American Idol fans learned something new about James Durbin last night, and even more about his partner Heidi. Despite his long face as he waited for his fate to be decided by America, it was really kinda obvious that Durbin was safe and that Jacob Lusk was “leaving on a jet plane.” But with only five contestants to winnow through, and only two guest appearances (and J-Lo is hardly a guest), Idol’s producers had to figure out how to kill an hour, when it takes just 2 seconds to say, “Jacob, go home.” Even Seacrest’s long, dramatic pauses can only go so far.
Articles by Danny Wool
Durbin Double Header
Yesterday was Durbin day on American Idol, and the crowds were loving it—well, most of it, anyway. By now, they’re down to the final five, and as Randy said repeatedly, the contestants have to prove that they are “in it to win it.” James was, or at least so said Randy, but who can take him seriously? After all, he said the exact same thing about all the other contestants. Let’s face facts. If someone is going to win, that means four other people (Jacob, Scotty, Lauren, and Haley, I’m looking at you) have to lose. Rather, they must be crushed into obscurity by the power of James’s vocals. Lord knows he tried.
Local Dog Is A Star
Move over, James Durbin. You’re not the only star in Santa Cruz. There’s also Coco, a miniature porkie (half pug and half Yorkie), who will be taking to the airwaves on Univision’s “Dogs Who Look Like Their Owners” contest.
ABC Coming to The Central Coast
CCABC, an ABC affiliate, is coming to Santa Cruz and the rest of the Central Coast on April 18. The channel will share a lot in common with NBC station KSBW in Salinas, right down to the building (the two will share the same address) and the news broadcasters (Dan Green, Erin Clark and the gang will provide simulcast news programs on the two channels). That’s because Hearst Corp., which owns KSBW, will also own CCABC.
Pizza My Heart Adds to Stow Fund
Yesterday, SantaCruz.com reported on a successful fundraiser on behalf of Bryan Stow, the local paramedic who was beaten unconscious at Dodgers Stadium last week for wearing a Giants shirt. What we didn’t know then was how successful the fundraiser really was.
Russell Brand’s Advice for Durbin
The Twittersphere is abuzz with news that Pia Toscano got voted off the show. At least one person is ashamed to be American because the Barbie-like contestant got the boot. Well, she can wipe her tears away, because Sweet Baby James was safe.
Durbin and Guitar Gently Weep
Yesterday was Durbinday in Santa Cruz, and people across the city gathered with friends and family around their teevee machines to hear the SC wunderkind rock out. After all, it was Rock and Roll Hall of Fame week on American Idol. If Elton John week could evoke a flaming piano, I fully expected boa constrictors, pole dancers, fire eaters and an inflatable pig floating over the stadium. I was expecting Gene Simmons and Eddie Van Halen on backup vocals. I was expecting local motorcycle gangs to provide security and prevent screaming fans from swamping James on stage.
Fundraiser Held to Support Bryan Stow
Over 2,500 people showed up for a fundraiser in San Jose organized by American Medical Response on Wednesday. Money raised at the event will go to support the family of Bryan Stow, a local paramedic who was beaten in the parking lot of Dodgers Stadium last Thursday, apparently for wearing a Giants shirt. Stow is still in an induced coma, and doctors fear that he may have suffered brain damage.
Stow Could Have Brain Injury
Tomorrow will mark a week since Bryan Stow of Santa Cruz was assaulted right after a Giants game in Dodger Stadium. His family and friends gather at his bedside every day, but doctors are hesitant to release a final diagnosis. What they do say, however, is that he is showing signs of “brain injury and dysfunction.” Even in the best-case scenario, warns neurosurgeon Dr. Gabriel Zada, Stow will be facing a long recovery process.
County Debates Vacation Homes … Again
Santa Cruz County supervisors spent another Tuesday session debating the regulation of vacation homes. It was the eighth meeting of its kind, and this time they succeeded in making some progress. They agreed to place a moratorium on the establishment of new vacation homes in the county but could not agree on how to regulate the existing vacation homes, which many neighbors consider a nuisance. After a lengthy debate they voted to send the proposed regulations back to the Planning Commission for a rewrite.
