R.I.P. Sweet Mom. Love You Forever!
On January 22nd, 2010, my dear mother, Lillian (Mascioli) Giallonardo, passed away after a difficult battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. In the end, her passing was peaceful and dignified, erasing the struggle she encountered with this disease over the past 10 years.
I was privileged to eulogize her memory at the lovely Catholic service held in her memory at Sacred Heart Church in Timmins Ontario, Canada.
Additionally, the music was absolutely beautiful and so inspiring. Special thanks to singers, Lauri-Ann Loreto-Neal (my Mom’s niece) and Aileen (Roy) Kleinhuis, superbly accompanied on keyboard by Sue Steel. These two ladies sounded angelic and added a very special and memorable dimension to the Catholic service.
Also, the family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to Father Mitch Sliwa for his beautiful homily and to Extendicare Timmins for their excellent care and compassion.
Special thanks is also extended to Horizon Palliative Care for their spiritual and compassionate guidance, allowing my Mom to pass peacefully into the arms of her Saviour.
Thank you to all who emailed, called, visited or sent cards – your support and love at this difficult time was extremely welcome and made the transition to life without Mom a little easier to bear.
God Bless All Of You! Rosanne
Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien crack wise about NBC’s late-night shuffling – latimes.com
Found this article this morning and wanted to share it with the readers. Humor truly is the best medecine!
Jay Leno, Conan O’Brien crack wise about NBC’s late-night shuffling – latimes.com
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Elton John Rumored To Replace Simon Cowell On Idol
Over at the MSN Homepage on this fine, wintery morning, there was an article about a possible replacement for Simon Cowell: none other than singer-songwriter Sir Elton John.
Now, granted, this is still a rumor, one that was cultivated by the notorious TMZ people, but also one that I hope escalates into reality.
Elton John does not mince words and I think he would offer succinct, experienced advice to the singers.
He possesses the same dry wit of his fellow Brit and, as a result, would restore balance and diversity to the Season 10 judging table in 2011.
Apparently, since Simon Cowell announced his retirement at the end of this year’s American Idol season, American Idol creator, Simon Fuller, has been bombarded with offers from superstars all over the world.
He is quoted as saying:
It’s a testament to it ['Idol'] that we attracted someone as brilliant as Ellen (Degeneres). When we have to do something about Simon, I’ll be in the luxury position of looking at all the greatest stars of the world,” Fuller said.
So, there you have it, folks! What is your opinion on this new development for the future of American Idol? Personally, I would love to see Barry Manilow in the judge’s chair – he has proven to be a supportive yet firm guest judge in seasons past.
However, if they are looking to find the foot that fits Cinderella’s slipper in the search for the ideal replacement for Simon Cowell, Elton John would be an absolutely perfect fit.
Conan O’Brien Says No Thanks to NBC Move To Later Time Slot
LOS ANGELES — Conan O’Brien says he’s rejecting NBC’s attempt to move “The Tonight Show” to a post-midnight slot to accommodate Jay Leno’s return to late-night.
In a statement Tuesday, O’Brien says that NBC has given him a scant seven months to try to establish himself as host of “Tonight.”
NBC wants to move “The Jay Leno Show” out of prime-time and to the 11:35 p.m. EST daily slot, bumping “Tonight” to 12:05 p.m. EST.
Related:NBC happy to fill Jay’s prime time void
O’Brien said he hoped he and NBC could resolve the issue quickly so he could do a show of which he and his crew could be proud -”for a company that values our work” – raising the possibility he might go to another network. But he said he has no such offer.
His full statement reads:
People of Earth:
In the last few days, I’ve been getting a lot of sympathy calls, and I want to start by making it clear that no one should waste a second feeling sorry for me. For 17 years, I’ve been getting paid to do what I love most and, in a world with real problems, I’ve been absurdly lucky. That said, I’ve been suddenly put in a very public predicament and my bosses are demanding an immediate decision.
Six years ago, I signed a contract with NBC to take over The Tonight Show in June of 2009. Like a lot of us, I grew up watching Johnny Carson every night and the chance to one day sit in that chair has meant everything to me. I worked long and hard to get that opportunity, passed up far more lucrative offers, and since 2004 I have spent literally hundreds of hours thinking of ways to extend the franchise long into the future. It was my mistaken belief that, like my predecessor, I would have the benefit of some time and, just as important, some degree of ratings support from the prime-time schedule. Building a lasting audience at 11:30 is impossible without both.
But sadly, we were never given that chance. After only seven months, with my Tonight Show in its infancy, NBC has decided to react to their terrible difficulties in prime-time by making a change in their long-established late night schedule.
Last Thursday, NBC executives told me they intended to move the Tonight Show to 12:05 to accommodate the Jay Leno Show at 11:35. For 60 years the Tonight Show has aired immediately following the late local news. I sincerely believe that delaying the Tonight Show into the next day to accommodate another comedy program will seriously damage what I consider to be the greatest franchise in the history of broadcasting. The Tonight Show at 12:05 simply isn’t the Tonight Show. Also, if I accept this move I will be knocking the Late Night show, which I inherited from David Letterman and passed on to Jimmy Fallon, out of its long-held time slot. That would hurt the other NBC franchise that I love, and it would be unfair to Jimmy.
So it has come to this: I cannot express in words how much I enjoy hosting this program and what an enormous personal disappointment it is for me to consider losing it. My staff and I have worked unbelievably hard and we are very proud of our contribution to the legacy of The Tonight Show. But I cannot participate in what I honestly believe is its destruction. Some people will make the argument that with DVRs and the Internet a time slot doesn’t matter. But with the Tonight Show, I believe nothing could matter more.
There has been speculation about my going to another network but, to set the record straight, I currently have no other offer and honestly have no idea what happens next. My hope is that NBC and I can resolve this quickly so that my staff, crew, and I can do a show we can be proud of, for a company that values our work.
Have a great day and, for the record, I am truly sorry about my hair; it’s always been that way.
Yours,
Conan
American Idol Season 9 To Premiere on Tuesday, January 12th 2010
Picture Courtesy of AmericanIdol.Com
Happy New Year one and all!
I truly apologize for the lack of news and updates over the last month or so, but I had an enormously busy but exciting Christmas season.
The marriage of my youngest daughter, the fun-filled family visits, the presence of my beautiful grandchildren – all during the month of December – totally absorbed my days and nights. What a great time!
However, I am slowly enjoying a normal, more relaxed, schedule, one that will stabilize once American Idol begins on January 12th.
What would we do without this show? There is very little else to watch on TV – at least in my eyes. I am ever so curious to see what will unfold now that Paula Abdul has left Ellen DeGeneres to fulfill her judgemental duties.
I love Ellen, but, will miss Paula. However, I think Ellen, like Paula, has a warm, accommodating quality in her persona that will be cherished and embraced by the singers.
And thank heavens - the Top 24 semi-final format is a “go”! It never should have left the building during Season 8.
And, by all accounts, it appears this is to be Simon Cowell’s last year, but I am sure he will be very successful selling his X-Factor show to the American public. This is still speculative, however. We shall see what happens over the next few months!
For now, I welcome your comments and thank you for keeping this blogging site alive during my absence. Bravo and Brava to all of you!
Liz Feldman: Twitter with Seniors
Masterclass Video Of The Day: The Christmas Can Can By Straight No Chaser
Special thanks to one of my readers, ReReader, for sending me this hilarious and exceptionally well-performed music by Straight No Chaser.
You can visit their YouTube.Com page here. But, until then enjoy the video below. It is a guaranteed “day -brightener“.
The Spectacle Known As The American Music Awards.
This year’s production of the American Music Awards show glorified vulgarity, self-indulgent behavior at its absolute best – or worst – depending on your point of view, I guess.
It also made me realize that there is dim hope that stellar and pure vocalists such as David Archuleta, Jason Castro, Michal Buble, Katharine McPhee, Josh Groban -need I go on – will have the opportunity to grace the stage with their eloquent brand of musicianship.
And you can forget about ever seeing a classical performer on the AMA stage! Heaven forbid if that ever happens!
This show is a Pop/Rock/Country/R&B/Rap/Hip Hop show and anyone straying from those genres is toast in the music industry.
They call it the American “Music” Awards, but, for the most part, where was the music? It was lost amid the psychotic stage spectacles, fortified by costly technology that would feed thousands of starving children in the USA.
So, who did I like? Well, let’s see now——let me think. (fifteen minutes go by and still thinking). Oh yes, Kelly Clarkson comes to mind. She was my absolute favorite of the night and reminded us just why she was the first winner of American Idol. She can actually sing!
Also, I generally liked the Alicia Keyes/Jay-Z duet, even though Alicia was a little “pitch-challenged “during the New York, New York segment. Nonetheless, it was a passionate and memorable performance.
Daughtry was impressive if you can close your eyes to his faulty technical skills. The boy still loves to raise his head and tighten those throat muscles on the upswing toward his higher range.
However, there is no denying his natural vocal skill but, for my money, I will take American Idol Season 7 winner, David Cook’s brand of artistic rock over Daughtry’s more impersonal form.
Whitney proved that she is still Whitney, minus the impressive vocal range that made her a star. But, the gal still can perform, even though she did so by purging her entire life story before an audience of millions. Whatever turns your crank, sweetheart, and keeps you on the straight and narrow!
The lighting effect at the end of her number was very celestial and emphasized the fact the she has indeed seen the light. I truly hope so because she has a beautiful and loving daughter who needs her mother to be healthy, grounded and centered in every aspect of her life.
Other than that, I am sorry to say that the rest of the show left me cold. It was a smooth production, but the super-charged visuals became tedious after a while and I was longing for some pure, unadulterated vocals.
So, needless to say, I was not a fan Of Adam Lambert’s maniacal performance. Adam twittered his fans calling his AMA showcase artistic integrity.
Artistic integrity? I don’t think so, Adam – it was a vulgar mess and sad all at the same time given the fact that you possess an exceptional voice that deserves to be heard – not buried under a pile of choreographic garbage.
Masterclass Laugh Of The Day: Waking Up Is Hard T0 Do
Oh. my. goodness! Can this performance be any more hysterical? This video was recorded and produced by real, live Nurse Anesthetists and they have received over 2 million YouTube hits.
You can visit their website at here, but watch the video first. It is just wonderful and will put a smile on your face.
A special thank you to my cousin, Norman, for making me aware of this video.
Update: Apparently these guys auditioned for the 2010 season of America’s Got Talent and were quite a hit with the judging panel.
American Idol Star, Jason Castro, Announces His Engagement To????
Mandy Mayhall is one lucky lady.
She ’s the sweet young thing that stole American Idol Season 7 star Jason Castro’s heart.
According to numerous blog sources, Jason proposed to Mandy during a Halloween celebration yesterday prior to an Oklahoma – Kansas State football game in Norman, Oklahoma.
I haven’t received additional information about the date of the wedding, but I am sure this will be announced soon enough.
I could not be happier for Jason and it appears that he has chosen a lovely young lady as his future wife.
Things certainly are looking very bright for Jason in his personal and professional life.
He is working hard on his new album and I am sure all his fans are eager to hear more of the incredible talent that Jason has to offer.
I sense incredible opportunities ahead of him. Jason is a charismatic, expressive young vocal talent. He performs with sincerity and conviction and, when armed with the perfect repertoire, is truly special to hear and watch. He is real in every sense of the word and we can certainly do with a healthy dose of that in the music industry.
However, while we wait for this album to be completed and released, you can download his new single, Let’s Just Fall In Love Again, from ITunes. Let’s raise some money for the newly-engaged couple!
Congratulations Jason and Mandy!
Masterclass Lady On MySpace.Com
