Posting daily at 1pm central about all kinds of things. One day it's dating, the next it's TV commercials. I hope you're entertained. Professional photos on SmugMug – https://benwilder.smugmug.com
Dr. Rick is the living definition of “can’t catch a break.” He’s constantly coaching up these people who are so persistent about turning into their parents. Take a look at the ad below where Dr. Rick probably escaped for some me time and yet he’s still on the clock. Poor guy.
I don’t have kids but I bet every parent can relate to this commercial. When I got my first dog, Piper, I remember talking to my sister about the new lifestyle I’d have to be living. I said something like this about the beagle, “What if I need time alone? She’s always around wanting something!” The feeling of constant responsibility gave me anxiety, for sure. But as time went on, we developed a routine and it all worked out. She’s 15 yrs old now and, well, we’re still on a routine. She’s a good pup, although she still hasn’t learned to give me some space sometimes! 😉
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If YouTube views are an accurate indicator of who’s getting the most votes, it’s safe to say Jamal Roberts had the best performance in last night’s episode when he gave us his interpretation of “Heal” by Tom Odell. In spite of the quiet ending, it was SO GOOD. Jamal was the last of the 12 to perform and when I went to text in my vote just two minutes after he finished singing, the text response was that voting had already closed. What gives? So we’re expected to believe that in 2 minutes, Jamal gained enough votes to NOT be in the bottom two when other singers had 10, 20, 30, 70 minutes for fans to vote. Something’s fishy, don’t you think? Even if producers are rigging parts of the show (which wouldn’t surprise me), Jamal is still very, very good and I’ll predict he’ll be in the top 3. Check out last night’s performance…
All along (meaning: in the last few weeks) I’d been secretly thinking Thunderstorm was the one to beat. There’s just this air of excitement every time he’s on stage, reminds me of Iam Tongi from a previous Idol season. It was obvious Iam was going to win… and he did. Is Thunderstorm following in those same footsteps? I had thought so but I woke up this morning with some doubts. A doubt named Jamal Roberts! Maybe he’s peaking at the right time and his popularity is swelling and swelling right up to winning the show. But then again, Thunderstorm can take a song that I’d turn off the radio and turn it into something incredibly beautiful.
And then there’s Slater Nalley. My early choice to become the next American Idol. He consistently reminds me of Jennifer Jeffries (if you recall her from last season). Their tone is similar, that raspy growl is my favorite sound. He did a great job with “Angel From Montgomery” but at the time of this post his YouTube view count (of that song specifically) is in the middle of the pack.
Of course, you can’t count out Gabby Samone either. She was a star last night with her performance of “A Song For You.” My reaction was something like: I don’t know that song but now I love it. She is very, very good.
All that to say, I have no idea who’s going to win American Idol this season. If I had to guess my top 3 at this point with 10 contestants left I’d go with Jamal, Thunderstorm, and Gabby. But who really knows? If you like what you read today, consider a small donation to help me continue posting daily at 1pm…
The judges may sugarcoat their thoughts and reactions after each contestant sings but I am not subject to the same rules. I don’t have a career to worry about like Carrie, Luke, and Lionel so I have not one reservation telling you that the first 15 to 20 minutes were boooooorrrriiiing. Filo and Mattie Pruitt performed but I already forgot what songs they did. John Foster did an OK version of Elvis Presley’s “Jailhouse Rock,” although it was only worth a little more conversation. No one is going to write Love Letters about the first few singers but if they do, expect a Return To Sender. See what I did there? Gosh, Elvis has some amazing songs and renditions. You might as well just fast forward the DVR to Jamal Roberts (@OfficialJamalRoberts) because he is when the show really started.
It wasn’t till he got us all to “Shout” that there was some entertainment value coming from the two-hour episode! Some of the song choices continue to baffle me. For instance, Amanda picked a Michael Jackson song. Awesome!! What will she rock out with, “Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough” or “Man in the Mirror” or “The Way You Make Me Feel”? Any of those would have probably been incredible but we’ll never know because she sang… wait for it…. WAIT FOR IT………….. “I Can’t Help It.” Huh??? Who’s even heard of that song by MJ?
All the top singers proved why they’re continuing to the next round, including my favorites Slater (@SlaterNalleyMusic), Thunderstorm (@ThunderstormArtis), and Jamal. I swear Thunderstorm makes me like songs that I didn’t like before he sang them. Confession alert! My official pick to win is Slater but secretly I think Thunderstorm is going to be the next American Idol. But Jamal is so great, too. Actually, the show gave us a scare as they narrowed 14 down to 12 and when there were just a few contestants left with 2 eliminations still to come, Jamal was in that group! Maybe they’re just stirring up drama because Jamal must be one of the top singers in regards to votes. Especially seeing him carry both daughters right after his performance. How can you not vote for this guy!?
Going home without a rose this episode was Amanda (wrong song choice) and Desmond Roberts, who might’ve finally proved that voters don’t care about runs and high notes as much as they do connecting to the song. We don’t just want to hear something, we want to feel something. I didn’t feel anything with half the singers in this episode.
I have no idea what the blueprint is for tonight so maybe 2 more will be eliminated or maybe they’ll introduce a judge save? One thing is for sure: Lionel will say “I love it!” mid-performance, Carrie will gush over all the talent, and Luke will look over to the judges with a bewildered expression at least 13 times. Oh, those silly judges.
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Someone recently commented about the iPhone ad below, “Apple sure likes picking goofy looking people for their ads.” As goofy as the ad is, flexing or posing in front of cameras is something almost everyone does. I’ve seen it in the gym, I’ve seen family members doing selfies by the thousands, and out in the general public people want that perfect pic. It’s just how things are now. Unless you’re my friend Zac who (at the time of this post) hasn’t ever taken one selfie. Dude, that’s an incredible streak! Check out the commercial then scroll down for a few more thoughts…
Editing photos is nothing new but the ability to do it with one touch is pretty incredible. I can’t verify the quality of the function because I don’t have an iPhone. Just like my buddy who doesn’t take selfies, I won’t ever have an iPhone. Nothing against them, they’re great phones. I guess a long time ago I decided iPhones are a popular trend and therefore I will never do it. Call me a contrarian. I like to stand out a little more, even if it’s just in my own goofy mind. So then, you might be wondering which phone I have? Take a guess and I’ll give you one hint… it folds.
Well, gee wiz my hint kind of gave it away, didn’t it? I’ve had the Flip 4 for a long time now and I’m almost due for an upgrade. I like the idea of disconnecting (which was part of the draw of the Flip 4 and its small outer screen). The Flip 6 has a giant outer screen which sort of defeats the purpose of ever folding the phone closed as a way to disconnect… but… I still would rather get that phone than the “goofy” iPhone.
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Is there anyone having more fun in the music industry than Benson Boone? For a guy that dropped out of American Idol and since then has beamed onto the national stage, he sure seems to be having a mystical, magical time! Such is the case in his new lyric video (it sort of seems to be a concept video, too?) for “Mystical Magical.” Check it out then scroll down for the scoop…
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream. But the thing is, Moonbeam Ice Cream doesn’t exist. The horror!! Benson was most likely going for a certain, elevated feeling of love and I guess it’s so good it hasn’t been invented yet. Kind of like the Beach Boys song, “Kokomo.” Not a real place but the song lyrics go on about a tropical paradise where we can get away from it all.
Nevermind that a girl I went to college with insisted that Kokomo was a bar in south Florida and I tried telling her the bar was named after the song. Who was right, we may never know. But Benson fans are in a tropical paradise with his consistent song releases and his acrobatic front flips on stage.
Maybe moonbeam ice cream is like when you make a Coke float using freshly fallen snow. It’s a rare but special moment and can only happen when the stars (or snow clouds) align. If you like what you read today, consider making a magical donation to my site to help me continue posting daily, thanks for any and all mystical donations!!
Out of the Wilderness 