Culturally Preconditioned

American Idol : Hits from 2000-2005

Carrie - I liked how the short video clip reminded me that Carrie was a little country cowgirl. It was predictable of her to pick a country song despite the vast choice of songs that she had. Her choice of song didn’t appeal to me cause I don’t really know it, but she did sound rather flat throughout the song. Not that it matters though since she has a lot of fans, but will that be enough to make her the next American Idol. I’m guessing No. She will be in this week’s bottom three and she might actually be our surprise boot this week. Performance : 5

Bo - I heart Bo but That was not his best performance. It was good but not excellent (speaking in terms of Bo-standard performances here). It was a great song choice in my opinion. Bo has nothing to worry this week. But I really want to see him really WOW the audience again. Performance : 7

Vonzell - My initial impression of Vonzell at the beginning of this season was she’s gonna be this sassy diva with an “In Your Face” attitude who I was gonna adore. Well, she turns out to be this sweet little singer, but I still adore her. That said, her performance tonight reminds me of Nikki’s performance of The Voice Within from the first Malaysian Idol. Most of the general viewing audience thought it was her best performance ever. But I honestly thought it was a trainwreck. Vonzell’s performance was the same for me. Sorry Baby V. Performance : 4

Anthony - Please. I’m not buying his parent’s sob story and I never really cared for this guy. But to be fair, if there’s a performance to pull him out of the bottom three, that was it. I hate agreeing with Paula but I think that was one of his better performances yet. Still, we don’t need Clay version II now, do we? Performance : 7.5

Constantine - So why does to me, Bo comes off as an honest, true-to-the-bone type of rocker, and Constantine comes off as a smarmy sell-out? I thought Constantine was doing well by ‘improving’ his performance week after week, but I have had enough of his crap and trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. He is not that good, but if America’s not careful, he will be crowned as their next Idol. Performance : 2.

Scott - Oh give me a fucking break. Yet another sob story? Bitch please, I’m not one who buys into pity parties. Oh poor me, I’ve had a terrible childhood, I want to give my son the best bla fucking blah. This is Rupert fucking Boneham all over again. Stop lobbying for votes using these pathetic sob stories. And fuck all you voters for buying his sad story and throwing pity votes down his way (and that goes also especially to all you fuckers for granting Poopert his so much undeserving million dollars too). Go the fuck home, Fat Fuck. You have overextended your stay. Performance : I’m not gonna even acknowledge that.

I know my comments may not go down well with some folks and especially DJs-who-ironically-think-it’s-impossible-for-a-singer-to-appeal-to-some-listeners-and-not-to-others, to them, I’ll let my personal hero, Whatevia Santiago, do the talking :

“Whut-Evv-Err!”

Amazing Race - And isn’t it Ironic, don’t you think?

I was all about ready to declare that even though Rob and Amber are despicable contestants, I would have to say that they are great racers.. Until tonight’s episode that is. Don’t get me wrong, I liked how Rob played his game in Survivor All Stars (in fact, when interviewed by ntv7, I distinctively remember saying that I was rooting for him to win - despite already knowing Amber won the game) cause I thought that was his approach to the cutthroat game, but his true colours really showed on the Amazing Race. His arrogance and rudeness knows no boundary, and as much as I don’t have much respect for that, I definitely have much more less respect for Amber who just latches on to someone with that ugly behaviour.

That said, tonight’s episode was oh so sweet mainly because Romber was owned by the old couple. The show tonight highlighted Rob’s disgusting comments about the other team being stupid, the blind leading the blind, desperate, and him trying to instill ‘fear’ in his opponent, just simply backfired. That has probably got to be the highlight this season so far.

I have a lot of respect for the old couple. I would’ve lost a lot of money if someone asked me to bet on them lasting this far into the game. Uchenna and Joyce deserved their first place win. I am still in awe for Joyce’s determination of shaving her head bald from the last leg (Take that, KKKendra!). I still don’t care much for Ron and Kelly. They still suck in my books. Between their bickering and the whole POW claim to fame, it’s getting old. And in actual fact, if you think about it, Amber is Rob what Ron and Kelly are to Romber. Between the 4 teams left, I would be most unhappy if Ron and Kelly wins the race.

As for the location, I am so glad they went to Turkey! It sure brings back memories (especially where they showed a shot of Burger King - I actually had my first ever Whopper at a Burger King in Istanbul in 1997). I love Istanbul.. what can I say. Part Asia, Part Europe. I just love the city. I had some ideas of some interesting roadblocks, and was kinda disappointed that they didn’t really capitalize on some of the city’s most famous landmarks (the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, the Spice Market, the Bosphorus, the Turkish Hammams) but it was still one of the more interesting episodes yet this season.