Idol Rich: We Bid a Charitable Farewell to Smiles McTUrban

Now that that’s out of the way, ​I’ll refrain from commenting on the few questionable performances by seasoned bank-earning professional musicians during the Idol Gives Back episode last night. Because, well, it was all for the good of many children. And there’s really no reason to diminish the fact that…

Dear Snapple: An Open Letter Concerning the Abandonment of Soda

Dear Snapple, You produce beverages — allegedly with the best stuff on Earth — with which many are satisfied. Some might say they even crave your drinks. Even 30 Rock has been generous with Snapple’s product placement, with character Cerie going so far as to declare, “I only date guys…

Idol Rich: The NTX2 Prove Not So Inspirational

It’s a big week in Idol World. Tonight marks the almost annual star-studded Idol Gives Back charity episode, and, no matter how hard-hearted you are, you have to admit that the show is an emotional, feel-good, do-good piece of prime-time. Celebs of every level will grace the stage and screen…

Idol Rich: Results, Adam Lambert and…uh, Polyphonic Spree?

So, I’m sitting there watching Idol, getting ready for the results portion (which also generally includes already-famous people performing songs that I’m sure the contestants would much rather watch when they’re not waiting to find out if they’re “safe”), with Seacrest being all dramatic and shit, when I heard the…

Idol Rich: It’s a “Hound Dog” of a Week!

Elvis week, people. Elvis week. Lots to choose from. Lots of disappointments. And Idol alum Adam Lambert was the mentor, so that means there was lots of make-up… as well as inappropriate jokes about inches and tongues from Ryan Seacrest. Awkward!On a positive note, though, Lambert was one of the…

Sample Sizes

Why would we tell you that you have to be 21 or older to attend the 4th annual Wine & Dine? You might think it’s because there will be sampling of wine, beer and spirits, and yes, legally, you’d be right. But really, it’s because there’s just so much to…

Retro Top Ten: Food Product Jingle Edition!

This week we’re featuring some of those outstanding jingles that ingrained themselves into our gray matter. You know, the ones that were on worn VHS tapes of holiday specials. The ones that made you crave chips or gum. Those that you loved (or hated) just because of that catchy melody…

Idol Rich: Hey, Everyone It’s Lennon & McCartney Week

It was sorta-kinda-Beatles week. And Macca even sent a “Good Luck!” message via satellite from tour and everyone thought it was awesome. Looks were shared around the theater. People probably embraced, it was hard to tell. The band mates just played better knowing that message came from Sir with love.Some…

Idol Rich: WTF, Seriously? TUrban Hangs On for Another Week

No one was remotely worried about Casey James this week. And with good reason. That dude was safer than safe. But after landing in the Bottom Three AGAIN, Tim Urban survived to watch another, more emotive singer, be sent home. Not saying the dissed Didi Benami’s “What Becomes of the…

Idol Rich: The NTX2 Search Their Souls

Last night, we got to see the Top 10 taking the stage with soul and R&B hits from the likes of Chaka Khan, Aretha and domestic threat Chris Brown. Oh, and we also got to watch the weirdest backstage camera shots ever. Mmm, creepy voyeurism…Usher served as the mentor this week…

Oh, Those Three Beans of Yore

Every Sunday ever spent at a certain grandmother’s house involved a three-bean salad. Granted, this salad, with it’s green beans, wax beans and kidney beans — and a little vinegar and sugar — was made with love and firm-handed grace. Everyone ate it, so everyone must have liked the sweet…

Musical Mercy

What better way to launch a nonprofit campaign in Dallas than with a rock show? Even if you’re not sure about the “mosh[ing] with old friends” that Mercy for Animals touts in its online event description, surely you can get behind music with a cause. The show aims to raise…

America’s Got Taping

Were you ever looking forward to attending a talent show as an adult? Probably not. Did you ever think to yourself: “Man, I wish that just once there’d be a televised program that showcases my country’s creativity, but also employs the entertainment expertise of David Hasselhoff as well as Sharon…

Two-Wheeled Weekend

Rockers Vs Mods isn’t actually about rivalry. Well, OK, it is a little bit about the rivalry between those who ride and those who scoot, but mostly, the weekend-long two-wheeled rally is about tooling around, listening to rock music, eating good food and drinking (post-ride, of course). The packed itinerary…

Idol Rich: The NTX Two Get Schooled By Miley Cyrus…Um, What?

This week’s theme was Billboard Number Ones. A valid theme for American Idol if there ever was one. Props to Lee Dewyze for kicking out the Box Tops jam “The Letter” even though, sadly, no one mentioned the recently late lead singer of said group, Alex Chilton. Not saying DeWyze…

Idol Rich: One North Texan in the Bottom Three

Tim Urban was the second of the American Idol contestants to end up in the dreaded “Bottom Three” on the painfully long voting results show. It looked like Casey James might end up there too, but then it came down to him and Panhandle Texan Lacey Brown to fill the…

Wanna Be Starterin’ Something…

Imagine, if you will, your grandmother’s refrigerator or possibly her pantry. Open it. Look inside. Somewhere there on either the second or first (if it wasn’t too cold) shelves there’s a jar. It probably has plastic wrap or a cloth affixed to the top of it by way of a…