People have said that America loves an underdog. Some of these people have said that it’s even more true when it comes to American Idol. Maybe that is why tonight one of the most talented of the remaining six got booted from the show. While mediocre talent remains such as Jason, who Simon has said wasn’t able to sing well but was charming, and Syesha, who should have been gone weeks ago, Carly was sent home. Andrew Lloyd Weber week did her in when it should have easily done in Jason, if not one of the others. It’s sad to see that America got it wrong when the answer was as easy as could be.

The good news is that Carly took it like a champ and refused to cry. She showed America what they would be missing and went out with a bang. The other good news is that she shouldn’t have any problem getting a record contract after this. I cannot wait until that happens because I look forward to picking up her CD when it hits shelves.

Rather than complain about the obvious I am going to end this with a couple of Carly’s best performances.

Carly, if you’re reading this….I am a fan and you will be missed.

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They both technically lost when they were on Season Five. Kelly lost by more than Katherine, but losing is losing even if you come in second. However, now it seems the tides have certainly turned and while Pickler has excelled in her genre, McPhee has been placed in the leftover fluff pile to rot.

They both have new albums they are working on (I am guessing one will be more successful than the other…again) and they both recently came back to AI to perform live. The performances are both below. The question is…who do you think performed better?

Katherine McPhee sang during the first Beatles Week.

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Amanda has left the building. In fact, by now it’s possible that she’s left Hollywood. She’s packed up her black clothing, her Aerosmith necklaces, and she’s headed back home. I have to admit that I didn’t think that you would do it America.

I thought you would leave her on, until her rousing rendition of “Dreamlover” by Mariah Carey that came with a twist that sounded like something sang on the back of a truck during a rock n’ roll, honky tonk. But alas! You surprised me by saying goodbye to Amanda, who we at Literary Illusions have affectionately named “Skunky” since her hair reminds of us of that of a skunk, and saving those who attend the Idol concert from having to hear her bad renditions of any song she happens to sing.

Before I get into my personal goodbye, please enjoy a few moments of silence while you sit baffled listening to Skunky ruin the Beatles for the last time.

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As if the first Beatles week wasn’t bad enough (technically it was the John/Paul songbook, but they WERE the Beatles)…Guess what kids?! We’re back for another with the top 11 and a new set of Beatles songs they can desecrate. Ryan seemed enthusiastic as he announced the Idols. It was Amanda first and it ended with Ramiele.

They all lined up and Ryan wished them luck before sending them off stage again a totally pointless display. Randy looked preppy in his powder blue V neck. I don’t know dawg. He just didn’t have that yo factor today. Paula looked drunk in her sparkly shirt, but then what else is new? And, of course, Simon looked calm and polished in a white sweater.

Before things got underway, Ryan asked the judges for advice for the idols. Randy recommended that they pick the right song. There are a lot of them to choose from, after all. Paula recommended that the ones who can take risks should continue to take risks. Finally, Simon said he felt this competition was half talent oriented and half vocally oriented. To win him over tonight, they just need to sing well. Obviously that would be easier for some than it will for others.

After Ryan gave a little tribute to the Beatles, as opposed to last week’s Lennon McCartney songbook, we were on our way. I have to say, I enjoyed the shots and clips of the Beatles, but was absolutely dreading the idols’ versions. I had three favorites last week and while I think they will pull through for me again, it’s everyone else I am afraid of.

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Temptation. If you’re a Christian (which I’m not) you might believe that any form of temptation, be it a gluttonous urge or a sexual one, is wrong. I’m here to tell you that I don’t believe temptation is a sin, but when you are dieting, as I am, temptation needs to be something that is controlled.

I know I spoke about non-food related things that cause temptation in my last article. Now I’m going to explore all those yummy delicacies, the delicious goodness that has caused many of us to gain weight in the first place. Some food tastes good. It’s easy to see why we enjoy eating. It’s delicious though it is not always nutritious. No matter who you are, you always have some vice. For some, it’s chocolate, sweets, or other dessert foods. Some people crave carbs. Others prefer alcohol or caffeinated beverages. Whatever your vice is, it can be hard to give up.

What tempts you? I know, for me, my biggest weakness is carbohydrates…in particular, potatoes. I love potatoes mashed, baked, fried, French fried, scalloped, in a potato bake, hotcakes, hash browns, and pretty much any other way, but sweet. Potatoes are one of the foods that I could never seem to give up. In the past month or so since I’ve been on my diet, they’re the food I’ve missed the most. When I was in college, I practically lived on chicken tenders and fries. Now, I’ve gone well over a month without either of theses fatty, carbie yummy-goodies, and it hasn’t been easy.

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Ryan introduced the crew tonight, as always. It’s the top 16, which means tonight is the top 8 men and the last night of being split up. When he introduced the judges it appeared that everyone was ready to get things moving.

Randy was looking himself tonight. He had on a fly t-shirt and his bling. Paula had on her bright, hooker getup with some scary hair. I don’t know what’s with the wannabe Farrah curly flip. Maybe she was doing it because it’s her 80s motif, but whatever it is, it isn’t working. Finally there was Simon, and well, he’s Simon. He looks as good as he always does and the slight scowl on his face said he was ready to get things moving.

Tonight’s theme is 80s music and each contestant has to tell about their most embarrassing moment.

Up first was Luke Menard. His special moment was when he was dressed up like a ballerina by his sister, when he was a child.

What he sang: “Jitterbug”

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As some of you may have noticed we opted out of doing recaps for the elimination shows of American Idol. If you’ve seen one you have seen them all. We just decided there is no sense in writing out all the happenings when people just want to find out who isn’t going to be there anymore. With that in mind, we have decided to offer the final performances and some parting thoughts to those that have left us and will not be heard from again on the AI stage.

The following group was all cut on the first week of elimination.

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Tonight the top 12 men of American Idol’s Top 24 were performing for the first time on the AI stage. After showing a brief “reminder” of how it all went down (aka how the guys made it to the Top 24), the men were ready to sing their songs. This is a recap of what they sang, how they looked, and how they did. Predictions of who should be (and will be) cut are included.

The Judges: Randy was his usual ‘wannabe a gangsta’ self. He tried to be “bling-y” but he just wasn’t all that. Paula, wore an outfit that looked like it was made out of aluminum foil and she acted and sounded like her usual drugged up self. Meanwhile, Simon got a hair cut and wore typical “Simon-wear”.

According to Ryan, tonight’s songs are all from the 60s.

Up first is David Hernandez.

What he wore: An off white, button down shirt, and a pair of jeans. He looked okay. There was nothing special about his outfit, but he definitely wasn’t a Sanjaya (thank goodness).

What he sang: “In the Midnight Hour”

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The man accusing Barack Obama of using drugs in 1999 and having oral sex with him during a visit Larry Sinclair made to Chicago is willing to take a polygraph test. Whitehouse.com offered Sinclair $10,000 just to take the test. If he passes, then he will make an additional $100,000. After considering the offer, working out the logistics, and weighing the benefits of the polygraph (and the money), Sinclair has agreed to take the polygraph with one of the leading experts in polygraph tests grilling him about his tawdry Obama confessions.

Those who are interested will have the chance to watch Sinclair, live, as he takes his polygraph test, within the next ten days, on Whitehouse.com. The polygraph test could make or break Obama, who mentioned he last took drugs (snorted coke) in his youth. Sinclair claims he repeatedly contacted Obama’s camp and told him he had to come clean about using drugs in 1999. According to Sinclair, Obama used a crack pipe and got him a packet of cocaine, while the two cruised around in a limo, in the Chicago area. Sinclair also performed oral sex on Obama. The time period falls around early November of 1999.

Those who wish to find out more details can check out the website. Meanwhile, the mainstream media has been uncomfortably mum on a subject storming the web and blogs all over it. CNN, for example, is posting on how Clinton and Obama are squabbling over delegates yet not one story has been posted about Sinclair…well at least not where we can find it. In the meantime, those who aren’t computer saavy or get their news offline are still planning to vote for Obama because they are in the dark to the accusations, which could have an impact on the upcoming primaries and caucuses in Ohio, Hawaii, Texas, and Wisconsin.

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If you had to choose between saving your mother or your lover from a burning building, who would you choose and why?

I wouldn’t have a choice. My mom would tell me to save Dom because we’re young and have our futures ahead of ourselves. Even if I tried to save her, she’d still make me save Dom first. So, I would unfairly be forced to choose to save him. The answer would be chosen for me! Furthermore, with Dom out of the house, my mom would have a much easier time of trying to save herself than Dom would of saving himself.

While I know that my choice would be quite difficult (I love my Mommy very much), for Dom, the choice would be a no brainer!

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