Posted by: Vin-Rose on January 25, 2007 7:48PM EST You got to feel for these two weirdos. Especially the "creature in the woods with the big eyes". He was mentally "there" but was he born with a birth defect or does he have a condition to make his apperance the way it is? He does look like a raccoon in hibeam lights...poor guy!!!!

Posted by: Diane1 on January 25, 2007 11:56PM EST One of them is at least able to give a decent interview. What in the world would we have done if both of them had the same intellectual abilities? oh my goodness. It is now time for them to go home. Why in the world do they have agents?

Posted by: Hunni on January 26, 2007 12:32AM EST I guess they're the William Hungs for 2007.

Posted by: Mike S on January 26, 2007 7:50AM EST Definately this Years William Hungs Hunni. You know what, I don't begrudge them one iota for riding this as far and as long as it will take them. I say let them enjoy thier 15 Minutes of fame.

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 8:13AM EST Im with you Mike S...hell theyre just making the best of the opportunity that has been placed before them. Why not take advantage of it. Good for them!

Posted by: on January 26, 2007 8:17AM EST Morning all, I say let them ride it. They took the criticism from Simon and this is their reward.

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 8:20AM EST I was reading the article and saw the name Ray Romano....does anyone else think he sounds like Kermit the Frog when he talks?

Posted by: AmyG on January 26, 2007 8:22AM EST Good morning everyone...I think these two are a riot. They just make you laugh. At this point, you can't really say you are laughing AT them, because now they are choosing how they present themselves, now you are laughing WITH them.

Posted by: Carla on January 26, 2007 8:26AM EST LOL House. He does a little bit. I agree with everyone. I hope they milk this for all its worth. I'm sure they'll find their way onto the finale too.

Posted by: Deirdre on January 26, 2007 8:27AM EST While I tend to agree with you guys about Ken and Jon using their opportunity, I am still upset with Idol. They were obviously picked to go before the judges because of their appearance. They weren't wearing costumes or strange make-up, they weren't trying to get noticed by drawing attention to themselves with hoohaw and silliness. They seemed to honestly, for one reason or another, believe they could sing. Idol USED them for laughs....ugly laughs, not sought after laughs. So they get some fame out of it...good for them, but I still seriously object to the reasons behind their being placed in this position at all.

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 8:38AM EST D, I completly agree with you....Kenneth and Jonathan were not dressed in costumes or 'gimmick' acts. They were 2 guys who thought they would try out for Idol because they believed they could sing, and they were pushed thru to see the judges for TV ratings only.

Posted by: Mike S on January 26, 2007 8:42AM EST Totally agree D, but now that they have been dealt that hand, it is nice to see them running with it and making something positive come out of what was originally intended as a humiliation.

Posted by: Jex on January 26, 2007 8:43AM EST Good Morning Everyone! I agree with Deirdre. This was a definite set up. I don't think it's funny to publicly make fun of the mentally disabled. Even if they're "asking for it".

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 8:53AM EST In a perfect world, what would have happend is these 2 would tried out....been told no by the first round of judges, but somewhere some producer saw these 2 and thought "hmmm, that would make for good tv, I bet we could get alot of ratings by showing these 2" and that's just not right. On the other side, I am glad to see they have taken this opportunity and made the most of it..... Now where is my boy Nick Zitzman...remember, he can HIT THE HIGH NOTES and he can SING THE LOW NOTES!

Posted by: Mike S on January 26, 2007 9:06AM EST LOL House. Just as long as we never have to see Ian Ber --- NAR---DO!!!! ever again

Posted by: Jex on January 26, 2007 9:10AM EST House, Nick was by boy! Now he really thought he could sing. But he was so goofy looking. Bless his heart.

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 9:17AM EST "Bless his heart" I love that phrase, its the polite way of saying 'ahhh, i feel so sorry for him' haha!

Posted by: mystique on January 26, 2007 9:21AM EST I heard this morning on the radio that Ian Bernardo got a record deal. Anyone know anything about that?

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 9:22AM EST Mike S...if the world is a true and just place, we will never have to see Mr. Ian Bernardo again.

Posted by: Deirdre on January 26, 2007 9:26AM EST But see...that's the whole point. Idol gets off the hook cuz these guys get their 15 minutes of fame. We all forget about the nastiness of what Idol did because...well, now those fellows are getting PAID to be slow of brain and odd of look! Just cuz these guys are getting compensated doesn't make what Idol did ok, and until Idol fans start to strenuously object to it, this kind of 'freak baiting' thing will continue.

Posted by: Carla on January 26, 2007 9:29AM EST Amy, my HR manager told me he heard it too. I can't believe someone would give that drama queen a record deal. Maybe it's for spoken word because that's all he did.

Posted by: Carla on January 26, 2007 9:29AM EST sorry i meant mystique

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 9:31AM EST D, no one said what Idol did was ok...all I said was they took a situation where they were selected to be on TV for their appearance, and they are making the most of the situation......thats all. Certainly what Idol did was not right, but unfortunatly we live in a train wreck society....we dont want to look, but we just cant turn away from it.

Posted by: Mike S on January 26, 2007 9:38AM EST OH well, if William Shatner can make an album, I guess Ian Bernardo can too. LOL

Posted by: mystique on January 26, 2007 9:39AM EST Really! He didn't even sing. But he was on Larry King last night saying that he has a record deal with a "top" producer.

Posted by: CJ on January 26, 2007 9:41AM EST Yeah that's really sad how AI gets away with this time after time. But contestants know the cruel, cruel world of reality tv...especially AI. And why didn't their family try and stop them...or warn them!?

Posted by: Deirdre on January 26, 2007 9:42AM EST There's a big difference between slowing down to look at an accident and having that 'accident' brought into your living room for the express purpose of getting your attention. I'm not criticizing you, House, or anyone else other than Idol. It's commercialism at its ugliest when a show uses someone else's misfortune to garner ratings (especially when they don't need to). I'm glad that Ken and Jon are getting some back....I'm just saying, a lot of people think that let's Idol off the hook for doing something wrong in the first place. For example, if I drive drunk and hit someone with my car...that's bad but if that victim gets a huge settlement from my insurance company, that's good for the victim but it doesn't take away my ultimate responsibility.

Posted by: Mike S on January 26, 2007 9:46AM EST Wow D is in here waxing allphilosophical and stuff on us today. :-) hehehe I agree by the way -- this doesn't let Idol off the hook, but it is nice to see them turn it around into a positive.

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 9:47AM EST oh i agree D....in this case the ends (Ken and Jon getting publicity) dont justify the means (them getting used for ratings by AI)

Posted by: linnykat on January 26, 2007 10:05AM EST OK, to play devil's advocate here ... what if Ken and Jon were asked by the producers if they were WILLING to go on through even though they could not sing? It's entirely possible that they actually plan these things ahead of time. And there are plenty of people who, imho, went out to try out KNOWING because they were so awful they might get that 15 minutes just on negative reactions... after all, Idol has been doing the same thing, to some measure, for 6 years now. And there are plenty of people in show business who's whole schtick IS their weirdness! and some have done quite well at it. just a thought (and you will notice, H, that i use the "bless your/his/her heart" thing a LOT as the season goes on and the imposters and weirdos start blogging

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 10:07AM EST haha...Linny, I love the "bless their heart" thing....haha!!!

Posted by: Deirdre on January 26, 2007 10:16AM EST Linny, I'd say that was a possibility except for the shock and anger that some of these people feel. They're not actors and they're certainly don't seem to be pretending. But I'll let you guys relax. This is a personal problem i have with the show. I love Idol because of the good singers not because of the bad. The early auditions (when they use unsuspecting people for a laugh) have always been a bone of contention with me. Suffice it to say that I find it insulting that Idol thinks it needs to create this kind of misfit parade to keep my attention.

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 10:21AM EST so what else is going on?....anybody got big plans for the weekend?

Posted by: linnykat on January 26, 2007 10:35AM EST *sends a HUGE HUG* to D...i know hon, i was just playing a bit of devil's advocate there... it bothers me too, except for that little part of me that knows SOME people choose to exploit (or perhaps a better term is utilize) the very things that OTHER people consider weaknesses (handicaps, looking 'other-than-beautiful' (not necessarily ugly), weirdnesses, etc) to their advantage instead of allowing themselves to be put down. And i truly wonder... if AI was genuinely exploiting them WITHOUT their permission... seems to me there'd be some lawsuits... first year, i can see it being a surprise, maybe even second year... but after 5 years of these kinds of moments... it's no longer surprising or secret... so i just wonder...is even the "upsetness" genuine.... i guess everyone has to sign a "your actions may be used on national television" waiver at the beginning... but still, that in itself is a warning, if you act like a doofus, or if you have something filmworthy (and we all know that can mean very bad as well as very good)...you may find yourself on camera and shown in all your *ahem* glory to all the world... *shrug* working for lawyers, i just am a bit skeptical that it's all "reality" and not a lot of set up, just to get controversy, which of course draws the audience even more! i don't say i LIKE it, i DON'T but i'm cynical

Posted by: on January 26, 2007 10:35AM EST Where is Shay?

Posted by: AmyG on January 26, 2007 10:35AM EST Smooth transition there House. ;-) I think we are going to visit my mom and dad in augusta this weekend - they wanted to know when their granddaughter was going to come visit them (not when my husband and I were coming)-ha

Posted by: linnykat on January 26, 2007 10:36AM EST Shaun... Abbey Road Live! will be in Athens saturday night, at the Ga Theatre, i'm going, i think... you like Zac Brown... have you heard Stewart & Winfield? They play at Smith's sometimes, i believe... how about Ralph Roddenberry? Check them out sometime!!!

Posted by: linnykat on January 26, 2007 10:37AM EST yeah amy except he did that while i was writing my saga *laughs* so i sorta stepped on his toes

Posted by: AmyG on January 26, 2007 10:37AM EST *standing up and clapping at linny* I don't work for lawyers, but i am just as cynical as you seem to be about it linny.

Posted by: Luvstoread on January 26, 2007 10:42AM EST Morning all.. Anyway, I watched the New York auditions last night since I was watching both AI and Friday Night Lights Wednesday night. After watching it, I think that Opera Girl has a chance. Also, I hope she gets a decent makeover. The stringy long hair is not going to win her any fans. I do think she has a very versatile voice. If she makes it the final 24, I think she might be a dark horse in this competion. Also, I must admit I have a favorite as well now. If they make it to 24, I will be quite pleased. Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

Posted by: on January 26, 2007 10:43AM EST Linny, hey sweetheart, sorry, I have never heard of them but would be open to checking them out.

Posted by: linnykat on January 26, 2007 10:43AM EST *blushing* thanks Amy.... that's one reason i really enjoy Nashville Star -- they don't show you the hype and auditions, they jump right in week 1 with some darned good country talent and that Little Big Town band on last night was awesome! I don't buy much country music but i really really liked their sound! i am out for that record (ok ok CD) this afternoon! B/D present to myself a week early and all... and the right person left last night, and the next to last last night will be the person left standing next week to go home... then the competition REALLY REALLY REALLY gets hot on the country stage!

Posted by: Mike S on January 26, 2007 10:43AM EST I will be in Alpharetta Saturday for my Granddaughter's 4th Birthday. Sunday I will be finishing painting the deck trim.

Posted by: linnykat on January 26, 2007 10:45AM EST *waves to Shaun* i was trying to think of others i've heard here in athens that would fit in the Zac Brown general category, talent wise and general sound... hubby considers Zac to be this generation's Buffet, but a helluva lot BETTER :)

Posted by: Mike S on January 26, 2007 10:47AM EST UGH I forgot to watch NS last night. I'll have to Tivo the Saturday rerun.

Posted by: Mike S on January 26, 2007 10:48AM EST HEY NOW -- don't go saying anything disparaging about Jimmy Buffett. THem's fightin words. :-) <------ major parrothead.

Posted by: AmyG on January 26, 2007 10:51AM EST Mike, have you been to many concerts? I love Jimmy !!!!

Posted by: linnykat on January 26, 2007 10:52AM EST lol noooo you misunderstand... i'm saying that Zac Brown (and the band) are this generation's equivalent.... and that they are THAT good to even be considered better.... but NOT putting down the parrotheads at ALL, lol it's like saying Widespread Panic is this generation's Grateful Dead... and i'm a way-back DeadHead... but i can appreciate the SpreadHead movement as well :)

Posted by: Jex on January 26, 2007 10:53AM EST I don't have a single thing planned for this weekend, so I'll probably clean my closets or maybe try to tackle my taxes.

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 10:56AM EST AmyG....you like that transition..... I got brains and beauty...Im a double threat.

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 10:58AM EST Zac Brown Band is the JAM!

Posted by: AmyG on January 26, 2007 10:58AM EST House, you are a nut...

Posted by: Mike S on January 26, 2007 11:00AM EST Amy - I have been to a couple (27) :-)

Posted by: Mike S on January 26, 2007 11:01AM EST Never heard of Zac Brown.. might have to check them out.

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 11:01AM EST Linny, Im trying to get a friend of mine to go see Abbey Road Live Sunday at Smith's Old Bar. Abbey Road....one of the greatest (if not the) greatest complete albums of all time.

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 11:01AM EST AmyG, Nutty like a fox!

Posted by: linnykat on January 26, 2007 11:06AM EST THe group that does ARL consists of some musicians from the jam band Cosmic Charlie, who are a 'Dead cover band, quite good... i hope you get someone to go with you H, it's soo much fun! and Smith's is such a FINE place to go see something like that!

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 11:07AM EST hell, if I cant get anyone to go, I might just fly solo down there. I got no fear in flying solo.

Posted by: RC on January 26, 2007 11:16AM EST Morning.... You can bet that the 'odd couple' friendship will be worked to a T........y'all are right on the set-up part of it; I gotta admit I didn't see it coming. Y'all might think I'm crazy but that big boy has got some ear, music-wise....much better the Mr. Huang....if the pickle can have a hit album, who knows? In the end, it's all about the Hamiltons. RC

Posted by: RC on January 26, 2007 11:25AM EST Luvs, On opera gurl, I don't know....I honestly don't think she'll make it any farther than the last opera girl AI had......seems to me it's really hard for a classically trained singer to do really great pop, although there may be a couple exceptions.

Posted by: Luvstoread on January 26, 2007 11:38AM EST RC.. Yes, there are few exceptions... Sheena Easton is one that I can think of now. Morning Train is like one of my all time favorite pop songs!!

Posted by: on January 26, 2007 11:46AM EST doesnt Jimmy Buffet have a place called margaritasville in Jamaica?

Posted by: on January 26, 2007 11:47AM EST "My baby takes the morning train, she works from 9-5 and then, she takes another home again to find me waiting for her. "

Posted by: Jex on January 26, 2007 11:50AM EST "He takes me to a movie, to a restaraunt. Slow dance, anything I want."-

Posted by: Luvstoread on January 26, 2007 11:51AM EST Shaun, Just out of curiosity did you listen to AT40 with Casey Kasem when you were younger? ;-)

Posted by: C on January 26, 2007 11:53AM EST Ray Romono sounds just like that Mammoth in the ICE AGE moves.

Posted by: linnykat on January 26, 2007 11:54AM EST Roy Orbison was classically trained....

Posted by: linnykat on January 26, 2007 11:55AM EST what does anyone here think of il divo? just curious

Posted by: Jex on January 26, 2007 11:57AM EST linny, I haven't heard them perform, but they're cute.

Posted by: Luvstoread on January 26, 2007 11:57AM EST linnykat.. From what I have heard, they are really good. If you like that type of music, I would recommend Mario Frangoulis and Russell Watson as well.

Posted by: on January 26, 2007 12:04PM EST Luvs, Every week. I loved that radio show.

Posted by: Luvstoread on January 26, 2007 12:08PM EST Shaun, OMG... Me too. I was so obsessed with it in high school that I kept a notebook and wrote all the songs down in it for a while. It was really fun trying to guess which song would be the new number one song in the land. Those were the days...

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 12:14PM EST Mike S. go to zacbrownband.com and go to the MUSIC section and click on 'launch streming audio player' and you can hear a few songs...

Posted by: on January 26, 2007 12:18PM EST Those were the days Luvs. What happened???? Back then, as kids we could walk the streets and not worry about abductors, or someone trying to take advantage of you. Nowadays, your kids are not safe in the front yard. What happened????

Posted by: RC on January 26, 2007 12:22PM EST Linny, I got Roy O's DVD....the one called 'Black and White?' Boy it's awesome...... He was one of the best in that era for sure. RC

Posted by: RC on January 26, 2007 12:23PM EST Linny, I don't much care for Il Divo to be honest......I did buy one of their CD's ...it's just OK with me.

Posted by: Luvstoread on January 26, 2007 12:25PM EST Shaun, Yep, I remember riding my bike anywhere any time of the day with all my friends. You could go anywhere and never feel unsafe as a kid. I don't have any kids, but I do have lots of nieces and nephews though. So, I really wish that they could experience the freedom I had as a kid. This world is definitely different than when I grew up in the 70's that's for sure.

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 12:56PM EST Luv and Shaun, I didnt grow up in the 70's (hell i was barely born in them) but growing up in the 80's when I was a kid our neighborhood was filled with kids my age....we used to all get together, just about every day after school and ride bikes, build a fort, go down to the creek, play football (or any other sport), and as long as we were home before dark things were good.....I also remember our parents all knowing everybody else parents...they would call and say "is House over there....please send him home" I think alot of the "community spirit" of the neighborhoods is gone, and some people tend not to know their neighbors and people that live on their street. I guess we're all just so wrapped up in our own lives that we dont care to get to know anyone else....(whew! im tired of typing now, so ill get off the soapbox)

Posted by: Luvstoread on January 26, 2007 1:09PM EST House, Yes, I remember when you used to borrow a cup of sugar from your neighbor as well.. I do believe you hit the nail on the head. Most people are too wrapped up in their own lives to even care about what might happen to others. The society we live in now is very self-involved. Off soap box now as well...

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 1:12PM EST I dont know what happened or when it all happened but something changed in society....and I dont know that it was a change for the better.

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 1:19PM EST Luvs, What books do you 'luv' to read?

Posted by: on January 26, 2007 1:21PM EST House and Luv, I agree. There is a song by the Winans, that is titled "bring back the days of yesterday" that is so fitting in our society now. It takes a village.

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 1:22PM EST Shaun, if you enjoy old country....listen to Merle Haggards "are the good times really over for good" It talks about the good ol' days.

Posted by: Luvstoread on January 26, 2007 1:35PM EST House, I pretty much like all types of fiction. Some of my all time favorite books... Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett, Tolkein Trilogy, Shannara Series - Terry Brooks, Thorn Birds - Colleen McColough, The Stand - Stephen King, Paint the Wind - Cathy Cash Spellman and much more... Favorite authors.. Michael Crichton, Anne Tyler, Jane Green, Sandra Brown, Richard North Patterson, Nora Roberts, Charlaine Harris...perhaps too many more to name.. I can stay in a book store all day!!

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 1:40PM EST havent read any of those...I tend to read more things that have a historical basis....Patton's biography, Flags of Our Fathers, Andersonville: The Last Depot, anything Civil War or WW2 and I'm sold. I also loved the Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons, and Holy Blood Holy Grail.

Posted by: shay on January 26, 2007 1:52PM EST Good afternoon!

Posted by: Luvstoread on January 26, 2007 1:54PM EST House, Do you enjoy memoirs? If so, I recommend It's all over but the shoutin' by Ricky Bragg. It's one of the best books I have read in quite some time.

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 1:54PM EST I may have to look into that one Luvs

Posted by: Luvstoread on January 26, 2007 2:06PM EST House, Just out of curiosity did you read Band of Brothers? I really enjoyed the mini-series.

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 2:09PM EST I did not read the book, but i did enjoy the mini-series as well...

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 2:12PM EST History channel will show a few episodes every now and again...

Posted by: Luvstoread on January 26, 2007 2:16PM EST House... Also, it's much cheaper now than when it first came out on DVD. It's a definite purchase and keeper for me soon.

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 2:17PM EST I got the Ken Burns Civil War DVD set a while back, its good stuff.

Posted by: Luvstoread on January 26, 2007 2:20PM EST Yep, I have heard that it is really good. It's pretty long isn't it?

Posted by: Mike S on January 26, 2007 2:21PM EST Shaun - Yes. Jimmy Buffett owns all the Margaritaville Restaurants. US - Key West, Orlando, New Orleans, Mrytle Beach, Las Vegas Caribbean - Cancun, Negril, Ocho Rios, Montego Bay, Airville, Grand Cayman, Turks & Caycos He has also started a new restaurant Chain "Cheeseburger in Paradise" -- there is one in Dunwoody, Ga And his Sister owns LULU's in Gulf Shores, AL.

Posted by: Mike S on January 26, 2007 2:23PM EST I got Band of Brothers DVD set for Christmas when it first came out. It has so much REAL footage and Interviews and stuff that it is a must own for anyone interested in WWII history.

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 2:29PM EST I will have to see if i cant pick up the Band of Bros. set this weekend. good stuff. If you go to zacbrownband.com you can hear a few of their songs in the MUSIC section

Posted by: Mike S on January 26, 2007 2:35PM EST I took a listen House. Good stuff. May order the CD :-)

Posted by: Luvstoread on January 26, 2007 2:36PM EST Mike S, Thanks for the heads up.. Now, I really want to buy it. I must tell you it was a very moving mini-series. The Lt. was such a good guy. At the end of the series, it said he moved to somewhere in the NE and lived alone and never married. If that is not true, please correct me. Oh well, always a pleasure chatting and sharing with my fellow bloggers. Hope that everyone has a great weekend!!

Posted by: House on January 26, 2007 2:36PM EST alright boys and girls, Im off to see the wizard. I'll probably be back on here in a little while.

Posted by: Mike S on January 26, 2007 2:36PM EST I realize he probably doesn't want to mess up his band, but Zac really should audition for AI. He is g