cheeks, he's really cool--I'm going to be sad to see either go.

Back from break, Ryan is just burning time, chats with Simon. He says you chose the wrong song, that's why you're here. Paula and Randy jump in to push Syesha, Simon says he didn't like the song.

And Chikezie's gone... that sucks. It's interesting, there has never been an overrated black contestant who's lasted on the final round--if you're black, you have to legitimately have good vocals, and even then your support often doesn't last long.

If you're white or a cute Asian American girl (or guy in one case), you can get by on other things; and can find plenty of excited fans to support you, even if you have a lot of bad weeks in a row (or never have a good week).

Curious if any of the judges will ever point this out... maybe we'll have to wait for Barack Obama to say something.

Singing their age on Idol

It's only been a week, but it feels like forever since Idol was last on; not sure why. At any rate, Paula's in some fancy outfit and Simon's in the usual t-shirt,out comes the top ten looking like a bunch of kids.

They're singing songs from the year they were born; 1987 for Ramiele Malubay, her parents say she used to bite kids. She's pretty cute, talks about singing at her cousin's debut (filipino's are obsessed with that). Hearts Alone... good choice I think, dramatic/hushed start for her, in black skort with boots; powers through the chorus. A bit off-key key, but has a big pop feel to it; I enjoy it. Randy mentions she's a bit sick, thinks it's too big for her, and pitchy. Paula likes how big her voice is, even though she's sick. Simon has a smile on his face, doesn't think it was that bad, gets a hand from the crowd, a bit shrieky in the middle; you'll get through again. Cuteness isn't as affected by being sick, she'll be fine.

Jason Castro next, born in 1987, his parents remember his annoying fake guitar. Singing Fragile, playing the guitar too, in usual coffee house outfit. It's an okay choice, a bit wimpy. A bit thin vocally too, not sure about this, it's a bit repetitive and not challenging. Randy liked the choice, calls it allright, not so creative, but nice; Paula says not bad, Simon rips him, you've had two bad weeks and you need to start taking this more seriously, you're too laid back and in your own world--you could be the winner, you won't if you keep playing like a subway busker. Simon's totally right, Castro's been a bit too chill. He admits he could've spent more time practicing if he wants to do this, says his playing was a bit sloppy.

Syesha Mercado, also born in 1987. Her parents says she cried a lot as a baby. Says she's goofy most of the time, doing If I Were Your Woman, in white top/skinny jeans. Hate the camera work on her, it's disruptive; song is slow and powerful, and dramatic. Song isn't great though, good choice but the song only takes it so far. Keep waiting for it to bust out, and it does, near the end--she has a great voice, it's a good performance, just not my cup of tea. Also, just another in a line of great vocals from a black female, not sure it'll get her anywhere with the dialers. Randy says the best ever from you, stellar, unbelievable, shocked, proclaims we have another competitor. Paula says this is when you became the darkhorse candidate; Simon says the end wasn't that great, you hit the limit on your vocal on this song.

Chikezie next, talks to Ryan about song selection, he was afraid of doing another ballad, but the music guys said go with your heart, so he picked a song that resonates with him. Born on 9/11/85, super-cute as a kid, his mom said he was singing Stand By Me. Talks about growing up with Nigerian culture in America, focus on faith and education. Really a good guy, big smile. If Only For One Night. In sportcoat, a bit pitchy at the start, but very sincere, emotional performance. I like this side of him, but he's definitely off-key a bit. Not sure this Ruben R&B thing is his thing; it's a bit boring for me, and his voice is thin. Crowd seems to like it; Randy says this song felt old, didn't love it, no vibey Chikezie/energy, kind of boring; Paula disagrees, likes the throwback, great job; Simon thinks it was sung well, but the performance was cheesy, Simon says you're not singing it to the audience, you're singing it to yourself. He's right, the connection seemed a bit staged to me, not natural. No originality says Simon afterwards, I miss your personality.

Brooke White, born in 1983, taught herself to play the piano by ear, misses her family. Every Breath You Take, good choice I think; screws up the start, restarts; in black, it's very dramatic and pure. She's so good at picking songs that match her voice; it's a bit odd, though, like she's doing a classical musician's take on the song, just her on the piano with some band backup. Feels a bit rushed too, she's off tonight. Don't like it, actually, it's just not that compelling, almost like thrown together to be newish--good song choice, executed poorly. Randy liked the front part, didn't like the arrangement, never went anywhere, maybe better just on your own without the band; Paula enjoyed it more than last week's, you're unique vocally and consistent; Simon totally agrees with Randy, just you on the piano would've sounded a lot better. Good enough to stick around, but you've got to work this out.

Back with the two foreigners, Michael Johns up first. Back with a Coke pitch, the sponsors must hate this, they're turning it into a joke. Born in 1978, they're all talking about their astrological signs, mom says he was super-competitive. He seems so staged in the interviews; singing We Will Rock You. Wow... doesn't have the voice for it, too thin, no texture, it's shouty and dumb. But then, he gets more into the song, and it's actually quite good--very energetic, good tone to his voice, and it's like a real concert. I like it, in part because it's a good song, audience just keeps on screaming. Randy keeps trying to talk above it, says finally you nailed it and used your big voice; Paula says you found your right song; funny, so cheesy, but it was his sweet spot. Simon says first time he's seen star potential from him, you just got it right. It's almost like cheating, in my opinion, because the song is so hyper by itself.

Carly Smithson, born in 1983, she had big hair as a kid. Always wanted to be a pop star, she said, her mom backs her up. Total Eclipse of the Heart, the perfect song for her; in black and already looks angry. Her voice is smooth as silk, though. Man, she looks so mad, rips through the chorus--like she's gonna shove this down our throat. She can sing, but has got to work on her performance, it's liable to scare small children. Her body gyrations are really unpleasant, like it's all devoted to pumping out the volume. It wasn't a good performance, she should've just chilled and let her vocals flow. Randy didn't love it, sharp at the end, not the right song; Paula disagrees, Carly is just staring daggers, tells her she could do no wrong; Simon says didn't quite work, didn't enjoy it as much as I thought I was going to enjoy it, you were so tense, just lighten up a little bit.

Back with David Archuleta, born in 1990, who tells Ryan he's missed a few dances at school, might miss prom, which makes the girls go nuts. Ryan asks who he's going to take, he doesn't wanna say. So cute, his mom says his sisters are really close to him; there's hilarious video of them dressed up and dancing to a mexican folk dance, it's hilarious and super cute. Bad song choice, You're the Voice. The song is just not very good, and it's so forgettable--he seems like a little kid, and is off-pitch. He's so uneven week-to-week, wonder if he gets bad advice or something. Randy says it's a strange song choice, but you can sing whatever; Paula asks who the heck is that song from, some Aussie apparently; Simon says sung well in parts but didn't like the performance at all, like a theme park, not you at all, I'd be amazed if you chose the song yourself, it's not you.

Kristy Lee Cook, 1984, says she remembers being two and singing. Oh?! Her dad is the one who talks, unlike all the other parents; he seems cool. Oh gosh, is singing God Bless the USA. It's a brilliant choice, totally matches her voice and it's a good song; plus the lyrics match her target audience. I've never understood who's the "they" that's suppose to take our freedom away? Should really be "we". Also, I think there's a lot more to being an American than "at least" knowing I'm free. I've always thought of it as the kind of song written by someone who likes the way the words sound, instead of paying attention to the meaning. Randy says nice, some pitchiness but good; Paula calls it poignant and respectful, but I've seen better performances from you, watch the pitch problems; Simon says your best performance by a mile, the most clever song choice I've heard in years, it'll keep you in the competition. I don't know, actually; she's been appealing because she's a bit goofy/kooky, this song choice was like she's trying to stick around, like something Carly would come up with. Then again, maybe it's just one of her favorite songs.

David Cook, born in 1982. Her mom seems cool, talks about his guitar. Oh gosh, doing Billie Jean... my gosh, he's nothing if not creative. Slows it waaaaay down, turns it into almost a ballad, emo. You know he's gonna rip into it in a sec, there's tension--it's actually quite good, he's letting it unspool as a story. Almost unrecognizable; her comes the chorus, it's good, he can really sing. Man, totally building the tension, and... interesting, he doesn't wail, just builds it louder and stronger. This is really, really good--this could totally be on the radio. The girls are screaming. Wow. Randy says you're the most original and bold contestant we've ever had, you might be the one to win the whole lot, blazing, molten hot. Paula says she's blown away, you're so smart and brave, right to the edge--you can win this. Simon says that was brave, it was amazing.

Hmmm, do we have a new David at the top of the Idol pecking order?

David Cook
Michael Johns
Ramiele Malubay
Syesha Mercado
Kristy Lee Cook
Carly Smithson
Brooke White
Chikezie
Jason Castro
David Archuleta

After 17 years--he's an American

What is it about journalists tagging non-white people as foreign?

James Agnelos' Hot Off the Presses: The Newsstand Stays: FOR 17 years, a forest green newsstand has stood near the corner of Third Avenue and East 77th Street. For most of those years, a friendly Pakistani who identifies himself only as Malik has earned his livelihood selling newspapers, sodas and snacks from inside the stand’s four small walls.

Pope's backwards Easter message

One of the many things whites often don't understand about discrimination is the concept of us and them.

Blacks, Hispanics and Asian Americans in America feel discriminated against when they're portrayed as other, as an aberration from the norm, as the object rather than the subject, as acted upon rather than the actor, as supporting actors important only for what they bring out in the main character.

It's often language-based; whites see themselves as the arbiter, with a natural right to pass judgment and define the terms for everyone else. Their worldview is always at the center, with all the paternalism that comes with that often-subconscious assumption.

You see this skewed perspective at its most naked in media articles that consistently use variations of 'us' to refer to whites/'mainstream', 'them' to non-whites/'non-maintstream'.

It's especially obvious when it comes to religion--Christianity is us, Judaism sometimes when it's deemed convenient; Islam/Hinduism/Buddhism are other.

I was struck by this recently when reading media accounts of two incidents that illustrate how profoundly divisive Pope Benedict is, and how he's a relic of another age that while past, certainly isn't dead.

German Jewish leader criticizes Pope over prayer

Reuters: The leader of Germany's Jewish community said on Friday she was surprised Pope Benedict could have allowed a new version of a Good Friday prayer for the conversion of Jews.

Charlotte Knobloch, president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, told Reuters Television she could not fathom Pope Benedict putting forward the new decree because he experienced discrimination against Jews in Germany as a young man.

"I would have assumed that this German pope, of all people, had got to know first hand the ostracizing of Jewry," she said. "I could not have imagined that this same German pope could now impose such phrases upon his church."

Jewish groups complained last year when the Pope issued a decree allowing wider use of the old-style Latin Mass and a missal, or prayer book, that was phased out after the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, which met from 1962 to 1965.

They protested against the re-introduction of the old prayer for conversion of the Jews and asked the Pope to change it.

The Vatican last month revised the contested Latin prayer used by a traditionalist minority on Good Friday, the day marking Jesus Christ's crucifixion, removing a reference to Jewish "blindness" over Christ and deleting a phrase asking God to "remove the veil from their hearts".

Jews criticized the new version because it still says they should recognize Jesus Christ as the savior of all men. It asks that "all Israel may be saved" and Jews say it keeps an underlying call to conversion that they had wanted removed.

Knobloch said that she could not envision a continuation of the inter-religious dialogue as long as the old prayer stands.

"The inter-religious dialogue has suffered an enormous setback because of this version and I assume that one will find a way very soon to continue the dialogue, but at the moment I don't see it happening," she said.

"As long as the Catholic Church, that is to say Pope Benedict, does not return to the previous wording, I assume that there will not be any further dialogue in the form that we were able to have in the past," Knobloch said.

That came out Friday; today, we have this in the NYTimes: Pope Prays for Peace on Easter Sunday

Pope Benedict XVI led prayers for peace on the holiest day of the Christian year at a rainy outdoor mass here Easter Sunday, exulting conversions to the faith hours after the Vatican highlighted the baptism of Italy’s most prominent Muslim.

In a prayer before thousands of soaking pilgrims and tourists on St. Peter’s Square, the pope noted that the disciples had spread the message of Christ’s resurrection — celebrated on Sunday — and as a result “thousands and thousands of persons converted to Christianity.”

“This is a miracle which renews itself even today,” he said.

Days after Osama bin Laden issued a threat against Europe that mentioned the pope specifically, Magdi Allam, an Egyptian-born writer protected by Italian bodyguards for his criticism of radical Islam, was baptized by the pope Saturday night and received his first communion. The news about Mr. Allam, a secular Muslim married to a Catholic, was accented by a Vatican press release an hour before the baptism ceremony.

“It was the most beautiful day of my life,” Mr. Allam, 55, a deputy editor at Italy’s largest daily newspaper, Corriere della Sera, wrote in a column on Sunday. “The miracle of the resurrection of Christ reverberated in my soul, freeing it from the shadows of a preaching where hate and intolerance toward he who is different, toward he who is condemned as an ‘enemy,’ prevailed over love and respect for your neighbor.”

Mr. Allam said that he would take the new middle name of “Cristiano.” ...

Imagine if the Pope had made the centerpiece of his Easter address the conversion of a Jew to Christianity.

What are the odds the Times story wouldn't mention that in the headline, wouldn't quote any Jewish leaders, wouldn't present this as in any way problematic, and wouldn't even question who has annoited this man Italy's most prominent Muslim (the fact that a man who's said repeatedly he doesn't follow any Muslim practices can be said to hold that position is itself a commentary on how divided Italian society is).

It sounds ridiculous, but often these biases become obvious if you just substitute the world jewish for muslim, or christian for muslim. Imagine the Pope on Easter trumpeting the conversion of someone like George Soros to Christianity--he'd be laughed at, derided, condemned.

It's especially problematic given, as the Reuters article points out, the anti-Semitic and hateful basis of Christianity's emphasis on conversion.

It's impossible to talk about Christian conversion in a vacuum--Christians may present it positively as evidence of God's love/etc., but the subtext historically and currently is always negative.

Unless you become one of us you are worse, to be pitied, to be acted upon--to be killed, to be jeered, to be shunned, to be rulued, to be evangelized to, to be seen as not fully human.

I have no problem of course with people converting to any religion. But it's ridiculous as Pope Benedict does to use someone's choice to push an agenda and try to beat home a larger political goal.

He's really eroded Pope John Paul's progress in inter-religious dialogue--probably because he doesn't believe he's speaking with peers.

Idol cuts to 10

Ryan's results show intro seems to tease pretty much the same things as last week; they start with some 'news', listing the mentors: Dolly Parton, Mariah Carey, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Neil Diamond.

Wow, totally looking forward to Diamond; the others I'm curious about, but not that jazzed. Then they talk about Idol's song competition, which they're doing again. Group song next, another medley of tunes, sung by earnest contestants tracking the camera's every move. The choreography is cheesy, not sure why they force them to do this.

It's gotta be Kristy Lee Cook leaving tonight, but I hope not--hopefully it's Michael Johns or Amanda Overmyer. Brooke White comes out first, gets the 2nd degree from Ryan, but she's in the top ten. Carly Smithson, who's in the bottom three to some big boos--wow, how great would it be if she leaves tonight!

David Archuleta next, makes the top ten/summer tour as well. Aussie's next, he's unfortunately not going to get kicked, too many people left to mess with. He overacts his surprise/relief/happiness at making it.

Ryan thinks it'd be fun for us to watch the making of the Ford commercial. They're all really cold out on a hillside somewhere. It's an idiotic commercial, some black and white 50sish UFO chase thing.

David Cook up next, he'll be fine, and is. Kristy Lee Cook, just paced on the timing of this she's in the bottom three; and yup, she's back there. Jason Castro next, safe of course. Ramiele Malubay, she'll be safe--and is.

Down to Amanda Overmyer, Syesha Mercado and Chikezie. But back with calls from people, like last week they're directed at the judges, some chick asks Simon why he spends money on cars but not his clothes. Another dumb question, asking about Simon/Paula's kiss from season two, which I don't remember, he says Paula's actually a very good kisser.

Finally one for the contestants, Rameile's last iPod download was R. Kelly I'm a Flirt. Some other chick--all females so far--asks Michael if his experience on Idol has been everything he's thought it'd be, he makes a joke about how apparently he peaked in Hollywood.

Kellie Pickler, who Ryan says has grown in so many ways since being on the show. God she's had so much work done, it's sad--she looks a lot older too. They show the same clips they always do when she comes back. She looks a bit like Paris Hilton, in a red dress; her voice isn't bad, definitely going down the Dolly Parton road.

Back and Ryan's talking about Idol Cares, Elliott Yamin and Fantasia are in Angola seeing what the $78 million raised last year is being used to fight malaria. It's actually pretty interesting, except for the total lack of context about why Angola's in such bad shape. Wow, Elliott gets a newborn named after him, he's in tears--it's a nice moment, he's really a cool guy. There are a bunch of flies in the hospital.

Hmm, out comes Syesha--so it's gonna be Amanda. She's safe, and now Amanda and Chikezie come out together. He looks sick, but is safe right away, he wishes her well. Hmm, they're not doing that thing where they all have to sing.

Carly is safe after the break; curious to see what she does to try and come back next week. And Amanda's gone, Kristy cheats death for like the third time in a row. Big standing ovation for Amanda, now that she's leaving I like her again. Man, she likes sticking out her tongue; I like her quote, every week she's here is another chance to sing in front of people.

She handles it totally great at the end, is gracious and adult. She's got to wait for the band as she launches into her goodbye song, is having totally a good time.

Back with the Beatles on American Idol

They're singing the Beatles, again; 500 people in the studio audience, says Ryan. They introduce them one by one, a lot of crazy outfits tonight. Ryan, for some reason, goes over the rules; catches Randy yawning as he goes to him.

Not just Lennon-McCarthy this week, apparently, songs from the rest of the band as well. Usual inane banter from the judges, a lot of winking from Simon.

Ryan cues the chicks to scream as he introduces clips of the Beatles, getting screamed at. It was a pretty crazy moment in history, here's what I wrote about the Maysles' documentary of their first visit to America.

Amanda Overmyer up first, her most memorable moment so far is the big stage. She's definitely a bit too much into herself, singing Back in the USSR. Funny, the guy at the drums is wearing a polo shirt. She's all in black; I just don't get anything out of this, it's her usual shouty, mumbley, hostile thing. She's going for the whole Janis Joplin niche, but without Joplin's surprising vulnerability or creativity. It's just self-indulgent and dumb. Randy says good song choice, but pitchy to start, 7 out of 10. Paula says sketchy and the timing was off a bit, but when it worked you were authentic; do a vulnerable ballad at some point though. Simon says it was what it was--predictable, a bit of a mess, the same thing every week--try doing something different or surprising; or you'll become boring. She kisses off ballads to Ryan, calling it boring; she essentially says I'm running commercials for my future shows. Uh, okay--what shows?! Simon jumps in, says your tickets aren't on sale yet, you're jumping the gun a big.

Kristy Lee Cook next, looking seriously like a spokesmodel; in black spangly gown, she looks nervous. Ryan starts showing the camera the photos she looks at before performing. She talks about always being in the bottom two. She picked her song based on the title--ah, no wonder she's in danger every week, sheesh. You've Got To Hide Your Love Away; hmm, does an interesting slowed down version, I like it actually. It's powerful and controlled. Ugh, then the pace abruptly changes, it becomes a bit cheesy with the band joining in. And she seems to be having pitch problems. I really hate how she does the chorus, it's just odd. She sings so diffidently, like at arms length, instead of pouring heart and soul into it. But still, it's the best she's done for a while. Randy loves the song itself, calls the arrangement interesting, wants more emotion, a bit too boring/safe, the melody on the chorus is a bit off. Paula says you look great, a little safe, good not great. Simon says you need something like hypnosis, you're not a good performer, like musical wallpaper--you notice it but can't remember it, apart from when you're terrible. She at some point points to Simon and says I can blow you out of your socks, and you know it.

David Archuleta, he's had a lot of memorable moments, good and bad; talks about forgetting the lyrics, he's so sweet about it. The Long and Winding Road. Whoah, perfect song choice, from the get go--such a pure voice, it pierces through; in red sportcoat and jeans. Very sincere and powerfully effortless. Audience is totally into it, Randy is nodding along during it. It's very well-done; not amazing, but good. Girls are just screaming, it's great; Randy says you're back, just take some risks down the road. Paula loves the purity, you came back and that reveals character. Simon says last week was horrible, this week I thought you were amazing, calls it a master class.

Michael Johns next, funny watching him sitting there while everyone was screaming for David, like he wanted him to go away. Ryan does a commercial for iPhone beforehand, it's stiff and awkward and probably not at all what Apple had in mind. Johns talks about Bohemian Rhapsody, calls his own moment absolutely magic. A Day in The Life, he introduces it like we don't know it; really is oblivious in his own arrogance. Nice beginning, it's a good song choice for him; in dark shirt, jeans. Ugh, voice totally breaks on the high noise; he's so smarmy, the way he holds the mike and moves--it's almost laughable, this guy's gonna fall to a bunch of contestants he probably doesn't think belongs on the same stage as him. His pitch is off, the song isn't that enjoyable to listen to, it's self-indulgent and just doesn't connect; part of it is how me milks the lines, lengthens out the end. Randy says not one of your best, bad choice; you have a big voice, just let it do its thing. Paula says maybe the monitors in your ear problem, you're losing the connection with the audience. Simon says it was a mess, notes off, sort yourself out and nail the songs. Ryan wants Paula to go on about the ear pieces more--the hilarious thing then is Michael isn't wearing them, Paula now says there is not excuse, you've got to raise the game. He says afterwards he wanted to dedicate the song to a friend of his who died--uh, so he wants people to remember his friend via his bad singing?

Brooke White, in yellow; Ryan calls her the sweetest person alive. She's got family from Nova Scotia, got to see them this past weekend. Loved singing Let It Be; it was good, hope she can match it. Doing Here Comes the Sun--man, she really picks the perfect songs for herself. It's a complete performance--voice is in great form, outfit fits, it's all so smiley and fun, she's relaxed and natural out there. Some timing problems, it feels like; audience is up and clapping. Some funny dance moves thrown in too; she really seems to be having a good time up there. Randy says awkward, you didn't really connect to the song--Brooke keeps chiming in, it's a bit weird; Paula says you can't help but smile; hmm, a bit of a look of death from Brooke, she's not really smiling as Paula says could've been more challenging, less safe; Simon knew the whole thing would be like a cliche, calls the performance terrible, she keeps trying to talk over Simon, then goes on and on about her song choice. Kindof a mess. Afterwards she keeps talking says she'll go back to what she does best, I have a plan; man, her voice is really grating, and her personality is a bit too much. I'm now down on Brooke.

David Cook, he liked singing on the big stage, felt euphoric, nothing could hurt me. Daytripper; in black. Hmm, it feels like a real rock conert from the get go; he's totally confident, goes out and performs like a pro. I'm not crazy about the song itself, and his performance is a bit mechanical for me. But well done. Ugh, in addition to the guitar, starts using this bizarre mechanical device that messes with his voice. A bit much there, just thrown in. He too, like Brooke, is swelling maybe a bit too much; Randy says maybe not your best performance, but solid. Paula says you're ready to go sell records. Simon nails it--I don't think that was as good as you thought it was, you looked a bit smug in the middle, and that thing in the middle was just stupid. You've lost the element of surprise, didn't like the version, a bit predictable.

Carly Smithson, liked singing last week. Singing Blackbird, in red. Good song choice, strong and slow to start. She definitely has a good voice; I'm not crazy about the song itself though. Again, it's weird how angry she looks when she's singing; the audience is hollering, but I thought it was okay, very mannered. Wow, her husband is totally tattooed. Randy liked it, nice and controlled and emotive and cool. Paula likes her voice, likes how everyone's pushing everyone else. Simon says didn't like the song choice, called it indulgent, doesn't like the song. Carly jumps in, says the lyrics spoke to her, the music industry breaks you down. Oh jeez. There's a bunch of stuff, it's all pointless as Carly yammers on. She got sevens tattooed on her fingers... jeez.

Jason Castro, talks about Hallelujah, and the bad last note, which nobody else cared about. Ah, singing Michelle, funny watching him try to learn French. Maybe not the smartest tool in the shed, but a nice guy. White shirt and jeans; hmm, he's walking that line between corny and pleasant to listen to... I don't know about the song choice, he's not bringing anything interesting to it, either. It's a bit too smooth, thought he'd slow it down, do something different; oh well, it's totally fine, just nothing great. I'm a bit disappointed. Randy says bit subdued, just allright, no real connection, Castro admits it was just allright; Paula likes his charm, thinks he gets a little disconnected away from the guitar, an intimate song became almost like a polka, very sing-song; Simon says it's a weird song tonight, maybe bad idea to do Beatles two weeks in a row, your face sold that, lucky it's not a radio show; you're very charming, not obnoxious, have a good goofiness.

God, this show tonight is just dragging on. Simon's totally right, lightning can't strike twice. Syesh in a weird green dress; her memorable moment was being in the bottom three, says she needed that kick to get her going. She's singing Yesterday; wow, good song choice. She brings a nice simplicity to it, even if she's rushing a bit. Should just let this song flow out, almost let the audience afraid of what comes next, a bit too fast I think. But voice is strong, and pure, and heartfelt. Like she's telling a story; even if the glitter's a bit distracting. Hmmm, trying to do some things with it as it goes on, just sing it... I like it, overall. Would rather have heard Archuleta sing it, though. Randy says very very very good performance tonight; Paula says it's great to see you being vulnerable, sets you apart, just work on connecting more with your eyes--I totally agree with that. Simon says it was your best performance so far, not incredible, but good song choice, Brooke should've done it, sold the song well, should keep you around.

Chikezie next, he remembers Hollywood first round best, got good feedback from judges. I've Just Seen a Face, claims he's just gonna pick up a new instrument. Wow, his voice is really quite pure; I don't like the song, don't think it's that great; but the pick works for him, the lyrics are just unspooling. A bit rushed, actually, at the start; wow, lets loose on the harmonica, the song suddenly speeds up and changes in part two. He's a bit out of control, I think, like a crazy hillbilly; it's fun, though, and he's really pouring his soul into it. You can't help but enjoy it, he's just wailing. Not as great as last week, but fun again. Randy says some good parts, slow part was weird, good energy, harmonica thing was odd; Paula says you're showing who you are, loves the purity of his ballad part plus the crazy stuff; Simon says started okay, harmonica was horrible, weird country thing, too crazy, a bit gimmicky.

Ramiele Malubay last, I hope she just sings a slow, soulful song. Says it's a good stuck with the other peeps, says Brooke is like the mom of the place, David Cook gives her pep talks; again, can we see more of this?! Doing I Should've Known Better. Oh no, not up-tempo. Wearing a crazy white hat, weird outfit. Hey, I like the attitude, and all the head movements, and funky dance moves; it's only cause she's small and cute that she can pull this off. I'm totally enjoying it, even if the singing itself is a bit boring. She should dance even more; I like the updating of the song, it's all fun. She finishes strong; another very glittery contestant. Randy says liked it, good confidence, happy song if not great; Paula says better than last week, like the ballads though, get back in that zone; Simon says it sounded like Chikezie was on harmonica--I like you, but amateurish, you chose a mediocore song that didn't show the best of your ability.

I agree with Simon, doing this two weeks in a row made it hard for them, especially with everyone telling them what geniuses the Beatles were. They weren't--not the way Dylan or Sondheim are.

They were great because they were the ones singing the songs, it fit them to a T; but it's hard, really hard, for others to cover a Beatles song well, they're all so closely tied to that time, to that band.

Better, actually, to sing Lennon's post-Beatles songs, or their later non-mop top works. None of tonight's performances are going to stick with me, really, not the same way songs from past rounds have (Hallelujah!)

Still, better than any round from last year.

David Archuleta
Ramiele Malubay
Syesha Mercado
Chikezie
Brooke White
Carly Smithson
Jason Castro
Kristy Lee Cook
Michael Johns
Amanda Overmyer

Urban oasis

Photo of West 110th Street Playground in the Times by Sara Cedar Miller/Central Park Conservancy

American Idol cuts to top 11

Idol starts with what's basically an extended commercial for Horton Hears a Who, then Ryan gets screamed at by the audience. He tells us we control the action; 29 million votes.

Jim Carey's hanging out in the audience, dressed up as Horton. The commercial goes on, and on, and on. Ryan claims they're changing next week's themes cause of all the calls and emails, to more from Lennon/McCartney. Okay....

Medley is more songs from the duo; it'll either be Syesha or Kristy leaving, I hope it's not Kristy but likely to be given she was horrible and already at risk last week. David Cook sounds like a man singing with boys. Chikezie is just exploding with confidence, he's discovered he can sing with these guys. This is kind of boring for some reason; maybe cause it's all the B songs.

Sanjaya's in the house! And his sis. Back, I zip through all the recaps, and then they're all sitting in the two rows. Carly, Michael, Jason and Syesha--well, one of them, it'll be Syesha. Carly's safe, Michael too, Jason as well.

Syesha comes down--wait, they're asking each of the bottom three to sing; that's crazy. Guess they have to fill the hour somehow. She's about as bad as yesterday, just a weak song and bad choice.

Let's see, say you program a music show--would you give the audience encores of the worst performances, or the best?

The dumb car ad has a political theme, it's shot much more slickly than in years past which defeats the whole point. Song's bad, ad's bad.

Waste more time, they're talking about how Idol's changed their lives--ha, like they go to a Horton premiere event. Some of the clips are recycled from the interviews they used yesterday, it's really boring.

Chikezie, Amanda, Kristy and Cook up next, obviously it'll be Kristy. Ryan pretends to call Chikezie down, everyone knows it's a fake out. Kristy's funny, she asks Ryan where's her microphone, she's ready to sing. And she does, it's no better than yesterday.

Ryan claims they're going to take our calls. Some 12-year-old girl, they already have her question up on the screen, asks an embarrassed Castro if he could be any judge which one would he be, he says Paula, he's the least like her, she's a girl.

Next, some guy asks the judges for advice on auditioning. Then some guy asks when Ryan and Simon are gonna fight for real. Funny, 2 of the 3 questions are about the judges. Now, 3 of the 4, some Brit asks Simon who has more singing talent, America or England. Obviously he says America--well, we have 5 times as many people, it'd be weird if we didn't.

Now back to more music by Brits, with David Foster and Katharine McPhee. She's all dolled up; like her much better now as a singer than I did as a competitor, she's not kissing up to anyone or trying to manipulate the voters. God, it does go on forever, these full-length guest performances are killer.

Well, they've wasted away 43 minutes. Back with group three, one of them could be going home says Ryan. Well, I'd say one of them definitely will be going home. Jim Carey pretends to be a contestant, it's pretty funny actually. David Hernandez will be the third even though Ramielle stands fourth, they're just doing that to mess with people. David Archuleta is obviously safe, to big screams; Brooke is next, she's safe too. Ramielle goes next, then Ryan reviews David, and it's indeed David.

Well, my bottom three matches America's. He makes all the same mistakes as last night in terms of being super cheesy. I fast-forward, and now the three of them hug all around. I'd be happiest if David goes home....

After the break, Randy says it's the right bottom three; Paula says something about this being a really strong bottom three, claims the whole country is talking about how superior this season's been; Simon says it's spot on. Syesha is safe--yaaay.

Maybe it really will be David? Kristy is safe, and wow, it really is sayonara to the stripper! Wow, what a great outcome. There's some weird moment on the goodbye video where the camera is just shakily pointing at the studio ceiling, it's very weird.

Totally looking forward to next week... maybe Carly will go.

Kicking off American Idol's top twelve

American Idol season seven kicks off its finals... with a new, sleek graphical opening that looks very video gamish, a spiffed-up Ryan Seacrest, and--a new set. Uh, okay... who cares. It looks like a giant version of the CBS eye logo. There's crazy lighting, and the band is now perched above the stage. Simon's even got a new type of shirt.

And let's not forget our talent, says Ryan, as they then finally let the contestants out. Everyone's looking new and shiny--and young, very young.

Ah now, the music... the Beatles. Songs by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, to be more exact; maybe the kids'll sing songs they wrote for other groups. Hmm, didn't know they wrote more #1 songs than anyone else; makes sense.

Ryan hypes it up with the judges, Simon is pretty hostile right off the bat. Seven minutes in, and Syesha Mercado's video runs. She remembers a bunch of stuff, we'll see if America remembers her tonight, tough to be the first. Got to Get You Into My Life... in goldish top, black tights; bad song choice, I think--her voice is thin, it's not that melodic, very tricky runs. Some nice performance aspects, but it's pretty disjointed and a bit unsettling to listen to. They have a new 'mosh pit', people are just standing there. Randy says nice arrangement, started rough with pitch problems but smoothed out, be more fun/loose, allright; Paula says some pitch problems, but found your zone, and your big voice came through; Simon is grinning, says better than allright, a great choice of song, looked nervous but not bad.

Man, all the non-whites got early draws. Back with Chikezie, who's styling in a sweater vest, talks about how he used to work security at LAX and with helps from his friends got to search Paula all the time. Seems totally relaxed. Man, he's very likeable, big smile. So cute, family's super-cute. Doing She's a Woman, hmm, not sure about the choice. Starts out hanging out with the band, man, he's turning this into a blues/country song, it's pretty good actually. Big smile, good voice, people are really into it. Whoah, now he's going crazy as the song speeds up; voice is a bit thin, but energy is high, seems to be having a great time. I like it, audience is into it; good pick, a bit nuts but tons of fun to watch. Singing not really the spotlight here, it's more the ride. Wow, where's this guy been the whole time?! People give him a standing ovation, it's totally crazy. Randy is laughing, totally entertained, who knew?! Loved the arrangement, you smashed it; Paula loved it, big risk but you pulled it off; Simon is surprised that he agrees with Paula and Randy, Chikezie is just going wild, it's great to watch; Simon likes how he took over, changed his game to match the moment, terrific. Ryan encourages him to go nuts, it's hilarious as they both dance around the stage. Have never seen anything like this in seven years of Idol... feels like a Barack Obama rally, Ryan is out of breath.

Ramiele Malubay's gotta follow this up, she works at a sushi place. So cute as a kid, seems like a pretty tight family, she's gonna sing In My Life. Good pick I think; in black dress with white. Totally different from Chikezie, but has a great voice--I think it helps that she says she's singing this for her friends who have already left the show, it makes her connect a bit more with the emotion. She seems a bit out of breath, must be pretty nervous. Audience is swaying as one, man these two have really cast a spell over everyone tonight. She's swallowing some of the words, it's heartfelt though; not bad, and a huge ending. Randy says kind of pretty, but a bit boring, waiting for something special/interesting; Paula says you look nice, a safe pick but you can do much better, stop holding back; Simon says he was bored to tears, she looks so sad as he says it, calls it dreary, you're better than that. She keeps messing with her expressions, like she got a new face today or something.

Jason Castro next, very likeable guy, a bit of Kellie Pickler in him--his family's from Columbia, totally unexpected. Singing If I Fell; funny, second person to talk about Yesterday, but not sing it. Playing guitar, in white; hmm, good choice, does something interesting with it, plays with the syncopation. He has total control of the song, playing with the audience too. It's a total pro performance, vocally varied. Bit too much closing of the eyes, almost an affectation, but I enjoyed it, has a nice modern feel to it but true to the roots. Randy liked it, no love cause too much messing around with the melody; Paula disagrees, felt his heart in the way he rearranged the song, emotional connection carries through; Simon questions that, a bit too much student in a bedroom at midnight, boring--big fan, but not as good as last week, need better song choices. Ryan and Simon have a little back and forth, Simon tells Ryan to be careful after he plays off the whole student's room at midnight, implying otherwise tables are gonna get turned.

Carly Smithson, who I'm confident America will start to dislike the same way I have. In blue top, Ryan's chatting her up beforehand, asks her about how they've all got new apartments, her roomie is Amanda Overmeyer. See, why isn't that stuff televised?! They talk about her shopping list instead, for god's sake. Singing Come Together, which she says she sings every week at her bar. Okay.... I wonder if one of the rules with Sony BMG was they had to repeat the name of every song three times. Wow, she's pretty powerful, the song really drives--her voice is totally pushing out, almost an angry version. Hate how she does the chorus, this affected big voice part, then a preten quite voice part. Gosh, now she's just screeching. She seriously looks like she's freaking out, not sure people are gonna like it, it's so mannered. Crowd cheers for her, Randy likes how it was strong, confident, all in tune, stellar performance; Paula says she felt like she was watching a star; Simon says you've been choosing the wrong song, until now. Hmm, so her niche is angry screed? Simon says he's reminded of Kelly Clarkson from six years ago. I sense they're gonna try and push Carly on us, like Simon pushed Katherine McPhee two years ago.

David Cook, doing Eleanor Rigby--should be very interesting. Bartender, loved it but happy to be here. They show him smashing a guitar for publicity shots, kindof weird. In black leather jacket; man, he's totally turned this into a rock song, very up-tempo. He's totally authentic, again he's totally found a way to make an old song interesting; audience likes it. A bit boring, keep expecting him to bust out--and here it comes... it's pretty fun, audience is screaming, he is too, but it's actual singing, great ending too. Randy likes it, a bit pitchy at first, but you rocked; Paula says you're the darkhorse, loved it; Simon thought it was brilliant, Paula's right, if this show is about talent not popularity you could win the whole thing.

We've seen some really good performances tonight, Idol is definitely back. An almost unrecognizable Brooke White, she's lost all trace of hick girl. Singing Let It Be, another perfect song choice for her. Wow, she's really blossomed on the show; beautiful, husky start as she plays on the piano, chic gray dress, new hair. It's just nice to listen to, compelling, hushed at the right time. Randy's got a big smile on his face listening to it, audience is swaying back and forth. Builds to a big ending, she lets loose a bit. Randy says not your strongest performance, but loves the heartfelt aspect of it; Paula says this is your niche--Brooke is crying a bit; Simon says one of the best performances of the night, brilliant choice, it's believable. She's so happy talking to Ryan afterwards, he points out she's got bare feet, he goes to bring her her shoes, Randy and Simon start messing around with him for that.

David Hernandez, who with his professional cheesiness I predict is gonna fall flat tonight. Same hometown as Jordin Sparks, so far no strip club photos, he's pretending his job tie is to a pizza bistro. I Saw Her Standing There... sheesh. Dressed like a school, said he was going to work the stage--and totally is, lots of experience at it. Minces across the stage, I really don't like his style, like Disney. His voice sounds strained and just too smooth by half to me. Some pitch problems too. Randy says it was too overdone, Paula says you know I love your voice, he says I love you too, everyone laughs, scale it back, bit too much; Simon says no, no, no; corny verging on desperate, rabit in the headlights, just not very cool. Ryan says it's been stressful for you (ha!), did you overanalyze, he says nah, I'll hopefully do better next time.

I really don't understand why every ad on Idol isn't hip and aimed at teens--that's their core, crazy audience, so many of the ads are lame. Amanda Overmeyer, Ryan again asks her about behind-the-scenes... hmm, so why not show that? There's this invention called the camera.... Wearing striped black and white pants, black top. Hmm, she's actually not a nurse, more of a medical saleswoman. You Can't Do That; says she's never heard it before this week. Hmmm, good opening notes--but then so much mumbling, and attitude, and growling. Like Elvis doing the song; enunciation really is horrid. A bit too much flailing, and almost like she's bought her own kool-aid. I don't like it; you really can't understand her, can't just carry the audience through on energy/personality. Randy's chuckling, loved it, props for changing it up; Paula says you're a star, everyone's great tonight; Simon says not as good as last week, only understood 30% of what you sang, a lot of slurring and shouty, but--then Simon and Paula get into it--he continues you're like a breath of fresh air. Amanda's becoming a bit complacent, like she's so into her own world.

Michael 'Two First Names' Johns, after Ryan plugs iTunes again. Has held a lot of jobs, including as tennis coach, they show him kissing up to a client, it's funny. Across the Universe, says it helped him through some stuff. In black sportcoat, white shirt; he also looks angry. I guess people from Commonwealth countries often are. It's okay, kind of boring, almost like he's saying it more than singing at the start. His body language is a bit 'I'm a star, watch me and fawn'. Randy says not your best, waiting for something big--I think he started strong in the competition, has totally fallen off. Paula likes his inner strength, quiet confidence, standing there doing nothing but singing; Simon agrees with Randy, should've done more--like the Irish girl, whose name he can't remember--gotta let yourself go, still a big fan but frustrated we haven't heard big things from you yet. Ryan gives Paula another chance to lobby for him.

Kristy Lee Cook next, she looks a bit like Helen Hunt. Eight Days a Week, country-style, she hopes Simon likes her taking a risk; in sparkly silver top, jeans. The tempo is a bit too fast, it makes me feel frenetic and nervous. Yeah, this doesn't work, feel like she's just rushing, and not really in tune with the music. She's just trying to power through--it's just really off. And her voice is getting swallowed up, she's just trying to make it on personality but it's totally off. Randy is laughing, like the arrangement and the idea, but you were trying to force runs in, not that great; Paula didn't like it, is painfully slow trying to get it out, never really does, I just didn't get it; Simon calls it horrendous, like Dolly Parton on helium. Brave but foolish thing to do, just didn't work, like a ghastly country fair with a couple of banjo players. Ryan tries to pin it on Simon's advice, Simon very calmly responds, Ryan tries to get Paula to speak, the two of them battle, Ryan says when you're host you can run this thing; Paula doesn't really stick up for her despite Ryan's best efforts, says she has a fan base that's huge. So why was she nearly voted off last week?

David Archuleta closes. Mom's from Honduras, clips of her dancing are hilarious, dad is a jazz musician. Interesting that we have four Hispanics in the final twelve--I predicted it a year too early I guess. We Can Work It Out... not sure about the song choice, he should've gone with something classic. In black, a bit of attitude, I think he flubs some of the lyrics, is probably nervous. Forgets more words, and not connecting with the audience as a result; plus, swallowing some words. He'll be fine in the voting, but the competition is now officially wide-open. The Finals are a totally different beast than the early rounds, he's really struggling. Randy says you weren't on-point, forced, didn't quite work; Paula says not your best week, but you're still a front-runner, don't let forgetting the lyrics show on your face; Simon says that was a mess, lyrics, bad version, expect something incredible it was your weakest so far.

All in all, a great first week--three performances I and the judges really liked, plus I enjoyed Jason's and Ramiele's. It's anyone's competition, if as Simon says it turns out to really be about talent (and not who has a giant fan club, or who the judges are pushing on us).

Chikezie
Brooke White
David Cook
Jason Castro
Ramiele Malubay
Carly Smithson
David Archuleta
Amanda Overmeyer
Michael Johns
David Hernandez
Syesha Mercado
Kristy Lee Cook

Inside Hillaryland

Arrogance, obliviousness, a belief that you can spin away facts... it's all there in this latest strategy by Hillary Clinton to implant in voters the idea that you can have your cake and eat it--just vote for Hillary, and get Barack Obama too.

The response from the Obama camp is typical, too.

Washington Post: Edward G. Rendell, the governor of Pennsylvania and a Clinton supporter, countered by arguing that "the traditional role of the superdelegates is to determine who's going to be our strongest candidate."

In the same "Meet the Press" program, Rendell became the latest member of Clinton's team to suggest that she would pick Obama as vice president if she wins the nomination. She mentioned the possibility last week, and former president Bill Clinton spoke of it at length during a campaign stop in Mississippi on Saturday.

Daschle said Obama does not have "any interest in being vice president," because "he's going to be our presidential nominee."

"It's really a rare occurrence, maybe the first time in history, that the person who's running No. 2 would offer the person who's running No. 1 the No. 2 position," Daschle said.

Words in the wrong places

The Times on Sunday--the best, and the mediocore.

Thanks for doing the math
Dennis Lim's Centenarian Director’s Very Long View:

WHEN referring to the Portuguese director Manoel de Oliveira, it is now — and has been for some time — customary to affix the phrase “world’s oldest active filmmaker.” The operative word is “active.” Mr. Oliveira, who turns 100 in December, has made at least one movie a year since 1990 (when he was 82). ...

The cultural critic Edward Said, in his writings on “late style,” identified two versions of “artistic lateness.” One produces crowning glories, models of “harmony and resolution” in which a lifetime of knowledge and mastery are serenely evident. The other is an altogether more restless sensibility, the province of artists who go anything but gently into that good night, turning out works of “intransigence, difficulty and unresolved contradiction.”

Inside Sacks' mind
David Coleman's In Praise of Early Adapters :

IF you were to say that Oliver Sacks, the neurologist who has made as much sense of the human mind as any writer has, has a passion for objects and subjects whose appeal is less than obvious, it would not really be an understatement.

It might just mean you are not especially imaginative — not able to fathom, for instance, why Dr. Sacks would want a favorite picture of a cuttlefish on the cover of a paperback edition of his book “An Anthropologist on Mars,” even when, as his own publisher noted, it had nothing to do with the book’s contents.

Or that, at the least, you are not familiar with Dr. Sacks’s best-selling memoir, “Uncle Tungsten,” in which he detailed how, during his boyhood in World War II England, he sought refuge in the abstract purity of elemental metals. And he still does. “I love dense things,” he said cheerfully, ticking off the densities of tungsten, iridium and platinum.

He also loves ferns and cycads, believing that plants that make a garish show of their sex organs — what we call flowers — are perhaps a bit vulgar. “I feel that flowers are Johnny-come-latelies,” he said, noting that ferns predated flowering plants by more than 200 million years.

Only in New York
Jennifer Blyer's ‘Prewar’ Apartments, Rising Just Down the Street:

PREWAR used to refer to sturdily built apartment houses with high ceilings, walls so thick you couldn’t hear your neighbors and perhaps black and white tiled floors in the bathroom.

It also used to mean stately edifices built before World War II.

Such fine points apparently have not stopped developers who are building a 20-story luxury condominium at 535 West End Avenue at 86th Street, with apartments of up to 14,000 square feet and prices from $8.5 million to more than $25 million. The developers are describing the building as prewar, both in advertisements that have appeared in recent weeks in anticipation of the building’s opening in summer 2009 and on a large sign wrapped around the scaffolding at the construction site.

Wendy Streule, a graduate student in art history at Rutgers University, noticed the sign a few days ago when she and friends were strolling along West End Avenue.

“ ‘Twenty-first Century Pre-war Residences,’ ” she announced to her friends, reciting the words on the sign. “What war? Are we expecting something else? It’s a bit of an oxymoron.”

TV brings us together
Laura M. Holson's Text Generation Gap: U R 2 Old (JK):

SAVANNAH PENCE, 15, says she wants to be in touch with her parents — but also wants to keep them at arm’s length. She says her father, John, made sure that she and her 19-year-old brother, Alex, waited until high school before they got cellphones, unlike friends who had them by fifth grade. And while Savannah described her relationship with her parents as close, she still prefers her space.

“I don’t text that much in front of my parents because they read them,” she said. And when her parents ask who is on the phone? “I just say, ‘People.’ They don’t ask anymore.”

At first, John Pence, who owns a restaurant in Portland, Ore., was unsure about how to relate to his daughter. “I didn’t know how to communicate with her,” Mr. Pence said. “I had to learn.” So he took a crash course in text messaging — from Savannah. But so far he knows how to quickly type only a few words or phrases: Where are you? Why haven’t you called me? When are you coming home?

When his daughter asks a question, he typically has one response. “ ‘OK’ is the answer to everything,” he said. “And I haven’t used a question mark yet.” He said he had to learn how to text because his daughter did not return his calls. “I don’t leave a message,” he said, “because she knows it’s me.”

Savannah said she sends a text message to her father at least two or three times a day. “I can’t ask him questions because he is too slow,” she said. “He uses simple words.” On the other hand, her mother, Caprial, is more proficient at texting and will ask how her day was at school or how her friends are doing. (Her mom owed her more facile texting skills to being an agile typist with small hands.)

Early on, Savannah’s parents agreed that they had to set rules. First, they banned cellphone use at the dinner table and, later, when the family watched television together, because Mr. Pence worried about the distraction. “They become unaware of your presence,” he said.

Detainee equals terrorist
Scott Shane's The Unstudied Art of Interrogation

HOW do you get a terrorist to talk? Despite the questioning of tens of thousands of captives in Iraq and Afghanistan in the last six years, and a high-decibel political battle over torture, experts say there has been little serious research to answer that crucial question.

American Idol's final 12

American Idol's merging the guys and dolls tonight; here's a reminder of who I predicted would make it, after the first top 24 shows:

David Archuleta
Danny Noriega
Michael Johns
Chikezie Eze
David Hernandez
David Cook

Kristy Lee Cook
Ramiele Malubay
Amanda Overmeyer
Asia'h Epperson
Amy Davis
Kady Malloy

Not bad; only Amy Davis isn't still around.

Ryan has them all sitting around in a circle--oddly, they go straight to Blake Lewis, makes no sense to overshadow this year's contestants. They claim he came so close to winning the title last year. Oh? I remember Jordin winning in a blowout....

He's good, and interesting, doing his trademark weird stuff, oh so confident. Amazing how fast they grow up after this show.

Wonder if in 2030 Blake's style will be the norm in a robot-dominated society. Maybe one day he'll be seen like another Beethoven.

Over 36 million votes this week, says Ryan. Chats up the judges, it's all just a waste of time. It's weird, feel like this year has gone past pretty fast, still trying to get a feel for the contestants. David Archuleta, Jason Castro, David Cook are my favorite guys, Kristy Lee Cook, Brooke White, and Kady Malloy my favorite women.

They're replaying all the guys first, for once I like this part; there really was some pretty good singing.

David Cook up first, and he's obviously in, Ryan says Lionel Richie loved it. Takes the first chair; David Archuleta next, he's obviously in too. All the women are really happy for him as he walks past them on his way to the chairs. Jason Castro next, of course he's in. He's really come the farthest, was hardly shown at all before the top 12 guys round.

Turns to the women, after the break. I've always thought these song clips were better than most of the full performances; they should run these as commercials, how could anyone not wanna watch? My guess is Kady will be in the last pair they show, gosh I hope she makes it through.

Brooke White first, of course she's through--I liked her in auditions, thought she might be too corny. Syesha Mercado stands up next, they ask the judges if she's through, they all say yes, and... she's through. Not a sure thing, but I've always liked her. Oooh, Kady Milloy up next, and she's--cut. Ugh. She's someone I'll always think of as she could've been great, but it just never clicked, somehow.

David Hernandez, and he's in. Hmmm, that means a guy I like--Chikezie--may be gone. Michael Johns, and he's obviously in. Luke Menard is obviously cut.

Back, Remiele Malubay makes it after Ryan messes with her a bit; her parents seem pretty cool. She hugs David Noriega before going over, I guess they're both ethnically Filipino so they got that bond. Carly Smithson makes it, she seems tense for some reason. Amanda Overmeyer, obviously is in, there are three people left and Ryan calls her up first.

Kristy Lee Cook vs. Asia'h Epperson, hang out till we come back from break. Kristy's got the complete package, Asia'h may have the better voice but I think it'll be the horse girl. Simon says it doesn't matter, Asia'h probably cut; and she is indeed cut.

Interesting show; really, the differene between say Asia'h and Syesha isn't much, but one has a chance at big fame, the other has hit their peak. No hesitation about singing, of course--she's a performer.

Danny Noreiga and Chikezie, Danny's crying, says he's so close to the girls. Chikezie makes it, he's totally ready to go home--wow; substance over style. They have a long long hug, Danny is just sobbing. For some reason Ryan calls Danny one of our most courageous performers ever on American Idol. He'll have a niche career after this, I'm sure, will have a strong if small fan base--he's fun though.

Just totally goes nuts during his performance, holds nothing back, it's half hostile, half alluring. I'm disappointed, actually, that David Hernandez made it in ahead of him--Danny's much more interesting. Oh well. Oddly, his peeps don't rush the stage to stand behind him/sing with him.

Gosh, a lot of white people who can't dance seems to be the closing montage. I'm pretty excited, I guess; below's my favorite performances from the top 24 round, followed by the top 12 listed according to who I like best.

David Cook, Hello


Jason Castro, Hallelujah


Brooke White, You're So Vain


Kristy Lee Cook, Faithfully


Brooke White, Love is a Battlefield


David Archleta, Imagine



Brooke White
David Cook
Jason Castro
David Archuleta
Kristy Lee Cook
Chikezie
Syesha Mercado
Carly Smithson
Remiele Malubay
Amanda Overmeyer
Michael Johns
David Hernandez


Incidentally, check out Leonard Cohen singing his own song, Hallelujah. It's absolutely biblical in its impact--strange, powerful, profoundly unique.

Eight women, six spots, three judges

60 minutes with the top eight women; Paula's looking less odd than yesterday. Yet she's still talking haltingly, apologizing for starting the pom-pom hairdoo.

Asia'h Epperson up first, she strikes me as someone who has a lot of embarrassing moments. Something about falling on roller skates. Oh, doing Whitney; in hot pink tank top, weird high gray pants. Good energy, her voice isn't bad; she seems to be having a good time, pretty relaxed. A bit of an oversinging thing going on, and her head movements are really mannered; Paula's up and flinging one arm in the air, it's like her patented dance move. Not bad. Randy talks about recording the song with Whitney, a big challenge but that was hot; Paula says she wasn't sure she'd pull it off, but you nailed it; Simon's laughing, not as enthused--second-rate Whitney at best, Asia'h says I'm not Whitney, I'll take that, Simon says yeah, but no originality, and you couldn't hit the note.

Kady Malloy chats with Ryan before, her worst moment was singing in 9th grade, badly; and tripping and crashing equipment. In blue top; very dramatic look--don't like the song, starts too slow and drags out, Who Wants to Live Forever. She has a big voice, but I think she's off. Gosh, why didn't she just choose a happy, up-tempo, fun thing? No chance for a performance, either, just stands at the mike. Randy says interesting song choice, nice clean song, pretty good, hit the big notes, some of the small notes a bit shaky; Paula says best performance to date, liked her vocal qualities; Simon says better, but no personality on stage, like a robot. She does a mock robot thing, which is funny, she should've done Mr. Roboto. He's looking for emotion, says she may be in trouble. Simon brutally dismisses Ryan's attempt to get him to talk more about her personality, he's right, not everything needs to become a thing.

Amanda Overmeyer, claims burning down her deck was embarrassing. Okay.... In black top, doing her oddly stiff walk, seems nervous belting out I Hate Myself for Loving You. She's got energy, and is really into it, but every so often is overtly watching herself; it's okay. Randy likes it, you're back, sing more like this; Paula likes it all around, right song feels like this; Simon says it was fantastic, nailed it; one of his favorite girl performances so far, he tries to coax a smile out of her. She seems more satisfied than anything else, where's the joy....

Back with Carly Smithson, who recounts some thing about getting stuck at a bar's rail. All in black; mmm, I like it--I Drove All Night; she's a bit off at times pitch-wise, but the song has a sense of driving forward, urgency; odd song choice I think, but she really performs it well, makes it seem like a big moment. Randy likes it; Paula says you're totally into your niche, loves it; Simon says wrong song choice, made the most out of it, song itself isn't great, you're much better than the song.

Kristy Lee Cook, says pretending to be a dog for like a year at 7 was the most embarrassing, had pet rats that used to ride around on her back. Ooooh... perfect song choice, great performance--Restless Hearts. Tone is just right, performance is totally believable, voice just soars out; again with the super red tongue, white/black top and jeans. Nicely done, dramatic, big ending. Randy says he loves her, put the country thing in and it worked; Paula is literally falling out of her chair, thinks it could be a hit on the country charts; Simon says it was good with the country influence, but calls her forgettable. Eh, I disagree--who's gonna forget the dog girl?! Says at best he sees her coming in tenth, she says that's fine with me.

Remiele Malubay, says some kid she liked laughed at a photo she dropped off at his house; in uninspiring gray top, blue short skirt. Doing Take a Look at Me Now, it's just okay--she seems to be having both pitch and timing problems, definitely has a big voice but it's just not that enjoyable for me, not smooth. Randy says what's the deal, big song, we loved you but need your confidence back, don't think so much; Paula says great face, and voice, gets caught up in what she's trying to say and stumbles, it's totally weird and crazy; Simon says because you're so little and cute it was good, but old-fashioned, she's giving him a stare of death, calls it predictable. Ryan trys to probe into why she sang the song, she's like there's just stuff.... It's cute; Danny Noriega is wearing her glasses out in the audience Ryan says, it's a totally weird look for him of course--these kids today....

Jeez, this commercial break is going on forever. Back, Ryan's with the judges, Paula and Simon are leaning against each other, it's all dumb. Brooke White, who as a kid hugged someone who wasn't her dad. Sitting on the edge of the stage, pink top and jeans; man, she's really been doing well, become totally hip, Love is a Battlefield. Another good song choice, her tone is perfect for it, there's urgency and emotion there, and good ending. Randy says it was good, nothing original but interesting; Paula and Randy are off on some side tangent, good choice--Brooke is listening really hard, but Paula is just rambling, something about incorporate the band more; Simon says it worked because you didn't have the band, it was original, and it was great once again.

Syesha Mercado closes, talks about some guy in 2nd grade. Looks good, in blue with hair all poofy; don't like the song though at start, it's too low-energy at the beginning; Saving All My Love for You. She has a big voice, and it swells; it's not bad, but a bit high-pitched and piercing for me. Gosh, she can really sing, though. Randy says good, Paula says lovely, Simon says predictable but good; and that's pretty much it, Ryan asks is she good enough for top 12, they all say yes.

Well, another night where I don't think my precise bottom two get voted off--I think Asia'h Epperson and Kady Malloy will get the boot.

Kristy Lee Cook
Brooke White
Carly Smithson
Syesha Mercado
Asia'h Epperson
Amanda Overmeyer
Remiele Malubay
Kady Malloy

Which 6 guys on Idol will make the finals?

They've chopped the show to an hour, which means less comments from the judges and also shorter commercial breaks. Luke Menard leads off, they're all talking about their most embarrassing moments, he was put in a dress by his sis. He jumps right in, gray shirt and jeans; okay, after 10 seconds I can tell you he's gonna get cut. The idiot is singing Wake Me Up Before You Go Go--it's horrible. Voice is weak, gets swallowed up; it's like such a random pick. Fun song, I guess, but he's totally a lightweight, almost like a parody. Randy says you were off the pitch, rushing, got it together kindof, surprising pick, a bit corny; Paula is also surprised by the song choice, tries to be positive, stumbling so Simon cuts in; Simon says I thought it was weak, a bit girly, there's no chance you'll make it through to the final 12.

David Archuleta next, his moment was his mom having to run up on stage to finish a song for him. Wow, all in gray, playing the piano and singing Another Day in Paradise--wow, his voice is really good, so pure and interesting to listen to. It's a great choice, halfway through he stands up and just sings. Very sincere; man, amazing he's just 16, really has star quality--does seem to have some pitch problems. Big applause from the crowd. Randy likes it, not great, interesting song choice, a bit pitchy; Paula likes the notes being off, makes you more human, perfectly wonderful; Simon says not as good as last week, piano not a good choice; becoming a little gloomy, don't keep singing the sad songs (David's like Imagine is a sad song?)

Danny Noriega says his most embarrassing moment was getting tripped on the stairs at the movies. In black leatherish--oh man, you cannot be serious; he does a totally-over-the-top Tainted Love, it's both horrible and interesting. He's just going crazy, like he doesn't care, doing his thing. Randy says both good and bad, need more confidence--oh yeah, he needs to be encouraged to be less shy! Vocally, Randy says he means, come on, you can do this; Paula loves him, likes his sensitive and spicy side, be true to yourself but get rid of the purple streaks in the hair; Simon thought the whole thing was horrible, absolutely useless, goes off on him. The judging tonight is really crazy, a lot of cross talk.

David Hernandez, doesn't talk about being a male stripper as his most embarrassing moment. Oh, coming out as the sensitive one, soft girly song, all in black; he can sing though, although really it all seems different once you know about his past. Nice rendition of Coming Back to Me Now, just this side of campy, definitely very melodramatic. He's really putting his all into it; vocally is off a few times, but lots of energy. I gotta say I like it best so far tonight, just on a pure entertainment level. Randy says good song choice, some pitch problems; Paula thinks he's getting into the groove, becoming a very good performer; Simon says last week was better, but you're definitely in the finals on the basis of that. David asks if Randy likes his shoes.... Ryan doesn't ask him anything about his background, oh well.

Michael Johns, Ryan asks what his game plan is, he wants to show off his rock/soul abilities. Says he was once dressed up as a kangaroo at a match, got beat up. In red leather jacket, man he's just so cheesy and deliberate in his movements. Like Ace Young, but without his likeability. Don't You (Forget About Me), he's pretty off-pitch at times actually. It's like he looks like he's really into it, but it's all so mannered. Oh well; not horrible, just not my cup of tea, mate. Randy likes it, says so you, good song choice; Paula dittos, perfect song; Simon says liked it, not loved it; big talent, but haven't quite connected and found your moment, likes your soul stuff rather than the wannabe rocker, like you a lot though.

David Cook, who apparently has had some guitar issues. Moment was forgetting a song as a kid. In black; hey, I like it, a slow, rock version of Lionel Ritchie's Hello--then speeds it up, it's amazing, it actually works.... I really like it; the song itself is great, his take on it--including the screamed I Love You!--is true to it. This might be my favorite guy performance of the season so far, down to the eye flutter at the end. Randy says he loved the emo take on a pop song, it could be a hit; Paula loves him every time, calls it fabulous; Simon calls it very brave, and says he loved it.

Jason Castro, worst moment was one of his dreads coming out during a date. Hmm, slow and compelling start, The Baffled King Composing Hallelujah, which I'm not sure I've ever heard--it's really... interesting. Totally different; he can sing, very sincere, and genuine. I like it, not sure what the judges will say; brave choice, Leonard Cohen song. Randy says great degree of difficulty, not bad, good job; Paula says tough song but you made it sound effortless, showed vulnerability--man, Paula is really having trouble spitting out her thoughts, it's a bit painful to watch; Simon loves the Jeff Buckley version too, thought Castro was brilliant, you're getting better every week.

Chikezie finishes up, most embarrassing moment was using a girl's bathroom time after time as school. In sportcoat with pink shirt; has a really nice smile, like Forrest Whitaker; a bit pitchy and off-key at times maybe, but nice rendition of She Fills Me Up. Good energy; not sure if he'll be able to stand out on a strong night, but I like him. Randy says good job overall, tough song choice; Paula loves his personality, vocals were really good, like everyone; Simon asks if that was a Whitney Houston song, Chikezie eventually says yeah, Simon says cabaret, didn't think it worked, not a smart move.

Given that Vote for the Worst is backing Danny, I think it'll be Luke Menard and David Hernandez getting voted off.... It really was a pretty decent night for the guys.

David Cook
Jason Castro
David Archuleta
Chikezie
Michael Johns
David Hernandez
Danny Noriega
Luke Menard