Vocalism At Its Best

If you are a fairly regular reader, you know that there is a major fan of dance reality shows around these parts.  You may also know that music is something that absolutely rocks my face off, and I just have such a surpreme appreciation for the arts.  Music moves me, inspires me, motivates me, and overall just makes my life better!

So, I'm not sure if you are aware but there are just as many awesome singing reality shows on TV right now as there are dancing shows (like one of my faves, Dancing With The Stars - GO J.R. MARTINEZ!!!).  One show that really highlights amazing vocal ability is The Sing Off.  I've taken quite the liking to this show since the amazing vocal group "Committed" won last season!  What I love the most about the show is that the vocalists are responsible not only for singing the lyrics but also the musical parts too!  Seriously - there is such as thing as a vocal percussionist!  (Making drums and bass-lines with your voice).  Since I'm in a giving mood, I thought I'd blow your mind with some ridiculous vocals!

Enjoy and turn up those speakers - prepare to be amazed!!!

First up is all-girl group Delilah with their rendition of Lil' Wayne's "How To Love."

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Next up is last season's Committed with Maroon 5's "This Love."

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Finally, enjoy these two selections by The Pentatonix! They're on this season of The Sing Off and they are phenomenal!

First up is their rendition of some famous Britney Spears songs!

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Last but absolutely not least is my favorite performance of the season, Kanye West's "Love Lockdown," and I will let you see the judges' reactions because they're awesome!

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If that doesn't get your feet tapping and your hands clapping, I really don't know what will. I got so pumped up after watching that last performance especially - I feel like you just have to give it up for talent like that! They're my pick to win this season! Enjoy, Peeps!

Until next time,

Oh, Anderson Cooper...

As someone who works in television media, I can tell you that news can be really tough - more often than not there are terrible stories to report on and it can become a gray and dreary world if you constantly focus on the negative. 

Every now and again, though, there are stories that are so utterly ridiculous that you can't help but shake your head and laugh, and one of the most recent stories in the headlines absolutely fit the bill!  Have you heard the one about Gerard Depardieu's public urination on a plane?  I mean, really???

Now, imagine that your program chooses to cover this sort of news and you are the unlucky victim who has to report on it - I can only imagine how difficult that would be, and that is the purpose of today's post.  Anderson Cooper, whom I adore, had to perform the light-hearted humor segment, The Ridiculist, on his show Anderson 360, and the topic of the day was none other than Gerard Depardieu.

Please sit back and enjoy Anderson absolutely losing it for the first time in his career over the absolutely ridiculous puns (and boy were there ever a lot of puns) and this absolutely ridiculous situation.  I'm so glad that he's got a new daytime show coming on in September on ABC - down to earth, adorable, and straight up hilarious in this video - cue the giggles!



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Happy Weekend, everyone!

Until next time,

We Have A Winner!

Well, folks - it's official!  Last night produced a winner of So You Think You Can Dance Season 8, and I couldn't have been happier about America's selection!

A huge CONGRATULATIONS to Season 8 Winner Melanie Moore - she was deemed the original "beast" of this season, and she showcased insane talent in pretty much every number she danced in.  She not only is a brilliant technician, but she also brings a high level of performance and character awareness to her dancing, and that is a difficult skill to master - especially when you're only nineteen years old.

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This post is a tribute to her greatness, so I figured it would only be right to bring some of the numbers of hers that I loved best to all of you.  Dance fans, enjoy!

Melanie & partner Marko - "I Got You" - hiphop routine by Tabitha & Napoleon


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Melanie & partner Sasha - "Girl Power" - lyrical jazz routine by Sonya Tayeh


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Melanie & partner Neil - "Total Eclipse of the Heart" - contemporary routine by Mandy Moore


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And what would my blog be if I didn't give a tip of my hat to choreographer (and SYTYCD Season Two Runner Up) Travis Wall for this absolutely breathtaking concept piece?

Melanie & partner Marko - "Turn To Stone" - contemporary (WEEK ONE!!!) routine by Travis Wall


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Congratulations again to Melanie Moore on the big win - but also to all of the other Season 8 contestants - this is not the end of the road for you.  All of you possess something so magical and so special and it's now your time to share your light with the world!

And as a closing note, I must express my deepest thanks to Executive Producer, Nigel Lythgoe, and his team of dance soldiers for continuing this amazing program for eight seasons now. As someone who was enrolled in dance classes for fifteen years of her life, I know exactly what dance can do - the joy it can bring, the focus it cultivates, the athleticism and exercise that come as part of the process - dance NEEDS to be a constant in the world today. Kids and adults alike need to be able to get up and DANCE and make the world a better place, and I am so happy to see dance get the credit and attention it deserves.

From showcasing the world's most talented choreographers, to having judges on the panel who actually know how to properly critique a dancer (and consequently prepare them for the real world - professional dance is nothing if not cutthroat), and also creating a national holiday centered around dance (National Dance Day = July 31st, y'all!),  So You Think You Can Dance is a trailblazer in the industry! The show has proven results - contestants on this program book jobs, and as a dancer - that is always the goal.

Hats off to all of you!

Until next time,

I Am Addicted

Top o' the morning to you, Peeps!  I hope you are all having a blessed and wonderful Monday morning (I know...I did just use the words 'wonderful' and 'Monday' in the same sentence intentionally - I do hope you are each having a great day). 

Let's jump right in.  Today's topic is addiction.  Now, this is not a laughing matter, so I don't want people to think that I'm making light of a serious situation.  Having an addiction to anything is really not the best case scenario, but I guess some addictions are better than others.

Comanche and I were taking some time to unwind yesterday after another exceptionally busy week/weekend. To be honest, it was a perfect evening - the two of us (and three dogs, if we're being honest) on the couch, chillaxing with Chinese takeout and conversation. He made the joke that I am addicted to funny things (well, they are funny to him).  Here was the list:  television, the computer, my dogs, and couponing.  LOL!  It does sounds humorous when said in list form.

But, I think he has a strong case.  Let's work through these one by one, because I'm completely fine with just "owning it."

1.  Television.

Okay, I'm guilty.  Throw the book at me.  I love TV.  Being as I work for a TV station, I feel as though it's my vital responsibility to partake in television shows regularly (and by regularly, I mean every.single.night.of.the.week).  I mean, who isn't excited for these shows this week?

Yes, please! Who will win?!?!

As far as this show goes, and as far as this season goes,

I give it a 10!



The suspense is killing me! SO glad Haley went home!



I DIE!!!!!   MAY 26TH!!!!!!!!  YAY!!!!!!  FAVE SHOW!!!!!

Cannot wait for this season finale on Wednesday!

Okay, so clearly my man has a point when it comes to being addicted to TV.  I'm not ashamed to admit it, and quiz me on any of these shows later.  You'll be impressed, I promise!

2.  The computer.

I'll go ahead and jump on this grenade, as well.  I have to use the computer every day at work, and obviously, when I get home, the computer provides me with a wealth of information.  I check my facebook, I blog (which is clearly the most important thing you have to read, so you're welcome), I pay bills online, I check movie times, I double and triple-check recipes and cooking instructions, and a multitude of other things.  I think those are more than justified reasons to be addicted to your computer/the internet.

3.  My dogs.

Duh.  There is no argument here.  Ask any mother, and she'll tell you that when she looks into the big eyes of her children, she feels compelled to make them happy.  Okay, maybe all mothers except for those of teenagers (or extremely fussy babies).  But, if you had fur-children that looked like this, you would totally understand:

Oh my gosh, why are you the cutest dogs that have ever lived?!?!?!?!?

4.  Couponing.

Okay, again, he's got me.  This is probably my newest addiction, and it's actually one I've been wanting to write about for some time now.  I just haven't had the time to do the kind of post I really want to be able to do.  So, I am going to make you wait for it.  I will be completely transparent here - my newest addiction does take quite a bit of time.  Quite a bit of time is something that I don't have (or maybe I would have if I could shift some of my other addictions around).  But, I will say this - I wouldn't allow myself to become addicted to couponing if I didn't see the value in it.  So you'll have to keep checking back for more - it might interest you more than you currently think it will.  ;)

In closing, "Hi.  My name is Chicken Wing, and I am an addict."

Until next time,

I'm Proud To Be An American....Idol Fan?

Okay, so I know you've all been tuning in even if you promised yourself that Simon Cowell's last season would be your last season.

If that's how you felt, you're not alone.  I, too, said that I was done with Idol and that it could never been the same.

Well, Peeps, if you've been watching at all this season, you know that we were all wrong.  I'm actually digging this season of Idol and I absolutely love the freshness that Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez have brought to the judges panel.

Okay, let's start by looking at my favorite parts of the show so far.

We want YOU, Dawg!

Randy, Randy, Randy.  I've always liked you.  You actually have your hands very much in the music industry, and I agree with what you're saying eight times out of ten, which I wouldn't call too shabby.  You seem to be one of the most level-headed, and I think it's important to keep someone on the panel who has been along for the ride.  Thank you for delivering that for me.

"Owwwwww" (in a high-pitched voice)

Steven Tyler, you are a funny little man.  Not to mention, you are absolutely hysterical, in my opinion!  From the "Yo, dude, are those Tevas?" comment to the random howls and screams, thank you for making me laugh episode after episode.  Just when I thought you were all fun and games (complete with potty mouth and very strange random sayings), you go and do this to me:



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It completely caught me off guard to see you be so incredibly sweet to her and her mother, but it made me like you that much more. In fact, I could totally see why so many ladies find you attractive in that moment.

Remember, her love don't cost a thing.

Okay, first of all, I can honestly say that I never realized just how BEAUTIFUL Jennifer Lopez is until she became a judge on American Idol.  She'd always been one of those hit-or-miss ladies for me - sometimes she looked amazing. Other times, I just didn't get it.

I think Jennifer has added a lot to the show so far - she seems to know what she's talking about, she can make a coherent sentence (unlike another lady judge we all used to know and love), and she still has the kind heart that is needed in a harsh judgment-filled world.  She seems to really own the knowledge that while you have to deliver criticism, you still have people's dreams in your hands.  And, she's pretty funny, too. 

I was hardly expecting the personality that I have gotten from both Steven Tyler and J.Lo, but I would have to say that I love it!  Ryan Seacrest is still doing a great job playing host (and I imagine he will get picked on less this season).  The other great thing that hasn't changed about this show is that there are always more talented people popping up each year.  I've been amazed at the fifteen-year-old talent that has shown up this season.  I'm excited to see how it all turns out!

Hooray for a classic realty television show getting revamped!  For now, American Idol, you've still got a fan in me.  Congratulations.

Until next time,

2010 Primetime Emmy Highlights

The Primetime Emmy Awards aired last night, and I was very excited to tune in.  They usually provide some laughs, great fashion, corny acceptance speeches, and sometimes even a few tears.

I'd like to start off with my favorite moment of the entire broadcast.  CONGRATULATIONS to Modern Family (ABC) who picked up the award for Outstanding Comedy Series!  I am beyond excited, and I'm so proud to work for a network that brought this show into your living rooms every week.

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This show is extremely funny, and is heartfelt, too.  If you haven't made the time to check it out, set your TiVo's NOW.  Like seriously.  Right now.  Do it.

There were also other highs in the program, such as host Jimmy Fallon's musical interludes and seeing newlywed cuties Anna Paquin and Stephen Moyer from HBO's True Blood (um, is anyone else as sucked into that show as I am?  Pun definitely intended.). 

As far as fashion goes, here are three favorite looks of mine, and the ladies looked phenomenal!

Lea Michele from Glee looking fab

Sofia Vergara from Modern Family...can I be her when I grow up?  Seriously, how hot is she?

Claire Danes in a dress that is pageant perfection

The last highlight for me was when Eric Stonestreet from Modern Family accepted the award for Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.  Check out his heartfelt acceptance speech and then again, go watch this show!

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That's my recap!  Did anyone else have any other favorite moments from the telecast?  If so, please share!

Holy Hotness, Batman! I Am Officially Excited...

...that one of my favorite shows premieres tonight!!!!!

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I've written about this show...ummm, quite a few times...and I always get SOOOO excited when it comes on, and for those of you who watch it - I don't know about you but I'm curious to see how the shake-up in the format is going to play out!

I love the fact that SYTYCD comes on right after Dancing With the Stars and American Idol finish up their seasons, and it leaves me without a gap of reality television greatness!

For all you SYTYCDancers out there, I'll follow up with my thoughts on the premiere soon!

Until next time,
Miss Chicken Wing

Time to Share Something I Love!

One of my favorite shows on television is So You Think You Can Dance on FOX. I seriously believe that it might just be the best thing that's ever happened to the world as far as reality TV goes.

Now, don't get me wrong...I love Dancing with the Stars, American Idol, and pretty much any DIY or design show on HGTV - all of which are reality shows. But, for some reason, I always get the MOST excited when SYTYCD comes on.

I think the reason why I get so much more obsessive about the show (as in a I-have-to-watch-it-or-I-might-just-die kind of thing) is because I used to be a dancer. No, not that kind of dancer - I trained in ballet, tap, jazz, modern, lyrical, clogging, and toe (on pointe) for 15 years of my life. That's a huge part of my upbringing and I know how hard it is to make it in the world of professional dance. This show is so ground-breaking (much like Idol), because the people who compete on the show actually get jobs because of people discovering their particular talent, using this show as their vehicle.

For example, several have made it to Broadway, there have been a few that have major roles in major motion pictures....not to mention the endless music video and backup dancer opportunities that come their way. I adore that about the show, because these people could have continued to struggle for years, but they got their shot because this show served as a platform.

The judges actually know what they are talking about, as every single one has been a professional dancer (in their own genres) and they are all choreographers. When they critique a number, it has validity and value. That is something that impresses me.

Not to mention, the Top 10 dancers get to go on tour all around the country. Yes, I have been to multiple tours with Familia de Chicken Wing and yes, I do own a t-shirt. HAHA! I told you, it's serious! But look at the following photos and you will see the extraordinary talent that gets discovered via this program. (And yes, I am that girl who memorizes the choreography as to capture the perfect shot!)

Off to watch my fave reality show,

Miss "Got-the-dance-fever" Chicken Wing