American Idol: Memories

OK, as a singer and a theater lover, I have strong feelings about this performance. I'm wondering, before I smear my opinions all over the place, what you thought (or think). Both Randy and Simon didn't like it. Paula, of course, did. You all know the song. Barbara Streisand. Cats. Andrew Lloyd Webber. Whether you watched the show on Tuesday night or not, I'd love to know if you like what you hear or not, and why. Then I'll smear my opinion all over the place. While certainly respecting yours. Cool? Here it is.

It's Big Give, NOT Big Giveaway

Derr.

Not only was I wrong about the name of this show, I think I might have been wrong about the show, period.

I watched it again tonight. Each contestant had 24 hours to give away $100,000. They could give up to $500 per person and up to $10,000 per location. The challenge was to give away all $100,000 before the 24 hours were up, as creatively as possible. But the gifts could not be the cash itself. It had to be in a different form. I watched one contestant buy groceries for the first 100 people to enter a grocery store in an impoverished area of town. I watched one contestant send 20 random people in a Target on a 5 minute shopping spree, up to $500 each. Turns out one of those 20 people was living in a homeless shelter at the time with his family. I saw one man buy truckloads of electronic equipment and hand deliver them to the doorsteps of impoverished neighborhoods. Another guy paid off outstanding debts on remaining cars in a mechanic shop. One woman bought $10,000 worth of bus and rail passes for a charity that helps foster girls make the transition from foster homes out into the real world.

I was moved by the reactions of the people who received. They raised their hands toward God. Genuine joy and thankfulness. A light of hope shown in their eyes. Something that said, it's been real hard but I know I can make it now. And at that point it wasn't about the contestants. It was about the people whose lives were changed. The contestants themselves weren't thinking of themselves but of the best way to help people in need. It was about the contestants searching within themselves to meet the challenge, not about competing with each other.

And as I sat on my couch watching others help, I thought, am I doing what I can? Not...I wish I had $100,000 to give away. Just...to help meet a need. To just open my eyes, look around me, and give. Personally. Purposefully. If I wondered any further about the contestants, or Oprah, or Simon Cowell, I remembered my butt on the couch. And if I were to ask Jesus about them, he would ask why I was asking and tell me to worry about myself.

And I think that T.V. is one thing, and someone's personal life is another. That the purpose and workings of a T.V. show could be set apart, to an extent, from the purposes and workings of an individual life. Maybe. And that it doesn't really matter anyway. The point is the 8 yr old boy wrapped his arms around a stranger because his dad could pick the car up from the mechanic shop and take it home that day.

The Big Giveaway

I like Oprah. I know there are a lot of members of the Christian community who don't like her and think she's New Age. I don't know if she's New Age. She says she's a Christian. I have to believe her.

I like the good she does for humanity. I like that she gives bookoos of her money away to help people. She changes people's lives. She raises awareness. She encourages action. I like that very much. I watch her show often. She has achieved the incredible, and she inspires me to move forward with my goals.

But I'm not sure I like her new show, The Big Giveaway. Something about competitive giving. It doesn't sit quite right in me. Something about giving for all America to see. Giving to win.

It's not only that Jesus' words keep running over in my head.

"1 Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." (Matthew 6:1-4)

Who knows how much money Oprah, personally, (not Oprah, the T.V. producer), gives away that nobody sees? I don't know. I can't, shouldn't, judge her life for what I see on T.V. I won't.

It was something she said today. And something Simon Cowell said today, on her show, that got me thinking.

Yesterday I heard a sermon by Tim Keller (here we go again...it's just too good, people!), and part of what he said was like this:

When Nicodemus came to Jesus that night, Jesus told him he must be born again to enter the kingdom of God. Meaning that, all those moral, outstanding, upstanding, deeds he did as a Pharisee (for he was a very good, kind Jew) meant nothing in regards to the salvation Jesus offered. Jesus said, that despite all of that, Nicodemus must be born again. A completely new life. Not a life born of flesh from the pain and suffering and blood of his mother in labor, but a life born of the Spirit...born from Jesus' pain and suffering blood of the cross. A life given to him, not something he could produce.

So what is sin, really? In all of Nicodemus' good lifestyle, what was it that kept him from the kingdom of God? It was, and is, man's completely self-centered idea of himself. Of his existence, his worth, his future, his meaning, his esteem. Jesus was saying that nothing Nicodemus did could excuse him from this state of sin. So when we do something good for the self-centered reason of being good, of winning points for the sake of righteousness, of thinking we are wonderful, of thinking we are more loved by God, better, SELF-righteous, we miss the mark. We misunderstand Christ. And we are not one step nearer to the kingdom of God. To God, himself. Because it's CHRIST'S sacrifice that saves us.

SO! Back to Oprah. Her guest today was Simon Cowell, the American Idol guru, and T.V./record producer. He talked about who would win this season. He showed off his new girl that won in Britain, and his ventriliquist that won America's Got Talent, and then he gave $165,000 to a family whose three year old daughter is receiving chemo and radiation for cancer. He wrote a check for $165,000 to pay off their mortgage. Here's the conversation that took place after he gave the money away, in more or less words:

Simon: I feel really good.

Oprah: Yes! Giving Makes You Feel Good!!

Simon: Yeah, I do. I feel really good.

Oprah: Giving Makes You Feel Good! That's the Point!

Simon: It took me forty something years to realize that and I credit you, Oprah, for bringing it to light.

Oprah: Me? When did you first figure it out?

Simon: Today. Today I can say: I'm a guardian angel now.

*****

Giving Makes You Feel Good. That's the point. I'm a guardian angel now.

That bothered me. It seems that the American idea of giving, as stated here on the Oprah show, is meant to give yourself a little boost. To esteem yourself. It's about what you get out of it. After all, doesn't the Bible say, give and it will be given unto you. You reap what you sow. Feeling good is natural, isn't it? Did Jesus feel good when he raised Lazarus from the dead? When he fed the multitudes and healed the sick? When he died on the cross? Or should it feel bad? Should it feel like bearing your cross? Like being crucified with Christ? Like a sacrifice?

Thoughts welcome.

Today's Headlines

Quite a bit of buzz in the news today.

As I'm sure you've all been informed by now, as I was when a "Breaking News" story interrupted my T.V. movie, Honeymoon in Las Vegas, that Paris Hilton is now back in jail. Previously released to house arrest due to medical conditions by the sheriff, a crying Hilton was taken back into custody today and hauled to court, crying the whole way there. Upon being sentenced by the judge to her original sentence, Paris bellowed, "Mom!....It's not right!" and was escorted from the court room in hysterics.

And in other news, Isaiah Washington has officially been fired from ABC's hit show, Grey's Anatomy, for being rude to gay men.

These are the headlines of our day. And as interesting and enticing as they are, we surely can't overlook the story below. When something like this occurrs and is hardly noticed....what is the world coming to?

Michigan Man in Wheelchair Takes Wild Ride

By JAMES PRICHARD, Associated Press Writer

"A 21-year-old man got the ride of a lifetime when his electric wheelchair became lodged in the grille of a semitrailer and was pushed down a highway for several miles at about 50 mph.

Ben Carpenter was unharmed but was taken to a hospital as a precaution. He had been secured to his wheelchair by a seat belt. Carpenter, who has muscular dystrophy, told a television station that he thought he might not make it through the ride.

"I was probably thinking that this is going to keep going and not stop anywhere, 50 or 60 miles somewhere," he told WOOD-TV of Grand Rapids.

Ben Carpenter's father, Donald, told The Associated Press that his son had started to cross at an intersection Wednesday afternoon in Paw Paw, about 140 miles west of Detroit. The light changed to green while his son was in front of a semi, which started moving.

The wheelchair's handles became lodged in the grille, the father said, and the wild ride started.

Motorists called 911 on their cell phones, and a pair of undercover police officers who happened to be nearby saw what was happening. They pulled the truck over and told the disbelieving driver, Donald Carpenter said.

The chair was undamaged except for losing most of the rubber on its wheels, he said.

"It's a very bad story that ended very well," he said. "We're just thrilled that he's still around." "
*******************************************************************************

It's hardly believable and while I shouldn't laugh and have so far refrained from doing so, can't help but gape in wonder at the circumstance.

Netflix

It fuels our addiction to 24, but on the other hand, saves us a whole heck of alot of money. I highly recommend this nifty little service.



We started using Netflix only two weeks ago, although the company has had a strong go at it for quite a while now. Strong enough to cause Blockbuster the humility of matching the deal or calling it quits. Except with Blockbuster you don't have to wait for it in the mail. You can either use the store or the mail for the same low price...yeah yeah yeah, you've seen the commercials.

But we don't have a Blockbuster near us, only a Hollywood Video, unfortunately, and Hollywood Video's the biggest scam since 60 cents a minute long distance. No one's ever in there when we go, and upon asking the cashier if Netflix is running them out of business, she replied, "Shoo' yeah. I gots me some Net-flix." as she sheepishly grinned and demagnetized our 3 movies at 3 bucks each. That's 9 bucks for only half a season of 24! Yeah, right! Like I'm gonna keep going there when I can get a whole month's worth of movies (that's probably 2 whole 24 seasons, 3 if you're insane) for 15 bucks!

AND, checking the mail has never been so much fun! Today I got Dreamgirls in the mail, and I can't wait to see if Jennifer Hudson deserved that Oscar she got for Best Supporting Actress. (I mean, c'mon, she beat out Cate Blanchett. Really?)

Hooray for Netflix!

The Crack Show

We are addicted to 24. The show. We have 24 marathons. It rocks. We're only on Season 3 so I will not be clicking on the comments link in case any of you think it's funny to tell me what happens in Season 4, 5, or 6.

Season 3 is by far the best. My stomach actually aches from the intensity, and I'm not kidding. Or maybe it's just queasy. Season 3 is about a bio threat. I won't say anymore.

Last night during a 24 marathon date with Seth, I found myself praying for Michelle.

Michelle is a character in the show.

This is getting ridiculous.

If you all watch the show and would like to discuss, feel free. I will not be clicking on the comment link, just so you know.

The Bachelor in Sugar Land, TX

Woah. Woah. Woah.

Fancied friends, I am about to admit to you a little secret that Seth and I share. But it must be revealed so I can share this very weird but exciting circumstance with you.

As of this year, Seth and I now watch.....The Bachelor.

I know, I know. I slap myself every time, but it comes on after Dancing with the Stars, and you know I can't possibly miss THAT. So what do I do when, while glued to the couch dialing the number for my favorite dancing star, The Bachelor shows me scenes from last week's episode. I can't just turn it off! No, no, this stuff is too juicy. It's too catty and ridiculous. I'm watching a sorority house gone utterly maniacal. Girls, girls, girls, crying girls, conniving girls, back-stabbing and malicious girls. And one officer and a gentleman: Andy.

Andy's actually pretty alright. A good guy. Of course, when you consider that he's dating 15, then 8, then 4, now 3 girls at a time, you have to wonder how gentleman-like the guy can be. But, hey, really, and I mean this. He seems like a very sincere guy who took a step of faith to find the woman of his dreams.

So in tonight's episode, Andy goes to each of the 4 girls' hometowns to meet their families. Talk about intense. These girls are all in love with Andy! And all crying about how they're in love with Andy. And then....me! I'm crying! Why am I crying!?!? Because these girls are introducing Andy to their dads, and then one is crying to her dad about how she doesn't want to get hurt, and then HER DAD is crying! Geesh. Reality television, how did we get here? Their pain is my entertainment.

Anyway, that's not my point.

The point is, that as I'm sure you know, one of these 4 girls, Amber, is from Sugar Land, TX. So we're watching, and....Hey! That's the restaurant by our apartment! And then, they're on a playground in a park....and then! They're leaving Amber's apartment, and I say. Seth! That's our apartment complex! The Bachelor was at our apartment complex! Oh my gosh! Wait, lemme check the doors and see if they match up. I run outside and look at our door. Exactly the same, except the number, of course.

Amber lives in my apartment complex!

You should know Amber did not get a rose tonight. She went home, devastated and alone. Poor Amber. Maybe I'll see her soon in my park, and we can have lunch, and we can talk about her roommate and her aunt and her love life. Then maybe I'll tell her that I'm sorry her parents weren't there to meet Andy, just because they didn't agree with Amber being on the show. What a shame. Then maybe I'll tell her how sorry I am that her pain was my entertainment. But then maybe I'll remind her that she signed up to be my entertainment, and ask her why she would do that.

See ya Barbs

'Dancing With the Stars' drops Finnessey
By SANDY COHEN, AP Entertainment Writer
additions by FANCYPANTS
She may have taken the Miss USA title in 2004, but Shandi Finnessey won't be crowned the winner of "Dancing With the Stars." (Back to baton throwing and fighting for world peace, Barbs.)
After ranking in the bottom two last week, Finnessey was eliminated Tuesday from the ABC dance-off. (YESSSS)
The game show host and former beauty queen said that her experience on the show was "amazing" and that working with her professional dance partner, Brian Fortuna, was "great." (how articulate, thank you, Barbs)
"I just hope I didn't disappoint him," she said. (Oh, I'm sure you didn't....)
Despite high marks from the judges, Leeza Gibbons narrowly escaped elimination Tuesday. She and her partner, Tony Dovolani, also placed in the bottom two.
"The elimination is nerve-racking," she said. "It's insane."
Billy Ray Cyrus echoed that sentiment, calling results night "a real freak show." He added that all the dancing he's done has left him with "an achy, breaky butt." (Does it all have to be about Achy Breaky, Billy Ray? Time to move on buddy)
Each week, judges' scores are combined with viewer votes to determine which couple will be eliminated.
Clyde Drexler earned the lowest score - 16 points out of 30 - but was kept afloat by fans. (Sorry, Clyde, but I predict next week will be your last. You're sweet, but sweet's not cuttin it anymore.)
Tuesday's results show also featured performances by Ciara, Josh Groban and the band Survivor, which played its 1982 hit "Eye of the Tiger." (Really? And I missed this? Dangit)
Paulina Porizkova has already been eliminated. The remaining celebrity dancers are Gibbons, Cyrus, Drexler, Ian Ziering, Joey Fatone, Laila Ali, John Ratzenberger, Heather Mills and Apolo Anton Ohno. Each will perform the paso doble or the waltz on Monday's show. (Laila and Ian are my top picks from Monday. Laila's still my ultimate favorite. She'll rule this competition. Watch, they'll start breaking all the rules and the judges will score them low for it. It's all rigged. That's what sucks about reality T.V. But I'm a sucker. I admit. Joey from NSYNC is a nah nah. Dancing the tango to the Star Wars theme with a freakin' lightsaber? C-O-R-N-Y. Give me a break. And Heather, another rigged saga. At the last minute she goes to the doctor to get a leg that bounces. Oh the drama. Tune in next Monday, 7 central.)

Dancing with Barbs and Billy Ray

For those of you who watch Dancing with the Stars, tell me your picks here. If you don't watch Dancing with the Stars, you're missing out. I wish I were a star just so I could be on this show. Seth watched the second half with me last night, and by the end of the show, I had him agreeing to take ballroom dancing lessons with me. Yesssss.

So here's my take on all of it.

Apollo (2 time Olympic speed skating gold medalist): The male with the most potential. You need better frame, tighten it up on top, and start selling it. This week you looked like you were thinking too hard. I hope you make it far in the competition.

Shandi (Miss USA 2004): Shandi and her partner have already been nicknamed, Barbi and Ken. Sorry, Barbs, but your fake plastic smile doesn't win you points in dancing. Take it back to the pageants. You're awkard, too tall, and if you and your partner could put a cap on the disgusting flirting between the two of you in the dance studio, maybe you'd actually learn something. But...see ya. I'm voting you out, Barbs.

Clyde (NBA Hall of Famer): Clyde towers over his partner with his impressive basketball physique. If only that physiche would fix that frame. Get that butt in and under you. You look like an oaf. A bit cumbersome, galloping around the dance floor, but I really like your spirit and your approach. I think you'll improve.

Leeza (talk show host), Paulina (supermodel), John (actor): Not sure about you guys yet.

Ian (90210 actor!): I like you just because you remind me of my college days watching 90210 with my roommates. Good times.

Heather (the cripple): Heather has an artificial bottom half to one of her legs. BUT WOW! She won me over last night. The girl was doing back flips over her partner in the mambo. Very impressive and entertaining. I admit, I thought you were ABC's viewer bait for this season and thought you wouldn't last. But I'm wrong. You got skills, girl. It doesn't hurt you have an outstanding partner. He's making you look good with the choreography, giving you what you can do and look good doing. He has to be offering you major physical support in your partnering stance for your balance to look so great.

Billy Ray (Achy Breaky guy): Another surprise of the evening! Wow! I loved this! First of all, you danced to Johnny Cash Ring of Fire. A personal favorite and perfect for the Quickstep. At first I thought you were a slob and a mistake, but no way! I was impressed by your frame and footwork, and how much you improved from last week. Looking forward to more.

Laila (undefeated world boxing champion/daughter to Muhammed): MY FAVORITE for the evening. YEAH!!! This chic can dance. She moved her ass around that floor on the mambo like a mad woman. But last week she wowed judges with her skills in the more sophisticated Foxtrot. Such grace, beauty, and strength. Her size doesn't bother me at all. She obviously is much bigger than the normal size for a dancer. But it doesn't hold her back. Great partnering. Incredibly entertaining. I'm rooting for you, Laila.

So do you watch the show? Anybody? Favorites?