P. D. Griffith's P.O.V.

I am going to warn you now…this is going to be a long one.

Well initial promos said that America’s Next Top Model: Cycle 12 was supposed to start today, but I believe that with American Idol’s move this week to ANTM’s normal time slot (on another network, mind you) made them afraid to compete with the reality tv giant. Instead, we can expect ANTM’s return next Wednesday, March 4th, for a 2 hour premiere. But for me, other shows hold the spot for most anticipated of the night. Lost, Damages and Top Chef finale are definitely highest on my list.

Ep. “The Life and Death of Jeremy Bentham”

So this show has had it’s ups and downs for me. It came on really strong with the first two seasons, somewhat lost its luster in the third season, then regained some ground with season 4. Now we are in season 5 and it has so far been absolutely amazing. The enigma that is the island continues to become more complex and it is impossible to determine what is going to happen next.

This episode centered around John Locke (Alias: Jeremy Bentham) and his mission to get off the island, and it started with giving the audience a number of new questions. I am talking about when Locke tells that woman on the beach what he remembers: “I think this suit is what they were going to bury me in…I remember dying.” Does this mean he is talking to that woman in the present? How does he come back to life? Why isn’t he with the other cast on the island? What is going on?!

After Locke has gone through the “exit,” he is rushed to a Tunisian hospital and visited by none other than Charles Whitmore. Turns out Whitmore was once the leader of the Others and was exiled by Ben in the past. Also, it appears that Whitmore decided to help Locke get the Oceanic Six to go back because of an impending war on the island. What war?!

On his mission, Locke initially goes to Santo Domingo to see Sayid, then he goes and checks on Walt in New York City (he apparently still has some sort of weird psychic thing going on). Hurley was next and their meeting was pretty entertaining; Hugo thinks Locke is another dead man vision. Next, it was Kate and then Jack. He was initially unsuccessful in convincing any of them to return.

The episode closes with the discovery that Locke was actually murdered by Ben, Locke is somehow alive again and is with the other survivors of the plane crash that happened in last week’s episode, and Ben is among the injured survivors.

Good episode and I can’t wait for next Wednesday.

Ep. “They Had to Tweeze That Out of My Kidney”

The storyline of this show is so complex it is going to be difficult to provide an intelligible commentary. As a result, I am going to believe that you are as addicted to this show as I am and that you understand the history of the characters and the events that preceded this episode.

The episode was a good one (but let’s be honest, they all are) and the story line progressed substantially. I really hope Ellen discovers Wes’s secret moleness soon and that it is him she puts a bullet into in the flash-forward clips. Although, I would still be happy if Detective Messer was the one on the business end of the revolver.

At the end, we find out that Uncle Pete’s dirt on Patty gets back to Ellen Parsons and a confrontation takes place 3 months in the future. It seems like that is going to be quite the scene when we get to see the whole thing at the end of the season. But is it Patty Hewes who Ellen shoots? Only time will tell.

Ep. “Season Finale – Part 2”

I love this show, and this was quite an interesting finale. We have the bitter rivalry that has developed between Hosea and Stephan and then the kooky antics of Carla to entertain us thoroughly. Before the episode aired, I wanted Carla to win. I think Hosea is boring, Stephan is a cocky, Finnish bastard who needs to be deported, and Carla is the person who really cooks for the right reasons. She puts the luv in her food as she would put it.

For the episode, Tom Colicchio made the Elimination Challenge very simple: “Cook us the best three course meal of your life.” I like that direction because it really lets the cooks showcase who they are without the constraints of crazy challenge guidelines. Of course, halfway through the challenge, Tom presented them with a twist. Each of the chefs had to cook a 4th course hors d’oeuvre using one of three local proteins: red fish, blue crab and alligator. I am from Florida, so alligator isn’t a new thing for me, but I LOVE that Hosea stuck Stephan with it (and he was pissed).

Unfortunately, Carla lost her point-of-view and didn’t cook “her food,” so she sadly checked herself out of the competition. It ended up with Hosea and Stephan facing each other head-to-head for the title of Top Chef.

And the winner is…

Winner of Top Chef - Hosea Rosenberg

I didn’t want him to win, but at least it wasn’t Stephan!

Ep. “Second 12 of 36”

So the second set of 12 contestants performed to get a spot in the Top 12. And for a second week in a row, song choice seemed to be the monster that crushed the contestants’ dreams.

Jasmine Murray: Performed “Love Song” by Sarah Bareilles. She definitely had some issues with the song. I am going to steal a line from Randy: “It was really pitchy, dawg.” The lower portions of the song were definitely not in a comfortable register and the chorus was obviously not soulful enough for her. She definitely tried to take a simple, pretty song and make it “unique,” but she did not succeed.

Matt Giraud: Performed “Viva la Vida” by Coldplay. He needs some work with his breathing, he sounded like he was out of breath the entire time. The performance wasn’t the worst I have heard in Idol history, but the panting he did while he was singing really deterred me from getting into the song. He said he was trying to put a soulful/bluesy twist on Coldplay and I can say that didn’t work. Judges agreed with me.

Jeanine Vailes: Performed “This Love” by Maroon5. Let’s start with OMG overkill! The runs were almost unbearable, but when she went into an upper register, it sometimes sounded “aight.” But she does have nice legs.

Nick “Norman Gentle” Mitchell: Performed “And I’m Telling You, I’m Not Going” by Dreamgirls/Jennifer Hudson. I don’t know how every one else feels about him, but I think he is hilarious. He definitely has a voice and his humor makes the less perfect parts acceptable. I also loved that he interjected little comments throughout the song, like “Doogie” when he saw Niel Patrick Harris in the audience. Hilarity.

Allison Iraheta: Performed “Alone” by Heart. She was the first one of the night that selected a song that fit her image and voice. I thought she performed the 1980’s infamously bad karaoke rock ballad well even though it is a hard song to sing. She hasn’t had that much face time on the show so it will be interesting to see if she can make it through.

Kris Allen: Performed “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson. After I heard the song choice I didn’t have much hope for this contestant, but I have to say, he did a pretty good job. The beginning of the song was definitely a bit weak, but the second half was good. Also, the girls are going to love him.

Megan Courkrey: Performed “Put Your Records On” by Corrine Bailey Rae. She was quite awkward on the stage; her body motions seemed like a 4-year-old singing for their parents in the living room (you know what I’m talking about). Also, she didn’t seem to hit all the notes, but she has more of an identity than some of the other contestants. Personally, not a fan.

Matt Breitzke: Performed “If You Could Only See” by Tonic. I think the major thing missing in the performance was that little bit of grit in the voice that this song needs. His performance was a bit corny and boring. He was in tune and I think America likes him so he has a chance of going through.

Jesse Langseth: Performed “Betty Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes. I really like this singer. She has a really interesting tone that seems really relevant in today’s music industry where singers like Amy Winehouse, Duffy and Adele going platinum. I’m not sure what her fate is.

Kai Kalama: Performed “What Becomes of a Broken Hearted” by Jimmy Ruffin. First, he seriously needs to get that hair in check…SERIOUSLY! Second, I thought he sounded old and irrelevant in his performance. He can sing, but it was just old.

Mishavonna Henson: Performed “Drops of Jupiter” by Train. She definitely can sing and she sang this song well, but I think there are better ones for her. Simon thinks she is too mature. Who knows with this one.

Adam Lambert: Performed “Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones. He has an interestingly high voice for a male singer, but I think I like it. For me, he definitely was the most highly anticipated contestant to hear this week. And holy crap, he could give Deep Purple a run for their money with the rocker scream. I think he is a surefire Top 12.

My prediction for tomorrow night: Adam Lambert, Mishavonna Henson (but Allison Iraheta could be a spoiler) and Kris Allen.

I also watched Life on Mars, but this post seriously needs to end.