So American Idol is heading into the Semi Finals – which I like to think of as the official beginning of the season.
I pretty much guess that everyone knows how it’s going to work so I’m not going to belabour you with that. I’ll just take a quick rundown of the Top 36, what I perceive their chances to be and how I hope the competition turns out.
Adam Lambert – alternately known as the Broadway Guy or the Guy who did Cher. For some reason he got a lot of slack of performing Cher, which seems weird on paper – but he changed the melody (not dramatically) but still. And he has a pretty good voice. I like this guy and I’d like to see him go far. He has the star look too.
Anoop Desai – the Indian guy. He blew me away in his group performance during Hollywood. He has a cool name, he looks sort of funny, but he has a great voice. A strong contender.
Felicia Barton – I think I remember her audition, good but unimpressive a less sexy Haley Scarnato if you will. I don’t see her making it far…
Ju’Not Joyner – could be the token black male R&B singer… which is weird because there were quite a few black dudes who didn’t make it (Jamar anyone?). I don’t remember much about him.
Lil’ Rounds – I do not like her, I hated her ‘rapping’ and I don’t like how the judges are primping her. She’s good though – I hope she ends turning out like that Alexandra girl from last season who peaked in auditions and didn’t make the top 12, but I doubt.
Nathaniel Marshall – I HATE HIM. I pray to god America sends him home.
Stevie Wright – I’m a bit meh about her, I think she has potential though.
Jeanine Vailes – No idea who she, she looks a bit like a thin version of Mandesa.
Anne Marie Boskovich – will always be remembered as the girl who had to go through that pointless makeover. I liked her, and I still like her. She needs to step up though and really outsing the competition.
Danny Gokey – I don’t like Danny as much as AI wants us to, but I don’t have a problem with him. To me he is an annoying and less endearing version of Elliot (my favourite male from Season 5). He’ll probably be going far… and I wouldn’t mind.
Jorge Nunez-Mendez – is the Latino guy. I liked him in his initial audition, although I’ve become a bit lukewarm since. I still like him. He could make it, and then he could not… I hope he does, but I could see him getting monotonous.
Kristin McNamara – is probably going to go far. The ones Simon picks on usually do. I’m not incredibly fond of her. She pissed me off during Hollywood week for sure.
Mishovanna Henson – I remember seeing her, I don’t remember hearing her. Go figure.
Stephen Fowler – For me he was a less annoying Chiekizie, and oh how I hated Chiekizie. He’s not bad. I don’t mind him, a little indifferent maybe.
Von Smith – I like Von. Maybe it’s just my propensity to like those that most don’t, but I like him. He has a cool voice and he doesn’t annoy like so many of the guys who sing like he does do. I am definitely a fan.
Scott Macintyre – the token blind guy… back up… what? Yep. The blind guy. This is painful. They love him, but his voice is not THAT impressive. I don’t hate him though, so there’s hope… but will he stand during performances?
Michael Sarver – looks a little annoying to me. He reminds me of Bucky Covington from Season 5. With this new system I doubt that he’ll reach the top 12. I initially liked him, but he doesn’t have staying power.
Kris Allen – is one of those we haven’t seen much or anything of. But I like his name and he looks all right, so I hope he does well.
Jesse Langsleth – She’s pretty, but if it depends on her voice only she may get lost in the crowd.
Casey Carlson – is gorgeous. Can she sing? I can’t even remember. I doubt she’ll go too far, or I hope… hopefully she doesn’t become Antonella Barbra – I hated her.
Allison Iraheta – is the girl I remember had the ridiculously red hair. She could stand out I suppose, she’s pretty.
Alexis Grace – is another one I remember seeing, but can’t remember singing, probably the hair. I think she had a baby or something...
Ariana Asfar – forgettable... but pretty...
Jackie Tohn – is one of my favourites. She is a less polished version of Carly (my third place pick last season from the 24). She’ll go far.
Kai Kelama – I like him, but I don’t know if his voice is impressive enough.
Matt Breitzke – okay, seriously. Can this guy win this? A resounding NO!
Nick Marshall – AI should be ashamed putting this guy through. This was/is laughable – and all that screen time he got was ridiculous. I don’t know what the judges were thinking.
Tatiana Del Toro – I may be the only one who likes her, but I do. Her laughter may be annoying, and she may be just a tad bit too dramatic – but so is that Nathaniel guy who people seem to love. I hope she goes far and starts showing some positive personality traits – she has a considerably good voice.
Megan Corkey – is likeable enough and she doesn’t have a bad voice. If she manages to reach the top 12 she could become a Kellie Pickler… but then again – maybe not.
Taylor Vaifuna – is another sixteen year old. I think she has an okay voice, but I don’t see her going very far. Another forgettable girl.
Ricky Braddy – is another person we’ve never seen. I’m curious as to what kind of a person he is with a name like Ricky Braddy. I mean seriously, Archie Comics anyone? He looks a little annoying, but I’m open – maybe I’ll like him.
Matt Giraud – is my favourite contestant this season. Just like season when I dubbed Michael Johns my favourite from his audition I liked Matt from the inception. I think he has what it takes to become a big star, but to win idol… well we’ll see.
Kendell Beard – is one of the prettiest girls in the competition and I like her. I don’t think she can actually win the competition, but I think she can go far and I like her.
Jasmine Murray – is another pretty young thing. She’s the girl that sang Fergie during her auditions. She was good. I’ve been hearing some Paris Bennett comparisons, but I don’t think she has the power – she’s more of an edgier Jordin Sparks… and I liked Jordin.
Brent Keith – I think he was on Nashville Superstar. He reminds me of Michael Sarver… enough said.
Alexander Wagner – Trugman – annoys me. I know he has a strong voice, but I’m not a big fan. I don’t hate him though.
Casey Carlson Stephen Fowler
Jackie Tohn Ricky Braddy
Anne Marie Boskovich Brent Keith
Alexis Grace Michael Sarver
Stevie Wright Danny Gokey
Tatiana Del Toro Anoop Desai
This is the first group that will be going. Most sites have Jackie Tohn as the top girl and Anoop and Danny being the two guys in. We don’t know Ricky Braddy so he could be an upset, Tatiana is hated – but she has the chops and she could surprise. Randy like Stephen Fowler and Anne Marie and Stevie are two girls who could become dark horses. Brent Keith has a memorable name and experience.
TIMO
WELCOMING FIRST YEARS TO THE DEPARTMENT
Aristotle once said, “The only stable state is the one in which all men are equal before the law.”
In the Law Faculty of the University of Guyana there are few maxims more salient. It’s been said before, but University is a completely different chapter from high school, and other than the credentials that earn you a place in the programme the race begins afresh to discern those most suited for the profession.
The legal field is one that holds glamour for many, and like any ostensibly glamorous profession the journey there is exceedingly difficult. The difficulty that lies ahead of you as first year students are reminiscent of the same difficulties that the burgeoning law faculty. It was a mere twelve years ago that the Law Faculty became a reality at the University ___ years after our Caribbean counterparts had started their programme. The journey for Guyana’s law department was thorny and arduous and it is such a road that is before you as lawmakers. Of course the word law-makers is an oxymoron in itself, law cannot be made – but our task is to uphold the tenets of the abstract concept of law and order.
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What the law programme entails.
History of the faculty.
Importance of law in Guyana/the Caribbean.
