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After eight seasons of American Idol, everyone’s getting tired of it, myself included.  For eight years the American public has watched the same kind of singers take the stage and belt out the same kind of songs over and over again.  With the exception of Carrie Underwood and a few others, the contestants are generally so uninteresting that they fade back into obscurity as soon as the finale airs.  This season, however, the show has given us a full set of interesting voices and personalities that might keep America’s attention for the first time in years.  One of the contestants is a glassblowing apprentice.  I mean, how many of those exist in the world?  Very few.
Glassblower’s apprentice, welcome to American Idol: Upgrade

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I’m not trying to knock the Olympics as a whole.  I enjoy a good round of curling just as much as the next guy.  But why does every other show on television go on hold just because the Winter Olympics roll into town?  I’m one of those people that require at least one good TV show per night each week, and when each of my favorite shows goes on hold, the balance of my life no longer exists.  For example, my favorite show, Fringe, was just getting good when the Winter Olympics ice skated its way onto my TV, putting Fringe on the back burner until mid-March.  Even worse, Fringe was not the only prime-time casualty the Olympics brought on; my other favorites including House, V, FlashForward, The Office, Parks and Recreation, and Human Target were also benched until the Olympics decided to wrap things up.
The Winter Olympics take over my TV screen: Downgrade

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Throughout all 88 of her years on earth, everyone’s favorite grandmother, Betty White, has never hosted an episode of Saturday Night Live.  Why the show’s producers have invited the likes of Icelandic singer Bjork and American annoyance Taylor Swift before the queen of comedy is beyond me.  It may have taken a Facebook group (Betty White to host SNL- Please?) with 500,000 members and millions of tear-stained letters to the NBC headquarters, but fans will finally get their wish when White teams up with Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, and Molly Shannon for a special edition of Saturday Night Live next year.  Suggestion:  For her 90th birthday in 2012, why not give her her very own episode of SNL?
Betty White finally joining the cast of SNL: Upgrade

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I’m not lying when I say that the cafeteria’s cheesy chicken is too good for words.  I’m also not exaggerating when I say that I would choose a good bowl of cheesy chicken over a full course meal from 97% of the restaurants in Hattiesburg.  However, I, along with hundreds of other cheesy chicken enthusiasts, have been extremely disturbed by the use of what appears to be ham in place of chicken in the last few batches of the cafeteria’s signature dish.  Let us not forget the wise words of our elders:  “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”  So with that said, GIVE US CHICKEN.
Cheesy Ham DOES NOT equal Cheesy Chicken: Downgrade

The New Orleans Saints had a winning season? And now they’re on to the Super Bowl? As surreal as this sounds, it’s true! Having not had a winning season since 2006, the Saints have a new season record of 15-3 and are preparing for the game of their lives. It seems as though ever since the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the city of New Orleans has been in an emotional tailspin and a trip to the Super Bowl will be the perfect cure. Geaux Saints!
Saints to Super Bowl XLIV: Upgrade

First Paula, now Simon? The wittily critical judge on American Idol has announced that this will be his last season on the hit show. Cowell is leaving to work on the U.S. version of The X Factor, a new talent search, where he will serve as the executive producer and judge. “If your lifeguard duties were as good as your singing, a lot of people would be drowning.” Oh Simon, your sincere words will be greatly missed.
Simon Cowell X’s American Idol for The X Factor: Downgrade

While Hattiesburg has been treasured for its small town remote feel, our city has recently been “put on the map” with all its celebrity attractions. First, in December, the hit ABC show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition visited bringing along Ty Pennington and Christian Slater. Presently, Tiger Woods is reportedly living in the Hub City to overcome his “numerous transgressions.” His stay has resulted in the town being featured on national television shows such as E! Daily 10 and E! News, The Today Show, and Nancy Grace.
Hattiesburg’s new found fame: Upgrade

Due to the school’s bad weather day that consisted of no snow, no ice, no sleet, and no rain, our Easter vacation has been cut short. The school officially took away the free Monday, leaving students with only the Friday before Easter for our break. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather be in school on a dull, cloudy day than on a sunny one where I have much candy at home to be eaten.
Easter break cut short: Downgrade

Given the judgment lapses that the AMAs and CMAs have experienced when giving out awards at their latest ceremonies, it’s refreshing to see that the Grammys still have a clear view of what real talent is.  Though the Grammys haven’t yet voted on who the recipient of each award will be, the organization’s crop of nominees is much stronger than those of the CMAs and AMAs.  With the exception of one or two nominees, the chosen acts in each category are there deservingly and based on real talent rather than record sales and the popularity factor.  With the Grammys history of choosing the most deserving winner among the nominees, I feel confident we won’t be disappointed this January when the final call is made.
Grammys award real talent with nominations:  Upgrade

When I sat down to watch the AMAs last month, I didn’t know what I was in for.  Throughout the entire show, the announcer hyped an “unforgettable” and “show-stopping” performance by American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert.  What America saw was certainly “unforgettable,” but for all the wrong reasons.  On American Idol, Lambert was known for his off-the-wall antics, but his performance at the AMAs went far beyond what we saw in the spring.  Not only was he over the top and inappropriate, but among all the mayhem on stage, he failed to deliver a good vocal.  With several TV networks cancelling Lambert’s scheduled performances, hopefully he’ll learn his lesson and keep his future performances G-rated.
The fact that Adam Lambert will do anything to get some attention:  Downgrade

Summer is fun and all, but if I had my way, it’d be winter year round.  So naturally the recent shift from hot and humid to freezing cold and arctic wind has been a welcome change for me.  Not only that, but the plummeting temperatures give me license to wear my Snuggie whenever I please, like to the state championship last week, where I was wearing my “blanket with sleeves” proudly.  Winter weather also makes it easier for me to drink coffee all day long without breaking a sweat.  Finally, and I think even those who hate cold weather can agree, with Christmas fast approaching, it’s much easier to get into the Christmas spirit when there’s frost on your window than when you can fry an egg on the patio tiles.
Trading in the flip flops for my Snuggie:  Upgrade

This is the kind of stuff I don’t understand.  It’s hard enough for an everyday citizen to get away with an affair, so why do celebrities think they have any chance of keeping their little secret a secret?  I’m even more surprised that Tiger Woods, possibly one of the most well known athletes in the world, is the latest big-timer to find himself in a little family trouble.  It’s equally puzzling that he went as far as to have SEVEN different mistresses (and still counting), all of which claim they were “the one.”  Celebrities are going to have to wise up and realize that their lives are under a constant microscope and nothing gets censored.
Tiger Woods and others inability to “stay faithful”: Downgrade

School uniforms are usually not something high school students look forward to. However, they definitely have one major plus. Though I am a senior and will not get to experience them, I am jealous of the 15-20 minutes of extra sleep I could have had with uniforms. Typically, I try to pick out what I’m going to wear the night before, however, that rarely happens. So, I usually end up rushing because I overslept and have nothing to wear. With uniforms, how easy would it be in the mornings? No need to worry the night before and you can get an extra few minutes before finally having to get out of bed. Sure, you have to decide what color polo, but that’s easy.
School uniforms will give students extra sleep time in the mornings: Upgrade

They just can not seem to accept the fact that we won and they lost. Reading the comments online at the Hattiesburg American’s Web site still make me cringe. Though, some can be quite humorous with all the nonsense. Can they really not get over it? However, the real point I want to make is about their appearance at the Brandon game. If they really just wanted to enjoy a good football game, was it seriously necessary to sit in the student section? They definitely were not trying to blend in either. Their really cute letterman jackets were obviously just as red as can be. They just think they are so much better than us.
The fact that Petal still can not get over themselves: Downgrade

On average, students at Oak Grove sit in class from 8:15 to 3:40 except 20 minutes for lunch. Obviously, the long day can be very tiring and some people just need a break. For example, the Army Rock Band’s visit was a perfect example of an enjoyable treat for students. For those that missed the concert, you sure missed out. I remember walking in school to the sounds of the band warming up. Somebody told me it was just for band students. However, when Mr. Folkes told our class we could go, I was thrilled. It was a special time out of the classroom where everybody seemed to have enjoyed themselves. We definitely need more days like that around here.
Giving students a break from class every now and then: Upgrade

Taylor Swift released her first album in 2006 when she was 17. That was three years ago, Taylor. You are not “Fifteen” anymore so stop writing naive love songs about being in high school. In my opinion, Taylor Swift just can’t seem to grow up. I had the unfortunate opportunity to meet her in 2008 after a free concert my friends dragged me to. I hoped after meeting her, my feelings towards her would change. They remained the same. She acted just as fake as can be. Maybe I am being harsh, but if Taylor wants a serious career in music, she needs to grow up and move on from high school boyfriend drama.
Taylor Swift’s inability to grow up: Downgrade