AMERICAN IDOL NOTES
Last night, it was the start of “Idol Gives Back”. There were several clips of the many organizations that will benefit from the show’s charitable donations, and the theme was “Inspirational Songs”.
Three performances really stuck out for me… Melinda Doolittle, Blake Lewis, and Jordin Sparks. Melinda sang Faith Hill’s “There Will Come A Day”, and certainly made it her own. Blake sang “Imagine” from John Lennon, and I thought gave a quality vocal that sometimes gets lost with his beatboxing. Finally, Jordin Sparks will go down in Idol history with one of the best performances ever with “You’ll Never Walk Alone”. Seriously, it was amazing. Goosebump good.
So here’s the official prediction… I mentioned the Top 3, so the Bottom 3 for me were Chris Richardson, Phil Stacey, and Lakisha Jones. Seriously, how far has Lakisha fallen? She was a favorite at one point, but has just been belting her songs so hard, that she’s lost control. The last few weeks have been really tough for her, and I think she’ll go home tonight.
On tonight's results show we can expect to see Ellen DeGeneres hosting Bono, Celine Dion, Forest Whitaker, Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Gwen Stefani, Keira Knightley, Hugh Grant, Josh Groban, Jack Black, Helen Mirren, Rascal Flatts, Quincy Jones, Daniel Radcliffe, Carrie Underwood and Annie Lennox.
DANCING WITH THE STARS
In a surprise upset, Heather Mills and partner Jonathan Roberts were eliminated last night on the Dancing With the Stars results show. The couple performed a barely passable paso doble, but the judges awarded them a 23 -- which positioned them squarely in the middle of the field. She seemed to have anticipated the exit though as she had a speech prepared for the event -- thanking the other dancers, the voters and the band.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS DAY
In case you forgot, today is Administrative Professionals Day. It's the day set aside for all those people who take grief from their boss 364 days a year.
Bosses, pay attention. Best gift to give? A cash bonus or gift card. Flowers are also popular. You can also take your employee(s) out to lunch.
Bad ideas? One administrative professional reported getting a "Buy One, Get One Free" coupon (not a good idea). Also, a pair of socks, a sandbox, and a canister of mace made the Worst Gifts Ever list.
THE SIMPSONS GO FOR A RIDE
“The Simpsons” have inspired a new attraction at Universal Studios theme parks in California and Florida. The new “Simpsons” ride will be unveiled next spring. Details about the attractions are being kept under wraps but insiders claim the ride will incorporate a mini-theme park featuring Krusty The Clown. The new rides will replace the “Back to the Future” attractions.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH METALLICA?
A Swedish couple named their baby daughter -- Metallica! The Swedish tax board initially rejected the name because they said it was too associated with the rock group and the word "metal." But they dropped its opposition to the baby's name after her mother, Karolina Tomaro, brought the case to County Court, where it was decided that the baby could be named Metallica. Metallica seems to be a popular name in Sweden -- there is reportedly a woman elsewhere in the country who uses it as a middle name.
LIKE MOTHER, LIKE DAUGHTER
In honor of our mothers and the wisdom they pass down, SC Johnson commissioned Harris Interactive to conduct the “Like Mother, Like Daughter” survey.
· More than 81% of moms say they have inherited at least some of their cleaning practices from their own mothers, such as blasting music when they clean, preferring to clean in the morning , or cleaning to relieve stress.
· Moms today spend less time cleaning (7.0 hours a week) and are able to have more “me” time each week (9.4 hours a week) than compared to their own mothers.
· 65% of moms believe their mothers used to spend more time on cleaning than they do now.
· About one-third of moms today use the same brand of household cleaning products that their mother used.
· 49% of moms are thankful that men are now more likely to contribute to household duties today than in years past.
