My thoughts turn to three events which will shape the immediate and long-term history of the judicial system in the US.

My take on President Obama's appointment of Judge Sonia Sotomayer to the United States Supreme Court.

Two men who were on opposite sides of Bush v. Gore are now on the same side and challenging California's Prop. 8 in federal court.

Michigan Equality has started a petition drive to repeal our own anti-gay marriage amendment, possibly during the 2012 election.

Music Today:



"Somebody To Love-Live at the Monterey International Pop Festival" by Podsafe Music Network group (!) Jefferson Airplane



"Exceed My Expectations" by Podsafe Music Network artist Emma Wallace

Intro Music:



"Deep Cycle Discharge" by Podsafe Music Network artists Simon James and Derek K. Miller

Outro Music:



"Power Inside" by Podsafe Music Network and PodsafeAudio.com group The MSU Orchestra (formerly known as EL84)

Thanks for listening,and Stay Powerful!

EL84 is now known as "The MSU Orchestra," which means that the Outro is "new and improved"

My recent trip to the cottage, which featured an unexpected reunion.

Attending a funeral leads to some more unexpected good things.

GM's bondholders unexpectedly approve a compromise, potentially saving GM from bankruptcy.

When least expected, good things can come from less than desirable situations!

Music Today:



"Mystic Road" by Podsafe Music Network and PodSafeAudio.com group The MSU Orchestra (Formerly Known as EL84)

Intro Music:



"Deep Cycle Discharge" by Podsafe Music Network artists Simon James and Derek K. Miller

Outro Music:



"Power Inside" by Podsafe Music Network and PodsafeAudio.com group The MSU Orchestra (formerly known as EL84)

Thanks for listening,and Stay Powerful!

Coming soon to an RSS feed near you...

What do President Obama and American Idol winner Kris Allen have in common?

And what do their unexpected successes have in common?

And what does this say about our society and the progress we are showing?

I'll give my answer on this week's episode.

Music Today:

"Maybe I'm Amazed-Authorized Cover" by Podsafe Music Network artist Blake Morgan

"Yes We Can" by Podsafe Music Network artist Boy George

Intro Music:

"Deep Cycle Discharge" by Podsafe Music Network artists Simon James and Derek K. Miller

Outro Music:

"Power Inside" by Podsafe Music Network and PodsafeAudio.com group MSU Orchestra

Thanks for listening,and Stay Powerful! Music Today:



"Maybe I'm Amazed-Authorized Cover" by Podsafe Music Network group Blake Morgan



"Yes We Can" by Podsafe Music Network artist Boy George

Intro Music:



"Deep Cycle Discharge" by Podsafe Music Network artists Simon James and Derek K. Miller

Outro Music:



"Power Inside" by Podsafe Music Network and PodsafeAudio.com group MSU Orchestra

Thanks for listening, and stay powerful!

America has spoken, and after nearly 100 million votes, Kris Allen won in what has been the biggest upset in the history of American Idol.

Despite warnings that the show would run over, the show actually ran on time, and featured performances by the Top 13 contestants, along with established artists like KISS, Black Eyed Peas, Queen Latifah, Queen, Cyndi Lauper, Rod Stewart, and of course 2008 American Idol winner David Cook.

Adding to the fun for the night, Ryan handed out the brand new "Golden Idol Awards," to commemorate some of the more memorable auditions and performers:

Outstanding Male went to Nick Mitchell/Norman Gentile, who once again entertained us all with his rendition of "And I Am Telling You."

Best Attitude went to Katrina "Bikini Girl" Darrell, who showed up with newly augumented breasts, kissed Ryan, and got her chance to sing "Vision of Love," and was unexpectedly joined on stage by judge Kara DioGuardi, who at the end of the song ripped open her dress to reveal her own black bikini (and one helluva body!)

Outstanding Female went to contestant Tatiyana Nicole del Toro, who was cut in the wild card round. Despite Ryan's insistance that she remain in the audience and claim her trophy during the commercial, she still came up on stage, sang an acapella verson of "Saving All My Love For You," amid several attempts to take her off the stage. She kept escaping the guards, and was finally silenced when the band played the "commercial break" bumper and then cut to the commercial.

After nearly 100 million votes, and a record-breaking 264 million votes for the entire season, Kris came from being the underdog to the new American Idol. He was truly shocked, and actually thought Adam should have won. Still, he took his unexpected victory in stride, and sang his new single (which, thankfully, had been redone to save his voice) on the stage.

Congratulations, Kris! It couldn't have happened to a nicer, more humble guy!

It's the first half of the finale for Season 8 of American Idol, pitting Adam and Kris against each other.

As usual, Tom and I discuss the performances, our predictions for who we think will win, and we give a final critique of Season 8 in general with our "Good, Bad, and Ugly" nominations.

Here is the video project I referred to on the Archer Radio group show. Unfortunately, the site had a DDoS attack done to it, so it's currently down. Still, enjoy the video until the site is back up:

My visit to Star Trek: The Exhibition, AKA "Geek Heaven"

My (hopefully) last word on Carrie Prejean

Music Today:

 

"Famous" by Podsafe Music Network group The Lascivious Biddies

 

"Great Day to Be a Martyr" by Podsafe Music Network artist DC Sills

Intro Music:

 

"Deep Cycle Discharge" by Podsafe Music Network artists Simon James and Derek K. Miller

Outro Music:

 

"Power Inside" by Podsafe Music Network and PodsafeAudio.com group EL84

Thanks for listening, and stay powerful!

The only editorializing I am going to do here is to say that I am feeling better about wearing jeans to church:

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The show opened with a sketch featuring the cast of Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. Ben Stiller announces that Ryan has been injured in a "bikini waxing incident," and that he would introduce the show. The rest of the cast of Night joined Ben in announcing that the original American Idol desk will be added to the Smithsonian's collection.

The show opens in the usual way, and Ryan announces that 88 million votes were phoned and texted in.

There was no group number, due to the time spent at the "Hometown Heroes" events.

The Ford commercial featured the Top 3 signing "Break My Stride," and animated as comic book superheroes. One of the better ones this season.

Ryan announces that as a followup to Carrie Underwood's Idol Gives Back experience, R&B singer Alicia Keys has come to the show with a special announcement. Alicia is the Global Ambassador for the charitable organization Keep a Child Alive. Alicia introduces emerging artist Noah from Rwanda who is pursuing a dream of making an album of music that will raise funds to save children from HIV/AIDS.

Noah sings "I Am the World's Greatest," which he had learned in English just one week ago. Incredible!

After Noah's performance, Alicia announces that texting "Alive" to 90999 will donate $5 to the organization she represents, and charge $5 to a person's cellular phone bill.

Commercial break.

Ryan begins the buildup to the results by calling Danny Gokey to the stage.

Danny's Homecoming video montage plays. Danny has the opportunity to reunite with Jamar, his friend who had auditioned along with him, but who ended up being cut in the final stage of Hollywood week. Despite the time away from each other, the bromance is still alive and well.

After the video, Ryan recaps the songs Danny performed and the judges' comments. Danny is sent to the couch to relax, but no results have been announced yet.

Kris Allen is then called to the stage.

Kris' Homecoming video montage plays. Kris has a big family that obviously has a lot of love to share. His father has a hard time keeping in his emotions (you go, Dad!).

After the video, Ryan recaps the songs Kris performed and the judges' comments. Kris is also sent to the couch to relax, and still no results have been revealed.

Commercial break

Jordin Sparks, the winner of American Idol Season 6, performs her new single "Battlefield." Great song;  a'ight performance. I'm still glad she--not Blake--won, though.

Commercial break

Ryan calls Adam to the stage. Adam had a "streaker" interrupt one of his performances, and he thought it was bizarre.

Adam's Homecoming video footage plays. He has probably the most unique homecoming, even performing at a Marine base (I'll skip the obvious "...looking for a few good men," jokes...). Adam's public persona is confident, and much more humble than one would think. He is actually overwhelmed by all the attention at one point.

After Adam's video, Ryan recaps his songs and the judges' comments.

Commercial

After the commercial, things are obviously not ready on the main stage, because Ryan is talking with the contestants to stall for some time. Danny says he just wants to know the results, because the suspense is killing him. Ryan jokes that he has no control over the amount of delay.

Once things are ready, Ryan introduces Katy Perry, who sings her new single "Waking Up in Vegas." Katy has Adam's name embroidered on the back of her Elvis-inspired costume. The song is plenty bizarre, but not unexpected from Katy.

Commercial break.

Ryan has the Top Three in center stage, ready to hear the results.

Kris Allen is in the finale.

Adam is in the finale.

This means that



Danny Gokey

has been eliminated.

Despite this, I believe that Danny will most likely be signed, and given that he has finally broken through some of the walls that seemed to keep him from emerging as an artist, he will likely do very well. Just don't let him dance without some coaching. Maybe if Paula's contract isn't renewed, she will have a ready client...

Next week is the finale, and we will see who America chooses as its next American Idol. There were no previews of what the format for the final show will be. It will definitely be an hour, since Fox will be debuting Glee on that same night (yay!).