The Price of Fame

I have been thinking a lot about the recent death of Whitney Houston. It is incredibly sad, and say what you want about her personal life, she was an exceptional talent. On Sunday night Oprah Winfrey re-aired an interview she did with Whitney from 2009. Wow. It was amazing. Oprah didn't hold back on any question and Whitney didn't hold back on her answers. While I was watching I started to think how much she was like another incredibly talented singer/actress. The incredible Judy Garland. Whitney died at 48 and Judy was 47. It was so sad to think how drugs can control a person's life. Even though Whitney was on the mend, so many years of drug abuse just destroys you. She told Oprah that for seven years she and Bobby Brown wouldn't even talk to each other. They would just sit at home, watch t.v. and smoke their marijuana laced with cocaine. So sad. I've heard people say that we shouldn't glorify a drug addict. That's not what Whitney Houston was. Yes, she abused drugs, but that's not what her life was. She was a mother, a daughter, a sister, a friend. She was a brilliant entertainer. Hopefully the next generation will look back at Whitney's life and not focus on the drugs. Hopefully they'll focus on the talent. Same with Judy. Most people don't look at Judy Garland as a drug addict. They look at her as an amazingly gifted performer. She was a victim of circumstances. Whitney was a victim of circumstances. She was unhappy and she looked to drugs. Yes, there are other ways to cheer oneself up, but Whitney chose drugs and, unfortunately, that's what ended her life so prematurely. If I can express anything to the few readers that read this, it's don't focus on the negative aspects of life, and focus on the great things. Think of all the amazing songs thy we have all sung along to at the tips of our lungs. Think of the great movies and the way we felt watching them. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it's something I just felt like saying.

The Return of American Idol to My Life

So, I've recently gotten t.v. again, and there are so many things on which I have missed out.  The first is a show I used to watch religiously, but it's been a long time since I have watched it.  Since then, there is only one recognizable judge...Randy Jackson.  I really miss the banter and cat fights between Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell.  It made the show more interesting.  Now, we have Jenny from the block and Aerosmith front man, walking corpse, Steven Tyler.  They really don't critique anymore.  Every judge just says nice things about the performance, or Randy Jackson will pipe up with, "Ah, Dawg, you know, you know.  It was a'aight.  It wasn't perfect."  Really, Randy Jackson?  Really?  It wasn't perfect?!!!  Of course it wasn't perfect!  No one has a "perfect" performance.  Unless you're Whitney Houston from the 80's and early 90's!  I wish Randy was the one that wasn't still there!  Jennifer Lopez says dumb things most of the time.  And even though he looks like he's been at death's door for the past 28 years, Steven Tyler says helpful things, and I think it would be helpful to be critiqued by him.

As for the contestants...they're just not as good as they used to be.  Let's face it, no one will be as good as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, David Archuleta or David Cook.  For me, they're the best ones who have graced the Idol stage.  But, there are two that are quite good.  Rocker Colton Dixon and Erika Van Pelt who has a very deep, beautiful, soulful voice.  She's great! 

The first competitive show was the boys sing Stevie Wonder and the girls sing Whitney Houston.  Ugh.  These artists are so distinctive and no one should attempt to sing them other than the original artists.  It was a very boring show.  I can't believe the producers of Idol thought this would be a good idea.  Oh well.  It happened.  America got it right by sending Jeremy home.  He was only on because he cried and moved Jennifer Lopez to almost tears.  At least he's gone. 

More to come next week...