Video Beat EXTRA - American Idol Cut to The Final 12 - Asiah Epperson Eliminated - MARCH 2008

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

American Idol's Epperson Overcomes Adversity But Eliminated - ALL 16 SURVIVE Cambodia's Freshie Girls & Boys contest - NBA ON TV - Recommended TV Listings

Sunday March 9, 2008

AMERICAN IDOL's ASIAH EPPERSON Overcomes Adversity

They say when times are rough to tough it out. American Idol hopeful Asiah Epperson did just that but on the final cut was eliminated and finished 14th according to the way the names were called out on this past weeks show. But before her departure Epperson displayed the courage to carry on after her father passed away just two days prior to her audition for the competition.

When the 19-year-old Joplin, Missouri USA resident tried out for the show she had to make a trip to Atlanta, Georgia to do so. She explained to the judges that her father had passed away just two days before. As she sang she was overwhelmed with her sorrow and couldn't finish the song. Simon Cowell said her father would be proud of her and she was given a ticket to the Hollywood auditions.

As she progressed through the contest her performances improved as well as her appearance. You could see the AI experience was a plus factor in her life as her sadness turned to joy and the sparkle in her eyes was evident as she moved on through each one of the elimination's of the top 24 to qualify for the ultimate goal of reaching the Final 12. Epperson was the last female to be eliminated.

The good news is she became a totally different person as throughout the competition her vibrant personality showed through as well as her talent. Epperson displayed that she has what it takes to be a star in show business. If managed properly she could become an actress and a singer. Look out for this talented young lady in the future.

Kady Malloy who was on the chopping block last week was the first female to go in the 16th position. She was followed by Luke Menard. The last spot was between two of Simon Cowells favorite nemesis Chikezie Smith and Danny Noriega whom Cowell also had some not so encouraging comments. They were announced before Epperson and had to wait it out for almost a half hour before AI host Ryan Seacrest strung out the news by mentioning Chikezie name first and after a long pause said…. he was safe. Noriega was sent packing and in tears.

Epperson's elimination was the most surprising. The show has been touting the Top 24 as being the best ever. We disagreed but when they called every female and left Epperson for last along with Kristy Lee Cook it was a tough choice and a matter of musical taste.

Cowell said of Cook that his problem with her was that she was forgettable but he foresaw her coming in 10th in the overall competition. Randy Jackson said he liked her performance. Paula Abdul said that the way she sang her song could be a hit for her in country music.

Cowell had a problem with Epperson singing a Whitey Houston song as he does with any other singer that does so including the previous week with Chikezie "At best it was a 2nd rate Whitney Houston," Cowell said. "You didn't hit that big note at the end." Randy and Paula disagreed. Cowell's negative comments could have cost Epperson a spot in the final 12.

When the dust settled the AI hype that this is the best Top 24 ever came to fruition. In the case of Cook and Epperson they both deserved to go through. It is possible that both girls had more votes than the two males who made the Final 12. Since the show chooses 6 males and 6 females for the Final 12 we'll never know. But this is clear… this very well could be the best Top 24 American Idols ever.

ALL 16 SURVIVE 2008 FRESHIE CONTEST

In a repeat of last years semifinal event the elimination from eight to seven girls and boys never happened as Freshie producer Boonkerd Angamnuasiri said the committee called it a tie. This all elusive behind the scenes committee did it gain thus further clouding the standards that the show once had prior to the shows former co-organizer Noy Rauv resigning in the middle of the 2006 event citing health reasons. There were three judges also on the show, one representing Planet Communications who arrived a half hour after the show began another representing TV 5 and Davin the Freshie Girl 3rd place finisher in 2005. Therefore 16 contestants will vie for the Freshie Girl and Boys titles as well as the two runners-up positions.

Yesterdays show produced the four Cultural Award nominees with the winner being named on the Freshie Final scheduled to be held March 31st.

FRESHIE Girl # 9 - Si Sonita continues to impress as she was nominated for the second time and now is a Cultural Award and Rising Star nominee. Two other double award winners were named on the TV 5 telecast. They are FRESHIE Boy # 5 Keo Bora and FRESHIE Boy # 9 Hang Sambermsak have also been nominated for the Cultural and Rising Star Awards. FRESHIE Girl # 6 - Thon Sorduongvolak was also nominated for the Cultural Award.

It appears that being nominated for an award guarantees a spot in the final. If a contestant is nominated for an award in an early show when they cut from10 to 9 and 9 to 8 it would be a strange course of events if the nominated were eliminated prior to the final. . This is a favorable situation the Freshie organizers should think through more carefully in order to keep a level playing field. It indicates favoritism.

The strange twist about this years show is the lack of voting by the viewing public via SMS messaging as was the case the previous six seasons. This year's results are raising some eyebrows as it is not clear who exactly the committee is. If being nominated for an award is any indication of who will win the title then at this point Si Sonita, Keo Bora and Hang Sambermsak are the favorites to walk away with the crowns.

Potjanart Suriyot of Planet Communications said that teachers from the Cambodian Ministry of Arts and Culture decided who would perform what song or dance or both in yesterday's show. In one case one girl just stood still on stage as Freshie Boy # 7 did a Khmer dance.

The technical quality of the show has slipped dramatically over the past two seasons with lighting being one of the major problems. A cutback on the production budget is clearly evident. Will it all come together and the results be more transparent for the final? Stay tuned.

NBA GAMES ON TV

NBA (National Basketball Association) games are televised in the Southeast Asia region on the Star Sports television Network on Friday and ESPN Saturday's. Start times vary depending on the start time in the region of the USA from where the games is televised.

TV SCHEDULE

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

MONDAY

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

6:00 PM - TOP MODEL CYCLE 9 - Channel V - NEW EPISODE

10:00 PM - TOP MODEL CYCLE 9 - Channel V

TUESDAY

7:00 AM - TOP MODEL - CYCLE 9 - Channel V

11:00 AM - TOP MODEL - CYCLE 9 - Channel V

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

WEDNESDAY

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

5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

7:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World - repeat of 5 PM telecast

8:00 PM - CONTENDER ASIA - AXN - NEW EPISODE

10:30 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World - repeat of 5/7 PM telecast

11:00 PM - CONTENDER ASIA - AXN - repeat of 8 PM telecast

THURSDAY

11:00 AM - CONTENDER ASIA - AXN

12 NOON - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World - repeat of previous day

5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World

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

7:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World - repeat of 5 PM telecast

10:30 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World - repeat of 5/7 PM telecast

FRIDAY

??:?? AM - NBA GAME - Star Sports

12 NOON - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World - repeat of previous day

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

5:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World - ELIMINATION SHOW

9:00 PM - NBA GAME - Star Sports - Replay of earlier game)

7:00 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World - ELIMINATION SHOW - repeat

10:30 PM - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World - ELIMINATION SHOW - repeat

SATURDAY

7:30 AM - CONTENDER ASIA - AXN

??:?? AM - NBA GAME - ESPN

12 NOON - AMERICAN IDOL - Star World - repeat of elimination show from previous day

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

5:00 PM - CONTENDER ASIA - AXN

7:30 PM - HI NET WORTH - (financial magazine show) - CNBC

9:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

12:00 AM - CONTENDER ASIA - AXN

SUNDAY

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

9:00 PM - JAY LENO - CNBC

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