Thoughts on Mrs Carey's Concert

On Monday evening I sat down to watch Mrs Carey's Concert, the documentary by Bob Connolly and Sophie Raymond. It followed the "trials and tribulations' of Mrs Carey - music teacher at a Sydney girls' school - over two years as she prepared her school's musicians for a concert at the Opera House. Yes, that's right - the Opera House. It was at this point that I began having difficulty engaging with the documentary. I think it was supposed to be a doco about the transformative power of music and the importance of music education programs in schools. That's fine. I'm a huge supporter of both those things. However, the documentary I found myself watching was a story of elitist, privileged and somewhat spoiled schoolgirls a la J'aime King who had no idea of their fortunate position in life. Sure, the music was very beautiful and the technical proficiency and musical ability of the students was impressive. Why wouldn't it be? They had access to wonderful teaching and facilities and didn't question that. The quality of the string instruments they were playing jumped off the screen - no factory made cheapies here. The teaching staff were clearly talented but I almost laughed out loud when they talked about how some of their students go through a bit of a "feral" stage. I don't think they would survive if they actually met a feral adolescent in real life. The sulky teenager we followed who, for some reason, wasn't that impressed that she was being forced to sing a chorus from Aida, was eventually hammered into submission by the night of the big concert at the Opera House. I'm sure she'll hate classical music for the rest of her life. Teaching fail. Where this documentary really fell down for me was that it was lacking in any emotion. I couldn't engage with the protagonists. This meant that while I was full of admiration for the music they were making it didn't move me. It didn't speak to me on the affective plane that music needs to. I've been thinking about it a lot during the week and comparing it to me experience of watching the series featuring British choral conductor, Gareth Malone. During nearly every episode of his work building a choir in Unsung Town which screen recently on ABC2 I was moved to tears when I could see how much difference was made by introducing music and singing into the lives of people who not had the opportunity to engage with it before. If you've ever tried to start a music program in a school from scratch you'll know how difficult it is to build a culture of understanding of music's power into a new environment. Some years ago I got a job a private school where there was no string program at all. It took three years to even have a group in the primary school that could play simple, simple songs mainly in tune. This is the challenge music teachers all over the country face every day as they scramble to be given rehearsal time for choir or orchestra. If they are lucky enough to have the support of the school's administration that makes life easier. If not, then they battle. The give concerts in big classrooms, community centres, school halls, at fetes and other such events. They do not go to the Sydney Opera House as a matter of course. I would like to see a documentary that follows the music teacher doing the country circuit of tiny schools, or perhaps the music teachers who have to fight with the sports departments for funding and precious time. I didn't dislike Mrs Carey's Concert. It was very impressive. I just didn't like it that much.

I'm a Judith Lucy fan

I haven't written much about television for a while. That's not because I haven't been watching TV. It's just that nothing much has been very interesting. This week though there are a few things mentioning.

Angry Boys
This week saw the final episode of Angry Boys. I was crossing my fingers and toes that the legends would not arrive in Dunt for Nathan's going away party. But they did. For me, this broke the tone of the series. I sat through (and enjoyed) 11 episodes of fairly unrelenting dark satire examining the causes and effects of the damaged contemporary culture of masculinity. I was willing the final episode not to fall for the "happy" ending. But it did. I was willing Lilley to finish the final scene with the ordinary party in the back yard at the Sims' farm with no special guests, just Gran and the family farewelling Nathan. But he didn't. I was a little bit disappointed.

Judith Lucy
I'm a Judith Lucy fan. There, I've said it and now you all know. I loved her memoir The Lucy Family Alphabet and will make a point of watching anything she does on television. I quite enjoyed the trip she made into Catholicism and saw great potential in the questioning of spirituality and religion. It reminded me of our Year 7 religious education classes where the poor lady who volunteered to come and teach RE in a STATE SCHOOL (emphasis intentional) didn't get to read us Bible stories because we were too busy asking her how she could prove that God exists.

Friday Night Lights
I've been hearing lots about this program for a while but have never bothered trying to catch it. Quality drama. Yes. American football. Not actually that interested. If I'm home I'll watch it. If not, I won't set the dvd recorder. Also, I spent some of the first episode reading the summaries of each series on Wikipedia so I don't really need to watch anymore at all.

Community
Last Sunday saw the two paintball episode follow ups. They weren't nearly as good as the first paintball episodes. But if you want to watch a smart, American comedy this is the one I recommend. It's better than just about anything else on free to air even when it goes to repeats.

Oh and I have been watching Torchwood. The jury is still out......

@DavetheFish said he was dull

New Tricks has to be one of the most charming and comforting programs on the telly at the moment. Unlike the fashion in most crime dramas there is no blood and gore which is a plus (although that doesn't stop me from watching Bones). However, it is the actors which make it a worthwhile hour of my time on a Friday night at the moment. Amanda Redman is just right as Sandra Pullman, the real policewoman in charge of her three mildly unruly and eccentric retired coppers. Together they are a slightly inefficient crime-solving machine. Although, I must admit these later series are not quite as narratively tight as the early episodes, it's Jack, Jerry and most of all Brian who steal the show every week. Dennis Waterman is spot on as Jerry, the aging womaniser who loves a drink, a smoke and a good time. James Bolam is lovely as Jack, widower and elder statesman of the group. It's Alun Armstrong though as Brian who steals the show. With a sometimes precarious grip on reality, Brian is a computer whiz with a knowledge of all things wild and wonderful, who can join random dots together to solve a case.

Last night's Banksy inspired episode was the usual stuff, but more interesting for the fact that Brian joined Twitter in the opening scenes. His frustration at his inability to condense his morning's activities into 140 characters was delightful, as was his glee when his followers reached double figures - 11. Sadly though, no-one (cast or writers) had much time for Brian's growing twitter addiction and he deleted his @TopCop999 account after @DavetheFish said he was dull. What I was really waiting for was Brian's twitter account to somehow save the day in the investigation of the cold case murder. That would have awesome, and a great trick indeed. Unfortunately, it was relegated to minor, amusing subplot that went nowhere. Perhaps Jerry could join Facebook in a few weeks time. I'm sure that's fodder for plenty of hi-jinks.

The Battle of the Music Quiz Shows Part 2: A Very Specky Christmas

Too much vaudeville and faffing about for me I'm afraid. Did Rockwiz book all the good Australian music guests first? Here are some questions I have:
1. Peter Garrett? - yes I know he is an Australian "music legend" but now he is a politician. Neither did he crack many good jokes and frequently looked a bit bored.
2. Jarvis Cocker - ? Not particularly funny, frequently looked like he didn't know why he had said yes to being on the show?
3.Denise "Ding Dong" Drysdale - Was this an attempt to attract an older demographic? She's mildly entertaining, but really.
4. Hamish Blake - I know he frequently appears to be a smug little bastard but he's very good value on the Spicks and Specks panel and here he was relegated to a bit part playing Jesus. He made the most of it but it wasn't enough for this viewer who has a slightly embarrassing TV crush on young Hamish.
5. Molly Meldrum as a Xmas tree? Nuff said.
6. Brian Mannix as a Gladiator? Nuff said. Except to say that are these ye olde Australian music celebrities so hard up for some publicity that will take 2 minutes on a Christmas special. Answer: It seems yes.
7.What was with the Nativity themed decor? I'm not religious but I liked Rockwiz's broader take on the Christmas theme in terms of audience appeal.
8.Throwing fruit is at celebrities is a game now? At least it wasn't as terrible they made guests throw televisions through a hole in the wall. (If my memory serves me correctly)
8. Why weren't the guy from Tripod and the guy from the Scared Weird Little guys allowed to be on the panel. They're actually musically talented and sometimes funny.
9. We Three Kings as the final song?
10. Why did I frequently have the impulse to change the channel and/or get up and check my emails/facebook/twitter etc? Because sadly for this quite loyal viewer of Spicks and Specks the Christmas special proved the Good News Week theory of television. That is, making a comedy panel program longer doesn't automatically lead to more funny. It can frequently lead to just more flapping about and filler which isn't that funny.

Rockwiz you win this year. Bring on 2010.

The Battle of the Music Quiz Shows Part 1: Rockwiz

Now for all of you out there who like myself have no life and sat at home last night, I hope you were fortunate enough to catch the Rockwiz Christmas Special. Julia Zemiro was her usual rock-glamorous self. She's got quite the knack of improvising with the guests and I find her to be quite witty. And I always like Brian Nankervis in his role of rock overseer. The Rockwiz Orchestra were augmented by a few more players and singers which was nice, and the special singing guests got into the rock-Christmas spirit. With Tex Perkins and Tim Rogers instructing the little drummer boy to get his act together, he wouldn't dare not. Nice harmony Tim. You actually impressed me and I haven't been a fan in the past. What I like about Rockwiz is the way it gets the audience members into the show. Unlike Spicks and Specks, it's music first, comedy second. What I mean is, it's not trying too hard to be funny, it focuses on the music and from that comes both a joy of music as well as laughs and all round amusement. It's fast paced (where SandS can sometimes get bogged down in trying to be funny...I offer for your consideration the game of celebrities playing the mini keyboard). Rockwiz also had the added bonus of Paul Gray with his tinsel covered keytar (or as Flight of the Conchords would say..his "guitboard"). Win.

But we shall see how The Very Specky Christmas stacks up tonight at 7:30. In the meantime, enjoy this, which was a cracking final number sung by Joe Camillieri (spelling...sorry if it's wrong) and his pink saxophone. What a great choice of song for a Christmas special. Sadly, it doesn't look like anyone has uploaded it to youtube yet. You'll have to make do with Elvis.

Me...Unleashed...on John Safran

I'm very excited because I have had an opinion piece published online at the ABC Unleashed website today. I have been keeping very quiet about it because they contacted me Wednesday afternoon and I wrote it that night. Having had a slight debacle the only other time I tried to write an op ed (with a national newspaper publication that shall remain nameless) I didn't want to talk about it too much in case I jinxed the whole thing. But look, it's real and it's on the net. I won't republish it here but will send you to the site with this link.

Friday just became a whole lot better!

What Wendy Watched: Why not Wiggles night?

Pink night?
What???
Here's some suggestions for equally lame themed nights....Britney Spears night, Bros night, Kylie Minogue night, Rick Astley night, Guns and Roses night, Christina Aguilera night, Guy Sebastian night, Shannon Noll night, Skyhooks night (with Red Symons as special guest mentor and judge), Michael Bolton night, Tiffany night, New Kids on the Block night, Wiggles night, Nirvana night, Barry Manilow night, Bob Dylan night (that's actually a serious suggestion), Burt Bacharach night (again I'm serious), You am I night, The Pogues night, van Morrison night, Elton John night, Beyonce night, Queen night, Wham night, Cranberries night, T-Rex night, Velvet Underground night, Cold Chisel night, Madonna night, Jimi Hendrix night, Elvis Costello night, Beastie Boys night, Regurgitator night, The Clash night, ....I could go on....and on.

Nathan: a song I don't recognise..surprise. thank goodness they've got rid of his monster fringe. Ick...little bit out of tune there Nathan darling. Lots of pink balloons...imaginative set dressing. Yes I was bored, but more importantly what do Dicko, Marcia and Dicko no. 2 think? Dicko raving on, Marcia agrees - that's dull. My god they're really talking up this Pink chick. I just don't know if singing loudly automatically equates with angst. But then Idol works by its own special entertainment rules. Dicko no. 2 repeating, repeating, repeating.....

Next....Scott....how's Scott feeling after being in the bottom three? Scott is being very diplomatic about his dislike of Pink. Apparently he really "appreciates" her a lot more now. Good Scott. Are we going to endure these recap of contestant journeys EVERY FREAKING WEEK?
Let's just sing the songs please. I truly haven't heard any of these songs before. And this one made it to no. 1 in the US. That makes me a little bit sad. I'm not taking enough notice to remember what it's called.

Now for Mr Purple Rain, Stan Walker. Seriously, momentarily, Stan has provided the only interesting moment of the series so far with his big crescendo last week. I can't quite imagine he's going to better that tonight. Yes, let's look at Stan's time on Idol so far. Because that's not getting boring at all....Whose stupid idea was it to involve Delta Goodrem in the auditions? Really, Idol lacks credibility from the get go. It doesn't need any extra help in that department. Stan is getting all political with something about the president. Think Stan has forgotten the words slightly...or is it meant to sound like that? Me not being the Pink expert can't be sure I'm sorry. Okay...enough with the "hard work"...lyric fail. Stan stuffed it up apparently. Oh well...too bad so sad. Oh goodness Dicko...please don't liken that to any kind of protest song. IT WAS LAME. Marcia is giving him "props". *Sigh*

(Wendy is feeling a bit cranky apparently.)

Coming up after the break...Kate...

(in other news I am finishing off the last of the chocolate cake)

Right...Kate....singing something called "Trouble". I know let's recap her journey. Just for something different. Because we haven't seen it every other week SO FAR. It seems everyone is learning "who they really are". Such is the power of Australian Idol.

(Wendy is also being unnecessarily sarcastic it seems)

The repetitiveness of these songs is starting to really peeve me." I know let's write a song called trouble, and then repeat that word as many times as we can". Genius.

Nice fiddle playing though. Seriously. My favourite so far...if I dare use the word "favourite" that is to mean I didn't hate it as much as the others. I'm over the judges comments. I feel mine are far more insightful. HA!

Example: Marcia: "TV doesn't lie"....profound yet also not true. TV does lie actually.

Who's next? Little James..Is he 12 or what? Oh yes I'd love to look at the phone numbers. Because I will NEVER EVER ring one. I did vote once on Dancing with the Stars...for Tom Williams. I've learned my lesson. That will never happen again. I'm wasting time so I don't have to suffer James' story once again. I don't think I ever voted for Grant Denyer. Although, he was excellent on Dancing with the Stars. Those were in the good old days when Daryl Somers was the host. Now it's crap. I mean...crappier.

I actually liked James singing Power of Love. In a nostalgic Back to the future kind of way. Not a Huey Lewis and the News fan kind of way. Oh at last, the song. - "who knew?" Not me.
It sounds like he's right off key at the beginning there. But who am I to criticise? Now we;'re set...in the upper register. Lil James is clearly much more comfortable. Backing vocals kicking in. Thank goodness. James just not cutting it for me. Again, flavoured with blandness. Pathetic ending. Surely they could have arranged something better than that.
Marcia...you are WRONG. He didn't do a great job at all. JD...loves watching people grow apparently. In height? I don't think that's happening for James. Dicko - again with the cuteness. Oh at last someone speaking sense...sadly Dicko and I agree.

Stay with us...Mr G is pleading. Okay if you insist.

Kim...She's the poppy one with the matching hair and teeth in whiteness terms. That's twice they've said angst. I am fearful for what this song might bring me. Oh..no...wait...let's see Kim's journey....again...and again...and again.
Family portrait.
At least they're using that nice violinist again.
I think I might be old. These songs lack any kind of subtlety for me, which is annoying because there is place for some of the topics Ms Pink sings about in our contemporary culture.

We're on the downhill run now thank goodness. Only two to go.

But first, we must suffer through some cross-marketing promotional garbage for Rexona. And ads. lots of them.

Mr school teacher Toby. He's cute I'll give you that from the start. But can he sing Pink?? Ooooh the tension and excitement. If he tells us once more how much he misses his class I shall be...well not be sick...but bored at least. I know let's revisit Toby's Idol journey so far. That sounds like an original thing to do. blah blah blah blah blah blah. Just sing it.
Please don't leave me.
Got a U2 kind of backing going here. Yes I can see why this was the last song left after everyone else had picked theirs. Most overused word by Wendy this evening. Boring. Even Toby the Teacher looks bored. Again with the repetitive lyrics "Please don't leave me" x 100.

Marcia ...noone know what you're sayin'... but great job darlin'.... Give me a "g"!

Toby and I are on the same page Pink-wise. He has a "healthy respect for Pink". That's code for..."I don't like Pink".

Last one..Hayley...phew...I SURVIVED.
Funhouse. That sounds like it could be...fun...maybe...oh i know....let's have a recap of the previous six or so Hayley recaps. There's nothing as interesting as recapping. Seriously. Repetition has been the theme of the evening. Oh she's found herself as well. Nice.

The song...I'm tired...and lost for words. See everything written above.

Cue screaming and cheering....thank god that's over.

Bring on Harry connick jnr week.

I'm not joking.

What Wendy Watched: I sing the body electric

Well, here The Spiralling Shape continues its occasional series in which Wendy catches up with seminal dancing, singing, music movies from the 1980s that she has never managed to watch before. Today's topic is Fame (1980).

What's weird about this is that as a young person we watched the TV series Fame well before I encountered the movie. Then one day, not long after my family bought a VHS recorder, we rented the movie Fame thinking it would be similar in tone etc to the television episodes. Big mistake. After half an hour of "bad language" (i.e. swearing) the video was turned off and I never got to see it again until yesterday. I might have been 11 or so at the time I think.

So what a treat to sit down last night and watch Alan Parker's film. (One of my other absolute favourites is The Commitments). Fame was nicely gritty and is certainly is no High School Musical. That's a good thing by the way. I was particularly oblivious to the other songs that were in the film (apart from the title track which is perhaps the most annoying). I enjoyed them a lot even if they seem a bit sappy now (nearly thirty years later). I loved the scenes where Doris and Ralph went to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and the depiction of the difficulties of actually ever making a living in the performing arts. Speaking as one who studied a degree in music long ago, it seems very few people "make it" (whatever that really means) and many, years later, find themselves doing very different jobs to those they dreamed of at age 17. I don't think I'll bother with the just released remake. But here, for your enjoyment is the final song.



Verdict: It has aged more gracefully than Footloose. Next stop...maybe Flashdance. My hopes aren't high for that one.

Thursday Absurdity

Enjoy...

What Wendy Watched: Darn

Glee was a repeat of episode one. Darn.
Now I have to wait until next Thursday at 7:30.

And then I forgot about the Skippy documentary. Darn again.

All in all not the most exciting What Wendy Watched post I grant you.

What Wendy Watched: Dagginess and Joy

The 200th episode of Spicks and Specks was much the same as the previous 199. Dagginess and joy all rolled into one. Just like the Bee Gees themselves.

What Wendy Watched: To San Francisco with Summer Glau

The Big Bang Theory was a delight again last night. The highlight was the boys' train ride to San Francisco in the same carriage as Summer Glau (playing herself). Now I have to admit I haven't watched either Firefly or The Sarah Connor Chronicles but that didn't matter. I laughed out loud. (something which doesn't actually happen very often when I'm watching TV).



Enjoy. If you have to watch a traditional sitcom this might be the one.

What Wendy Watched: Random observations on Australian Idol

1. Why so many vests/ waistcoats? Have I missed a vital fashion moment? I have none in my wardrobe

2. Brush those stupid long sweepy fringes out of your eyes. You know who I'm talking too girls and boys.

3. JD is boring

4. The only way to watch it is to record and then timeshift to 8:30. You get it over in less than a marathon two hours because you can skip all the boring recaps, getting to know the contestants segments.

5. Toby - that Creep was a TERRIBLY song choice. If you can't sing the swearing it's no good. Besides you convinced noone that you were any kind of creep.

6. Not sure why Casey with the guitar got through.

7. If you find yourself reaching for the fastforward during the song you know it's a dud.

8. Rikki Lee is superfluous to events

9. Marcia looked very nice. Pity we have trouble understanding what the on earth she is going on about. "Be yourself darlin' ". That doesn't actually mean anything.

10. That little country music boy James was the best of the lot.

11. Why does it celebrate all that melisma-ing all over the note? Just sing the notes in the centre and stop all the bending, sliding, and all together annoying slipping all over the place.

12. Sometimes it's good to sing quietly. Just a tip from me to all of you. Let's all give that a try next week shall we? Although with Rock as the theme I don't have high hopes.

What Wendy Watched: I liked Detective Sipowicz

Here's my verdict after forty five minutes of watching The Wire.

I like NYPD Blue. Especially the Jimmy Smits years.

Perhaps I could have perservered a little longer but quite frankly I just wasn't that interested.

It seems President Obama and I have different tastes in television. I hope he's okay with that.

What Wendy Watched: Jack get back and pass me my leg warmers if you please

I spent the afternoon watching my 6.99 bargain copy of Footloose. As I started I realised that I hadn't actually seen it before even though if you had asked me I would have said I had (if that makes sense). That song sure is catchy though. And what a fabulously stupid and ridiculous movie it is. Kevin Bacon dances up a storm in an uptight small town community. There's fightin', swearin' and preachin' as well as a game of chicken on big tractors. This last scene is perhaps the silliest in the whole film. Meanwhile Kevin's hair is very spiky and his nose all button like. John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest must wonder what they were doing, while Sarah Jessica Parker is extremely un-Carrie Bradshaw-like as the friend of the lead character, who herself is improbably named Ariel. Is she the Little Mermaid? No, she's just a rebellious teen with 80s curly,flicky hair who falls for Kevin, his dancin' ways, his love of Slaughterhouse 5 and knowledge of Men at Work and David Bowie.

All in all very strange. This is all you really need to see I think.



Maybe next I need to watch Flashdance, then Fame, then Billy Elliot, then Strictly Ballroom and any other movie about dancing that you can think of. Actually, perhaps I should start at the beginning with Fred and Ginger in Top Hat or some such.

What Wendy Watched: Oh yeah. Cool. That was me.

Ah Wednesday. Spicks and Specks evening. There's nothing like a little TV routine is there?

Let's see what fun the SandS gang are having tonight shall we. First we must sit through some boring promos for QandA. Oh and some ABC shop products. I don't think I need the sporting anthems cd really. It does have the theme from Rocky though. No, wait, that's reason NOT to buy it. And no, I didn't miss The Librarians. Well I did. But on purpose. Not a fan I have to say.

Will I have to wait through a news update? Yes apparently. Vet, Hendra virus. Very sad. Economic growth. All fighting to take credit. How very interesting. Earthquake. Sounds scary. Always good to mention a tsunami. I just need to know who does Jenny Woodward's hair. Because it's not doing well at the moment. Perhaps time for a change?

Oh but wait, there's more. Something about Custer. I don't want to reexamine history thanks all the same. They make it sound interesting but I doubt if it is. Midsomer Murders. Dull, but pretty to look at the gardens.

Now surely, the show begins. Oh...but we must have a promo for something about the Exxon Valdez disaster. And ANOTHER promo for The Librarians. Desperation for ratings. Oooo just remembered I recorded The Wire. Apparently it rated well. Might save it for the weekend.

Now FINALLY starting. Lalalalala.

Hello Adam! Guests: Someone we've never heard of from an "indie duo". Dave Hughes - did anyone say overexposure? Paul Gray from Wa Wa Nee!! A comedian...didn't catch the name. Whatever. Amanda Keller lookalike really.
Boring conversation about Eminem.
Way too much opening discussion here. Let's get to the games.

Topics...good. 2000 OZ and 80s OZ.
The Vines...where are they now?
More chit chat. Get on with it. Now to the 80s. The Models - James Freud. Nice.
Gee Chantoozies. Haven't heard them mentioned for some time.
Where does the name Wa Wa Nee come from. Not really very interesting either. This is turning into a really boring episode. Except of course for the 80s mullet action from Paul Gray. At least he has a sense of humour about himself. Ooops. Now we're reenacting Myf's teenage years.

GET ON WITH THE QUESTIONS. (I'm quietly shouting at the TV in my mind. So as not to scare the cat you understand)

Ah the auction question round. Those Kiss cups are pretty cool. But surely the Kiss guitar would be more than the cups. Hmm they got the order totally wrong. Surprise.
And now Elvis items. Oh that jumpsuit is classy. Oh and they're all wrong also. Nooooo.

Backwards played songs. This is fun. Lily Allen, Cher, more faffing about. Bobby McFerrin. These seem suspiciously easy. Jimi Hendrix, John Farnham. Oh You're the Voice. I saw John Farnham in 1990 at the Bundaberg Showgrounds. Support act Daryl Braithwaite. Oh yeah. Cool. That was me.

They're really fond of this mini keyboard playing game lately. Mr Wa Wa Nee is playing for Myf's team. It's quite boring really.

And now for Dave. Cue much hilarity. Because he's really bad. Get it. Oh dear I'm becoming slightly sarcastic of the innocent charms of Spicks and Specks. That was painful. How did they not pick Don't Get Me Wrong? One more to suffer through. Done good.

And now for the final round. Quickfire responses. Woooo. A TISM question. Good-o.

Hmmm. I just don't know if that was the most entertaining episode. But still, better than watching paint dry.Maybe.

Bizarre final musical act. A 10 year old singing Sweet Child O Mine. Junior Australian Idol anyone? Oh she's going for the big bridge as well. Where are her parents? Huge voice though.

Quick turning off The Librarians.

What Wendy Watched: It's your Australian Idol

Thank goodness for the fast forward. Just got through 2 hours of Idol in 1. I'll spare you the revolting song choices and awful stage presences and keep it short this evening.

My picks are:

Tim, Teneille, Toby and Hayley. The rest were all a little bit ick.

And remember to get voting because it's your Australian Idol.

See you next Sunday Orstraylia.

What Wendy Watched: dead good, dead sexy, dead annoying

And now we turn our attention to Australian Idol. I'm proud to say I haven't yet watched the 7pm Project. Am I missing anything?

Mr G is recapping last night's semi final. UGGGHHH... that Whitney impression really was cringeworthy. Such a shame.

The last six tonight. Tim, Kim, Tenille, Ed,Lucie and James. Looks exciting!!!

Last night's six are lined up awkwardly on the stage. That Sabrina is really really tiny. Here we go. Mr G has the big announcement of who are into the final 12.

Sabrina - WOOOOOOOO. That's the crowd.Not me.

Yes she does look like Fran Drescher.

And now...Scott. Good choice. Although Scott looks like he might drop over in shock. Typically inarticulate and genuinely surprised. That's nice. (I'm not being sarcastic)

Bye bye to the losing four.

My goodness Dicko is wearing a bright shirt. Marcia's happy apparently. JD has gone for yellow. Brave TV shirt colour if I do say so.

What the freak is Rikki Lee wearing? I'll leave that question right there.

Looks like Kim is up first. What dross will she have chosen?

Waking up in Vegas. I'm old. I don't know it.
Too shouty for me.But the judges loved it, in spite of Dicko's weird Vamp/Sandra Dee comments.

Now Ed. Oh he's serious, studying music at university. He sang the dreaded Hallelujah in audition. That goes with Nessun Dorma and I will always love you into the "never cover anywhere ever again" bin.

Foreign Land by Eskimo Joe. Not a fan. Let's see what Ed does.
At least it's not Roxette I guess. A bit of microphone stand action. Not a good look.Ick... falsetto screeching. I'm thinking awful. But what do the judges think? At last JD speaks some sense "not a great vocal". Agreed. Now Mr Pink shirt. Dicko's new favourite word seems to be "dead" - "dead good"/ "dead sexy" etc. It's already a little dead annoying Dicko.

Lucie. Beyonce. Oh spare me. This one has a better voice though. And at least she's not running all over the stage. Apparently Lucie needs to "find a destination". Thanks Dicko. Now Marcia is asking a question. Run away.

Next is Tim. (BTW Stan has the big glasses back).
AT LAST A DECENT SONG CHOICE: Signed, Sealed Delivered. Not easy to sing though. Come on Tim. Oh dear,last note out of tune. Noticeably.
And the judges say: Dicko isn't buying it. Harshness. BOOO...Marcia Mrs Nice Lady. JD agrees with Dicko. That's boring. Oh now we're having an argument between Mr G and Marcia about race. Interesting. More political than the 7:30 Report.
"Tricky" yes insightful comment Mr G.

Tenille: SInging...something I didn't understand Mr G say. At last someone who isn't pushing their voice. That was pretty. Marcia liked it. JD gave a backhanded compliment. Dicko taking on the strange comment mantle. Oh so they're asking her to ruin her vocal chords by pushing it. Bad advice.

James is last. Gnarls Barkley. Interesting choice. He can sing. Command of different registers is good for 18. Hey,I sound like I know what I'm talking about. Not sure about the stage presence though. Wasn't very exciting. Dicko liked it. Hmmm. Marcia loved the song. If she says "know what I'm sayin' much more I may scream.

That's it. Wildcards next.

What Wendy Watched: Those camels really are prettied up with ribbons

Running a bit late tonight so I'll spare you the recap of "previously on the Amazing Race". And now it looks like we're leaving the chilly climes of Northern Europe for India. As you may recall (or not) no one was eliminated but the flight attendants were last and that means this week they'll have to do a "speed bump". AMAZING.

Mr Phil Host Man is explaining something about a Russian theatre. He's recapping, the recap basically.

Margie and Luke are first off to Jaipur, India. Apparently they're looking for a clue at a sacred tree. Surely, that can't be too difficult. Tammy and Victor are next. Victor's telling us how fantastic he is. Boring. Tammy is sitting quietly. SHOUT AT HIM.
Jaime and Cara cheerleaders are next- "aggressivity" - no Jaime and Cara - that's not the greatest word. Mike and Mel leave quickly followed by the short stuntmen Mark and Michael - oh and they're brothers as well. I didn't realise that. Nice.

Everyone's at the airport. These scenes are particularly unamazing and repetitive. Back to Kisha and Jen sisters who are just leaving. So the flight attendants must be last to go looking for flights.

All teams flying to Moscow and then to India. Looks hot and colourful so far. Now the usual fight for the taxis.Victor is heading for "victory" apparently. I sense impending doom for Victor. At least I hope I do. Crazy scenes in the taxi car park. Doesn't seem to be any kind of rank. Mike and Mel are having trouble with their driver. Oh nice - he's going to do his best to drive very fast. Margie's noticing that India is "quite different to what we're used to". REALLY? What's amazing about that is that she felt the need to articulate the obvious. Oh now one of the cheerleaders is crying at the poverty. And so's Luke. Emotional, sad, poignant. Come on people, focus. You're looking for a tree. Get it together.

Thank goodness Ad Break time. I can drink my tea.

More taxi driving looking for the tree. Tammy and Victor arrive first to look for the clue. Little twist - a red phone under the tree with the next clue. They use the taxi driver to interpret. Is that allowed? Calling for Tammy and Victor to be disqualified. The rest of the teams arrive at the tree and fail to notice the obvious RED PHONE. Now that is amazing.

Still with the wandering around the phone...oh now someone thinks to look at it. And noone is using their driver to understand the phone message. Not like Victor and Tammy. The taxi drivers are really getting into the race with some wild driving. Amazingly the flight attendants notice the phone straightaway. Just as well because they're really far behind.

Oh Road Block. Care for Camel. Surely nothing can go wrong here. Those camels really are prettied up with ribbons and such like. They must know they're on the telly. Victor goes first.

Ads again already.

Victor's really exhausted. Or so he tells us. The camels are just chewing away waiting for their food and water. Everyone else is arriving now. Now there's just lots of running with buckets. Not sure why Mike and Mel picked Mel for such a physical task. He's suffering. Mike quietly wonders if it was a good idea after all. You think??

Darn it. Victor and Tammy are done and have their next clue. Next they're going to a puppet store.

Flight attendants have arrived at the camels. Meanwhile we focus on Mel huffing and puffing. I'm hoping there's an ambulance nearby.

Here's Livio explaining the weather. 16-28 in Bundaberg tomorrow if you're interested (which you're probably not). He's not in India. He's in the ad break.

Oh and by the way. Don't panic anybody. I'm recording Idol to watch next.

Back to the camel park. For goodness sake Mel get with the water. Now everyone's on to the grain. Mel is the only one bright enough to work out to use the baskets for the hay. The others are using their water buckets. Amazingly stupid.

Tammy and Victor now have the Detour choice: Movers or Shakers. Both look rather dire I have to say. T and V choose Shakers which involves traditional dancing in the street, in costume for money. I do wish Victor would stop emoting out loud.

Oh more of Mel puffing. Because we can't milk that enough. Amazingly now the others have discovered the baskets. About time too. Back to T and V dancing. Mel is puffing away with the hay. Suddenly Mel is in the lead. That's ridiculous. Cheerleaders are next. Then Margie and Luke and Kisha and Jen. So still left with camels Mark and Michael and the flight attendants who have made up quite a bit of time. Or so the editing would have us believe.

There's far too many ad breaks. 8 dollar thongs at Rivers. hmmm. Rivers stuff always looks better on the ads than it does in real life.

T and V are still scrambling for their 100 rupees.They're off to the pit stop. Bum.

Everyone else still has to do the Detour. Mel and Mike are going to dance.

Oh Mark and Michael...I think the rickshaw is a bad choice. The dancing seems a cinch. Good choice Kisha and Jen/Margie and Luke/ Jamie and Cara. What will flight attendants do. OH NO IT'S THEIR AMAZING SPEED BUMP. Decorating an elephant. Well that sounds simple everyone doesn't it?

Tammy and Victor you are Team number One.

Mike and Mel..off to the pitstop. The flight attendants are making the elephant beautiful.Oh Christie and Jodi are their names. The attendants not the elephants. Jamie and Cara off to the pit stop. They're also throwing a tantrum because they've lost their taxi. It's got their bags in it. Now they're shouting at the taxi driver. Clearly they've read up on how to win friends and influence people.

Short stuntmen are still driving their rickshaws packed with tanks. Kisha and Jen are on their way to the pitstop while Mark and Michael stuff up a little more in unpacking the rickshaws. They're looking for a needle in a haystack. Or rather a little silver elephant in a pile of hay. Yes, because that will be easy. Christie and Jodie are up to the dancing already. Oooooh it's going to be close for last place.

Ads: I've never been to Aldi. Now that is amazing.

Mike and Mel you are Team number Two.

Flight attendants have finished the dancing and on their way to the pitstop. Somehow Mark and Michael short stuntmen have found the tiny silver elephant. Everyone is racing to the pitstop. Running, running, such amazing running.

Kisha and Jen - three

Margie and Luke - Four

Jamie and Cara - Five

Oh the suspense - will it be flight attendants or stuntmen in last place.

Mark and Michael you are team number six. Poor Christie and Jodie. They are last. Again. Eliminated.

Oh some crying now. Sadness.

New time next week: 8:30. Be there or miss out on...well not that much at all really.

Amazing.

What Wendy Watched: Idol viewers repeat after me....

Repeat after me....

I will always love you is the pop music equivalent of Nessun Dorma.
I will always love you is the pop music equivalent of Nessun Dorma.

No-one should ever attempt to sing it again - in public or private
No-one should ever attempt to sing it again - in public or private.


Why that lovely little girl Aliqua thought that would be a good choice tonight on Idol I HAVE NO FREAKING IDEA. It was cliche-a-rama. Pity really, because she can actually sing.

Curly haired boy no. 1 Daniel sang something I didn't know. All very pleasant, popsville, and unmemorable.

Then the Whitney/Dolly impersonation which was just awkward and embarrassing for all concerned.

The Jason sang Eric Clapton's Tears in Heaven. That is a very pretty song...I just think again BAD SONG CHOICE for a glitzy competition like this. And what is the fascination with Coldplay? Nicole with red hair sang some piece of blandness from them. I don't like Coldplay. (Can you tell?). They saved the big ones for last. The bricklaying boy who had never sung in public before this....apparently. I hate that hippity-hoppity big cap, basketball singlet look. But I found him really entertaining. And Sabrina, the littlest pixie in the competition sang a big song that Dicko kindly told her could make her a Mardi Gras star. I'm not sure she was too thrilled with that. But she kept smiling anyway.

Oh and through from last night - two huge voices - Ashleigh and Nathan. Nathan had a hat on which hid his awfully big fringe. Oh and Stan had ditched the big glassess and returned to the beannie. However, there were two girls in the audiences in big glasses. Could they be the bunny ears of Idol 2009? Let's hope not.