(43-277) "The Voice"

I know that there are many busy people who fore go watching TV; but I can't.  I enjoy watching TV.  I like being distracted; and I watch a good variety of shows.  Everything from a soap opera, to comedy, to drama, to reality.  I watch dance reality, singing reality, cooking reality and human reality.  And I know that sounds like a lot to some; but thanks to my DVR, I watch it all at my convenience.  Well usually...

On Tuesday night, we ran into a bit of a scheduling conflict, because we can only record two shows at a time, and watch one of the two shows.  We were recording the "Dancing with the stars" results show, "The Biggest Loser," and  "GLEE," but we also wanted to watch the premier of "The Voice" on NBC.  Since the aforementioned shows overlapped a bit, I knew that if we watched "The Voice" on the play room TV from 8 to 830, we could then record the remainder on the DVR.  Luis, Kelsie and I settled in for "The Voice," and we all LOVED it. 

If you haven't heard about it; lemme splain.  The show is hosted by Carson Daly, who thus far he has proven himself to be kind, compassionate, 

and extremely likable.  Even Luis thought so.  The judges are Adam Levine (Maroon 5,)  Cee Lo Green (whose hit "Forget You" is ROCKIN the charts right now,)  Christina Aguilera, and Blake Shelton; and together, they're a terrific team.  The premise of the show is that each of the judges will chose 8 singers to comprise their team.  Then the judge / coach will work with them as the show goes into competition mode.  Ultimately, one person will be dubbed "The voice."  The contestants had been pre-screened and the ones who are appearing on the show, are those that received call backs.  The singers come out onto the stage without being announced, and the judges have their chairs turned around so that they cannot see the performer.  The contestant begins singing and if any of the  judges are interested in coaching that person, they hit their buzzer which turns their chair around so that they can face the performer.  If no one buzzes in, the singer does not continue on the show.  If more than one judge buzzes in, then the singer will have the opportunity to chose which coach he/she wants to work with.  And I can tell you that the judges and their pitches are both funny and heartfelt.

Frenchie Davis

So far, each coach has chosen three singers; and I was so pleasantly surprised when onto the stage walked none other than Frenchie.  NO, not Frenchie from "Grease," Frenchie from season two of "American Idol."  I had been a big Frenchie fan back in the day.  And if you don't know who I'm talkin bout, lemme refresh your memory.

So it's season two of "American Idol" and Frenchie wows the judges.  Frenchie sails through Hollywood week and makes it to the semi-finals, but when the show start airing, Frenchie is no where to be found, because the producers had eliminated her.  Frenchie had been forthcoming with the producers and told them at the age of nineteen she had posed for some lingerie and topless pictures which had been on the Internet.  The website had since been shut down, but the producers decided that since "Idol" was a family show, it would be inappropriate for Frenchie to appear.  This steamed me then, and  since more recent contestants were allowed to compete after less forthright discoveries were made, I think that Frenchie got a really raw deal, and I'm very excited to be able to watch her have the opportunity to perform again.

"The Voice" is not aiming to be a venue for "Idol" castoffs from what I've read.  They are just trying to find the BEST voice in America.  Other contestants had stories that were just as compelling as Frenchie's.  From a painstakingly shy, 16 year old girl, who'll be working with Blake Shelton, to a young woman whose been living in her car since she travels around so much for gigs.  There are all types of  singers who perform in various genres; and what I find really interesting is that, the teams are not necessarily being built in accordance with the singer or coaches specialty.  There's a country crooner who chose to work with Adam Levine, and a rock girl who picked Christina Aguilera as her coach; and I could go on and on, but I won't.

As full as my DVR is getting, I will definitely be fitting "The Voice" in to my scheduled recordings list; and get this.  If it's too full, I WILL watch it on any TV that's available in my house; because it's just THAT GOOD.   I can assure you that  "The Voice" is not JUST another singing reality show; and it's totally worth your time, even if you have very little of it.

Till next time...

Queen of EVERYTHING

(43-217) Holy Shin Guard!

One of my favorite things on "GLEE" is when they do a mash up.  If you're not familiar with this term, according to "Wikipedia"  "it's when they combine two or more different songs into one by blending two or more pre-recorded songs, usually by overlaying the vocal track of one song seamlessly over the instrumental track of another." 

A little earlier tonight, I was talking on the phone with my friend, Jenny; and she asked what tonight's blog was going to be about.  I shared my two ideas, she gave me her opinion; and after we hung up, I realized that I could totally combine both.  I realized that often times, "The Bumpy Ride," truly is a mashup. 
 
I was all set to go with the idea that Jenny preferred; until "American Idol" came on.  Y'all know from several recent blogs, that I am once again a big (yes) HUGE, fan of "American Idol;"  and when I found out tonight that the 12 guys were going to perform today, the twelve girls tomorrow and then on Thursday, the top five guys, the top five girls; and the judges wild card picks would be announced; I was a HAPPY lady.  I for one am very glad that they won't be drawing these qualifying rounds out.  Get in, get out quit messing about.  That's what I like!!
 
We settled in to watch and laughed as Ryan Seacrest handed Steven Tyler a blooper mask.  Now this is just a term that I made up, because I don't really know what you call the "American Idol" logo on a stick, that Ryan handed to Steven to put in front of his mouth in case he cursed.  Ryan demonstrated how Steven might use the blooper mask; but he didn't need it when he yelled out "Holy Shin Guard," after one of the performances. (Or at least that's what it sounded like to me;)   I love me some Steven Tyler and the new and improved "American Idol."
 
Ironically enough, the original idea for tonight's post, is something that had me saying "Holy Shin Guard," or something like it, earlier today.  A couple of weeks ago, I got an email from USAA or so it seemed.  It was asking for my personal information, but as I'm not a USAA member; I totally disregarded it.  A few days later I received a similar email from my bank.  It didn't read right to me, so I decided to take my chances and disregard it as well.  Then this morning I found this email :
"We recently have determined that different computers have logged onto your Online Banking account, and multiple password failures were present before the logons. We now need you to re-confirm your account information to us.
If this is not completed by March 4, 2011, we will be forced to suspend your account indefinitely, as it may have been used for fraudulent purposes. We thank you for your cooperation in this manner.
To confirm your Online Banking records click on the following link:https://online.my/my banks name.com/IdentityManagement/

Thank you for your patience in this matter.
My banks name Customer Service

Please do not reply to this e-mail as this is only a notification. Mail sent to this address cannot be answered.
�2011 My banks name  Corporation. All rights reserved.

Thank you Steven Tyler, I'll say it again; "Holy Shin Guard!"  Once again I was suspicious; so I clicked on the link, and I swear to you, it looked very similar to my banks home page; logo and all; however, it required me to provide my log in and password on the same page, and that doesn't happen unless I'm first shown my site key.  I decided that I'd rather be safe than sorry; so I called my bank and waited on hold for ten minutes or so; in order to ask if my bank had sent me this email.  Well, I'm sure you know as well as I, that in fact they did NOT.  It was a total scam.  My bank told me what information would have been included in the email had it been authentic; and I felt really relieved that I was not duped. 

In the interest of (say it with me,) "the Greater Good," it is my fervent hope that by posting this story tonight; I will prevent at least one person from falling pray to these scavengers.  When I think about this email scam and the potential harm that it could do; I get very angry.  How ironic that they threaten to suspend my account due to fraudulent activity; when this is the most fraudulent activity of them all.  I know that there have always been con artists out there; and some of them legitimize their craft by calling themselves car salesmen. No offense to my car salesmen readers; but I'm not really a fan of the mode of operation used to separate me from my hard earned money.  But I digress.  I feel the need to pull Roseanne Rosannadanna outta my arsenal and say "Hey, you email scammers; stay the heck outta my business and go make some money by gettin a real job.  Hopefeully one where you're bustin your hump; YOU'RE MAKING ME SICK!"
 

Whew!  Talk about a mashup... I covered "GLEE," "American Idol," email scams AND Roseanne Roseannadanna all in one blog.  HOLY SHIN GUARD; not bad for a Tuesday night.

Till next time...

Queen of EVERYTHING