Steel Kaleidoscopes

Clay Aiken Dissed Again

In 2003, an unknown singer named Clay Aiken dazzled the competition but finished as a runner-up to Ruben Studdard in the second season of "American Idol."

He recently made his return to national TV competition as a participant on "Celebrity Apprentice." For those who really hadn't seen him beyond what he's accomplished as a singer, expectations were probably low.

How was this kid from North Carolina going to compete in a business/marketing format where the winner had to demonstrate leadership and the ability to navigate through complex personalities to accomplish a goal?

Well, he did just fine. Like "American Idol," he made it to the final against former talk-show host Arsenio Hall. Clearly, Aiken seemed the stronger player throughout the season, showing street smarts, business savvy and delivering results with passion and, at times, a firm hand.

So when Donald Trump hired Hall, Aiken was dissed again.

Surprising.

Money Matters TV Appearance

On a hot September evening in 2004, I entered the CN8 studios on Comm. Ave to appear on a career advancement panel for the TV show "Money Matters Today."

I was told there would be two other panelists. Problem was, they ran into travel issues and couldn't make it in time. Looks like it was up to me to fill the entire half-hour segment.

I found this out at the last minute.

No worries. Other than a lot of "it's very important" and "it's very critical" utterances, I hung in there.

Roll the tape (there are three segments):

 

And more:

 

And even more:

 

Porkchops and Applesauce

"Ain't that swell."

American Idol: Hiatus

Two years ago, I wrote in this space that I wouldn't be reviewing "American Idol" because of other priorities. After reviving my reviews last season, I am taking another hiatus from singer critique.

It really is about priorities.

Instead of watching the likes of Jessica Sanchez and Joshua Ledet, the potential finalists, belt out unique versions of Whitney Houston and Stevie Wonder classics, I was helping my 6-year-old floss her teeth. (Yeah, I caught up through the wonder of DVR after 10 p.m.)

Before that, it was answering her questions about classroom reading etiquette. Then there was the project of  going through all of her old DVDs and watching her make the emotional choice of which ones stay in the family room and which ones are retired to the basement. "Monsters, Inc." and "Finding Nemo" were retired; "Enchanted" and "Tangled" stayed.

A bath, brushing teeth and flossing can easily take an hour.

Then there's math and spelling homework.

From time to time and when inspiration hits, I'll share my views on the singers to watch.

But for now, the keyboard is silent.

Impolitically Correct

Sometimes the changes in our culture are so subtle, yet so magnifying.

Take, for example, the lyrics to Mungo Jerry's "In the Summertime."  Ray Dorset sings in 1970, "Have a drink, have a drive, go out and see what you can find."

We were watching the pilot of  "The Brady Bunch" the other day (part of an effort to share nostalgic TV shows with the little person who lives in our house) and Florence Henderson tells Robert Reed to "take a tranquilizer" to ease his nerves before their wedding.

Different times.

Flipper

So we got a Netflix-ready TV, which is kind of neat.

After finally figuring out how to get the wireless signal required for streaming video (the Linksys booster does the trick), we went through the Netflix library and built up the streaming queue.

In looking for content suitable for the little person who lives in our house, I stumbled across the entire catalogue of "Flipper" episodes. "Flipper" aired for four seasons, from 1964-67. The stories revolve around a dolphin — that would be Flipper — who always seems to be in the right place at the right time, saving children from drowning and other bad things that can happen when your house is on the ocean.

Turns out it's a big hit. That means our routine is dinner and an episode of "Flipper."

Just like when I was kid.

Bill

 
Life is good.

Good Morning, Cooper

That's a good cup of coffee.

The Joker

Cesar Romero finds the situation puzzling.

American Idol: Finale

The "American Idol" finale is always anti-climatic. We've heard the best, good and not-so-good from each contestant already. That's especially true for these fine finalists, who turned this into an hour of youth-infused, predictable country music.

Before the night began, American voters knew who they wanted. Scotty McCreery had the edge and was destined for the confetti shower. But that was before Lauren Alaina sang to her mom. Here's the order of how the two finalists performed last night, with the odds of winning it all tonight:

  1. Scotty McCreery
The kid from North Carolina is smooth, surprisingly seasoned and destined for greatness. Just 17, Scotty went from the unknown baritone-voiced redhead who was sticking up for the disrespected kid on group night during the auditions to a household-name country star. He's improved each week, and shined once again last night with a rollicking version of "Gone" to kick off the show. Wasn't crazy about his second and third songs (the new song in finales is almost always weak), but he's done enough to command a consistently high volume of votes. I had him as a shoo-in when the night began, but I think it's going to be much closer. His competitor's mom had something to do with that.
Odds of winning: 3-1

2. Lauren Alaina (bye , bye)
This just wasn't fair. First, a doctor comes out and explains that Lauren had issues with her vocal chords during rehearsals. Then, in the final competitive song of Season 10, Lauren is handed the syrupy "Like My Mother Does" and sings it to her mom. Pass the Kleenex. Poor Scotty is backstage wondering what is happening. Tough call as the Georgia peach pulls a trump card in the final few minutes. Thought she held back and sounded weak during her first two numbers, but it's difficult to predict the outcome when emotions come into play. Sweet 16 singer who will have a great career, but it wasn't enough to dethrone the next Johnny Cash.
 Odds of winning: 6-1