Comments by Miranda Wicker (Page 8)

176. Glee Review: This Is How You Do It

     5/9/2012 7:39 AM
     
     Gah! Continued:
     
     Everyone regressing to shades of their former selves was nice, too, because these are supposed to be high school kids on the brink of graduation. It makes sense to me that they'd go backward just a little right at a time when they're supposed to go forward, out of fear or uncertainty or just plain immaturity. They're not adults yet who are all self-actualized and grown. I bought it.

177. Glee Review: This Is How You Do It

     5/9/2012 7:38 AM
     
     Hey guys! Glad you liked this week's episode as much as I did!
     
     @Mladen--An episode can be awesome and not be perfect. That's why it got a 4. I liked "You Don't Know You're Beautiful" better than "Dinosaur," actually. "Dinosaur" made me think the only reason the theme was Dinosaurs was so Brittany could sing that song, which makes me a little grumpy. Pick songs that fit the story; don't write the story to fit the songs.
     
     @Sky--Finn IS a nice guy, deep down. I don't think he would've assaulted Quinn, nor do I think his attempt to force her to stand up bordered on it. She was out of line by garnering the sympathy vote when she knew it was a lie and he called her on it and tried to make her stand like he knew she could. Was it right? No, maybe not. But neither was Quinn.
     
     Everyone regressing to shades of their former selves was nice, too, because these are supposed to be high school kids on the brink of graduation. It makes sense to me that they'd go backward just a little right at a time when they're supposed to go forward, out of fear or uncertainty or just plain immaturity. I bought it.

178. American Idol Results: The Fabulous 4

     5/4/2012 12:21 AM
     
     @xmeg--I did catch that, and I tried to piece together what Jimmy meant. Now that you've commented, yes, Phillip has been sick during this competition. I know they've talked about kidney stones and how he's fought them during the season. Perhaps he's sicker than they've let on and he's asked them not to discuss it, or the producers have asked Ryan not to talk about it? Just grasping at reasons here, but yes, he has had some illness.

179. Glee Review: When Good Shows Go Bad

     5/1/2012 11:23 PM
     
     @Max, I did say, at least twice, that this episode felt like a throwback to the old days of the show. And truly, it did. But it left me longing for the old days of the show more than it renewed my faith in the current writers.

180. Glee Review: When Good Shows Go Bad

     5/1/2012 11:20 PM
     
     Hey y'all,
     
     No need to bash on Matt. There's a new reviewer in town for Glee. I do, however, share a quite a few of his sympathies regarding the nosedive the writing has taken this season.
     
     I'm bothered by Beiste's SIDE story because it should've been just that. A SIDE story. Kurt and Rachel SHOULD HAVE been the sole focus of this episode but, once again, the writers tried to do too much in one hour. One of the things that bothers me about Beiste's story and the interaction with the students is that the lines are all blurry at McKinley about just what, exactly, are normal student-teacher interactions. I can assure you that this isn't it. Had that story only involved Sue and Roz, and maybe Will, sure. But not the students.

181. Scandal Review: Declarations of War

     4/27/2012 8:52 AM
     
     I haven't done quotes for the episode yet, but I really, really want to quote Cyrus' entire monologue. From top to bottom, the entire thing was flawless. The delivery, the lines, everything. Perfect. Quotes are going to be hard this week!
     
     As to my comment in the review about the procedural aspect, I don't think it should be ditched solely to focus on the White House, but I do think that it gets a little heavy-handed when the procedural is a mirror of a character's life. It would be like Brennan or a member or her team (Bones) learning some big life lesson with every murder they investigate. I will, however, concede upon rewatching that perhaps a story about a woman who wanted to leave her husband and couldn't was necessary to spark Abby's confrontation of Olivia.

182. Glee Review: It's Not Right, It's Really Not Okay

     4/25/2012 8:45 AM
     
     I really, really need more than however many characters we get here to even begin to say all of the things I want to say about this episode.
     
     1) I think the Joe/Quinn thing was set up as good as it could be knowing he only has 5 or 7 episodes. However, I hate that they are basically using him as a Christian stereotype but that's because I watched The Glee Project and saw him latch on to that essentially to win the competition. He was the second choice for this character after the first crapped out over some on-screen flirting.
     
     2) I wish they'd just lined up the cast and let them sing for an hour without any attempt at developing the plot because what they gave us were just sad attempts at moving the story along.
     
     3) Will is trapped in high school. When he's in scenes with Emma discussing their future, he acts like a petulant child and I want to slap him.

183. The Vampire Diaries Round Table: "Heart of Darkness"

     4/20/2012 5:06 PM
     
     1. I'm a total fangirl. The Damon/Elena make-out. Hot!
     
     2. Damon and Elena. The only thing that would've made that kiss hotter is...well, nothing.
     
     3. C-. She summed some things up for Jeremy and said a lot of what some of the viewers have been thinking, but I would've preferred the "she makes Damon better and he challenges her" to come from an actual conversation instead of what was basically a voice-over since Jeremy wasn't allowed to speak in the car.
     
     4. Jeremy's no Varsity athlete in three sports like his good buddy Tyler, so that's not surprising. Caroline seems a little sentimental, so yeah, I'd buy that she'd keep the drawing. Which leaves us with C--Mama Original inhabiting Beks' body.
     
     5. As long as her mother's not in her body, yes. I like Claire Holt and I like Rebekah. I think Matt and Rebekah could be great together. If Esther's still got her body-snatched? Then it's just creepy.

184. American Idol Results: The Top 6 Are...

     4/20/2012 1:33 PM
     
     @Steve T--Elise isn't in the poll because I created the poll after she'd been declared safe. I could also claim "sleep deprivation" from having a two-week old, but the first reason is the best reason. Basically, I just didn't think about it.
     
     As for why they cry when the announcement is made each week, I'd imagine it's a little bit of "Wow. My friend is leaving" and "Wow. I'm not leaving." Both would be tear-inducing, you know? One out of sadness and one out of relief.
     
     I'm still kind of shocked Colton went home. :/

185. American Idol Review: A Couple of "Perfect" Performances

     4/12/2012 8:09 PM
     
     @farsia2010--perhaps it WAS that so many of these songs have made their way onto Glee that made them strange.
     
     @Steve T--it deserved a 1, but like you, I agree that she's gotten the short-end so far in terms of what she's been told to do. However, she's consistently been told to get out of her own head and she just can't do that. It's her night to go.
     
     @Terrie--I'm tired of the non-constructive comments, too. Give them something they can work with! Make them better!
     
     @blu--nope, not kidding! I had a baby Monday night! I agree with you RE the duets. They need to find a balance if they're going to continue pairing the same people together. Otherwise, totally unfair, even if they aren't technically judged on duets.

186. American Idol Review: Time After Time

     4/5/2012 7:37 AM
     
     As for my criticism of Jessica, I consistently state that her vocals are fantastic but her total performance package is a talent show or pageant. If choreography can be taught, she needs a teacher. Otherwise, she appears to be a shoo-in for old-school Mickey Mouse Clubhouse circa the late 90s. Which brings me to DeAndre.
     
     Comparing DeAndre to Robin Thicke or Justin Timberlake isn't exactly a fair assessment. Thicke started as a songwriter and has only recently (in the past 5 to 7 years) achieved success as an artist. He was around the industry long enough before becoming a performer to learn what would work and what wouldn't. And it's interesting to think of where Timberlake would be without having been on MMC first. DeAndre is neither of these two and Idol isn't MMC. DeAndre is too young and inexperienced to compare him to Thicke and Timberlake since this is supposed to be a launching pad directly into the spotlight. He's not ready.

187. American Idol Review: Time After Time

     4/5/2012 7:33 AM
     
     I fully concede that I have no idea why I gave Hollie a 3 last night. I'm going to blame it on the fact that 1) she went between Elise and Jessica and 2) I write immediately after their performances and try to go back and catch things that need to be changed during edits and before posting. Even without rewatching, I know the 3 is wrong.
     
     I'm consistent in my criticism of Joshua. He can sing. He can perform. I gave him a 4/5 and put him in the top three of the night and have done so repeatedly despite the fact that I don't always like his performances. To say that I'd like to see him try something different isn't much to ask, I don't think.
     
     (continued)

188. American Idol Results: Down to 8...

     3/30/2012 9:05 AM
     
     @Not Rude Steve :) -- I agree with you that it'd be nice to know exactly how many votes each contestant received so that those of us who are pulling for a certain contestant can see exactly where s/he is ranking in the competition. It would be a great "new" thing to add. I don't even know that results like that would have to be posted until the night of the results show. Seeing that a performer like Phillip received less votes than DeAndre would surely get people voting. Of course that scenario about Phillip and DeAndre is hypothetical because if I saw that, I'd know for sure that America had lost its mind completely.
     
     As for Phillip, yes, his songs sound the same, and yes, he, like Skylar, needs to show a different side to himself. He can pick the Bluesy, classic rock numbers and slow them down a bit and still be true to himself. But I'll love him even if he doesn't.

189. American Idol Results: Down to 8...

     3/30/2012 9:01 AM
     
     @swannie--Overconfidence IS a problem. Yes, Jessica's a good singer. She has talent. However, she doesn't have as much talent as she thinks she has for her age and that's where her overconfidence comes out. She's very talent-show/pageanty in the same vein as Brielle Von Hugel and that won't make her a star. She shows no humility and that's off-putting.

190. American Idol Results: Down to 8...

     3/30/2012 8:58 AM
     
     @Terrie--I think you're right. The judges can only use the save up until a certain point in the competition. I think they're saving it for something like what could've happened last night. With Skylar in the bottom three, it could've been her. I think they would've saved her.
     
     I do think Skylar needs to change it up a bit. I have no problem with her singing country, or taking a pop song and making it country. She's clearly a country artist. But she needs to show more range within that genre. Country can be slow, too.

191. American Idol Review: Whole Lotta Love

     3/29/2012 8:50 AM
     
     @Lorrie--you're most certainly NOT alone in the thought that the judges are being far, FAR too nice. The only truly negative comment I heard last night is noted in the review and was directed at Hollie. Otherwise, our lovely panel spouted rainbows and sunshine all night long.

192. American Idol Review: Whole Lotta Love

     3/29/2012 8:35 AM
     
     @Bruce--Just to clarify, Skylar is my favorite of the other girls in the competition who are her age. Elise is at least 8 years older than Skylar, Jessica, and Hollie and Elise's age shows positively in that she understands who she wants to be as an artist. Skylar does, too. Jessica and Hollie are talented but seem to me to be playing at being stars like this is a high school talent show. Elise is my top favorite girl.
     
     @ Terrie--I think what hurt Colton's performance for me is that I DO know that song. And I LOVE that song. And he didn't really have the big moment that makes that song so powerful. DeAndre most certainly did better in the trio.

193. American Idol Results: Movin' On Up To The Top 9

     3/23/2012 3:28 PM
     
     @ Rachel--Heejun is Korean.

194. American Idol Results: Movin' On Up To The Top 9

     3/23/2012 3:27 PM
     
     @ Steve--My personal facts are my argument, just as your personal facts are your argument. Neither of us is being dishonest.
     
     Of course I want someone who has vocal talent, and no, Heejun doesn't have more vocal talent than Erika. Or DeAndre, for that matter. And yes, I do want an artist who can sing and who also has a story to tell, but I think we can both agree that there are many, many artists out there who don't have the vocal chops Erika has who still sell millions of records. Will Heejun be one of them? Not a chance.
     
     But still, contestants have to leave. Heejun going home this week would in no way guarantee that Erika wouldn't go home next week since nothing has been shown about her that the audience can latch onto (aside from her vocals) when this industry is, as Hilfiger and Jimmy both said, also about image. Personality is part of that image.

195. American Idol Results: Movin' On Up To The Top 9

     3/23/2012 10:41 AM
     
     When I think about what I want when buying a record, I want a story. I want a singer or an artist or person whose story moves me. Someone with whom I can connect. So while this isn't a personality contest, personality matters. Connecting with the audience matters. Being memorable matters. Erika has shown almost no personality since Vegas and I truly remembered nothing from her performance on Wednesday night except her hair cut. I know virtually nothing about her, and maybe that's the fault of the producers and editors. In fact, we should probably blame this elimination squarely on their shoulders.
     
     I do think that Heejun needs to (and will) go soon. He said himself last night in what I think was an honest moment that he's not here because he believes he will ever be a star. He just wants to do what he can while he can.
     
     The bottom line, like J.Lo said, is that someone must go home EVERY week and yes, sometimes that will be a singer who can really sing.

196. American Idol Review: And So It Goes

     3/22/2012 10:24 PM
     
     Terrie, my review for the night is up now! Today was my son's 3rd birthday so we had family over and I had to wait until after they left to watch and review! I'm actually not surprised at all by tonight's results. Heejun may not deserve to be here vocally, but he's connecting with the audience in a way that Erika didn't and wasn't. That's what's keeping him around at this point.

197. American Idol Review: And So It Goes

     3/22/2012 12:52 PM
     
     Sorry, y'all! I totally meant Whitney when I said Celine in regards to Jessica Sanchez' performance last night! That's been fixed. Though "I Will Always Love You" is totally the kind of song Celine Dion would nail.
     
     As for Heejun, he is far from the best contestant in the competition. In fact, he may actually be the second worst vocalist currently on the show. But what I like about him is that he's quirky and funny. His humor may not be for everyone, but different strokes. I don't think he's long for the Idol world, though.

198. American Idol Review: So Many Years, So Many Ballads

     3/15/2012 9:13 AM
     
     @Blu, I can enjoy each contestant in their given genres even if I don't enjoy that genre of music, but AI is about discovering a "star." When I think of "star" in today's terms, I think of what's going to be played on a Top 40 station, and so far, only a few of these contestants are that kind of star.
     
     @john, oversight, I guess? I liked her performance more than I liked Josh Ledet's, but Josh is a shoo-in for Top 3 tonight and Elise probably isn't because of where she performed in the line-up.
     
     @Wondering, Endless Love may have come out originally in 1981, but a lot of the contestants were singing covers. Jessica's number is originally from 1976, but was made famous in 1995.

199. American Idol Review: This Time Could Mean Goodbye

     3/8/2012 4:44 PM
     
     @Terri--I'm not sure why, exactly, aside from the fact that we're different people with different opinions. His performance was rocky until the very end, and by that point, it was too late to recover. I like him and he's likely safe this week, but that wasn't his strongest performance.
     
     And @poppysmom, maybe that's it. Jessica lacks...something. She doesn't seem authentic or genuine to me.

200. American Idol Review: It's A New Day

     3/1/2012 2:55 PM
     
     This just seems like such a smaller stage than the one they perform on. Last year the band was above the stage and the judges were further away. I remember the semifinal rounds being on a smaller, more intimate stage, like this one with final rounds on a bigger, more open stage in an auditorium that seated many more people.
     
     As for the Shannon/Jessica rating, yes, Shannon's song was terrible. TERRIBLE. But she sang it well. And I probably should've given her a 3 or a 3.5. However, Jessica has a problem with enunciation, so part of the time, I can't understand a word she's saying even if she has the potential to be vocally stronger.