Jeffrey Rosado's The Culture Of Pop

Welcome New Visitors!

2009-06-14T01:17:00.000-07:00

Hi guys....We're just basically setting up shop, so pardon the "plain Jane" look/generic template digs for now...But this is home for my newest venture/on-line radio show/podcast follow-up project to The DVD Marquee (which you'll find a link to on the right hand side of this page).

As one who grew up with the likes of Johnny Carson, Tom Snyder and Casey Kasem in my youth, I've always loved good conversation, story telling and pop culture...and despite 25 years in media, it's only now via an age of high tech wonderment/Do-It-Yourself mentality that I've been able to realize my dream of having my own chatfest.

And in addition to housing episodes of The Culture Of Pop, this slice of cyber real estate will also include musings on my eclectic, diverse array of interests in the areas of news, sports, music, TV and of course, pop culture as well as fun things like an ongoing list of dream guests, interesting links and perspectives from a long time media man who's celebrating 25 years in this crazy business this summer...and with no less the same enthusiasm and excitement as I did when asked to tackle homeroom announcements in high school.

So, to paraphrase Detective McGarrett on Hawaii Five-O, bookmark us, Danno!

Best,
Jeffrey Rosado

-Jeffrey Rosado is a free lance journalist, multi-award winning performer, writer, producer and pop culture historian whose contributions have appeared at digitallyOBSESSED.com, Beatlefan Magazine, The Huntsville Times and The DVD Marquee (www.thedvdmarquee.com)

THE IDOL DANCER

2009-04-16T06:10:00.000-07:00

American Idol Results Show Recap:
4-15-09

ACTION: FADE UP FROM BLACK

Keifer Sutherland (yeah, right): The following blurbs were written between 8 pm and 9 pm...we hope... Affiliates will have our ass if we cut into their news time...

“Minute by minute, by minute, by minute, I'll be holding on....”
-Michael McDonald/Lester Abrams

8:00 pm-Go on, hate me Tarantino dissers... I thought QT movie night was sensational...Cool opening tonight, too...

8:01 pm-”Sedaka's back”!

8:04 pm-J. Geils Band tunes don't fit “Idol/Up With People” group vocals format. Horrific.

8:03 pm-Paula Abdul? YOU look beautiful tonight (yeah, I know..I'm the silver tongued blogger).

8:05pm-Work that camera Adam Lambert, you vocal “Maniac”, you (insert scrunchy nose expression of approval from yours truly, here).

8:12 pm-Great behind-the-scenes story from Adam on Tarantino's passion for music in film..doesn't surprise me at all.

8:14 pm-We interrupt this broadcast for a two minute infomercial for 17 Again, starring George Burns, er, sorry... Zac Effron and Leslie (Judd Apatow You Lucky MoFo) Bibb. Opens Friday everywhere (even Bayonne).

8:16 pm-We now join Ryan Seacrest's tie bar already in progress.

8:18 pm-Alison b safe. Getting smarter, America (and glad my bottom three pred turned out to be wrong).

8:19 pm-Adam safe (whew). Gotta love my fellow Rocky Horror Picture Show fan's sense of humor. Does not look like press agent sanctioned put-on...

8:20 pm-Anoopy's weekly sprint to bottom Threeville.

8:24 pm-FOX Promo: There's no crying in Hell's Kitchen, Gordon Ramsey!

8:25 pm-Much deserved welcome home lovefest for Jennifer Hudson commences. After what this sweet girl's been through in recent months, she looks and sounds wonderful...

8:29 pm-Church those high notes, Jennifer!

8:30 pm-Light bulb moment: Wouldn't an Adam Lambert/Jennifer Hudson duet be terrific? Take note 19 Productions...

8:33 pm-FOX Promo: If it lives up to the promise of its commercials, Glee could become one of the biggest summer TV hits in years... ...or at worst, another Cop Rock.

8:35 pm-Can't help but notice the space between Paula and Kara... and anybody notice a slight wince from Kara when Paula patted her on the back during her Kris kudos on Tuesday? Hope I'm wrong, but not sensing much togetherness between these two..

8:37 pm-Cowell gives belated “excellent” props to Kris for amazing rendition of Falling Slowly Tuesday night. Spot on, mate.

8:38 pm-Lil joins Anoopy. Hurting for her; still have her gospel-flavored take of The Rose ringin' in my ears. Beats the hell out of tinnitus, I'll tell you for sure.

8:40 pm-This just in: Ryan Seacrest induces near panic across the Gokey Nation...until he sends Matt back to familiar territory instead. Spontaneous living room raspberries from Camp Giraud gatherings ensue.

8:46 pm-Miley Cyrus makes rare television appearance. At the risk of going Peggy Fleming, good for her...for she isn't on the box often enough (insert deadpan Bob Hope expression, here).

8:48 pm-Miley Cyrus Band's wardrobe courtesy of Reservoir Dogs, Inc./A Band Apart LLC

8:50 pm-Okay, as much as I like to rag/kid her, Miley has a pretty good voice; “The Climb” is a terrific piece of pop music... and based on contacts I have in the biz, I hear Miley's a really sweet kid... ..and besides, she's a fellow John Lennon fan.

8:55 pm-Way to go, Lil!

8:56 pm-”You better sing for your life if you can little Matt, show Simon Cowell where it's at little Matt...”

Told you guys I was a John Lennon fan.

8:58 pm-Question For Idol Judges: How DO you guys confer on the “Judges Save” during the screams/music? Or are you all just puttin' on the dog for the cameras and making post-show dinner plans instead?

8:59 pm-Cowell, you old dog, you. But hold off on the streamers and balloons. As expected, Simon brings everybody back to reality quick with reminder of a double elimination week (which we all knew about) coming out of this... and next week's theme: Disco (gulp!)....

Quentin Tarantino week doesn't seem so bad in retrospect now, does it naysayers?

Have a great weekend, everybody...and pray for no rendition of Ring My Bell from the still Magnificent Seven collectively or individually come Tuesday...

Seriously, not even the new pop culture wonder that is Adam Lambert could make that God forsaken piece of crap tolerable....

-Jeffrey Rosado is a writer, performer, pop culture historian and host of The DVD Marquee on-line radio program/podcast...

www.thedvdmarquee.com

The Idol Dancer: DWTS Recap 4-13-09;American Idol: Movie Night 4-14-09

2009-04-15T13:45:00.000-07:00

Due to my Marquee duties and double/triple checking tax paperwork, I didn't get a chance to do a blog on this week's DWTS as quickly as I would have liked...Better late than never, though..

Giles/Cheryl: At least let them touch the damn disco ball if you're not gonna give it to 'em (not yet anyway out of fairness to everyone else). Good change of pace with an uptempo piece...and CB is by far my fave of all the dancers as far as choreography...Love all the hoofers, but Cheryl is such a standout to me.

Okay, I'll fess: Crush (as in school boy)...

Chuck/Julianne: All together now, GET A ROOM!!!! (laughs) Although Juli did all the heavy lifting, good routine by the most underrated couple in the competition (and nice handwork by Chuck flipping his lady in the homestretch).

Lawrence/Edyta: I think Warren Sapp is just what the doctor ordered for LT...Still not there yet as far as grace/comfort, but it looked like he was having a blast grooving to one of my all time fave Marvin Gaye tunes (Ain't That Peculiar).

Shawn/Mark: Strange how the once favored front runner is kind of slip sliding away. Nice routine, but nothing memorable..and at this stage of the competition, couples can't afford to become forgettable.

Ty/Chelsea: Ty continues to improve week in and week out...if he would just let himself go/loosen up a tweeny bit more..but he's come such a long way from ironboard status in his debut. Wonderful choregraphy from Chelsea that played into Ty's cowboy past perfectly.

Derek/Kim: If Cheryl/Giles have any competition for the big prize, it's these two...Sensational routine to one of rock's greatest tunes from the once and forever King...As I tweeted on Twitter, somewhere in the heavens, there's a Tupelo boy looking down in approval, and going "My boy, my boy...my girl, my girl". Kudos to Derek's hairstylist...you may have just brought the pompadour back..

Finally, we say fare thee well to:

Steve/Lacey: Wonderful, sweet routine that marked a huge comeback in the level of commitment for the reality TV legend...but in the words of a vintage Johnny Mathis/Denice Williams duet, "too much, too little, too late". Outstanding work/season from the lovely Lacey; been a banner set of shows for this wonderful newcomer...

...and now, come with me to the Adam Lambert, I mean, American Idol Theater as the Magnificent (Remaining) Seven do movie tunes under the musical supervision of.... Quentin Tarantino?

But hold your slings, arrows and bullets (and do NOT break my blog-centration)! For who should be a better choice to play Idol adviser for a movie theme eve other than one of Hollywood's most innovative directors who has also given us some of the most inspired soundtrack albums of all time...Who else would think to have Johnny Cash, The Grass Roots and The Delfonics share CD space with? I'm also surprised QT hasn't produced any regular albums...his committment and concentration in working with the kids this week reminded me of lengendary Beatles producer George Martin...and the results to me were as follows...

Allison-Ally again, accomplishes the impossible. Weeks ago she took Heart's Alone and made it fresh again...and on this go-round she took the only Aerosmith song that I hate..and turned it into a Dusty Springfield meets James Bond powerhouse. Is there anything this 16 year old wunderkind can't do? Grade: A

Anoop(y)-Admit it, kids...my nick for Anoop has gotta be cuter/cooler than Randy's Anoop-Dawg....and definitely more hip than his play-it-safe, treachly take on Everything I Do (I Do It For You) from Robin Hood: Prince Of Theives...but hell, at least it was more consistent than Costner's accent in that movie. Grade B-

Adam-In the mentor bit before he took the stage, Adam gave me another "I don't know about this" moment a'la Play That Funky Music by announcing his song choice of Born To Be Wild, which gained new post 1968 top ten smash life as the main theme from Easy Rider (great film, btw for those who haven't seen it)..and again, he inherited the stage like he owned it, by God...and as God as my witness, when Lambert acended to the hills of his amazing register yet again, I went Dickie Vitale. YEAH BAYBEE!!!! And then added a little Carrie Ann Innaba on top WOOOOOOHOOOOO!

Yep, only I can combine two worlds apart pop culture figures like Carrie Ann and Dickie in my slice of the blogosphere..

Marketing tip for ya, 19 productions: While developing Adam's post Idol debut record, why not include a bonus disc compiled of Adam's incredible performances from the show...and give the cover art a retro feel with an equally retro title of Adam Lambert: Songs I Sang On American Idol...(and don't forget the STEREO blurb in the upper right hand corner on the sleeve art).

Do that, and see if you don't have sales of Thriller-Saturday Night Fever-Rumours in return....

You're welcome...and I expect a cut/take for this inspiration...think of it as my "bailout"...

Oh, final grade for Adam this week? A+++++

Danny: Okay, I'd best don the riot gear, here....Seriously? Scmaltzy with cheese (ask for it by name in Amsterdam at the local Burger King). A "what were you THINKING(!)" moment to me...an "endless" rendition which I didn't "love"...and it may prove to be a very pivotal moment in the homestretch (see next review) Grade: D+

Kris: Let's go back to my love of Tarantino to set this up...One QT trademark I love is his knack for picking the most unlikely songs to accompany a scene...yet they wind up being perfect choices...and inspiring to boot..and that same mentality must've moved Kris to pick out Falling Slowly from the wonderful modern day musical Once...and despite the song winning an Oscar two years ago, it's still not up there with Up Where We Belong and Say You, Say Me in the public's mind...and Kris NAILED it. Was it perfect? No. Some missed notes here and there...but give me heart, feeling and sincerity over perfection any day of the week. Everything that was wrong about Danny's performance? Kris got right...and that's why I do believe that Kris will emerge the victor in this quiet rivalry. Grade A

Matt: Although I love Matt to death, he's had this slightly annoying see-saw effect on me as of late...Playing the appealing funky man one week, the croon-a-tune boy the next, with the latter now working for me at times...and his take on "" while pleasant enough, was forgettable as that...uh...something I had for breakfast yesterday...and at this stage of the Idol homestretch? Forgettable=Kimberly Caldwell go-fer gig at the TV Guide Network

Yep, I best don the riot gear one mo' gain... Grade: B-

Lil-All right, time to see if Mrs. Memphis can get her groove back/not let advice go in one ear/out the other time...and despite QT's kind words on a fellow Southerner in the pre-peformance pack, her intention to do Bette Midler's The Rose has me very, very worried in an Elton John/John Stevens/ Crocodile Rock way...

But my Lord...did the lady take us to church or what? The soul is back! Finally after going thru the copycat motions in recent weeks, talk about infusing a song with your own heart and personality and making it your own..Everything that made me love this girl returned...almost like an Adrian emerges from coma Rocky II moment to me...and I'll admit it...waterworks. Simon, Simon, Simon...have you been hanging with Len from Dancing With The Stars this week? I know Randy has (what is in the reality show air for the dudes this week, people? Geez.) Grade: A-

Ides Of Apri 15th Picks: Anoopy, Matt and Allison (the latter only because it's my gut feeling on the nationwide tally; nothing at all to do with her performance which I loved).

Potential Bottom 3 Dark Horse: Danny (it could happen folks...and you heard it here, first)...

Final Thoughts:

-Last week it was a horrible studio audience tie-in to Fringe...this week, FOX cracked the whip on the judges panel so the show could end on time...You're batting 2-2, FOX...and not in a Joe Dimaggio way. Although they can't grate on us/have their moments, the judges' critiques are one of my main lures to Idol...and to mute them in such a way is reprehensible to me...and I hope tonight's case study winds up making it a one-shot experiment...

-Any of my fellow 40-something's reading have Ed Sullivan Show "in the audience tonight" reactions to the VIPs in attendance? Little Steven here, Katie Couric, there...Lauren Koslow (Days Of Our Lives, and the most beautiful woman in daytime television IMHO)...and if my peepers are right, Christina Applegate...Idol audience will no doubt increasingly Star Time in the weeks ahead...

-I wonder if Paula needed one of those jewelry security guards by her side last night...Nice threads, Abdul.

# 30 # (for old time's/typewriter days of yore sake)

.... Click me back for post-results show thoughts tomorrow, folks...

and thanks for gawkin'...

The Idol Dancer: American Idol Results Show 4-8-09

2009-04-09T02:14:00.000-07:00

Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance! Jeff's Weekly Commentary On The Two Best Entertainment Shows On TV

Welcome to Thursday morn post-show Idol commentary, folks... and a rather bittersweet one at that.

You know while I was skimming thru the thoughts of people I keep up with on America's new so-called waste of time dubbed Tweeter (perhaps the greatest networking tool for media folks, not to mention pop culture crazy geeks), a fellow Idol afficianado brought this thought out of my noggin':

If my emotions could be defined by a property in the board game of Monopoly? Water Works, no questions asked...

Okay, perhaps a slight exaggerration...I didn't make like Julie London and cry me a river...and given the existence of this column, I certainly didn't "drown in my own tears" like Brother Ray (Charles). But damn if I didn't find my eyes welling up as the Idol tech crew fired up the farewell montage of the week to help us bid adieu to one of the sweetest souls to grace one of America's finest variety hours: Scott MacEntyre...

But before I pay tribute, how about some thoughts on the rrrrrrest of the story, er, show?

Return Of An Original American Idol: Gather ye round Beauty School Dropout(s)...for Frankie Avalon be in the house...or as I dubbed him last eve, Puff Frankie...But according to Ryan Seacrest's Twitter feed, the longtime pop music fave/legend had a pre-show allergic reaction of some sort...but trooped it out to give a creamy smooth performance of his 1959 number one smash,Venus...which was the top of the US pops 50 years ago this week...and wound up being the second biggest pop record of that year next to fellow teen idol Bobby Darin's Mack The Knife...

...and the countdown continues on American Top 40. I Can Name That Rapper In Two Syllables:

Variety is the spice of life...and one reason I adore Idol is because one minute, classic pop for the Moms/Dads/Grandfolkies...and then "after the break", Flo Rida in the hoooooouuusssse!!! Since my hip compass for soul/hip hop/modern day R&B got busted in the age of Gregory Abbott's Shake You Down in the late 1980's, (alas, too stingy to buy the protection plan at the checkout counter), wasn't familiar at all with this two-syllable flavor of the momento...but I am, now. One of the better rappers I've heard of late...don't think he'll be joining Gregory Abbott in the waiting line of a VH-1 Where Are They Now one hit wonder update anytime soon.

Speaking of wonder (as in wonderful), how cool was Kellie Pickler's return to Idol town? Unlike my other Idol favorites, I didn't discover Kellie on the show...for shortly after Season 5 began, I lost my beloved big brother Kenny suddenly to a heart attack...and for a couple of months afterwards, everything I loved fell by the wayside.But as I began to adjust to life sans my second father and slowly return to as close a sense of normalcy possible, it wasn't long before this refreshingly real fellow Southerner and recent Idol boot-tie at the time won me over with her charm, adorable personality and powerful voice on the talk show/radio circuit...and she's only gotten better sans Idol (I Wonder, You Don't Know You're Beautiful, and Best Days Of Your Life, which I'm surprise co-writer/BFF Taylor Swift didn't swipe for herself...but like Kellie, Taylor's a class act/sweetheart of a gem...in the words of Neil Young, long may (they) run)...

From The Bottom (Three): Well, I got two out of my bottom three preds correct...and even then, one of my potential wild card picks for a surprise bottom three finisher in Anoop fleshed things out...which leads me back to a topic Simon covered on Tuesday night via his critique of Allison (thankfully safe; way to finally go America!). While I cannot see where he's coming from as far as Iraheta needing to be more likeable, I can certainly apply that philosopy to Anoop. Although I think he's a terrific vocalist and has much potential, I do believe he needs to work on warmth a bit, because relatability is such an important part of an artist with staying power...and a brilliant example of that was the way Pickler worked the crowd and cameras (and yes, even Simon & Randy) during her performance...and doing it in a genuine way, which is not easy (especially in high heels).

Lil Stays 'Round: Okay, I didn't get a chance to rant on this last time out, but are any of you guys like me in being "Oh come, on"! as far as Lil's post performance pleas of along the lines of "I'll do better/I'll change", etc. these last few weeks?--and it goes in one ear and out the other; like a bad political campaign...and I like Lil as a person and she's got the pipes, but she's VERY lucky to have endured a short stay in the gallows last eve.

The Search (and Dream) Is Over: As I tweeted to Oscar winning scribe/fellow Idol junkie Diablo Cody early Wednesday, Scott MacEntyre may not have had the best singing voice in this competition, but he by far had the biggest heart...and despite his tendency to go a little wavy in his vocal lines (iffy vibrato, etc), I truly enjoyed his takes on both the mid-80's Survivor power ballad The Search Is Over, and one of my all time personal favorites, Billy Joel's Just The Way You Are (ah, the warm introductory electric keyboard tones of the original still transport me back to the fall of 1977 and high school sophomore era crushes...and if anybody's snickering in response, I will fight you...on 52 Street or Mulberry Street....take your pick).

As for cover versions on Idol, I can be very, very picky when it comes to tunes that are so a part of my heart...and the ticker has come close to stopping in horror over the years on Tuesday/Wednesday nights at times (John Stevens' almost Steve Martin-ish take on Crocodile Rock anyone? Relive the horror here, btw. Cringe along!)..

So when Scott courageous dangled his soul to the world by doing a completely acoustic take on a song that's been done to death/karaoke klobbered...and did it brilliantly, I was beaming just as brightly as he. As someone who's suffered from hearing problems all my life and battled back to do a lot of cool things in radio and TV, Scott was an inspiration from the start (despite Idol's attempt to play the manipulation string section to the max via his legal blindness which really wasn't needed). No doubt in my mind that he's gonna be a huge favorite on the Idols '09 summer tour...and if he can get the aid of a vocal coach to help him smooth out some rough edges, I wouldn't rule out a respectable career as a piano based blend of Ben Folds and Ronnie Milsap down the road apiece.

Happy Easter, everybody...Blog ya late Monday/early Tuesday for another round of DWTS thoughts...followed by movie/Quentin Tarrentino week (I kid you not Royale Cheese lovers) on the next Idol...

- Jeffrey Rosado is a writer, performer, pop culture historian and host of The DVD Marquee on-line radio program/podcast...

The Idol Dancer

2009-04-08T02:26:00.000-07:00

April 8th, 2009

Gotta Sing! Gotta Dance!

Jeff's Weekly Commentary On
The Two Best Entertainment Shows On TV

I'm So Glad We Had DAG Time Together: DWTS Recap for 4-8-09:

For starters, kind of in a crabby mood because my 2nd DVR did NOT record DWTS: The Results for me...So, since my part time podcast/blogging career prevents me from staying away from the web long, I gave in and found out this week's unlucky bootees by doing the research deal...

Otto from A Fish Called Wanda pretty much sums it up for me when I found out David Allen Grier (aka DAG to his faithful) and the ever lovely Kym Johnson got the least amount of votes:

"DISSAPPOINTED"! (insert comical gun shot here)....

Nothing against L.T. because he could kick my ass by just giving me a Christopher Lamber-ish stare, but even on his best weeks, he paled in comparison to DAG...and for that matter, I put the likeable but so lacking in passion Steve-O in the weak category, too. If anything, I hope these two gents will step up their game next week after surviving the chopping block.

Others that need to crank it up a notch after so-so dances this week: Ty/Chelsie (loosen up some more, cowboy...You can do it!), Julianne/Chuck (you guys are so close/almost there as far as a breakthrough performance) and dare I say it, Melissa/Tony (but this being their first not-so-hot collaboration after a flawless season up until this point, I'll cut them some slack).

Still, give Cheryl/Giles the damn Disco Ball already! Two weeks of amazing brilliance...Gotta love 'em for not resting on their laurels.

Did I miss anything (Demi Lovato any good?) Priceless Berge quips? Sammantha getting back at Tom for making fun of her Harris-ism's ("in no particular order") last week?

God, I hate my often times undependable back up DVR...Where's Otto (or the ghost of Elvis) when you need him?

Babies Of The 80's: Idol Recap for 4-8-09

Okay, let's get right into the bone picking....for starters, what has happened to Lil Rounds? I thought the name of the show was American Idol, not American Rich Little (for those not familiar with the Canadian comedy legend, Wiki/Google him...and be amazed)...But doing a near spot-on Tina Turner is NOT the way to win Idol...maybe America's Got (So Called) Talent, but....

However, the Memphis Mama has been on a slow slide into oblivion since she got her hair straightened (a move I now wish she'd reverse despite the fact her new 'do looks gorgeous)...it seems indicative that her once distinguishing characteristics have gone south, too (pun not intended). May not matter much...for I can hear ticking...

Honestly? Lil had the misfortune of being the evening's weakest performance as the remainder of the Elite Eight acquitted themselves more than admirably on a good mixture of forgotten classics, evergreens and one truly inspired deep cut (good taste, Senor Lambert) from the 1980's as all the kids picked tunes from the year they entered Simon's World (we just live in it).

First, let's get the so-so's out of the way...

After the novelty of seeing the super likeable Kris rockin' on his six string in the midst of the crowd wore off quicker than a recalled pumpkin coach, the beyond distracting re-arrangement of Don "I Will Not Reunite Quietly" Henley's "All She Wants To Do Is Dance" was more than the pride and joy of Conway, AR could handle. Would not be surprised at all if Kris joins Lil in the bottom three....Not a complete train wreck, but a drastic comedown after his brilliant reworking of the Bill Withers chestnut Ain't No Sunshine a week ago.

Also in jeopardy's way is Will Farrell's long lost little brother Scott MacIntyre...but I tip my vintage '91 era Cubs cap to him for picking a highly underrated power ballad by Chicago's own Survivor in "The Search Is Over". Mostly commendable, but vocally wavering in a few spots...and the "I know three chords, believe it or not"/not toooo comfortable electric guitar utilization didn't do it for me (Paula: So spot on when she said he should have picked on an acoustic instead). It'll be interesting to see if both Scott and Kris' fan bases keep them away from "going home" press tour duty for another week.

Now nothing but net (musically, that is):

Danny Gokey: Hate it when good performances like his very nicely re-arranged Stand By Me (Ben E. King, John Lennon, Mickey Gilley) come early in the show, for sometimes it's moments like those that create surprise bottom three moments...Don't think we'll see Danny among them, but you never knowwwww.... -- On a positive note, great vocals, on par with his rendition of the Rascal Flatts song a few weeks back...

Anoop Desi: Paula (who is so with it this year, isn't she?) nailed it when she called Noopy's rendition of True Colors a perfect combination of being true to the original while infusing it with his own personality...Not unlike what Phil Collins did with his remake of the Cyndi Lauper classic a few years back...Good week for Tarheel folks on both the court and stage...

Matt Giraud: I was not as over the moon as the judges were over Matty's hippity hop reimagining of Part Time Lover (courtesy o' the Wonder that is Stevie with superb backing vocals from the late, great Luther Vandross on the original)...and he came THIS close to losing his way in a rather busy arrangement, but in Randy terms, he worked it out...

Allison Iraheta: God, I so agree with Kara D.--This kid DOES sound like she's been singing for 400 years...After faltering slightly last week on an ambitious cover on No Doubt's "Don't Speak", Ally reigned it in ever so slightly but kept the soul simmering on a beautiful version of Bonnie Raitt's still haunting "I Can't Make You Love Me", a hard song to make one's own due to the rock & blue's queen's flawless stamp on the original...But such is the magic of this California cutie who IS likeable, no matter what King Cowell sayeth...Simon's on the money 99.9 percent of the time, but not in this case..

USELESS TRIVIA BREAK: Would you believe "I Can't Make You Love Me" was written by former college football All American-Penn State-Cincinnati Bengal alum Mike Reid (who also wrote one of Ronnie Milsap's best, Stranger In My House)?

Gotta dig versatility...

Adam Lambert: I know this reference will date me, but Mr. Lambert has the potential to be this generation's Bobby Sherman infused with Queen's Freddie Mercury...He has the Tiger Beat/16 Magazine huggable kissable poster on your bedroom wall good looks of the former and the eccentric vocal wizardry of the latter....What an inspired move to pick a Tears For Fears tune that not even this so called musical expert columnizing here has ever heard...Homestretching, if he had an album forthcoming at this time, I'd go so Jesus Jones and pre-order it "right here, right now..."

Bottom three preds: Lil, Kris, Scott...

Possible surprise low vote getters: Anoop, Danny...

Cue Carrie Underwood in the audio booth/See ya: Lil

Finally, a word to FOX: In my best Joan Crawford by way of Faye Dunaway? NO!!!! MORE!!!! STUPID!!!! AUDIENCE CROSSOVERS!!! EVERRRRRRRRR!!!!

There...I feel better....

Talk Kellie Pickler/Results show over coffee/juice in the morn? Blog on back then, kids...

-Jeffrey Rosado is a writer, performer, pop culture historian and host of The DVD Marquee on-line radio program/podcast...

TCOP LIVE Twit-Ticque UPDATE 11:26 pm EST

2009-04-07T20:23:00.000-07:00

Hi folks... Apologies for running late...but here we be....

First of all, no plant...no studio sanctioned puppetry...just an honest track by track, first listen impressions of an album by one of my all-time favorite artists: Mr. Neil Young

Since is the first time I've done such an undertaking (although I participated in a live blog of the Oscars for USA Today in '08), bear with me...

Some abbreviations in Twitter-ville for my presentation:

T = Track

and that's all the abbreviation I think I'll need (laughs)....this is like the text equivalent of jazz, folks...just improvising as we go along here..

Anyway, complete Twitter thoughts will be re-posted here immediately following the album with a full length traditional written review (like 'dem old days) will surface soon.

But for now, hit me @ www.twitter.com/marquee_man (insert needle drop to vinyl here)...

TCOP Live Twit-Tique: Neil Young's Fork In The Road

2009-04-07T16:18:00.000-07:00

Hello pop culture Tweet-ists and (DVD Marquee listeners, too)....

Inspired by Neil Young's recent grass roots recording of his new album and his fun DIY music videos of late, I'm doing a live Twitter track-by-track review of his new "Fork In The Road" album tonight at appx. 11 pm EST, 10 PM CST; the album hit record stores today, btw.

Fellow Neil/classic rock fans wishing to play along or at least tweeze by and observe at twitter.com (my nick is marquee_man), y'all come...

If it turns out to be fun, I'll do more such gatherings in the future to coincide with the re-launch of this blog and its companion radio show/podcast in June...

Best, Jeffrey

-Jeffrey Rosado is a writer, performer, pop culture historian and host of The DVD Marquee on-line radio program/podcast...

Idol '08 Recap-Episode 8: The One Before Hollywood '08

2008-02-07T10:24:00.000-08:00

Let's get right into it, my fellow AI junkies!

Amy,25, Lowell, MO-Perhaps the prettiest female auditionee I've seen yet...and I loved her warm, naturally country run-through of Roy Orbison's Blue Bayou. Need I say "one to watch"?

Tiffany, 21, Anderson, IN-When a vocal warm-up wavers sounds like a warped album (remember those, older kids?) accidentally left in a car on a hot August afternoon, not good.

Chris, Cory, 22, Kernersville, NC-Last time I checked the old TV Guide, the name of the show was American Idol, not American Rapper..these twin fellas reminded me of the Jim Belushi "we're white guys" bit on the 1980's-era Saturday Night Live.

Ashley, 19, Maiden, NC-Next stop, Maxim Magazine! Charmer with a capital C, but woeful pipes. I wonder if she's still together with the twins noted above? (Speaking of which, didn't that whole scenario creep you guys out?)

Cardin, 20, Nashville, TN-Perhaps the prettiest female auditionee I've seen yet, part 2 (I know, how quickly we forget)...beautiful tone, charisma, power...and "one to watch".

JoAnne, 25, Hoboken, NJ-Perhaps the prettiest...(okay, I'm in a flirty mood for this dispatch). Wow, what beautiful control, great hair, passion. 100 percent "one to watch".

Alesha, 18, Ontario, CA -Pre-audition footage of a girl eyelash curler = See 'ya. But wait! Paula likes the tone in her voice! Randy suggests a Dolly Parton song! Simon begrudgingly goes along! Do you believe in miracles? We'll find out! After the break! (just getting you guys ready for the second half of the season).

(INSERT $2,000,000 worth of commercials and 8 promos for The Moment Of Truth here...)

Announcer V.O.:Previously, on The Culture Of Pop...

Alesha, 18, Ontario, CA-In a season I'm dubbing the WTF (?) edition, a passable couple of verses of Islands In The Stream gets this cutie patootie through. But I'm not at all confident in her chances in the big town.

Joshua, 25,West Palm Beach, FL- It's Puffy's little brother! (with the sunglasses on, anyway). All kidding aside, if this guy had dispensed with the confetti, over-the-top vocal trickery and sang a classic soul song suited to his decent voice instead of a god awful original, he might have made it through....maybe in a season or two, pal.

Chickezie,22, Inglewood, CA-I liked this guy's personality immensely and he had lung power to match on a classic Luther Vandross tune (All The Woman I Need). Definitely "one to watch".

Danny, 17 , Azusa, CA-Another courageous returnee from a season past...and confidence to burn on Creedence Clearwater Revival war horse Proud Mary. Came this close to being in my "one to watch" category, but I wanna see more of what he's got in Hollywood. Never give up, kids.....

...and so the equivalent of draft season for Idol is a wrap as spring training awaits in L.A.-L.A. land. Stay tuned...I know I will (that is, if I can get over the shock of Simon attempting to use a dust pan and broom).

But in the meantime, who are your "ones to watch"? Anybody pull an L.L. Cool J. thus far and "knock(ed) you out"? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

-Jeffrey Rosado is a free lance writer, pop culture commentator
and host of The DVD Marquee podcast on HTF Radio and I-Tunes.

Pop-Popurri 2/7/08

2008-02-06T03:33:00.000-08:00

Lost Season 4 Premiere, Tom Petty:

Lost Finds Its Way Back (and Forward): Continuing the creative resurgence that began in late fall of 2006, the program's 4th season premiere episode was not only the best opener of any returning series, it was one of the series' best. After the flawed opening salvos of the last two seasons, how thrilling was it to see 40 plus minutes of consistent, compelling and intriguing storytelling. Jorge Garcia's p.r. people need to start putting together a highlights reel for Emmy consideration, let me tell ya'...his story arcs keep getting more and more intriguing...and with the reappearance of Charlie's ghost into his post-rescue life, who knows what's next on the agenda....hopefully not a coffin.

And what about Jack pulling the trigger on what turned out to be an unloaded gun on Locke? A truly heart pounding moment. Sawyer actually being nice to Hurley with no nickname fun 'n' games? Wow....and possibly the best move of the entire episode? We're not entirely back in the present, or at the point of the season3 cliffhanger where Jack's demons have caught up to him (and his beard).

Must admit I'm a little nervous about the new characters slated for this week's episode, but advance word is that the creative team behind the show insist that the core characters won't be taking a back seat like the first third of last season....personally, I'm looking forward to the introduction of Zoe Bell (of Death Proof fame to see if she can live up to the promise of her acting in that film) into the fold along with the promised return of Harold Perrineau (Michael) and Cynthia Waltros (Libby).

Ah, isn't it nice to be excited about scripted television again? Let's get this strike settled, Hollywood...or I'm gonna stick some black smoke monster up your butts...

Jump Start My Heart(breakers)-Got a big profile rock and roll tour you wanna raise the profile on? Do a mini-concert during the Super Bowl. The strategy paid off for Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones in recent years resulting in two of the highest grossing road jaunts in history...and now, Rock and Roll Hall Of Famers Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers look to follow in profitable footsteps of their peers with brisk sales for their forthcoming tour slated for kickoff May 30th in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Opening the 30 plus date tour will be legendary singer-songwriter Steve Winwood (who himself has quite an equally exciting 2008 planned including reteaming with Blind Faith alumnus Eric Clapton for some shows celebrating the forthcoming 40th anniversary of their sole self-titled supergroup album.

Speaking of Petty, it was so gratifying for long time fans like me to see him truly enjoying himself during Sunday's halftime gig... especially after a rough start emotionally at the top of the decade with a divorce, a battle with depression, and the loss of two very close friends/collaborators in George Harrison and long-time Heartbreaker Howie Epstein. But after a return to form with the wonderful Highway Companion album, a standing room only 30th anniversary tour and a well received career spanning documentary directed by legendary Hollywood auteur Peter Bogdanovich (the excellent Running Down A Dream which comes highly recommended from yours truly), I'll paraphrase a line from one of my fave Petty tunes: It's truly great to see him back on the old "King's Highway."

Okay, the promised Oscar-related semi-scoop promised a blog entry or two back is gonna have to wait..because in the words of Chuck Berry, "I'm too pooped to pop."

Idol '08 Recap: Episode 7-Oh, Atlanta...

2008-02-05T17:28:00.000-08:00

Back to the city where a Manilow-ish heartthrob, the newest princess of country music and an Oscar winning actress began their journey to superstar status (and Ryan's hometown).

Oh, by the way...some people have written to say why I haven't included the contestant's full names in my episode commentaries. Simply put? Once they enter top 24 status, that's when I'll do the extra finger work on the keyboard.

Joshua, 26, Atlanta, GA-This John Schneider-ish looking lad impressed me from the get-go when he announced Queen fan favorite Don't Stop Me Now as his audition song. But I must agree with Simon...the eyes were a bit distracting. And in yet another WTF moment, this chipper glassmaker is forced to turn his back on the judges for the duration of his audition...and despite some pitch problems IMHO, his ambition carries him through.

So will Joshua become the equivalent of early Beatles bass player Stuart Sutcliffe and become the first American Idol to win the competition with his back turned to the audience for every performance?

J.P., 20, Auburn, AL-If film director Christopher Guest ever decides to do a straight to video sequel to Waiting For Guffman, here's his co-star. All nasally and horrid community theater league moves...and a MUSIC MAJOR. Still, I hurt for him being such a nice guy with the courage to come back for another audition..and like Randy suggested, composition might be his bag, but I think a teaching career would be a better choice....because we don't have enough Mr. Holland's out there...

Asia'h Epperson, 18, Joplin, MO-Okay, remember what I said about not putting last names up above at this point in my episode commentaries? Well I'm making an exception for this charming, sincerely sweet and beyond courageous young lady who tragically lost her father in a car accident while she was traveling to Atlanta for her audition. Although emotionally raw and not perfect, the passion in her take on LeeAnn Rimes/Trisha Yearwood's How Do I Live (a very challenging song to perform) hints at potential greatness under less emotional circumstances...I literally had fingers on both hands crossed before Asia'h even started, praying, please let her be good, please let her be good...and she was.

My sincerest condolences to the Epperson family on their loss...and I am so pulling for you, young lady.

Brooke, 18, Wellington, FL-Simon referred to her as "annoying", but this beauty queen was a much needed jolt of sunshine after the throat tightening story behind Asia'h's audition....and yeah, the pageant personality was a bit hard to swallow, but damn if her inspired choice of the old Miracles/Jackson 5 tune Who's Loving' You and the nice performance of it that followed wasn't impressive. But will her future roomies in Hollywood be able to resist banging her noggin' with a hair dryer....Should be fun to watch, kiddies.

Eva, 26, Atlanta, GA-One thing I have to know, here. Is this girl related to Brandon, the goofy huge hat wearin' dork that closed the Miami auditions last week? But I'll say this...her tone deaf, unintentional high heel percussion accompaniment rendition of Vanessa Carlton's A Thousand Miles is an instant engagingly bad AI audition classic to join William Hung's She Bang of a few years back.

Alexandrea, 16, Douglasville, GA-A nice, unfussy vocal on My Funny Valentine that to me sounded like a blend of the vocal styles of Anita Baker and Roberta Flack. One to watch.

Nathan, 16, Savannah, GA-I think Simon was being kind when he referred to this Daughtry wanna-be's presentation as a "bedroom audition". Completely lifeless waste of not only the judge's time, but viewers as well...and once your 2 minutes are up, depart nicely and don't get into a Hardball exchange with Simon...for you can't win.

Amanda, 22, Mulberry, IN -Simon? Thank you for getting this rock and roll nurse past the Janis Joplin curse of episode 6 and suggesting she sing another song...and a blustery take on Creedence Clearwater Revival's Travelin' Band did the trick. Loved the 'tude, the outfit, the swagger...and she had just the right amount of confidence without being arrogant...Another "one to watch".

Josiah, 18, Morriston, TN-One of the most unusual, yet intriguing AI auditions ever...an 18 year old Tennessee kid that sounded like a hyrbid of Donovan and Van Morrison complete with British accent when he sings....cool...and an ingratiating, charming personality with a real drive to make it...and yet another "one to watch"...

...and we're not done in the land of Rhett and Scarlett just yet as the seemingly endless auditions finally come to a close.
(Wed, 8 pm ET, 7 pm CT, FOX)

A Super "Bowl" (and more...)

2008-02-04T02:54:00.000-08:00

Leave it to two football teams I had no emotional investment in to provide the best Super Bowl I've seen since the Tennessee Titans-St. Louis Rams barn burner of a few years back.

Even more unlikely? Yours truly becoming a New York Giants fan in the 2nd half. Like many sports fan with even a passing interest in the game, I thought how cool would it be to have New England achieve what only Don Shula's 1972 Miami Dolphins squad accomplished: A zero in the loss column for an entire season. Besides, Eli Manning and company upset Green Bay and Brett Farve two weeks earlier...and Farve is one of the few sports figures I look up to as a hero, a class act and one of sport's best ambassadors....yet another reason I remained in the Patriots' corner.

But as Super Bowl XXXXII progressed, several things hit me....I didn't want Don Shula's feat to be matched, the Patriots have had more than their share of Super Bowl glory in recent years, and doggone it, Tom Brady deserves payback for dumping Bridget Moynahan for Giselle. Besides, I have to admit I was won over by the scrappy Giants, their never-say-die attitude and the calm yet determined resolve of a quarterback who's finally shaken off the labels of "the other Manning" and "Peyton's brother".thanks to an incredible 4th quarter performance.

Way to go, Eli.

Other "Bowl" musings:

"Color" Me Impressed: Has former Dallas Cowboy quarterback turned sports announcer Troy Aikman turned into a superb color commentator or what? I don't know if I'm the minority or not, but I feel his style is on par with John Madden...and with the aid of the multi-talented Joe Buck, FOX has a broadcasting duo that can stand proudly alongside legendary partnerships like Madden-Al Michaels, Frank Gifford-Howard Cosell-Dan Meredith (of vintage Monday Night Football fame), Dick Enberg-Merlin Olsen and Pat Summerall-Madden.

Cry, Baby, Er, Plaxi:Sideline reporter Pam Oliver scored a major coup by getting a sideline interview with Giants receiver Plaxico Burress moments after the post-game confetti started flying...and as the enormity of his game winning catch hit him, the tears began to flow providing a moment that will make many a year-end highlights reel.

Sore Loser?: What was the deal with Patriots coach Bill Belichick departing the field with one second left on the clock? I know, there was a sea of confusion all over, premature celebrations gearing up and so on with everyone scrambling back into place once realizing time hadn't expired, but win or lose, don't walk off the job until the final whistle blows, okay? Granted, Belichick was hurting like hell at not being able to accomplish 19-0, but take a loss like a man, do the obligatory good sportsmanship mid-field handshake deal, trot into the locker room..and then brood.

The Hard Sell: After a couple of Super Bowls filled with much hyped commercials that wound up being none too impressive, advertising folk on Madison Avenue have reason to smile today thanks to some inspired creations that made it worth many a pretty penny to invest in air time.

My Top 5 Commercial Faves From Super Bowl '08:

1.) Audi's Godfather spoof (featuring original Godfather star Alex Rocco subbing for the late John Marley...and like him, Rocco awakens to find a messy surprise under the sheets).

2.) Budweiser's Rocky homage: Having a feisty dalmatian emulating Burgess Meredith's Mickey to an out-of-shape horse as Bill Conti's classic Gonna Fly Now kicked off a training montage was nothing short of brilliant and delightful.

3.) Sobe's "Thrillicious" Spot: Naomi Campbell and animated dancing lizards dancing to Michael Jackson's Thriller. Not so hot on paper, right? But it worked.

4.) Diet Pepsi Max: You know you're getting old when a commercial set to dance club fave What Is Love makes you nostalgic for the head bopping Roxbury boys of Saturday Night Live fame. Great cameo by Chris Kattan at the end.

5.) Coca-Cola-Underdog vs. Family Guy's Stewie: Two cartoon parade floats duke it out for a bottle of pop "that refreshes" only to have some blockhead come out of nowhere to scoop it up.

Finally....vindication after having that football taken away by Lucy for God knows how many years!

Back later with thoughts on Tom Petty's halftime gig, belated kudos on Lost's brilliant season premiere
and news of a forthcoming Oscar related project for yours truly...

--Jeffrey Rosado is a free lance writer, pop culture commentator
and host of The DVD Marquee podcast on HTF Radio and I-Tunes.

American Idol '08 Recap-Episode 6: Goin' Back To Miami

2008-02-03T17:46:00.000-08:00

I'm a little late to the post-episode reflections confab, here....so let's get into it....Also, pardon the lack of complete details on all contestants (age, hometown, songs, etc) unlike my first AI dispatch. Every once in a while, I relax my usual diligent note taking routine and enjoy myself...It's allowed.

Shannon, 18 - Okay, if you're auditioning for American Idol, don't:
a.) SHOUT the song...
b.) Attempt to emulate Janis Joplin (nobody will ever possess a set of pipes that woman had)...
c.) Dress in 80's apparel that went out before the end of the first term of the Reagan administration.

Next....

Robbie, 25, Melbourne, FL (Hi Uncle Rick!)-A former boy bander with a post-teen idol Leif Garrett look...oh, God...this is gonna....whoa...not bad. Bonus points to the family for the Silly String celebration shenanigans and throwing Seacrest for a loop in the process.

Ghaleb, 27 - Last season, it was complaints about the talent pool...This year, I'm wondering WTF is the deal with Paula, Simon and Randy at times? They debate about this thick accented amigo's lack of possibilities in this competition, not to mention the American record industry....and what do they do? Hollwood, babee, Hollywood! Geez, why don't they just let Borat through, too? But hey, at least this gent's a model of congeniality hugging everybody from his family to the A.I. crew...and while in Tinsel Town, he'll probably do an encore of this huggy feeling routine a'la Roberto Benigni at the Oscars a few years back.

Brittany and Corliss-You classic sitcom lovers remember the "fun girls" from Mt. Pilot that caused havoc for Sheriff Taylor and Barney on The Andy Griffith Show? I think we have the AI equivalent here. But with charm and talent...not to mention a flirt streak that left me feeling I was intruding on a private moment when they started diggin' on Randy and Simon. No surprise, they both made the cut, but will their friendship survive in the big town?

Suzanne, 24, Clearwater, FL-An affecting back story of this single Mom and an above average rendition of Bonnie Raitt's I Can't Make You Love Me gets her through. I'd lose the Shirley Temple curls, though.

Ramiele, 19, Miramar, FL-Impossibly cute, tinier than Ellen Page hopeful who doesn't butcher one of my favorite Aretha Franklin songs the way Murphy Brown did (A Natural Woman). Chalk up another entrant on my "ones to watch" team.

Finally, a double dose of of bad to wind things down in the land of Crockett and Tubbs:

Julie, 16, FL-For the most part, I'm Mr. Congeniality to a fault, but nothing irks me more than people with a know-it-all attitude, no sense of humbleness.and "I love me" mentality...and this show business brat and alumnus of the barely season long wonder that was American Juniors really, really rubbed me the wrong way.

If you listen closely at this point in my commentary? Do you hear the rattling? That's the sound of the pride and joy of Port Arthur, Texas rattling in her coffin....

Sister Janis? I feel your pain from the beyond at having another selection of your legendary repertoire massacred on this evening...and that's enough ranting on this schmuck Simon rightly dubbed "precocious"...and that was being kind.

Brandon, 20, Pompano Beach, FL-Somehow, I don't think this goofy guy realized that he was auditioning for American Idol and not Last Comic Standing. Worst......version....of....I'll Make Love To You....EVER! THAT EVER WILL BE! But did he leave bad enough alone after the Idol jury dismissed class? Nooooooo......he had to grab a tuneless original out of his hat. Thankfully though, I forgot to add a couple of minutes past sign-off time to my DVR for AI thus sparing me from more torture.

Next stop? The town of a thousand streets named Peachtree
(and they wonder why traffic is so bad out there): Atlanta, GA (Tuesday, 8 pm ET, 7 pm CT-FOX)

--Jeffrey Rosado is a free lance writer, pop culture commentator
and host of The DVD Marquee podcast on HTF Radio.

American Idol ' 08 Recap-Episode 5: There Will Be Corn

2008-01-30T03:16:00.000-08:00

Ah, Nebraska....home of the Cornhuskers, talk show legend Johnny Carson, and Johnny's first girlfriend: Becky Easy...

(Giving away clues to my age with references like the latter....God, I still miss the master of the late night monologue).

Idol's first visit to the heartland of the USA was a good mixture of the usual good, bad and tuneless with around 4 to 5 really good vocalists to keep an eye on in the Hollywood rounds....But first, the rejectees:

Chris-The excitable 24 year old Kelly Clarkson fan who personality reminded me like of Tonight Show mainstay and red carpet regular Ross The Intern didn't exactly do his "idol" proud with a way past-pitchy territory version of Since You've Been Gone. But still, good news for this nice kid: If all goes well, Chris is on his way to Hollywood to cover the finals in Hollywood for his local FOX affiliate...and heck, the AI powers that be may just let him handle the whole damn thing for the network.

Are you guys thinking what I'm thinking? Ross and Chris? Their eyes meet. Birds chirp. Set your DVR's now!

Thoughts on more "no" recipients from last eve:

Sara, 25, Council Bluff, IA: If Marilyn Manson and Tiny Tim would have mated.

Johnny, 18, Scottssbluff, NE: Was this an Idol tryout or a Sha-Na-Na revival audition? Regardless, he apparently had a cab running in the parking lot judging by the breakneck speed of his take on the Isley Brother's Shout!

Fair to Middling category:

Angelica, 17, Kenosha, WI: Randy hit the nail with the hammer when he called for more originality from contestants and less carbon copying from recorded versions. Still, this teen's heart touching background of family estrangement could be very interesting if she makes it thru the Tinseltown stage...She certainly has good lung power and vocal control.

Jason, 21, Stout, IA: Can you guys say luckiest A.I. tryout, EVER???? I lost count at four blown starts on this kid's rendition of Keith Whitley's When You Say Nothing At All. Maybe Mr. Cowell is proving that we all mellow with age...or he was in a great mood or had gotten a great massage earlier in the day or something....Despite a passable rendition once he got the lyrics straight, I don't see much of a future in my crystal ball for this Iowa lad.

INTERMISSION: Some of the Idol segment producers must be fans of Quentin Tarrentino's Reservoir Dogs judging by the funny tone-deaf contestant montage set to Stealer's Wheels mid-1970's pop radio classic Stuck In The Middle With You. Where's Michael Masden and his straight razor when you need him?

Now, to the goooooood stuff:

Sammantha, 24, L.A., CA-Sexy, shy, girl next door purr during her audition whose song escapes me at the moment (help me out here, readers and I'll give you credit)...But I did like the tone of her voice...and if her confidence catches up with her vocal potential, look out.

Michael, 19, S. Barrington, IL-Major brownie points on picking a Stevie Wonder song you don't hear on oldies radio every 5 minutes (If You Really Love Me) and nailing what is a pretty damn tough song to sing with all the tempo changes and tonal shifts. One to watch.

Denise, 19, Madision, WI-Reminds me of former AI champ Fantasia, but with a more gentle delivery. We shall see.

Best auditions of the night:

David, 24, Tulsa, OK: Remember my thoughts on Randy's originality comments above? This young fella delivered in kind with a bluesy take on Bon Jovi's Living On A Prayer that was all his own. One trick pony or a contender? The answer awaits in Hollywood....

Leo, 23, Charlotte, IA-Sometimes you save the best for last. Personable, good-looking lad who had the smarts to pick one of Paula's favorite tunes in Leon Russell's wonderful A Song For You (whose best known version is most likely soul legend Donny Hathaway's take, but I'm partial to Willie Nelson's wonderful in-concert take from his Willie and Family Live album). Although visibly chopped for time, his rendition was enough to win me over....

Next up on the A.I audition tour tonight: Miami (8 PM ET, 7 PM CT on FOX)

OTHER TUBEWORTH FARE TONIGHT:

LOST-ABC (9 PM ET, 8 PM CT): As a warm-up for the much anticipated 4th season premiere tomorrow (FINALLY!), a repeat of last May's mindblowing season finale that for once, lived up to the promotional build-up. As a bonus, this enhanced re-run will include on-screen graphics to help us all play catch-up on Season 3 (when ABC isn't busy flashing endless visual plugs for Cashmere Mafia).

ONE, TWO, THREE-Turner Classic Movies (9:30 ET, 8:30 CT) - Screen legend James Cagney had his last great starring role in this lighting paced Billy Wilder directed gem chronicling the woes of a Coca-Cola executive in Berlin. Pity that Wilder and Cagney never worked together again for their strengths compliment each other perfectly.

LATE SHOW W/DAVE LETTERMAN-CBS (11:35 pm ET, 10:35 CT)-Despite Jay not losing a beat in the ratings, Dave has been on a roll creatively, not to mention guest wise. Tonight could be his best show of the week with sparring for laughs favorite Dr. Phil (c'mon Dave, pester him endlessly on Britney!), 300-Sarah Conner babe Lena Headley and country picker Gary Allan.

ON THIS DATE: The Beatles made their last public appearance as a quartet with their infamous rooftop gig atop their Apple Records offices in 1969. Footage of the performance later surfaced in their documentary film Let It Be.

--Jeffrey Rosado is a free lance writer, pop culture commentator
and host ofThe DVD Marquee podcast on HTF Radio.

Obligatory Welcome, Etc.

2008-01-30T01:47:00.000-08:00

Hi.

For the last two years, I've hosted an on-line radio show (or as the kids call it, a podcast) talking up the latest releases on home video...and at times, I've tried to incorporate other interests that I have into the context of that program including my first love (music) along with TV shows and beyond. Although The DVD Marquee keeps me quite busy in my down time, many of my friends in and outside media have encouraged me to do the bloggin' kinda' thing on all things pop culture that tickle my noggin'....So, I'm taking this once active blog out of mothballs and giving it the 'ol college try one more 'gain. Additionally in the next few weeks, there will be a companion podcast to supplement my written musings....so in the words of the great Jackie Gleason, "Away we go!"