Ok, first things first.  The Capitals have made this the most stressful season ever….they were ahead two games to none….and then they lost the next three.  Last night they were on the brink of elimination.  Against the Pens <hissssssssssssss>, in Pittsburgh <hissssssssssssss>, and the game went to overtime.  AAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!  Of course we won.  Because the Hubby’s play-off beard has grown out to the point that he looks like a Sherpa.  Heeheehee….Game 7 is tomorrow night.  We have to beat the Pens.  We have to.  I hate that team with such a passion….

Anyhoo…last Wednesday was go-time for the Idolers.  Ryan was wearing a black suit and tie….looking dapper as usual.  He tells us that 64 million votes were cast.  Holy crap.  That’s a lot!  You people really care about this one….then he says hi to the top four.  Randy is wearing red, Kara is wearing black, Paula has some snakeskin thing on and Simon looks exceedingly comfortable in his normal black t-shirt.  We start off the filler-fest with the Ford music video horror show of the week….in which the kiddies looked like creepy paper dolls.  Running around in 2-d and for some reason this made me think of Nightmare on Elm Street….I don’t know why.  But it gave me the eebie geebies. 

Then the kiddies sang – School’s Out.  Slash on guitar, in his top hat.  Looking a little old which of course makes me feel like the crypt keeper again.  The guitar sounded great, the kiddies sounded ok.  Ryan talks about the summer tour for the eight billionth time and then he talks to the kiddies….like we care what they have to say at this point.  Kermit is surprised he’s there, Drama loved this week, Ironman watched his performance back and thought his scream was hysterical, and Red was proud of herself for talking back to Simon.

Now it’s time for the first performance of the night….which was Miss Abdul.  First though AI felt it necessary to do a little video montage of the life and time of Paula, so that anyone who didn’t know would understand how ridiculously successful she has actually been.  It’s kind of nuts when you think about it….she’s so clearly out of her mind….and yet…..she’s sold like a billion trillion records.  <shaking my head>  She’s singing ‘I’m Just Here for the Music’.  Well….not really singing.  She is dancing, and the dancing is great.  The song is a little annoying…but she can really dance.  Total fluff, kind of cheesy, exactly what we all expected.  But undeniably Paula.

Then we get a performance from No Doubt and the oh so adorable Gwen Stefani.  She’s just precious.  And such a rocker chick.  I think she’s great.  They sang an oldie, I’m Just  A Girl.  And they, along with the entire population of musicians on the planet, are going on tour this summer.  They’re doing it kind of backwards, going on tour to inspire a new album. 

Ryan explains that the top three will get to go home next week anyway, for the star treatment.  You know, the parades, and the key to the city, and all that nonsense that they eat up with a spoon.  If I went back to my high school town with this kind of hoopla surrounding me….it might be cool.  But it might require decades of therapy to get over too.  Ok, so bring out the four.  Ryan is going to announce the first safe one.  It’s Kermit.  Chris with a K.  Kind of a surprise….but Seacrest did say they were announcing them in no particular order.  I like Kermit, I’m glad he’s in the finals. 

Back from the break and it’s time to hear Mr. Chris Daughtry.  The one, the only…..if any of you don’t know, I am totally in love with this guy.  And he still looks great.  And their band is coming out with another album….which I will definitely be buying.  He’s singing No Surprise, the first single.  YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY.  It’s great, but who cares.  He is so easy on the eyes….5 million albums sold of the debut.  I have one, by the way, in case anyone wants to borrow it. 

The second person safe is…………..Drama.  Yeah, we knew that.  It’s down to Red and Ironman.  Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, Ironman is safe.  Awwww….I think I would have been sad either way, but it’s too bad for Red.  Danny boy seemed genuinely surprised, surprised I guess that anyone could forgive him for that horrendous scream.  So we watch her Idol journey with her, and then with tears rolling down her face Red sang again – Cry baby.  Good job girl.  You have nothing to be ashamed of….you have your whole life ahead of you.  And a great career, no doubt.

Later gators,

Heather