Snap, Crackle, Pop - The Daily Collegian's arts blog.

Susan Boyle has had quite a year, and now the "Britain's Got Talent" runner-up will sing on the hit ABC show, "Dancing With The Stars." Boyle will perform "I Dreamed a Dream", the "Les Miserables" song that skyrocketed her to fame. Pro dancers Tony Dovolani and Chelsie Hightower will perform on the ballroom dance floor as she sings. It sounds like this will be a very beautiful performance, and should be worth tuning in to see.

Boyle's fame began when she sang on "Britain's Got Talent" and shocked the world with a beautiful rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream." Then we all remember when she lost, and had a total breakdown that was all over the news, which was pretty sad in my opinion. I think that Boyle being on Dancing With The Stars will bring a good audience since she has become so famous. It is pretty cool how she became a household name in such a short amount of time and from virtually singing one song. Hopefully she will be offered more appearances on other shows because her voice really is amazing and it would not be the worst thing to listen to.

- Vanessa

Jodie Sweetin is finally coming clean about not coming clean. Despite her claims that she had kicked her drug habit, the Full House star admits she's was just lying to everyone. In her new book unSweetined, Sweetin says she relapsed but kept booking gigs to make quick money to pay for her drug addiction.

She went back to partying and spending seven hundred dollars a week on meth and coke. Sweetin even revealed in her book that she downed a bag of coke right before one of her interviews.

I understand that child stars had crazy lives when they were young and got into drugs because they were hanging out with the wrong people when they were so young. However, in this case I don't think the people Sweetin interacted with were bad influences. I mean it was Full House, the most popular family show ever, so she should've become a better person from being on the show, not a drug addict. In my opinion, I feel like she probably would've become addicted to drugs even if she wasn't a former child star. It is a very sad thing to see someone who had so much potential as a child, throw away her life and career for drugs. She was on the right track when she decided to get sober, but it is not okay that she lied that she was sober; she was only hurting herself. It baffles me even more that she went to interviews that were on national television high, and absolutely no one noticed at all or even if they did, they didn't say anything. That is so unprofessional and morally wrong to talk about how you are sober and that your rehab was a success and be high on coke while saying these things. I understand that she is in need of help and had an addiction, but it is just not right. It is sending a bad message to people who grew up watching the show and seeing her as a role model.

--Vanessa Marateo

I hate it when people think it is okay to call celebrities fat, when they clearly are not. I hate it even more when there are commercials publicizing these thoughts to the world. The NFL FOX Sunday cartoon featured characters of the Dallas Cowboys laughing about Simpson's often-critiqued figure. During the skit, the Dallas head coach is seen asking Simpson's former boyfriend, Dallas Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo, "Is Jessica around, we sure could use a defensive tackle." While Cowboy star and Romo pal Jason Witten adds in the skit: "Unlike Tony, at least Jessica comes up BIG when it counts." First of all, why would anyone actually let this air on TV? Second of all, why are people calling Jessica Simpson fat? No wonder so many people have eating disorders and have self image issues. Weight is regularly talked about in magazines and on TV, and celebrities are constantly targeted that are not even fat. This sends a horrible message to teens and young adults who are very impressionable.

What makes this whole situation a little better is that Kim Kardashian is sticking up for Jessica Simpson. It shows a lot about Kardashian and her character. She is completely right when she said that people have no right to be making fun of her because she has such an amazing body. These types of acts are what can help the eating disorder problem. When people put out the message that everyone is beautiful and should be comfortable with their own body, then maybe some people will start to listen.

The network and Burger King, which sponsored the Oct. 11 cartoon, apologized for the commercial Wednesday. The apology was obviously the right thing to do, but that still doesn't change the fact that the commercial aired and people saw it, and heard its message.

- Vanessa Marateo

If you love seeing cute, furry puppies doing completely amazing tricks, well tune into Animal Planet's new show, SuperFetch. The show, hosted by Zak George, features awesomely absurd tricks people can teach their pets. This kind of show usually draws in a pretty large audience, and there are numerous people out there who love to watch dogs do funny things. In all honesty, who doesn't? Kids and adults alike can enjoy this show, and it's actually pretty entertaining. The owners of these dogs can actually be pretty funny as well, especially when they teach their dogs these amazing tricks. SuperFetch is a great addition to Animal Planet, and will do well. I'm looking forward to more episodes of crazy dog tricks.

-Vanessa

Even though David Letterman has been exposed as a cheater and arguably a dirtbag (apparently, he had sex with multiple women on his staff, while married to his wife, Regina), somehow I find myself not hating him.

My first reaction when I heard about the story -- a CBS producer was blackmailing Letterman, threatening to come forward and publicly announce details of his affairs unless he paid $2 million -- was that I was just weirded out. It came out of nowhere. The funnyman has always been on my good side, and all of the sudden, he was admitting to these affairs. It was just such a weird story to me.

To me, it seems like it was handled very unconventionally. Letterman admitted to the affairs right away, which I think helped his case. I think everyone learned a little something from Clinton.

Dave laid out all the details on his show Thursday night, mixing in jokes and making it even stranger, but I do think it's better to lay everything on the table than to hide it or drive people to do the research themselves -- propelling a massive technologic rumor mill, as it usually goes these days.

When he was explaining the details of the blackmail, he said "Would it be embarrassing if it were made public? Perhaps it would -- especially for the women."

Here's the video:

Judge for yourselves. I will NEVER be one to condone cheating, but I'm very confused by this whole situation -- and why I don't hate him.

Is that just me?

---Robin Tilley

It's been a week and I'm still pretty peeved about one aspect of last week's Emmy awards--Neal Patrick Harris was robbed!

Why you ask? On the already fantastic show How I Met Your Mother, NPH is a breath of fresh air as the womanizing Barney Stinson. I can't say much for Jon Cryer, as I don't watch Two and a Half Men on a regular basis, but here are three reasons why Harris should have taken home the award:

1. He might have made an acceptance speech like this:

2. He's delivered some of the best catch phrases since Joey on "Friends":

3. He's just all around AWESOME!

Enjoy!

-Kristen Karas

In an interview with the Associated Press, Miley Cyrus admitted that she's made her fair share of mistakes, but wishes the public would have a little more respect for her privacy.

Miley said that she thinks a lot of what she does is exaggerated and embellished. Much of the criticism over Miley's choices is directed at her parents, especially her dad, Billy Ray Cyrus.

I think that Miley should try to accept the fact that since she is in the public eye, she is going to be hounded by paparazzi and criticized for every move she makes. It's a horrible thing that celebrities have to deal with the invasion of privacy at every moment, but that is the trade-off for being a household name. It's true that the media should not be judging her about how her parents raise her, but again being in the public eye has its disadvantages along with its many advantages. I think it's all about give and take, however it just annoys me when stars complain about how the paparazzi are following them everywhere when they get millions of dollars each year to perform.

--Vanessa

Okay so everyone and their mother saw Taylor Swift get dissed by Kanye, and I still can't believe it actually happened. It was just so rude of Kanye to do that, and personally I think that he should have been kicked out of the VMAs.

While appearing on The View, Swift was prompted to talk about the incident, and being the bigger person she said she would meet with him, yet he still had not personally reached out to apologize. However, right after the show, West called to speak to Swift directly and apologized. I think this is probably the only thing West could do at this point.

When asked what was going through her mind during the VMAs, the country singer gave an amusing picture. "Well umm I think my overall thought process went something like: 'Wow, I can't believe I won. This is awesome. Don't trip and fall. I'm going to get to thank the fans, this is so cool. Oh! Kanye West is here. Cool haircut ... what are you doing there? And then, ouch, and then I guess I'm not going to get to thank the fans.'"

I think it was great how she still went out there and performed right after the incident. It shows a lot of character that she was able to get right back on the stage. It also showed Kanye that maybe what he did was stupid and immature. I also think that he knew he made a mistake the second he was done thinking. He obviously didn't think about the huge amount of people that were going to call him out on what he did. Even though this incident happened I think it turned out fine in the end and it made for a VMAs that are sure to be remembered.

- Vanessa Marateo

Teen star Selena Gomez, who stars in Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place, has been appointed UNICEF's newest and youngest Ambassador. She joins a roster of celebrities who support and work closely with UNICEF, such as Joel Madden, Lucy Liu, Clay Aiken, Alyssa Milano and Sarah Jessica Parker.

The Disney actress and singer spent much of the weekend in Ghana to witness the harsh conditions vulnerable children there deal with everyday. These children lack vital necessities including clean water, nourishment, education and basic healthcare.

Gomez will help educate and advocate on behalf of UNICEF and support the organization's mission to help reduce the number of daily preventable deaths of children, from 25,000 to zero.

In her first field mission, Gomez visited Ghana, which is ranked 30 out of 195 countries with the highest mortality rates of children under five.

During her trip to Ghana, Gomez visited a tribe where the women gifted her with outfits they hand made, and she also got to hold a new born baby.

Personally, I think it amazing when celebrities get involved with charities, especially ones like UNICEF. It really sets an example that everyone can follow. Since Selena Gomez is a popular teen star on the Disney Channel, it will really teach kids and teens that it is fun and cool to help out and get involved with charities. Since celebrities have such a large influence in our lives, and so many people look up to them, if every celebrity, or even just teen celebrities, made it a point to get involved in philanthropy, so many more people would take the initiative to do the same as well.

--Vanessa

MTV is teaming up with DJ AM (Adam Goldstein) to launch an intervention-style reality show. It will supposedly be titled Gone Too Far, and the series will feature the celebrity DJ, who has had his own battles with drug addiction and survived a plane crash last year.

The show chronicles tough-love interventions for young people whose lives have become unmanageable because of drug addiction. DJ AM will be present throughout the intervention process, which will be led by an addiction specialist. The series does not have an airdate yet. I think this show should attract a good audience. This show seems to be similar to the show Intervention on A&E, but it will probably attract a younger set because of the regulars who watch MTV. It could be a good experience for teens to see how drugs and addiction can really ruin their lives, and maybe this will discourage them from trying such things.

Last year, DJ AM revealed that he was abused by his father, became addicted to drugs and had attempted suicide. He said he attended recovery meetings and has been sober for about a decade. In September, DJ AM was critically injured when a Learjet carrying him, Travis Barker of Blink-182 and four others burst into flames during an aborted takeoff in South Carolina. DJ AM and Barker were the only survivors of the crash.

This show could be more than just another reality TV show -- it could really be a learning experience, and a look into how drugs can drastically alter a life for the worse.

-- Vanessa Marateo

After spilling over past the hour time slot last week, the judges decided to only go two at a time this with their comments. Was this a good idea? Yes, in that we only had to listen to half the mindless dribble as usual, but no in that some contestants were spared Simon's mean critiques, giving them an unfair advantage.

I'm disliking this season more and more, but at least this week some of the critiques were a little more on the mark. Too bad almost all of the contestants couldn't step up with only a few weeks left to go. Could this possibly be the worst Top 7 ever?

C-D

7. Lil (The Rose)--Lil was visibly pissed last night after Simon's comments, but her frustration leaves me scratching my head. Week after week, she's told that she isn't being daring enough and that she needs to pick something with personality instead of just screaming the songs that she likes. Instead, she refuses to listen and continues to sing bland, mediocre covers every week. She needs to go.

6. Allison (Don't Wanna Miss a Thing)--I love Allison and wouldn't be disappointed to see her win it all. This week, however, was her worst performance to date. She was flat and out of key, and the song was a terrible choice for her style. Ironically, this was the week Simon decided to give her some support.

5. Matt (Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?)--While this was a decent performance, it proves that Matt just doesn't have the lasting power to make it big outside of the competition. He sings well, but is entirely forgettable. Nothing about this song made me say, "Wow."

4. Anoop (Everything I Do)--Another solid performance for Anoop, but after weeks of doing low-key songs, it's time for him to prove he can do something a little more upbeat without sounding cheesy.

3. Danny (Endless Love)--I don't like Danny, but this performance was well done. Perhaps not wearing his signature glasses makes him a better performer?

2. Adam (Born To Be Wild)--I'm not sold yet, but last week's "Mad World" was beautiful. It was disappointing to see him choose yet another cheesy, screechy song (like "Play That Funky Music White Boy"), but this is his signature brand of theatrics and it's been working out pretty well for him thus far in terms of votes. Why should he mess with a winning formula?

A

1. Kris (Falling Slowly)--The only contestant this week to pick something fresh and current, Kris has what it takes to make a real splash in the music industry when this is all over. Despite Randy's incoherent rant about how it didn't do anything for him, Kris is consistently picking songs that not only work, but don't sound like cheep, karaoke impressions. Kris for the win!

So who will get eliminated? Should be Lil, will be Matt.

- Kristen Karas

I'm not going to lie, I'm really geeking out about the premiere of NBC's new comedy Parks and Recreation.

This new show, being produced by "the guys who brought you The Office", will be very similar to it's predecessor, shot in mockumentary style satirizing an individual in a middle management position.

Amy Poehler plays Leslie Knope, a parks and recreation official in fictional Pawnee, Indiana. If you've ever watched The Office, you can guess the rest.

While this show may seem like an Office clone, I think it's going to be even better. This is mostly thanks to the work of one man, Aziz Ansari.

If you've never heard of Ansari, that is forgivable. His only other network appearance was as an intern on the latest season of Scrubs. His work with comedy group Human Giant, however, is some of the best stuff I've seen. Check out this clip:

From what I've seen, his Parks and Recreation character is going to be a mash-up of Jim Halpert and his character in the clip above. I'm feeling optimistic. Also, follow Ansari on Twitter and Tumblr, it's funny stuff.

- Nick

ER ended its 15-year run by drawing 16.4 million viewers for its final episode, the highest viewership for a drama finale since 1996. The two-hour show on Thursday night brought back ER alumni Noah Wyle and Eriq La Salle, as the staff at County General Hospital in Chicago treated a dying woman in labor, an AIDS patient and a comatose teenager with alcohol poisoning.

The amount of viewers was the highest for a U.S. drama finale since the CBS show Murder, She Wrote in 1996, which drew 16.5 million viewers. This just goes to show that ER fans really are dedicated. The return of ER favs probably helped a little as well.

ER boosted the careers of actors like Wyle, La Salle and George Clooney, who played Dr. Doug Ross on the show until 1999. These were the good days when Clooney graced the screen.

As original cast members left the show viewership slipped. The show recently had attracted fewer than 8 million viewers per episode. At the height of its popularity in the mid-90s it was the top-rated drama in the United States. Its highest viewership was in 1998 when 25.8 million people tuned in after the Seinfeld finale. It is crazy to think that a staple show such as ER has actually ended, but a new line of shows is already looking to replace it.

-Vanessa

I have been following the stories of the women of Wisteria Lane since their very first episode. For the past week, ABC has been advertising yesterdays Desperate Housewives as being one of the most intense and one of the best episodes the show has ever had, but after watching the hour long episode I felt nothing but disappointment.

The show ended up being a "to be continued" episode, which is probably one of the most annoying things that can happen on a Desperate Housewives or a Grey's Anatomy episode. Beyond the "to be continued" the episode didn't live up to my expectations I developed after watching the commercials/previews for the past week.

I thought the episode was going to have more action scenes, more juicy gossip from the women on Wisteria Lane, and possibly a divorce between Bree and Orson -- but nothing of the sort happened. I'm thinking that if I wanted to see more action scenes -- I should have watched a James Bond movie, if I wanted to hear more Wisteria Lane gossip -- I should have just watched re-runs, and if I wanted to see a divorce between Bree and Orson ... Well, I should just stop watching the show because I doubt that it will happen. Over all, I'm thinking that since Desperate Housewives is lacking the exciting story line that it used to have in seasons one and two that it is possible that the show isn't going to be lasting too much longer.

Is anyone else as annoyed as I am that this show is going downhill? This chick show is just turning out to be a major disappointment.I hope it steps it up next week and makes this "to be continued" episode seem like a filler episode this past weekend.

-- Cayla

Alexis Grace!? Really, America!?

We're down to only three female contestants right now, and when one of (if not the) most talented contestant is sent packing before being able to participate in the Idol tour, it says a lot about the integrity of this competition and who it that's doing the speed dialing every week.

This week's theme was Motown, which meant the Idols could either do a cheep imitation of some old-fashioned classics, or could really change them up and make them their own:

F

10. Scott MacIntyre (You Can't Hurry Love)--I say the same thing every week--Scott is a sweet guy with a good voice and a sad story, but he is consistently getting more and more boring. Even an up-tempo song couldn't keep me from falling asleep. The fact that he's still here and Alexis is not blows my mind.

9. Michael Sarver (Ain't Too Proud to Beg)--Just like Scott, Michael is a nice guy, but has absolutely no artistry or style. Everything he has done thus far has been completely forgettable.

D

8. Megan (For Once in My Life)--I was all for Megan once she sang "Rockin' Robin," but two bad performances in a row make me worried about her. This was totally the wrong song for her.

7. Lil Rounds (Heatwave)--the judges were completely right here. Lil can sing, but she brings nothing new to her music. Everything is a bland carbon copy with no style or wow factor.

C

6. Adam Lambert (Tracks of my Tears)--despite Kara's need to give Adam a standing ovation, I'm still not impressed. Slicking back your hair does not make you different--Kris, Anoop and Matt have been giving the same kinds of slow, sensitive performances for week without America batting an eyelash. It was a step up from his usual screaming, however.

5. Danny (Get Ready)--still not a huge fan, but this was Danny's best performance to date for me. The song was upbeat and fun, and Danny's somewhat raspy voice was a perfect fit. Still, he once again brought nothing new to the arrangement.

B

4. Anoop Desai (Ooh Baby Baby)--Anoop really brought himself back last week, and decided to play it safe and give a somewhat similar performance. While not as good as last time, it suited his smooth, rich voice perfectly and should keep him around for at least another week.

3. Matt Giraud (Let's Get it On)--Matt has really been surprising me over the last two weeks. This was the perfect song choice for him and pretty darn good performance. I just worry about him feeling to similar to former contestant Chris Richardson (who wasn't a success after Idol), or worse, a Justin Timberlake wannabe.

A

2. Kris Allen (How Sweet it Is)--Kris is on a roll. His song choices are consistently smart and despite what Simon said, I think it's the fact that he is completely un-conceited (Adam Lambert, cough cough) that makes him feel so fresh and intriguing. His performance this week reminded me of Jason Castro's "Daydream" from last season a bit--quirky and light, but fantastic vocally.

1. Allison Iraheta (Papa Was a Rolling Stone)--With Alexis gone, I'm planning to throw a little more weight behind Allison. She's smart and knows exactly what to choose each week to complement her voice and style. This week she was bluesy, sultry, and all-around fantastic. I wish we could have more contestants like her every year.

Again, I'm going to predict either Scott or Michael to be ousted this week, with Megan or Allison being the undeserving dark horses. Who knows though, it could be anyone this season. I never saw someone this good go so early before:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=has50rnhdeE&feature=related

- Kristen

There is no excuse for packin' on the extra pounds anymore. FitTV, a cable station that offers 20 hours of fitness and health programming every day, is your own personal, free at home gym. So get your butt off the couch and turn on the TV!

This might be the coolest thing ever! It's a fast, easy, and fun way to work out, and it's a great alternative for people who are a tad intimidated by the gym (or the muscle men benching 300 pounds everywhere you turn).

FitTV is the only network dedicated to fitness and keeping exercise accessible and fun for everyone. The station offers a plethora of workout choices, from Pilates and aerobics to body sculpting, yoga, belly dancing and hip hop. There are so many different ways to workout that boredom is completely nonexistent, which is a lot of people's problem when it comes to working out.

FitTV is armed with young and cheerful instructors clad in workout gear and hard bodies that make you work that much harder! There are also exotic locations. You may be in your living room, but the instructors are helping you tone your bod from the golden sands of Hawaii. If the instructors aren't inspiration enough than the gorgeous beaches are; after all swimsuit season is right around the corner!

FitTV also includes lifestyle programing on nutrition and weight loss, and a video-on-demand service allows viewers to call up favorite shows at will. It is so easy to just pick the workout you are feelin' that day, and pairing the exercise with the nutrition and weight loss information really makes FitTV a big hit. It is just one of the newest additions to the "get fit" craze!

-Vanessa

Oh how the mighty have fallen. Just when we thought this competition was sealed, the underdog contestants came out with guns blazing and wouldn't let Idol take them down without a fight:

D/F

11. Scott MacIntyre (Wild Angels) -- I wanted to like Scott. I tried. He's a nice, honest guy who tries his best. But I'm sorry, I can't take it any more. Scott is the most boring thing that has every happened to American Idol. This performance was identical to last week's. I'm falling asleep just thinking about it.

10. Michael Sarver (Ain't Goin' Down Til the Sun Comes Up) -- Michael was another one I tried to like (and still somewhat do), but his performances are also getting progressively more boring. I give him props for attempting a really difficult song, but the overflow of lyrics made him hard to understand and did nothing to show off his vocal ability.

9. Adam Lambert (Ring of Fire) -- I don't even know what to say. I'm leaving the country if America picks him to win this thing. Yeah, it was different. Yeah, he tried. Yea, there is a tiny smidge of a voice under all that screaming. But this strange, over the top, self-indulgent whine-fest just sealed it for me. I hate this guy. And Paula comparing the performance to Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir?" I think I just threw up a little.

P.S. That is not how you cover a Johnny Cash song. THIS is how you cover a Johnny Cash song:

C

8. Lil Rounds (Independence Day) -- I'm not as infatuated with Lil Rounds as the judges usually are, so I'm glad they finally gave her some constructive criticism. She had a real opportunity to take a song out of her comfort zone and turn it into a powerful R&B cover, but instead, got somewhat lazy and added no personality or pizazz to the performance.

7. Danny Gokey (Jesus, Take the Wheel) -- Oh, give me a break! Can you imagine what a Danny Gokey album would sound like? It would be filled with cheesy, inspirational ballads formerly sung by women. Danny's song choices are so unimaginative. While the second half was sung quite well, the first half was flat and totally off-key.

6. Megan Joy Corkrey (Walkin' After Midnight) -- This was alright, but no way near as good as last week's fantastic "Rockin' Robin" like Simon said it was. The performance was very so/so, but I'm going to give her a pass this week since she had the flu. And what is with her all of sudden only being known as "Megan Joy?" I'll add the middle name, but I refuse to refer to her without the last name.

B

5. Matt Giraud (So Small) -- Matt has been solid in the competition, but nothing so far has made him stand out as an artist with a marketability factor. I won't go so far as to say it was the best performance of the night (as Randy did), but I think it was a great, current song choice and a step-up of a performance for Matt.

4. Alexis Grace (Jolene) -- While not as good as the last two weeks (mostly because of losing what the judges called her "dirty" factor), this was another excellent performance by the exceptionally talented Alexis. Next week, however, I'd like her to return to her usual bluesy style. This song was not for her.

A

3. Allison Iraheta (Blame It On Your Heart) -- Allison is not necessarily my favorite, but I can't deny that she delivers consistently knock-out performances every week. Her voice is strong and it seems like whatever she does, she can't miss. I'd like to see her change it up and do something a little slower next week.

2. Anoop Desai (You Were Always On My Mind) -- Finally!! Here's the talent I knew Anoop always had. He was at a critical stage in the competition after a hokey performance of "Beat It" last week, but he totally stepped up his game and delivered his best vocal performance to date.

1. Kris Allen (Make You Feel My Love) -- Kris has been one of my side-project favorites this year, but nothing he had done so far was memorable or seemed to make him a crowd favorite. This song choice was perfection and his delivery was flawless. His voice is miles more pleasant than Danny's and is a fresh, subtle alternative to Adam's min-numbing screams. The only thing that bothered me was the inclusion of this as a Garth Brook's country song. Um, I believe it was written by this guy named Bob Dylan. Ever heard of him, American Idol?

Also if you want to hear another great cover of the song, check out Adele's. It's fantastic:

I'm thinking either Michael or Scott will go next...or Adam (a girl can only dream)!

-Kristen

The Today show's annual "Where in the World Is Matt Lauer?" week has been put on hold for 2009. The popular segment sends Lauer to exotic and beautiful sites such as the pyramids of Egypt or the Taj Mahal and viewers get the chanced to guess his location according to clues given each day.

Sadly, this year the trip was canceled due to the failing economy. Executive producer Jim Bell says they asked fans to send in destination suggestions and many thought that, in these rough financial times, they felt the extravagant travel sent the wrong message. Even though this might be the case, I am still a tad depressed that I'm not going to see Matt jetting to all the beautiful locations that I can only dream of traveling to. I think people may have overreacted about sending the wrong message because yes, the economy is in ruins but, it would be nice to see some cool, fun, and exotic places to keep my spirits up. Oh well. If you are a glass half full person like I tend to be, there is a bright side. Instead, the NBC morning show will spend a week in May hitting up more affordable vacation spots throughout the United States. Good save, NBC. It's a more realistic approach to traveling which is always refreshing, and it won't completely replace "Where in the World Is Matt Lauer?", but it will serve as a sufficient replacement.

-Vanessa

So the top 13 are here, and I have to say, I was disappointed on two fronts.

First of all--Michael Jackson night? Not only am I not a fan of his at all, but who could possibly top David Cook's "Billie Jean" cover from last season?

Secondly, the judges were completely off the mark on almost everything. It's become a repeat of last year, where mediocre David Archuleta-type performers are being set up as the standard of perfection (Danny Gokey, Adam Lambert, Lil Rounds), while the truly talented and unique are critiqued for the most minor issues a la Carly Smithson (Megan Corkrey, Alexis Grace). Kara, who I had once expected to be this year's judging savior, has become just another Paula/Randy clone. Sigh.

The D/F Team:

13.) Scott McIntyre ("Keep the Faith") -- I wanted to like Scott, but I was so utterly bored by his performance, I didn't know what to do. His style is bland and forgettable and I don't believe I would honestly ever buy a song from him. His vocals also weren't that fantastic...and I'm hoping that someone backstage will finally do something about his hair. Cut it. Now!

12.) Adam Lambert ("Black and White") -- Yes, that's right, I put him this low. I don't care what the judges or 90 percent of America says, I will never, ever understand this guy's appeal. His facial expressions are so skeezy, and all I wanted to do was shout to my television, "Please. Stop. Screeching!" He's obnoxious. There, I said it.

11.) Jasmine Murray ("I'll Be There") -- I will give Jasmine credit for choosing a good song and for singing it rather well, but I find her completely unremarkable in both vocal ability and originality. She's boring and forgettable, and while I wanted to like her after Hollywood week, I've become increasingly bored with her after each performance.

The C Team:

10.) Anoop Desai ("Beat It") -- Before cutting to commercial break, we caught a glimpse of Anoop doing the "Thriller" dance and I was convinced that was the song he would be doing. How great would that have been?? Instead, he chose "Beat It" and gave a performance that was not nearly as bad as Simon made it out to be, but left me scratching my head once again at what kind of artist Anoop wants to be.

9.) Danny Gokey ("PYT") -- Much like Adam, I am completely stumped as to why the judges are throwing so much weight behind this guy. Nothing about his performance was exciting or original, and I'm getting the impression that like David Archuleta, Danny will never see a bad review from the judges this season. I will give him points though for actually singing the song, as opposed to Adam, who just screams.

8.) Michel Sarver ("You Are Not Alone") -- I can't help but like Michel. He's a sweetheart with a nice voice who really does seem to be trying his best. No, I don't think he's memorable, and no, I don't think he'll win, but with all the bloated egos on this stage, his innocence is refreshing.

The B Team:

7.) Lil Rounds ("The Way You Make Me Feel") -- Lil is another artist I'm on the fence about, and is sort of like the female Danny Gokey. She's a nice girl and it's no argument that she can sing, but there is nothing special about her that makes her stand out among other great singers. Her performance, however, was fun, and she did do well. I just wish the judges would calm down a bit about her.

6.) Matt Giraud ("Human Nature") -- I liked seeing Matt behind the piano tonight and I think it was an underrated performance. I continually find myself impressed by his song choices (even "Viva La Vida") and I'm interested to see what kinds of Justin Timberlake-like music he would make outside of Idol.

5.) Jorge Garcia ("Never Can Say Goodbye") -- I can't put my finger on why, but I kinda sorta love Jorge. He reminds me of Marc Anthony (an artists I don't really listen too) and his musical style is a bit cheesy, but there is something about his goofy charm that keeps me smiling, and I think he easily has one of the best voices in the competition.

4.) Kris Allen ("Remember the Time") -- I think Kris has the potential to be this year's sleeper hit. Last year, David Archuleta was supposed to be the heartthrob, while Michael Johns rose up to knock him out of that spot, while this year, I think Kris could knock out Adam Lambert for the female population's affection (in a perfect world). I think he sang really well and has a ton of charm.

The A Team:

3.) Allison Iraheta ("Give in to Me") -- I'm starting to see this as the season of the girls. Allison came out of nowhere to wind up being one of the best singers in the competition. And best of all (like Paula said), she actually knows what kind of artist she wants to be and "stays true" to it.

2 Alexis Grace ("Dirty Diana") -- While not quite as phenomenal as her first performance, I still think Alexis is miles above almost all of her competitors. Her voice is so raw and fresh and real-world, and I am sick over how the judges treated her in the five seconds they had to comment. It's Carly Smithson all over again...

1 Megan Corkrey ( "Rockin' Robin") -- I can't say enough about how much I love Megan. Forget Simon, this was one of the best song choices in Idol history. Megan was natural and cool and added such a quirky spin on an old classic. She was the only one to take a risk, and not only did it pay off, it made me want to buy her album right now.

I think either Scott or Jasmine will go, but I wouldn't be surprised if the misunderstood Megan becomes of the first shocker of the season.

And by the way, if you loved Season 7, give a listen to this. I cannot get it out of my head!

- Kristen

Sure, there are the Harry Potter fans and the Twilight fans, but little did I know...

There is also a semblance of a cult following for my favorite series: Maud Hart Lovelace's Betsy-Tacy series.

(Courtesy of geocities.com)

The series begins at the turn of the century in the fictional Deep Valley, Minn. and is tremendously based on Lovelace's life. Lovelace, of course, is rooted in the character of protagonist Betsy Ray, who is 5 years old in the first book. In the last book, Betsy is in her early 20s.

This gradual movement through the stages in Betsy's life makes the series so readable. As a young girl, I fostered my love of reading through the earlier books, like Betsy and Tacy Go Over the Big Hill. As I've gotten older, I've grown more appreciative of the later books.

I found out about the series from my mom, who grew up reading the books as well. However, imagine my surprise when I found out that there are hundreds -- no, thousands -- of fans across the country. There is even a Betsy-Tacy Convention this July in Mankato, Minn. (the real "Deep Valley"), where fans gather for a weekend to discuss the books and tour Lovelace's hometown.

If you're not familiar with the series, I would recommend Betsy and Joe -- most B-T fans agree that it's the best. Schlow Centre Region Library has one copy.

-Stephanie

The Gossip Girl spin-off has found its Lily! Brittany Snow is set to star in the project, a prequel chronicling the wild teen years of Lily van der Woodsen in Los Angeles during the 1980s. Brittany Snow should make a great Lily. Her spunk that has come forth in previous roles, such as Hairspray, should make her perfect for a wild teen.

Also cast in the spin-off is Shilo Fernandez (Jericho), who will play Owen, a hot Valley punk guy with biting wit.

Krysten Ritter was previously cast to play Lily's sister the black sheep of the family. The spin-off centers on Lily Rhodes who experiences a falling-out with her parents and is forced to move in with her sister, Carol (Ritter).

All too quickly, Lily has to transition from a life of luxury and education at a wealthy boarding school to living in the San Fernando Valley she once made fun of and dare we say it, go to public school. Caught between the two contrasting worlds, Lily dives head first into the crazy Hollywood lifestyle of the '80s. The pilot for the spin-off will air May 11 as a Gossip Girl episode. As a lover of Gossip Girl I have some high hopes for this spin-off. It will be interesting to see where Serena's wild side comes from.

-Vanessa

Here we go! Top 36, round two!

I have to say, this new format is really starting to grow on me. Instead of the same crappy performers every week who were lucky enough to escape the first cut, we are getting a one-shot deal before the big part of the competition begins. I also like the idea of the wildcard because America tends to make stupid choices early on. There are definitely some people from last week who deserve another chance.

I was a little wary of this week's live episode. Aside from a few, I had no idea what to expect from most of the 12. Oddly enough, I was more disappointed with the people we've seen in Hollywood and more excited about those I had barely heard of.

The "D/F" Team:

12. Jeanine Vailes ("This Love")--Jeanine was already disadvantaged when the Idol producers unfairly failed to show a single second of her in the Hollywood round. Instead of busting out and making a name for herself, however, she gave the most lackluster and pointless performance of the night. It was a complete disaster.

11. Kai Kalama ("What Becomes of the Broken Hearted")--I really liked Kai's audition and had high hopes for him, but as soon as he announced his song choice I had to shake my head. Really, Kai? Really?? Of allllll the songs? Really?! Seriously, who is behind the scenes at Idol telling some people their choices are OK?

10. Jasmine Murray ("Love Song")--Jasmine is another one I expected to do well but was disappointed with. What is it that happens between the Hollywood week stage and the live one? Is it nervousness? Her voice was flat and messy. I didn't, however, agree with Simon's "you're not ready for this" comment. Um, aren't you the one that put her through?

The "C" Team:

9. Matt Giraud ("Viva La Vida")--this was a fantastic song choice...too bad Matt destroyed it. There is a difference between picking something current and picking something right for your voice, and Matt totally missed that. His voice was shaky and cracked, probably due to the fact that Coldplay isn't part of the genre he excels at. I will give him credit for trying though.

8. Jesse Langseth ("Bette Davis Eyes")--With two young, single moms with soulful voices in the competition (Alexis Grace and Megan Corkrey), Jesse really had to find a way to stand out in order to gain a fan base. Unfortunately, this performance didn't do that. While she definitely did sing it well, she was boring, forgettable, and like Simon said, no one will jump to vote for her.

7. Nick Mitchell ("And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going")--Oh Normund? Where do I begin? I'm so torn, because I sadly love his routine, but at the same time, there are some serious performers in this competition trying to make it, and it's really not fair to them. His last note was actually pretty great, but there was also some kind of scream in there someplace that just didn't belong. I don't understand the judges telling him "this isn't the stage" for him, though. If you put him through for entertainment purposes, then you have no right to tell him that. Either treat him like a serious competitor, or don't put him in the top 36.

The "B" Team:

6. Adam Lambert ("Satisfaction")--For the second straight week in a row, I have guessed who would close the show before it even started. It is safe to say now that Danny Gokey and Adam are the new "Davids," chosen by the producers early on to appease the giggly speed-dialers. I for one am not drinking the Kool-aid. Sure, Adam can sing, but he is so full of it I want to vomit. With the facial expressions and the hair and the black and the screaming, ugh, it is so exhausting and manufactured. I just don't undertstand it. Oh, and he loves Twilight too. Gag me.

5. Matt Breitzke ("If You Cold Only See")--Matt is one of the Idols that means well but really has no chance if winning the competition. It's not his fault. He did all that he could, but he has no personality and is in no way marketable. I did, however, like his song choice a lot and I think the guy has a good voice, much better than I would have expected. I'd take his genuine blandness over Adam Lamberg's "uniqueness" anyday.

4. Kris Allen ("Man In the Mirror")--Bad song choice, but I think this unknown is unbelievably adorable! The longer the performance went on, the more girly my "awing" became. I'd like to see him with guitar like the judges said he has used before (if he gets the chance to come back).

The "A" Team:

3. Allison Iraheta ("Alone")--I was a little worried about this one, since "Alone" is one of Carrie Underwood's and Carly Smithson's best Idol performances, but Allison really held her own and gave it a sort of rock vibe. Maybe it was because everyone up until her had royally sucked, but that is a tough song to song and Allison really did it justice.

2. Mishavonna Henson ("Drops of Jupiter")--this girl really surprised me and I think she might have actually been the best vocalist of the night. The song was not one of my favorites, but she carried it well. Maybe she is too serious, like the judges said, but what? Should she be Norman Gentle? I think she's very talented and should have had more Hollywood week exposure.

1. Megan Corkrey ("Put Your Records On")--I loved her audition, and I still love her now. I would have liked her to sing something a little jazzier, and while her voice isn't quite as strong as Alexis Grace's, I still think Megan is one of the coolest people on the show and definitely "current." I would so buy her album.

I think Adam (groan) and Megan are a lock this week, with the possibility of Alison or Kris being the third choice (Michavonna just won't have the fan base). Matt Giraud, however, has the potential to pull a Michael Sarver and be a fan-propelled surprise.

And side note, I just HAD to include these Paula gems:

*To Jeanine Vailes: "Great legs! It's Season Eight! Simon?"

*To Matt Giraud: "I did hear you go for it and bring what you brought to it."

Words of wisdom, Paula.

--Kristen

The first show for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon has a couple of pretty big guests lined up. Fallon takes over as host of Late Night on Monday, March 2, and his first guest will be Oscar winner Robert De Niro. The night's musical guest will be Van Morrison, who will be performing "Astral Weeks."

Other guests scheduled for Fallon's first week will be 30 Rock star Tina Fey, Cameron Diaz, Watchmen star Billy Crudup, Drew Barrymore, Ludacris and Santogold. These stars should easily bring in a large audience for the new host.

The Roots will serve as Fallon's house band, and bring a hip-hop aura to the set. Recently he hired comic A.D. Miles as the show's head writer and Saturday Night Live scribe Steve Higgins as the "Late Night" announcer.

Fallon has chosen his first week of guests very well in my opinion. He will probably attract more of a younger audience with these guests, which may not be the demographic that Late Night was aiming for. However, Fallon will start his Late Night run off strong, and he will be a fresh face to the long standing show.

-Vanessa

Wisteria Lane is about to lose one of its residents! What desperate housewife is it? I'll give you a hint: the tall, loud-mouth blond-bombshell. Yes, you guessed it; Nicollette Sheridan is reported to leave her role as Edie Britt on ABC's Desperate Housewives.

This isn't the first time it's been reported the actress will end her run on Wisteria Lane. At the end of the fourth season, she moved to Boston, and was absent from Wisteria Lane during the five-year time jump that took place between Seasons 4 and 5 before returning at the beginning of this season.

How is she getting the boot this time? Edie finds out her husband, Dave, plans to kill her, and almost does. She then runs out of the house, but poor Edie gets in an accident, somehow involving her car and an electrical wire. What a way to go. Nothing's too flashy for good old Edie. Sources have said that Sheridan has never been creator, Marc Cherry's, favorite, most likely because of her inability to keep her mouth shut (on and off camera).The show might lose a little of it's oomph without the crazy antics of Edie Britt, but it shouldn't suffer too much. Bree, Susan, Gaby, and Lynette will hold down the fort for sure.

-Vanessa

The real Idol competition has finally arrived! The first 12 of the top 36 contestants performed and now it's in America's hands to decide which three will move on to the finals.

I think this first live episode was all about song choice. There were so many moments that left me scratching my head at what some contestants thought were logical picks. This year's semi-finals had no themes (like last year's God-awful 60s, 70s and 80s rounds) and it was a one-shot chance for the performers to show America who they would like to be as recording artists. Barely any of them (even the good ones) did that.

Here are my picks for who did the best and worst this week:

The "D/F" Team:

* Stevie Wright (You Belong With Me)--I had semi-high hopes for young Stevie, but man, was this painful to watch. I'm not sure what happened here. The song was much too low for her voice and wound up sounding like (to borrow a repeated phrase from Simon) karaoke with a capital K. It was so weird and out of tune, and I feel sad that Stevie will have to leave on such a terrible note.

* Stephen Fowler (Rock With You)--I was already suspicious of Stephen after he bombed in Hollywood week but was still given a free pass over the much more interesting Jamar Rogers. His voice was good, but I don't think there was bigger cheesefest all night than this. The arrangement was so out of date and I couldn't believe that out of all the songs there are in the world to sing, this is what Stephen said yes to.

* Jackie Tohn (A Little Less Conversation)--oh Jackie, I wanted to like you. This performance, however, was a mess. It was so self-indulgent, and while there were hints of a great voice, Jackie masked it with a weird mixture of growling and screeching that just did not sound good. And what was with that legging/sneaker combo? I was not impressed.

The "C" Team:

· Brent Keith (Hicktown)--Brent definitely can sing, but this may be the most forgettable performance of the night. Maybe I'm biased as a non-country fan, but between Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift, there definitely is some contemporary and interesting country on the radio right now, and unfortunately, that was not it.

· Casey Carlson (Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic)--I don't think that Casey was a complete disaster. She has that Demi Lovato/commercial look and her voice isn't half bad. I also commend her for picking something a little different. The performance, however, came out sounding much too karaoke and the pitch of the song didn't allow her to exert any power.

· Anne Marie Boskovich (Natural Woman)--I liked Anne Marie from the beginning and I still like her. Her voice is natural and controlled. But I just can't let her get away with picking such a clichéd song. Time after time, the judges tell contestants not to pick Whitney or Aretha, and while she sang it well, it doesn't tell me anything about what kind of artist she wants to be.

The "B" Team:

* Michael Sarver (I Don't Wanna Be)--I'm really interested in the fact that Michael has a country accent but somehow seems to sound soulful when he sings. It's a weird mix that I oddly like. He isn't blowing my mind or anything, but I think he's a nice guy that I wouldn't be sad to see move on.

* Anoop Desai (Angel of Mine)--I was totally in the "I Heart Anoop" fan club before this but now I'm not as sure. I think he has a great voice and is geeky-adorable, not to mention his Hollywood week "My Prerogative" was ballsy and fun, but "Angel of Mine" was such a stupid choice of song. What was he thinking?

* Ricky Braddy (A Song For You)--We haven't seen much from Ricky, but the guy can really sing! I definitely agree with Simon that Ricky has "no star quality," but there is no denying that he sung the hell out of this song. My one big problem was that my all-time favorite Idol performance is Season 5's Elliot Yamin singing this same song. Ricky was great, but Elliot's version blew me away.

The "A" Team:

* Tatiana Del Toro (I'm Saving All My Love For You)--Yes, you read that right. Crazy Tatiana gets an A. Despite all the insanity and the dramatics, I challenge anyone to tell me that Tatiana can't sing--she has good tone and can hit almost all the notes. The judges weren't as quick to praise her, but I say get over it! Yes, she's unbelievably bizarre and her toned-down personally during the show was even creepier than her usual crazy one, but she's still one of the best singers in the competition.

* Danny Gokey (Hero)--Before the episode even aired, I KNEW Danny would be the last performance of the night. Does Fox really expect us to believe the order is all random? Danny IS great--his tone is rich and he hits all his notes with ease. But the fact that Idol is pimping him out to be the next great superstar reeks of David Archuleta. I just can't let myself ultimately root for the original man on top. Plus, "Hero?" Really? Does it get any more unoriginal than that? (And jeez Kara, calm down! I take back everything I said about her being the competent judge, only Simon knows what he's talking about.)

* Alexis Grace (I Never Loved a Man [The Way That I Love You])--OMG I LOVE her! I usually measure my feeling about a performance by how likely I am to download it, and Alexis' was the only one I really want to hear again. Fantastic song choice, fantastic vocals, and fantastic presence. Alexis is soulful, confident and unique. I agree judges--she is the one to watch.

While I think Danny and Alexis are a lock for this week's top 3, I'm not so sure about Tatiana. I think she deserves it, but America and I don't tend to agree. My margin of error says that either Tatiana, Ricky or Anoop will be the third chosen to move on.

--Kristen

Love is in the air...and on your TV screen! In honor of this Saturday's lovefest (and because I'm a girl), here are my top 10 favorite mushy, gushy, adorable and vomit-inducing TV couples of ALL time:

10. Robin & Barney--How I Met Your Mother

Not necessarily a couple yet, but we know that's where they're headed. Barney's subtle pining for his emotional-equal Robin is one of the best new additions to this already hilarious show.

9. Angela & Jordan--My So-Called Life

The show only lasted one season, and the two really had nothing in common besides Angela's love for the way bad boy Jordan "leaned." But man, they were fun to watch. (If you've never seen it and you like high school drama, get the series on DVD. You'll love it, I promise!)

8. Monica and Chandler--Friends

I never saw this unlikely duo coming, but when they got together, it was perfection. Monica cured Chandler of his commitmentphobia, and he gave her what she's wanted since episode one--a husband.

7. Carrie & Mr. Big-- Sex and the City

It took six years filled with hook-ups, break-ups, an affair, a broken engagement and a broken marriage for Big to finally go to Paris and tell Carrie that she was the "one."

6. Seth & Summer--The O.C.

This show was supposed to be about Ryan and Marissa, but the ditzy, popular girl and the nerd-next-door stole the show with their unconventional romance and by always snagging to best lines--it also helped that Summer didn't die in a car crash.

5. Blair & Chuck--Gossip Girl

Who cares about Dan and Serena? Those two absolutely nauseate me. I'd rather see Blair and Chuck's crafty, scheming, overly-dramatic, and surprisingly sweet "relationship" any day.

4. Ross & Rachel--Friends

Ross and Rachel are the quintessential American couple. For 10 seasons, we watched them pine, fall in love, go "on a break," get married, get annulled, and have a baby, all while knowing that by the series finale, they'd realize how much they belonged together.

3. Rory & Jess--Gilmore Girls

When I was 13 and started watching Gilmore Girls, I was aaaalllll about Dean...until brooding bad boy Jess arrived. He and Rory were the perfect bookworm pair, and even though Jess left Rory without a word, he was still ten times better than her next boyfriend, Logan.

2. Kevin & Winnie--The Wonder Years

Growing up, The Wonder Years was (and still is) my favorite show. Kevin and Winnie are childhood romance personified and every moment of this fantastic series makes me want to be 12 years old again.

1. Jim & Pam--The Office

Admit it--the reason you started watching The Office in season one was "Jam's" awkwardly adorable crushes on one another and their hilarious office pranks. It doesn't get any better than these two.

--Kristen

1. Anoop Desai--I love this kid, I just hope his personality can stand out.

2. Von Smith--better known as Screamy McShouty.

3. Alex Wagner-Trugman--still has some crazy facial expressions, but I like him.

4. Adam Lambert--sorry, I don't get it. Cher's "Believe"? Really??

5. Taylor Vaifanua--reminds me a little bit of Jordan Sparks.

6. Jasmine Murray--we didn't see a lot from her this week, but I think she's great.

7. Arianna Afsar--who?

8. Casey Carlson--I remember her having a good audition, but we haven't seen much from her.

9. Megan Corkrey--very different and one of my early favorites.

10. Mishavonna Henson--we only saw her for a bit on Tuesday, but I already like her.

11. Stevie Wright--I remember liking her, but I can't quite place her voice.

12. Joanna Pacitti--oh boy, all these girls are starting to blend together...

13. Kendall Beard--has a commercial/Carrie Underwood vibe.

14. Kristen McNamara--great voice, and I'm glad the judges overruled Simon and picked her over the painfully boring Jen Korbee. That was one of Simon's lowest moments, even for him.

15. Alexis Grace--big, soulful voice in a tiny package. I can't wait to see more from her.

16. Scott MacIntyre--I think having a blind contestant is really, really cool and I hope he goes far.

17. Lil Rounds--she's good, but I'm not really loving her yet. We'll see.

18. Jesse McCullah--I was a big fan of Frankie Jordan, but Jesse has the same retro style with much less attitude.

19. Allison Iraheta--the small bit they showed of her this week impressed me. She could be a dark horse.

20. Danny Gokey--Is AI pimping this guy, or what? He's a great singer, but they mention him almost every five minutes! (I'm pretty sad about his buddy, Jamar. I think that one was a mistake.)

21. Ricky Braddy--who?

22. Matt Giraud--another early favorite.

23. Ju'not Joyner--what a great name! He sounds a bit like Ruben Studdard to me, and "Hey There Delilah" was great song choice on Tuesday.

24. Jorge Nunez--I remember the name, but not the voice. Bad sign...

25. Brett Keith--I also remember the name, but not the voice. Another bad sign.

26. Stephen Fowler--he messed up pretty badly on Tuesday, but the judges decided to give him a chance. He definitely can sing, so it's a toss up for me.

27. Nick Mitchell/Norman Gentle--I kind of love this guy. Is there something wrong me?!?

28. Tatiana Del Toro--crazy, Crazy, CRAZY! But she really can sing! OK, there definitely IS something wrong with me!

29. Jackie Tohn--she's fun and current, but needs to tone it down just a smidge.

30. Nathanial Marshall--Oh Emo Boy...How did I know you'd make it? Oh, right -- because they've shown you in EVERY EPISODE!

31. Jeanine Vailes --who?

32. Kai Kalama--yay!

33. Anne Marie Boskovitz--double yay!

34. Kris Allen--who?

35. Michael Sarver--I like that he does a sort of soulful country thing, but he's a tad bland.

36. Matt Breitzke--I don't think the judges made the right decision here. He was just way too boring. Also, if they were planning on eliminating either him or Michael, who was the original number 36?

Overall, I'm really excited about this year's picks. I think 36 vs. 24 is a little stupid though -- the first 12 to go are usually completely forgettable anyway, and now the shortest performances will drag out much too long.

Next week will feature the first (out of three) group of 12: Stephen Fowler, Casey Carlson, Jackie Tohn, Ricky Braddy, Anne Marie Boskovitz, Brett Keith, Alexis Grace, Michael Sarver, Stevie Wright, Danny Gokey, Tatiana Del Toro, and Anoop Desai. I'm betting on Anne Marie, Alexis and Danny to steal the show. But then again, there's always Tatiana...

--Kristen

While in Europe a year ago, I started missing my American television shows and ventured on to abc.com to catch some re-runs of my favorite programs: Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy. The Web site is a lifesaver, especially when I have a lot of work to do on Sunday or Thursday evenings--if I miss an episode, it's not the end of the world. Well, when I was abroad and pulled up abc.com, I clicked on "full episodes" and then there was a notification that popped up saying that only viewers in America were able to watch full-length episodes. My heart stopped when I realized the only TV channels my Dutch television got was the Dutch news and porn after 9 p.m. All I wanted were re-runs in English with no subtitles.

I quickly learned about a Web site called surfthechannel.com and hulu.com. What a relief, there I had it -- movies and television shows minus the Dutch language.

I still use abc.com to this very day but I'm still discovering all the other Web sites I can use to watch older movies. I now realize that I've taken advantage of all of the Web sites I have used over the years; there are so many good TV shows that people abroad may not have heard of -- my best friend in Europe was from Spain and the most popular TV he watched on a daily basis was the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

Go '90s, but I must have my Grey's Anatomy!

Take advantage of the abc.com Web site and catch up on this seasons Grey's Anatomy and Desperate Housewives -- and if possible and not too busy, watch the episodes weekly!

-Cayla

Everyone stop what you are doing and listen up! For all of my fellow Gossip Girl fans, I have some news! There is going to be a spin-off that features the crazy adolescent teen years of Lily Van Der Woodsen (Serena's mom) in Los Angeles in the 1980s. I know, this sounds cool. I don't think this is much of a surprise since Gossip Girl has recently focused on the whole hidden pregnancy thing. Krysten Ritter will co-star in the spin-off, marking the first casting on the project.

The show is sort of a prequel to Gossip Girl, which is a different spin that I say should attract most GG fans. The new show is written by Gossip creators Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, and focuses on Lily moving in with her sister, Carol (Ritter), the outsider of the family after a falling-out with her parents. Overnight, Lily has to transition from a life of luxury and education at a wealthy Montecito boarding school to living in the San Fernando Valley she once made fun of and going to public school. The pilot for the spin-off will air as a Gossip Girl episode May 11. Ritter is well known from her roles on Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars.

MTV used to be a leader in programming for the 18-23 male demographic, with quality shows like Jackass and Viva la Bam, but recently things seem to have been bogged down with lame reality series like Paris Hilton's My New BFF and that insipid The Hills and its spin-offs.

This said, I have high hopes for their new Sunday night lineup premiering tonight:

9:00 - Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory - featuring Rob of Rob and Big

9:30 - The CollegeHumor Show - likely to become my new favorite show.

10:00 - Nitro Circus - finally something to fill the void Jackass left in my soul after it got canceled

10:30 - How's Your News - the oddest of the batch, this news program is nearly entirely produced by individuals with mental disabilities (insert FOX News joke here)

I'll be back Monday with a recap for those of you who still aren't convinced.

- Nick out

Ahhhh Hollywood week--the start of the real American Idol. No more joke auditions. No more waiting room drama. No more time-wasting clips...

Whoops...that's exactly what they did.

This week's post-audition episodes didn't exactly thrill me. Idol spent too much time focusing on nonsense instead of giving us what we really want to see (or at least what I want to see) -- great performances.

Instead, we literally spent a half hour during Wednesday night's show watching members of certain groups bicker and cry instead of performing. I actually thought about shouting, "Shut up and SING!" to the TV. I understand there are too many people (most of whom are probably just mediocre) to show each individual performance on Tuesday, but am I the only one who would have rather seen an hour of back-to-back group performances instead of fighting on Wednesday? This is a show about singing, so why do the producers think the viewers don't actually want to see people sing?

OK, enough of MY complaining. There were some standouts this week.

People I'm excited to see more from:

Matt Gerard's group "White Chocolate" was fresh and fun, but he was the only member that really stood out for me and showed great vocal ability. I remember this guy every time I see him.

Danny Gokey has a fantastic voice and his group's decision to sing "Somebody to Love" was perfection for him. I like his friend Jamar as well, but I don't think he quite has Danny's talent. It'll be interesting to see the two duke it out for a spot.

Jeremy Michael Sarver auditioned with a country vibe, but proved during the group round that he could also sing soul--who knew?

Jasmine Murray--I love, love, LOVE her! She was the only sane one in the Rose/bikini girl/other-person-I've-never-seen-before's train wreck of a group. "The Trouble with Love Is" and "Mercy" were the perfect songs for her controlled and memorable voice.

People I was sad to see go:

Emily Whynn-Hughs (the girl with the pinkish hair) was the biggest upset for me this week. I thought her voice was really unique, and the way they featured her on Tuesday and during her audition really led me to believe the judges saw something in her. Forgetting the lyrics is something that unfortunately happens, and it shouldn't outweigh real talent. The contestants they choose better be damn good if they so easily discarded someone as promising as Emily.

Rose Flak--I really, really liked this girl, but she just didn't have the vocal chops. I kept rooting for her, but every time she opened her mouth I knew she'd eventually have to go.

People I can't believe made it through to next week:

Tatiana, the psycho girl with that crazy laugh--I thought her audition was a joke, and while she has a semi-decent voice, there is nothing special or great about her. Plus she's just crazy.

Nathaniel Marshall (who I like to refer to as "Emo Boy") really just isn't doing it for me. He kind of reminds me of Danny Noriega from last year--a little too much to say and not enough talent.

People I saw (but didn't hear) that I'd like to know the status of:

Blind Guy Scott McIntyre

Amy Winehouse look/sound-alike Frankie Jordan

Jason Castro's brother Michael Castro

Quotes of the week:

Kara to Bikini Girl Katrina Darrell -- "Damn, what a bitch!"

Crazy Tatiana--"I'm the sweetest person I've met since I've been here."

Final thought--While I do like a few people, where are the Carly Smithsons? Man, I miss that girl. Did anyone sing like this this week?

Maybe next week?

--Kristen

Normally I'm a music reporter, but I just had to mention this Super Bowl ad. It's become something of an Internet meme. Maybe it's the next "Chocolate Rain"? All I know is I will have nightmares forever, yet I can't stop watching it.

First, the original commercial:

Here's a kid who wrote an extended version of the "song" in the commercial:

A horrifying "remix" of the "song":

- Andy

ABC Family has picked up three pilots: 10 Things I Hate About You, Ruby and the Rockits and Perfect 10. ABC Family has had its best year ever, including the hit The Secret Life of the American Teenager. The three new shows are sure to follow ABC Family's great, wholehearted comedy and drama scripts that they do best.

10 Things I Hate About You is a half-hour series based on the 1999 film of the same name starring the late Heath Ledger (I truly miss him) and Julia Stiles. The series will focus on sisters Kate and Bianca Stratford (Meaghan Jette Martin, Lindsey Shaw). They attend Padua High School and like all teen girls, juggle their social lives and boys. However, Kate and Bianca have to manage a life and their over-protective dad (Larry Miller). Kate is impatient to make a difference in the world, is strong-willed and a feminist, while Bianca is more concerned with her looks and popularity. Ethan Peck, grandson of Gregory Peck, will play Kat's love interest, Patrick.

Ruby and the Rockits is a half-hour comedy starring Alexa Vega (Spy Kids) as Ruby, the teenage daughter of David Callahan (David Cassidy) and niece of Patrick Callahan (Patrick Cassidy), brothers and former teen idols in the band The Rockits. Since David continues to tour, he turns to Patrick to help raise Ruby.

Perfect 10 is a one hour drama revolving around the world of competitive gymnastics and follows a group of teen Olympic hopefuls. There's newcomer Emily Kmetko (Chelsea Hobbs), top gymnast Payson Keeler (Ayla Kell), her mom Kim, (Peri Gilpin, Frasier), the beautiful Kaylie Cruz (Josie Loren) and the gym's hottie Carter Anderson (Zachary Burr Abel).

Also coming up is Au Pair 3: Adventure in Paradise, which is set to premiere in March. April is set to premiere an untitled romantic comedy starring Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence as two strangers who fake a relationship, engagement and wedding in order to get gifts and cash from their friends. And of course, they fall for each other. Both of these TV movies are classic ABC Family style and should be a cute and lighthearted way to start spring!

Last but not least, Greek and Lincoln Heights will be returning to their normal slots in the ABC Family lineup.

- Vanessa.

The Super Bowl has come and gone, and with it a bevy of ads aimed at the captive audience. As the (self-appointed) authority on television advertising for the Collegian, here is my take on Sunday night's offerings.

Best Cameo:

These Cash4Gold adds usually piss me off, but they pulled a brilliant move here. If MC Hammer and Ed McMahon use this service, everyone should.

Most Honest:

Most Super Bowl ads have little to do with the actual service or product the company offers. HULU took a different approach, letting everybody know exactly the intent of the company. Aliens and evil plots to destroy the world? Who cares if I can watch as much TV as I want.

Best Cinematography:

This one seriously deserves an Oscar nod for Best Short Subject.

Most Unsettling:

Seriously, who exactly are they marketing to? That was just downright harsh. The last line is the kicker for me.

Best Trailer:

Forget Transformers 2, this trailer made sure to let everyone know that the next Star Trek movie is not going to be the standard nerd fodder the rest of the series was (which in my opinion is awesome).

Best Thing EVER:

Seriously, this commercial made my life. I can now die happy.

- Nick out

Parks & Recreation is the title of Amy Poehler's new show on NBC. Super Bowl viewers were the first to be confirmed of the title when Poehler promoted the series in one of the 69 Super Bowl ads shown last night. The show, which debuts Thursday, April 9th, comes from The Office but is NOT a spin-off. Executive producers Greg Daniels and Mike Schur once thought about the possible idea of a spin-off. However, they changed course when Poehler signed on. This is good idea in my opinion, since spin-offs don't usually fair too well in the TV world.

The show has been called a plethora of things, including Untitled Mockumentary about a Local Public Works Project and Public Works. I think Parks & Recreation fits the show appropriately.

The show stars Poehler as Leslie Knope, an employee for a municipal parks and recreation department in Indiana who wants to start a career in politics. She vows to help a city resident turn a vacant lot into a park, despite obstacles and resistance. It sounds kind of dry, but if it consists of the same humor as The Office than it could be worth watching. Amy Poehler is funny and entertaining, so it shouldn't be too hard to watch.

--Vanessa

So, Monday marks the premier of Chuck to NBC, and the return of How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory and Gossip Girl after a week hiatus. Toss in House at its new time slot, and 8 on Monday night is starting to look pretty full.

Now I'm guessing most of you don't watch as much TV as I do, but I'm still seeing some conflicts here.

It'd be one thing if these shows all targeted different audiences, but there's a lot of cross over appeal with these shows:

Courtesy of wordpress.com

Courtesy of iofferphoto.com

- Chuck and Big Bang Theory: Geeks in general

Courtesy of wordpress.com

- How I Met Your Mother and Chuck: Those who like romantic comedy

Courtesy of sidereel.com

- House and any other show really: Everybody watches House

Courtesy of gossipgirlchat.com

- Gossip Girl and Chuck: Josh Schwartz fans (the guy who made these shows and The OC)

Thanks to the internet, however, there is a solution. Excluding House, all of these shows are posted on their networks Web site and/or HULU the day after they air. Now you can waste those four hours of your life, without having to get Tivo!

- Nick

American Idol finished up its final rounds of auditions this week with three episodes in Jacksonville, Fla.; Salt Lake City, Utah; New York City and Puerto Rico. Sadly, I had an assignment during the third night (stupid school getting in the way of my TV time!) and my ancient VHS recorder taped fuzz instead of the show (I think it's time to invest in DVR...). Nevertheless, I did catch the first two nights. Here's part three of the American Idol Audition Awards:

Best Waiting Room Moment:

When contestant Darin Darnell met a blonde contestant in the waiting room named Naomi, he wondered if she got confused with Naomi Campbell, and then mouthed to the camera, "But she's not black."

Best Quote:

When George Ramirez (the oddball kid with the beard in Jacksonville) was asked by the judges where he saw himself in the future, instead of in Hollywood making a record, he said he'd like to be in a simple house with nice floors--preferably nice marble floors.

Worst Use of ESP:

Salt Lake City contestant Tara Mathews (The girl with the thigh highs) claimed to have ESP "pretty strong," but apparently couldn't use it to see her own rejection. After blowing past Ryan Seacrest while leaving the audition, she flipped the cameraman the bird, telling him to "blur it out," to which Seacrest replied, "I'm no mind reader, but I think she's trying to send a message."

Oddest Gimmick:

Chris Kirkham in Salt Lake City brought along a friend in a big, pink bunny costume and not only wore a shirt with a cartoon image of Simon's head on it, but also carried the image in on a popsicle stick.

Am I Crazy...

Or did I see a glimpse of Randy getting out of the car in Utah wearing leopard-print boots?!?

Most Promising Auditions:

5. Jasmine Murray ("Big Girl's Don't Cry"--Jacksonville) --She was a little nasally, but her voice and image were cute and marketable.

4. Annemarie Boskovich ("Bubbly"--Jacksonville) --The judges told her to go find a new look before auditioning again, but I think she always had the goods. Annemarie was a sweet girl with a memorable voice.

3. T.K. Hash ("Imagine"--Jacksonville)--This was a great song choice and T.K. delivered it with a strong, confident voice, while still managing not to appear cocky.

2. Megan Corkrey ("Can't Help Loving That Man of Mine"--Salt Lake City)--She had a unique look and retro vibe that reminded me a lot of what artists like Duffy and Adele are doing right now. Simon said Megan was one of his favorite auditions this season.

1. Frankie Jordan ("You Know That I'm No Good"--Salt Lake City)--Doesn't her name just sound like it would be great on an album? Frankie not only sounds like Amy Winehouse, but looks a bit like her to (pre-scary weight loss and drug overdoses). I'm banking on Frankie being the one to watch this season

That's it for auditions. I'll catch you guys next week in Hollywood!

--Kristen

The new cast of the Amazing Race is the most colorful yet! We've got stuntmen brothers, flight attendants, and beautiful former NFL cheerleaders (if this doesn't want to make you watch, I don't know what will.) This season, audiences will be witnessing young dating couples going head to head with couples married for years. Who will come out on top? Just tune in and find out. The 14th season of the Emmy-winning competition series returns on Sunday, February 15 at 8 p.m. This season the cast members will endure 40,000 miles through nine countries in just 22 days. As always, the 11 teams will be competing for the million dollar prize. Phil Keoghan will be returning as host there to greet the teams.

The Amazing Race teams:

Names: Mark and Michael Munoz

Ages: 48, 51

Occupations: Stuntman/jockey, stuntman/actor

Hometown: Los Angeles, Maui

Relationship: Brothers

Names: Tammy and Victor Jih

Ages: 26, 35

Occupations: Lawyers

Hometown: San Francisco, Los Angeles

Relationship: Siblings

Miscellaneous: Both have degrees from Harvard

Names: Lakisha and Jennifer Hoffman

Ages: 28, 24

Occupations: Program coordinator, marketing assistant

Hometown: Bronx, NY; Louisville, KY

Relationship: Sisters

Names: Christie Volkmer and Jodi Wincheski

Ages: 37, 40

Occupations: Flight attendants

Hometown: Choctaw, OK; Houston, TX

Relationship: Friends/co-workers

Names: Brad and Victoria Hunt

Ages: 52, 47

Occupations: Distribution dispatcher, tax manager

Hometown: Columbus, Ohio

Relationship: Married for nine years

Names: Mel and Mike White

Ages: 68, 38

Occupations: Writer/clergyman; Writer, producer and actor

Hometown: Lynchburg, VA; Santa Monica, CA

Relationship: Father and son

Miscellaneous: Mel White came out to his family when his son was only 11. Mike is a screenwriter for films such as "Nacho Libre" and "School of Rock," in which he costarred with Jack Black.

Names: Lynda and Steve Cole

Ages: 52, 43

Occupations: Customer service supervisor, carpenter

Hometown: Martinsville, VA

Relationship: Married

Miscellaneous: Married 17 years

Names: Jennifer Hopka and Preston McCamy

Ages: 26, 28

Occupations: Student, Software engineer

Hometown: Columbia, SC

Relationship: Dating

Miscellaneous: She's ready to get engaged. He's not.

Names: Amanda Blackledge and Kris Klicka

Ages: 23, 24

Occupations: Student, sales rep

Hometown: San Diego, CA

Relationship: Dating

Names: Margie and Luke Adams

Ages: 51, 23

Occupations: Clinical research associate, college grad

Hometown: Denver, CO

Relationship: Mother and son

Miscellaneous: Luke has been deaf since he was 2 years old

Names: Cara Rosenthal and Jaime Edmondson

Ages: 26, 29

Occupations: Law student, former police officer

Hometown: Boca Raton, FL; Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Relationship Former NFL cheerleaders for the Miami Dolphins

-Vanessa

Talent can be found in all shapes, sizes and colors. Britain's Got Talent, a British TV show based on talent search, has been a haven for many talented singers and instrumentalists for two years. In particular, they show has featured young children with talented abilities way beyond their age. Most notable is Connie Talbot, who became famous is 2007 due to her time on Britain's Got Talent. She was six years old at the time of this video. If you skip to 1:11, you will get the beginning introduction to Connie's beautiful voice.
After the show, Connie signed a label with Rainbow Recording Company and released her first album Over the Rainbow in the UK. Her voice is magical, and it must be, if Simon Cowell said it.
--Marilyn Perez

Jon and Kate, plus their eight, have moved into their new house! The Central Pennsylvanian family has been sharing their hectic life on TLC for a few seasons now and on Tuesday, Jan. 27 they have begun new episodes with their set of twins and sextuplets.

Now the kids -- Cara, Madelyn, Aaden, Joel, Alexis, Hannah, Leah and Collin -- have plenty of room to run around in their new home and yard.

If you aren't sure if you would enjoy watching eight screaming (yet well behaved) children , check out this YouTube video. To watch the show on television, new episodes air on Mondays at 9 p.m.

- Cayla

Who thought they could scrounge up another location for The Real World? Well someone came up with the idea of the notorious party spot -- Cancun, Mexico. This will be the show's 22nd season, and is sure to be filled with drama, fighting, and even more questions of sexuality. The housemates will be working with spring break resource site, studentcity.com, which serves as a guide for ready-to-party college students. Part of their job description is "possibly bailing someone out of a Mexican jail." That should be quite entertaining. Cancun seems like a nice change from the current season in Brooklyn, which is a much harsher environment. The sandy beaches and sunbathing hotties of Cancun should attract a substantial audience, and keep The Real World as one of MTV's top-rated shows.

-Vanessa

Week two of American Idol: Season 8 saw auditions in San Francisco and Louisville, Kentucky. Here are the best and worst of the week:

"It was like you were drunk. I'm not talking one or two bottles; it was like a crate."

"Imagine 22 horses and donkey," to Tiffany Shedd, that creepy blonde chick from Wednesday night opening.

Favorite Paula Moment:

The old stand-by--"I don't think this is the right competition for you." And I am STILL loving those glasses!

Most WTF moment:

The little montages of great singers they slapped together (some were only shown celebrating with their tickets). I'm so sick of the bad auditions--show me the people who are actually going to be in this for the long haul!

Craziest Audition:

Tatiana Del Tora on San Francisco night--not the worst singer in the world, but that dress and that WACKY, WACKY laugh made me super uncomfortable, not to mention the fact that when one of the judges told her she looked "naughty," she responded with a "thank you"...

Mark Mudd in Kentucky. He said he's almost died five times and threatened the judges to "watch out."

Biggest Loser:

Dean-Anthony Bradford, better known as "The Coat Guy"--seriously, what was up with that crazy plaid jacket thing??? He did, however, deliver a double whammy of quotes during his audition. I don't know which was creepier: his ascertain that the plaid abomination was "like the jacket of life" or his response to Simon's criticism of his supposedly natural hair color--"the carpet matches the drapes." EWWWW!

Oh-Snap! Moment:

When Akilah Askew-Gohlson (whom Simon affectionately referred to as Ah-kill-uh and got her singing information off of the internet) told Paula that she only had one hit song out in the 80s when she was a kid. Granted, Paula Abdul is not the most talented singer out there, but "Straight Up" is a damn good song and I'm thinking it took a bit more than that to get behind that judges table. I would have slapped her.

My New Best Friend:

Can I just say again how much I love Kara? I didn't realize just how incompetent the other three judges were until this season. I agree with just about everything she says and she seems to restore the sanity to the judging booth. Maybe good singers will get some real praise during the finals this year (Carly Smithson, cough cough).

Top Ten Most Promising Auditions:

7-10.)A combination of Kris Allen, Felicia Barton, Ryan Johnson and Shera Lawrence,

who all sounded good in the two-second clips Idol so kindly showed us. Keep an eye open for them.

6.) Matt Giraud ("I Don't Wanna Be"--Kentucky)--sang a little too fast, but had an interesting sound. I didn't necessarily see it, but Simon said Matt reminded him of Elliot in season five (one of my all-time faves).

5.) Brent Keith Smith ("Can't Get Enough of Your Love"--Kentucky)--Isn't it about time this competition had a male country singer with a chance of actually making a record?

4.) Laneshe Young (sang her own song--Kentucky)--for someone who has gone through so much in life, this girl and her family were some of the most polite people ever on this show. Her voice was current and fresh, not to mention the fact that she writes her own music.

3.) Alexis Grace ("Dr. Feelgood"--Kentucky)--she has a huge voice for such a little person and I can really see her holding her own on stage. Alexis also had a little daughter and military fiancé, which will totally get her some sympathy fans.

2.) Joanna Pacitti ("We Belong"--Kentucky)--She had a strong, controlled voice and has been previously signed, proving she has determination.

1.) Kai Kalama (SF)--Simon said he had "the personality of a ship singer" but I really loved this guy. He had the sob story with his sick mother and overall had a nice, deep and controlled voice. Kai seemed like a sweetie and one to watch.

-Krsiten

With TV ratings down across the board, several shows have been or are in danger of being axed. One of these victims is the amazing Pushing Daisies which was just to intelligent for the average viewer to "get". In that vein, here are "5 Shows the Networks Were Idiots to Cancel".

5. The OC

Axed because...Ratings were down, way down, from previous seasons, and when it comes to FOX shows, that's the only thing they care about.

What I think: I don't care if Marissa died and that the show had jumped a few sharks, towards the end of the fourth (last) season, the show was getting back to its roots. As long as Adam Broody and Rachel Bilson were on the show, I would have watched regardless of plot.

Instead watch: The OC creator Josh Schwartz's two other shows, Gossip Girl for your teen drama and Chuck for the lovable smart-mouth nerd with a sexy love interest (heck, Chuck even dated a character played by Rachel Bilson for awhile).

4. Veronica Mars

Axed because...Ratings, again. This time the CW dangled the hope of a fourth season in front of viewers before pulling it like the cruel sadists they truly are.

What I think: Veronica Mars was one of the most creative shows on television. The show was a classic noir detective serial disguised as a high school drama. The main characters were some of the most three dimensional in the genre, and the story-lines where as "real" as anything you'd find in CSI or Law and Order, if not more so.

Instead watch: If you like quirky characters solving murders with some humor thrown in, Bones is for you. If you want a genius "private eye" (I use the term loosely) solving a myriad of different crimes with a father mentor who's also a former officer, check out Psych.

3. Firefly

Axed because...Once again FOX cared more about ratings than quality.

What I think: This was one of the best shows to ever air on television. Just as Veronica Mars reinvented the detective series, Firefly was at its heart a western. More than that, it was an existential drama that creator Joss Whedon pitched as "nine people staring into the blackness of space and seeing nine different things." This was a show that transcended its sci-fi roots.

Instead watch: You're best bet would be the critically acclaimed Battlestar Galactica, another character drama masquerading as a space opera. Also, you might check out Joss Whedon's new Dollhouse, when it premiers next month.

2. Arrested Development

Axed because...it was just too awesome. Really though, it was those bastards over at FOX again.

What I think: I really don't think there's a single person who has seen Arrested Development who thinks it should have been canceled. Unfortunately FOX shuffled the show to so many time-slots, it was never able to gain a strong enough viewer base. This was probably the funniest "sitcom" to air in recent history. It's psuedo-documentary style played with meta-narrative, making the characters almost self-aware.

Instead watch: There are a few shows that live up to Arrested Development, and none that are truly analogous. I would recommend It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia if you identified with the mostly morally bankrupt Bluths.

1. Freaks and Geeks

Axed because...NBC aired the series out of order, preempted episodes without warning, and played it at odd hours when no one watches TV.

What I think: Judd Apatow is nearly a household name thanks to his highly successful run of comedy films, including Superbad and Knocked Up, but Freaks and Geeks is, in my humble opinion, his greatest work. Set in early 80s Michigan, this show captured the reality of High School better than any other show I've seen. There were no outrageous twists and no drama beyond the believable. The two parallel story-lines of "freak" Lindsey Weir and "geek" Sam Weir strike close to home. The DVD of the first (only) season is one of the best selling box sets, a tribute to the show's influence.

Instead watch: I can't name a single show on the air anything like Freaks and Geeks. My recommendation is to get or rent the DVD's and see what you're missing.

- Nick out

The Jonas hotties are becoming the next Beatles or Monkees? Slightly impossible in my eyes, but according to Yahoo! news, the three teen idols are starring in a Disney Channel series inspired by the Beatles' movies and the American made-for-TV group the Monkees. The JoBros will appear as themselves in the comedy series Jonas, premiering on Disney in May. The brothers play members of a popular band trying to live normal lives at a regular school despite the shrieking throng of young fans that worship their every move (sounds a little Hannah Montana-ish, so fans of Miley are sure to like this new show). There is a plus to this show, however! We get to see the most adorable Jonas of all, little brother Frankie, 8. The "bonus Jonas" plays the trio's little brother in the series.

Anyway, I guess the success of Camp Rock spurred the brothers' urge to star in their own show. The TV movie was one of Disney's most successful, debuting with over 100 million viewers worldwide. However, even though the JoBros were given the best new artist award, a prize that the Beatles won in 1964, I still can't picture them being as successful and adored as the Beatles. Sure the Jonas Brothers have tons of little girls throwing themselves at the trio's feet; the Beatles just have something more. But, who knows? Only time will tell.

-Vanessa

Well looks like Monday nights are working out nicely for Dr. House, and he's popping pain medication as often as ever. The show starts off with a little case of attempted carbon monoxide poisoning, but the problem is deeper than that. Chronic pain all over the body, along with depression causes the patient to attempt suicide. However, when House and his team of experts get on the case, the patient takes a turn for the worse as usual. It wouldn't be an episode of House if the patient was cured ten minutes into the show. After a few failed attempts to figure out what the diagnosis was, House discovers the patient blew air into his IV attempting to kill himself once again, all while his wife and son learn that their husband and father doesn't want to live. Not the Father of Year, but there seems to be some other motive behind this man's madness.

Meanwhile, a little hope comes midway through the episode when Dr. Cuddy's foster parent inspection goes very well, despite the surprise visit. Immediately following this good news, comes a surprise from the suicidal patient's son. The boy tries and fails to distract the doctors while his father attempts to down a bottle of rubbing alcohol. House somehow immediately knows what is happening, and stops the patient.

House then comes up with the seemingly absurd idea of taking the patient off the drugs, thinking they are the cause of his pain. Dr. Foreman believes that House is crazy, but that doesn't stop him. This doesn't work, but now the patient's wife is hoping for husband's death as well. It looks like there is no hope at this point, and it is so close to the end of the episode! What will House do now?!

As House is bribing the plumber to lie on his insurance claim at home (typical House), he has an epiphany. He figures out that the patient has Epilepsy, a very treatable disease. Now, everyone is all smiles in the hospital; a happy ending. Dr. Cameron even gets a job offer from Dr. Cuddy! Looks like House is getting a new babysitter.

This premiere has its fair share of twists, typical of House, and the bickering of the doctor and his team lends some comic relief to the otherwise serious episode.

-Vanessa

So, its been a pretty crazy week for the world of television. Between cancellations, new shows and cast changes, networks are doing everything they can to make up for a disappointing fall season.

So, here are my "10 Things You Might Care About"

1. Everyone's favorite HR representative should be returning to The Office before the end of the season. Amy Ryan who plays Holly Flax is in discussions to return, probably for the season finale, and potentially stay on for a longer run. Might Michael finally find love?

2. House is finally going to get laid. According to Lisa Edelstein, better known as "Cuddy" she and House are going to be getting hot and heavy before the season ends.

3. As if there isn't enough drama going on in Gossip Girl, a spin-off has been green lit, following the adventures of a much younger Lily Bass and set in the 80s. This is either going to be awesome, horrifying, or awesomely horrifying (personally, I'm hoping for the third option).

4. In the same vein, an NCIS spin-off has been green-lit. There is no word yet as to the premise of the show, or if any characters will transfer over. Since NCIS is a spin-off of JAG, I'm worried that CBS will continue to branch off new shows ad nauseum until they've run out of military crime divisions.

5. Fox has officially axed Prison Break citing that the series premise has played out. I think the premise played out when they broke out of prison in season 1, but what do I know?

6. On the same note, CBS has decided not to renew Swingtown. The fact that you probably have never heard of this show is why it's being canceled. With nearly non-existent ratings viewers will have to turn to the new Gossip Girl spin-off to get their retro-drama fix.

7. The subject of Amy Poehler's new NBC comedy has finally been revealed. Filmed mockumentary style, Poehler will play a local Indiana Parks and Recreation officer with delusions of grandeur. Rashida Jones will also be staring, which means I'll be watching, regardless of how good the show is.

8. While Amy Poehler's project is no longer going to be an Office spin-off, The Office executive producer Greg Daniels says he's still looking to start a new project. Locations being considered for the new show include another local branch or the corporate office.

9. Sad news for fans of Monk. Tony Shalhoub has said he will no longer be playing the title character of the USA detective comedy. Instead of attempting to replace the irreplaceable Shalhoub, the show will be ending after this season. The bright side is, viewers can be confident that Monk is close to solving his wife's murder.

10. Finally, William Petersen's Gil Grissom, the last original character on the long-running CSI, left the show last night after a 9 season run. Looking to get back to his acting roots, Peterson left the show to pursue more small roles in state productions. Unlike most stage actors, however, he will have several substantial checks from CBS to fall back on.

Also, something I'd like to mention, although not on the list since I'm sure no one else cares, Laura Prepton (Donna from That 70s Show) will be appearing for a five episode run on How I Met Your Mother. This is just one of the shows I'll be discussing next week on, "The 5 Shows You Should Be Watching (But Don't)"

Til then - Nick out.

"'It's CSI -- they pay me a lot of money, and I don't have to work very hard." - William Petersen

Rumors have been circulating about a possible Gossip Girl spin-off for a while, but it looks like it's actually going to happen.

It was originally speculated that a spin-off might follow Jenny Humphrey, since her character in the book series launched a book spin-off about Jenny's adventures in boarding school. While it would have been pretty awesome to get the whiney, raccoon-eyed brat off the show, there was no WAY I would have watched a new show centered on her.

Instead, creator/executive producer Josh Schwartz is going ahead with a non-book related prequel focusing on the early relationship between Serena's mom Lily Van der Woodsen and Dan and Jenny's dad Rufus Humphrey in 1980s LA. No wonder there's been so much crazy Lily/Rufus drama in the last few episodes!

I think this project has the potential to be really, really cool. We know that Schwartz has a knack for teenage drama in California (R.I.P. O.C. L), and can you imagine the awesome 80s fashion and music the GG team will find for us?! Not to mention that Lily and Rufus are the most interesting characters outside of Chuck and Blair. I've always been curious about Lily's rebellious affair with a dashing, less financially secure rocker, especially since we know how it will eventually turn out. And I would bet a LOT that the guy they get to play young Rufus will be quite the heartthrob.

Sometimes spin-offs can mess with magic of the original programs, but I say bring it on CW. Whenever this airs, I will totally be there.

--Kristen

American Idol premiered this week with a two-night, four-hour premiere. I'm not gonna lie--I was PSYCHED! Eight seasons in, I am still a total American Idol dork and it's the one (or two or three) time a week where I don't answer my phone and refuse to do any work while I'm watching. In honor of the first two rounds of auditions, here are my early audition awards:

Best Simon Quote:

A three way tie between--

3)When Paula told a contestant he sounded like Joe Cocker, Simon responded with: "I would say cocker spaniel."

2)"It sounded like a cat jumping off the Empire State Building."

1)When Paula told a contestant he needed to join a band and experience the blood, sweet and tears to gain experience, Simon sarcastically asked, "How do you think 'Straight Up' was written?"

Paula's Most Clueless Moment:

She sincerely told a deep-voiced contestant that he could do "voiceover work for movies with monsters in them" as an alternative career. Good idea, Paula. I'm sure that's what he's always dreamed of doing.

Most Cringe-Worthy Moment:

Kansas City's Michael Nicewonder. Despite the pretty awesome name, this guy really made me feel uncomfortable inside. I have no problem with the judges making fun of the ego-bloated, awful singers, but I'm worried about what the comments could do to a guy with this kind of mental state. From the hair, to the "medal", to his odd song about is mother, it was all a little too much for me.

Best Change:

The addition of Kara DioGuardi. I was a little wary of the fourth judge idea, but I have found myself REALLY liking her. She's smart, fresh and knows what she's talking about. I also like that she's a sharp female opinion (since we all know that Paula's doesn't really count). Kara says the constructive things that Simon is known for without being snotty.

Schnazziest costume change:

Paula's glasses at the Arizona auditions. They almost made her look intelligent. Almost.

Biggest Surprise:

The skanky bikini girl wasn't really that bad. Seriously!! I don't expect her to crack the top 12, but she was much better than I anticipated and I too would have given her a chance in Hollywood

Most WTF Audition:

Arizona contestant Michael Gurr. His whiney, nasally voice coupled with the constipated facial features really had me scratching my head.

Top Ten Most Promising Auditions:

10.) J. B. Afhua (Night One)--this guy had a great voice but he reminded me a little too much of last season's David Hernandez. I hope he can overcome the boring and stand out.

9.) Alex Wagner-Trugman (Night One)--he missed a Spanish test to audition, made the wackiest faces and was a total dork, but there was something very witty and deadpan about him that makes me want to see him prove Simon wrong.

8.) Scott McIntyre (Night One)--The guy is blind and graduated college at 19. His voice was controlled and felt like a softer version of Josh Groban, and although I think his performance needed a bit more pizzazz, he was memorable.

7.) Michael Castro (Night Two)--I liked Jason Castro last season and his brother is basically the same guy with pink hair. For some reason, I think the Castro brothers' "whatever" attitudes are oddly refreshing and I can see Michael using Jason's success to get far.

6.) Anoop Desai (Night Two)--Anoop had a surprisingly soulful voice, and while Simon called him "geeky," I think that geek factor is part of his charm.

5.) Deanna Brown (Night One)--her rendition of "Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay" was genuine and controlled. She sounded like a mix between Dolly Parton and Amanda Overmyer from last season.

4.) Ashley Anderson (Night Two)--She may have messed up the words to a song Simon helped write, but she definitely has a strong voice that I can see carrying her through Hollywood.

3.) Danny Gokey (Night Two)--He reminds me a lot of season five's Elliot Yamin. He was kind of dorky, kind of soulful, and the tragic loss of his wife bought him a sympathy vote.

2.) Lil Rounds (Night Two)--Classy and humble with a tragic back story, she sounds like a cross between Fantasia and Paris Bennett from season five.

1.) Jessica Paige Ferney (Night Two)--Sounded a bit like Carrie Underwood and has that ugly duckling thing about her. I think she could blossom into a surprising star.

- Kristen.

90210, The OC and more recently Gossip Girl -- American Television has a long and sordid history of teens behaving badly. Unfortunately, the Brits have one-upped us when it comes to tales of teenage debauchery.

If you're an Anglophile such as myself, you may have heard of Skins airing on Channel 4 (those UK TV networks have really creative names). This teen drama makes anything us Yanks have done look tame in comparison.

Take this promo for the first season:

There's a reason the show has been described as "Dawson's Creek on crack."

Today, the show's Season 1 DVD has finally been released in the US.

The show has garnered more buzz thanks to the recent success of Slumdog Millionaire (which pretty much made the Golden Globes its bitch) which stars Dev Patel, a member of the core cast of Skins.

Those of you who aren't willing to shell out for the DVDs can find reruns of the show on BBC America at odd hours of the morning.

-Nick

"His name is Mad, Mad Twatter, and he wants my bollocks." - Sid, Skins

The tremendous success of Slumdog Millionaire is encouraging ABC to bring back Who Wants to be a Millionaire to prime-time.

According to Entertainment Weekly, ABC is discussing bringing the monster hit back for one or two weeks this summer run to commemorate the 10th year anniversary of the show's debut. I can't believe that it has been that long already! Anyway, the idea seems to be practical; however, I don't believe the show will get the ratings that ABC is looking for, especially if it runs every night. Maybe two or three nights would keep the viewers interested. But let's be honest, the show can get a little repetitive.

And who will be chosen as the host? Since they are honoring the show's debut, I believe that Regis should take the reins once again seeing as he was the original face of Millionaire. Meredith Vieira would be another safe choice, but I think Regis would be the best fit. It wouldn't hurt the show if producers decided to spice it up a bit. It wouldn't hurt to add some new and improved life-lines, more audience involvement, or maybe even something that makes being in the "hot seat" more stressful - like a time limit.

All in all, I think bringing back Millionaire for one last hurrah would bring in a fair amount of viewers. Those who have seen Slumdog (if you haven't, drop what you are doing and GO NOW) will enjoy Millionaire's comeback, and I think fans of the show will be back to watch the anniversary run. Let's hope that a contestant goes all the way just like Jamal in Slumdog!

- Vanessa

BEST TELEVISION SERIES - DRAMA

Dexter - Forget CSI: Miami, this Showtime crime drama follows the life of Dexter Morgan, a Miami Metro Police Department Blood Spatter Analyst/Serial Killer who goes after murderers when he's not solving crimes. Based on the book series by Jeff Lindsay, this is the most unsettling show nominated, even beating out True Blood.

House - If you don't know what this show is by now, I'm sorry, but I'm not going to tell you.

In Treatment - While it only takes House one hour to solve a case, this HBO drama follows psychotherapist Dr. Paul Weston. Each episode (one airing every weeknight), deals with one or two patients who have come for their weekly therapy sessions.

Mad Men - Last year's winner, this AMC (yes I said that right) drama is one of the least watched shows on cable, yet manages to be a favorite of critics. Following the lives of 1960s Madison Avenue Ad Executives, this show provides a bitter commentary on the society of an America not far in the past.

True Blood - In a year when vampires are all the rage, this HBO series explores a world where vampires, thanks to synthetic blood, can live among humans. This show can best be described as an R-rated Twilight with a much better plot.

Nick's Pick: Mad Men
I personally love Mad Men, and I think it deserves the win, both for its writing and direction. There is however some stiff competition, and I think any one of these shows could win.

Kristen's Pick: Mad Men
Mad Men is the most addicting and fascinating show on television right now. Smart dialogue, great acting and beautiful costumes are all reasons why it will, as well as should, be awarded the best drama of the year.

BEST TELEVISION SERIES - COMEDY OR MUSICAL

30 Rock - Although it's a critic's favorite, this NBC comedy is the least watched show in their Thursday night comedy bloc. With cameos from some of the biggest stars on television, this brainchild of SNL alumna Tina Fey has continued to deliver hilarity into its third season.

Californication - Following the plight of a womanizing, alcoholic writer, former Agent Mulder David Duchovny stars in this Showtime comedy. Between all the prostitutes, masturbation, and vasectomies, this show gives It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia a run for its money as the most tasteless show on television.

Entourage - This is the fifth nomination without a win for this HBO comedy. Apparently it's not easy being an up and coming A-List celebrity. Vincent Chase (loosely modeled after Mark Wahlberg) has had a rough year getting his career back on track, but with the help of his agent, Ari Gold, things may be looking up.

The Office - Once again, if you don't know what this show is, please stop living under a rock.

Weeds - Everyone's favorite comedy about a pot-dealing housewife, there have been a lot of changes for the Botwin clan this year. Moving to the US/Mexico border, the family business has expanded as Nancy Botwin struggles to balance family and a career.

Nick's Pick: 30 Rock
30 Rock was by far the funniest of these shows this season. The Office and Weeds both had a weak seasons in my opinion, and while Entourage and Californication stagnated, 30 Rock has continued to develop as a series.

Kristen's Pick: Who will win: 30 Rock; Who should win: The Office. While 30 Rock (thanks in part to Tina Fey's unstoppable popularity this year) is on a roll, The Office is still the funniest show on television and always keeps me coming back for more.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES - DRAMA

Gabriel Byrne, In Treatment - Playing the psychotherapist who could use a fair deal of therapy himself, Byrne's debut as Dr. Paul Weston has made a big impact, and may draw some attention away from those diagnosticians who seem to be all the rage at the moment.

Michael C. Hall, Dexter- This is Hall's third nomination for his portrayal of Dexter Morgan, everyone's favorite psychopath. This season Dexter makes a friend and gets married, two big steps for a sociopath.

Jon Hamm, Mad Men - Last years winner, Hamm plays Don Draper, the enigmatic Ad Exec at the center of Mad Men. Coming to terms with his secret identity (not as glamorous as it sounds) and making amends with his wife after getting kicked out, things have gone well for this chain-smoking charmer.

Hugh Laurie, House - Winning two years in a row before losing to Jon Hamm, Dr. House may be ready for a comeback. While combating diseases from across the globe (as well has hostage situations and personal demons) House has shown viewers a few more glimpses that he is more than an egomaniacal monster.

Jonathan Rhys Meyers, The Tudors - Meyers plays a caricature of the English monarch, Henry VIII on this Showtime historical (fiction) drama. Taking broad liberties with historical fact, Henry is no longer the fat, impotent, and irritable monarch we know, but is instead a 16th century Chuck Bass, making for a far more entertaining program.

Nick's Pick: Michael C. Hall
While House is always a classic, Hall's skill at portraying a true sociopath showed more dramatic depth. Byrne's Dr. Weston is also a strong candidate. Once again, the drama category will be a close call.

Kristen's Pick: Jon Hamm
While already a fantastic show, Mad Men reaches perfection thanks to Hamm's fantastic performance. Hamm IS Don Draper, the brooding businessman with just enough likeability to keep viewers rooting for him.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES - DRAMA

Sally Field, Brothers and Sisters - As matriarch of the Walker clan, on ABC's Brothers and Sisters, Nora Walker has come to terms with the consequences of her husband's death. She is in all likelihood the only actress nominated for playing a character who both fills a traditional gender role and isn't insane.

Mariska Hargitay, Law & Order: SVU - The sole representative of the traditional crime drama genre at this year's awards, Hargitay's nomination for this award is a testament to Hargitay's acting skills, despite the show her character appears on. This season, Detective Olivia Benson solved some crimes (good for her).

January Jones, Mad Men - This season was kind to the women of Mad Men, and Jones perfectly captured the ennui of a 1960s suburban housewife. Although she presents a calm front in public, we get to see plenty of her true (unhinged) side as her marriage unravels and her father goes senile.

Anna Paquin, True Blood - Paquin's portrayal of the crime solving, vampire loving, telepathic, Louisiana waitress Sookie Stackhouse is somehow believable, and incredibly engaging. Fighting serial killers and renegade vampires while maintaining her career and love life, Sookie makes Bella look like an amateur.

Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer - While Jack Bauer shoots/maims those he interrogates, Sedgwick's Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson does the same psychologically (and on occasion just does the same). Winning two years ago, only to lose to Glenn Close last year, Sedgwick is poised for a comeback.

Nick's Pick: January Jones
As one critic put it, they might as well have renamed this season of Mad Men "Mad Women". January Jones had some of the best performances of her career, playing one of the most realistic characters on television.

Kristen's Pick: Who will win: Kyra Sedgwick; Who should win: January Jones. While Sedgwick has been praised numerous times for her work on The Closer, Jones shines as the quiet, but strong voice of a generation of underappreciated housewives on Mad Men.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A TELEVISION SERIES - MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock - Playing the lovable executive Vice President of East Coast Television and Microwave Programming Jack Donaghy, Baldwin has a fair deal of competition in this category, as one of four past winners nominated in this category.

Steve Carell, The Office - Everyone knows about Carell's antics as the hopelessly out of touch Regional Manager Michael Scott. Although he showed little bit of character development by way of new HR representative Holly Flax, Carell has maintained the status quo of incompetence this season.

Kevin Connolly, Entourage - The only newcomer to this category, Connolly plays Eric Murphy, childhood friend and manager of actor Vincent Chase. The third business exec nominated, Eric's company "The Murphy Group" has taken off this season, making Murphy the most successful of the three.

David Duchovny, Californication - Not a lot has changed for Duchovny's Hank Moody this season, which may be a good thing, as he won this award last year for the series first season. This season consisted of more women, more booze, and more vomit, earning it several reprimands from conservative lobbies.

Tony Shalhoub, Monk - Back this year after failing to garner a nomination in 2008, the obsessive-compulsive detective. Finally finding the six-fingered man who had the bomb made that killed his wife, Adrian Monk finds out that this is just part of a larger scheme to frame him. It's no wonder that he has a condition.

Nick's Pick: Alec Baldwin
Alec Baldwin is one of the greatest character actors still working today. His ability to blend neurotic, ambitious, caring, and oblivious into one character is a testament to his skill as an actor.

Kristen's Pick: Who will win: Alec Baldwin; Who should win: Steve Carell. Baldwin won the Emmy this year and will more than likely continue to receive the Golden Globe as well, but Carell's almost painful portrayal of boss Michael Scott is still the heart of The Office and one of the best performances on TV.

BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A TELEVISION SERIES - MUSICAL OR COMEDY

Christina Applegate, Samantha Who? - Nominated last year for the show's freshman season, Applegate plays Samantha Newly, a women suffering from retrograde amnesia who has decided right the wrongs she did in her past life. While the show is basically a My Name is Earl rip-off, critics have given Applegate praise for her acting.

America Ferrera, Ugly Betty - Ugly Betty, ABC's other character-centric comedy, has seen its share of success, including Ferrera picking up the award in this category in 2006. The moral of this story is that dressing poorly and wearing fake braces can lead to success.

Tina Fey, 30 Rock - Thanks to John McCain, Tina Fey is having the best year of her career yet. As well being nominated for her role in 30 Rock, which she also writes, her portrayal of Sarah Palin has brought her into the national spotlight. Last year's winner, this is her award to lose.

Debra Messing, The Starter Wife - This series is the only new show nominated for a comedy award this season. Messing plays Molly Kagen, a divorcee of a Hollywood marriage struggling to make it as a writer and raise her daughter. Nominated six times without winning for her role in Will & Grace, this would be Messing's first award.

Mary Louise-Parker, Weeds - Winning this award in her show's freshman season, a lot has changed for the drug-dealing widow in the past four years. Just this pas season, Nancy Botwin got into a relationship with the mayor of Tijuana, began trafficking in drugs, guns, and illegal immigrants, and strangest of all, started working with the DEA.

Nick's Pick: Tina Fey
Once again, I have to go with 30 Rock. Tina Fey is the star of the show, and not surprisingly gives herself some of the best scenes. The tragedy is that not enough people watch this show and have no idea that Michael Scott is not the most awkward character on television. When was the last time he started dating a dwarf after mistaking it for a small child?

Kristen's Pick: Tina Fey
Fey is on fire this year. From her spot-on SNL portrayal of Sarah Palin to her starring and writing credits on 30 Rock, Fey deserves any award she can receive.

Peyton's going to be a mom! This was some of the best news of the episode, along with Nathan making the Charleston Chiefs basketball team. However, Nathan has something to prove, especially to Devon Fox, his new teammate and number 23.

In a poignant moment, Nathan asks his new coach to wear number 12 in honor of the late Quentin Fields. Andre and Jamie take a little adventure to visit Quentin, and they both seem like they have more wisdom than their little bodies can handle. The episode has some other sad points as well.

Millie shockingly cheated on Mouth and lost her virginity to the stranger at the bar. Sam is also being held captive by Jack's brother, the ultra creepy Rex, who also happens to be the Brooke's attacker and Quentin's killer (revealed later in the episode). Brooke takes on the role of mom, and frantically looks for Sam the entire episode until she realizes she is at Jack and Rex's house.

In the end Brooke shows her true identity as supermom as she fights to the death for Sam. Brooke even pulls a gun on Rex; who knew she had it in her? However, when Sam calls Brooke "mom" Brooke takes the higher road and doesn't shoot Rex. I know, horribly disappointing.

The episode started off a little slow but the end proved to be that of other One Tree Hill premieres: poignant, sentimental, with a touch of action to bring loyal fans coming back for more.

If you weren't already aware, Gossip Girl has returned to the CW with new episodes. I am personally rife with anticipation. Where'd Chuck go? What happened to Lily's baby? And will Jenny stop being such a little scene kid?

Now you may ask why I am asking such questions -- questions that suggest that I actually watch this show. Well, I do. I shouldn't have to explain myself (this is the 21st century), but I will anyways. So, without further ado, here are Nick's "Reasons Why It's OK for a Guy to Watch Gossip Girl."

1. It's Addicting - After watching two episodes at the behest of a friend, I was hooked. You have to watch every week to see the latest "oh snap!" moment, from incestuous English nobility to unexpected paternity.

2. The music is amazing - Any show featuring songs by The Cold War Kids, OK Go and MGMT deserves to be given a chance.

3. It's produced by Josh Schwartz - You don't know who this is, and that's OK. You should, however, be aware that this is the guy responsible for both The OC and Chuck.

4, 5, and 6.

7. Chuck Bass - Come on, who doesn't want to be this guy?

8. Finally, it's a great way to meet girls - Who needs pick up lines when you can just ask, "Can you imagine what Chuck did to Blair this week?" Just ask this guy:

So, remember to watch Gossip Girl, Mondays at 8 p.m. on the CW.

- Nick

What lengths would you go to in order to have the perfect wedding? Bride Wars starring Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway examines this bridal Darwinism.

Liv (Hudson)and Emma (Hathaway), are childhood buddies who have fantasized about their respective weddings. The one similarity between their dream weddings is to have the ceremony at New York's the Plaza Hotel, the utmost wedding destination. However, when a conflict arises and their ceremonies are scheduled for the same day, the manicured claws come out.

During a recent conference call, Hathaway and Hudson discuss channeling their inner Bridezilla for their roles and their own fantasy weddings among other touching topics.

Q: You are a producer for this film. Do you have a particular method for choosing which movies you're interested in producing?

A: Hudson: No. In terms of movies that I have in development now, they run the gamut of all different types of genres. I felt that this one was, because of the nature of people and how people like to make comedies, and this being such a really nice concept, high concept comedy, this one was sort of really a nice one out the bat for me to be able to get going. But it was really a long process. It was a five-year development process, and now I think we're about six and a half years of this movie being in process.

Q: Of all the underhanded tricks Liv and Emma pull on one another as the wedding date approaches, which one was your favorite?

A: Hathaway: I think my favorite one she pulled, because it was the meanest, was the weight gain. That's low. That's something that girls don't do to each other. I know how hard I have to wo! rk to lose that last five pounds, so to kind of mess with that! I think is wrong. But it's kind of fun to think that Emma was driven to such a point of desperation that she could justify it to herself.

Hudson: For me, I have to say the tanning salon was fun. And part of it was on that day, I wore what Liv's version of a disguise is, and I walked in, and what we would do is every time we did a take, I'd do a different character. As a kid, and growing up, in sketch comedy and improv was really what I like to do, and where I really love to get down and dirty in that kind of stuff. And so for this movie, that one particular scene, I literally was a Russian girl, I came down with some weird like version of an Eastern European girl. I did a southern belle. I did all sorts of different characters, which hopefully will be on the DVD, because we had a good time doing that. It was really fun.

Q: Most little girls fantasize and plan exactly how they want their wedding day to be. What was your fantasy as a little girl?

A: ! Hudson: My fantasy when I was growing up was always more, my parents weren't married, and we were always like why aren't you married? And we had it so ingrained in us that you didn't need to sign a piece of paper to say that you're a family or that you love each other. So that was how we were programmed. Then, of course, I meet Chris, and I'm like, "I'm getting married!" And then all of a sudden I got really excited about it. So for me it was really more about who was going to be the guy that I would spend the rest of my life with, who would be partner. And then when I met that partner, I was very excited about possibly calling up Vera Wang and seeing what she could do for me.

A: Hathaway: I think that I, in my fantasy, was like, well, Leonardo DiCaprio and I will meet at some point, and he'll just see me walking down the street and fall in love with me, and that'll be that.

A:Hudson: Careful what you wish for!

A: Hathaway: It was kind of a vagu! e notion, and I just assumed that Leo and I would find some ki! nd of ha ppy medium between our two aesthetics, and have a glorious wedding. It doesn't look like that's going to happen, however. So my fantasies have taken a left turn. I actually have never really planned my wedding, but like Kate, I was kind of more thinking about the guys.

Q: This is for both of you. What is one thing you have both learned about each other, or from each other, while making the movie?

A: Hudson: That's a good question. We haven't been asked that yet. Okay, I'm going to answer both. One thing I learned about Annie is that she is absolutely fearless. One thing I learned from Annie is... and we're kind of similar in that way, which is that we're very open and honest about the things that are going on in our lives. Annie is a tough cookie, and I think I learned that professionalism that goes with living your life and going through things, and showing up. And Annie really shows up. That was a nice thing to watch.

A: Hathaway: Thank you! Thank yo! u. I think that applies to you. I don't think that's something you have to learn. One of the things that I learned from Kate was Kate does something which is so incredibly rare in an actress, which is they are able to find the balance between being professional and having fun. And sometimes I can get lost and mired down in kind of the professional side things and Kate just - without sacrificing any of the work, without taking it any less seriously than anyone else - manages to just bring a sense of fun to absolutely everything. I think I kind of assumed that I needed to torture myself in order to produce good work, and I just learned from Kate that you can produce spectacular work, as she does in this film, without going through that process. So that was a really key thing for me to learn. I've been trying to have more fun. I'm getting a hug from her right now! And one of the things I learned about Kate, and I kind of had a sense of this, because - I hope I'! m not embarrassing you, because I'm a Kate Hudson fan, like ! Kate Hud son the actress and celebrity before I worked with her - and I just always knew that Kate would be like a great mom and everything, but I had no idea what a spectacular mom she is. And Kate is exemplary in just about everything she does, but I think the thing you're best at is being a mother. That's rare, and that's something that is really spectacular.

A: Hudson: Oh, my goodness. I'm going to start crying!

Q: Well, both of you in interviews I've seen on TV seem like really likable, laidback, women, but you have to tap into your inner Bridezilla for the film, and how did you do that?

A: Hathaway: Imagination. We're human being so I think we understand what it's like to be jealous. What it's like to be competitive or catty. Maybe we don't indulge those feelings. Maybe we try not to live in that world, but I think those urges are understandable. So I think having experience with that kind of helps. But also, the script was so great in providing a l! ogical emotional back story for the characters to explain why they go off the deep end the way that they do, why this war was in some ways a long time coming, and so there was a certain freedom that the script gave us because it was grounded in truth.

A: I tapped into my inner Bridezilla by, I think, acknowledging and watching some of my friends go through some stuff, and understanding the stress of it myself when I got married, and I think the other thing is just as females, we all know. We get really worked up. We're very emotional creatures. And sometimes you can get a little carried away. So for me, with this movie, it was so fun to be able to make fun of ourselves. I think girls get crazy, but we can also laugh at ourselves really well. We don't get the opportunity to do that very often in movies, so it was really fun to be able to do it with something as important as your wedding day to a lot of women, as it should be. It is the day that you're going to spend! the rest of your life with, hopefully, the man that you're ! marrying . So for me, it just felt sort of like you can tap into all of those things from all of the things you've learned as a girl throughout the years. For me, it wasn't friends though - there is that girl who would probably go to those lengths, and I just run as far away as I can from girls like that. It's like uh-oh! I really think you can smell it like a mile away. You can smell that girl who would probably do things to start sabotaging your life.

- Alexa Santoro

While clicking around on Youtube yesterday, I came across this clip of Tyra Banks interviewing Twilight stat Robert Pattinson. I've seen every season of America's Next Top Model, so I KNOW how over the top and inappropriate Banks can be sometimes (OK, all the time). But I have class at noon when her talk show airs, so I never get to see it in its entirety. Instead, I have to rely on clips like this:

What amazes me about this interview is how simple it could have been. Pattinson is part of a franchise that almost every female from age 13 to 35 is drooling over--all she had to do was ask him how it all feels and let her audience squeal. Instead, she speaks to her British guest in a fake British accent, asks him to bite her on the neck (!) and then confuses him with rapid-fire questions about which episode of her show was his favorite (The one where she was a stripper?).

Poor Tyra. Sure, her craziness brings in viewers, but I worry that she actually thinks it's her "abilities" as a host that keeps her semi-relevant. Still, there is something almost endearing about watching her make a fool out of herself. I couldn't help but compile a list of her most insane and inappropriate moments:

5. Tyra gets so scared of an animal she literally falls backwards out of her chair on camera:

4. Apparently, even squatting in public bathrooms is unsanitary. Let Tyra show you step by step (with her couch representing the toilet) how to fix the problem:

3. Tyra gropes former American Idol contestant Katharine McPhee:

2. Trying to prove that women are wearing the wrong jeans, Tyra invites a row of audience members to take off their pants and then flashes her underwear for the camera:

1. In possibly the most insane moment of television I have ever seen, Tyra and her audience go bananas over tiny containers of Vaseline, complete with rolling around on the floor and screaming like Oprah had just given them all free cars:

--Kristen

Fall semester is almost over, and being a freshman, I'm still trying to adjust to this crazy weather in Happy Valley. Thanksgiving break flew by, at least for me, and it's already December, and you know what that means... 25 Day of Christmas on ABC Family! Woot.

You can't tell me you haven't stopped and watched at least one or two of those movies at some point or another during your childhood. Beginning tonight, actually, is the first of the 25 day special on ABC Family, but I think I might be a little choosier than other past holiday seasons. Now that I don't have younger siblings nagging me to sit down and watch those weird clay cartoon things (I think it's Heat Miser and Snow Miser?) I have more freedom to watch the movies I was actually looking forward to, like How the Grinch Stole Christmas and A Charlie Brown Christmas. (Yeah, yeah, I know, I still love watching all the Charlie Brown specials.)

Hopefully you can take some time out of your business college schedules and bring yourself back to your childhood and watch some of those classic Christmas movies too.

Here's a little something to bring you back.

-- Sara

This week, a part of my childhood was laid to rest---and I have to say, it didn't really bother me at all.

Total Request Live, the MTV video countdown show, ended Sunday after about 10 years on the air. I have fond memories of coming home after school each day to watch a pre-late night/pre-weight loss Carson Daly, surrounded by shrieking girls and that giant window overlooking Times Square, introduce the top 10 videos of the day. If 'N Sync had a new single out, you could be sure that not only would the video be on TRL at No. 1, but that Justin and company just might stop by to introduce it (and at 12 years old, that might have been all it took to make me a loyal viewer).

Much like the VMAs, however, (or maybe even the MTV network as a whole) in the last few years, TRL has become a pathetic shell of its former self. Maybe it's because I'm not 12 anymore. Maybe it's because I don't understand the appeal of Fall Out Boy or the Jonas Brothers (at least 'N Sync and pre-meltdown Britney never pretended to be anything more than pure sugar-filled pop). Or maybe it's because I can get all my music videos on Youtube now (the ENTIRE video, without Katie from Long Island interrupting to dedicate the song to all her best friends and WHOOOOOOOOOOOing into her microphone until the end of the 30-second clip). I might just be a jaded college student now, but MTV and its flagship program just don't have the edge or the fun anymore to keep me watching.

Incidentally, I think it was those constant video interruptions, as well as the mob of fans outside holding signs, that really did it in. They went from the show's signature to an overused gimmick, highlighting the brain-dead, commercial consuming youth of America and alienating the once young fans of the show that were growing up and looking for a little more substance. A friend of mine just summed it up for me via instant message a few minutes ago: "They would play full videos, or at least mostly full. It wasn't about which celebrity they could get on the show. It wasn't about the DJ (though Carson was popular before he got all weird with the nail polish). And they didn't have screaming tweens interrupting the videos every three seconds. There is very little music involved at all." There you have it.

And so, with the death of TRL (the only program running on the Music Television channel that actually has to do with music), dies a piece of my childhood. I'll always have a special place in my heart for Carson, that John guy who used to read the news and the videos, no matter how much of them they played, when videos actually mattered.

-- Kristen

I can't believe it's been 10 years since boy bands such as N*SYNC and Backstreet Boys were the hottest thing in sliced bread. Millions of screaming preteens praised them as the Gods of Pop music and they were too good to be paid anything less than $1,000,000 to do any appearances. Well, their time as passed, and new little pop "sensations" are driving the newest generation of pre-teens crazy.

So what is left of our favorite pop superstars? Well, they are left to do cameos in less than satisfactory movies and appearances on TV shows while getting paid way less than they would have if they were still in their prime. I've found yet another example while watching Saturday Night Live this past weekend, which featured former lead singer of N*SYNC, Justin Timberlake. Sure, he can be funny at times, but man, you can really tell when he's trying hard to get people to like him.

Check out his appearances on this past weekend's SNL:



-- Sara

Live from Nashville, TN, the 42nd annual Country Music Awards (CMA) featured a plethora of performers. With performances from recent high school graduate, Taylor Swift, to newly established country singer, Kid Rock, the awards show definitely featured the wide range of talent that country music is capable of producing.

Hosts Brad Paisley and American Idol winner, Carrie Underwood kept the show rolling with their quirky senses of humor and bright smiles throughout the ceremony. Other performances included Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, George Straight, Rodney Atkins, and Martina McBride. Rascal Flatts took home the award for Vocal of the Year, while Sugarland took home the Song of the Year and Duo of the Year awards. Taylor Group Swift presented the New Artist of the Year award, which went to Lady Antebellum. Artist of the Year was awarded to Mac McAnally.

Brooks and Dunn sang "Cowgirls Don't Cry" collaboratively with Reba McIntyre, who recently performed at the Bryce Jordan Center on Halloween night with another American Idol winner, Kelly Clarkson.

Former lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish, Darius Rucker performed his newest country hit, "Don't Think I Don't Think About It."

Overall, the night was entertainingly filled with many suspected winners, and many unsuspected performances.

-- Sara

For a while now, I had no idea what anyone was talking about when they referred to The Office. The show, now in its fifth season, has been wildly popular for years, but I had been completely clueless when it came to any discussions on "Jam" or the crazy antics of the Dunder-Mifflin employees.

So back in September, while looking online for something to amuse myself with (while I should have been doing homework), I decided to watch the pilot episode ...and then another....and then another, until after only three days, I had completed the entire first two seasons. Completely addicted to the absurd office pranks and the adorably awkward will they/won't they relationship of Jim and Pam, I became determined to catch up with the current season. I watched episode after episode until the wee hours of the morning. When my roommate would yell at me to do something productive whenever she heard the muffled theme song coming from my earphones, I'd find clever ways to cover my addiction up with a Word document when she'd walk past my computer.

I quickly finished the next two seasons and when I was finally able to start watching the show live on Thursday nights, I was pretty disappointed with what I found.

Season 5 of the show got off to a rocky start. Engaged, but living in different states, Jim and Pam no longer had the fire that made the early stages of their relationship so great. While Steve Carell is hysterical as the painfully needy boss, one Michael Scott is more than enough, and Holly, his female counterpart, was unbelievably irritating.

Last week's episode, however, was a pleasant surprise and hopefully a move back to the show's better days. Holly is gone (not a moment too soon) and Jim and Pam finally got a chance to interact again (if only by Bluetooth phone).

Best of all, the episode features what might have been the funniest Jim/Dwight scene in a very, very long time. Check it out:

Let's hope this was only a taste of the better episodes to come.

-- Kristen

What happened to the good ol' days of just watching T.V. and having water cooler talk the next day with some of your co-workers?

Well, those days are gone. Granted, they've definitely improved over the years, but now networks such as ABC, NBC, and CBS give fewers more than just something to talk about the next day. Forget watching it when it airs, you can watch it anytime you want with most channel's websites. And with most people's busy schedules, this option is a vital resource in order to keep up with one's favorite shows.

If watching the show isn't enough, websites are also developing different games, quizzes and more that viewers can enjoy and even blog about themselves. Don't get my wrong, I love T.V. as much as the next girl (or guy), I just feel like some networks have gone overboard with their sometimes lackluster attempts at getting better ratings. T.V. is meant to be watched on the television, not to be played along side silly games and "exclusives" online.

Check out what I mean:

NBC's "The Office" and their "Addictionary"

ABC's "Desperate Housewives" and their "House Tour"

CBS's "Survivor" and their "Fantacy League"

-- Sara

I'm an avid TV viewer, so it's no surprise how I spent much of my Election Day.

From about 4:30 (when I got home from voting) until about 2 a.m., I was parked on my couch, avidly watching each new election update with bated breath.

It feels like forever now that we've been watching 2008 election coverage on television. From the early primary debates, to the overdose of attack ads, to Tina Fey's hilarious portrayal of Sarah Palin, it has been almost impossible over the last year to turn on the television without being bombarded with anything and everything election related.

I may have been sick of it, but on Tuesday night, I could not tear myself away.

I started early with CNN before any of the polls had closed. Wolf Blitzer and his team had some pretty snazzy toys on set, most notably giant touch screen maps with video insets that analysts could interchange and slide around.

As more and more statistics came in, I switched over to and stayed with MSNBC. I'm a cable news channel nut and I've always been swayed by the personalities on this network. Chris Mathews and my new favorite anchor Rachel Maddow looked to be holding back an onslaught of tears as they read each incoming set of results and Keith Olbermann, known for his blunt and often scathing comments was particularly poignant when he said this:

Being able to watch the coverage from my apartment in State College was an emotional and unforgettable experience. I was transported from Rockefeller Center in New York, to Senator McCain's rally in Arizona, to President-Elect Obama's rally in Chicago, to a village in Kenya where residents cried out in joy for America's new decision.

I'm also a huge fan of The Daily Show, and while I wanted to watch all of the Indecision coverage live, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert weren't updating the projected state winners fast enough for me to stay with it. The entire Daily Show team's coverage was predictably hilarious, though, so make sure you check out the full episode plus clips here.

Having just turned 18 this past summer, I'm excited to vote in the presidential election for the first time on Tuesday. Political stances aside, I've been getting bombarded within the past week or two with phone calls from both candidate's little helpers, and I've gotta say, it's getting pretty old.

"Can we count on your vote on Tuesday?"

"Uhhhh, I'm not sure who I've voting for yet."

"Well let me rattle off a laundry list of reasons why my candidate is awesome and the other one sucks!"

"Oh great, here's 10 minutes of my life I'll never get back. Please, tell me more!"

After "listening" to the rallying supporter's stories, I decided that maybe I should really start to look into the specifics of different policies, or in the least, check out some of the commercials. After having done so, I began to grow even more disgusted with this whole election process. I want to know the facts. What's their stance on the different issues. All the commercials combined couldn't help me out. They're all fulled with hatred and nasty comments about the opposing candidate. What has the electoral process come to? It almost makes you not want to vote at all.

In an age where propaganda and the media tend to sway some people's decisions on everyday issues, I find it important to keep a level head in one of the most important presidential elections in America's history. I'm sure you've heard it all before with such phrases as, "get out there and vote" and "vote or die" from MTV and Diddy, but in reality, it really is important that you have your voice heard, no matter who you decide to vote for.

So as November 4th continues to approach ever so quickly, try to disregard those negative, often deceitful, commercials, and remember to do the country one proud, and vote. I know I'll be standing in those lines for who knows how many hours, will you?

-- Sara

There are already a plethora of videos up on YouTube highlighting the celebration downtown last night.

And if you haven't already, be sure to check out the Collegian's videos of the event.

- Alexa

OK, I'll admit it: I'm a reality show junky. Survivor, American Idol, Project Runway--if a group of whiney people have been gathered together to create and cry in hopes of making it big, I am so there.

So of course, once I'd finished this Wednesday's episode of America's Next Top Model, I stayed with the CW to catch the premiere of the new reality competition, Stylista.

Stylista is a Top Model/Project Runway/The Devil Wears Prada hybrid where 11 contestants compete for a job as a junior editor for Elle Magazine. Tasks involve everything from creating outfits that reflect each contestant's personal style, to organizing magazine pages, to putting together Fashion News Director Anne Slowey's breakfast.

Yup, that's right--her breakfast. How clever.

Slowey, advertised as the "mean boss" figure, is no Miranda Priestly. She's not even a Simon Cowell. Sure she's tough, but she has neither the iciness nor the snap to really stand out as a great reality show character. On top of that, Slowey's staff fails in comparison to their fashion-reality show counterparts. Where are the Miss Jays and Tim Gunns? The show can't stand out if it lacks the big personalities or quotable catch phrases that its contemporaries boast.

As far as the contestants go, the familiar faces are all there: the "backstabber" Devin, the "crier" Kate, the "quirky one", William, etc. So far, I'm liking Danielle. She's the sweet underdog who is disadvantaged by her weight but seemed to catch Slowey's eye with her bright but classic wardrobe choices.

The show isn't a disaster, but it has yet to find its spark. Where is the originality? Crazy challenges aren't enough to carry a show these days and I'm starting to wonder whether it wouldn't just be easier for these people to apply for the job the old-fashioned way.

Either way, I'll continue to feed my reality addiction with this semi-sweet confection, but I wouldn't skip studying for a test over it (which yes, sadly, I've done before--I told you I'm a junky!)

-- Kristen

With handfuls of new premieres just having aired in the past few weeks, I thought I'd start off my first TV blog post by talking about my favorite show on right now, Grey's Anatomy.

I've watched it religiously from the beginning, even when it overlapped with The O.C. on Fox, I couldn't stop watching it. (Fear not, I got The O.C. on DVD anyway so I'm all caught up.) I'm an avid fan and a daily user of sarcasm, so that show always has me laughing. Their plots never cease to amaze me. Something about Grey's constant battle with herself is just enough (wo)man vs. self drama that keeps me watching without getting straight up pissed off and annoyed. Sometimes, though, she does get a little too "woe is me" for my tastes.

I'm just waiting for her and McDreamy to get married, how much longer are they going to make us wait, honestly?! It's got to happen eventually, right?

The new lesbian drama on the show is pretty intense too. I would have never guessed that Callie and Erica would ever hook up. Ca-raaazy!

Lexie Grey is starting to irk me. I think she and Meredith just need to have a talk and get over the lingering issues they still have with each other. Get over it already, sheesh.

Thank gosh for George passing his intern exam. It's about time..

Last week's episode, on the Oct. 23, really tied up a lot of loose ends, I thought. Especially scenes like this one.

Finally! is all I have to say.

Can't wait until next week!

- Sara

So, Monday night, I turned on my TV for the first time this semester. After watching the ending of A Cinderella Story, which I'm not entirely sure why I watched, I decided to stick it out through some model reality show that wasn't America's Next Top Model (the only one I knew existed) and then the Tyra Banks Show began. I'd like to first say, I didn't watch anything after this show. In fact, I turned it off halfway through.

Weird, sad, mildly depressing: these were all of my thoughts post power off. The theme of this particular episode was sex around the world. Oooh ah..I wasn't impressed. It consisted of Tyra (wearing god-awful straight legs and some giant red belt that made her look like an '80s clown) swinging her arms during every other word for emphasis. This definitely did not entice me to stay tuned. All I could think was it looked like she tried to choreograph hand motions, and that she's probably an atrocious dancer.

And the content was ridiculous. Audience members asked questions, which Tyra answered by spinning a globe for 30 seconds to "find the answer" in every country the show had predetermined. And the answers they gave never actually answered the audience members' questions, and in general seemed riddled with error.

And the part that got me the most was a slide show they played before they talked about the country they were looking to for answers. It reminded me of what I'd see when I was studying in France when people were just picking three random things to generalize the United States as a whole. For example, for England, they said it was about double-decker buses, Stonehenge and something else so trivial I can't even remember it.

After Tyra grabbed an audience member to teach her how to walk in high heels while squeezing her muscles "down there," to help her post pregnancy, I vomited a little in my mouth and turned it off.

I don't know, TV, but I hope it's better luck next time.

-Jill

Up until this past weekend, I had not been to New York City since last December when I went to get my visa to study abroad in France. I didn't get out of the car the entire time I was there, except to go into the French Embassy. Before that, my ninth grade of high school was the last time I had been to the city for an actual "vacation."

So, when I scored The National tickets at Central Park's Summer Stage this past Monday, needless to say I was eager to make the trip back to the city to get to see some great music.

Now, the day before I left, the fact that there were Wolf Parade tickets available for a show on Friday was brought to my attention. Obviously, I got tickets.

Then, after I arrived, I found out there was a free Deerhunter, King Khan and Black Lips show happening in Brooklyn near where I stayed. I am a lucky girl.

Now The Wolf Parade was the first show I saw, and it was pretty close to perfect. I had heard things about the venue, Terminal 5, beforehand. Word on the street was that the sound wasn't that great. And although sometimes there wasn't a perfect balance between all the instruments, any negative thoughts were immediately pushed aside when I took in the entertainment value of the performance. Watching Spencer Krug on keyboards tap his foot frantically with the music was so much fun. The band did a solid set list that alternated Krug and guitarist, Dan Boeckner on vocals. The energy was high, the crowd was enthusiastic, and they encored with "I'll Believe in Anything" which was amazing.

Now I'm not sure how to explain King Khan's performance in words other than completely ridiculous, but thoroughly entertaining. No matter what kind of music you are into, I highly recommend you try at some point in your life to see him perform. The show incorporated toilet paper, him showing his butt to the audience, and also a request on his part to throw garbage on the stage when he performed "Pickin' up the Trash.".

The Black Lips show was equally as entertaining. My personal favorite, "Bad Kids" was a complete celebration for both band members and the crowd. Their show was a true display of contemporary rock 'n' roll.

But the show that really won me over -- and literally brought me close to tears three different times -- was The National. At first, the vocals were ridiculously loud, and I got nervous that hearing my favorite band was going to blow my eardrums. But vocalist Matt Berninger was quick to head to the sound guys and make the quick fix. The show then became a highlight on my history of concert going list. The band produced a great, very complete sound with every instrument balanced and every member clearly happy to be performing on that stage.

One of my favorite parts was when Matt Berninger dedicated the final song of the encore to "today" and then commented that it was by far his cheesiest dedication ever. However, when the band began "About Today" there was nothing cheesy, but everything wonderful about the song.

The shows were fabulous, and it's a shame that apparently I missed Jake Gyllenhaal and Reece Witherspoon at the Black Lips show and Julia Stiles dancing in the VIP section of The National...maybe next time.

- Jill

The Jerry Springer Show is the kind of show you watch when you are sick at home and there is nothing else but Days of Our Lives and infomercials on TV. It's also the kind of thing you watch with your mouth hanging open and your mind devoid of all intellectual thought.

Basically, Jerry Springer is anything but art. And it's most certainly not musical material.

Or is it?

Yesterday was the second, and last, night Jerry Springer: The Opera in concert was performed at Carnegie Hall. When I first saw the headline "Jerry Springer: The Opera" on my Google News feed, I thought it might just be a joke ... or anything but what it obviously was.

That's right, there actually is a Jerry Springer: The Opera. Luckily, when it came to America from London (where it won numerous best musical awards), the cat-fighting, hair-pulling, and tattoo-wearing regulars on the show set up shop in Carnegie Hall, not Broadway.

Broadway is a place where imagination rules and talent grows. When I think Broadway, I see bright lights, glamor, glitz, and most of all, sophistication.

Jerry Springer is nothing but mindless, staged television. Broadway might not be exactly like it used to be; you no longer have to wear formal dress, and shows like Spamalot and Avenue Q have made the stages of the grand theatres on 42nd Street a little more racy, but there is a difference between something that's humorous and something that's obscene.

Many critics have enjoyed the show, evident by the many awards it has won. And maybe the music is good; maybe it is a different kind of art.

But, I don't think an opera that features songs titled "Chick with a Dick" and "Poledancer" has any artistic merit and should be performed in a club in Las Vegas, not on a stage in Carnegie Hall.

There are many other opportunities to see good musical theater, especially in the Big Apple. One can take in a real Broadway show, including Phantom of the Opera , which is currently the longest running show on Broadway, or even Young Frankenstein , a new hit musical based on the movie of the same name.

The Metropolitan Opera is also a great place to receive some culture and enjoy the opera at its finest. The Met even offers discounted tickets for students for $25 to $35 available at 10 a.m. on the day of the performance.

Paying $25 to $35 to see La Boheme is certainly more culture and creativity for your cash than shelling out $59 to $175 to see something you could easily watch while skipping a morning class.

--Katie

Rebuttal by Billy "Justice" Wellock

Whoa, whoa, whoa -- hold on.

If this were Jerry Springer, we'd discuss this the old-fashioned way: with screaming, censored gestures, bouncers and shameless pandering to the audience. But it's not Jerry Springer, so we'll have to settle it in the blogosphere.

For starters, I haven't seen Jerry Springer: The Opera, so for all I know it could be as worthless as you say, Katie. But it sounds like you're writing off the stage version because the TV version isn't urbane enough.

A play's subject matter doesn't dictate what type of show it is. And although a play based on Springer will have plenty of lewd content, it doesn't mean thought didn't go into the show or that theatergoers can't get anything out of it. Why does "Art" have to be highbrow and stuffy? Theater shouldn't be an arena for fancy-pants -- it should be for everyone.

Besides, La Boheme ends the same way every time, but we never know if he's her baby daddy until Jerry reveals it.