Recaps, commentary, highlights of your pop culture favourites and mine! Email me: timmybopper@yahoo.com

 
Yeah.. so I tried posting my Canadian Idol recap in the CTV Message Board Forums but I don't think the little kids on there appreciated (or understood) my sense of humour. Not even 5 minutes after posting my review, there were three comments reading the following:

"Where do you have the audacity to refer to Kaleb as 'the black'?!"

"You're so mean to make fun of the kids like that! I was one of those people who got pushed to the ground when waiting in line for an autograph!"

"I see this is your first ever message board post. I hope it's your last."

 
Ouch. I seriously almost cried. I haven't been bullied like that since grade three when I got into a fight with Ted Peterson during third recess. So I responded:

"Relax people, relax! I'm being sarcastic! It's called sarcasm. Did you honestly think I would actually make fun of cripples?!"

 
Then, I got this:

"Guys, I've reported this guy and he's going to be edited."

I decided to delete my post.

You all know that I'm just joking around when I write stuff like "damn cripple" and "wish they were dead" right? I'm not that mean! I swear to god. Those kids who dissed me up on the message board - now THEY are mean!

 

posted by Tim at 1:21 PM

 
You Shall have no Idols before Canadian Idol

I am so cool! I just spent two hours at a Canadian Idol taping surrounded by screaming ten year old girls and their mothers. Boy did I have a good time! (wait.. that sounded really wrong...)

The night could not have started out more wrong. I had given myself an hour to get downtown (normally a very acceptable time window) but unfortunately for ME, someone had a terrible car accident and clogged up the highway! Can you believe it? Of all the days to get in a pile-up they choose the day that I'm rushing to get to Canadian Idol! If I ever find out who was involved in the accident, they are SO dead!..... unless they already are.

ANYway... I finally make it downtown and head into the Metro Toronto Convention Centre when Canadian Idol is filmed. I don't know who was more nervous - me (ready for my closeup on national television) or the performers. Judging by how sweaty my palms were and the fact that I was literally trembling with excitment, I'd say it was me.

Unfortunately for my career (and my ego), our tickets were for three seats in the back corner. None of the TV cameras filmed there. I tried to reach over and stick my hand into one of the shots, but all I got was a dirty look from the 70 year old grandma who I pushed out of the way to get at the camera. What?!

As for the actual show - Jacob is a freak! But such a funny, clever and endearing one! I could not believe he put on his Justin Hawkins outfit and had the balls to sing David Bowie of all people. While we're on the subject, did you notice how he kept his hand uncomfortably in front of his crotch the whole time after? He's got balls I'm tellin' you.

I liked Elena and Theresa, but Kalen, Kalan, Kalin. I don't know how the heck to spell his name but this guy is the real deal. "He's such a pretty boy," commented my friend Monica, who on a related note decided to randomly yell "BENNNN!" and "YEAHHH!" on more than one occasion. The thing about Kalen is that he's a reluctant superhero. He's shy, not cocky; unassuming, not made-up. But he's got such a pure voice and he lets that do the talking. (Plus according to my other friend Emily, "he's got such beautiful eyes and long lashes! Yum!") Kalen is going to be the Canadian Idol.

The rest of the show was good, but not as good as last week's edition. Kaleb the Black is not that good but for some reason, the judges keep praising him. I don't like how he keeps doing the runs. And his face looks like he's got the runs. I suspect that the judges are afraid to diss the only Black person in the top 10 and so they keep resorting to the "you're soulful" line, which if you think about it, is in itself such a stereotypically "Black" line to use. I'm still waiting for Farley to pull out a "big up my nigga" or something really ghetto like that.

The most exciting part of the show was after the show itself was over. Emily and I said goodbye to Monica at the exit and then somehow made our way back into the theatre to try and get pictures/autographs with the Idols. This was also about the same time that I gave up trying to pretend I was cool. After seeing the huge crowd of kids lined up for autographs, I decided to just stand to the side and let Emily get at the Idols herself. Let's just say when Emily wants a picture with her "sweetheart" Kalen Porter she doesn't care who the heck is in her way! Let's also just say that there were a lot of little kids pushed to the ground with bruises on their face.

Joshua (I straightened my hair) Sellers was there too but no one noticed him so he took to hanging around Kalen's fans convincing himself that they were also there to talk to him. He did the whole "look around and wave to see who wants your autograph" bit followed by the "act cool and smile even though no one wants your autograph" bit. Josh then heard some screaming and decided that his "fans" wanted to hear about his hairstyle and his outfit and his performance. But he soon realized that the girls were not screaming for his attention, but rather screaming for him to get the heck out of the way so they could keep looking at Kalen. (Trust me, it's hard to describe but Joshua Sellers came across REALLY cocky!) Josh's dad was overheard trying to sell off his son's autograph on ebay. These people have had less than ten minutes of airtime and they already think they're stars.

I tried getting a picture with Elena Juatco, if only to please my Filipino nanny, but some disabled kid in a wheelchair was totally blocking the whole line! Retard! I just about tripped when he started backing his wheelchair up. I swear I could've fallen and not been able to walk for like a whole week! Of course the CTV producers were more than happy to get him autographs from whoever he wanted. He is so lucky he's crippled!

As Em and I were leaving we spotted Shane Wiebe standing by himself in a corner without much fanfare. Having spent the show sitting in a corner without a camera on me, I felt his pain. So we decided to feign a "good job tonight" and take a picture with him. I'm pretty excited about that because if Shane wins Canadian Idol I can say I took a picture with him! Okay, that's so mean. He's totally not gonna win.

So that's the recap of my night. Thanks to Monica and Emily for coming with me. No thanks to the cameraman who failed to notice my television-ready face and outfit. And no thanks to the fat black woman wearing the moo-moo who blocked my view the entire show. My prediction? Manoah is going home tomorrow night. Sweet dreams.


posted by Tim at 11:05 PM

 
Hot is the new fetch. (Take note Micah).

This is according to the princessess of popular lingo, Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton, who have officially re-introduced "that's hot" back into pop culture. I can not get enough of watching The Simple Life 2 and I've taken to downloading episodes I've already watched, just to catch it again on my computer (That is the reason why Paris Hilton's name came up on my search engine.. I swear!) Nicole and Paris have been using the "that's hot" line so many times and yet each time they use it, I feel like giggling in excitement. Somehow, when they say it, it sounds so much trendier... and so even though I thought saying "hot" was very early 90s, I have welcomed the tiny 3-letter word back into my vocabulary. I used to think "hot" referred only to good looking people or mamas, but apparently it can also refer to people and places and animals and well, bascially anything that is eye-catching and noticeable. Hey, if Nicole and Paris like it, so do I!


posted by Tim at 1:09 PM

 
Wow. Ever since I wrote about my appreciation for the coolness that is Devon Soltendieck my hits have totally increased. So uh.. in the interest of self-induced (and self-absorbed) popularity: Devon Soltendieck, Devon Soltendieck, Devon Soltendieck!


posted by Tim at 10:19 AM

 
Wow. Wow. Wow. Most awesome Canadian Idol show ever. Well... most awesome second half of Canadian Idol show ever! The first 5 performers in the top ten sucked majorly (Is it just me or is Joshua Sellers the Canadian Justin Guarini? Bad voice, bad hair and all? And Shane Wiebe is not ga-.. single? He has a wife?!) And just when you thought he couldn't be more annoying, Ben Mulroney was totally yelling the whole night! But as soon as Ricky Martin.. oops, I mean Jason Greeley took the stage it was ON. On like... well.. like.. it was just ON!

I was so scared that Kalan Porter would be a Joshua Sellers repeat of a Justin Guarini repeat (bad voice, bad hair and all?) but he was SOOOO good! He has this shy-guy thing going on as if he's unaware of just how good he is, but then he turns around and delivers the most famous rock song of all time - perfectly. Do I even need to mention the blazer with jeans look? Or his Justin Timberlake curls? He's going to be the next Canadian Idol. I've said it here first.

Tina Fey, I mean, Theresa Sokyrka was exactly how the judges put it - captivating. Singing a Jann Arden song is tough b/c Jann is the toughest, most biting critic you will find. But I'll bet even Jann was hard pressed to find anything mean to say about that performance. She's pretty too, in the aforementioned Tiny Fey way, but did Ben really have to say that he finds her hot? Eww. Too far Ben. Too far.

And then Elena Juatco. Let's just say my filipino nanny just interrupted my blogging to ask me for Elena's voting number. If the words Mikey Bustos mean anything to you then you just KNOW the "Flips" will be hardcore dialing Elena's number tonight. I'm glad she learned to control her "wild Christina antics" (as my friend Gerry puts it not so nicely) and put together a nice, mature performance. I think her "kooky-ness" puts off a lot of people but if you pay attention to her singing, you'll see she's got a great voice.

As for Jacob Hoggard... the CTV cameras panned to a person holding an "I love Jake" sign as judge Jake Gold was speaking. But I'm pretty sure the sign wasn't directed to him. Jacob is so freakin' weird (emphasis on the FREAK part) but yet so oddly enduring. His performance was by far the funniest thing I have EVER seen on an Idol show. And I've seen William Hung. I've downloaded She Bangs on my computer. But Paul Anka? It took some guts to sing an oldies song but it did it and made "old school" cool again.

I have so much more I can write about, like how I thought there was only one black person in this competition until I heard Brandy talk (what is she? French? Half black? Fat?) or how Zack quoting Simon Cowell is bad enough without referencing Cowell by name.. but alas.. I shall contain my exciting comments till next week... Because next week, yours truly is going to be ATTENDING THE CANADIAN IDOL SHOW!!! Whoa.. calm down Tim, calm the heck down.

Until next week...


posted by Tim at 9:37 PM

 
Managed to catch the encore of "Trading Spaces - Inside Out" and I realized how much I've missed the show. I started getting bored and slightly mad when they kept showing crappy episodes with Edward and Kia and (shudder) Rick, but the special brought back my favs Gen and Laurie (and the others) for a behind the scenes look.
 
I have to say though, that Hilde TOTALLY was bragging about her place in "Paris." She's so Celine Dion, having married an old French guy just to get at his money! He looked about 80. He doesn't speak English and she cannot speak French (even her attempt at "bonjour mademoiselle" was lame) so I don't see how their marriage works... He can't like her because she's pretty because let's face it, she looks like an aging dominatrix. And he can't like Hilde for her personality because let's fact it, she acts like an aging dominatrix (Plus she totally flirts with Ty and Carter!). And he can't like her for her designing "skills" because if you recall, this was the woman who put hay on the walls. And feathers on the walls. And flower petals on the walls. And cardboard on the walls. And wine labels on the walls of a minister's home. Oh mon dieu!!
 
Oh they also showed Frank with his... are you ready for this?... WIFE! Yes Frank has a wife which officially dispels any rumours that he is gay. Edward on the other hand was interviewed with his "girl best friend" which officially cements the fact that he is gay.
 

posted by Tim at 3:19 PM

 
Saw Cinderella Story... shut up... don't laugh... It was SOOO good! I said shut up...
 
On a teenybopper movie scale, I would rank it above Freaky Friday, slightly above From Justin to Kelly (another - and I kid you not - must see!) and just below Mean Girls. Sure the plotline was sappy and predictable, but the writers employed some really original and funny secondary characters who totally raised the entire movie. Hilary Duff and Chad Michael Murray (who is engaged to my 2004 second semester crush Sophia Bush.. lucky bastard!) are really bad actors who are only popular for their cuteness. But the other cast members were so cleverly cast and really entertaining to watch! It didn't help that I sat in a theatre full of nine year old girls who routinely "awwww-ed" and "whoooo-ed" whenever Hilary and Chad were together on screen, but still, a great movie!
 
I swear I'm going to get the DVD when it comes out and by that I mean I'll search for it at the fake DVD shops at Pacific Mall in secret next weekend. Hmm.. while I'm there I should seriously consider investing in those suddenly popular, adjustable "see-lai" tinted visors too to hide myself in shame... I said shut up...
 

posted by Tim at 3:11 PM

 
I'm scaring myself.  
 
It was cool when MuchMusic hired their new VJ, Devon, a few months back because he was exactly the youthful, intelligent and well-dressed spark the station needed (people swear that Rick the Temp is like late 30s!) It was also cool that Devon came from Montreal... home of, as you all know from meeting me, youthful, intelligent and well-dressed people. I was really impressed with his musical knowledge and the way he actually knew about the bands he was introducing. Plus, his whole blazer with jeans look only served to re-affirm that what I was wearing was indeed in style. So it was pretty cool last month when I nearly ran him over in Kensington Market. As you'll recall from my old blog (that shall remain unspoken of), I was driving down the narrow streets in Kensington Market when an obnoxious and unattentive punk decided to cross the street right in front of my car. That "punk" turned out to be Devon and so, deciding that it would be the closest "celebrity" encounter I would ever have, I decided to forgive him and let him pass. I also decided that Devon was pretty cool to hang out in Kensington Market and, judging him solely on the superficial (appearance), he was close to replacing Ryan Seacrest as my TV idol. And then I decided that Ryan could be my American Idol and Devon could be my Canadian Idol.  
 
Okay, before this post turns into a seemingly affectionate profession of love for a MuchMusic VJ (a male no less), lemme explain why I'm starting to scare myself. Last night I went to the Nelly Furtado concert (shoot.. this post was spose to be my Nelly Furtado concert review post!) and blah blah blah she was really good, perky, got the crowd going blah blah blah. The highlight of my night came after the show when we were filing out of the Molson Amphitheatre. I heard a familiar voice beside me and turned around to see Devon and Jen Hollett from Much walking RIGHT beside me! It was cool to see them in their "natural" habitat y'know? My friend Vanessa convinced me, however, that it was NOT cool for a 21 year old to go all paparazzi on them and so I just admired from a distance.  
 
Hmm... I decide that Devon is my new TV idol and then I see him TWICE in a month? That is freaky... and kinda exciting!.. but freaky...  
 
Ok. Shoot. I swear to god I am not a psychotic homosexual. Please tell me you can read my sarcasm into this... otherwise I may have to start a new blog again if you know what I mean... I just think that it's cool to have guys that can be smart and stylish at the same time, young and mature at the same time and pop and punk at the same time. It's unique. And I really look up to people who can pull it off. That's the extent of my admiration for Devon... and Ryan... (quick think of a hot girl's name to insert, think of a hot girl's name to insert........... aww damn it).  
 
So that's the story of my Nelly Furtado concert. And why I am unintentionally becoming the official Devon Soltendieck stalker. Now I shall go hide my face in utter embarrassment for blogging this post.      
 
 
 
PS> Nelly was really good by the way! Not a "spectacle" per say, like Britney, but a lively performer and someone who really connects with the audience (See the hysterical flag-waving and fist pumping sing-along of "Forca" for example). Her song arrangments mixed in everything from hip-hop (she did the forever cool "Get your freak on" remix) to salsa to rock to folk and lyrically, there was not a single sappy love song. So kudos to her for her artistry and for actually writing songs with substance. Highlights included hearing people sing-along to my fave, "Try" and the heartfelt "Picture Perfect," where she showed off her range and added a welcomed intensity to the performance. Check out more from Nelly Furtado HERE. 
 

posted by Tim at 2:44 PM

 
You just knew something was gonna happen didn't you? Reports have revealed that Christina Aguilera is GOING BALD! Poo poo on her for doing that huge hair in the Lady Marmalade video!

Read about it HERE

Wow. I'm just full of good stuff aren't I?

posted by Tim at 11:46 AM

 
As if the Michael Jackson story wasn't weird enough already... the mother of the boy MJ allegedly abused got married yesterday to a U.S. Marine whose last name just happens to be Jackson. But the freaky part is that now, the mother's married name is Janet Jackson!... whoa.

Read about it HERE

posted by Tim at 1:19 PM

 
Whoa. Did anyone see that? For Love or Money just ended it's first episode and THIS GUY started crying! He was on the show for all of like half a day and he's getting all emotional?! Fine he got eliminated, but still, it's only a reality show and the girls weren't even that hot! (Take blonde bimbo Andrea for example, who feels the need to pronounce her name An-DRAY-a for some reason) So Snuffles got cut because he picked Andrea over Rachel and the majority of guys somehow preferred Rachel. "I just want to be a good husband to someone," he weeps. "I just want someone to love..." (insert crying here) Yikes. Reeee-al manly. Pick the money girls, pick the money.

posted by Tim at 9:19 PM

 
"Jasmine Trias is going to be on North Shore tonight!!!" I excitedly tell all my friends. "I can't wait!!!"

She was on for like 3 seconds. I'm not even exaggerating. Here are the exact two lines of dialogue that constitued her "scene":

Jason: Miss Trias, nice to have you here. The whole island is so proud of you.
Jasmine: Thanks.

WTF? Talk about misleading promos eh? Give the girl a break. Give the girl a storyline.

Now that I've vented about not seeing enough of Jasmine, I've got to say, I can't get enough of Amanda Righetti! (I know her new North Shore name is "Tessa" but I'm still gonna call her Hailey) She looks so different than how she looks on the OC, but hey, I'm not complaining. Hello Amanda Rrrrr-ighetti!

posted by Tim at 9:10 PM

 
To the person who found this site while searching for "Ben Mulroney SUCKS!" - I like you. I could not agree more. We should hang out.

Why no one is searching for "Canadian Idol SUCKS" is beyond me. I don't understand how Becky Abbott didn't make it to the top 10 OR get a wildcard spot. Here's hoping Liz Titan will take it home next week. Can you imagaine - she's Black AND francophone! If that's not the most un-Canadian Canadian Idol I don't know who is! She's gotta be in the top 10 if only for the controversy alone!
posted by Tim at 12:08 PM

 
Is it sad that I've been addicted to watching Family Feud starring the cast of For Love or Money 2?

I loved Erin and Chad together! And dopey Wade and creepy Eric are there too!

Yeah... it is totally sad...

posted by Tim at 1:47 PM

 
Is it sad that I want to make Nicole Richie my new best friend? She is SOOOO funny! Paris Hilton just prances around and pouts her tiny lips now and then, but it's Nicole who delivers the zingy one-liners and provides the most entertaining moments. You really hafta pay attention and listen to what they say under their breath to really hear all the jokes. Like when they found out they were living on a swamp and Nicole said "Damn it I'm wearing white!" Oh man... too funny...

And is it just me or is Paris really really sickly looking? Wrap her up in a white towel and I swear she'd look like a mummy. And I don't mean "hot mama" either.

Nicole on the other hand has got some hot stuff... and by "STUFF" I mean her photo spread in the latest STUFF Magazine edition. Plus she's so much more friendly and appealing than Paris dontcha think?

So Nicole - call me!


posted by Tim at 11:34 AM

 
Something is wrong with Canadian Idol.

We have Quasimodo singing "Beauty and the Beast" and a BBG (boring black guy) singing god knows what. The judges can't find the words to describe how bad they were. The audience cringes. Even Ben Mulroney's "good job guys" sounds forced (and that's saying a lot). Yet somehow the performers still think they're really good. They better not get voted into the top 10 tonight.

Becky Abbott on the other hand totally captured my attention. I was so captivated by how a brown girl could have such a white name! Oh and she sang really well too! Man... she totally outclassed the field of little kids. She better get voted into the top 10 tonight.
posted by Tim at 11:30 AM

 
Didn't shed a tear for the tear-jerker movie The Notebook. But man did I get teary during Spiderman 2! The intrigue between Mary-Jane and Peter Parker did me in I'm telling you! Whew...

In other news... Happy Canada Day to everyone out there! In honour of our home and native land, here are a few great new Canadian artists to check out:

Kyle Riabko - think young and funkier John Mayer with a touch of Issac Hanson

Keshia Chante - after her two big singles "Shook - The Answer" and "Unpredictable," Keshia's finally got a CD out! (Personal note: She's definitely not the most talented black R&B singer out there but heck, Canada ain't gone none so we'll take who we can get!) Check out her song with Foxy Brown!

Shaye - remember Kim Stockwood? She sang that song "Feels like I'm 12 years old?" Never mind... Well she and a couple other talented Canadian songstresses felt like their solo careers weren't progressing so they started Shaye - a whispery, tuneful band that is reminiscent of Irish-band The Corrs! Check out their song "Beauty..."
posted by Tim at 4:52 PM