American Idol: Down to 6 - Results Show 4/16/08

After last night's suck fest, I wouldn't be surprised with anyone's ouster. I hope beyond hope that David Cook is safe, because he is the only one I can bring myself to care much about anymore. I didn't realize just how much I liked Michael Johns until he was gone. *sigh*

Starting out, we are treated (and I use that term loosely, very loosely) to a Group Sing featuring One Sweet Day. Please make it stop. You know what a sweet day will be? Tomorrow. When I never have to listen to another Mariah Carey song. Jason starts it out shaky and earnest, and then Kristy Lee takes over in a screechy solo. David Cook looks slightly embarrassed at having to sing this. The Top 7 are still bad at choreography that doesn't involve standing in formation and gesturing oddly, then marching to a new formation. There was a terrible attempt at a duet by David Cook and Syesha, where she ran off on a trilling run and seemed to lose the harmony completely. David Archuleta looked pleased, this is just the kind of boring stuff he dreams of recording someday.

I'm going to have to check out the song writing competition's finalists. It has to be better than last year's horrid offering of This is My Now. And look, they've brought one of the co-writers of that crap to the show tonight. I bet the other guy has realized his awful mistake and is somewhere shoving a butter knife in his ear.

Recap of last night, with Brooke pouting backstage at Simon's critique, because she didn't feel like she got enough pouting in last night. I really wish that David Cook had just sung his song in a slightly higher key, it would have been so much better, and I don't know why no one else has mentioned that it was too low for him!

There is a new twist in camera work, with the finalists backstage while Ryan, Max Headroom style, calls them out one by one via the monitor. That's weird.

The Couch of Comfort and the Stools of Sorrow are gone, and we are back to the two groups on either side of the stage. Because there are seven left, I predict Ryan is going to put them in two groups of three and have the final person choose between the two groups. He loves to do that. It's always awkward.

Jason goes into one group, and David Cook is dispatched to the other. Carly's style has reverted to 1983, apparently, and she also accuses Simon of being too hard on her. I don't know if that is smart. She joins Jason. Next is Kristy Lee, who calls Simon "a butt at times." She joins David Cook.

Ford Commerical time, and I actually kind of like David Archuleta's hair all slicked down. Not so much David Cook's. Captain Combover needs a bit of volume.

Now, it's time for Elliot Yamin and his New Teeth. Paula liked him. I didn't love it, but it was better than anything we heard last night. Sadly, Elliot's mother, who was always in the audience during his season, passed away this week. Now, that's just sad.

But let's not let the sadness get us down, it's time for more results!

Syesha is in the group with Jason and Carly. Brooke is out next, and she is grouped with David Cook and Kristy Lee and tries to sway the vegetarian vote by taking Simon's comment that she was like a meatless hamburger as a compliment. Somehow I don't think Simon meant it that way.

David Archuleta is alone back stage, with no group. My dream is that Ryan comes back from break and announces that David A. is gone, no need for the groups.

I'd forgotten the only bearable thing about last week's results show was the lack of Viewer Call ins. Guess they are back in full swing this week. We find out the Kristy Lee is not getting her favorite horse, the one she sold to come to the show, back. We learn what records the judges first bought, and Simon actually had a little zinger picking on Paula. Then, a called claims to be "the Megan from Paula's Show," and Paula obviously has no idea what she is talking about, and then she insults Simon using several of her own song titles. And David Cook is single. My goodness, can someone make this stop already?????

To add insult to injury, it's time for Mariah Carey to sing. I fast forwarded as much as I could, but then I caught up to live tv and had to hear her. Why do people buy this crap? I think one of the backup singers was trying to out sing Mariah, and there was some strange squeaking going on. I think this is worse than almost anything we heard last night. Mariah thinks so much of herself, it's sickening.

Back to the business at hand. Here comes David A to find out which group his is in. Kermit the Frog is safe for another week, but which group does he belong to? First, David Cook and Syesha are switched in their groups. Here comes the inevitable "Choose your Group," and David A. sat down in the middle of the stage, and then Ryan tries to get him to go to the group with David Cook, Carly, and Jason. When that fails, David Cook sits down next to him.

Bottom 3 is Brooke, Syesha, and Kristy Lee. That's about right. Syesha is sent to safety first, and Brooke is safe to warble and pout another week. Kristy Lee Cook is out, after weeks in the bottom. She at least has a good attitude about it. Ryan begs the man who bought her horse to return it. She is celebrated home, and I hate this song more and more every time I hear it. Kristy sings her boot off performance to Simon, which is cute.

Next week is Andrew Lloyd Webber Week. I predict David Archuleta will sing Memory from Cats. I wonder if anyone will sing On My Own from Wishing He Were Somehow Here Again? I bet that Brooke will sing Don't Cry for me, Argentina, and start bawling in the middle of it. And I would love to hear David Cook sing Heaven on Their Minds from Jesus Christ, Superstar. Still, Andrew Lloyd Webber is so much better than Mariah Carey, I cannot even put it into words.

Until next week.

Hell's Kitchen: 4/15/08

Tonight starts with Jen going on a tirade about Corey choosing her, and Christina was crying about the nomination. The men are questioning Corey's game play strategies, saying she played that card too early, which may be true.

The next day brings an apartment full of chickens. Ramsey calls the chefs and tells them each to grab one and bring it to the kitchen. Ramsey then makes a show of nearly beheading a chicken, but at the last moment, doesn't, and tells them to put the live chickens back in their cages. The challenge is to cut up chickens. Jason again ignited my anger by claiming that the men are going to win because they are men, and "this isn't the dusting and sweeping challenge." Idiot.

The women do really well, with I think four of them getting full marks and the others getting 6 out of 8 pieces.

Jason made another chauvinistic comment, before getting 6 out of 8. Petrozza and Ben bring in perfect scores. Craig only got 2 pieces, which sealed the women's victory.

As punishment, the men have to pick peppers on a hot day on a farm.

As a reward, the women get to go out to restaurants on Sunset Strip. I think that Ramsey likes to see women win things like this so that he can go on the town with pretty women.

Matt threw a little tantrum about Craig's inability to chop up a chicken.

Out on the town, the women and Ramsey run into Aaron, the crier from last year. I bet the producers knew, though Mr. Voiceover claims that Ramsey did not know he would be there.

Back at the apartment, Corey is not above using sex appeal to try to get the men to spill team secrets. And the first one (the only one!) to fold? Jason. Jason blabbing about all the others, to the lowly women.

Time for cooking. Bobby is made to cook tableside. Jason is put on the dessert station and has no idea what all the desserts are. Ridiculous.

What I think is funny is that Matt keeps picking on Craig, when he looks like he's going to cry all the time. Look in the mirror before complaining about others, Matt. Nuff said. However, Craig is sucking completely, and Jason throws a little tantrum about being put on the spot, then he still can't recite the menu, and he says he wants to go home. I hate almost nothing more than a quitter. At least he pulled it together and got the dessert menu down, just in time for Craig to get a piece of crispy bacon.

Over in the women's kitchen... am I the only one disturbed by Vanessa's ponytail hanging over the food? I have long hair, I know how it sheds.

Bobby served up some chicken table side, and out of desperation, cuts them up family style, and some diners on the women's side make SOS signs out of bread, which was amusing.

Jason again blames his inability to make desserts on the fact that he has testosterone. Men apparently can't bake, either. He's such a moron. Ben tried to serve nearly uncooked salmon, and Ramsey shuts it down.

Christina and Petroza are picked to nominate one person each from their team to nominate for eviction, there is no winning team.

Why do so many of these chefs smoke? Doesn't smoking mess with your palate? I have never smoked, but it seems to make a difference in how you taste things. I know it's a really high stress occupation, and that is probably the reason, but still.

Petroza nominates Jason, and Christina nominates Vanessa. Why does Jason think that he deserves to stay because he hasn't done well yet? Does Ramsey seem like the forgiving kind? Vanessa breaks out the tears.

Please excuse me as I do a Happy Dance, Jason is gone. "Maybe if I had cried like a chick, I would still be safe." I knew he was going to pull out one more zinger. He's so annoying. I am thrilled to not see him again.

American Idol: The Top 7 - Mariah Carey Night

American Idol, why must you torture me? First, you boot Michael Johns, and then you have an entire week dedicated to Mariah Carey? Are you kidding me?

Maybe it won't be as bad and painful as I anticipate, but I'm not holding my breath.

Let's get started then.

Oh, look, in the audience, it's Teri Hatcher, Murderess of Melody.

I don't care how many songs Mariah Carey has had at Number 1 on the charts, I barely know any of them, and I do not like the ones I do know.

David Archuleta (When You Believe) - Why am I not surprised that David A. is a huge Mariah Carey fan? His song choice sounds like everything he has sung to date. I am so bored. People are going to love this, because people love crap. (My dear readers excluded, I hope). Blahhhhhhhh. He sings the same kind of thing every week, and it is getting old. Got old for me about 3 weeks ago at least.

Carly Smithson (I Can't Live) - She looks fantastic! That is a beautiful dress, and a gorgeous necklace. The color is perfect on her. Home run, fashion wise. Very nice job working within her alto range, but then when she went up higher, it sounded strained and throaty and all over the place. I wish it had stayed how it was in the beginning. I ended up feeling kind of pained. At least she looked pretty. Randy is crazy, the beginning was the best part of the song.

Syesha Mercado (Vanishing) - Best so far, but that doesn't say much. I mean, she has a great voice, she sang the song really really well, but I just can't get her personality. She was kind of channeling Beyonce from Goldmember tonight. I guess she is the best yet, but. . . but, but, but. I don't know if I am going to remember her by the end of the night.

Brooke White (Hero) - No, but you know, but you know, why is she so inarticulate? She started out really shaky and off key. If she wasn't playing the piano, it would be even more obvious how off key she is. She was all over the place, the piano was boring, and didn't add much. She was randomly shouty for no reason. She looked super nervous, too. There was a closeup of her, and she was physically shaking like a leaf. Her dress was pretty, but that's the best thing I can say about the thing. And she doesn't shut her mouth when the judges are talking? Hush!!!

Kristy Lee Cook (Forever) - She's looking rather Barbie tonight. The song was not my least favorite. I mean, it was still Mariah Carey, it was still slightly sucky. Only slightly, though. Better than Brooke by a mile. She looked pretty. I guess that's something.



David Cook (Always Be My Baby) - He must have been so upset when he heard what the theme was this week. Again he starts a little low. Did he not get my note from last week (Mumble mumble, what?). It's just too low and kind of plodding. I can't really blame him, I blame Mariah Carey entirely. He tried his best to turn it into a Power Ballad, but it's hard to turn crap into gold. It's just always crap. Still, I think I will vote for him, because I don't want him gone. I cannot believe that Randy stood up for that. If he had gone up into a slightly higher key, it would have been soooooo much better. I think the judges really don't want him gone, because they are fawning over him so much. I mean, I don't want him gone, either, but they could have mentioned that you couldn't hear half of the song because it was too low. Just a mention.

Jason Castro (I Don't Want to Cry) - I think Mariah Carey was frightened of Jason's dreads. When she hugged him, she looked like she didn't want to touch them. I think Jason is the best of the night. He is still a bit nasal when he goes for the power notes, but he seemed to connect with the song better than in past weeks. The drums were kind of cool in the arrangement. The best part about it was that it didn't sound like a Mariah Carey song. Randy needs to leave the vague analogies to Simon. I thought this was the best performance of the night.

My bottom 3? Brooke, David A, and Carly. Brooke needs to go home after tonight, it was a total mess.

I think I will throw some votes out there for Jason and David Cook. Syesha and Kristy Lee were middle of the pack for me.

Please, please, please return to something decent next week? How about Songs You Like to Hear.

PLEASE?

Survivor Micronesia: Fans vs. Favorites - Week 8

Ozzy and the others at Malakal are still in disbelief at Ami "betraying" them, and Erik is feeling like the luckiest boy in the history of Survivor. I think that Ami "betraying" them wasn't the worst move, it was strategic, but the way that she handled it was very bad and led to her demise in the game. Shoot people in the foot, if you must, but do it in a clever way, so they don't hate you for it. That's the key in the game.

Over on the Airai beach, Eliza and Jason are having a clandestine conversation under cover of the nigh with only the bats in the cave to hear them. Jason told Eliza he has the (Fake)Hidden Idol, and she is excited by the prospect.

And it's merge time! Leaving their beaches for a completely new camp. How interesting. Erik tells Ozzy that he will be open about any power plays that others try to make. He says that he is like a monkey to Ozzy's zookeeper in the game. Kind of like Curious George and the Man in the Yellow Hat?

The girls alliance (Alexis, Natalie, Pavarti and presumably Amanda) in Airai make a decision to keep mum on their closeness. Let's see how long that works.

On their merge beast, a feast greets them, and Eliza is bitterly disappointed by the ouster of Ami.

It turns out that they can choose which former beach to live on, and they choose Malakal without question.

Part of the feast is grilled bats, and that's a bit icky. James claims it tastes like Juicy Rabbit. They name the new tribe Dabu, which Erik tells them means "Good," but then admits in confessional means nothing, he made it up. That is freaking hilarious, and I instantly like him more.

In the night vision, we see Ozzy getting cozy with Alexis, and that leaves Amanda looking rather jealous. Kicking the old girl to the curb, Ozzy? Not sure about that. Alexis is instantly on Amanda's Big List of People I Hate. And the claws come out.

Cirie is getting the heebies about the new people touching all of the former Malakal's stuff. Jason tries to get in with Ozzy, who realizes that he probably has the (Fake) Hidden Immunity Idol, and also seems to want to show Jason that there is only one Ozzy of Greatness.

Eliza and Pavarti are discussing the ouster of Ami, and Eliza is feeling pretty vulnerable, with Pavarti refusing to commit to alliance with her. Pavarti and Amanda reunite happily, and Pavarti complains about Eliza staring at her, and brings up the possible alliance with Alexis and Natalie. Amanda is not happy about that idea, in fact, she is angry and upset, because, as she put it, "I don't want to go up against Alexis at the end, she's a motivational speaker!" Well, that, and she's a dirty Ozzy-thief, but Amanda didn't mention that. This might be trouble for Pavarti! You don't make alliances for other people.

Jason pulled Eliza aside and promised to give her the (Fake) Hidden Immunity Idol if she loses the challenge, so that anyone they vote for would instantly be out if everyone else is voting for Eliza.

This could get really good.

At the Individual Immunity Challenge, Probst asks the new Dabu tribe their name, and Alexis tells him, and includes Erik's bogus translation. Probst says nothing, though I am sure he knows that it is a giant crock. I mean, it's not dead grandmother, but it's a good whopper.

The Challenge is mostly mental, as they have to stay under a grate as the tide comes up, submerging them more and more. Panic is the enemy. Amanda is out first, she says that she was dozing. Pavarti and Alexis are out next, followed by Cirie, who I did not expect to last as long as she did. Natalie is out next, followed by Eliza and Erik.

James, Jason and Ozzy are the final three. After breathing water for a while, James is out next. Jason wins it by a hair, and Ozzy looked really upset with himself. Is this when Ozzy is going to have to use his (real) Hidden Immunity Idol? Could they both be played? That could get interesting.

Back at camp, Jason is totally annoying about beating Ozzy. He claims he "dominated" Ozzy, and I think that is going a little too far.

Eliza overhears Pavarti, Cirie, and Natalie talking about voting her out, and scampers back to ask Jason for the (Fake) Hidden Immunity Idol. They go off to collect it.

Amanda tells Cirie that they should vote out Alexis, especially after seeing Ozzy chatting it up with her again.

Eliza unwraps the (Fake) Hidden Immunity Idol and flips out at Jason, sure that it is fake. She seems still willing to try to play it, and I am going to laugh.

Tribal Council

Probst wastes no time asking Alexis what she thought of the merge. She says that there are people who are strong Physical Players, strong Mental Players, and strong Social Players. Alexis then uses past tense talking about Eliza's game, saying that she "lacked" Social skills. Oops, Alexis. A little cocky, there?

Probst makes a crack about Eliza's giant eyes - "You can't miss your eyes when you roll them." That's funny. Then Pavarti also attacks Eliza for being a little snake. She pleads her case for staying in, by saying that she is unlikable, and that's why they should keep her. Nice.

And Eliza plays the stick. Ozzy looked like he was going to fall out of his chair laughing. Probst unwraps the stick, and tosses it in the fire, then Eliza outs Ozzy for having the real one. As Probst tossed the stick in the fire, Ozzy said "Come on, man, that took hours to make!" Classic.

Bye Bye, Skelator Girl.

The Votes go down like this:

Pavarti - Eliza
Alexis - Eliza
Natalie - Eliza
Jason - Ozzy
Ozzy - Eliza
Cirie - Eliza
Amanda - Eliza
Eliza - Ozzy
Erik - Eliza
James - Eliza

It looks like Ozzy's in danger next week. Hope he can work it out. I make no secrets of my favorites.

American Idol: Down to 7 - Results Show 4/10/08

I am totally unsure about who is going home this week. Last year, they balked at sending anyone home on Idol Gives Back Week, but they also didn't have a separate Results Show (if I remember correctly).

Randy's looking odd tonight (those sideburns are nearing mutton chop territory, and they look painted on), but Paula is looking nearly coherent. Simon looks ever like Simon.

Recap of last night - including recaps of two performances I fast forwarded through, and now I am happier than ever for my fast forwards.

A group sing - complete with the blasted choir - of Shout to the Lord. Gag. What if one of them was Jewish (or some other religion, or like me, none at all?). What a steaming pile of crap*. I want that time back, AI.

Next is a strange celebrity bad lipsynching video of I'm a Believer, with bad green screen mixing of the celebs together. That was also quite awful.

Down to the Business of the Night.

Who will be on the Couch of Comfort? Who will be on the Stools of Peril?

Brooke is full of excuses for her emotions, and is sent to the Sofa of Solace.

David Cook is out next, his hair in full attention (he looks a bit like a rooster), and is quickly told to join Brooke.

David Archuleta comes out next to discover his fate, there is much screaming of adoring fans in the audience. Despite being borrrrrring, he is also safe.

Before the break, Seacrest said "Look at the stools, what does that mean for the people backstage?" If that is his way of eluding to this being a waste of a results show, with no one being eliminated, I am going to be more than angry at wasting an hour of my time.

Forrest Whitaker takes us back to Sad Africa.

Jordan Sparks and Chris Brown perform No Air, which I actually kind of like. It's been stuck in my head for a while, from hearing it on the radio. Jordan is then presented with a bunch of plaques for having tons and tons of downloads. That's cool.

Ford Commercial time, and the effects were pretty cool.

Jason Castro is next up to be told his fate for the night. Ryan awkwardly asks him how much his ukulele cost, and it looks like it was a $600 well spent, as he is safe.

Kristy Lee Cook is next, with lots of blue eyeshadow. She is sent to the Sofas of Solace, which leaves Carly, Syesha, and Michael in the bottom 3. Michael I am of course really upset about, because he was the only one I really liked this week.

When Seacrest cut to the break, saying "Which one will have the lowest number of votes?" Carly gave a little wave and said "Me!" silently. I sure hope she is wrong. I think Syesha's time has come.

Idol Gives Back unites everyone, including all three Presidential Hopefuls. See, American Idol viewers, they DO care.

And ANOTHER break. Bahhhhh.

Syesha and Carly are safe, and Michael Johns is teased with the possibility of a non-elimination week like last year, but alas...

I, personally, am peeeeeeeeaved. He was seriously the only one I liked much at all on Tuesday, and I will absolutely miss him. I was not ready for him to be celebrated home, not at all.

Now I guess I just absolutely want David Cook to take it all.

I hope that Michael makes wonderful cds and gets a lot of air play. Go for it, Michael. Paula looked as shocked as I am. Shocked. I guess America likes terrible drivel songs. Michael got to sing us out, and couldn't hit the high notes, not surprisingly. Carly looked miserable. Now I wish she had been right in her prediction.

*Disclaimer for my religious readers, I don't have a problem with your religion, I just have a problem with crappy sappy songs

Top Chef - 4/9/08

Again, not an in depth play by play, but some general thoughts.

Zoi is still bitter about being in the bottom. She needs to get over it or I am not going to like her for long.

Quickfire Challenge: Ming Tsai is the guest judge this week, and it's all about good taste and palate. Blind folds! Love this challenge. This time they have to distinguish between the high quality and low quality ingredients.

Most people seemed to do really well.

Stephanie got 6/10 and lost. Ick.
runners up with 11/15 were Ryan and Jen. Zoi again is irritated.
12/15 is Antonia, and I was happy to see that.

The Challenge is cooking for the Meals on Wheels Celebrity Chef Ball, creating the first course. There are four different first courses representing the different elements.

Team Water was Richard, Andrew, and Mark. They busted out the circulating water bath and the fish.

Team Air was Jen, Nikki, and Ryan. Duck Breast with pomegranate. Ryan (I think) threw out the pomegranate juice that they were intending to use for a cocktail and Nikki reprimanded Ryan for cursing.

Team Earth was Zoi, Antonia and Spike. Beef carpachio, sunchokes, and marinated mushrooms. Spike was adamant about the butternut squash soup. Zoi spent some more time complaining about the fact that this is a quick competition and she can't take her time. I am readily starting to like her less.

Team Fire was Lisa, Dale, and Stephanie. The most initial drama came from them, I think. Lisa was really annoying. Prawns and bacon, with a chili salad, with a Asian twist. Lisa's bacon didn't come out as she wanted it too.

Time for the serving.

Water: Scales on fish? Not ok. NOT ok. Again with the fake tapioca caviar. Definitely in the bottom.

Fire: The shrimp gets really good marks. Definitely hot and spicy, feeling the fire. I think this is the winner.

Air: Duck skin not rendered off. And Tom was not liking the drink with it.

Earth: They didn't like the spicing at all. Someone from this team is probably going home.

Judges Table

The Fire team was obviously the winner. I want some of Lisa's bacon. She won the trip, and I think it was worth her being a pain because she was right, apparently. Dale was angry at her winning for cooking bacon. But, she cooked bacon in a new and delicious way.

Earth and Water were sent back as the bottom (I predict indignation from Zoi).

Water was in trouble. Parsnip and vanilla? That's an odd one to think about, especially next to mushy salmon and tapioca caviar already done.

Earth had a problem with lack of seasoning, and overkill with rosemary. Spike brought up his soup idea again, and it was actually called a very good idea by the judges. Zoi is really annoying to me. I wanted to like her because I like Jen so far, but I'm having difficulty.

Zoi has to pack her knives, and I was sad for Jen, but really won't miss Zoi much. She had a really high opinion of her cooking and never backed it up on the show.

More pissiness from Spike about his soup. Antonia is bitching right back. This is what happens when the chefs are all locked in a room with lots of wine. Tempers flare. Insane.

American Idol: Idol Gives Back

Ok, so I am totally digging the So You Think You Can Dance crew from last season dancing while the Idol group sings Rhianna's Please Don't Stop the Music. Jason Castro sounds so much different with a beat behind him. I kind of like him. The Idols sounded really good on the song, but I loved watching the dancers (cannot wait for that show to start!!! Love love love)

Wow, Maria Shriver sure looks haggard nowadays. Her nose is oddly disproportionately small for her face, and her jaw is sharp. Good cause, though, so my criticism is going to be at a minimum.

I admit, I fast forward through Snoop Dog. Not my kind of music in the slightest.

Paula is looking mighty nice tonight, her chihuahuas are nicely under wraps.

(Sad children, give money)

An odd Carrie Underwood/Terri Hatcher moment, which would probably make more sense if I watched Desperate Housewives. This is followed by Terri Hatcher singing Before He Cheats, and my goodness, it makes me appreciate Carrie! I don't know who told Terri Hatcher that she could hold a candle, but Yo, dawg, she was pitchy and weak. All for a good job, but I was cringing. Never thought I would prefer Carrie.

The Mary Murphy scream was kind of funny, though her bangs look ridiculous. You are not Farrah Fawcett, dear.

The Miley Cyrus/Billy Crystal thing was kind of awkward, but I do love Billy Crystal. At least he was able to pick on himself. The funny thing is, Miley Cyrus is too young to actually be on Idol. I know a lot of people love her, she is ok, her music is catchy, but my kids are too young for the Hannah Montana phenomenon to hit them yet, so I am mostly unaware of her. I do not think she would make it far on Idol for her voice, that's for sure. She is a good performer and a decent actress, from what I have seen, and I'm sure her being on the show will help raise some money.

The Top 12 are busy answering phones.

Bono shows us some sad Africa. I really do honestly wish that I had some extra money so I could donate to this, because they have such a great range of charities they are helping, it is heart warming. Seriously.

Fergie and John Legend performed next. I am getting some respect for Fergie's voice. her eye make-up was seriously odd, though. She sounded a little froggy on some notes, but it was not bad. I wasn't so much digging her 80's skirt over Catwoman outfit, though.

Fergie gives way to Heart, singing Barracuda. I've played this song on Guitar Hero III. I mean, I've attempted to play this song on Guitar Hero III. I am worse than awful, but it is fun to try. Fergie gets to join in with Heart, and rocked it out. She shed her puffy skirt and jacket and is left in her strange rubberized leggings. All the better to do one-handed cartwheels in! That was a pretty awesome number.

You can get Commemorative Stamps from stamps.com with AI winners on them for the next few weeks. That's interesting.

Les Beckhams make an appearance asking for donations. Vikki B looked almost human. Then more Sad Africa with Bono. (I am not trivializing anything here, just can't think of anything else to say). He is joined by Annie Lennox this time. The AIDS epidemic in Africa is so heartbreaking. Annie Lennox then performs on the Idol Gives Back stage. She's got such an incredible voice.

Jimmy Kimmel then does a little schtick. It's not as good as the bit on his show a bit ago, but he did pick on Simon quite a lot. That was kind of fun. Simon then got to introduce Carrie Underwood, blessedly singing her own song, though I fast forwarded, because I still don't kike her much.

The Gloria Estafan and Sheila E. Thankfully, it's Gloria Estefan singing this song and not Diana DeGarmo. (I know it's not the same song that Diana DeGarmo murdered, but I just wanted to mention). More dancing by some of the SYTYCD crew. Nice. Sheila E lost her cymbal. Don't know if she meant to do that, but it was funny, her face was priceless.

And now Sara Silverman. Also not doing the bit from the Jimmy Kimmel show. She's funny, though, even when she is just introducing a depressing video about malaria.

Even the Prime Minister of Great Britain is getting in on the show! I've never seen him before, only heard him on NPR, so that was new.

Reese Witherspoon made an appearance for the Children's Defense Fund.

The Top 8 performed Seasons of Love, from Rent. Brooke's microphone was way louder than anyone elses, it evened out a bit after the beginning. Ugh, enter the choir. It was kind of a nice group sing, though, not at all cringeworthy.

Alicia Keys showed us some more Sad Africa.

For the Teeny Bopper Crowd, Vanessa Hudgins and Ashley Tisdale made the entreaty for donations, before Miley Cyrus did another song, I Can't Wait to See You Again (and this one gets stuck in my head, but sounds better after it her voice goes through the digitizer in the studio). I don't want to pick on her too much, I mean, she's 15.

She and her dad went to Kentucky to showcase the power of education in children, and that's always a good message.

A special appearance by Robin Williams, billed as "The Russian Idol." I do love Robin Williams. I'm sure Russians will find this offensive on some level, but he is so funny. I mean, he grabbed Simon's butt. That's funny.

David Spade is not anywhere near as funny as Robin Williams, but he introduced Brad Pitt's segment, who then appeared live (sans Angelina and kids). His microphone came off and a very funny woman came out and fixed it, saying "I just wanted a reason to touch him." Very nice. Brad Pitt then introduced a Daughtry video. I do love Daughtry.

Not so much Marriah Carey. I fast forwarded. Then it was over.

I truly think it is an amazing thing for American Idol to use it's powers for good. Hope that a lot of people are helped by tonight's donations.

Tomorrow - someone gets booted, unless it is a repeat of last year's boot-less Idol Gives Back week.