Episode 23.9 - Instant Reversal of Fortune
March 8

Chico: Party animals. NICE.
Gordon: Wild and wooly, baby
Chico: Welcome back to WLTI. Every week, we tell it like it is, sparing no hurt feelings. If you're looking for touchy-feely-every-game-show-is-just-awesome, this ain't the place you need to be... but do stick around.
Gordon: So what are we playing first, boss?
Chico: First... let's descend into madness... March Madness. Sadly my Heels look like they're headed to the NIT, also known as "Loserville".
Gordon: You cant spell NIT without NorTh carolIna
Chico: But that doesn't mean I still can't have March Madness! There's 16 singers left in American Idol-ville. Only one can take the title. We've arranged us a little bracket.
Gordon: Yay! Present the brackets, sir.
Chico: We're just going to go with who can outlast whom. Starting with...

In the TREY SONGZ bracket: #1 Michael Lynche vs. #4 Alex Lambert.

Chico: This one should be easy.
Gordon: I have a problem with the seeding here, but I'll say Michael.
Chico: And it is. Big Mike moves on. Next...

#2 Todrick Hall vs. #3 Tim Urban.

Chico: I think Todrick has this beat.
Gordon: See I would have put Alex as #2, Tim as #3 and Toddrick as #4.
Chico: Well, Tim's worse than Todrick. Because Tim Urban just sucks. That's why Todrick moves on.
Gordon: I'll say Toddrick. That being said, if someone greased the microphones, causing both of them to suffer a concussion and knocking them both out, it would be fine by me.
Chico: Heh. So to advance to the Awesome Foursome.... Big Mike vs. Todrick Hall.
Gordon: Big Mike in a walk.
Chico: No. Joke. So your champion in the Trey Songz bracket... MICHAEL LYNCHE.
Gordon: Next one?
Chico: Next up, let's go to the fairer side of things. In the SANDI THOM bracket...

#1 Crystal Bowersox vs. #4 Lacey Brown.

Gordon: Crystal takes this one.
Chico: Easy.
Chico: Next...

#3, Katelyn Epperly vs. #2 Lilly Scott.

Chico: I have your upset special here. Katelyn.
Gordon: I'll disagree, I think Lilly's personality edged out Katelyn.
Chico: So this is going to come down to a coinflip. Call it
Gordon: It could. But I think they both lose to Crystal.
Chico: Crystal's going to own her and it's not going to be easy.
Gordon: If Crystal can be diverse, she can win the whole thing.
Chico: Right. That's a big ask, though.
Gordon: Sure is. Next bracket?
Chico: Next is the SEMI-MEMORIAL KELLY CLARKSON bracket...

#1 Didi Benami vs. #4 Paige Miles.

Chico: Paige in an upset.
Gordon: I have to disagree. I'm wondering how Paige is still here.
Chico: I honestly don't think there's someone who could be a female soul singer in the lot.
Gordon: I do.
Chico: Next...

#3 Katie Stevens vs. #2 Siobhan Magnus.

Gordon: Ooof. This is going to be tough. I see them both going a long way n the competition.
Chico: This is going to be a tough one. If Siobhan has another breakout... good night sweetheart. i'm going with her.
Gordon: Right. I'll say Siobhan also, but just barely, because I could see Katie going a long way with the right song selection.
Chico: Oh yeah. She'll last. Now for control of the bracket... do I even have to ask?
Gordon: Siobhan over Didi.
Chico: Easy. And finally, in the DAUGHTRY bracket...

#1 Lee Dewyze vs. #4 Aaron Kelly.

Chico: Personally, I don't think Aaron stands a hope in Hell.
Gordon: I think he stands a huge chance. Again, He should be a #3 seed, not a #4.
Chico: Over Casey James, are you mad? *throws hat on ground*
Gordon: And what's Andrew, who almost got himself booted last Thursday, doing as a #2 seed?
Chico: He's the bookie's favorite!
Gordon: And what happens to the bookie's favorites?
Chico: They get as high as #2, then lose. (see Lambert, Adam)
Gordon: I think he loses much earlier.
Chico: Your pick sir. Aaron or Lee.
Gordon: Lee over Aaron, Casey over Andrew, and Lee over Casey.
Chico: Agreed.
Gordon: But I think that Aaron gets further than at least Andrew, maybe both Andrew and Casey
Chico: I think we're going to see a younger final four this year. At least younger than previous years. I'm guessing a lot of growth.
Gordon: There better be , or it would be the worst Idol ever.
Chico: Even worse than Idol 3?
Gordon: it would be close. Right now, it's better than Idol 3, but not by much.
Chico: Okay. Time for the AWESOME FOURSOME...

BIG MIKE LYNCHE vs. LEE DEWYZE

Chico: I think Big Mike's going to steamroll.
Gordon: Lee DeWyze in the upset.
Chico: What has Lee DeWyze done lately? Michael Lynche has been a consistent... CONSISTENT performer dating back to the Hollywood Round.
Gordon: It's not what you do now. It's what you do in the Top 12. And I see this situation going 2 ways. Either Lee Vs. Siobhan in the finals, or Mike Vs. Crystal in the finals. And this early in the competition, the favorites usually peter out.
Chico: So you're thinking Lee's going to surpass Mike in that respect.
Gordon: Idol 7 Favorite: Archuleta. Winner: Cook Idol 8 Favorite: Lambert. Winner: Allen.
Chico: Because, and I said this in a column... "The champ is beatable." Still... I like Mike. (There I said it)
Gordon: I think they both peter out and you have a Lee/Siobhan final, because I think Siobhan will win the R&B Vote from Mike.
Gordon: I can see Crystal Vs. Mike in the finals though.
Chico: This is going to be an interesting final four if THESE are the picks.
Gordon: Of course, should the people be seeded the way they SHOULD be, then I wouldn't have these FInal 4.
Chico: You're going to get on me a lot about that.
Gordon: I will.
Chico: Well who would your final four be?
Gordon: Especially if they play out the way I think they will, and 2 seeds currently playing against each other won't make the Final 12.
Chico: ... Mike vs. Siobhan for the title... Siobhan's going to win it.
Gordon: I'd say Kelly/DeWyze/Stevens/Magnus
Chico: Well, I'm going with the bracket, I doubt Katie's going to have the strength to match the upper caliber.
Gordon: Kelly caries the Pop, DeWyze the country/rock, Stevens with pop and Magnus with R&B
Chico: Aaron, MAYBE if he grows into the role and really thinks about what he's doing.
Gordon: Right now the pop vote is WIDE open.
Chico: On that much we can agree.
Gordon: I can see Lynche or Bowersox joining the party, but neither of them have shown they can be diverse.
Chico: It's gonna be a good final.
Gordon: It SHOULD be a Good final, but WILL it? We discuss that and more after the break.
Chico: But right now...Gordon... you know what's coming up next... *gives mic* It's time for "One Shining Moment"
Gordon: Based on how well we've been doing this season, can I switch it to 'The Rain'?
Chico: ... Why not.
Gordon: 'I saw you...walking in the raiiiiiiiiiiiin'
Chico: That's nice...
Gordon: And we break.

(Brought to you by "The Bachelorette: On the Chicken Wings of Love". One woman... 25 competitive eaters... Who has the stomach to take this lady home?)

Chico: She likes a man who can down a wing.
Gordon: I don't know. The she looks like all skin and bones.
Chico: I can make a really REALLY bad joke about food and things you do with your mouth... but I think it's time to move on.
Gordon: Let's. Welcome to Should and Will. We give out scenarios. You say what SHOULD happen, and what WILL happen.
Gordon: Starting with...

Yes, it's early, but what's going to happen with the American Idol Season Finale?

Chico: SHOULD: Siobhan meets Mike in the finale. Siobhan wins. WILL: All of our picks go down the crapper and it's a wide open field.
Gordon: SHOULD: We get Mike Vs. Crystal in a fun, diverse finals. WILL: 2 upset picks land here in a mediocre finals which will go down as the worst since Idol #3, which is the beginning of the end for Idol after Simon leaves for the X-Factor next season.
Chico: And breathe. Next...

Two summer killer apps, Wipeout and America's Got Talent, are going head to head over the summer. What's going to happen?

Gordon: SHOULD: They win their time slot and get renewed easily. WILL: They still get renewed, but one of them takes a ratings hit because some stupid executive will have the dumb idea of pitting them against each other on a more regular basis.
Chico: SHOULD: Even split of audience. WILL: The elders will flock to AGT, the kiddies will watch Wipeout. Next?
Gordon: Next one...

Instant Recall on GSN

Chico: SHOULD: Finish its run on GSN, get renewed with MASSIVE retooling for season 2. WILL: Finish its run on GSN, is not seen afterwards.
Gordon: SHOULD: What Chico Said. WILL: What Chico Said. Which is too bad, because Wink is really really good on this.
Chico: Really good. Next up...

"The Price Is Right Drew's 500th episode" Predict the record.

Gordon: Should...

Gordon: Will... 

Chico: Should:...

Chico: And will:

Chico: We're not bad, we promise.
Gordon: Speak for yourself. Next one...

Jake Pavelka on Dancing with the Stars

Chico: SHOULD: Peter out mid pack. He's not a dancer. He's a pilot, damn it. WILL: Ride this whole name recognition thing to the final four.
Gordon: SHOULD: Top 5. WILL: Lower half, ESPECIALLY if the allegations between him and his ex-gf are true and make the national airwaves.
Chico: Ooh... a flip job. Nice.
Gordon: America doesn't like cheaters.
Chico: Ask Joey Greco.
Gordon: And I'm guessing that the relationship will NOT last through the season.
Chico: You THINK?!
Gordon: I think.
Chico: Heh. Finally...

Betty White on SNL.

Gordon: SHOULD: She gets her own special. WILL: She'll only get a cameop.
Chico: SHOULD: Host. WILL: Cameo, make BRIEF mention of her Facebook cult status.
Gordon: That sound about right. We'll wrap this one up after this.

(Brought to you by The Cable Ref. Having problems with your cable carrier? Get The Cable Ref! An audience decides who gets what programming and how much the FCC should fine these morons. Gordon Pepper hosts).

Chico: Spoiler alert: Consumer wins EVERY TIME.
Gordon: Is it THAT hard to split up a couple million dollars?
Chico: Apparently it is. Recession, people!
Gordon: What about a Speed Round?
Chico: I can do that... Starting... NOW! Idol! Pick your top 12.
Gordon: Lilly, Katelyn, Siobhan, Crystal, Katie, Didi, Aaron, Lee, Michael, Alex, Casey, Andrew
Chico: Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.
Gordon: But I think the vocal performances this week will be a decider.
Chico: Oh yeah. This'll decide who's on the bubble and whose bubble gets burst.
Gordon: Survivor: Who's next?
Chico: Heroes: Amanda if they're smart. Villains: Parvati... again, if they're smart.
Gordon: You have to break them up.
Chico: That's the only way to nullify the threat. Instant Recall... worth a second shot?
Gordon: Of course it is, but with a 0.1 rating from GSN, I don't think the American Public will give them a second chance. So tell us what to watch this week.
Chico: This week, it's easy. Watch THIS: Drew's 500th TPIR. What WON'T you watch?
Gordon: I won't be watching the Worst Driver in America after watching the first episode (because I have to)
Chico: Someone has to write it. Speaking of writing, we love your mails. What do we have this week?
Gordon: I've got mail from Jason Wuthrich.

Chico: Hmm.. MyNetwork TV is always looking for a low-cost distribution model. Bob's your uncle... 80%.
Gordon: I'll say 85%. This would fit perfectly with FOX, G4, GSN, Vs. etc. And it's got an audience.
Chico: Oh yeah... something GSN would KILL to have right about now. It's a reality game. It's a cult favorite... It has an audience...I say get to talkin'.
Gordon: Exactly. Any email on your end?
Chico: No mail here.
Gordon: I want more. Where does the audience send us for more?
Chico: They can find us on Facebook... or MySpace... on Youtube, the GSNN Video Wall. Or if they have a few moments to kill and an e-mail client...WLTI@gameshownewsnet.com
Gordon: There you go. That ends this week. Special thanks to no one in particular, since it's Just Chico and I this week.
Chico: This is what happens when we work on a Monday morning. Next week, we count up the damage that Drew and company do on Wednesday.
Gordon: And we get our Idol Top 12.
Chico: See you then. Until then for everyone at GSNN, I'm Chico Alexander. Game over... and spread the love.