LucidDreamer

Ack! My stupid DVR cut off the last minute or so. What happened after Charles came home and talked briefly with Gabrielle on the porch? Was there a final scene beyond that?

Hahah. I write "cozy" (actually not entirely cozy) mysteries (as Victoria Gilbert) and my 30 something main couple definitely has sex. NOT on the page, of course, and I can't be too blatant about it but it's heavily implied and pretty darn obvious. My editor did make me change one scene in one book, where she said I went "too far." But I can definitely indicate that a couple had sex -- just not show it. So not all "cozies" are that tame. (But Hallmark definitely would not film my books because of that, probably).

I watched the pilot and... I'm out. It was Every. Single. Trope. from YA scifi (and some fantasy books/shows too) all whirred up in a blender with dollops of "pretty young people" but sadly missing the seasoning of a decent script or good acting. I love some quirky genre shows (Siren, among others). But this is just the blandest blandfest that ever slouched onto screen.

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Couldn't help but wonder if giving the woman the name "Laura" was a nod to the famous film with that name -- where a man falls in love with the portrait of a "dead" woman. First thing that popped into my head, but then, I'm a classic film fan!

Halfway through Kennedy's final performance I told my husband -- "Kennedy doesn't care if she wins -- this is just a showcase for her, which probably will help her get a deal outside of the Voice." Because she almost said she didn't care about winning when Carson asked her that question (JHud jumped in to stop her from saying that), and also, I just felt that she was simply trying to show that she could do the whole "pop star" performance thing. Which she can, so that's all good. But I don't think she's focused on winning now -- she was just showing she could do Broadway (the Wiz performance) as well do the pop princess dancing and singing stuff. (If she really wanted to win, she would have sung a big, emotional, ballad for the final song. JMHO). I bet Kirk will win, which... Well, I like him as a person, but I find his voice less and less pleasing the more I hear it. He tends to go flat, for one thing. And since the blinds, his voice sounds more and more strained to me. He may do fine in country once he gets away from the competition pressure, though. I hate "Sweet Home Alabama" with the fire of a thousand suns, so I just left the room when Chris did that. He's okay, but as someone said -- only in a "good band singer" way. He's not a stand-out solo performer. Chevel has a great future in country music, I think. Not a big fan of that genre, but I can see the potential. But if she wants to become a "storyteller" singer she needs to learn to enunciate. I honestly cannot understand half of her words.

Speaking of something being off -- Reagan not only sang horribly last night (I've heard fighting cats sound better) but she also looked... traumatized? Something happened to that girl somewhere along the line, around the time right before she was "ill" and could not sing. Maybe she had a severe bout of anxiety or something? She seemed like a different girl than the one who started in this competition. She was staring blankly into space and looked practically catatonic last night. I think somehow the experience has not been a good one for her -- perhaps she really is just too young/immature to handle the pressure. (Sure, Kennedy is young too, and Chevel, but they don't seem as affected by the nerves). It's no fault of hers if that's true. She may just not be cut out for such a competition at her age. But her demeanor last night was very troubling to me. Looked like someone who'd shut down due to anxiety/trauma/depression or something.

I agree about the extremely young contestants on all of these competition shows -- they tend to be over-praised because they are "so young" and doing what they're doing, rather than on pure talent. Some are talented, but many would never make it through the competitions if they were older and their ability was being judged, not their precociousness. It always makes me remember an old saying -- "like a dog dancing on its hind legs." It isn't necessarily that the dog can dance WELL, the wonder is more in the fact that the dog can dance at all. If I think a young performer could stand on their own against older performers, REGARDLESS OF AGE, then I'm ok with it. Otherwise -- I hate the propping up and pandering to the youngest contestants. (I mean, a young Judy Garland could out-sing most older performers, but there are very few children with that level of natural talent and emotional maturity).

I am a published author. I started out in YA Fantasy and scifi, but switched gears at my agent's suggestion (after a bad experience with a YA publisher). I write mysteries as Victoria Gilbert. My experience with publishing has included some heartbreak, but I have found my genre now and have a great agent and publisher, so I feel very blessed. Hang in there -- it can be a tough business, but if you keep working and learning and if you are determined to see your books published -- it can happen.

Mostly underwhelming, and I like some of these singers. I thought Sarah Grace was good, but I'm afraid she'll get bumped for Chevel "cut-rate Dolly" Sheperd. And on a shallow note -- some of the outfits tonight... wowza. I'm all for theatricality, but there were some color combos that definitely did not flatter. And when I saw Chevel I thought, "somewhere, some grandma's sofa is missing its slipcover."

Could it have been more obvious that Adam wanted Jake to advance over Natalie? Choosing that song, and arrangement, totally gave Jake the edge. Natalie did a great job with what she had to work with, but that song choice totally negated her real strengths. If I was her, I would've been pissed. I think Kelly and JHud had worked out that Franc and Zaxai choice/steal ahead of time.

Shameless plug for my critique partner -- Lindsey Duga. Her debut YA Fantasy came out in July, and it is a standalone. It is fun, with romance but no sex scenes. Lots of adventure and some good fighting scenes. Title is: KISS OF THE ROYAL and it's published by Entangled Teen.

I think the finale would work a lot better if the mentors allowed the final two contestants to choose their own menus. Sure, they could help them perfect the processes ahead of time, but why have the contestants basically act like puppets, instead of showing what they've really learned about good taste combos, etc. along the way? Sarah was basically screwed by that dessert (esp. the "plating" of it) -- which was not her idea. Sure, she may have lost anyway (and I really didn't care which one won) but it just seems unfair.

Shocked -- and pleased -- that America got it right this time. I would've been happy with any of the top 4 winning. It was such a relief to see the "pimped ones" voted off before the top 4 -- the judges and producers need to take some lessons from Shin Lim if they want to improve their "sleight of hand.". But I hope they don't, because I'm happy to see the voters ignore the blatant manipulation and vote for better, more talented contestants.

All that build-up for Michael Ketterer and then... all I could think of was Peggy Lee singing, "Is That All There Is?" He really blew it last night. Which doesn't mean he won't win. But that was not good, and I've liked him (a teensy bit) before. I'd be fine with Shin Lim, Zurcaroh, or Brian King Joseph winning. Or even Glennis Grace. But it will probably be either Ketterer or Hadwin, and I will be supremely disappointed in America's vote, once again. (Also, neither of those acts will have any staying power. But I know, I know, AGT is really all about the TV show. It's the most meta of meta-doms).

So... everyone brought their "D" game.

Ugh, cannot stand Courtney. I mean, I'm sure she's a fine person, but the last thing the world needs is an (poor) imitation of Janis Joplin and other greats from the past. I just cannot see what in the world she would do going forward as an actual performer. Certainly no radio play -- maybe a Vegas lounge act. But it's all so manufactured and fake... I grew up in the late 60s and 70s and I really resent some young chick co-opting REAL talent and emotion to create some fake persona just to win a talent competition.

Mel was right <excuse me while I recover from my faint of astonishment> -- That children's choir was off the beat or something. Anyway, the rhythm was off and it felt sloppy. (I never felt that way about them before, so I was surprised). Maybe the sound production had something to do with it because wow, did that stink last night. I'm always amazed that they can't get the best sound people in the business on these shows (American Idol and other reality shows have this issue too). Are they all working for big name touring bands or something?

Like others, shocked that both Darius and JayJay were sent home. I guess the blatant bus-chucking of Darius last week did him in. (He is a beautiful dancer and I hope some really good company scoops him up. JayJay needs to head to Broadway, where his jazz skills will be appreciated properly). I like Hannalei and Genessy well enough, and yes, Jensen is adequate in whatever they throw at her. But she's NOT outstanding or memorable, yet I've had the feeling all season that she was the Chosen One. But with 3 girls in the final four to split the vote, it looks like Slavik might take it all. I don't dislike Slavik but he is definitely NOT on the same skill level as the two guys eliminated last night. And the judges were driving the granddaddy of all buses over him too, so while he might win, I still think the judges/producers are pushing for Jensen. Interesting that Nigel made a very pointed remark, saying this show was for "favorite dancer," not "best." Which it is, of course. But I think that was to hedge their bets because for some reason Slavik is running away with the votes. (Oh, what am I saying? Of course he is! He's young and white and "cute-ish." Blergh.)

Elizabeth George. I loved her earlier books in the Inspector Lynley series but then the series just went off the rails for me -- WITH NO ONE AS WITNESS was the first death knell, then WHAT CAME BEFORE HE SHOT HER sealed the deal. Haven't read one of her books since.

GaT -- They promise a lot of action and adventure but it ends up being mostly romance and sex. Nothing wrong with that, in the right book, but it is overdone in these series IMHO. Also, everyone is gorgeous and perfect and... Lots of purple prose and overly dramatic scenes. No irony or reflection whatsoever, but lots of angsty breast-beating and over-the-top love scenes. I don't know, maybe I'm just too cynical to enjoy such a style. :-)

I just legitimately want to know WHY people adore Maas' books so much. Seriously, I don't get it, and that makes me feel like I'm somehow missing something. Hey, it's fine if people love books I don't particularly care for, but I would love to know from people who DO adore her books WHY, because I honestly don't see the reason why they entrance readers so blasted much. (I can see how people love some other books I don't really enjoy -- like I don't care for horror, so I won't like must horror books, but I can understand why someone who likes that genre would truly love certain books). Someone please explain the adoration of these books to me!

My UO is that I cannot stand Sarah J. Maas' books. I really have tried to read them (the different series too) but... nope. Yet she is considered a "book goddess" by so many people and her fans are totally devoted, so I guess it's just me.

There is something about Courtney that seems so... inauthentic to me. I'm not saying she isn't actually shy, I mean it's like she's just robotically copying Janis Joplin and others, rather than actually emoting. As if she is using the whole "rocker chick" schtick as a mask so she can perform, rather than actually performing what SHE feels. I'm surprised Simon isn't calling her karaoke, because to me that's what she is. (A good version of it, but still an imitation). When Janis Joplin performed, you knew all that was erupting out of her soul. I just don't get that from Courtney (and I do think a young person CAN have that much emotion/soul, I just don't get it from this one). I much preferred Amanda, but I guess she doesn't "got a gimmick" enough for the over-the-top praise.

I've figured for a while now that Christian is the designated "winner." If anyone is a "chosen one," it's him. (Don't ask me why). Manny will come in second and also be given chances to appear as a judge or whatever on various FN shows. Amy's just there to be snarky in the talking heads. I can't stand that Prairie woman -- she just rubs me the wrong way for some reason. Maybe it's because she always seems so fake.