Thought I was gonna right an entry on the AI finale, didn’t you? Well, so did I actually. But since I got home early today, I decided.. why not. Let’s just try to enjoy the performances. To tell you the truth, I was on the verge of quitting this show.. not only because of the sub-par talents that we had this year, compared to the previous seasons, but mostly because I am beyond turned off by the judges this year.

The over pimping of the contestants were expected, but they went beyond disgusting this year. Well, they got what they wanted. The two chosen ones, the two Davids, are in the finals. They did not want history repeating itself by having extremely sucky winners who are complete commercial failures (ie. Ruben and Taylor)… so no more missing out on the EggheadDaughtrys and the JennyHudsons this year. But I have never been so disgusted as I was last week. Can they make it more obvious of NOT WANTING Syesha in the Finals? Syesha had, arguably, the best three performances last week (out of the total 9 performances), but nooooo - the judges weren’t going to take any chances. I know they were pushing hard for the Davids to get into the Finals, but they could at least give credit where credit was due.. instead, I hear comments like “that’s why you’re there at #3″, “not good enough for the finals”.. I mean.. where in the holiest fucks of Fuck did that come from? Dis.gus.ting.

Okay, enough said on that. I found both Randy and Paula three times annoying this year.. but I’d still take them over a certain judge in AF. As for the performances tonight.. Both of the first songs tonight, were uninspired, IMO. I mean, both of them had great performances, but I just wasn’t wowed with the two recycled songs. I didn’t pay much attention to the second songs.. but the performances were okay. It did sound like Archuletta sounded slightly better than Cook. The third songs.. ditto. I did think Archuletta did better overall tonight.

Who do I want to win? I could care less.. because both contestants annoy the shit out of me. Okay, let me rephrase that, the FANTARDS of both of the contestants annoy the shit out of me. The Archietards (mostly annoying tweengirls who probably found Sangina endearing) are beyond control. Most annoying fantards ever. As for the Cooktards.. I dunno.. I’m getting the feeling most of his fans jumped on his bandwagon after their personal favorites got kicked out, and they just wanted someone to prevent Archtard from winning.

Personally, I think both of them sounds good, but if I really had to pick, I’d pick Archtard for the win.. because he really has all the makings of a manufactured Idol contestant. So does Cook, but like I’ve said again and again, I just can’t get behind a rocker selling-out by entering an Idol show. PLEASE ALMIGHTY GOD, BRING BACK ROCKFRICKINGSTAR!!!!!! Who’s going to win this? I suspect David Cook will actually sneak in a surprising victory. But will he be as successful as Egghead Daughtry? I have serious doubts. As for Archuletta, win or lose, he’ll probably be as big as (or slightly better than) Glay Aiken.

How do I sum up this season? Well, it DEFINITELY hasn’t been a humdinger because I’ve totally seen better shit than this.

Syesha Mercado - One Rock & Roll Too Many (Starlight Express)

Didn’t really care for her last weekl.. but this week? Loved loved loved it. I personally think this is her best performance to date. And I finally understand why she’s this far along in the competition. I thought that was simply.. wow. 9/10

Jason Castro - Memories (Cats)

I know I’m going to sound like that old Webber coot, but I totally didn’t expect a guy to sing this. I was sure it would be sung tonight, but I did not think it was going to be him singing Grizabella’s song.  I like Jason but he sounded as though he’s running out of breath throughout the song. I still didn’t think it was as bad as the judges made it out to be. (Simon was right though, this did sound like it was forced). And for what it’s worth, I like cats, but the musical Cats is probably one of the most annoying staged musicals ever. 6/10.

Brooke White - You Must Love Me (Evita)

I thought she was gonna pull this one, but the snafu at the beginning (her second in the competition) and the over emoting with the pseudo-vulnerable faces.. was just ick. For fucks sake, this isn’t Akademi Cuntasia where ‘judges’ criticize you for not fully expressing yourself enough on stage. Nobody gives a shit. I’m sorry but I give AI viewers a lot more credit than the local lambs on that other show. (Yeah, I might have given a chance to that show at one time, but that syok sendiri ‘judge’ totally ruined it for me.. singing show ke drama audition tu? Whuteva). And Brooke, sweetie.. Madonna >>>>> you. 4/10

David Archuleta - Think Of Me (Phantom Of The Opera)

WTF was up with all the giggly third graders/teeny boppers going up to the stage and hugging him. How was that necessary? The eye habit comments made was kinda funny, but given the closing-eyes habit versus the eye fucking to the camera, I’d take the closing eye thingy. His performance was actually.. pretty good. Yeah it pains me to say that, but that’s how I feel. 7.5/10
Carly Smithson - Jesus Christ Superstar (Jesus Christ Superstar)

Oh. O.M.G. I was really hoping someone would sing this. Didn’t think in a million years that this would be sung on American Idol, but I’m really glad that she did. Wow.. I’m totally having flashbacks of the Nuffield Theatre right now. Mary Magdalene was the shiznits. Brava, Carly. 8.5/10

David Cook - The Music Of The Night (Phantom Of The Opera)

They are really totally pushing for a David vs David showdown in the Final Two, aren’t they? So what I say is not gonna fucking matter. Except that I thought it was nowhere near as good as the judges claim. 6/10

Who should go :Brooke (that was just… a terrible mess)
Who I want to go :  Archuleta (just to witness the mass suicide)

Who’s probably going : Jason Castro

David PorkChop - When You Believe

He sounded good, but his falsetto was shit. I just don’t like him. I especially don’t like the overpimping. It’s as if the judges are going out of their way to say “SEE? WE TOLD YOU HE WAS GOING TO WIN THIS SHIT!” when the inevitable thing eventually happen 5 weeks from now. 7 out of 10.

Carly Smithson - Ken Lee (Tulibu dibu douchoo)

To tell you the truth, it wasn’t half bad, but I do think she felt short midway through the song. You can’t make help but make comparisons with Mariah’s rendition with this one, so I’m just going to post this random video. 7 out of 10.

Syesha Mercado - Vanishing

Shit, son. She may be able to carry that tune well but man, that was boring. I don’t know what is it about Syesha. She’s like LaToya London.. very very good singers, but leaving me totally unfazed after their performances. 7 out of 10.

Brooke White - Hero

Okay.. who replaced Brooke with a bleating goat? That was not good. She should’ve concentrated on singing and ditch the piano playing. Nastay. 4 out of 10.

Kristy Lee Cook - Forever

Totally interchangeable with Brooke at this stage. Get the fuck off the show already. 4 out of 10.

David Cook - Always Be My Baby

I don’t know.. I still think David is a tad overrated. Not totally loving his performance but between him and PorkChop, I’m really rooting for this David to win. 5 out of 10.

Jason Castro - I Don’t Wanna Cry

Love it. This intrepetation is so much better than David Cook’s, IMO. 7.5 out of 10.

Final rankings for this week :

1. Jason Castro 7.5/10
4. David PorkChop 7/10
4. Carly Smithson 7/10
4. Syesha Mercado 7/10
5. David Cook 5/10
7. Kristy Lee Cook 4/10
7. Brooke White 4/10

Michael Johns - Dream On (Aerosmith)

I’m a Michael fan but his performance kinda bored me during the first halg. I was expecting more from him but it was just alright for me. And seriously, what’s wrong with Randy tonight? His beef with the song choice was ridiculous. He reminds me of a certain ‘judge’ from a certain local ‘popularity show’ (oh please, like you can honestly call it a ’singing show’) who keeps lamenting on penjiwaan lagu and representing yourself in the song and all that nonsense. 7/10

Syesha Mercado - I Believe (Mantasia)

OMG.. I Believe - an inspirational song? *barf* What a fucking cheesy song choice. Ick. I don’t hate the song though, and Syesha actually sang it quite well IMO. The ending was a bit terkucil though, but totally unforgiveable. 7/10

Jason Castro - Somewhere Over The Radio (Judy Garland)

Well I like the fact that Jason acknowledged that this rendition wasn’t an original (sung by some Israel dude), unlike some people. But this Jack-Johnson-inspired performance can only get so much before some people get tired of it. I love this kid, but it was not nearly as good as I would’ve liked it to be. But at least that performance really cemented on the kind of performer that he is. 7/10

Kristy Lee Cook - Anyway (Martina McBride)

Kristy’s got a pretty decent country voice but she ain’t no Carrie Underwood, though. Still, I think despite the slight pitching problems, her performance is getting better and better each week. 6/10

David Cook - Innocent (Our Lady Peace)

Why the fuck was he mushmouthing the first few lines of the song? Nope, I don’t think the range of this song fits him. At all. It was not disastrous, but it was close to being his worst ever performance in this competition so far. 4/10

Carly Smithson - The Show Must Go On (Queen)

Eh.. typical Carly. Not her best, but it was okay. And Simon was correct. It did come off as an angry performance. 6.5/10

David PorkChop - Angels (Robbie Williams)

Super Ick! A Robbie Williams song. I do NoT like him, but Angels is one his few songs that I actually like (and I made a note of this before Simon claimed that this was one of the best.pop.songs.ever, by the way). Pork Chop’s rendition? Meh, not a fan but I have to admit that they weren’t many flaws in his performance - just a matter of personal taste. Just fucking give him the Idol title already *sulk* 7/10

Brooke White - You’ve Got A Friend (Carole King)

It bored me. 5/10

Final Rankings for the Night :
1. Michael Johns 7/10
1. Syesha Mercado 7/10
1. Jason Castro 7/10
1. David PorkChop 7/10
5. Carly Smithson 6.5/10
6. Brooke White 6/10
7. David Cook 4/10

Looking forward to Idol Gives Back tomorrow night. Hopefully it will be a chokeful of good performances (and seriously hoping David Beckham and Skeletor Spice’s segments won’t make the cut. Please disappear into oblivion alread).

And I would like to thank KFC for reviving Petula Clark’s Downtown via their 35th anniversary commercial. I especially love this song after it appeared on Lost.

Aaaanyways, it’s been over a week since I last read Boo’s (my favorite food blog) entry on the latest fluffy cheesecake promotions at The Loaf. I have sworn off from cheesecakes ever since Christmas Eve 2007. The disgusting cheesecakes at these Starbucks outlets are simply atrocious. They are like some weird chemical concoctions that’s just inedible. Filthy soap-like texture and artificial flavours. No fuckng thank you. And yes, I have written and posted my comments to them, and am still waiting for their response. Nada. They really cannot say, in good conscience, that the cheesecakes they are selling are inedible. No way. Filthy gelatinous bathing-soap tasting terrine, that’s what they are. I love my Starbucks drinks but goddamn you, Starbucks, for putting these shits on your shelves.
So it’s been a few months since I last had cheesecake. I don’t mind it that much since I don’t really have a sweet tooth. But I ‘accidentally’ ate a green tea cheesecake (topped with a fresh blackberry - yummay) at Shangri-La on Monday, and wow.. that was amazing. So when I retraced Boo’s entry on the range of cheesecakes at The Loaf’s special promotion.. I was simply drooling again.

So much so, that I actually dragged my fat ass out into KL this morning, and god knows how much I hate driving into KL - and into The Pavillion, no less. In general, I really don’t like going to certain shopping malls - Sunway New Wing, Midvalley Gardens, Bangsar Village II - and the Pavillion is one of them. Don’t ask me why. But believe me when I say, when I go to these places, I often say out loud “GOD, THIS PLACE IS SO FUCKING PRETENTIOUS”, just to see the other people’s reactions. Hey, it’s fun!

The Uhu!hu! Cheesecake promotion is currently on at The Loaf, and I was greeted by these Harajuku-like girls handing out these flyers. Man, I will NEVER get the fascination with Harajuku girls. They freak me the fuck out - just like Cabbage Patch Kids and Trolls dolls do. Freaky. Anyway, I bought 3 of the pre-packed cheesecakes.. and the girls at the counter asked me “Sir, do you want to take a photo?”. And I was like “Say what? C’est moi?”. Pause. “WHY?”. Seems that they are running a contest or some sort.. if you go there and buy the cheesecakes on offer, you get to take a picture, and they’ll post the picture at the outlet for all to see. Well, if judging is based on “THE MOST RETARDED LOOK”, I’m pretty sure I’m a shoe-in for the win. What do you think?

Okay don’t even ask me what the hell is up with that supah gay head tilt, but I honestly have to give credit to myself for being able to hide my lard ass behind the cake boxes. Yay! I actually bought the whole range to share with my sister, niece, nephews.. and possibly cats. Promotion will end this Monday, so if you want to give it a try.. get to it pronto! I was also told that possibly 14 new varieties will be sold in one of their near future promotions soon.

From the REAL KL range

Wholesome Nestum, Icy Lychee, Stylo Milo

Refreshing Longan, Banana Supreme, Durian Obsession

From the REAL WORLD range

Lustrous Coffee, Luxurious Chocolate, Harmonious Green Tea

Glitzy Strawberries, Fascinating Earl Grey, Caamelised Heartiness

From the REAL FRUIT range

Blueberry Treasures, Inspiring Fluffy, Magnificent Mango

Berries Ensemble, Kiwi Surprise, Tangy Lemon

I’ve only tasted two so far - the Nestum one (because I hate Nestum and would like to get it the fuck out of my way), and the Durian one. The Nestum one surprisingly tasted pretty good, but the Durian one didn’t tickle my fancy that much. A little too sweet for my taste. The durian bit was nice, but I really could do without the bloody sugar frosting. I really hate frostings!!! As for the rest, we’ll go through those over the weekend.

edited to add : The Tangy Lemon was pretty nice, and the Fascinating Earl Grey - divine. 

In other food news, I don’t know why, but somehow I found myself in Kenny Rogers yesterday, ordering their grilled lamb promo. The total meal was approximately RM25, consisting of a tiny muffin, three puny servings of side dishes, one small sized grilled shoulder of lamb, coke. That’s bloody fucking expensive! I mean, come on! It wasn’t bad, but it certainly wasn’t worth the RM25 that I paid for. For RM25, you can get the following from Bakerzin’s set lunch at 1Utama : three tapas-sized starters, one main dish, one dessert and one coffee. Glorious!

Mushroom bruschetta, calamari salad, Caesar salad

Seafood pasta (if you were to order from their ala carte menu, they would include a crayfish along with it)

Pasta with clams (loads of clams, although I think the Vongole would’ve tasted more nicer since the clams are served soaking in its original juices)

This wasn’t the dessert that came with the lunch set (which was waffles with ice cream and strawberry coulis) - this is actually one of their signnature mini molten chocolate cake.

Okay.. I think that’s enough pigging out for now.