Siobhan Magnus 19 stood out among all of the performers in the Top 24 - Fox photo   Does American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi have a crush on contestant Casey James? - Fox photo   American Idol contestant Casey James was asked to take his shirt off by judge Kara DioGuardi - Fox photo

Video Beat - AMERICAN IDOL DULL

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

American Idol judge Simon Cowell has really toned down his act and seems to be more in control of his criticism and not being as crude and rude as in previous seasons. Overall the judges lack the charisma they had in the past. They are monotonous and sound like parrots who repeat what the other has said. Up to this point the judges and the talent are boring - Amazing Race cowboys and brothers Jet 29 and Cord McCoy 30 talk slow but think fast and finished first in the second leg of the race in Chile - Recommended TV Listings

Monday March 1, 2010

AMERICAN IDOL BECOMES TOO DULL

At the introduction of the first telecast of the top 24 American Idol contestants judge Simon Cowell opined that this was the girl's year to win. Cowell must be smoking loco weed as we fail to see what he sees. Of the top 12 girls that performed Wednesday night (Asia) we were only impressed by the talent of two girls. One being Crystal Bowersox a 24 year old mother and musician from Elliston, Ohio and the most surprising and best being Siobhan Magnus 19 years old an apprentice glassblower from Barnstable, Massachusetts.

Magnus was deemed a dark horse by Cowell and he was spot on with his appraisal. She has a unique voice and interesting look with star power potential. What she lacks is confidence and experience. Her performance this past week was by far the best of the girls.

The Texan Casey James a 27 year old musician from Fort Worth, Texas that judge Kara DioGuardi asked to take off his shirt and she apparently has a crush on was the best of the guys. He has the star potential look and voice that could win this seasons title.

DiGuardi's apparent infatuation with James is becoming quite and item for drama this season. Since last season final the 40 year-old DioGuardi got married. Her husband was in the audience the night James performed. AI host Ryan Seacrest questioned her about her reaction to James causing a problem in her marriage and she replied, "We're (husband) working it out."

We rate the contestants on a scale 0 to 5 with that may include a plus or a minus. Of the guys we rated three male contestants a 4. Aaron Kelly a 16 year old high school student from Sonestown, Pennsylvania has a good voice and untapped potential given his age and lack of experience. He is reminiscent of David Archuleta who also was a high school student with a good voice. Kelly's voice is not as strong as Archuleta's but he could develop as the show goes on and he gains confidence providing makes good song choices.

James was the best of the evening. His advantage is his age and professional experience. Aside from his voice and good looks he has charm and stage presence.

Jermaine Sellers 26 years old from Joliet, Illinois was ridiculed by Cowell commenting on his performance, "It was over the top. I think you blew your opportunity with that."

We gave him a 4 and America agreed as he was voted through to the next round where tow more guys and tow more girls will be eliminated until they reach the final top six boys and top six girls for the first show of season nine.

The two girls eliminated this week were Ashley Rodriguez 22 years old from Chelsea, Massachusetts and Janell Wheeler 24 years old from Orlando, Florida. The guy's elimination included Tyler Grady 20 years old from Nazareth, Pennsylvania and Joe Munoz 20 years old from Huntington Park, California. Munoz was the only elimination that should have remained. His voice had potential to make the top six boys.

The judges a settling in and Ellen DeGeneres is holding her own despite her lack of a music business background. Cowell has really toned down his act and seems to be more in control of his criticism and not being as crude and rude as in previous seasons.

Overall the judges lack the charisma they had in the past. They are monotonous and sound like parrots who repeat what the other has said. On girls night the most used phrase was, "You're great." On the boy's night it was, "I like you." Up to this point the judges and the talent are boring. Will the judges lack of chemistry change and will the show spark up? Tune in and find out. Please refer to the TV schedule below which includes the AI repeats throughout the week.

Amazing Race cowboys and brothers Jet 29 and Cord McCoy 30 talk slow but think fast and finished first in the second leg of the Amazing Race in Chile (CBS photo)

AMAZING RACE STEPS UP THE PACE

As former Dallas Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson often said How Bout Dem Cowboys!" His Cowboys played in America's NFL (National Football League) but the saying now applies to contestants in the Amazing Race cowboys and brothers Jet 29 and Cord McCoy 30 from the US state of Oklahoma. They have been underestimated by their rivals because they talk slow but their competitor's problem is the brothers think fast as they finished first in the second leg of the race in Chile. The cowboy's trade is Professional Bull Ridding.

Last week the team of grandmother and granddaughter were eliminated. The heat is turning on as alliances are being formed. There are two policemen who have been challenged by Taiwan born Joe Wang 42 when the Asian was holding a spot in line for Lesbian lovers Carol Rosenfeld 47 and Brandy Snow 40.

The show has its usual chemistry mix of gays, minorities, elderly and young and beautiful. We fail to find any outstanding team but as the race goes on true personalities and grit emerge. Wang's tough guy stance is something to watch as should it continue could result into a tragedy and elimination from the race.

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TV SCHEDULE

Note: The shows listed are for the Cambodia - Thailand time zone. Check your local listings for time in your area.

NOTE TIMES OF THE SAME TELECAST IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES

3:00 PM - LOCKED UP ABROAD - National Geographic

5:00 PM - LARRY KING - CNN - Airs daily

7:00 PM - AMAZING RACE - AXN

9:00 PM - FRONTLINE - Australia Network

10:00 PM - AMAZING RACE - AXN

10:30 PM - CLICK (Internet Technology program) - BBC

9:00 PM - UFC (ULTIMATE FIGHTING) - True Sport 2

11:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

8:00 PM - FIRST EDITION featuring Richard Keys - ESPN

11:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

6:00 PM - LOCKED UP ABROAD - National Geographic

7:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

11:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

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