Far From Half Off On The TV Recaps

What would you do to go to Western Playland? How about jumping over to the main website in a hurry to get your family 4-pack of park tickets for half price? Half Off Wednesday tickets are available while supplies last.

On TV last night, Chulianne is safe. Chuck and Julianne were saved within the first four couples called. Ty Murray’s dancing career is lasting much longer than 8 seconds. He and Chelsie are safe. Steve-O is well enough to dance again, so there was no withdraw forfeit. The first Dancing With The Stars elimination came down to Belinda and Jonathan or Steve and Karina. In a new twist this year, rather than watching an encore of the best dance at the beginning of the results show, viewers are subject to an encore of essentially the worst two dances in what they are calling a dance-off. With viewer votes already determined, the only thing that can change the trailing couple’s fate is an improved dance. Yet in the case of last night, the new scores from the judges tied, which threw the fate right back to the viewer’s vote. So sitting through two of the lesser polished dances again seemed like an unnecessary step in the elimination process. But it filled the hour until the obligatory final-minutes dismissal of Belinda and Jonathan. What’s Julianne Hough got to say in her blog this week?


Not to be outdone, Chuck Wicks also takes you on a tour of the set and shows off some surprising places. Who knew two of America’s biggest shows on competing networks were right across the hall from each other?


The “Celebrity” video comes to life tonight as Brad Paisley takes the American Idol stage for real. Although he will be the guest entertainment, not subject to judging. If he had his way about it, however, he’d love to be judged. Brad jokes, “I’m going to compete. I’m going for it. I’ve got to see if I have what it takes. You know, I’ve always wondered.” Carrie Underwood and Randy Travis will also appear to duet “I Told You So.” Last night, Randy Travis mentored the Top 11 contestants during “Grand Ole Opry” week. Most did about as well as could be expected since they are singers of different genres who just have to play along during the yearly country music week. The most unusual performance had to have been Adam Lambert’s Egyptian-folk arrangement of “Ring of Fire.” If you didn't know he was singing the lyrics to a classic tune, it was oddly good for an interpretive piece.

American Idol fans will want to be on the lookout for the new series of 138 Upper Deck trading cards that are going to be released on April 21st. Each pack will contain five cards depicting judges, current, and former contestants. In addition, six autographed cards will be shuffled into randomly-selected packs. Country artists who got their start on American Idol, such as Carrie Underwood, Bucky Covington, Kellie Pickler, and Josh Gracin should show up somewhere in the set, so keep looking!

News From Around The Country
John Rich is going to be making the TV rounds next week. Catch him on Good Morning America and Hannity’s America on Tuesday (3/24). Wednesday is the Glenn Beck show. Thursday, J.R. will show up on the Today Show and Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. And then it’s back to Fox News on Friday 3/27. Trace Adkins will be the grand marshal and honorary starter for the Goody's Fast Pain Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway in Martinsville, Virginia, on March 29. Taylor Swift documented her entire trip to Australia on video and has posted a video blog to her website. If you want Taylor’s song “Crazier,” from the Hannah Montana Movie soundtrack, you can pre-order the deluxe version and you’ll get Miley’s “The Climb” as a digital download. And finally, Mac McAnally has signed a record deal with Toby Keith’s Show Dog Records.