Pictures from TNA Lockdown Weekend

I haven't updated for a a couple of days because I've been busy with the festivities here in town for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's Lockdown live pay-per-view show. I will have more details of the highlights later but in the meantime here are some random pix:

Me and Lance Hoyt during an autograph signing at Slacker's on Friday.

A look at the fan convention in the ballroom at the Airport Hilton on Saturday.

Ms. Brooks!

Gail Kim and Michael Vick.

"Black Machismo" Jay Lethal signs.

American Idol Results

That sure was nice of the Fox network to donate all of that money to the American Idol charity last night-- then extend the show an extra half hour to generate more ad revenue. Very clever. Well, the rat guy stayed and Haley left. She probably stayed about three more weeks than she should have anyway. It was for the best, because if she had stayed any more time, the only thing left would have been to wear sheer lingerie and hooker boots. At least she gets to keep some dignity this way. See ya in Penthouse, toots! I don't even have words for that J-Lo segment. I think the performance may have harmed sales more than they helped. What I wouldn't give to hear a five minute conversation between Paula and J-Lo. I'm sure that would be stimulating intellectual fare.


I was sorry to hear about the passing of actor Roscoe Lee Brown, who died yesterday at the age of 81. The Emmy award winning actor had numerous roles over the years in movies, TV and in plays. I'll always remember him for the role of "The Happiness Man" Reverend Sam in a memorable episode of Good Times and an appearance on the Cosby Show where he and Cliff Huxtable teamed up in a card game to beat Cliff's Dad and his friend, then got to humiliate them by rubbing their heads.

Random Thoughts During American Idol

It's the long awaited Jennifer Lopez episode of American Idol. The theme is Latin Week. How in the world is this woman going to help anyone with singing? Could she give a seminar on having a perfectly round behind though? Perhaps so. This should be interesting. The show opens with the contestants meeting J-Lo during her rehearsal. Rehearsal for what? Please, please tell me that she is going on a concert tour. That would be just about the funniest thing ever.

First up was Melinda. She did a song called "Sway". I wouldn't have chosen that song for her because it didn't really showcase her abilities, but she did well with it. Simon rightfully said it made her seem older. Well, she's gone. Next was Lakisha. Jennifer helped her with her movements. Now, that she knows about. She did "Conga", an excellent choice. Nice dress. She showed flare and personality that she hadn't showcased before. Randy thought it was good; Paula and Simon said it was a "safe" choice. They're laying the groundwork. Lakisha and Melinda are both going home this week.

Timberlake chose "Smooth" by Carlos Santana and Rob Thomas. It was dreadful. OMG The judges loved it. Paula said it was "hot". I need to stop watching this show. Jennifer worked with Haley on "Turn The Beat Around". Oh, Gloria Estefan remade it so I guess it qualifies as Latin. They brought Blake on to do some beatboxing in the rehearsal. I think I'm going to be sick. Haley came out in her little sister's booty shorts. Have you no shame? Go with what got you there, I guess. It couldn't be more obvious. The performance was brutal. Finally, even Simon told her that the only chance she has is to wear as few clothes as possible. Believe me, she already knew that. She should be on the block. I mean literally. She she be on the street corner with that outfit.

Creepy Phil is next. He did Santana's "Maria Maria". It was not hittin'. I am walking out if the judges like this. Randy and Simon said there was no passion and nothing to get excited about it. Paula said it was a good vocal. We'll of course ignore her. I can stay. I can remember a long time ago when I used to enjoy this show.

Jordin chose "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You". Has there been a song tonight that wasn't done by Gloria Estefan or Santana? It was an okay performance. Paula said she was adorable. Simon thought it was just okay, as I did. Blake did a song by Mark Anthony, Jennifer's husband. Kiss ass..................Is it over. I dozed off. The judges ate it up. I apparently have a different feed of the show coming into the House of Hollywood.

Last and certainly least, it's Sanjaya. He resembled a drowned rat. Unfortunately, he didn't do "She Bangs" like ew.com had suggested. That would have shot him into the stratosphere. He did a song which wasn't all that bad, which is the worse thing that could have happened to him. If my earlier prediction doesn't come true, it's Phil or Haley who will leave this week. Oh man, Jennifer Lopez is performing live tomorrow. Lord help us all.

You ARE The Father!

Finally, I have some closure to this situation and I can move on with my life.

Weekend Wrap-Up

I am finally recovering from last week's WrestleMania festivities. You would have thought that I had actually wrestled on the show. I'm finally getting back on track. It was actually a really good show. The best matches were The Money in the Bank match (won by Mr. Kennedy), John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels, and surprisingly The Undertaker vs. Batista. The best food? Pick 'em. The Vince/Trump haircut spectacle was done very effectively. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin did great and he performed just like the good old days. WWE owner Vince McMahon did get all of his hair cut off and is looking pretty goofy.

Speaking of haircuts, it has been reported that Halle Berry will be shaving her head for an upcoming movie role. The name of the movie is supposedly called Nappily Ever After, which sounds like a surefire flop. C'mon woman, it didn't work for Britney and it ain't gonna work for you. Ladies be smart about it; if you're going to cut your hair, at least get a surefire payday out of it like Vince. Aw, you just hate to see it.

The rumors are true; some of your favorite chickenheads and skanks will be returning to VH-1 next week with the series premiere of Flavor of Love: Charm School. The show will be hosted by Mo'nique, as 13 former Flavor of Love contestants will go to charm school then get placed in situations which may test their patience. Someone will get voted off each week. The most well mannered hoochie will be the winner. This is Appointment Television if there ever was. On top of that, it is also rumored that the cast of MTV's Real World: Las Vegas will be reuniting for a six-episode series this year. The Las Vegas cast was perhaps the wildest ever and ushered in the era of every cast member looking like a model and sleeping with everyone in the first episode. Things haven't been the same since. It will be great to see them together again. How in the world did Trishelle have time to fit this into her schedule?

Probably the funniest thing I saw this week was Alanis Morissette's parody of the Black Eyed Peas' "My Humps" video. I didn't even know she was still around. I hadn't heard about her since "Ironic". This is by far the funniest thing she's done since "You Can't Do That On TV".

- The New Home of The Karma.

We are less than a week away from what could be the highlight of the year: Total Nonstop Action's fanfest here in St. Louis. This is like a wrestling nerd's dream. Merchandise, a Q & A, and forty wrestling superstars in an autograph session at the Airport Hilton. If I'm lucky, I might even get to meet Ms. Brooks (above). I've been doing sit-ups to prepare for this. Maybe I should bake her a bundt cake or something. Regardless, it should be an interesting weekend with the fanfest and the live pay-per-view show the next day. I imagine you might see a post or two about it on this very page at some point.

Congratulations, Ladies!

I gotta give a shout-out to Halle Berry who received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame yesterday. Granted, I haven't seen one of her movies since Boomerang in 1992, but hey, I'm busy. Good work, woman, you deserve it!

Also, congratulations to Scary Spice (far left, screaming like a maniac) who gave birth to a baby girl yesterday. Does she know for sure who the babydaddy is? Of course not. She claims that Eddie Murphy is the father. They need to take this to the Maury Povich Show. After Maury reads "Eddie, you are not the father!" we can all giggle as she runs backstage humiliated as Eddie high fives the crowd and breaks into The Cabbage Patch and The Running Man. Oh, that poor kid.

Random Thoughts During American Idol

On the heels of Stefani Week, it's Tony Bennett's turn to help the kids. It's Swing Week. This should be disasterous. Things get rolling with Beatbox Guy. I can tell Tony hates him. BG did "Mack The Knife". I loathed it. What else is new? Next was Phil. He said Tony was his hero. He did a decent job on his song. Paula said he was like a young Frank Sinatra. What planet is this woman on? Randy and Simon critcized him for not connecting and he blamed it on the fact that he was thinking of his wife. Who is he, Doug Christie?

This was followed by Melinda. She blew it out of the arena with "I Got Rhythm". No gimmicks needed: no fake mohawks, no short skirts, no whiteboy rap-- just excellent singing. She looked the best she has all competition too. The judges loved it.

Timberlake tried to tackle a Duke Ellington song. It was better than I thought (yes, only the finest, most in-depth analysis here at Hollywood Nation). The judges kind of liked it. Simon said it was one of the better performances of the night. Faint praise because only three people went before him. Jordin was after that. She dwarfed poor Tony. I wonder if he tried to get those digits. Her song was decent. The judges approved.

After the break, it was Rock Girl. She did a song called "Smile" and it was good but forgettable. Paula said she was flawless. Break out the straightjacket. Simon said she was behind the other two girls, which Paula vigorously disagreed with. So was she saying that The Rock Girl was better than Melinda? Shut up, Paula.

Next up was the star, Sanjaya. His entire persona is like fingernails scratching down the chalkboard. He was in a white suit with slicked back hair. If you missed it, it will be repeated about 400 times this week. His vocals were weak as usual. I heard better singing during my high school production of "Bye Bye Birdie". * He danced out in the crowd. Then two of my least favorite things were combined: 1) Sanjaya and 2) Paula dancing. Paula and Randy said he was a great entertainer. Yeah, Tom Jones is about to be run out of business. It should be noted that none of the judges mentioned his singing. Hopefully this performance was bland enough that America will move on to the next trend, like swallowing goldfish or something so this will be this clown's last week.

This was followed by Haley and "Ain't Misbehaven". She had on a low cut, short dress. I'm as shocked as you are. This yamp knows that if she stays covered, she's gone. She wasn't quite ready for that song. Paula had the great insight that she looked good in green. Randy and Paula didn't talk about her singing. Simon said she had great legs but dissed her. I bet next time the girl will be in a halter top and booty shorts if she survives this week.

Then it was Lakisha to close out the show. She turned the joint out with "Stormy Weather". She looked great. It's a two person race again. I'm guessing Phil goes home, but it should be Sanjaya.

* You know damn well I did not actually attend my high school production of "Bye Bye Birdie". I'm too cool for that.