New Predix Coming This Weekend

I'm tired of all this mindless blogging, so I'm gonna gather my 2006 predix in time for Saturday. The supporting categories will probably come first, but I can't guarantee anything.

American Idol: Week 2

The final 12 episodes generally live or die based on the theme the judges or producers or whomever picks. Luckily, tonight's 50's Week was a goodie, and it showed in almost all of the eleven performances.

So who did the best? Let's recap.

For starters, my girl Katharine McPhee topped the night with a beautiful rendition of Ella Fitzgerald's "Come Rain or Come Shine". Simon said this was her star-making performance, but I'd argue it was the audition round where this star first shimmered.

Also turning in good work was Mandisa. I wrote her off last week as vocally overrated, but tonight the vocals were flawless. Now if only I could say the same about her hair...Oy.

Paris, too, was a treat, although Simon may be onto something with his "wind-up doll" theory.

As for the rest?

Well, much praise will be given to Chris for putting a rocker spin on Johnny Cash's "I Walk the Line", but because this is one of my all-time favorite songs, I'm a little torn. Guy's got balls, though.

Elliot Yamin has arguably the best male pipes of season 5, but I fear his lack of on stage charisma will hurt in the long run, especially when put up against Taylor Hicks and the vocally challenged but "likeable" Kellie Hickler (yes, that spelling was intentional).

Finally, Ace, Kevin, Bucky, and Lisa continued to suck with performances ranging from awkward to down right embarrasing (Kevin and Bucky in particular). If I had to guess, the one voted tomorrow will probably come from this group. Lisa sticks out as a strong possibility, but I might just be still bitter over that awful attempt at Dreamgirls a few weeks back.

What about you, Idol fans? Who was the best tonight? Who sucked? And again I ask, what the hell is up with Paula Abdul?

New Dixie Chicks Single

MSN is offering an exclusive preview of the Dixie Chicks' new single "Not Ready to Make Nice"; their first in 3 years. You can listen to it in full by clicking here.

Feel free to obsess in the comments section.

American Idol: Week 1

You'll be hearing a lot more from me each Tuesday & Wednesday as we get closer and closer to naming Season 5's next American Idol.

But for now I'd just like to announce my undying support for Katharine McDreamy...er, McPhee. The past few weeks have been a little rough for her, but Tuesday's performance of "Until You Come Back to Me" proved she's the only female contestant with the potential to be a real star.

Go girl.

2006 and Beyond...

I've received a number of e-mails from readers lately asking when I'll be posting my 2006 predix.

The truth is, I haven't even begun to research the films planned to be released this year (well, besides Dreamgirls. Sigh.) After Brokeback's loss, I needed a break from Oscar for a little while.

But I'm back for good now. In fact, I plan on diving into things starting this weekend. Predix won't be up until at least sometime next week, but I can't guarantee anything. I just know I have to get everything out by March 31st. I'm anal like that.

So stay tuned. Hopefully I'll be able to come up with an interesting lineup.

Help me, Jesus!

Other Reactions

With all the Brokeback vs. Crash debates dominating the internet these days, I thought it might be best to recap the Oscars by focusing on something else for a change. This is being done partially because many other moments, both good and bad, happened prior to Best Picture, and partially because the whole thing is depressing the hell out of me.

And whenever I get depressed, I try to think of happy things to cheer myself up. So to kick things off, here are my top 5 favorite moments from Sunday night's telecast.

05. Ben Stiller
---I normally find his comedic persona to be tiresome (think Will Ferrell, only slightly less annoying and horrible), but I have to amidt I was loving the green suit. You gotta admire the guy for going to such lenghts just for a few laughs.

04. Three 6 Mafia/Taraji P. Henson
---So I predicted "It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" to win Best Original Song. Go Me. But I didn't expect their acceptance speech to be so crazy. That was fun. And speaking of fun, how great was that note Taraji P. Henson held at the end of the number? Dreamgirls cameo, anyone?

03. Reese Witherspoon
---Glam has finally returned!! And it couldn't have been brought back by a more talented and beautiful woman. Terrific speech (and terrific husband, too. yum.)

02. Ang Lee
---Yes, Brokeback losing Best Picture was horrible, but really. It could've been worse.

01. Best Actress Campaign Ads
---A totally unexpected and hilarious twist. "Reese Witherspoon!" "Now there's an American with a traditional name!" LOL.

Mixed Reactions

02. Jon Stewart
---Loved some of his bits (see above), but the monologue was pretty awkward. I do see room for growth, however, and would love to see him come back to host next year when nerves are no longer an issue.

01. The acting clips
---Some good and original choices made, but what happened to the Naomi Watts in "21 Grams" type ham fests that look so campy out of context you can't help but laugh? The only clip that came close to achieving such a level was Charlize Theron's. "You can all go to hell!!!" See you when I get there, Josie.

Worst Moment

01. Crash winning Best Picture. And Best Original Screenplay. And hell, while we're at it, Best Editing.

Ugh.

Moving on to the fashion... (you gotta stay positive, Andy)

Best Dressed...

Reese Witherspoon.

It's a rather simple gown, but she looked beautiful in it. Definitely reason to smile.

Worst Dressed

Charlize Theron

Way too much going on here. And that bow on the shoulder is almost as frightening as her performance in "North Country". (I know the 2005 season is over, but I had to get one last dig in there. I just had to!!)

What about you, bloggers? What were your favorite moments of the 78th Oscars? Who was Best and Worst Dressed? And do you want to see Jon Stewart host again next year?

Crash Moment

Oh, where to begin?

Speculation is already brewing as to how Crash managed to beat the critically acclaimed and overwhelming favorite Brokeback Mountain at last night's Oscars. Some say it was an act of homophobia. Others say it was simply based on merit.

As for me? Well, I haven't a clue. This was an unprecedented moment in the Academy's 78 year history, and it will take years before we can even start to get a sense of what really happened. To this day, people are still scratching their heads over Chariots of Fire and its 1981 upset- and it's been 25 years.

Odds are Crash will join Chariots of Fire as one of the biggest Oscar blunders of all time - and I say this in the most objective way possible. Such is the fate of a film that upsets the favorite when the favorite has won nearly every other award leading up to the ceremony.

But I digress. I'm deeply, deeply saddened by all of this, but obsessing over something you cannot change isn't going to get us anywhere. This isn't the first mistake the Academy's made anyway, and it's not likely the last, either.

So let us take a moment to mourn the loss of Brokeback Mountain (or praise it! I know you Crashers are out there somewhere) so that we can all move forward. Really. We have 9 months of Dreamgirls to obsess over and not a moment to lose. :)

Son of a ***************************************

Holy mother of PEARL. I cannot believe Crash actually pulled off the upset.

What a dissapointing night. I'm literally stunned.

Memo to E!:

Please, please, please do away with Ryan Seacrest and Guiliana DePandi's horrific pre-show commentary.

I swear this channel represents everything that's wrong with this country. Good Lord.

Happy Oscars!!

The best day of the year has finally arrived. How will you be celebrating?

Final Oscar Predix...

...are tenatively here.

I have until 11:59 PM EST to make any final changes. In the meantime, I'm gonna go watch "Pride & Prejudice" and obsess over whether or not I should be stupid and predict William Hurt (These predix bore me!)

Sigh.

And the Winners Are...

The winners for the 4th Annual Everything Oscar! Awards have just been announced. You can view them in full by clicking here.

I know, I know. Boring choices, right? Well, I still like what I see.

How 'bout you?

Best Supporting Actress

Alas, I chose Rachel Weisz for Oscar's Best Supporting Actress. It's a performance I loved and nominated, but to be honest I'd much rather see someone like Amy Adams or Michelle Williams pull off a surprising upset.

Be on the lookout for the 4th Annual Everything Oscar! Award winners later this evening (and I do mean late), followed by tomorrow's final Oscar predix.

Idol Behavior

Can somebody please tell me what is up with Paula Abdul these days? I'm not going to speculate anything right now, but there's something fishy about her on air behavior. It makes me nervous.

And while we're on the subject of Idol, how insanely gorgeous is Katharine McPhee? I love her to pieces and think she can go far in the competition if she can manage to pick good songs consistently each week.