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This Week In Jesus - Grand Theft Culture Edition

Well, after a one-week hiatus, TWIJ is back and better than ever. The last two weeks, Jesus has been conspicuously absent from both American Idol AND Oprah, but we won’t hold it against them. Another big story that Jesus was absent from was the MASSIVE release of Grand Theft Auto IV. For those of you who have been living under a rock that was under another really big rock that was surrounded by a really high pop-culture-reflecting fence, GTA has been a staple of the gaming culture since 1997 when Rockstar Games released the first edition of the current four (not including expansion packs.) The latest release sold 6 million copies worldwide in its first week, grossing over $500 million (which was even more impressive than Iron Man’s $100 million take!), and the series as a whole has sold over 70 million copies.

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American Idol Results 05/08: Castro Gets Impeached

Read our review of last night’s performances here.

On the night where Castro’s funny, endearing quirkitude might have shined brightest, the dreadlocked one got the boot. From his amused expression during the group number to his quizzical questioning of Ryan - he wondered, “Are you going to tell us now? It’s too early!” when Ryan gave us an ellimination tease before one of the commercial breaks about halfway through the show - he’s never been so funny.

Major kudos to the producer that was in charge of his goodbye video package. They managed to capture Castro’s I’m-in-my-own-world-but-it’s-really-nice-here mannerisms without making him seem crazy, which was one way that could have gone.

While I was sad to see him go, and Idol will be a little less interesting, at the end of the day it was the right time for him to go.

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American Idol 05/06: Top Four or the week David Archuleta solidified his victory

For the first time in Idol history I’m actually totally behind every song choice of the top four as they select from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame songbook.  Absent tonight were awkward song choices, Jason Castro’s mojo, and Paula’s ability to form anything resembling a coherent or relevant criticism.

David Cook heads up the show with “Hungry Like a Wolf,” a song best covered by Reel Big Fish.  Cookie does a decent David Cook version with plenty of growling and mic stand choreography.  Vocally, he’s totally solid, if a little bland with the song.  He does manage to complete my transformation into unrepentant fangirl.  I’m putting IGYPRH’s bro-mance with Cookie on notice.  DC has turned me into a squeeling 14 year old girl and I kinda don’t care.  Cookie also gets kudos with his second song choice of “Baba O’Riley.”  I was actually able to listen to this entire song and not once have a visual of Gary Sinise or anyone else from the cast of CSI: New York.  He puts his trademark spin on it and it doth rock mightily so saith I and the majority of the audience.  He should be smoothly into the top 3.

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American Idol 04/29: Neil Diamond Week - complete with Saving Silverman visuals.

We’re down to five contestants and the best they could come up with was Neil Diamond? I can’t even type his name without yawning or inadvertently ducking rhinestones.

This recap will be like David Archuleta — Short and Sweet.

The contestants get two chances to pick a horrendously bland song for our listening pleasure. Judges’ comments will be held until after the second song is performed…except they won’t and we’ll get one of the best Paula Abdul blunders since the ear monitor bud incident with Michael Johns. When offering comments after the contestant’s first round song, Paula proceeded to tell Jason Castro how he did on both songs…before he actually sang his second song. Classic!

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American Idol 04/22: Top Six Give (Their) Regards to Broadway!

Not since season four of American Idol have we been blessed with a Broadway theme night. What’s that? You don’t remember Broadway night from season four? I’m not surprised. I am a Broadway aficianado and I barely remember it myself. For season four, only certain songs were allowed, and none of them were interesting.

This year, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber replaces Barry Manilow as creepiest mentor to appear on the show, and “guides” the hopeful six to a night of interesting performances courtesy of some of the better and more famous song selections from his song writing catalog.

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Idol Elimination 4/17: Too many Cooks in the Kitchen

Curse you,  Seacrest! I’ve been patiently waiting to use that tag line for 4 weeks and you just had to use it before me.

Idol lost the last of its dead weight tonight with the elimination of Kristy Lee Cook, the unofficial ambassador of the country vote.

On the menu tonight, as usual, were the judges, contestants being emotional (for both legitimate and ridiculous reasons), and both a past contestant and mentor performance.

Of Note in This Elimination:

Paula makes a statement to the scientific and horticultural communities this week with a huge white flower growing out of her neck. That statement? Flowers can grow, and actually flourish, with the aid of an alcoholic and chemical environment.

The final 7’s group sing was the Mariah/Boyz to Men hit “One Sweet Day.” I wonder how many people, if any, will be as “offended” by the song choice as they were last week with the group singing “Shout to the Lord.” In the double standard against Christians, it seems you can sing a secular song that specifically mentions “heaven” and implies that it’s real and will be a place where we’ll see our loved ones again (something based on Biblical principles).

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American Idol recap 4/15: Idol gets Mariah Carey-ed away

Mariah Carey-ed away. See what I did there?

Mariah CareyI have to admit, I went into tonight’s Top 7 Mariah Carey-infused episode fully expecting a suckfest. We’ve had some great examples this season of how bad things can go when song choices don’t work out, and I have always found Mariah to be a little too cliche for my (distinguished, I don’t care if I DO like Rock of Love a little too much) tastes. But thanks to some pretty-dang-solid performances, it was a good night, and definitely interesting. Here’s how it wizent dizown:

First off, David Archuletta again makes a curious song selection. It’s “When You Believe,” which is off of the (actually pretty outstanding) Prince of Egypt soundtrack. Lil’ Archuletta again goes with a religious theme, which is sure to fuel the “David Archuletta is a Christian” rumors (there’s also a “David Archuletta is a Mormon” rumor, although I haven’t seen any actual evidence to confirm either of those, although he IS from Utah…).

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Jason Castro’s American Idol song from 4/8

Israel KamakawiwoIf you’re wondering where the version of “Over the Rainbow” that Jason Castro sang on April 8 came from, here’s the scoop. The guy who did it is named Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, and he’s one of the most successful Hawaiian singers ever. Nicknamed “The Gentle Giant,” Israel (or “Iz,” as he’s also known and as Castro referred to him) first released “Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World” in 1993 on his album Facing Future. It’s been heard in one form or another on Scrubs, and the movies Finding Forester and Meet Joe Black. It charted as high as #12 on Billboard’s “Hot Digital Tracks” in 2004 and according to Soundscan has over 1 million downloads.

More about Israel here.

American Idol Recap 04/08: Are you not inspired?

As with the performances the night before Idol Gives Back last year, this season again gives us “Inspirational” song selections from the eager eight. I wasn’t necessarily inspired to do anything by any of the songs or performances, but tomorrow night is when we’re really supposed to be inspired, so I guess it’s all good.

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Our judges are all present and accounted for, some in body only (and by “body only” I mean, Great Googly Moogly, Paula. I’m a girl and even I can’t avert my gaze from the platter o’ boobies you’re displaying for all in a three mile radius to see). Randy and Simon are on par with their normal wardrobes and Paula is going to be very late for her prom and/or Oscar party complete with the overindulgence of pre-party “refreshments.”

Prepare to be Inspired!

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Idol Elimination 4/2: Goodbye Malubay! Yes, I went with the obvious subject line joke. Sue me!

It took lackluster performances from two of the largest and greatest song catalogues (The Beatles and Dolly Parton) to do it, but America has finally seen the light and cast Ramiele Maluby to where past idols such as Jim Verraros, Corey Clark, and Camiele Velasco have been sent.  To the Land of Reality Show Contestant Obscurity.

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In the bottom three with Ramiele were Kristy Lee Cook (again) and Brooke White.

I’m not sure Jason was aware of what was happening around him, but Brooke White was almost awesomely broken down with emotion.  Like, crazy Survivor jury rant kind of emotional breakdown happening.  What is that about, Brooke?  Snap out of it!

The only surprise in Ramiele’s elimination is that it didn’t happen weeks ago.  I would have much preferred  a few more performances by Amanda Overmyer than have to hear baby talk interviews or try to strain my eyes trying to scale just how short she is next to Seacrest.

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American Idol recap 4/1 - Yeehaw, it’s Dolly night!

Yeehaw, It’s Dolly Parton week on Idol. Dolly, who’s practically my next-door-neighbor, has an amazing catalogue that gives us one of the best all-around nights of the season. It’s interesting to compare how well the contestants handled Dolly’s tunes with the horrific Beatles train wrecks.

Brooke White American IdolWe start off this week with Brooke White and “Jolene.” It’s a nice start to the evening, as once again Brooke has picked a song that her sultritude (NAW) can shine on. Aside from one jerky, somewhat awkward number, of all the contestants Brooke has been the most reliable. Her stylist should get some kudos, ‘cause she’s managed to transform her from frumpy, Mary Poppins wannabe to frumpy hot rock star. Randy says it was alright. Paula rambles about something-something….consistent…emotional connection…something-something…you are Brooke White. Simon totally disagrees with Paula (apparently he speaks Paulanese), and thinks she was lacking emotion, and then says the violin player was weird.

American Idol David CookDavid Cook does “Little Sparrow”, which is not one of the Boobied One’s biggest hits, but once again he rocks it.

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Jason Castro from American Idol leading worship

Am I really about to post a video from Godtube? Wha? Huh?

There’s a common phenomenon in the American Church whereby it looks for people in pop culture it can latch onto and claim. They have staked their Jesus flag in everybody from Sufjan Stevens to Homer Simpson. The newest staking is Jason Castro, who has made it to the top 10 on American Idol with a string of solid-but-not-groundbreaking performances. 

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