Blog Posts by Lyndsey Parker

Supermodels as Duran DuranThere was a time, back in the hallowed '80s and '90s, when supermodels were superstars, practically on the same A-list level as the pop singers who recruited them for their bombastic, big-budget music videos. Who can forget Helena Christensen tussling on a beach with Chris Isaak, Naomi Campbell keeping it in the closet with Michael Jackson, Cindy Crawford snuggling up to Jon Bon Jovi, or an entire posse of girls-on-film miming along to George Michael's "Freedom '90"? Well, in the new "Girl Panic" music video by THE ultimate supermodel-friendly pop stars, Duran Duran, the "Supers" are back in the gauze-lensed spotlight, recapturing all the celluloid glamour of Duran Duran's brilliant bygone era.

Puppet JustinJustin Bieber may have a very young fanbase, but his new holiday video for "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" is sure to appeal to Beliebers' nostalgic parents and grandparents as well. Not only is Justin's version of the perennial holiday favorite reminiscent of the iconic Jackson 5 recording, but his new "Animagic" video splices a stop-motion, Rankin/Bass-style puppet Bieber elf into classic feelgood footage from the "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" 1960s Christmas special. Oh, and there's also a penguin playing drums! The result? An utterly adorable video that only a total Scrooge or Grinch could resist.

"Sing-Off" goes countryNo, that was not your imagination. The cast of the a cappella competition "The Sing-Off" really did start of Monday's show with a performance of the Arcade Fire's "Wake Up." Yeah, that happened. The teams actually recreated the song's epic choral effect surprisingly well, although, contrary to what hyperbolic host Nick Lachey said, they did not "blow up the speakers as much as any hard rock band." As much as Nick and the "Sing-Off" judges tried, almost desperately, to convince the audience this week that the rock 'n' roll portion of this week's episode was like something straight out of Ozzfest, it really was just the same old silly "Sing-Off." No speakers got blown, and not many minds did, either.

Jakks Pacific's celebrity Cabbage Patch dollsJust in time for the holiday season, Jakks Pacific toys has issued THE perfect gift for the "American Idol" fan on your Christmas list: The show's cuddliest judge, Steven Tyler, rendered in cuddly Cabbage Patch form. (This brings new meaning to the Aerosmithian phrases "rag doll" and "toys in the attic," huh?) Granted, seeing a Cabbage Patch Kid decked out in rock 'n' roll skulls, feathers, soulpatch facial stubble, and bleachy hair-streaks is a little disconcerting...especially since the doll actually kind of looks like the Demon Of Screamin'. Really, all that's missing is a string that the user can pull to make the doll utter canned catchphrases like "beautiful, just beautiful," "holy shipyard," and various bleeped-out expletives. (I guess the doll's must-have accessory, one of those little "Idol"-logo censor-paddles, is sold separately.)

Adam & Queen at the EMASIt is an indisputable fact that Adam Lambert's Season 8 finale collaboration with Queen stands as one of THE best "American Idol" moments ever. (Seriously. Do not argue with me about this.) Even the members of Queen themselves were so impressed at the time by Adam's now-legendary performance, they reportedly invited him to join their band permanently. According to "Idol" lore, Adam politely declined their flattering offer--and it sure was a flattering one, considering that he was, for all intents and purposes, supposedly being asked to fill Freddie Mercury's mighty big platform boots--and he later said this was all a rumor. But it was easy to see how such a rumor had gotten started, since Queen and Adam seemed like a perfect fit. Anyway, Queen subsequently held an online talent search for a new singer for the official Queen cover band, and Adam went on to become a solo superstar...but there was always the possibility that the two would someday join forces again. And this weekend, that possibility was thrillingly realized, as Adam stunningly sang with Queen's Brian May and Roger Taylor at the MTV Europe Music Awards.

Top 32 contestant James Kenney received baffling little screentime during his run on "The X Factor" this season, but he made a lasting impression nonetheless with his brief but stunning Judges' House performance of Rihanna's "Russian Roulette." Many viewers, myself included, thought the guy was going to be this year's dark horse. Sadly, that turned out to not be the case, as he was cut before the live shows.  So when I learned that my regular "Day After" co-host Matt Whitfield would be on vacation this week, I figured I'd invite James to be my "Day After" guest, so he could get some extra exposure and dish some dirt about his run on this crazy show.

Back in Season 2 of "America's Next Top Model," Tyra Banks forced her hapless hopefuls, including very arrhythmic future winner Yoanna House, to star in her dreadful "Shake Ya Body" music video. The results were not pretty. This season, for "America's Next Top Model Allstars," Tyra attempted to go the music-video route again, albeit with a slightly better outcome, as this time the seven finalists were the real video stars.

On this week's "ANTM" episode, the models were required to "go viral" by writing and recording pop songs, then shooting semi-pro music videos that would, presumably, blow up YouTube the instant they were uploaded onto the Interweb. It was unclear whether Tyra really even understood  what "going viral" means--come on, a video is not going to go viral just because Ms. Banks declares it so. But the girls did their best, and some of them, with the help of plenty of AutoTune and lots of crafty editing, managed to make music videos that weren't total embarrassments.

Steve Jones [photo: Fox]Last week I interviewed "X Factor" host Steve Jones backstage, and he came across as a thoroughly pleasant, likable, charming fellow. But onstage? That's a whole different story. Viewers at home don't seem to be feeling Steve Jones, if irked comments across the Twitterverse and blogosphere are anything to go by--and no, this audience/host disconnect cannot be blamed on some sort of cultural divide due to Steve's Englishness, since we all know "So You Think You Can Dance" hostess Cat Deeley is one of THE greatest reality emcees ever.

The problem is Steve seems so concerned with preventing the show from running long and preempting "Bones," he comes across as utterly un-empathetic, almost autistically unable to get an emotional gauge on certain onstage situations. On a show with many young, sensitive contestants who need to be handled with care, this is quickly becoming an image problem.