TV

From Simon, about David Archuleta's decision to sing the sappy "You're the Voice:" "It was actually reminiscent of a theme-park performance -- one of those ghastly songs you sing when you've got animated creatures with you and everyone joins in together."
Animated creatures. Loved that.

Ryan confused me with all of his hints about who David might take to the prom. "Anybody that's here in the studio? Maybe close to your father?" he asked as the camera focused in on an embarrassed-looking girl. (Hey thanks, Ryan!)
Then in his clip, David mentioned that he's close to his younger sister. So that made me think that the girl in the audience is not some random girlfriend, but his sister. Is he taking Sis to the prom? Not that there's anything wrong with that. Just wondering.
I hate Ryan for making me care about this.

I'm a bit shocked that none of the judges had a problem with her decision to start the song over. You think there could be a few grumblngs about that backstage?

Hmm. I'm beginning to worry that his "whatever, dude" attitude is going to turn off some fans. Thoughts?

Tuesday night's "first-ever double elimination" show proved that, so far anyway, the fifth season is proceeding as it should -- that is, with the worst dancers getting the boot. For the men, it was barge-footed magician Penn Gillette, for the women it was the tennis champ who couldn't find her groove on the dance floor, Monica Seles. More interesting in the long run though may be the judges' choice to see newly christened "Mambo King" Jason Taylor and Edyta Sliwinska give the encore dance -- he's now the anyone-other-than-Kristi favorite to win.

Let us first send virtual birthday wishes to Jason, who turns 21 today. And many mooooore!
Ramiele was first up. She tackled the Heart song "Alone," which Carrie Underwood once did to near-perfection. (It's on YouTube, of course, if you'd like to compare and contrast.)
Ramiele's version was pretty awful, I have to say. But the judges noted she's sick, so maybe that will win her some sympathy votes. Probably not enough, though.