KSAC (1240 AM) station manager Paula Nelson says that, frankly, she's happy her station made the switch today from progressive talk radio to gospel.

Oh, and it's not just any ol' gospel - it's hip-hop gospel. Think anything from Yolanda Adams to the Rooftop MCs.

"It's got all the good beats and an inspirational, positive message, too," Nelson says of the new format, which went into effect late Saturday night. The call letters officially switched today.

And, right about now, Nelson says, she could use some positive.

"I was ready for this change - I just wasn't having fun anymore," Nelson says. "The whole political thing has gotten nasty, dirty and contentious."

And it didn't help that major political companies didn't support the station during its four years as a liberal talk radio station, she says.

"There are all these Sacramento Democratic organizations that haven't spent a dime on (advertising) for our station," Nelson says. "To them I say, 'You did this - you were complicit, you shut us down.'

"If you're not sending us the marketing dollars, then you're part of the problem."

Florence Low/flow@sacbee.com

Looking back at Friday night's fashion show at the Crest Theatre, it's amazing to me that more than 900 folks care enough about the local fashion scene to support a show that, obviously, was a labor of love for those involved.

Didn't make it? No worries. Check out Bee photographer Florence Low's multimedia presentation here.

The show was titled "Imagine: Where Fashion, Music & Art Unite." It was a first for the almost year-old International Academy of Design & Technology. It showcased both established Sacramento designers - Richard Hallmarq, Tomiko Abella (designs pictured above), Steven Willey and Dee Aguilar - plus the first collections from a number of the Sacramento design school's students.

(For more info about IADT, click here.)

I got lucky and was seated next to school president Melody Rider, who cheered each of her students' offerings. Rider got the school up and running last May, so it's to her credit - and fashion department chair Denise Reed - that almost 30 designers were "seasoned" enough to put together collections this fast.

Last fall, some of them didn't even know how to sew!

The individual collections had different names and themes - all focused on looks for spring and summer.

For example, designers Melisa Celestial and Naomi Persinger's "Seaside Celebrations" was all about the beach: natural cottons, warm colors. The clothes made you forget how cold it was outside in Sacramento!

Student Jeremiah Hill has been designing for less than a year. His first collection, titled "Asian Knight," featured flirty dresses and a multi-tiered skirt I would have purchased on the spot. Hill paired it nicely with a satin and metallic bandeau top.

Meanwhile, major props to both Abella and Aguilar, who continue to grow as established designers. Abella's "Romantica" segment offered an incredible mix of ruffles, lace and detailed beading in her flamenco-inspired fashions. Aguilar got her inspiration from old Hollywood films. And her designs were pure elegance, from a white sequin dress reminiscent of the 1960s to leggings and a simple fitted top.

The show was hosted by Naima Mora, Season 4 winner of "America's Next Top Model." She did a nice job, considering the number of designers she had to introduce (even when the order changed). Her energy (and beauty) on stage makes you realize why she won that title.

And keynote speaker Jack Mackenroth, from "Project Runway," was pretty entertaining, especially his slide show of pics from his stint on the show, including some of eventual winner Christian Sirano mugging for the camera.

Finally, Hallmarq's show-ending segment featured multiple celebs, including a stunning Nyabel Lual, one of the most exotic models on the planet. Musical artist Carmen Xtravaganza wowed as the models, sporting floor-length ponytails, presented Hallmarq's collection, simply titled "X."

DJs Billy Steele and SpekrFreks were outstanding with the musical accompaniments. And I loved the performance by musical guest Armstrong Jr.

Also seated up front was Tom McNamara, the vice president of Start-Ups for IADT in Chicago. He flew in from the mother ship for the local school's first show and was very impressed, he says, with the level of talent the students already had achieved.

Did I love everything I saw? No. But overall, the younger, more youthful looks certainly can work for the 20-somethings who can pull it off. And if you have a good fashion imagination, it's easy to see how the separates could find their way into many different wardrobes - including my own!

Hollywood is filled with burning questions.

What film will win next year's Academy Award for best picture? Why are some movies screened for critics when others are not? How much Botox can one actress' forehead possibly endure?

Via a new feature on Sacbee.com called Movie Talk, I will attempt to answer these and other questions.

As a preview, I will answer the question I hear most often at dinner parties:

Q: Don't you think you've had enough to drink?

Just kidding! It's this one:

Q: What's your favorite movie?
A: "All About Eve." That's on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, I say "The African Queen." (I can't possibly pick just one film, but in order to keep from sounding like a terrible bore who goes on about how she can't possibly pick one film, I always have an answer at the ready.)

To ask a question, go here and click on "Movie Talk."

With the exception of a rude heckler and his cronies from the Bay Area, the "Imagine" fashion show Friday night at the Crest Theatre was, by all accounts, a sell-out success.

Kudos to the International Academy of Design & Technology in Sacramento, whose students put on the show, either working backstage, manning the guest tables or, for nine special students, showing their first fashion collections.

The theater was packed for a show that was nothing short of ambitious. Local designer Richard Hallmarq, whose incredible (natch) collection closed the show and featured supermodel Nyabel Lual, was the event's ringleader. He masterminded getting an array of musical guests to perform, including Armstrong Jr. and the outrageously entertaining Carmen Xtravaganza

But it was the school's fashion design students who sparkled - literally. I've never seen such a proud group, and that includes all the friends and family attending who cheered each collection.

The audience was also treated to local fashion stars Dee Aguilar, Tomicko Abella and Steven Willey's latest runway designs.

I don't want to give everything away today, so come back here - to 21Q - on Monday for a complete wrap-up plus Bee photographer Florence Low's amazing slideshow presentation.

As for the heckler, he didn't make it past the first intermission. The "locals" took care of him.

Nationally syndicated talk show host Mike Malloy just called in to confirm that the KSAC (1240 AM) rumors (see my posting below) are true:

The station is changing to a gospel format come Monday morning.

"I got the call from (KSAC general manager) Paula Nelson today - she told me it broke her heart to have to make the change," Malloy says.

The Atlanta-based talk show host says he first heard about the switch earlier this week via his boss, Nova M Radio CEO John Manzo.

Manzo, on the phone from Phoenix, also confirms the switch.

The reason? Economics.

"They don't have the revenue to support the format," Manzo says.

Malloy put it in even clearer terms.

"It's not a ratings thing - we have plenty of listeners," Malloy says. "KSAC is experiencing what most other liberal talk show format stations are experiencing - it's not a lack of audience, it's a lack of business support."

In other words, not enough advertising dollars.

Big-name, deep-pocked businesses, Malloy says, are turned off by the station's progressive format.

"If you listen to Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity, you'll hear (plenty) of national ads," he says. "If you listen to someone like me or Randi Rhodes, there's a complete lack of those types of sponsors."

It's a problem plaguing liberal talk radio in markets across the U.S., he adds, noting that stations in San Francisco and San Diego have been forced to make similar changes.

Messages left by The Bee at the offices of KSAC have yet to be returned. Malloy says Nova M is searching for another local station to carry his talk show. ("I love Sacramento"). In the meantime, listeners can stream his show at MikeMalloy.com.

Posters on the radio-info.com message board are buzzing today about a possible format switch over at KSAC (1240 AM).

According to one post by Mike Malloy, the nationally syndicated talk show host whose show airs daily on KSAC, the progressive talk-radio station, the format will flip to gospel come Monday morning.

(Malloy has yet to respond to an e-mail from The Bee seeking to clarify his remarks.)

The Internet's been speculating about a possible KSAC format switch since February, but is this for real - or an early April Fool's joke?

KSAC general manager Paula Nelson has yet to return our calls and subsequent calls to the station have yielded nothing but an automated message indicating that the office is closed - even though its stated business hours are 8-5.

So what's up with that? Did they close up shop early to make the switch? Tired of fielding phone calls? Or is the receptionist just taking a potty break? Hey, it happens to the best of us.

As they say in the radio biz, stay tuned.

Wondering what to see this weekend?

In today's Weekend Ticket, I review movies opening this week. But if you're interested in other options, here are my recommendations for recently released films:

Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!
2 1/2 stars
As the elephant Horton tries to keep the town of Who-ville, which sits on a tiny clover, out of harm's way, voice actor Jim Carrey (who also went Seussian in the live-action "How the Grinch Stole Christmas") lends him a think-globally, act-locally air of kindness and social responsibility.
Rated G

The Hammer
3 stars
Adam Carolla is a highly skilled rope-skipper and an even more impressive grunter, as he shows during a scene in which his character, a carpenter and boxer named Jerry, tries to show off for a pretty boxing student (Heather Juergensen). Because he's listening to his MP3 player while jumping rope, Jerry is unaware of the weird noises he's making.
Rated R

Under the Same Moon
3 stars
Kate del Castillo brings an undercurrent of sadness to Rosario, a housekeeper in Los Angeles who has not seen her son, Carlitos (Adrián Alonso), for a few years. Pleasant enough in her daily interactions, Rosario truly brightens only during her weekly telephone conversations with her son.
Rated PG-13

Jack Mackenroth is in the house, well, city. Our city, to be exact.

The former Season 4 "Project Runway" contestant (pictured) arrived in Sactown late Thursday night, but he quickly got on West Coast time. Just in time to talk this morning about his appearance at tonight's "Imagine" fashion show at the Crest Theatre, as well as about his future in the garment biz.

For those of you who got stuck in hibernation over the winter, Jack left "Project Runway" after the season's episode five for medical reasons. But, ever the fan, he kept watching to the end, cheering on one of his best friends on the show, eventual winner Christian Sirano.

And, yes, Jack thinks Christian's talent is "fierce!"

"I was a huge fan of the show since its inception," Jack says. "It was bittersweet for me to leave because I was close to so many people."

Jack, 38, grew up in Seattle, but he graduated from UC Berkeley.

"Oddly enough, I was in pre-med for two years," he says. "I was already making my own clothes, but I was sort of programmed to be in the sciences. My dad is a doctor, my mom's a nurse.

"But I knew being a doctor wasn't something I wanted to do the rest of my life."

Jack graduated from Cal as an art major, moved to New York and attended the Parsons the New School for Design. You know, the one that "Project Runway" mentor Tim Gunn was so instrumental in building up.

"I didn't have Tim as a teacher while I was there," Jack says. "But when I auditioned last year for 'Project Runway,' I tracked down the acceptance letter I got in 1991 (from Parsons), and his signature was on it."

Currently, Jack is living in New York in what he calls a "strange limbo." Interestingly, he's in negotiations to appear on Season 5 of "PR" because his run was cut so short. Auditions are about to get under way for the next show, with shooting set for June and July.

"There are some legal things to be worked out, but I would love to go back on the show," Jack says.

Jack says he already knows he would do things differently if he gets another chance.

"I might be more competitive," he says. "I've talked with some of the show's producers who fear I might have an edge because I already was on. But I think actually there's some disadvantage because I know I'll have to be more inventive."

Jack is actually still on the fence about whether to do the show again. As I've blogged about other reality TV contestants, "Project Runway" (like "American Idol" and "Top Chef") are exhausting shows for the competitors.

"I think what's great is that the show is giving the finalists more than a couple of months to design a 13-piece collection," Jack says. "My goal would be to not get stuck in a design mold."

As for winner Christian, Jack says the young designer is not as "catty" as the editing reflected on the show. Right now, Jack says, Christian has been doing the celebrity thing: talk shows, appearing on "Make Me a Supermodel" (another Bravo show), etc. (A sure sign that Christian has made it onto the pop-culture radar, he was even "featured" on a recent "Saturday Night Live" skit.)

"Did you see that? It was hilarious," Jack says. "Christian got to meet Amy Poehler, who played him in the skit. He calls me and says, 'Jack, she looks exactly like me. She even has my body movements down!'

"I'm so excited for him and the other finalists because I think they produced the best (collections) of any prior season."

Jack his a reality TV junkie. Not so much the "Big Brother" voyeur/catfight thing ("I can go to a bar and watch that happen"). But he loves "Idol" and "Top Chef." ("Shows where talent is involved, where interesting people are actually doing something.")

For tonight's show at the Crest, which is put on by Sacramento's International Academy of Design & Technology, Jack will be the keynote speaker. His plan? A little bio info, some sound bites about the importance of education in fashion, and how he once had hair as crazy as buddy Christian's.

"There will be a slide show. Look for picture No. 3, where I had a hairdo that would rival Christian's," he says. "I'll also talk about my experience on 'Project Runway.' It should be entertaining."

Indeed. And check back here at 21Q Saturday for early impressions of tonight's show, plus our own slide show early next week.

Bruno Cohen, president of Channel 13, just confirmed that two reporters - Reggie Kumar and Kristina Lee - were among those laid off by the station Thursday.

And while at least one of the comments attached to online items posted here at 21Q and elsewhere on sacbee.com have indicated that "dozens of people were laid off in all departments today, from floor crew staff to some writers, editors, photogs and even a director" (to see, click here), Cohen refuses to give specifics on any other eliminated jobs at the local CBS affiliate.

"I will confirm those layoffs (Kumar and Lee) because they were on-air talent, visible to viewers," Cohen says.

The two reporter layoffs, he adds, were part of an overall restructuring that utilizes "new technologies to make our station more efficient and to grow our audience."

Specifically, he says, Kumar and Lee's jobs were eliminated, in part, because the two half-hour editions of "The Sports Show," which currently air at 11 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, are being reduced to 15 minutes per episode and folded into Channel 13's 10 p.m. weekend newscasts.

And although neither Kumar and Lee worked on those shows, "we just don't need as many on-air people," Cohen says.

Of course, Cohen's comments today would appear to contradict his assertion Thursday when first called about layoffs that the results of the layoffs will be mostly "invisible" to viewers.

Ever been inspired to write a script about our fair city? If you have been, but weren't sure how to put it all into words, there's help.

As part of its "A Place Called Sacramento" program, Access Sacramento will offer the workshop "Writing a Practical, 'Do-able' Script." Running 9 a.m. to noon April 5, the workshop will focus on the logistics of making a film for "A Place Called Sacramento," which asks local filmmakers to shoot 10-minute shorts.

In other words, the workshop will instruct screenwriters on how to fashion a script that incorporates Sacramento themes without requiring George Lucas' help with special effects.

The deadline for final scripts is noon April 16. A panel will choose 10 finalists, who then will be paired with actors and a crew. Their finished products will premiere in October at the Crest Theatre.

For more information on the workshop, call 456-8600 and hit "0". For a scriptwriting entry form, go to the Access Sacramento site.

UPDATE, 1:56 p.m.: Bruno Cohen has confirmed that staff members who will be laid off are being notified today via a series of meetings with Channel 13 executives.

Bruno Cohen, president of Channel 13 and its sister station Channel 31, just confirmed that Channel 13 is laying off employees at the news station.

However, Cohen declined to confirm the number of jobs or to identify affected positions at the local CBS affiliate, instead explaining that the layoffs are "the consequence of new technology."

That technology, he went on to say in a phone interview, allows for more "automation in our production" and "nonlinear, computer-based editing."

"The software that drives that (editing) and the time it takes to produce it is much more fast and rapid and allows our editors to be more efficient," he said.

The result, he added, will be mostly "invisible" to viewers; the only on-air change will be to the two half-hour editions of "The Sports Show," which currently air at 11 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Those shows will be folded into Channel 13's 10 p.m. weekend newscasts, airing in 15-minute segments from 10:45-11 p.m., Cohen said.

Fox

Chikezie, the LAX employee with the soulful pipes, says he'll march on in the music world - maybe even win a Grammy one day!

Chikezie, 22 (pictured), was eliminated on Wednesday night's "American Idol" results show. But, in a conference call with "Idol" reporters, he assures that he'll still be a part of the mix because he'll be going on tour with the Top 10 this summer.

Sounding weary (as they all do the day after), he was - as always - optimistic. Here's some of what he had to say about his experience on the show and what's to come:

Q:You are one of the most joyous contestants we've seen on the show. Are you always this happy?
A: I tend to wear my emotions on my face. I can be sweating without doing any kind of work.

Q: On Tuesday, you sang "If Only For One Night." It seemed like the judges weren’t feeling it. What was your impression?
A: I didn’t care, honestly. I already knew Simon (Cowell) wasn’t going to feel it. I came in knowing that. But I had to do what I felt best represented me. It's like running on a diving board. It’s eventually going to end and you have to keep going. Actually, it took the pressure off. I was performing for the sake of performing. I knew I was going to be in the bottom three, and I knew I was going home.

Q: What have you learned about yourself from being on "Idol", and what's the best piece of advice you've received?
A: That hard work and perseverance pay off. And that you've got to fight with everything you’ve got. As for advice, all the voice coaches and the band members got together and told me to be true to myself.

Q: How hard was it to leave the other contestants?
A: Last night, I was glad none of the other guys had to go home. It's hard to say goodbye to your friends. But I really didn't have to say goodbye. They didn’t have to say goodbye, either, because we're going on tour this summer.

Q: In your bio it says you've never attended a concert. So what was it like performing on the "Idol" stage? And what is the new mosh pit like with the swaying arms?
A: That’s true about the concert thing. It’s incredible being able to get on stage and perform songs you love. I didn’t know it was like a skill. And there's stuff you do when you think no one is watching. (The pit) isn't distracting. It's exciting! I've never heard people scream so loud.

Q: How did you feel about the weekly group numbers and the choreography? And what kind of relationships have you formed with the other contestants?
A: With the group thing, it was like, 'Here we go again. Does anybody actually enjoy these?' With the contestants, it becomes a family. We're going for a similar goal - not necessarily to win or beat somebody but to be successful at something we love. It's an amazing support system. And there's nothing more than friendships going on. It would be awkward on the tour!

Q: This wasn't your first "Idol" audition. So what made the difference this go-round?
A: The biggest difference is realizing that, yes, I can sing, but what else is there? At the other auditions, I kept asking myself why I wasn't getting anywhere. I came to the realization that everyone else is singing. But can I perform, work a stage, entertain? Going to Hollywood last year and getting sent home told me something was missing. So, I studied music styles and different artists. I videotaped myself performing to figure out why I wasn't connecting. This experience was actually easier than that.

Q: "Idol" is a great platform for the contestants. Where do you see yourself headed 10 years from now? And what kind of music would you like to record?
A: I love fusion, the melding of different styles of music. I definitely want to take risks. In 10 years, I'd love to win at least one Grammy. I want to get started with my music career, making albums that make other people feel good. Acting? Why not try everything? I'm always testing myself to what I can accomplish. I'm realizing more about myself every time I hit the stage. It's been more of a growth process than a change for me.

Being in "American Idol's" Top 10 is a big deal. So, what does it mean to be cast off at this point?

Just ask Chikezie, who got the boot Wednesday night. And, first off, I really like this guy. He's got the ability to record that album that women of a certain age will buy in the next year or so. Attention Donny Hathaway fans.

Who got the big scares? Syesha Mercado (another bottom three) and first-timer Jason Castro. My "Idol" faithful (guys who watch with me every week) have a theory that the "safe" person from the bottom three - which last week included Carly Smithson (she says she's not pregnant; she just didn't get her Spanx delivery) - really isn't that far down. It's just a wake-up call for that contestant to get it together.

Anyway, the bottom three's Syesha really didn't deserve to be there. I think Chikezie, though, was a goner at 10, nine or eight.

Loved Season 2 finalist Kimberley Locke's performance. Again, it goes to show that finishing third, as she did, doesn't close the doors on a singing/restaurant career. She was great!

Kristy Lee Cook, who just might have felt safe this week, was, well, SAFE! She continues to build a fan base and good for her. I think song choice sealed it for her.

I'll keep you posted as to next week's song category as soon as I know. In the meantime, check back to 21Q later today for an interview with Chikezie.

FYI: The Fox network in New York jumped on some David Cook fraud story. Is it the "Billie Jean" cover he performed Tuesday night? Like I said, that song was on the 1982 (the year he was born) album "Thriller," but it didn't crack the Top 100 until 1983.

Try again, Fox.

Capital Stage has selected three plays for its Playwright’s Revolution Series, with a fourth and final play rounding out the program to be chosen soon.

For those not familiar with it, the Revolution series is supported by a grant from the James Irvine Foundation for new play developement and production.

Each play will receive a staged reading at the Delta King between June 8-11; the company will choose one to present as a world premiere in its 2008-09 season, says Producing Artistic Director Stephanie Gularte.

The three plays already selected are “Potential Literature” by Anthony D’Juan, “Erratica, An Academic Farce” by Reina Hardy, and “Megan’s Baby” by Mark Jackson.

While each writer is paid for participating in the readings, most of the grant money will be used for producing the world premiere.

To learn more about Capital Stage, check out my cover story in Sunday's Ticket+.

Autumn Cruz/acruz@sacbee.com

Several readers have gotten in contact with me, wanting to know more about the "Ada" handbags that I wrote about in in today's Scene, and I'm more than happy to oblige.

For those who missed the story, the three Sacramento boutiques that carry the line are:

* The Pink House: 1462 33rd St.
* Five: 2580 Fair Oaks Blvd., Suite 12, in the Lyon Village shopping center.
* Morgan Lain: 613 Munroe St. (behind Loehmann's Plaza).

By the way, Orangevale-based designer Ada Komorniczak-Deferrari takes off today for trips to Dallas and Chicago to see if Texas and Windy City women are ready for her collection. I'm betting they are!

Then, Ada and her husband, Gaston, will be winging their way to Buenos Aires, Argentina, where her bags are manufactured.

"I'll be checking in on the winter 2008 collection and already gearing up for spring 2009," she says.

Keep in mind, though, Ada's bags are truly seasonless.

See for yourself; check out Bee photographer Autumn Cruz's slide show of Ada's bags and hear the designer's thoughts on the collection here.

We knew all along that Taryn Winter Brill was too good to stay in a local market for long.

So it should come as no surprise that Brill, one of the only reasons to tune into Channel 31's "Good Day Sacramento," has landed a national TV gig barely two months after leaving our fair city.

She starts Thursday as an entertainment reporter for ABC's "Good Morning America" (7-9 a.m. on Channel 10). Brill will do live and taped segments.

And, we hear, she will keep her tresses curly.

Tuesday night, the Top 10 (you know, the ones you'll be paying to see this summer on the national tour) performed songs from the year they were born.

Blow out the candles: Is this party over or what?! The show almost made me ready for Neil Diamond week!

With the exception of maybe three performances, I felt like a hundred birthdays had passed before this show was over. Lackluster efforts and boring song choices abounded. If you missed it (or fell asleep), here's my wrap-up:

* Ramiele Malubay (1987): She sang Heart's "Alone." (Nice pick, Jason Barsky from 107.9. - check out his predictions. You rock!)
Randy Jackson: "I know you're under the weather, but it was not the right song choice. It was a little too big for you, not quite right. It was pitchy all over the place."
Paula: "I'm glad America has heard you sing. I know you picked it (the song) healthy." (What was up with Paula's silly sequin dress with black gloves? But, I digress.)
Simon Cowell: "It's not as bad as Randy said. The first part was OK, a bit shrieky and shouty. But, after last week, you'll get through on that performance."

* Jason Castro (1987): He sang Sting's "Fragile" (with guitar, of course).
Randy: "It was a very good choice of song, but dude, you didn't do anything new with it."
Paula: "You're staying true to who you are and your niche. But I missed the 'Wow' factor."
Simon: "You've had two bad weeks in a row, and I think it's time for you to start taking this seriously. It sounded like someone busking (huh?) outside the subway station."
Note to self: Am I awake? Do I have a pulse? Am I in a coma?

* Syesha Mercado (1987): She sang "If I Were Your Woman."
Randy: "This is the best I have ever heard you sing, including when you auditioned. It was stellar, it was unbelievable. I am shocked."
Paula: "This is going to be the moment that everyone remembers as when Syesha 'flipped it' and became a contender."
Simon: "I agree that it was the best performance so far, but I think you were reaching your limit toward the end of the song."
Note to Syesha: Way to rebound two weeks in a row.

* Chikezie (1985): He sang "If Only For One Night."
Randy: "It was an oldie but a goodie. But very old school for me. I just didn't love it for you. There wasn't enough vibe, enough energy."
Paula: "It was a good throwback, upping the tempo. You do have amazing vocals."
Simon: "I think you sang it well. But it was very cheesy. You have to show originality. I miss your personality."

* Brooke White (1983): She sang the Police's "Every Breath You Take."
Randy: "The first part was great. But I didn't love the band coming in. It was just OK.'
Paula: "I enjoyed it so much more than last week. It was unique."
Simon: "I totally agree with Randy. You on the piano, you picked up the tempo. But when the band came in, it was very old-fashioned. You'll stay another week, but you've got to work this out."

* Michael Johns (1978): Go Jason Barsky, go! Michael did just as you asked: Go for two Queen songs, "We Will Rock You," spliced with "We Are the Champions." Brilliant.
Randy: "Finally, you believe in yourself! It was the best performance since you've been on the show."
Paula: "We can shut our mouths. It's your shining moment."
Simon: "It's the first time I saw star potential. You've got it right. Confident. It's the only memorable performance so far tonight."

* Carly Smithson (1983): She sang Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart." (Sorry Jason - he had this one going to Brooke.)
Randy: "It was an interesting song choice. I liked it, but I didn't love it. The run at the end wasn't in tune."
Paula: "I'm not crazy about it, but I'll buy it."
Simon: "Something didn't quite work. You seem uptight and tense. You've got to lighten up."

* David Archuleta (1990): He sang "You're the Voice," an Aussie song, It sounded a little "Up With People" for me.
Randy: "It was a strange song choice."
Paula: "I'm trying to figure this one out. I know you can sing the phone book."
Simon: "I actually didn't like the performance at all. It was all theme park, with animated creatures performing with you."
Note to David: Who is helping you with song choice - your dad? Ok, mini-low blow.

* Kristy Lee Cook (1984): OK, Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" threw us all for a loop. But props to Kristy. It probably saved her for yet another week.
Randy: "Great song choice. A very nice performance."
Paula: "It was a poignant, respectful song that shows your voice is getting stronger."
Simon: "It was your best performance by a mile and I believe the most clever song choice I've ever heard in years. It should keep you in the competition."

* David Cook (1982): He sang an outrageous version of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean," which actually hit the Top 100 in 1983. The album it's from, the legendary "Thriller," came out in '82.
Randy: "I've gotta say, that's the most original, most bold (take) I've heard on that. You might be the one to win the whole thing!"
Paula: "I was blown away at how smart, how brave, how willing you are. You're right to the edge."
Simon: "That was brave. It was amazing."

OK, so Season 2 finalist Kimberly Locke performs tonight on the live results show (at 9 p.m. on Channel 40) as part of the "Where are the 'Idols' now?" program.

My prediction: I would be concerned if I were Chikezie, Ramiele and - hold on to your Irish beer - Carly. She's just not connecting anymore, folks. And Kristy Lee is pulling on those heartstrings.

Note to executive producer Nigel Lythgoe: After Tuesday night, I would seriously consider cutting the results show back to half an hour.

OK, so it's not Journey Journey - you know, the classic version with Steve Perry, but still...here's a whopper of a post-summer tour: Journey, Heart and Cheap Trick (pictured), Sept. 26 at the Sleep Train Amphitheatre.

You, me and everyone we know? So totally gonna get our 1978 on.

Anyway, this mega-nostalgia tour was just announced so stay tuned for ticket details.

Autumn Cruz/acruz@sacbee.com

If you're still thinking about attending Friday night's fashion show, "Imagine," at the Crest Theatre, I just got word that there's a smattering of tickets still available. (Smattering meaning slim and few.)

The complete title of the show is "Imagine: Where Fashion, Art & Music Unite," and will put on by the less-than-year-old International Academy of Design & Technology school in Sacramento. (Read my recent story on the school here.)

"Imagine" will feature nine student collections, including those by local luminaries Richard Hallmarq and Dee Aguilar, and student Jeremiah Hill (pictured).

The show, which is set to hit the runway at 8 p.m., will be jammed with a variety of other artists. Check this out:

It will be hosted by Naima Mora, Season 4 winner of "America's Next Top Model," and will showcase appearances by Jack Mackenroth, a contestant on this season's "Project Runway"; Maneca Lightner, cover model for the R&B group "Madhouse," and model Nyabel Lual.

Musical guests include DJs Billy Steele and SpekrFreks, and recording artists Armstrong Jr. and Carmen Xtravaganza.

Tickets are $20 general and $50 VIP at R5 Records, the Crest and Tickets.com. Proceeds to benefit CARES, the nonprofit Center for Aids Research, Education & Services.

FYI: Check back here, at 21Q on Friday, for a pre-show interview with "Project Runway's" Mackenroth. We'll see just how "fierce" he thinks winner Christian Sirano really is!

Blogger Cool DMZ at the snark-saturated Sacrag.com apparently made a horrible mistake at the video store the other day: He believed Mark S. Allen and watched one of the movies he endorsed.

"Good Day Sacramento's" Allen, one of the nation's most, uh, accomplished blurbmeisters, has a typically bombastic quote on the cover of the "August Rush" DVD: "“Your heart will be singing and your spirit will soar!”

DMZ, after watching the hideous movie, wrote: "Replace heart with bowels, and spirit with desire to physically damage your television, and you got yourself a quote."

Read all of Cool DMZ's blog post, which we think is much more entertaining than "August Rush," here.

This show is my show - this show is your show: If you were hoping to go to Thursday's Country Joe McDonald tribute to iconic folk singer Woody Guthrie at the 24th Street Theatre only to learn that tickets are sold out, well, cheer up - McDonald's just added a second local date.

The second show will be April 24 at Marilyn's (908 K St.). Tickets ($25) are available through the venue's Web site.

(For more, read my colleague Bruce Dancis' story behind the McDonald/Guthrie story here.)

Proving that its classic "Cat Stuck in a Tree" exclusive wasn't a fluke, Channel 3 now is documenting the saving of magpies in trees.

Obviously, those KCRA newshounds will not rest until all varmints are out of every tree in town.

Enjoy the video.

We reported a few weeks ago that Dan Adams, News10's intrepid VJ (video journalist), would be retiring March 28. Hey, that's this Friday.

In preparation for his signoff, Adams has posted this farewell blog post on News10's Web site. It's heartfelt, but not maudlin - just like Adams.

He talks about the, ahem, glory days when he started at News10, working out of a "closet-size room" at a medical/dental building in Stockton as the station's bureau chief. And Adams also explains how he is able to retire at age 55: good financial planning.

A journalist who saves money? Who woulda thunk it.

Fox40's competent and thorough reporter Mike Bond was doing a live report Sunday night from the scene of a candlelight vigil in Del Paso Heights on the one-year anniversary of a seemingly random killing.

As Bond was talking about how the police are hoping someone would come forward with information about the killing of Jelisa Office outside a house party last year, the photographer scanned the vigil crowd and hit upon a man wearing this T-shirt emblazoned in a stop-sign design: "Stop Snitching."

Kind of illustrates, don't you think, how difficult the police's job will be trying to get information on this case.

UPDATE, 12:40 p.m.: Your, uh, incompetent and shallow 21Q correspondent got it wrong. Reporter Mike Bond never mentioned that police are still looking for a gunman in the killing, but Bond also never mentions that anyone's in custody. We just assumed the killer was still at large. In fact, The Bee reported last April that a 16-year-old was arrested in the case. So, apparently, someone didn't "stop snitching" soon enough.

Wondering what to see this weekend?

In today's Weekend Ticket, I review movies opening this week. But if you're interested in other options, here are my recommendations for previously released films:

Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!
2 1/2 stars
Though this computer-animated film, based on the Dr. Seuss book, never reaches the visual majesty of, say, a Pixar Animation film, its characters and settings are certainly distinctive. Directors Jimmy Hayward and Steve Martino and the film’s artistic team capture and elaborate on Seuss' visually skewed universe, rendering the Wickershams, a band of simian enforcers, as vividly as the mayor of Who-ville (Steve Carell).
Rated G

The Spiderwick Chronicles
3 stars
Thimbletack (voiced, with much vigor, by Martin Short) puffs up into monster form when upset. Luckily, he's quickly pacified by honey. His inability to resist the sticky stuff becomes a fun running gag.
Rated PG

Under the Same Moon
3 stars
At its best moments, this picture about a mother and son (Kate del Castillo and Adrián Alonso - pictured above in a photo from the studio, Fox Searchlight) on opposite sides of the United States-Mexico border tugs at the heartstrings while providing insight into the immigrant experience. Director Patricia Riggen moves the story along in compelling fashion, showing a special affinity for scenes requiring a high level of tension.
Rated PG-13

Associated Press

So, OK, the NCAA basketball tourney is a "basketball" test of wills. You've got to win six live-or-die games to earn the title of nation's best.

But this season, in particular, it seems it's also a challenge of school colors, especially the blues: navy, bright blue and - my personal favorite - Carolina Blue (notice the cap letters?) vs. the oranges - Tennessee and Clemson - and the abundance of reds - Stanford and Wisconsin.

Even if your alma mater isn't in the hunt - or already has been knocked out (sorry about that, Saint Mary's fan who wore maroon and navy to work) - the next couple of weekends provide great opportunities to wear some great school colors, paint your face and "party like it's 1969," which is what the Drake fans (pictured) did until getting knocked out today by Western Kentucky in overtime.

The Drakies, who were in the Big Dance's Final 4 in, really, 1969, came with faces painted and kooky hats. In other words, they worked it in terms of school spirit fashion.

So if you see any folks walking around Sac in that special shade of blue, you'll know what it means.

Psycho T? You betcha!

It's rare for local news radio - or, heck, local TV, too - to step off the crime-politics-Britney hamster wheel of coverage and give us an-indepth arts story. So we have to give kudos to KXJZ (90.9 FM), Sacramento's NPR affiliate, for doing just that.

Paul Conley this morning aired a lengthy interview with jazz violinist Regina Carter that would be interesting even to those who think Jean-Luc Ponty is the goalie for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Included: this anecdote about Carter's disbelief at being awarded a half-million-dollar MacArthur "genius" grant - a big deal in the arts world.

"First when he called, I actually said, ‘You know, I’m sorry, I can’t give any money right now, maybe in a couple of months.’ I thought they were calling for money. He says, ‘No, no, we’re actually calling because you’ve been nominated and we’re giving you, you know, this amount of money.’ And I said ‘Who is this?’ And he says ‘No, you obviously have never heard of the MacArthur Foundation.’ I said ‘I have, but why would you be calling me?’ And he explained the whole thing again. I said give me your name and your number and I said I’ll call you back.

Carter logged onto the MacArthur Web site, confirmed the caller’s identity and quickly called back.

“And I remember when I hung up, I just sat there for a long time stunned, staring out the living room window.”

Our Bee blogging brethren (hey, try saying that three times fast) at Capitol Alert have followed up on the Channel 13 ethnic-slur controversy regarding graphics of legislator Don Perata (pictured) as a mafia figure.

Read the post here.

Fox

I can't recall chatting with an eliminated "American Idol" contestant who sounded as exhausted as Amanda Overmyer (pictured). She admitted getting to bed at 1:30 this morning, getting up at 3:30 and starting - I assume - East Coast interviews at 4 a.m.!

So props to her for putting up with us print folks for half an hour today.

Here's some of what she had to say about her elimination:

Q:Were you as shocked as your fans probably were that you were the one to go last night? Did you see the results in Ryan Seacrest's hand?
A:No, but I tried. I was kinda not really surprised. I didn’t go in with any preconceived notions. It's just such a crapshoot being a square peg in a round hole.

Q: Will you be heading back to Indiana and your job or pursuing the music thing?
A: I'm definitely going on to the next step because I'm capable of moving on. I’ve owned a home in Indiana for three years. I'll give this music thing about six months and then probably go back to my career, but I have no idea if there are any (entertainment) options in L.A. It's just a waiting game for me.

Q: You actually sound optimistic. Would that be accurate?
A: Absolutely. Yesterday wasn’t the most traumatic thing that has happened to me. I got voted off a TV show. But I was privileged to stay on until 11. I'm just cut from a different mold than anyone else. But I found it warming that I had that much fan support.

Q: Can you say what was your favorite and least favorite performances?
A: I loved the songs I performed on the big stage. I'm more in my element with the crowd. All the group numbers were my least favorite. Personally I liked the Kansas (song), but I got slammed on it.

Q: The show's producers are always excited about unique personalities. Does that benefit a performer like you?
A: It benefits anybody with any kind of distinction. "American Idol" is an amazing platform to start from. It's the biggest we could ever get.

Q: At one point, (judge) Simon Cowell was joking with you about "smiling." How serious did you take the three judges' comments?
A: When I was done singing, I was done singing. I was respectful and listened when the judges give comments. But it wouldn’t sway me one way or another on what I would do. I performed like me, looked like me. Their comments were targeted at winning the contest, and that wasn't what I was about.

Q: Any predictions on which contestant you think could win?
A: No. All I can say is Syesha (Mercado) wasn’t favored last week. And David Archuleta got slammed by the judges. It’s anybody’s game.

Q: You really looked down at being in the bottom three. Were you surprised because a lot of people were predicting Kristy Lee Cook would be off?
A: Actually, I thought more than likely I would be done. I know how different I am. I target an older, different audience than maybe the show provides.

Q: The three of you (including Carly Smithson) were in a tense position. Did you say anything afterward to Kristy?
A: She thought it was her (who would go). I told her to chill out and stop worrying.

Q: Any regrets about song choice on Tuesday (or any other night) or about performing first?
A: No, I don’t think it was song choice. If it hadn't been "Back in the U.S.S.R," it would have been another song that sounded like me singing it. You'll never hear me whining I was first.

Q: Are you sad about finishing 11th and not going on the "American Idol" tour?
A: I definitely had hopes for position six or seven, but it is what it is. Yeah, it (the tour) was somewhat of a goal, but I'm not exremely disappointed. The ultimate goal is to get my own tour. They’ve got the best group (Final 10) for it.

Q: What about the social side of being a contestant? Did you bond well, fit in?
A: I tend to keep pretty sheltered. I can count on two hands the friends and family I rely on. Sure, there's an element of camaraderie there. Everybody is going through the same thing. They’re the only ones who understand. Carly was my roommate. We spent the most time together and had things in common.

Q: You stuck to your musical roots. Were you concerned about being forced to change your personal look (hair, clothing) to fit the show?
A: Yeah, I do my own thing, but I was definitely kind of nervous about that (the hair and clothing), but they (stylists) were really good to me.

Q: Any last thoughts?
A: It's just a good feeling that somebody who's different like me gets this opportunity. And it's good to know there were people out there who kept me in as long as they did.

OK, I officially declare my incompetency as a prognosticator of "American Idol" votes.

Country vs. rock? Contestants who pop off vs. contestants who take their judges' medicine and get on with it? So, what are you gonna do, Votefortheworst.com?

Your pick, Amanda Overmyer, got her ticket to ride - home - tonight.

Not only that. Get ready Lafayette (I'm assuming Louisiana). Amanda told Simon Cowell she could basically care less if he thought she was verging on "boring." "I'll sell out a bar in Lafayette and be happy."

Well, hope that works out for you, hon.

This week's live results show was much better. The bottom three weren't humiliated and we weren't subjected to them singing all the songs they butchered the night before.

Instead, we got more goofy questions from viewers. This is the most annoying part of the show.

The rewards?

Loved, LOVED Season 5 finalist Kellie Pickler in her cute red cocktail dress and red stilettos crooning "Red High Heels" (natch). Pay attention Season 7's Top 10: If I recall correctly, Kellie went out at No. 5 and is now touring with Rascal Flats.

My point? Winning isn't everything. Getting on the summer tour? Priceless.

So, here's how the evening went:

* Brooke White, David Archuleta and Michael Johns are the first three to make the Top 10. A way-startled Carly Smithson is the first in the bottom three. (Remember, she made a big deal Tuesday night about broken wings and musical hardship after singing "Blackbird.")

* This week's Ford commercial was shot out on the "moors" of Los Angeles to "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"

* David Cook, Jason Castro and Ramiele Malubay (surprise) are safe; Kristy Lee Cook, who should just take a throne without the wait each week, is once again in the bottom three.

* Then, instead of the bottom three singing, the show promoted the April 9 "Idol Gives Back" show, with former contestants Elliot Yamin and Fantasia Barrino distributing mosquito nets to malaria victims in Africa.

* A very relieved Syesha Mercado and Chikezie make it nine safe, leaving Kristy, Amanda and Carly in the bottom three.

No surprise - Carly is safe. But here's the thing: She and Amanda have been roommates from the get-go, and she had no problems saying adios to her roomie. It's like, "Better you than me." All's fair, right?

Kristy must have some major country fans out there who like sequins and cowboy boots. I'm all for it, now. I'm not putting her on the chopping block again.

Host Ryan Seacrest announced the upcoming mentors. Interesting mix of talents. They include: Dolly Parton, Mariah Carey, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber and Neil Diamond.

Oh, and for you songwriters out there, "Idol" is looking for the next finale song, and if there's anyone who can top last year's totally boring "This Is My Now," you'd better bring it in 2008 - you've got until March 31 to come up with something better than that sappy salute.

Game on!

Your humble local media writer isn't the only one out there whose eyebrows (and ire) are routinely raised by the tabloid nature, and just plain insensitive reporting style, of Channel 13.

Our sister blog, Capitol Alert, today reports that Channel 13's stunt of showing a graphic of Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata as an apparent Mafia leader, pointing a gun skyward, has angered Italian Americans.

The anchor who delivered the story?

Yup, you guessed it: Chris Burrous.

Check out Bee staff writer Jim Sanders' blog item here.

Oscar-winning director Anthony Minghella, who died Tuesday, showed a flair for telling stories of sweeping scale. But Minghella (shown, above, on the set of "Cold Mountain") seemed first and foremost an actor's director, given how well he guided so many actors to truly memorable performances.

It was Alan Rickman's performance in "Truly Madly Deeply,"after all, that cemented his status in the hearts of American female moviegoers. As the devoted, complicated (and dead) husband in that 1990 film, Rickman showed that his mellifluous baritone lent itself to more than just villainy.

In the 1999 film "The Talented Mr. Ripley," Minghella captured the raw magnetism of Jude Law while also helping Matt Damon display a degree of psychological complexity he had not previously seemed capable of.

Law received two Oscar nominations for Minghella films, for his party boy in "Ripley" and for his determined Civil War soldier in 2003's "Cold Mountain." But it's actually the female performances in Minghella's films that stand out most.

Juliet Stevenson's portrait of grief in "Truly Madly" - raw, authentic and unforgettable - should have earned her an Oscar nomination. And, for her nuanced performance as a nurse caring for a disfigured man in 1996's "The English Patient," Juliette Binoche received not just a supporting actress nomination but an Oscar, partly because, by this time, Minghella's talents had a powerful American champion in (then) Miramax honcho Harvey Weinstein.

Minghella was also the first to truly define Renee Zellweger's singular gifts. Her performance as a can-do mountain woman in "Cold Mountain" earned her a supporting actress Oscar and suggested that Minghella recognized what previous directors - and perhaps even Zellweger herself - did not: that she's a born character actress.

We are more than a week into the Eliot Spitzer story, and late-night comedians and editorial cartoonists are starting to run out of material.

But, fear not, you Spitzer wags.

Advertising and entrepreneurs have stepped forth to keep the story in our collective consciousness.

Here's a shameless plug preview of what you'll see in Thursday's Ad Hawk feature in The Bee.

Above is the Virgin Mobile cell phone ad featuring the philandering New York Guv. And below is an ad for Balvine Single Malt Scotch and the newly minted "Spitzer 9" baseball-style T-shirt available on shirtaday.com.

The board game that came to life now comes to local television. The cast of Garbeau’s “Clue: The Musical” will invade Channel 31's "Good Day Sacramento" Thursday morning, performing during the 9 o’clock hour. The gang will sing a tune from the show and possibly show up during other segments, as well.

Based on the second-best-selling board game in history (who knew?), behind only Monopoly, “Clue: The Musical” has 216 possible endings to determine who killed narrator Mr. Boddy.

Maybe Mark S. Allen should watch his back.

Whodunit? In which room? And with which weapon? I guess I just have to say it ... tune in to find out.

Audrey Farrington, who for nine years served as vice president and general manager of Fox40 (KTXL), announced to the staff today that she will leave her position in two weeks.

Farrington declined to be interviewed, but sent a statement to The Bee via e-mail.

"It's my decision," she wrote. "I'm proud of what we have accomplished during my tenure and I leave a terrific team in place. I wish everyone well moving forward."

She did not detail her future plans.

The Tribune company, Fox40's owner, did not make Ed Wilson, president of Tribune Broadcasting, available to discuss the specifics of Farrington's departure or to talk about when a replacement for her will be named.

But Wilson, through a spokesman, released a statement of his own: "Over the last few weeks, Audrey's thought a lot about her role at KTXL-TV and come to the conclusion that she wants to resign from her duties as general manager. She's been with the station as GM since 1999 and, before that, spent 10 years there as director of programming and creative services. Her commitment to the station was unquestionable and we wish her the best."

Farrington has worked for KTXL for nearly 20 years, including 10 as the station's program director and creative services and promotions director. For two years, she was the director of programming at KTLA in Los Angeles, but returned in 1999 when Mike Fisher resigned as the station's general manager.

Station sources say Farrington's departure was not related to the recent takeover of the Tribune company by flamboyant billionaire Sam Zell, who visited the Fox40 newsroom about a month ago. In recent months, Fox40 has added reporters for its 10 p.m. newcast, hired a morning meteorologist and revamped its Website to feature videos.

Fox

I had mixed feelings about another week of Beatles songs on "American Idol." The song list seems endless on paper, but the opportunities for individual hits - especially 11 of them - is not as easy as it might sound.

That's why I'm going to keep this wrap-up short and sweet.

David Archuleta, 17, who wasn't even a blip on the screen when his Beatles hit came out, sang the group's last No. 1 song, "The Long and Winding Road", and blew the rest of the competition away. Done deal.

And I'm sure he was the only performer who got any sleep afterward.

David A. rebounded after last week's misstep with "We Can Work It Out," missing the lyrics and opting for a bad arrangement.

This week, the "road" to the "Idol" title is his to take - and I predict he'll be accompanied by throngs of giddy teen girls (and the "granny" vote) to the finale.

As for the other 10 contestants, the judges (even Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul) didn't mince words. We heard a lot of "not your best performance, predictable, just good." And, of course, the inevitable fashion death knell: "You look gorgeous."

Simon Cowell thought the whole evening was weird and that maybe doing another week of the Beatles was a bad idea. I'm officially giving him the green light to use "Project Runway" winner Christian Siriano's phrase, "Hot mess!," because that's what Tuesday was.

I think we'll see a bottom three that includes a regular, Kristy Lee Cook, and two possible surprises: Chikezie and Ramiele Malubay.

Kristy Lee's "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" featured another bad arrangement. Simon said she's just not a good performer. "It's like musical wallpaper; you notice it, but you can't remember it."

Several of the Final 11, including the bossy Amanda Overmyer, with a jarring "Back in the U.S.S.R", and the meek Brooke White (pictured), with a lackluster "Here Comes the Sun," had too much to say after their performances.

Amanda barked about selling out a future show that Simon quipped didn't have any tickets available - yet. Brooke got one of her first all-judge negative reviews, maybe not so much for her singing but her truly awkward, gangly dancing. She definitely needs her piano/guitar so she has something to do besides sway and wave.

Rocker David Cook's "Daytripper" was gritty but not as great as last week's "Eleanor Rigby." He incorporated a "voice box" and guitar into the performance, but I agree with Simon. David C. needs to lose the smug stuff, especially the creepy sideways glances. "It was not as good as you thought it was," Simon said.

Randy and Paula, who rarely pounce on any of the contestants too hard, were accurately critical with guys like Michael Johns. He took on the daunting task of turning "A Day in the Life" from a five-minute song into a minute-and-a-half that was like a musical jigsaw puzzle.

And Jason Castro, who is safe because he's got major camera appeal, had to learn French and more goofy hand gestures to get by with "Michelle." Randy actually liked the song choice but was subdued by the performance. Paula thought he was disconnected without his beloved guitar.

Syesha Mercado redeemed herself and probably avoided another trip to the bottom three with a soulful - albeit incredibly sad - version of "Yesterday."

And I'm not sure why Simon has issues with the Beatles' "Blackbird," a song he kept telling Paula orginally was called "Sparrow." Irish crooner Carly Smithson, dressed in what looked like a rose-infested lingerie top, gave us a very unique interpretation of the song, but she and Simon got into it over "broken wings" and the meaning of life, blah, blah, blah.

(Carly found time this week to get a No. "7" tattooed on her right finger - for the season, not her ranking.)

Baffling was Chikezie's "I've Just Seen a Face,", which started at a dead snail's pace and then accelerated to hoe-down tempo - with Chikezie blowing on a harmonica. And, finally, Ramiele's "I Should Have Known Better". She should have known better. Didn't like the fedora, didn't like the bad pants. And I think Ramiele needs to quit playing the role of "little sister" who needs protecting. It's grating. And heaven help us if she goes tonight. She'll need counseling.

OK, so maybe this wasn't so short and sweet, but I think the live results show (at 9 tonight on Channel 40) will be very interesting. Season 5 contestant Kellie Pickler will perform in yet another attempt to keep "Idol" viewers in tune with past contestants.

Guess we won't be seeing former finalist Jessica Sierra on the show - ever. According to TMZ.com, she's sitting in a jail cell in Florida - pregnant and with no hope of getting out anytime soon.

We knew it was coming, this being Holy Week and all.

Fox40 recently aired a story about a Citrus Heights man, Manny Duenas, who claims to have found an image of the Virgin Mary in a palm tree branch (see photo above) that he was trimming. "When I saw it, I had the goose bumps and I (was thinking), let me share this with my family."

He also shared it with the media.

Not to ruin reporter Jaime Soriano's hopes for an Emmy for this "report," but I just don't see the image in the branch.

What this does show is that local TV news eats up this kind of story.

We've had News10 telling us about the Virgin Mary in a muffin pan; Fox40 finding Jesus on a Lodi fence post; Fox40 finding Jesus and Mary on a pancake, and Channel 13 on a Yuba County woman who saw the face of Jesus burned into the wallpaper after a house fire.

Maybe I'm just too skeptical. Here's a gallery. Decide for yourself:

Fox

I can't wait to see who smashes it (one of Randy Jackson's new lines) and who butchers it tonight on "American Idol." The Final 11 (pictured) get another crack at the Lennon/McCartney songbook. That's because so many viewers e-mailed/text-messaged/called/begged for another week of the oldies, but goodies.

It's a good test to see who can once again make the right song choice (and make it their own) and who crashes and burns.

This is one of those pivotal weeks in the competition because it gets narrowed to the Top 10 - who get to do the exhaustive summer tour and get even more noticed and interviewed.

Note to Kristy Lee Cook: The clock is ticking, hon. And you're doing yourself no favors with videos out there of you performing in tight, white pants and then riding a tiger.

Her singing stock dropped off the charts last week with that awful country-crooning "Eight Days a Week."

Anyway, I expect David Archuleta to rebound - and remember his lyrics. I'd like to hear something more up-tempo from Jason Castro (one of my favorites). And pleeeeease let Amanda Overmyer perform something that I can remotely understand.

And perhaps this will be the week that Aussie Michael Johns finds that one perfect song Simon Cowell keeps hoping he'll hear. I'm not worried about Brooke White or Carly Smithson. And, unless David Cook wears a goofy fedora, he'll be fine, too.

Syesha Mercado, who was in the bottom three last week, needs a strong performance. Where's the "Wow" factor gone? I still haven't forgiven Ramiele Malubay for torching "In My Life," which I found out last week was a song played at my editor's wedding. See, it has special meaning for a lot of people.

Chikezie's hopes still ride on picking another great song and going for broke on the arrangement. He had stage presence, too, so bring the whole package, dude.

The Final 11 perform at 8 tonight (on Channel 40), with the live results show at 9 p.m. Wednesday. Wonder which "Idol" also-ran will perform. The Katharine McPhee song-that-wouldn't-end left America in a nationwide coma. And "Something" wasn't even a Lennon/McCartney song. George Harrison wrote it.

If you're a fan of Kevin Seconds' musical tastes, but can't seem to tune into KSSU 1580 (the Sac State station that "rocks the block" but not much more) for his Monday-night radio show, well, here's an alternative.

Head over to iTunes to check out the veteran musician's AbsoluteRants&Ruckus radio show. Just search for "Kevin Seconds" under the podcasts link and check out shows featuring great pop-punk playlists that include local tracks and live performances from the likes of the Secretions, Brian Hanover and Kepi.

Subscribe for weekly installments - don't worry, it's free.

As my Bee colleague and fellow 21Q blogger Rachel Leibrock wrote recently in a Scene story, more and more stores are doing the whole "green," reusable bag thing. But get this: they're not just for folks who fill their bags with alfalfa sprouts and multivitamins anymore.

I found the cutest eco-friendly bags at Madam Butterfly in the Pavilions (off Fair Oaks Boulevard). These are reusable, recyclable bags that certainly fit the bag-it-green trend.

Owner Denise Masunaga says she's got two styles to choose from: Dogeared and Green World (pictured).

The Dogeared bags are 100 percent cotton canvas, silk-screened with either a peace sign or the word "karma" on front. And who couldn't use a bit of good karma these days? The Dogeared bags are $25 each and will hold up to a heavy load of environmentally friendly products.

The Green World bags are sold as a set of four ($30). With modern, colorful designs, they're soooo not limited to the grocery store. They're great for toting books, toys to the park, etc. Buying the four-pack also allows you to share with a friend or family member.

(The Green World designer, Trudy Balisteri, lives in San Diego, but has family ties to Sactown.)

Besides the cute, eco-friendly bags, Madam Butterfly is bringing in clothing lines with a "green thumb." They include Eco-ganik, Habitude and Earth by CP Shades. Denise says the lines are unique in that they use bamboo and organic cottons and "manufacture according to the principles of fair trade."

With Earth Day coming up next month, it's not too soon to get into an earth-friendly shopping mode.

Look to your right. Yeah, over there. See it?

21Q finally - finally! - has posted its blog roll (actually dubbed "Links to Check Out," because not all of the links are blogs).

These are links that the 21Q Five often visit. Do not consider it an endorsement of the viewpoints expressed on these sites. They are just thought-provoking and deal with the same issues we chew over here.

We've also added easy buttons for you to share 21Q with your friends and enemies.

Enough of the self-promotion.

Now, back to the snark.

Wondering what to see this weekend?

In today's Weekend Ticket, I review movies opening this week. But if you're interested in other options, here are my recommendations for previously released films:

In Bruges
3 stars
Adopting a Cockney accent in his role as a crime lord, Ralph Fiennes sounds like Ben Kingsley in “Sexy Beast.” He even resembles him, if only