Swenson

The final will be tough to watch because acts that would make it watchable are not going to be there. I don't want all this "sob story ... i been bullied..... I have a disabilty.... sob sob sob.....and really, all of these singers cancel each other out, not one stands out over the other. I ask myself since i know Brandon will win, because the moment calls for it.....what acts would make better entertainment? I know Max Major isn't winning but i still wanted to see what he'd do next.....so too with the danger guy. While i don't necessarily think Archie is owed a career by the show.....because he does sing ok....I hope he has been given reparations to the point where he can live out his days on HIS terms because he can't really be compensated for all his lost time. As far as the finale.....while I've been moved by Brandon's soul searching .... is it a Vegas act?

Kinda too bad for Alex Hooper because the guy does have something. Doesn't he just remind you of one of those characters from a cheesy 1980's spring break movie? Perhaps NBC could add him as an SNL cast member because i actually believe he could thrive doing late night sketch comedy.

Aaaaaayyyyy!......the western adventure has a happy ending. Fonz saves the ranch AND he lassoed the philly.....MY HERO! And Richie....what a humble and lovable guy ... when it seemed no one wanted to recognize him after the two of them saved Joanie from the fleeing haywagon.....Richie made sure Fonz got his due.....then saved him from the bull after Fonz had made the ride. Way to go amundo Bucko! Tell Al the beef is done.

And sorry Sofia Vergara.....but the buzzer only counts during the course of the act.....so for official scoring purposes ....Alex Hooper did not recieve an X. Heidi clearly doesn't like him.....but she was out sick when he auditioned.

I have this to say......I didn't actually watch this entire episode....(Hell's Kitchen was on).....but it will air again later this week. Of the acts I did see.....the Bello Sisters are still amazing, though I didn't like the bad lighting that sometimes obstructed them, and why hide behind poor lighting effects? The singing trio was good.....the male has a strong powerful voice and the harmoniizing is top notch.....though the lady in white I thought had moments where her singing didn't express the power of the song.....but i like them. But they saved the best for last. Brandon Leake has arrived at just the right moment.....with just the right message.....and the way he delivered it absolutely moved me to tears.....even as I'm writing. I've chosen MY winner.....and I believe he'll win the whole thing.....he needs to......vote.

Don't ever aggrevate Richie, because when he calls you "Bucko".....he means business. The Cunningham's head to Colorado in the newest multi part adventure which finds them assisting Marion's Uncle Ben in running the Bar A dude ranch and hopefully raise enough money to pay off the deed held by those mean spirited sidewinders. Naturally, there has to be a purdy little filly wrangler there to once again test Richie and Fonzie's friendship as the filly named Thunder catches Fonz's fancy.....but she only has eyes for Licorice....(her horse).....and maybe a little bit for Rich. So there.....Fonz kerps doing these uncool un-fonz like things like dancing ballet and doing a do-cee-doe and he wonders why he doesn't get the girl. Next thing he might trade in his leather jacket for a western vest with fringe. Anyway, there's gonna be a ro-dee-oh at the ranch and hopefully Al will get that side of beef done in time. Somebody is gonna ride Diablo the killer bull....who else but the guy who jumped thirteen garbage cans on a motorcycle.....a shark pen on waterskis....will he do it? We'll find out soon.

Just for those of you wishing otherwise.....the show is renewed.....and the cast remains the same.

In last night's clip episode where Lori Beth is writing about middle class families..... there's a girlfriend Richie didnt recall......the time he was set up with a blind date for a halloween party. She towered over him making him self concious about how they looked together.

I was not compelled to even watch it......so i didn't.

Suzi Quatro....now age 70 and still actively performing ...made a total of 7 appearances as Leather on the show and at one point producer Garry Marshall offered her a "Leather Tuscadero" spinoff which she smartly turned down saying she didn't want to be typecast (like a Brady kid) into one role. She's a homegrown girl....Elektra in America had wanted to make her the next "Janis Joplin"....but opted to go with producer Mickie Most to England so she could make it by being Suzi. She found success with a #1 UK hit "Devil Gate Drive".....but not much in the U.S. until "Stumblin' In" with Chris Norman in 1979 went top five.

Potsie never seemed to have parents.....I know they're mentioned....and I know it's like a running gag suggesting Potsie's folks would rather not even acknowledge him. But why when he needs life advice it's up to Mr. C? Anyway getting pinned is kinda like a wedding so it gave the producers yet another opportunity to make us listen to cheesy singing....lately we've had Suzi Quatro and then Danny Thomas as "Cap" Cunningham ....I know the cheesy Valentine's singing episode is ahead. In all actuality.....Anson Williams did hit #93 on the Hot 100 in 1977 if the goal was for the show to generate hit songs....Donny Most also had a #97 hit....so I guess it worked.

The next time you're in the checkout aisle and you hear that beep......think of all the fun you can have on ......SUPERMARKET SWEEP!

However ....how could Fonzie even have a nephew.....or a cousin when we don't know if he had brothers or sisters. It was always assumed Fonzie didn't have a family. He has a grandma .....we knew that. I forgot all about that.

Ok duly noted and thanks for the correction. But whatever happened to Spike? They just kinda disappear like Chuck, and Bag. Anyway.....Chachi had that annoying waaa, waaa, waaa.....saying that I'm at least glad he grew out of.

Yep....as it was just mentioned..... we're up to the three part episode where we just left off with everybody cozy at the campfire......tomorrow Fonzie takes on the California Kid in a slalom race.....which ends up a tie leading to the jump the shark episode. But we had a screen test to get through first and the result wasn't quite as expected. It wasn't that Fonz stunk...(he did). ....they just became less intrigued with James Dean and more for "disturbed apple pie face". Also, this was the first season for Chachi.....Fonzie's latest nephew, because they never really told us whatever happened to Spike.

And that means we get to see more of Kelly Clarkson as she sits in for Simon.

It was more like the best acts of the past three seasons or so.....two of them reached back to the Stern years. I switched channels twice .....once for TBF .....simply can't take anymore of it.......and Angelica Hale because I hated that song then, and I still do. Remember now these were only the most viral, not necessarily the best.

I believe I read they're doing the live shows at an outdoor venue with only a virtual audience, not a real one. But they won't be at home. Four quarterfinal episodes with 11 performances each. Beyond that....I'm not sure.

Former AGT host Tyra Banks.....who served during seasons 12 and 13, becomes the new host for "Dancing With The Stars" replacing veteren 15 year and thirty something cycles I think......host Tom Bergeron. Of course we've been seeing Tom for years now on AFV and Hollywood Squares, so he's been around. It's kinda like replacing Ryan Seacrest as to the signature presence he brought to it. As for Ryan....he could use more time off himself.

That's good.....burnt scallops and mushy rissoto anyone?

So really? Once they started the at home auditions, this guy Tommy Socks gets four yesses for doing what? Geez.... just sliding on the floor with socks on? Where do I buy tickets to that? And I'm sorry....the howling country dog is humerous one time.....an act like that would've drawn four X's easily on the stage. But I guess the judges didn't have any buzzer gadgets they could use, so they had to say yes. Or if Kevin Skinner is watching ...maybe this is how you can resurrect your career. The girl dog trainer isn't even close to the one from Champions last winter. It looked like what it was....a little girl playing with her dogs on the front lawn. This is getting to where I'm switching to Hell's Kitchen for more overcooked scallops and mushy rissoto.

I wonder.....does anyone know if an act that Simon didn't like, but got through anyway......like the Chicken guy and those annoying Ninja Twins.....ever made it as far as the finale? Don't recall myself. It's obvious no audience changes things. It makes the judges more focused....it also changed the fortunes for that guy who came back from two seasons ago to roast the judges.....with no audience there to boo him, he actually makes it. So are the at home auditions we see now a preview of what the rest of the season would be like? I can't see an opening for an audience returning anytime soon, I'd consider hoping the live shows could be postponed until maybe January so they can maybe do them on the regular stage even with no audience. More likely we'll see the at home format.

Ron Howard wasn't the only former Mayberry resident to appear on this show. Beginning with this season we begin seeing veteren actor Jack Dodson (nee Howard Sprague)....in a recurring part as Ralph Malph's dad....an eye doctor and co-practical joke conspirator.

Ok someone must know.....the episodes where Doug lost a lot of weight and Carrie becomes jealous because everybody is praising him when SHE'S supposed to be the hot one...... Did Kevin James really lose that weight or did he wear something that made him look slimmer? Because if the weight loss was real.....he sure gained it back quickly. And if everyone refers to Doug being a jerk about manipulating Lou's video game addiction to goad him into making Carrie work out...... how about the time Doug promised Kirby he would try out for semipro football and Carrie becomes alarmed ....until she looks at a picture of him as "80's Doug" and suddenly wants to work him to death? And that's kind of a 180 turn of attitude to the way she acted when he actually lost weight.

But before we unfreeze Fearless Fonzerelli's jump...... it was around this time in 1976 that the show's theme "Happy Days" by Pratt & McLain was peaking on the Billboard chart, climbing to #5. I make mention of that as the iconic radio program "American Top 40" co-created and hosted by Casey Kasem celebrates 50 years this July 4th weekend.