Lynn Raye Harris

Some years I watch American Idol, and some I don’t. This year, Hubby wanted to watch it so we started at the beginning and we’re still watching. And I have to say, after Hollywood week where I thought they really did have some awesome voices picked out, it’s been pretty blah. NO ONE knocked it out of the park on either night. There are some talented kids, and much Idol left to come, so anything can happen. But though I like some of them a lot, I don’t have a lot of hope this will be a stellar year.

I hate, hate, hate having to listen to FOUR judges critiques. And I have no idea how this show will survive without Simon. Prickly though he is, he seems to be the only one who hears the truth. I usually agree with him, though not always (he wasn’t big on David Cook to begin with a couple of seasons ago, and I loved David from the start).

I think I’ve finally figured Idol out, though. Maybe you already knew, but it hit me last night what the show really is. It’s a very expensive, very flashy karaoke contest. In 8 years (not counting this year just yet), they’ve only found two really viable stars who are still relevant today. Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood still make hits, and they aren’t in danger of their careers fading anytime soon. You could even argue that Chris Daughtry and Adam Lambert will continue to shine (I really think Adam will), and though I still have hope for David Cook, he hasn’t launched out of the mid-list singers yet.

But what about all those talented kids who were in the top 12, or the top 24, who you never hear from again? Apparently, a good voice is a dime a dozen. It’s that extra something that takes them above the level of really awesome karaoke singer. And very, very few of them have it.

America gets into the drama of the season, the stories, the idea that someone’s life will be forever changed by winning this contest. But then next year rolls around and we forget, or lose interest, in the previous year’s winner (and all the finalists). This is entertainment, pure and simple. It’s not really about launching a superstar — because the chances the winner will be a superstar aren’t great. Taylor Swift is a superstar (not that I understand it), and she didn’t need a contest to get her there. Miley Cyrus. The Black-Eyed Peas. Beyonce. Lady Gaga. The list could go on.

Whatever the reason, those singers have that something that Idol contestants, with rare exception, lack. I’ll keep watching, because it’s entertaining, but at least I know not to expect greatness anymore. This is the finest karaoke on the planet, but that’s pretty much all it is.

So did you watch Castle last night? It’s about a best-selling bad boy mystery writer who ends up partnering with a female detective to solve a case. Someone is murdering people based on his books, so this is how he gets involved. And when they solve that case, he gets himself a position accompanying the detective for research purposes because he killed off his fictional detective and she’s the inspiration for a new one (so the series can continue, of course). (If you missed the episode and want to watch, you can do so for free here.)

Frankly, though it was over the top, I liked it. And I think it has potential. But what’s totally hilarious to me, and to all the writers I know, is the portrayal of the writing life. Nathan Fillion, aka Richard Castle, is a bad boy rock star kind of writer. He’s got book launch parties in swanky places, lots of money, a pen with which he signs bimbos’ chests (do they really read?), and a bad attitude about his fame. He’s friends with the mayor, and he sits around playing cards with Stephen J. Cannell and James Patterson. (And someone said the woman at the table was Faye Kellerman.)

He’s so well connected he can get anything done, even leapfrog the slow and frustrating process of getting CSI results from the lab. Which of course pisses off the detective. He has money to burn and enough self-love to make him charming in spite of himself. (And, we suspect, a core of misery.) Somehow, in between all this partying and fun, he’s managed to write a whole lot of bestselling mysteries that are known for their attention to detail. Even the medical examiner is a fan.

But what I really love is the writing = glamour aspect. The portrayal of Castle’s life just reinforces what the public already believes about writers. Rich, connected, got it made. I ROFL, of course, because I am none of these things. People at my husband’s work actually thought he was going to retire now that I’ve sold a book. Excuse me while I roll around on the floor in hysterics.

MOST writers don’t live this charming, exotic life. We are ordinary people with ordinary incomes. Being a published writer doesn’t make you rich. It makes you like everyone else out there, worrying about expenses and hoping to make enough to cover them. Or, in my case since I have a wonderfully supportive hubby with a good job, making enough to cover my writing expenses, save for our retirement, and take some lovely vacations.

Even if I had Castle’s money and connections, I doubt I’d want to do any of that stuff he does. I’d much rather be holed up in my office, working on my next book, than chasing criminals or attending ritzy parties.

Did you watch Castle? What did you think? Do you like shows about writers? My mom loves Murder She Wrote. Jessica seems to have a more ordinary life by contrast, and yet everyone the poor woman knows always gets killed. The shows are campy, but fun. Castle was a bit campy too, but I think it can get better. (My first choice, of course, would be to have Fillion back on the set of Firefly, but I don’t think that will ever happen now. Darn TV execs. They’ll probably cancel this one too, just as soon as people fall in love with it.)

It’s no longer Friday, is it? Lots of busyness here, including some revisions and a new proposal.

How did you like the Oscars? Wasn’t Hugh just to die for? Oh that man is gorgeous! And he can sing and dance. Gracious. I haven’t watched the Oscars in years — but, well, it was Hugh. And he didn’t disappoint.

Here’s Hugh preparing for the big night. OMG, look at those ARMS! Big, big sigh.

Here is Hubby’s new media room. I was a bit wary about black on the ceiling. Okay, seriously wary. But he insisted that a theater needed a dark ceiling to absorb light (this is also why the screen wall is black). And then of course there was the complimentary color because no way is the whole room going to be black.

Enter Eddie from Sherwin Williams, who definitely saved the day with his recommendation of “Red Bay.”

I love it. I think it turned out wonderfully. We still have decorating to do, and there’s a pool table and bar in the future, but watching television in here is awesome. The sound is amazing, the colors really make it seem like a theater, and the popcorn machine is fun.

So, after 22 years of moving around in the military, the man finally has his cave. He deserves it. But, uh, honey, can I have the girls over for a chick flick…?

Things I’ve done recently:

1. Redesigned the website again. It was no longer an accurate reflection of all I’m writing. It is now more generic, though I warn you it will likely change again as I contemplate hiring a designer.

2. Started a Newsletter. You can sign up for it here:

Click to join lynnrayeharrisnews

Or scroll down and look for it on the sidebar (or at the newly revamped website…).

3. Did anyone else watch the premiere of Life last night? I loooove that show! So happy to see it come back on again. I was ticked that they canceled Moonlight, but at least they kept Life — and Pushing Daisies. That’s on tomorrow night.

Any shows you’re looking forward to? Any website redesigns? Anything?

I love Home & Garden Television. I enjoy watching people try to figure out which house to buy on House Hunters. And International House Hunters, especially when they’re in Europe, is a lot of fun too. I like Designing to Sell, love Candace Olsen’s Divine Design, and enjoy Get It Sold and Buy Me. And the outdoor stuff is cool too, especially Landscaper’s Challenge and Ground Breakers.

So I was totally, completely unprepared for what happened the other night. Hubby’s flipping channels as I’m working on my laptop on the couch. He comes across something called Mobile Home Disaster — on Country Music Television, not HGTV.

I thought it was a joke at first. But it really wasn’t — though it WAS funny.

I nearly wet myself I laughed so hard. Maybe I wasn’t supposed to laugh, but dang, these people go around and remodel trailers. Now, I’ve lived in a trailer park in my life (as a kid) so I probably shouldn’t be so uppity. But it wasn’t the remodeling that killed me. That was actually done amazingly well and the trailer was gorgeous when they were done. Couldn’t even tell it was a trailer on the inside.

No, what made me giggle myself senseless was the family. The man actually kept a knife, salt shaker, and shot glass in a bathroom drawer. When the host asked what the slice marks on the countertop were, the woman explained that her fiance cut his limes there. For his tequila shooters. In the JOHN. Am I the only one who finds that hysterical?

Hubby’s talking about putting a cutting board in our bathroom now. I’m pretty sure he’s joking…

Have you seen this show? Or seen a show equally as hilarious to you? Because I was so amused I’m going to DVR this baby now. Who knows what other gems I may learn (besides taking my alcoholic libations in the bathroom)…

OMG, I’m so thrilled! I wanted DC to win Idol. Yeah! Love this guy.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhN1T3pmuIo&hl=en]

Can you believe this is the last week of Idol? Tonight, the Davids face off. I already know which David I want to win. I’ve bought every last one of his Idol songs, and I love to listen to them. David Cook is the one for me. But, David Archuleta is likely to win because of the pre-teen/teen texting fan base who are in love with High School Musical and think he’s tres cute. *sigh* So popularity and some talent will probably beat the mega-talent. Not that I’m all that worried for David Cook. He’ll do fine, and I’ll buy his first post-Idol CD when it comes out. I will not buy Archie’s, however.

In other most rotten news, CBS canceled Moonlight. What the hell are they thinking??? Paranormal romance is one of the hottest genres going, and Moonlight was drawing respectable numbers, especially as the plot thickened. The first few episodes were cliche, true, but they seem to have found their stride now. And the writers’ strike couldn’t have helped. Viewers faded away in disgust. They’d have probably been back next season.

My favorite show, Life, will be back on NBC this fall. This is a cop drama I loved. The dialogue is good, and the guy who plays Charlie is fun to watch in action. This is a revenge/justice show with money, Zen sayings, and a lot of fruit. Great stuff.

My other show is ABC’s Pushing Daisies. It’ll be back too, thankfully. I don’t know how far they can take this one, but I’m in it to see. Cracks me up every week.

In case you’ve been on, oh Mars or something, the last few months, here’s one of David Cook’s best live performances. He’s amazing. Wait for the high note….

What shows are you looking forward to? Did they cancel any of your favs? What about Idol? Who do you want to win?