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Dish Of Salt: "Adios," Shandi & Greasy Sanjaya
It was week two of the two reality powerhouses sharing the same space on the CBS lot. It was my first time backstage and although I tried to hang around the "Idol" area, I started feeling like a stalker and thus gave up on looking for the contestants.
The fans were out in full force though for at least an hour waiting for the Idols to exit to grab autographs. By the time I left at 7:30, the place was a dead zone.
Alas, I was backstage to talk to the eliminated dancer at "Dancing With The Stars." That fate fell on former Miss USA Shandi Finnessey. Poor girl never really even had a chance considering her name value was low and her partner, Brian Fortuna, had never been on the show before.
I myself had high hopes for her because when I met Shandi at rehearsal last month I thought she was a standout, just as Stacy Keibler had been. Unfortunately, she just didn't have the same skill level when it came to dancing and she never stood out.
Shandi says she was sad to go but no tears were shed. She really had a feeling she was staying tonight though, she told me. She was most upset that the viewers never really got to know her other interests including her charity work. Oh, and she'll miss those skimpy costumes and joked she might wear it out to the grocery store one day.
She'll be going back to her job hosting shows for the Game Show Network but if I had to venture a guess, one of the entertainment shows will snatch her up as a correspondent covering the rest of the season.
Now let's talk "Idol." I'm going to bust out my inner Joan and Melissa tonight.
Kudos to Melinda Doolittle for the razor bob haircut. Much better than last week. The stylists did her wrong though with that too small for her, unflattering, sleeveless dress. Yet again, the girl killed her performance -- but seriously, enough with the "Golly Gee" act.
My girl Jordin rocked the house again this week making up for last week's misstep. She's adorable and I loved that under her outfit she busted out with Chuck Taylor sneakers rather than heels. A great way to keep her youthfulness, especially on a song so old.
Chris Richardson. The boy sure is cute but it’s time to change up his style a bit. The outfit did not match the song at all.
Loved Phil Stacey's suit. What was up with the eyebrows? It looks like someone colored them.
Scary. Very scary.
Blake Lewis ah-door-ah-bull. He looked like a star tonight.
Gina. Gina. Gina. Girl, what was up with the helmet hair? The braids were cute but didn't match the song and the backcombed hair was a nightmare.
Sanjaya busted out the "Saturday Night Fever" suit and little girls I'm sure were in "Heaven." His hair was slicked back with a bit of grease, and yes, (for those paying attention) Sanjaya's hair is shorter. My backstage sources tell me this week he cut three inches off the hair.
Haley went for the lighter highlights but personally, I liked her better with the darker locks. As for the dress, I'll reserve my real comments just to say that more is more when it comes to dresses.
Prediction: Haley's comet is about to crash. Though, for the record, I still feel like LaKisha Jones could be on thin ice.
Melinda is humble. When will people stop picking on her for being too nice? Melinda keep doing your thing, no likes a ungracious or rude performer/celebrity.
Great show and the remaining contenders are upping the ante. I was a bit surprised with Gina departing but ... that's the public's view I guess. Blake is a good contender along with Melissa. Good show - even Sanjaya is upping his game - where he may lack in voice, his showmanship is terrific.