The Voice – Finale Performances

When I started watching this season of The Voice, I was pretty optimistic. There were some seriously talented singers, the song choices are more current than on Idol, and I love the production quality of the performances.

But over the past few weeks, most of my favorites got eliminated. The three we’re left with – Danielle Bradberry, Michelle Chamuel and The Swon Brothers, are just OK. I know people love Michelle, but I’m on the fence about her. I like her because she performs cheesy pop songs that I love (and she sings them very well), but I don’t know that her voice is that spectacular. Danielle is very good, but her performances got monotonous and her stage presence is stiff. And well, The Swon Brothers seem like nice guys, but I thought they were the weakest act on the show weeks ago.

The problem with these three is, looking back on the season, I don’t have a favorite performance from any of them. I had favorite performances from Sasha, Amber and Judith.

That aside, who should win? I really liked Michelle’s performance of “Why” by Annie Lennox. But didn’t she start off a song by singing into a mirror once before? I thought that was weird. None of the other solo performances impressed me as much as this one, and I’ve liked Michelle all along. So I’m rooting for her to win.

I quite liked the group performance of “Home” though, and I’d never heard that song before. It was cute.

I think Danielle is very good, and probably should be a country star. She’s got the look and the voice. But she needs more practice on stage, because she doesn’t sing with enough passion or energy. It can come across a little robotic. I won’t be mad if Danielle wins, and I think she probably will – country music dominated the show this season. But I don’t think she’s as confident a performer as Michelle.

What do you guys think? Who should win?

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The Bachelorette – Boardwalk Empress

977683_10151958591842846_1434991468_oThis week on The Bachelorette, Des and the guys traveled to Atlantic City – a place that I know only from watching Boardwalk Empire. And I quit watching that show because I always fell asleep. So I don’t know much – booze! hookers! boutonnieres! That’s it, I assumed those would be the date themes.

Last week y’all thought I was too snarky, so I’ll try and tone it down a bit. But don’t forget, I watch so we can mock!

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Mad Men – Mysteries Revealed

don and rogerThere is only one more episode of Mad Men left. Even though dramas like Dexter and Breaking Bad will air later this summer, I’m really going to miss Mad Men. I don’t think there’s another drama on TV right now that I enjoy reading about, discussing and blogging about as much as this show.

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Checking in on ‘The Voice’

I was feeling pretty frustrated with The Voice after Judith Hill was voted out. I mean, how could someone so good be eliminated so early? Even this week, it was tough to watch The Swon Brothers perform knowing that much more talented artists have already gone home.

I like The Swon Brothers OK, but they remind me of several bands that play around bars in my hometown. We’re a small city with several colleges, a lot of bars and a decent music scene. So that’s not an insult, I just don’t think Team Swon is particularly unique.

I didn’t really care for this week’s episode. All the singers really stayed in their wheelhouses, no performances surprised me. Danielle and Michelle are both fantastic, but their performances have gotten very predictable. I actually thought Michelle had already sung “Time After Time”. (She did “True Colors”.)

I thought Amber was terrible on “Firework”, but she made up for it later with a Maroon 5 song that I’d never heard before. But I think my favorite of the night was probably Sasha Allen, because I enjoyed the contrast of her songs. It wasn’t the best rendition of “I Will Always Love You” that I’ve ever heard, but she held her own. “Bad Girls” was excellent, and so fun.

I was really disappointed that Amber and Sasha were eliminated, while the Swon Brothers carry on. I’m rooting for Danielle to win it, but this show has become so country-heavy that it’s hard for me to enjoy it. What do you guys think?

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The Bachelorette – Can you dodge a rock?

977683_10151958591842846_1434991468_oOh, guys. You should not be watching this crap, that’s for sure. Two hours! Two hours of men and their little emotions. Lucky for you, I’ve watched it so you don’t have to. Here’s my weekly take on The Bachelorette!

Date #1 – Group Date

For the first “date” this week on The Bachelorette, ten guys met up with Des for a testosterone and jealousy fueled game of dodgeball. Man, these early group dates are dumb. Too bad I’m not single – maybe I could round up a few male suitors on eHarmony and get them to attend recreational badminton with me! I play mostly with the elderly.

The worst part of the date wasn’t watching a grown man writhe around in pain thanks to a hurt finger. The worst was listening to the guys assess each play of each game like they were playing in the Olympics.

Brooks was the guy who broke his finger playing dodgeball. I’m going to give him the benefit of the doubt and assume that all injuries are different – because I broke my finger playing basketball in the eighth grade and I didn’t whine. In fact, I jumped for joy that it meant sitting out of gym class for the next several weeks. It was a blessing!

At the cocktail party, Brad told Des about his three year-old son. Cool. Des seems open to kids. Then he told her about his alcoholic ex and their dispute that led to a domestic violence arrest for him. Awkward. Even if he was just trying to prevent his partner from driving drunk and even if it was a total mistake, that’s a hell of a lot of baggage.

Chris took Des up to a helicopter pad on the roof, which he “found” when a producer whispered in his ear “Hey Chris, won’t it be romantic if you take her up to the roof?” I laughed when Chris said he thought he’d get the rose, but Des did give it to him. Then the two “enjoyed” a private concert. I’m sorry, how can anyone really enjoy that? It looks so uncomfortable! I wouldn’t be able to dance while someone sang directly to me. I’d feel too pressured to look super into the music.

The best part of the night was when Brooks showed up to the party straight from the hospital in his ridiculous dodgeball outfit – socks, headband and all – and told Des “It’s not that big of a deal, it’s just a broken finger.” HA! That’s rich, coming from a guy who was basically in tears.

Dramz Alert!

Des was just sitting around in her weird, flesh-toned leggings when Chris Harrison called. Shocking news! The villain they’d cast for the season had been revealed! It is a hilarious joke that the Bachelor(ette) producers thing people will believe that it’s a surprising when this stuff is revealed.

Des went to the house for her date with Kasey and instead pulled Brian aside. Chris Harrison had told her not to let the schmuck get away with this! As Brian was telling Des that his last relationship was over, Chris Harrison arrived with Stephanie – Brian’s girlfriend. Ooooooooooh! Someone’s in trouble!

My second-favorite part was how Stephanie spoke hysterically, as though she were crying, but there were no actual tears on her face. You know, wet stuff. My *favorite* was when Stephanie said “I did throw rocks at you… because, you’re a jerk.” What a winner! I read today that they want to bring Bachelor Pad back – let’s cast Stephanie and Brian! Des sent Brian home, obviously.

Drew was very distraught over the news that Brian had screwed over a single mom in coming on The Bachelorette. Oh man. This guy has, er, emotions. It makes me uncomfortable. I wonder if he’d feel better knowing that the single mom at least threw some rocks at the guy?

Date #2 – Kasey

For the first part of Des’s date with Kasey, they “danced” on the side of a building. It was like artistic rappelling. Later, they tried to have a romantic evening on a rooftop but the wind suddenly picked up. You know what I do when bizarre, cold winds blow in? You know, when it’s so disruptive that you can’t even have a conversation? Jump in the pool! Inside is for suckers.

Des gave Kasey a rose, but even she admitted that the date was off.

Date #3 – Group Date

Oh great, a hick-themed group date. This time, five guys met up with Des for an old-timey country and western themed date. Why does every group date have to involve theatrics of some kind? I could never be The Bachelorette because I hate dinner theater too much.

The guys would be doing movie stunts, and also assisting in some product placement for The Lone Ranger. There was some kind of competition, and Juan Pablo won. He got to enjoy a barnyard private screening of The Lone Ranger, which looks incredibly bad. Johnny Depp as Tonto is… uncomfortable.

Later the “group” portion of the date continued, and everyone had drinks around a campfire. When Des spoke with James one-on-one, he told her that his dad is sick and he wanted to know that she was really into him if he was going to stick around. Des immediately ran and got him the rose, which didn’t make the other guys happy.

Pool Party + Rose Ceremony

Instead of a cocktail party, Des decided to have a more casual daytime pool party with the guys. Things heated up when Ben spent some time in a car with Des before the party, and then told the other guys that he hadn’t had any alone time with her. Man, these guys can be princesses. They can’t stand to be lied to one another! You’re so fake! You hurt my feelings! Waaaaah!

The saddest part of the day was when Drew told Des “I’m falling in love with you,” when he’s talked to her, like, maybe three times. But he thinks about her all the time! Yeah, that’s because he has no job to think about, no friends to hang out with, no family to talk to. This entire situation has been designed for you to think about Des 24/7, buddy. You’re not special.

Ben, the house villain, did get a rose. Of course! There was no suspense. Of course the show wouldn’t get rid of two bad guys in one week, and Des doesn’t even know that everyone hates Ben yet. No one of any interest was eliminated – Brandon and Zak W., I think? Brandon acted like the saddest person in the world, but it was totally for the cameras. “I can’t even cry… I’m just out of tears.” Good excuse, friend! Get that one trademarked.

Next week everyone moves to Atlantic City, a classy place to fall in love if I’ve ever seen one. Looking forward to it.

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Mad Men – Fathers and Children

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Jon Hamm as Don Draper on ‘Mad Men’

Wow. Not only was last night’s episode of Mad Men my favorite of the season, but I believe I’ll remember it one day as one of the more memorable of the series overall. I’m a big fan of Sally Draper, and her relationships with each of her parents has always been one of the more compelling aspects of the show.

Click through for a full review.

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Game of Thrones – Wonder Wall

gotAfter last week’s memorable episode (some viewers, I hear, are still suffering from PTSD) I wondered what Game of Thrones could possibly have in store for the season finale. If you’ve seen the episode, click through. Check out my review, and share your thoughts in the comments.

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