TV

The singer's mother, Claudette Yamin, has died, according to a post on Elliott's official site. (You probably remember her from his time on Idol; she was always very endearing in video clips and audience shots.)
"The world lost a beautiful soul," the post says. "I can't go into any details at this time except to say that she went peacefully."
Condolences can be left here: http://etrainstation.com/index.php?showtopic=16105.

As wrong as the judges got it on Monday night -- dissing Jason Taylor's jumping jive and gushing over Priscilla's tepid tango -- the viewer-voters got it right on Tuesday night. Steve Guttenberg got cut despite winning the judges' praise for his tango. He was the third celebrity eliminated in this season's Dancing with the Stars and so far the audience's judgment is scoring a perfect three for three -- the three worst dancers have been the first three to go. Look out Adam Corolla. If that trend continues next week, you're done.

The other day, my kids (ages 8 and 9) were in the car when Whitney Houston's version of "I Will Always Love You" came on the radio. I built up the suspense before her big note arrived: "You guys, get ready. Listen to this. It'll give you chills! Guaranteed! Nobody can sing like this! Ready? Here it comes!"
She hit the note, the little hairs on my arms stood up, etc. (My kids? They asked if we could please turn it back to Radio Disney. But I could tell they were impressed.)
My point is that, although Syesha sounded quite lovely tonight, she never should have attempted that song. It's not only Whitney -- who's notoriously hard to duplicate -- but it's THE SONG by Whitney.
Still, maybe some voters will give her props for trying.

I'll admit it: I can't listen to "Coat of Many Colors" without crying. I'm a sap!
(Anybody with me on this?)

Loved it! The song, his vocal quality, the personality he put into it -- everything. Simon was sadly off the mark on this one.

"I like how you went into the fals there," Randy told David Cook. Paula agreed: "It was fantastic, and going into your fals..."
What the heck. Is society simply too strapped for time these days to say FALSETTO? Or maybe abbreviating the word makes them seem more like the music-industry moguls that they are. Whatever. It bugs me.

I don't care for the way she "accepts" criticism from the judges. Whenever they say something negative, she looks shocked for a second and then says something like, "That's OK! Really! It's fine!" I guess I don't think it's her place to say whether it's fine or not.

Why can't everybody in Hollywood go to Dolly's plastic surgeon? That's what I'd like to know. She looks awesome.

Anyone else jumping up and down with excitement about the one and only Ms. Parton's mentorship tonight? Apparently there's a set list floating across the World Wide Web that reveals the contestants' song choices, but I for one refuse to peek. It ruins the excitement. (Plus, it might be an April Fool's joke and I've already fallen for one today. My husband heard "breaking news" on the radio that Jerry Jones was changing his team's name to the Arlington Cowboys. I was totally bummed out all morning.)
Anyway, today I can't get the chorus to "Jolene" out of my head ("Jolene, Jolene, Jolene Joleeeeen -- I'm begging of you please don't take my man"). Sounds like a song many women would sing about Angelina Jolie. Hey, Jolene, Jolie -- coeenkeedink!