I’m weighing in the morning after only because I love the songs from the era of the “British Invasion,” and because Lulu has to qualify as the most awesome mentor/coach American Idol has ever spotlighted. She had bite, she had a point, and I can’t wait to hear her sing tonight. No fast-forwarding through that one. LaKisha ignored her advice at her peril. (Seriously, Diamonds are Forever? When Goldfinger was probably an option? Awful song, forgettable performance. Simon Cowell, as usual, was right. Sounded like the encore on a PBS pledge special.)The songs alone made this my favorite American Idol episode of the season to date, and the fact that most of the singers raised their game (with a few notable exceptions) also helped. Biggest shock: Stephanie, who fumbled a Dusty Springfield classic with sloppy execution (health issues to blame?) and minimal passion (no excuse there). Even Haley’s Nancy Sinatra-style strutting to Tell Him was better than that. Watchi...
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SUPER BOWL XL: EVERYTHING ELSEWell folks, I'm here to cover everything besides the football. The commercials, the entertainment, still more commercials — just think of me as a food critic who's more concerned with the side dishes than the main course. (Mmm, mashed potatoes.) And away we go.
Preshow and HalftimeStevie Wonder and Friends — the friends including John Legend, Joss Stone (so sexy with the bare feet!), India.Arie and a whole mess of dancers — treat us to a head-bopping medley of classics, from "Superstition" to "Dancin' in the Streets." Wow, it's nice to see a Motown tribute done by artists with a vested interest in the genre — as opposed to the annual soulless, badly choreographed version we get on American Idol. The national anthem proves a little tough for me to get through, not because Aaron Neville
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