Megan Andrews

Jennifer Lopaz broke down on stage at her last concert after declaring that she took a trip down memory lane to her audience.  She cried as the audience at the Mohegan Sun’s 15th anniversary applauded.  She had just finished singing the last song she wrote about love.  It was an acoustic rendition of her hit “If You Had My Love.”  Next came a re-enactment of scenes from the men in her past.  Lookalikes danced as her exes Diddy, Ben Affleck and Chris Judd along side a Jennifer Lopaz lookalike.  The final lookalike to join the group was a Marc Anthony ‘twin’, her recently estranged husband.   In the end she held up a picture of her twins and declared “There’s love and then there’s love.”  

Speculation: There was nothing spontaneous in her tearful breakdown evidenced by the pictures of her twins to wind up the show.  It was tacky for her to use her divorce situation and former lovers - and it was especially tacky to exploit her twins.   Just another way for Jennifer to draw more attention to herself and further promote her career.  

Should celebrities use their divorces to promote their careers?

Megan Andrews

I think it’s time for all of us to start backing Rob Kardashian and Cheryl Burke and send them all the way to the finals of Dancing with the Stars.  I like the couple because they have good energy and this season seems to be the season for lesser talent contestants to forge ahead.  For instances, Chynna Phillips was one of the top contenders and she’s out of there now.  She had so much potential as a dancer, but she did have one really off night.  Almost every week other huge talent has been ousted even minus an off night.   This trend proves we need to start rooting and voting for up and coming dancers like Rob.   I could tell Rob was relieved when he was saved and he should have been.

Cheryl Burke says that this week she and Rob have a great song that is sexy and fun. Tonight all music is from the cheesy 80’s and that might make it hard on all the dancers.  But despite the cheesiness, Cheryl expects a lighthearted trip around the dance floor with Rob.  Good luck to them - they’ve already got my vote!  Will you vote for Rob Kardashian?

Megan Andrews

Glenn Close has said her role in ‘Albert Nobbs’ is the most invested she has ever been in a movie.  In the past, Glenn has been nominated for best actress five times and the fact that this movie is generating a huge best actress buzz is something that really pleases her.   She first took the stage role as the 19th century Irish waiter,Albert Nobbs, in 1982.  It is the story of a woman who disguises herself as a man in order to protect herself and to better survive in sexiest times.  She works and saves to build up the capital to open her own shop and along the way develops a relationship with a young co-worker.  This leads to complications and drama that is difficult to handle.

If nominated for best actress, Glenn Close  is likely to compete for the award with Michelle Williams as Marilyn Monroe, Meryl Streep as Margaret Thatcher and Viola Davis from The Help, among other actresses.  Will you go to “Albert Nobbs”?

Megan Andrews

Dancing with the Stars has had some of the lowest rating of any season and it would come as no surprise if the whacky eliminations are contributing to their demise.  Last week Elisabetta Canalis and Val Chmerkovsky were ousted ahead of some of the much weaker dancers, namely Chaz Bono (he received the lowest scores the last two weeks) and Nancy Grace.  This week was no different.  The two, not so bottom two, couples, Hope Solo and Maksim Chmerkovsky along with Kristin Cavallari and Mark Ballas, received higher scores than many of the "saved for another round" couples.   Kristin had high potential and consistently high scores, last night = 24, but she also had a very weak backstory that lacked the emotion and buzz generating potential of the other dancers. DWTS has become more about emotional connection with the audience than good dancing.  At this rate Chaz Bono may win the mirrorball!  Do you agree with sending Kristin Cavallari home?

Megan Andrews

Talent started pouring down on the X Factor , Chicago audition stage, last evening.  Fame seekers as well as wonderful hidden nuggets of talent were huddled together. They were under umbrellas trying to keep dry as the hopefuls were processed through. The bad weather should have been on indication that we were in for something good.

The next indicator came when Makenna and Brock took center stage.  They sang “Cold Weather” by The Zak Brown Band.”  L.A. Reid told them ”You just made my day.”  Cheryl Cole noted that the harmonies were spot on and vocals were well controlled.”  Simon Cowell thought Makenna was a vocal sensation.”

Skyelar Anderson drove 9 hours and 30 minutes from Mississippi to sing “Must Be Doing Something Right” by Billy Currington.  The track stopped mid first line and Skyelar impressed the judges by continuing on a cappella.  His looks, his sound and his effort pushed him through to the next round.

J Mark Inman studies philosophy as a grad student in Europe and he stopped by to share his very unique self with the X Factor judges and audience.  Singing Radio Head’s ‘Creep’ got him a standing ovation. Paula Abdul declared “You are other worldly...in a different jurisdiction.  The places we could go together.”  L.A. announced “It sounds so bad but it feels so good.” 

The highlight of the evening came when a 30 year old, burrito slinger, named Josh Krajcik left his ever loving and nervous mom back stage to go before the judges.  He was dressed sloppy in baggy jeans, unkept hair and over sized leather jacket.  With a smirk on his face, Simon asked him what he was going to sing and when Josh replied Etta James’ “At Last” Simon quipped “really, really?”  But after the first 3 notes Simon was smiling.  For this standing O, no one wanted to sit back down. L.A. told him “I know why you’re dressed like that.  You’re not fooling me.  It’s your ‘before’ because your ‘after’ is coming down soon.  Give your slinging burrito job to someone else.”  

14 year old, Drew Ryniewik, from Chino Valley, Arizona, sang her rendition of ‘Baby’ by Justin Beiber.  Nicole Sherzinger shocked her by saying she prefers her version to Justin’s.  Paula called it daring and bold.  Simon said it was original, soulful, believable and that she was very special.  Simon finished by saying it was the easiest ‘yes’ of the night.

Something strange happened when 19 year old deli clerk, Tiah Tolliver came out.  Simon locked in on her like we’ve never seen before.  He was so impressed with her that he fought Nicole and Paula to get her through to the next level.  They objected to her vocals of ‘Impossible’ by Shontelle saying she constantly changed keys.  Simon said it didn’t matter because his gut was all for her. He was impressed by her spirit and energy and that she looked like “a killer, like steel.”   L.A. agreed with Simon.  After Simon told the ladies they weren’t “giving the girl a chance” Nicole relented and gave her the third yes she needed.

X Factor: Which next round finalist has your vote?

Megan Andrews

A whole lot of talent faced the music tonight on the X Factor, New Jersey auditions.  Judges were ready and willing to hand out their verdicts.  Things went well for some and bad for others.  Here’s a rundown of the top four featured contestants that made a positive impact on the judges:

Brian Bradley, only 14 years old, was every bit a comedian/rapper as he got the audience laughing at his witty answers to the judges questions.  He rapped “Stop Looking At My Mom” an original song and got Simon Cowell to tell him he is the most talented young person he has heard in a long time.  Paula Abdul said he’s unique and operates in a place that is fantastic. L.A. Reid thanked him for walking into his life.  

Tora Woloshin, a 21 year old student is a powerhouse that wants to own her own garage someday and build race cars, that is if an entertaining career doesn’t take her in a different direction.  According to the judges she has a good chance of making it.  She sang “I Want You Back” by the Jackson 5.  L.A. told her she was really good and that she turned the place out.  Simon said “It was something about the minute you walked out.”  Nicole Sherzinger said she was a funky, cool cat and that she really digs her.  

Brennin Hunt, referred to as hot by L.A. and the entire audience, is a 26 year old graphic designer living in Nashville, Tennessee.  He wrote an original piece called “How We make It.”  Simon said he would love to work with him and make him into a star and Paula remarked that the tone of his voice struck a chord.  

Jazzlyn Little,16 year old, sang “I’m Going Down” by Mary J. Blige.  L.A. praised her saying she has a super star name and a super star voice.  Paula remarked that the audience loves her and all the judges love her.  Simon teased he saying “I’d like to see what you are like when you’ve got confidence.”  She was the last contestant to audition and Simon let it be known she will be a “world star.”

X Factor: Who ran away with the best audition tonight?

Megan Andrews

Chaz Bono and his partner Lacey Schwimmer ended up with the lowest score this week on Dancing with the Stars.  Of course, I was all set to watch them get ousted.  Clearly, the rigors of DWTS practice has gotten to him and his body already needs a break from the work outs, but things don’t always go as planned.  To my surprise Elisabetta Canalis and partner Val Chmerkovskiy become the next castoffs.  I sat stunned wondering why????  

Elisabetta announced, “It was a great adventure so I want to thank everybody.  Val was supportive of her and said,  I’m very proud of you.  I wish I did better for you.”  I think he did well enough for her.  In fact, I think she did well enough, but perhaps her downfall wasn’t her dancing at all.  Maybe it was a communication problem.  She doesn’t have good command over the english language and that times she seems stilted and cold.  That usually means the audience wasn’t able to connect easily with her.  I feel bad for her because it wasn’t her turn to go home.  Do you think it was Elisabetta’s turn to go home?

Megan Andrews

It wasn’t surprising when Ron Artest, first dancer on this season’s Dancing with the Stars, was described by his partner, Peta Murgatroyd, as tall and stiff.  He definitely looked tall and stiff as he cha cha’d the stage last night for the shows premier.  

But I was surprised when Rob Kardasian took the floor and I saw potential. Carrie Ann Inaba echoed my thoughts when she claimed there was potential.  Bruno Tonioli declared that he danced like he was under “strict orders to succeed.”  I agree with Bruno too, but I do think he will do much better as time goes on.  

Kristin Cavallari didn’t surprise me because she looks like a dancer and it seems totally possible she can go far in the competition.  She’s energetic and her body seems to want to cooperate  and make the right moves at the right time.  Inaba said “You have the body to ballroom dancer girlfriend.”  

Chynna Phillips didn’t surprise me either with her elegant moves and fine lines because her body looks naturally elegant.  Tonioli said “The talent is there.”

Nancy Grace isn’t endowed with grace and this won’t come as a shock to anyone.  She gave it all she had but it won’t be enough in this competition.  Sadly, Goodman told her “You didn’t have any flair or attack.”

I was surprised the judges didn’t like David Arquette.  Tonioli suggested he didn’t know “what the hell” he was doing. I thought he looked pretty good for a first timer but Carrie Ann told him to “relax a little” so I guess I don’t know much.

Elisabetta Canalis and her partner Val Chmerkovskiy did their best but Elisabetta was more twiggy than free flowing.  They started out in bed but according to Tonioli the dance quickly fell apart after they got up.  

Inaba suggested that Hope Solo shouldn’t “muscle things” too much but what do you expect from the U.S. World Cup goalkeeper?  Anyway, things turned out fairly well for her and she has established herself as a contender.

Carson Kressley and the cha cha turned into a comic strip version of the dance.  Inaba shouted “You are my favorite dance of the night.  You were something else.”  He definitely was something else! 

J.R. Martinez was a crowd favorite tonight.  He’s an Iraqi war hero and an “All My Children” actor plus he is fluid and confident on the dance floor.  Tonioli declared “You’ve got courage, you’ve got a sense of humor and you’ve got hips.”  

All the judges seemed to like Ricky Lake.  She had some beautiful under arm passes according to Tonioli, but Goodman didn’t know what was going on with her feet.  I think she will have a chance to go for a few more weeks.

Chaz Bono announced that he really didn’t want to suck.  And last night when he did the cha cha and he did not!  He was remarkably artistic with good footwork and the best attitude.  I think he will go on for a few more weeks.  I hope so anyway.   

Who is your early favorite?

Megan Andrews

Mending fences at the Emmys was the name of the game tonight for Charlie Sheen.  He started sentences with “I want to take a moment...”  “From the bottom of my heart...”  “We spent eight wonderful years together... “ and “I wish nothing but the best...”  That’s a far cry from when he went on a tear against his former employer, “Two and A Half Men,” saying he had tiger blood, was a rock star from Mars and co-star Jon Cryer was a troll.  On one hand it looks as if he was begging the industry’s forgiveness.  On the other hand he might be looking for another chance in Hollywood.  Maybe even another chance with Two and A Half Men.  After all he has said “there was no dead body”on the episode that eliminates him from the show.   So maybe he hopes to make a come back. Who knows? we can only guess.  Is Charlie Sheen looking for work in Hollywood or is he just sorry?

Megan Andrews

I will miss Erica Rose after tonight’s elimination - up to a point.  The thing I’ll miss is all the off the wall and wacky things she says, on just about every episode of the Bachelor Pad so far.  She started off tonight by telling cameras ” Blake (Julian) doesn’t realize it yet but this is the best thing to ever happen to him (becoming partners with her).  I’m a lot smarter than Holly is and in my opinion I am a lot prettier.  To me she’s really nothing special and kind of annoying.  So Blake just definitely got a big step up.” 

Blake and Erica won a date and they spent the evening at a classy hotel called the Mission Inn.  Bachelor Pad crew set up a romantic dinner for two in the hotel’s courtyard.  After dinner they were given an opportunity to stay over night in the fantasy suite.  Clearly, Erica thought it was a great idea and began pressuring Blake to accept the invitation. She insisted “ I let Blake know I would be frustrated if he wouldn’t have sex with me.  He’s tried being with Melissa (Schreiber) - she was too crazy, he’s tried getting with Holly (Durst).  If he tries getting with me it will be with no strings attached.”  Blake said that Erica is the kind of girl that gets what she wants and he is right - but not tonight. Blake would have none of what she was pushing.  He explained that if roles were reversed and he assumed she would stay with him over night it would be really really weird if he was so persistent.   Seriously Erica, didn’t you hear Vienna (Girardi), “No means No!”

Erica confided “Blake tells me that me telling the girls I was bringing my really sexy lingerie is the same as if he told the guys he was bringing condoms and I agree and I wish that he had!”   Erica has a way of making people feel uncomfortable and sometimes it’s funny, but tonight she was just plain out of line,  It was getting to a point where I thought we might see producers get involved.   What do you think? Did Erica Rose seem like a contestant or a predator?  

Megan Andrews