1. Idol Recap

I’ve decided to not do a recap this week. In fact, I’m pissed. Not because of who went home. Nor at the format. I was watching Thursday’s show like normal and a thought crossed my mind about the summer tour. Idol has held a tour every summer after the finale for all of its previous 14 seasons but, according to an article posted by Billboard, CORE Media – parent company of 19 Entertainment – confirmed that there will not be a tour at all after the “Farewell Season” wraps up next week.

I haven’t been as fortunate to make it out to Hollywood for an Idol live show – and I never will barring some miracle in the next week – so the tour was something I looked forward to. This gave us fans who couldn’t make it to a live show a chance to see our favorite Idol contestants perform live and even meet them if we chose to. I attended four of the tours throughout the years. I remember going to Season Two’s tour when it came to Raleigh. I still have the t-shirt from it somewhere – although I can’t wear it anymore. I even remember getting free Pop-Tarts after the show. Yes, I said free Pop-Tarts. Pop-Tarts was a sponsor of the tour that year. My, oh my, how things have changed! Fast forward eight years and you’ll find my next Idol Live! Tour visit. That was Season 10 in Raleigh and it was also my first meet and greet experience. Next came Season 12 and yet another meet and greet experience in Charlotte. Then, lastly, Season 14 in July in Durham.

The tours not only gave me and millions of other fans a chance to hear some amazing music, it gave us some enjoyment and times spent with family and friends. I’ve written about many aspects regarding this season of the show that I felt have been disservices to loyal fans. However, not doing a tour this summer is the greatest of them all. The tradition that is the Idol Live! Tour has just been tossed out the window into a pile of mud and stepped on. What a shame.

2. Final Four Time

Now, onto a brighter story. The Final Four begins in Houston, Texas on Saturday night and I can’t wait. That’s because, of course, my UNC Tar Heels are in it and are just two wins away from a National Championship! It’s crazy to think I could very well see a fourth title come home to Chapel Hill – I count the ’93 title even though I was one year old then. 😉 In case you missed it, I wrote a post earlier this week on how this latest Final Four trip is extra special for me. I encourage you to go check it out! Two wins, baby, two wins. Like I said on Monday, Go Heels and let’s win the whole daggum thing!

3. Coach K

In case you haven’t seen or heard about this story – I don’t know how you couldn’t – I wanted to offer some thoughts on Duke Men’s Basketball coach, Mike Kryzewski’s “dressing down,” as ABC News put it, of Oregon guard Dillon Brooks after the Ducks’ Sweet 16 victory over the Blue Devils. This is, apparently, not the first time Coach K has made comments to an opposing player in a handshake line after a game. However, the troubling part for me – and many others – is what took place after K’s little talk with Brooks. In the post-game press conference, K was asked point blank if he told Brooks that he was “too good of a player to be showing off at the end” but K denied it, according to Slate. Hours later, CBS released footage with audio of the handshake line which showed K saying the exact phrase to Brooks, according to Slate.

Now, it’s one thing to say something to an opposing player, although I think that’s crossing a line as is. But it’s completely different to say something and then deny it when asked point blank, especially someone in a position like Coach K. My reaction to this is not based on my disdain for Duke. My reaction is based on the fact that I think it’s sad a coach of stature, such as K, chose to deny saying something when asked about it which, in turn, took a well-deserved spotlight away from a very good Oregon ball club.You don’t coach my players and I won’t coach yours. Not the best look for Coach K.

4. What Do You Think?

I was going to write about something else until I saw this story that just broke online. According to an article on Billboard, Cirque de Soleil has filed suit against Justin Timberlake and Timbaland, among others, for copyright infringement, seeking $800,000 minimum for the alleged transgression. I listened to both songs. I think Cirque will have an uphill battle with this. I have a pretty well-trained ear for music and I cannot pinpoint a single similarity between the two songs. But, I’m just one opinion. Check out the Billboard story and let me know what you think.

5. Thank You

Today, April 1, is my birthday. I thank God for letting me see another day and another year of life. I started off my celebration by getting my car back from the shop – worn out air blower motor, yay – and paying out the butt for it. But, I know joy always comes in the morning and I ended my day doing something I love: going to the movies! I treated myself and saw My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 which was awesome (I’ll have a review of it soon).

Anyway, I want to take this time to thank each and every one of you who wished me Happy Birthday and/or read my posts on here. My blog doesn’t get tens of thousands of views a day but it has increased its outreach every year since its creation. That’s pretty darn good for a guy who had no clue what he was getting himself into haha!

Thanks for Reading