Padma

Yes, well, that's what Asia Argento said after he killed himself. No one else has said that, Bourdain never indicated anything like that. His crew and friends have described him as besotted with her, completely in love, and he said that himself. The week before he told someone (mother, Zimmern, I can't remember) that he was the happiest he'd ever been because he was in love. I think she just didn't want to take responsibility (as usual, but in this case I can't really blame her) and didn't want the hate that would be directed at her by all of Bourdain's fans, world-wide. So she and Rose McGowan gave her that "excuse", even though it doesn't really add up.

Everything I've read makes me feel he was very happy and so in love -- until that final week when Asia Argento dumped him. He wrote before that when his first marriage ended he felt like committing suicide then. I think he was that guy -- very emotional -- and he couldn't handle it, plus just a few days from his birthday, feeling old, watching her cavorting around Rome with the new young boyfriend. It makes me sad, because I can't stand her, but he thought she was his "soul mate" and --imo-- just snapped. I had to read Margaret Atwood's poem "The Siren Song" the other day and really thought of Borudain. re: Kenya. It seemed so like him to ask, "Where would you like to go?" and boost another show by going out together to Kenya. Fun to see Tony as the "fixer" for a change. But so sad. And there aren't a lot of people you can say, "No one else can do what he did." .

So shocking and so sad.. It's terrible to think about the effect on his daughter, at ll. His mother said he was the last person she would have thought would do this, although he's talked about feeling depressed before--engaging in reckless, semi-suicidal behavior when his first marriage ended. CNN had an excellent evening on Friday with Don Lemon (who had his own memories of Bourdain and at times was near tears). He talked with some close friends of Bourdain's and said several times he wanted to keep everything honest and real because that was how Tony was, on and off camera. Today I read that Rippert did not actually find him. They were meeting every night for dinner and morning for breakfast in the hotel that week. Bourdain disn't show for dinner Wednesday, but --while unusual-- Rippert didn't think anything much about it. But on Friday, he didn't come down to breakfast either, or answer his phone. That was when Rippert contacted the front desk. It was the receptionist who went up to the room and found him (in the bathroom. He used the belt from the hotel robe which the police said made them feel it hadn't been preceded by planning, was more of an impulse. Rippert told Bourdain's mother that he'd been down all week after filming. I'm sure he knows much more than he's saying but Bourdain was his best friend and I doubt he'll share much more than he already has. He certainly affected a lot of different people's lives--from that 92 year old ND reviewer of the Olive Garden whom he encouraged, to a c cooking project in DC where ex-cons were being trained as chefs. The 92 year old said she didn't understand "what he did and wanted to do" but found him, in their hours-long talk--"a very, very warm person" who was more interested in asking about her life and experiences than in talking about himself.)

They must have liked Windom a lot to have him appear first as Sam, one of the guilty, then return as a regular. Same for the man who played Mort. They're both two of my favorites--such good actors--so I'm glad they did that. (To me, the change from Amos to Mort and the handyman--Claude?--to Seth was an improvement both times.) I like that Andrew Stevens one, too. Again, the acting, because he's perfect in that part--including the creepy subtle change at the end. It's interesting how Jessica deals with people she doesn't trust. Her scenes with him, including the close, were some of AL's best. Good guy, bad guy, she's always the one who sells it and keeps your interest even when the writing is weak.

I liked that one and thought it was very creative, letting us see how Jessica dealt with a pretty strong case that Frank had cheated on her in Korea. Lots of good acting in that--giving him the benefit of the doubt until she couldn't, her pain, her dignity and kindness to the "other woman" and how, no matter what, she always wants to do the right thing. (Glad it didn't turn out true--and she was very gracious. I'm of the "Bitch, please!" school.) I like the Dixie Damsel mystery too--a crewman found shot to death inside when, at long last, they found Frank's plane. I liked how he wasn't the captain (Dale Robertson brought a lot of personality to the part), and it was easy to imagine him and Jessica as a nice young couple. And I like that he sold real estate and she was an English teacher, like the average couple next door instead of the world famous writer she became for most of the show. I always like it when they bring in their backstory.

I'd be up for Stephanie and Katy to take over MJ, even though that would give Steph 3 shows, lol. (I can't see her a.m. one, but enjoy the one with Velshi). Can't imagine M & J covering this wedding and being as fun. (And I don't like Katy, who seems kind of stuck up, but Stephanie really loosened her up. And I thought it was so cute how dressed up Stephanie was for the occasion, including fascinator. And when they shouted to Meghan and fan-girled out over her waving.) What were Joe and Mika like at Kate and Wills wedding? I imagine Mika saying nothing of interest and Joe cutting her off all the time to criticize a monarchy. I'd love to see Ruhle and Tur try taking over a week of MJ. I think they could have a better rapport with the regular guests, too--plus, both are a zillion times more knowledgable and better journalists than M&J. Maybe M&J will take a honeymoon for a month and let that happen. (Also, I've heard Mika call Meacham "the soul of America" three times now. I know he's got a book, but it's not actually that cute after the first time.)

Thanks for the iTunes updates--always appreciated! (Also knowing the songs ahead, esp. here on the W. Coast). Now, for something negative... I like Kelly a lot like everyone does. She's fun, brings new energy and seems like a sweet person. With a good song (i.e. not that horrible new one) she has a great voice and presence. But jeez, when she comments on singers from other teams, she sure wastes a lot of time saying a whole lot of nothing--and at length. A couple of weeks ago, even Alicia seemed a little impatient as Kelly ate up tons of airtime babbling exuberant over-the-top nonsense about Alicia's teammate. Just throwing that in. Otherwise, I enjoyed the performances--and some amusing little moments (llke Jackie butchering the melody of the Whitesnakes song--and having the original artist right behind her to tell her what it REALLY was supposed to sound like, lol. Shades of Annie Hall.) I liked all of the duets, surprising how much better several of them did with them. As for Pryor, I ditto Sugar's post. I loved him in the beginning, before I realized he wouldn't change it up. I thought Blake would help him, but sometimes Blake's -too- respectful of an artist's style. I think this is one of those times. I would rather see Kyla and Rayshun as final four (with Britton and, I guess, Pryor or Kaleb) than Spensha and Brynn.

I don't know her reasons for choosing him. But if you're right and she chose because she felt he was the best talent and most deserving off the opportunity to advance based on his ability, then I'm with her 100%. I always think the "game" aspect of this show is its weakest element, mainly a way to draw in viewers. The main purpose, imo,, and what distinguishes it from AI, is as a showcase for talent and a chance for people to improve their career opportunities in music. So I always want coaches to choose people based on that, not on thinking "This one's popular/cute/will bring votes." I usually don't agree with their choices and apparently my musical taste is out of the mainstream, but I like the sincerity of choosing teams based on talent not popularity.

I thought Gary went too far, even for Blake, and that was why he made it clear that the singers chose their own songs for this round. Easy for him if Austin and Gary don't advance. I think his team will be Spensha and Wilkes. I'm sure he'd like to give Pryor a boost, but he just doesn't bring enough vocal variety to his song interpretations. Good sound for what he does, but kind of a one trick pony. The other two will seem more unique to Blake, I believe. I think Alicia will save Terrence although he wouldn't be my choice. Not sure who'll wind up of Christiana or Kelsea--both are good. Personally, I'd keep Johnny because I enjoy the Spanish songs for a change (not everyone is there to be F1). Jackie's a strong singer, too, but doesn't stand out enough, imo. Good show overall, but these mass eliminations are tough.

I've been enjoying Wm Holden Star of Month, particularly the introductions with Stephanie Powers. Hard to accept that the only film he cared about of all the great ones he made was..... The Bridges at Toko-Ri. Partly because of believing in the importance of the main character, who reminded him of his brother (killed in the war). One thing that's surprised me is that Ben clearly hasn't even looked at her autobiography. That's hard to understand, when you'll be talking with someone about their life for over a month. She mentioned Ronald Reagan briefly, but his eyes kind of glazed over. I kind of wished he'd asked if Holden ever discussed Reagan as an actor. On the surface they seem so similar, and were such good friends for a time, yet one was an excellent actor and the other was ... competent to pretty good, depending on the part. I wonder if Holden ever thought about what the difference was as actor. It's a bit OT, I guess, but she brought it up and it's something you probably couldn't hear about anywhere ekse. She's 76 (Holden would have been 100 on Tuesday), and looked amazing.

I can't believe Blake praised that version of "Broken Road". That is such a pretty song, but Dallas' version was an off key disaster. Kelly put it better, telling her that once she conquers her pitch issues, she'll sound better. Because...yeah.

Darn, I'm such a big Wm Holden fan and didn't realize it was a Holden night and I missed all but the final minute of Mankiewitz with Stephanie Powers (I thought she was Lee Grant at first, trying to figure out the subject matter.) All she said in my segment was that they never sat around and watched any of his old films together except the full version of one Jim Aubrey directed (name?) that the studio had cut huge parts from. They did watch Network and current ones together, "of course". I wish I'd heard more of what she had to say, including if she mentioned the Africa wildlife ranch/foundation that I think she still runs. This was at the end of "Our Town" which he made at 22.

How did the Buble guy stay? I kept hearing Simon Cowell, "Cruise ship". I like that a younger person chooses that style of music, but it's kind of comical when they seem to be trying to imitate someone (including the talking to the crowd mid-lyrics) without having the talent of a Sinatra, Martin or Darin. Or even Perry Como (or even -James- Darren). I was hoping he'd be good vocally (he wasn't) AND put his own styling to it (he didn't). Like Blake said, he excels at the "confidence" part of his performance. Oh well., something different, moving forward. I have a feeling Blake's really not trying to win this time around anyway.

Personally, I think Molly had a point. http://people.com/music/kelly-clarkson-defends-comparing-voice-contestant-molly-stevens-gay-artists/ If Kelly had compared her with one gay singer and someone else it wouldn't have seemed like pigeonholing. But only those two? Not cool. I'd say Kelly will learn from it, but from her reaction (defensive), maybe not.

Yes, that's just like him with claiming he'd broken up with Becca that way because he's so considerate. I think the "miscarriage" was to make him seem sympathetic to Lauren. But, like the breakup story, it was fake--skewed so Arie could manipulate someone's feelings about HIM. He didn't think of Becca at all the way he did it. And he didn't think how it would effect his ex- to tell about her "miscarriage" on television which, not knowing about it before, many of her friends and family would now assume was really an abortion. He'll throw you under the bus, if it makes him look good. [And yes, re: earlier post, y'all are right. I meant "Bekah" not "Becca".]

True, but I'd choose a tv. showcase and artistic independence over what AI does. (Plus, being able to choose a coach. I'd choose one who's known for staying in touch with and helping his/her team.) Artistic independence cuunts for a lot. If I were a very popular AI finalist, I'd be doing my best to finish F2 not F1. On the Voice there's no downside to winning.

Contestants should read this ahead of appearing. It has some good things to know. A few things I noticed: - that the women described Lauren as a lot more fun and personable than the editors chose to make her; - that Becca was gahgah over Peter and that made producers eliminate her if he was the bachelor--they only brought her in when it was Arie, someone she was arguably too young for and knew nothing about, and - Arie still acts like a player, not only all the EXTENSIVE contact with Lauren that Becca knew nothing abut (all while he was playacting that he really loved her) but also DMing the other women in a way that sounds like "keeping my options open". I found him boring, but no matter what he is like as a bf, he seems completely unsuited to be a good husband. And his lack of empathy fr Becca--plus ability to now apparently feel nothing for her, not even remembering caring--is chilling. So is his willingness to lie to put himself in a good light (the insistence that he had her blindsided on camera because he's so nice and thoughtful that he thought it would be a good chance for her to be B-ette.) He's just awful. I wonder if that was masked during Emily's season by Emily's interest combined with not a lot of screen time, and the "glamour" of eing a race car driver? Plus the mystique about his kissing technique which now seems ... overused and nothing special. I don't know how he went from being a heartthrob to "Grandpa Possum" but it happened. There's no way he and Lauren will be married (I think her family must be appalled by him, too, if they watched, even if Arie and Lauren didn't.)

The thing I like about the Voice is they don't profit from the winner's career. AI producers contract own you, lock stock and barrel.

"Melisma" done well: "is the singing of a single syllable of text while moving between several different notes in succession. Music sung in this style is referred to as melismatic, as opposed to syllabic, in which each syllable of text is matched to a single note." "Melisma" done badly is used as an excuse for vocally looking for, but not cleanly finding, the note you really wanted from the beginning.

Oh, brother. So he's still trying to make us think he's a sweet caring guy, just trying to "make Becca into the next B-ette?" What a phony and what a heartless fraud. Wow, I think he's truly a hopeless narcissist. (Hint, Arie: You weren't doing her a favor to cause her so much shock and pain --and ON CAMERA, blindsided. Even if you were not lying--which you obviously ARE--Becca's a person, she loved you, you hurt her--on camera-- and who even knows if she wanted to be the next b-ette--much less that she wanted your "help" to do it?) He's such a manipulative liar. Really can't stand him. I think he deserves all the bad press he's getting (and the Minn. thing is one Repub. representative getting a bit of free publicity. That "bill" isn't going anywhere, but maybe the gesture will take Arie down a peg. He really needs it.)

I didn't like it either, but I do like that he tried to do a different kind of performance and that its something people will love or hate. (I didn't dislike it enough to leave the room, so I'd rather see someone at least try something different. even if it fails.) I' m hopeful there will be more variety this year than usual, as it seems so far.

I've thought for a while that the weird decision to give Velshi and Ruhle separate shows AND a joint show was a way to rein in too many demands from Mika and Joe. Ineresting about how she treated Savannah. Guthrie got the same thing from Nancy Grace when she was a young beautiful lawyer-reporter at Court TV. Grace was always obnoxious and condescending, putting her down on camera. I don't like Gutherie much now, but she put up with Mika and Grace and took the nastiness with complete professionalism. So it's kind of nice to see how her star rose and she wound up being a far bigger success than either of them.

I'm liking the variety of song choices this season, but not many of the performances. After Blake chose the woman who sang Blackbird and the guy who did This Magic Moment, I was asking myself if he's trying to build a weak team. But he has a couple of strong ones, and maybe that's his strategy--get some variety for entertainment value, while knowing only a couple of them are actually strong enough to be competitive. (I was especially disappointed in Blackbird. After all her backstory, I expected something special, but she didn't have the range I expected and did that "warbling all up and down and around the note" thing that is so annoying. Is she going to be like the black singer last season who had decided (close to auditioning) that she wanted to be a country singer? I liked her, especially in the beginning, but she never really signaled that she knew or cared much about country music. I think this one may turn out the same, but not as good a singer. "Blackbird" doesn't really say "country music" to me for your audition and she didn't do it very well. (I would have been shocked if Adam had turned.)

Even if he couldn't wait and didn't feel like faking it for one more minute (esp. on camera at ATFR), why would you call the camera crew and CH in? You already know you will be blindsiding Becca and deeply hurting her. Why wouldn't you do that in private? I thought Mesnick was a jerk but at least he did that, broke it off off-camera. Why do it like this? I don't understand his thinking at all. I mean, I understand that he's a boring, self-absorbed jerk--the season's made that clear. (And when asked about what he was worried about for the season it was always, "That I won't find someone". Never, "that I may hurt someone". Me, me, me. So, why do this on camera? I really think he is self-centered enough to feel the audience would like him and think he was sympathetic if they saw it happening. It certainly wasn't in any way a decision for Becca's benefit. He didn't care at all about the shock and heartbreak she'd be going through--that he guaranteed would be shown on national television. I hope he gets the negative feedback full force in his daily life. He's so stuck on himself and his "act" that it would be very satisfying to think that millions of people see through it now and can't stand him--and he knows it.

Personally, I think their faults are so horrible that I'd take The Voice's methods any day. Idol is -too- connected with the winner as they have no choice over their contract and it is harsh to the performers and very lucrative to the producer. It is so restrictive and unfair that, when I like someone, I root for them to come in at any position OTHER than #1. The Voice gives a singer a showcase and a shortcut to getting the attention of producers. It gives them contacts in the industry and some of those people turn out to be very helpful to them (Blake, Miley, etc. Most of them, I think, if not all, have helped at least some of their team.) Even things like giving advice when signing a contract is extremely helpful. I remember the Swon Brothers saying how much Blake helped them with that. Unlike Idol, "The Voice" is more about actually helping the artists rather than exploiting them for financial gain by people behind the show. Much better for the artist, imo, even if they don't ever become a household name/superstar.