Melissa's Blog

This is somewhat from the picky file, but Shawn Yancey just announced that Madonna and Guy Ritchie were getting a divorce and in the next sentence she said that earlier this year, Madonna denied being involved with Alex Rodriguez..And why would that need to be mentioned??..To say it pretty much in the same sentence suggests that maybe he's the reason for the divorce which hasn't been confirmed..Shawn, leave that for TMZ, o.k.?

Has anyone seen the video that some actress/playwright, Trisha Walsh Smith, has posted on You Tube where she's going on and on about her husband wanting to divorce her?. She was also interviewed on Good Morning America and asked if this was just for attention and asked if this was the only way to handle the situation vs. hiring a lawyer. She said that lawyers cost money and that she was being evicted without any money. She also said that  her husband has no basis for the divorce, has stopped paying her credit cards and needed to do this to get attention for her plight. And of course she did the obligatory weeping.

Now, I'm not familiar with her husband, but think he's also a playwright and is somewhat wealthy. And whether he is or not, what exactly does this woman expect from this video?. Her husband's not going to take her back and I doubt very seriously those who see the video are going to pay her credit cards or put her up in a penthouse somewhere. However, she WILL get her 15 minutes of fame as I'm sure the national talk shows and gossip shows will have her on to tell "her" side of the story. So, she'll make a few dollars to keep her afloat. It just amazes me the extremes to which some people will go for attention.

I've been quite disappointed with this year's top 24. I especially found last night's show  with the women quite painful to watch. Of all the performers, I found Carly to be the best. The rest just didn't have it. Can you attribute it to the song choice?..Maybe. But they were nowhere near as good as in their auditions. And what's up with Simon's comments about some of the performers not having a good voice, can't really sing, etc.?. Uh Simon,  didn't you vote some of these people to go to Hollywood??

I just saw a piece on t.v. reporting that Kanye West's mother has passed away. The family has asked that their privacy be respected. It would be great if for once the media did this..Sincere sympathy to Kanye's family.

Saw the Rachel Ray show for the first time today and thought I saw Maureen Umeh in the audience..Did anyone else see this and/or did she mention this on the news?..

I'm not really surprised that LaKisha is gone..I haven't seen the passion in her singing since her first night when she blew it out of the water with her  rendition of Jennifer Holiday's song "And I'm Telling You"..After that, she just never seemed to be excited about being there. I had really high hopes for her because she's sooooo good.. But, maybe she missed her daughter, her family, friends, etc. Plus from what I've read, the whole "journey" is quite strenuous and draining on the contestants..Maybe it all just got the best of her..

Last week's "cast -off" show (for lack of a better word) was a prime example as to why those who lose should NOT be made to sing after they're told they will be leaving. One of the female contestants who left, I think her name is Leslie, was so devastated that she could hardly sing and broke out in tears. I think it's humiliating to the contestant and mean of the show to require them to sing at that point. And not only that, they're asked to sing a song that on most occasions has been panned by the judges..I just find it cruel and unusual punishment.

Anyone ready for the new season of American Idol?..Also, I'd be curious as to what your favorite season was, favorite contestant and your favorite winner..

When we see celebrities on t.v. endorsing a product, are we to believe that they actually use those products?. Does Halle Berry really use Revlon make-up?..Does Hillary Duff really eat those mints that she's eating in those commercials?. And do Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Simpson and P.Diddy really use Proactive for their acne?..

The endoresments of which I am most skeptical are for hair and make-up products. I would think that these celebrities' hair and make-up people are using their own products, not particularly the ones being endorsed by the celebrities they're working on. I find it hard to believe that some of the top models I see in these Maybelline commercials are using that mascara when they prepare to go out on the runway for some big time fashion show or magazine spread. I personally feel that the only time they are anyway near these products is during the taping of the respective's product's commercial or photo shoot for the product. But, hey, I could be wrong..

There are certain songs that when I hear them, they bring back so many memories of what I was doing at that time..For instance when I hear Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On", it reminds me of my senior year in high school, first year of college and my first serious boyfriend..Then, when I hear "One Nation Under a Groove" by Funkadelic, I think of my days going to a club downtown for happy hour and doing that dance called "The Freak"..Those are two that come to mind..What do you all think of when you hear an old song come on the radio or at a party, wedding, etc.??

I just LOVE commercials..Always have..My mother told me that when I was little that I used to quote and/or sing the songs or themes all the time..I still find myself singing some of the songs on them. Especially since more and more companies are using popular songs in their commercials.

Now, I can't say that I go running out to buy the advertised products. But, what I CAN say is that after seeing some of them, they bring a smile to my face, make me laugh out loud or just get a good feeling..

BTW,I just LOVE the Geico commercial w/Little Richard:OOOOOH!!

Please explain to me the fascination with celebrities' private lives?..There are actors of which I love their movies and athletes that I love to watch play. But as far as their private lives, I really don't need to know all the lurid details. Do we really need to know that Brad Pitt is now with Angelina Jolie?..Do we need to see paparazzi pushing and shoving to get a picture of Lindsay Lohan going into a store?..I just don't understand why their every move makes the news. Now, of course some celebrities, like Paris Hilton, court the media due to what I believe is their desire for attention.

One explanation that I've heard people provide is that because celebrities are public figures, all the hype that surrounds them comes with the territory..Well, in my opinion, these celebrities are still people and should be allowed some sort of privacy..I wonder how these paparazzi and entertainment reporters even sleep at night considering the lengths they will go to invade these people's privacy..I wonder how those "stalkers" would feel if the tables were turned. How would they feel if someone was following them and their family day and night just to get a picture of them..Just don't understand..

I am around the same age as Donnie Simpson and have great admiration for him and what he's done with his career..Although I've never met him, I must say that I remember him when he was at WKYS, when he went to WPGC (which was a REAL breaking news story)and when Tony Perkins was his sidekick. What I admire about Donnie Simpson is that although he plays all the popular songs of today, he also has no problem playing some old school stuff..I want to say that he does this to expose the "youngins" to what was really good music back in the day..And obviously there have been no complaints or drops in ratings by him doing this since he continues to do this..I think his boy Huggy Lowdown is hilarious!!!..I have found myself sitting in my car in the parking garage at work listening to Huggy's gossip for the day..Also, when it's American Idol season, I found myself waking up extra early to hear him and his crew evaluate the previous night's contestants..

I find Donnie Simpson to be someone who knows who he is and doesn't try to be anyone else..He seems to be a humble guy who has been fortunate to be in the business for number of years and subsequently has profited by obtaining the respect and love of others as well as monetarily. He seems to love life, love what he does and is loved by many. This is apparent, specifically on his birthday. The number of well known people who call in to wish him the best is a list of who's who both locally and nationally. Donnie Simpson is an example that you don't have to be a young whippersnapper to be popular among those whippersnappers..