The Bachelorette : Men Tell All Special - SURPRISE!

Just noticed, Ed looks damn pui-pui (fat) here! Kiptyn looks like his suit doesnt fit. And Reid, poor Reid, looks the best outta the 3.

UPDATE ON THE BACHELORETTE :

Bachelorette Jillian Harris is down to 2 men.

Kiptyn Locke and Ed Swiderski.

Last week she sent home Reid Rosenthal, this guy right here, cos he couldn't say those 3 little words.

The week before she sent home this guy, Wes Hayden, all-round-no-goodnik or victim of bad editing?

Well, we're meant to see all that in this week's Men Tell All special (the traditional 'reunion' episode where all the eliminated men return to 'tell all'). Coincidentally, Wes and Reid are no-shows. What are producers up to now??

Check out what I've found out here.

xoxo, s.

ps. In the meantime, as usual, Wednesday just can't come any sooner!

Singapore Idol Bootcamp!

Thursday, 16th July 2009

12.43am : Producers to super elated, newly crowned Singapore Idol 2009's Top 24....

Boys and Girls! Oi, listen here! (I'd like you to imagine a very tired, sian-looking, slightly grumpy producer holding a loudhailer - producers reading this, guess who I'm picturing!)

Congratulations Top 24 for making it this far.

After making you suffer for 4 days straight with sleep deprivation, stressful situations, singing 24/7 and saying goodbye to your friends, tsk, oh boo hoo, ...we are now going to put you through Idol Bootcamp for another 4 days!

Everybody say yeah! Why nobody respond? Stop laughing at the back ah, *kok* you on the head later. Woi. Quiet, I'm not done! Too much! I move your morning wake up call to 530am ah!

*immediate silence*

Your Bootcamp schedule will include the following workshops...

1. Vocal training

2. Performance reviews

3. Dance training/Choreography

4. In-studio/Recording tips

5. More vocal training

6. Yoga sessions

7. Media training (how to talk to media and not look stoopid!)

8. Styling tips

9. Did I already say Vocal training?

10. Speech training - Check your 'LAHs' and 'LEHs' at the door.

11. Confidence/Motivational talk

12. And last but not least, Vocal training - very important, must have a few sessions to teach you all different techniques.

Oh, and we'll start your day, every day, bright and early with an exercise session! Get ready to do them JUMPING JACKS guys and girls! Woi, no moaning or groaning. I move your call time to 5am ah!

Meals courtesy of our lovely sponsor Burger King :)

AND if you need to suck on anything, let it be Strepsils. No Ricola please. We want to be Sponsor-friendly (lesson #1 love your sponsors). Thanks.

I imagine the briefing went something like that :)

Not to worry, now that the 'competition' stage

is over for a while, the contestants will get to enjoy the amazing facilities that are available at the Bootcamp locale (look at the room! newly refurbished sumore!!).

Apparently the pool and tennis courts are open for their use any time. But then again, I doubt they'll have much free time anyway, with all the different sessions organised, plus filming to be done in between (for trailers and for the show), they won't even have time to smell a random fart, much less the roses.

Next post - Zaki, why we love him! (Choreo day! say it with a skip and a clap!)

Xoxo, s.

Singapore Idol Theatre Auditions, Day Four - The Last Mile

Wednesday, July 15th, 2009

Day 4 : Will the real performers please stand up!

Ok, so I know this post is a little late in coming, but I didnt actually get to attend the final theatre auditions session, so I got the next best thing, I watched the footage raw (unedited).

But I don't have any pics from the tv theatre cos I wasn't there. So you'll have to make do with just text and I'll try to keep it short! keyword - try!

They've sung they're way through rounds and rounds of preliminary auditions and beaten thousands of competitors to get this far. In just 3 days, the numbers have more than halved, as the final 40 face the judges one last time to hopefully make it into the Top24 of Singapore Idol 2009.

Today will be the toughest day yet.

1. Gone is the little room they first auditioned in, they now stand in a large hollow auditorium, on a big stage with flood lights glaring in their faces.

2. Gone are the days of singing mic-less and Acapella, they now have to deal with accompaniment (and you don't have friends to back you up when you slip up!)

3. No more group or duet outings. You're totally on your own on this one. No buddy energy to feed off or someone to share the jitters with. OR someone to blame if you f**kup!

4. Top that off with the pressure that this is your one last chance to make it to the next round, where the REAL competition starts (ie public voting!)

Scared not?

Stress not?

(say it the Ah Lian way k, not the Angmoh way, otherwise it doesn't work!)

Am sure if there were any contestants who told producers they weren't worried or stressed, either they don't take the competition seriously (in which case hopefully they don't make it) or are bluffing to save face.

NOT A GOOD DAY TO SCREW UP.

Usually by this final day of the Theatre Auditions, if you hang around the idol contestants enough, you'll hear a lot of whispering, because they're saving their voices for that last burst.

Many are weary and bleary-eyed from lack of rest, and I'm sure they held back on the complaining (with so many seasons of Idol behind us, we ALL know having a sore throat, feeling sick etc are all excuses the judges don't buy).

The Idol competition is not for the weak and whiny.

(Seriously, there were instances in season 1 when Taufik was so sick, but no one could tell. You couldn't tell he was so sick he actually threw up twice right before he had to go on and perform. He walked on stage and beamed a smile like he was on top of the world, and got some of the best comments from the judges to boot!)

Last night, those still in the running were given a list of 10 songs to choose 1 from :

1. If Ain't Got You - Alicia Keys

2. You And I Both - Jason Mraz

3. Heaven - Bryan Adams

4. The Man Who Can't Be Moved - The Script

5. Killing Me Softly - Aretha Franklin version

6. Love Song - Sara Bareilles

7. I'll Be There - Michael Jackson

8. Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis

9. Unwell - Matchbox 20

10. Stop And Stare - One Republic

Top 2 choices were If I Ain't Got You and Killing Me Softly. Watching the tape, I was so impressed. There were some really awesome renditions.

There was one performance of Killing Me Softly, played on the guitar. It was the contestant's own take on the song and for the first time, I saw that person come out of their shell (as a performer). That is WITHOUT A DOUBT, MY favourite performance to date! Imho, this person is definitely a dark horse to be reckoned with if they make it through to the Top24.

In fact, quite a few contestants who weren't as 'stand out' as before seemed to come out of their shell when the guitars were whipped out.

I'm so glad producers changed it up this year and allowed them to play instruments. I love it because it makes them more confident performers, like they seem to feel more at ease and assured. My guitar will shield me from the judges' comments!

(Sometimes people just need a comfort item to give them that little confidence boost. I, for one, am totally comfortable being a bitch if I've got my big Gucci sunglasses on :), but take my sunglasses away and I'm the resident doormat again!)

And somehow, watching an 'artiste' in their element, its magical, especially when they're all emo and caught up in the song/performance. Think Matt Giraud at the piano and Kris Allen on the guitar. Its a part of them, and every time they performed with, they gave better performances.

Random info : Least fave song choices were Unwell and Stop & Stare. Wonder why? Pretty good songs wat!

I heard from producers that it was the most gruelling day for everyone because the hours were long and the way they delivered the results was very emotional. Apparently the judges were totally drained at the end of the night (but happy). Also, apparently almost everyone cried! Get out those tissues people! Another exciting episode to watch! Can't wait!!

I'm guessing they probably delivered the news to each contestant individually, whether they got through or not. Perhaps like this season's American Idol where they had to walk like A MILE from one end of a mansion/building to the other end. Or maybe they did the simpler thing like Season 7 of AI, where contestants just walked across a large (VERY LARGE) room (after taking a crazy long lift ride). Either way, quite scary stuff la, walking in silence with 3 pairs of eyes looking at you expectantly ('is my fly up? should I smile? damn, shouldn't have had that Oreo, now my teeth could be black! Can they see me shaking?' <-- A long walk allows too much time to entertain thoughts like that!)

Hrm, which one.... recession right? MUST be the lift scenario <--- No one will tell me its so SECRET!! (In fact, I have no idea how results are delivered on each of the Theatre Audition days, so PRODUCERS - it better be good when I watch it in August!)

OH one more thing, I hope (sorry, this is evil, but I love it, good for drama mah!) judges did the 'Sing Off' thing.

You know, where they call two contestants in and ask them to sing right there, in front of them, to see who's worthy of that ONE spot. Evil. I know. And usually, they pick two contestants who are friends to up the emo quotient! EVIL-ER! (And then, send one packing - EVIL-EST!!!) (Kids if you are reading this, Mommy's just joking, EVILer and EVILest are NOT real words :))

To those that made it through - CONGRATULATIONS you guys!

You're the Top 24 of Singapore Idol 2009 (give yourselves and each other a pat on the back - well done!

"Enjoy" the next four days of Bootcamp! Hopefully you're all not too zombied from the last four days and can still function like a human being!

Next post - Welcome to the Singapore Idol Bootcamp!

Xoxo, s.

The Bachelorette Ep 9 Steamy Steamy with Jilly!

Its a super steamy episode of the Bachelorette...

Steamy elements :

Naked Bubble Bath Scene CHECK

Jillian Semi-naked in Bikinis CHECK

Sexy Mankini shots (what the?) CHECK

Seduction scene CHECK

Implied sex scene CHECK

Implied erectile dysfunction CHECK?

Interesting check list? Well before I delve into the more steamy stuff, I want to address the 'steamy mankini'. There has been much discourse all over the internet about Ed's green shorts. Lemme just say, one more is comin' up.

The dates on Maui were incredible - catamaran-ing, helicopter rides and an awesome 'rope walk'! What troubles me is I can't remember if I got to see Kiptyn with his top off....Strange,

......you'd think I'd remember something like that right?

I don't and its probably because I was so traumatised by Ed's self-proclaimed 'mankini' shorts. Green with white trim, they were just too short for today's man, a man in the 1970s yes, not now. Sure its not a speedo (thats automatically gross), but it was fitted and short and ugh, it might as well have been a first cousin!

Its such a big deal, it even has its own FACEBOOK page ... I swear...click here and go look!

Ok enough obsessing about the Mankini, I have another observation, is it me or does Jillian like actor lookalikes? Its like she's dating Chandler and a younger version of Everybody Loves Raymond's brother? Please tell me you guessed who looked like whom right?

(Ed = Everybody Love's Raymond's brother, cannot remember his name)

(Reid = Chandler, especially his profile!)

So its overnight dates in Maui. Everyone gets a fantasy suite card, and of course both Jillian and the boys each jump at the opportunity to spend more time together. Whats left for you to decide is whether Miss J went all the way on each of her overnight stays.

The night spent with Kiptyn is a big Question Mark.

The night spent with Reid ends with them being seemingly buck nekkid in a bubble bath having champagne (yes, liquor 'em up producers! tsk!)

The night spent with Ed is the most er, detailed.

Two things just ICKED me here.

Ick #1 - No, not the Mankini, already said we're past that!

Ick #1 is how Jillian let herself be filmed 'slipping into something more comfortable' and then came out wearing what was clearly Sex clothes. Then proceeded to rub oil all over Ed and herself, with close up shots of her bare thighs. I mean, just how close did the cameraman have to be to get those shots? Ick! Kissing in front of the cameras is one thing, but to seriously make out?

Ick #2 - Outing Ed on his 'physical problem' with intimacy on national tv, SO uncool lor! I mean, yea, how could Ed possibly resist Jillian looking like that, but I mean hey, there're camera crews there and possibly hidden cameras (like Temptation Island!), how not to be stressed?

Check out Trista's blog for more details.

So here comes the Rose Ceremony and I think for sure she's gonna say goodbye to Ed. But nope, she drops Reid.

Reid is the one guy I think is super compatible with Jill, his only fault, not admitting it to her earlier. He admits as much in his exit interview in the limo.

I would have thought she would send Kiptyn home before sending Reid, but then again, she's always been smitten by Kiptyn's looks.

So that leaves us with Ed. Something Wes said in a previous interview I read/heard somewhere, was that he had so much trouble trying to make even just a phone call to his dying grandmother while he was on the show, he was surprised Ed got to take 'work' calls and speak to his boss. Thus leading to the theory that Ed's departure was planned and a way to create drama and force a different dynamic between him and Jillian. Which I don't think are entirely unfounded. Quick, gying grandma vs job-threatening boss, who do you patch through? This should really be a no-brainer right?

So that didn't sit well with me and I've been wary of Ed ever since.

After breaking up with Reid, Jillian was in tears, she just sat on a bench and didn't go head back to where she left the other two for what must have seemed a really long time. She just sat there and cried. So poor thing.

The trailer for the season finale alludes to the fact that either Ed or Kiptyn may say some really major things that will impact Jillian's choice (AFTER she'd already made up her mind!).

Yay! another monkey wrench in the works! So exciting! I hope producers then surprise her by bringing Reid back! Woo hoo!

Next week ... Men Tell All episode!

Always a big fave for me! The suits may be on but the claws will most certainly come out! I wanna see how Wes is going to handle being bombarded (sure kena wan) and how Angry Dave and Mummy's Boy Juan are gonna face off!

Acks, its only Saturday....how many more days to Wednesday? :P

Xoxo, s.

SINGAPORE IDOL DIGS

Singapore Idol 2009 :

From plastic chairs on Caldecott Hill to plush digs at SSssshh!!

(secret location, cannot tell)

---- we interrupt scheduled reading for this important announcement ----

update 17/7/09, 11.30pm : Sorry, a boo boo occurred. I just got a call from the powers that be (how'd they get my number, which one-a-yous outed me?) and said please do not reveal Bootcamp location. Thus some adjustments have been made to this entry. For those of you who read it before said adjustments, please shhhh!

For those of you who are reading it now for the first time, aiya, small thing oni laaa...you can still enjoy the pics and the post, and then find out later on the show where it was all shot. Not like you want to stalk the idols right?? So low class lor to stalk!

ok....moving on..... (was blogging bout Bachelorette then suddenly kena CALLED - hello my kids sleeping laaaa. My office closes at 8.45pm k! Chewah, like got awfis..ok sorry yes please do read on below)

---------end of bulletin-------

Its an empty foyer outside the Tv Theatre @ Caldecott Hill as each day at the Theatre Auditions, idol hopefuls get the boot.

What was once a busy bustling atmosphere with the almost constant sounds of singing,....

.....is now something of a ghost town just 3 days in.

The once packed to brim luggage area is now left with only a few pieces of luggage.

Each day, the contestants, who have been spending their nights at a lavish secret location (tucked away somewhere on the sunny island of Singapore), have to pack up all their belongings and assume it may be their last day on the Idol Path.

(So mar faan right? but all the better for drama right? Doncha just love those shots of dejected forlorn silhouettes retreating into the sunset, head hanging down, wondering how come his hopes got dashed so prematurely? tsk, we all do, go on admit it!)

Some contestants I spoke to said the this year's accommodations were awesome, like living in a suite! A repeat contestant (she joined last year, but didn't make it this far previously) said this year's digs are topnotch, waaay better than last year's <-- good job MediaCorp! next season - MANSION next door to the studio (hey what you save on transport to/fro for so many people can go to the mansion's rent?)

These pics were taken at 6something am!

Don't you even DARE come near me at anything before 8am, yeesh. But then again, I'm not competing my pants off to be the next Singapore Idol nor am I on a reality show to do that.

Eh boys, your room messy much?

Lucky nothing incriminating peeking out from anywhere!

Check out the yummylicious spread they get! How not to have a hearty start to the day right? I'm hungry...its 3.40am right now, and suddenly I want to eat fried rice. Dammit!

After breakkie, its ONE LAST rehearsal before heading out to Caldecott.

Check out this pic with the Gazebo. No they are not dating (at least I haven't heard any goss that they are).

Isn't the setting just right though, for a dating show? Producers, Bachelorette Singapore?

Another Idol 'couple' practicing their duet (lil bit of bromance goin on here maybe?)

This pic just takes the cake, taken at 8.51am, Singapore Idol contestants CHILLIN' OUT by the pool! Hello, slacking much? Wah kena scolding by judges already still don't wanna haul ass ah? Oh wait, I know, sometimes need to relax and rest those precious vocal chords right? Right right....

Whoopeee, Roll Call, everyone and their trolley bags out....its time to hit the grind...ALL ABOARD! Bus leaves for Caldecott Hill in 5 minutes!

Next Idol post - Bootcamp details!

Xoxo, s.

Day Three, Theatre Auditions - Sweet!

TUESDAY, 14th July

DAY 3 : SWEET SWEET MUSIC!

TODAY, I decided I would go sit in the control room to get a birds eye view of the 'festivities' below.

Note : DO NOT go up there if a. You are afraid of heights and b. If you believe the place is haunted.

<--pic taken from high high above, had to 'zoom' to get this pic!

I, unfortunately, am both, so I gripped the wall all the way from lift lobby to control room, and silently mumbled, 'sorry i'm just passing thru' like a million times as I did. Don't laugh. That place is SUPER creepy k! *shiver*

Last night, 20 were cut and 60 (well, thereabouts) came back to Caldecott bright and early to tackle Pair day.

Contestants were paired up and asked to compose an original tune which they would perform for the judges in just over 12 hours! <-- Stress not? Original song you know, sumore must write yer own lyrics!

When I found out what they had to do (evil producers!), I wasn't sure what would come of it.... I was prepared to hear thinly veiled re-arrangements of popular songs with simple rhyming lyrics (think Michael Learns To Rock, no offense to them....but your lyrics are really predictable wor!).

I was SO WRONG.

These kids totally BLEW. ME. AWAY. They are so talented!

(pretty much the way I was blown away by Daphne Khoo's 'Sorry' back in 2004, a single she recorded on her own, and had gotten airplay on P10 after the demo was quietly passed on to them)

Ok to be fair, not all. There were a few Michael Learns To Rock types and a number of off-key performances <-- obviously group mates who didnt work together. You could tell from some performances that the pair 'hated' each other they were so uncoordinated.

At the other end of the spectrum, there were pairs that worked well together.

At one point (where I got shushed again cos I laughed so loud), Dick said "get a room" cos the pair that performed looked 'so into each other'. LOL. I love Dick's comments. He's so clever.

So overall, after yesterday's DISMAL DAY...they definitely BROUGHT. IT.ON.

Some of these original compositions, made up the night before, are worthy of radio airplay (imho). These 3 really stood out to me : 'She's Invisible', 'Firefly' and 'Complement'.

'She's Invisible' was the first song I saw when I walked in, and I was so impressed, it set the tone for me. Great blend of both voices, with a contemporary melody and the lyrics 'got standard wan' :) The singers had good chemistry. (no, they aren't the ones Dick asked to get a room)

I thoroughly enjoyed Complement because of its sassy lyrics and Alanis/Frente vibe it had.

Gossip alert : the contestants declared this as an original composition, but I heard some buzzin that it was actually a friend's composition....lets see if the performance makes it on tv or not. (to be honest, who cares right? as long as they worked together, I mean, one of the contestants had to learn from scratch anyway, plus they'd have to harmonise etc etc)

By the end of today, only 40 will make it through to tomorrow where they will sing one last time, on their own.

Off to check out the Idol digs....later!

Xoxo, s.

HOT OFF THE IDOL PRESS!

THIS JUST IN FROM TWITTER.....

Judges are deliberating RIGHT NOW!

As seen from tweets from host Gurmit Singh and the mysterious SI Producer, 40 sang and only 24 will make the cut at the end of today to make up your Top 24.

Who are the 12 girls and 12 guys set to get your fingers a flutter when voting begins in Sept!

ACK! Can't wait! Super exciting!

Xoxo, s.

ps.

Check out who I spotted, working as an intern at Channel 5 and covering SI?

Syarif of sleeq. In't he cute?!

This guy's nominated for a coupla categories on Anugerah Planet Muzik and he's interning here? :) Lovin' Sembunyi dude!

note to self : must get better pic of Syarif!