Up & Coming Weekly

American Idol’s Winner Will be a Loser But the finale could still be fun TV by DEAN ROBBINS At the start of American Idol’s season, my big concern was the judges. Paula Abdul left, and Simon Cowell an- nounced his impending departure. In the meantime, last year’s new judge, Kara DioGuardi, hadn’t proved she be- longed at the table, and incoming judge Ellen DeGeneres didn’t have a musical background. I smelled disaster. By the Hollywood round, however, I had determined that all was well. Ellen found a niche with her dithery wit, Kara upped her game, and Simon and Randy continued to be Simon and Randy. But with an eye trained on the judges, I missed the true problem with season 9: the singers. It’s hard to be- lieve that the top 12 finalists represented the best America has to offer in 2010. Leaving aside the karaoke-bar embarrassments (Paige Miles, Tim Urban, Andrew Garcia), the handful of decent contenders have been just that: decent. No one has offered the thrills and chills of previous finds like Adam Lambert, Kelly Clarkson or Fantasia. If the last pair of shows (Tuesday & Wednesday, 8 p.m.) prove to be enjoy- able, it will be because of the judges, the special guests, the comedy bits — that is, in spite of the big moment, not because of it. You know a season has let you down when the crowning of the new American Idol serves as a convenient bath- room break. Witchville Saturday, 9 pm (SyFy) In this TV movie, an earnest medieval prince (Luke Goss) returns to his king- dom after the crusades to find it overrun by witches. As if that weren’t bad enough, the witches all seem to be breathing out red talcum powder. The prince springs into action, clanging his sword and saying things earnest medieval heroes are supposed to say. I was particularly struck by this comment: “Our only priority now is to defend the kingdom! We must prepare for anything, plausible or otherwise!” It’s not too late!! APPLY AND REGISTER NOW FOR SUMMER SCHOOL AND FALL 2010 Apply now! Summer Session 2: Application Deadline June 1, First year and Transfer June 15, Readmit and Special Visiting Fall 2010 Application Deadline June 30, First year and Transfer August 18, Readmit and Special Visiting   graduate earlier   Fayetteville State University is a great place to go to summer school and...  (regardless of where you go to school now)   For new students and students visiting from other institutions who are  courses at FSU, go to uncfsu.edu/ summerschool/applications.htm and  FSU students register as you would for any other classes. Classes start soon. For more information, visit: http://www.uncfsu.edu/summerschool/ 1200 Murchison RoadFayetteville, NC 28301 910.672.1229 or 910.672.1228www.uncfsu.edu 22 UCW MAY 19-25, 2010 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Chuck Monday, 8 pm (NBC) Last year, I demanded that NBC renew Chuck, and it did. Then I urged the producers to create a kick-ass third season, and they did. I even asked you, the American people, to start watching the show in bigger numbers, and you did. Celebrate an exceptional series — not to mention my awesome influence over TV affairs — by checking out the season finale, in which the ring closes in on Chuck. The Bachelorette Monday, 9 pm (ABC) I’m delighted that Ali Fedotowsky is the new bachelorette, who’ll choose her reality-series soul mate from a group of suitors. Fedotowsky is the level- headed contestant who left in the middle of last season’s Bachelor to return to her day job in advertising. To me, that was a refreshing move. The Bachelor usually presents us with ingratiating women willing to give up everything for a handsome stranger; in that context, Ali’s choice of career over Prince Charming made a powerful statement. ’ll respect her even more if she leaves The Bachelorette midway through the season. Reality stars too good for their own shows — I sense a hot new trend! It takes a wise prince to realize that, in Witchville, im- plausibility is a very real option. Lost Sunday, 9 pm (ABC) The labyrinthine series ends this week, but before the fi- nale ABC will struggle to explain the damn thing to a puzzled nation. On Saturday at 8 pm, the network airs the 2004 pilot. On Sunday at 7 pm, it airs an hour-long recap. Unless the network airs a post-finale wrap-up at 11 p.m., with explanatory maps and flow charts, I fear I’ll end this ex- perience the way I began it: Lost. Fayetteville State University Academics that work.

• Cover