TV: American Idol

Tuesday/Wednesday on FOX (times vary)

I skipped last season of American Idol, but I'm back this year and I think it's the best season ever. (Even though I missed last year, I heard it wasn't that great.)

Chris Daughtry is, hands down, the best vocalist / performer in a very talented bunch. His rendition of 'I Walk the Line' was just incredible. When they said he was going to do the Johnny Cash song, I thought, "Oh, no. Big mistake. There's not much range in the song – it has a very repetitive rhythm – horrible song choice." I was never so rewarded for being wrong in my life. Generally, I like my songs the way I'm used to them – the way they were originally recorded and made popular. I would buy a recording of Daughtry's 'Walk the Line' today, if it were available. Whether or not he wins the competition, this guy has a big future in the music business.

I really like Taylor Hicks, though his song choice was terrible last night.

I don't think Bucky Covington is very good and I'm not as impressed with Elliot Yamin as the judges are.

Ace Young had one of his best nights last night, but I still don't think the pretty-boy can compete with the juggernaut that is Chris.

Kevin Covais showed a lot of improvement last night, but I still think he's GOT to go. He might do well in musical theater, but not as a pop artist.

Mandisa has the best pipes among the girls, but Paris Bennett and Katherine McPhee are really good, too.

I like Kelly Pickler (who doesn't?) but she is stuck in her country niche and doesn't look too comfortable moving around the stage.

Lisa Tucker has an AMAZING voice, but doesn't appear too confident/comfortable with contemporary pop.

Whoever is left standing after tonight's elimination, will be doing the American Idol tour. I really don't want to see Kevin in concert. I'll just wait for Chicken Little: The Musical.

Movies/Television: The 78th Annual Academy Awards

I watched the Oscars last night. I thought John Stewart was great. I LMAO! But based on the audiences response (or lack of response) to him and the fact that many of the targets of his humor were the very telecast that he was presiding over, I didn't think that "the Industry" or the Academy would feel the same way. I was happy to find that the critics all had great things to say about him in the newspaper and online and nothing I read was negative. I hope we see him host again.

I was very pleasantly surprised that Crash won Best Picture. I did not see all of the nominees – in fact, the only other one I saw was Brokeback Mountain. I found Crash to be the better of those two films. I don’t see how it would have been possible for any film to win best original screenplay other than Crash.

As I said, I did not see many of the nominees, only Crash, Brokeback, North Country, Cinderella Man, Junebug, & Walk the Line.

I am interested in seeing Capote and Transamerica (I love Felicity Huffman).

Random thought: what was up with that HUGE bow on Charlize Theron’s shoulder?

I could have done without the film noir and bio-pic montages, but the gay cowboy montage was hilarious.

Possibly the best line of the night: “I think it just got a little bit easier to be a pimp out here.”