My Two Cents — American Idol Wannabes

Patricia Morris Buckley — Staff Writer
pmb@thetwocentscorp.com

Now that we’re finally through with the audition rounds and Hollywood Week, I’ve been thinking about something that puzzles me — the truckloads oif contestants who audition in front of the judges with voices so bad that you wish you’d hit the mute button much, much faster.

Then, after the judges give the singers the bad news that they should never sing again, not even in the shower, they get all upset. They scream at the celebrity judges that they do have a great voice and the judges don’t know what a great opportunity they’re missing out on. And we wonder —

Who are these delusional people? How could they possibly think they had the slightest chance to be the next American Idol?

American Idol – Recap & Review – Top 12 Guys

American Idol
Top 12 Guys

Original Air Date: Feb 24, 2010

Patricia Morris Buckley — Staff Writer
pmb@thetwocentscorp.com

No guy on his first time on the Kodak stage hit every note. Neither did the women. What does that say about this crop of 24 contestants? It’s really not going to be hard for American to cut four contestants in Thursday’s result show.

My one comfort is that at this stage years past, we barely knew who Kris Allen or David Cook was (though the same can’t be said for Adam Lambert). Maybe more than one of these guys can get his act together by next week. Two won’t be given that chance and they don’t deserve to get another try.

What’s Your Favorite Realty Show Of All Time?

what's your score?

The losers are the biggest. The races are amazing. The idols are american. The bachelors are, well, usually still bachelors.

Reality TV is a huge part of the Television landscape, and although we here at TheTwoCents.com don’t dedicate a ton of resources to the genre, we do have some of our favorites.

But what are yours? As the judge of the reality world – how would YOU vote?

Do you like the adventure competition shows like Amazing Race and Survivor? How about talent like American Idol or Dancing With The Stars? Are you a fashionista and watch America’s Next Top Model or Project Runway? Are you a foodie with Top Chef and Hell’s Kitchen? Do you miss the old days of Trading Spaces, The Joe Schmoe Show, Murder in Small Town X and Antique Road Show? How about “junk” reality like Real World or pretty much anything on VH1?

We want to know! We’re compiling our reader’s lists of favorite ALL-TIME reality shows and need your TwoCents to make that happen. Send us an email at reality@thetwocents.com and let us know your top 5 favorite shows of ALL time!

Tune in this March to find what shows make the list!

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TwoCents and Five Questions With Lauren Graham, Ron Howard, Jason Katims

lauren graham

Lauren Graham, Ron Howard, Jason Katims

NBC’s new show, “Parenthood“, is an update of Howard’s 1989 movie starring Steve Martin, and is a fantastic collaboration featuring a strong group of actors including Peter Krause (Sports Night, Six Feed Under), Craig T. Nelson (Coach), Dax Shepherd (Punk’d), Mae Whitman (Arrested Development), Monica Potter (Studio 60) and (of course) Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls), who portray a loving, though erratic, extended family.

I recently had the opportunity to take part in a conference call with Ron Howard, Jason Katims (creators), and Lauren Graham (star) to get the scoop on their newest project!

TheTwoCents: Ron, you’ve done a lot of the parenthood thing in your life; how much room is there for humor?

The Baby Is Coming…

photo: nbc (tune in March 4th!)

Southland – Recap & Review – Derailed

photo: tnt

Southland
Derailed

Original Air Date: Feb 23, 2010

Farrah Kaye – Associate Editor
farrah@thetwocentscorp.com

It’s what we’ve been waiting for … some of us longer than others. The season one (aka “the original episodes) ending. The season two previews have been everywhere and I can’t wait for it! But in the meantime, we had to see what season one had us ending with. I will be honest, I was so excited I watched it already and will watch it again to review it – it’s just THAT good. I just have to thank Jay Leno for making it possible for Southland to get a new life at TNT. It’s the best thing that ever happened! Now, on with the season finale …

American Idol — Recap & Review — Top 12 Women

photo: fox

American Idol
Top 12 Women

Original Air Date: Feb 23, 2010

Patricia Morris Buckley — Staff Writer
pmb@thetwocentscorp.com

Randy had very specific advice as the women took the stage at the Kodak Theater Tuesday night for the first time: “It’s up to you to wreck the stage with your vocals.”

It’s too bad that no one was able to do that.

TwoCents and Five Questions With Kara DioGuardi

DioGuardi

Kara DioGuardi, Judge: American Idol

Want to know what this American Idol judge thinks of Ellen DeGeneres? How about Howard Stern as a replacement for Simon? And seriously, what is up with the new drinking cups?

TheTwoCents got a chance to sit down with the songwriter and ask those exact burning questions… and a couple more! Read on…

TheTwoCents: How do you think Ellen is doing so far?

White Collar – Recap & Review – Bottlenecked

photo: usa

White Collar
Bottlenecked

Original Air Date: Feb 23, 2010

Brittany Frederick – Staff Writer
brittanyfrederick
@thetwocentscorp.com

Neal’s getting random postcards from people without return addresses. Only Neal Caffrey would think this was something exciting. He brings up someone named Keller, whom he apparently has a past with and who has something to do with a burglary at a local museum. I’m pretty sure Neal has a past with a lot of people, many of whom are not that great. Case in point: Neal and Peter see the burglary’s prime suspect hit by a car in front of them, courtesy of his old buddy.

Lost – Recap & Review – The Lighthouse

photo: abc

Lost
The Lighthouse

Original Air Date: Feb 23, 2010

Laura Kelley – Associate Staff Writer
laurakelley@thetwocentscorp.com

For the Oceanic Six in LA, things aren’t exactly perfect, especially for Jack. He has an appendix scar he doesn’t remember and a son that we’ve never seen before who doesn’t seem to like him very much. Things are worse on the island, where that creepy Asian guy tells Jack he’ll have to stop him if he tries to leave the temple. Let’s just take bets on how long Jack manages to heed that sage advice.