My Spring Flings

This wet and drab spring we have just had has opened my eyes to some new stuff. So as I do I thought I would right a quick list just to talk about what I have been watching and listening to. Hopefully I may even find a friend that likes the same stuff as me so I can finally talk to someone about them (I can dream).

James Cordon
He is absolutely killing it in America right now with his new chat show and he has a subscriber in me on Youtube. I have always had a soft spot for him in my enlarged heart. He seems like the exact kinda man's man I could be friends with - and we would have a freaking ball. Some of my highlights of his are definitely the carpool karaoke with Mariah and JHud, plus I just finished watching him walk the Burberry fashion show in LA - he was phenomenal, he even high fived Anna Wintour, who else can say that?

Katya
In what can only be described as a boring season of RuPaul's Drag Race, she is the shining star. The only bulb working on the vanity mirror. She is absolutely hilarious, beautiful and amazingly talented. She scared me when she was in the bottom two on the second episode, but thank the baby Jesus that Ru saw sense. If she doesn't win I will be pouting for days. Plus I love a Queen that isn't afraid to get ugly. Also her Tumblr and YouTube channel is hilarious.

Amy Schumer
She has been around for a minute or two now but she is definitely getting more popular this year, her show is winning awards, she just presented the MTV Movie Awards and she just wrote a movie which she is starring in! Busy gal. She is one of my favourite comediennes because she isn't afraid to go there, and the shock factor is what makes me laugh the most. She has no filter and thank god.

Garfunkel and Oates
They have become quite big on Youtube with their comedy songs and then last year they got their own show! I watched all the episodes in one sitting. They are so funny, so quirky and their songs are as catchy as hell. You might recognise them because they have both appeared on The Big Bang Theory, and do you want a little fact? Of course you do, they wrote the Bernadette song that the whole gang sings to Bernadette when she is in quarantine. I hope they get a second season but it isn't looking promising, if they ever come to England and tour they would at least have one person in the crowd - me!

Grace Helbig
I have talked about Grace a few times and I think I may have had a major influence - she has only gone and got herself her own show on E! Of course I know I didn't have that much to do with it but I can dream (or maybe I did, we will never know). She is hosting her own chat show, but it is a chat show with a difference. She is just in a house, walking around, bumping in to her guests, playing games, awkwardly talking to the camera - I love it. It is such a different format and yet it doesn't feel forced or trying to hard. It has all the magic of her 5 minute YouTube videos but with a budget.

Little Big Town
I have known about these guys for a while now but I was heavily into Sugarland, Lady Antebellum and The Band Perry that I didn't allow them to access my brain. And I am kicking myself now. Their new album is fantastic. It is country to the bone with blues, rock and pop influences. All of their voices are great and I just can't get over that I chose not to listen to them before. I recommend their new album (Pain Killer) with a passion - its on Spotify.

3rd Rock From The Sun

I would like to thank the Dark Lords of Netflix for putting this show in its entirety right there at my fingertips. I have 6 whole seasons to kick back and watch (well I've binged it for 4 days now, and I only have a season and a half left). This one of those shows from my childhood that was just randomly on. I can't even remember what channel or what time it was on. So on a quiet day I just clicked on it - and I instantly fell in love. Dick, Sally, Tommy and Harry have found a special place in my life. I am literlly laughing out loud at some scenes, the jokes have stood the test of time. John Lithgow deserves all the awards for his contributions to this show. The second I heard him shout 'Oh, I'm gorgeous' I fell for him. 

Biggest Losers

Last night Britain was ablaze with disappointment after watching The Voice UK. Clear favourite to win, Leah McFall, was a runner up. One thing I don't understand is that it is based on a public vote; I would bet my life that a lot of the people who were angry didn't even vote. We did it to ourselves. However we shouldn't be too angry - these days you don't need to win to achieve success. Some examples I hear you ask - read on my dear friend.

One Direction

They came third on The X Factor, losing out to Matt Cardle. Propelled to international success by the power of social media, their two albums Up All Night and Take Me Home, released in 2011 and 2012 respectively, broke several records, topped the charts of most major markets, and generated hit singles, including "What Makes You Beautiful" and "Live While We're Young". I don't think they care that they lost.

Cher Lloyd

She came fourth on The X Factor. Since then she has a number one single in good old Blighty, a double platinum selling single in America and has been featured with such artists as Demi Lovato, Ne-yo and Sean Kingston. She has also had a sold out tour that had 14 dates around the UK. I don't think she cares that she lost

Susan Boyle

She came second on Britain's Got Talent. Since the show she has released 4 albums - 3 number 1's in England and 2 in America, culminating in over 20 million record sales. Susan also broke a record in America as she had 2 number 1 albums in the space of a year. Now she has covered magazines, toured the world and even had a musical written about her. I don't think she cares that she lost.

Jennifer Hudson

She came seventh on American Idol. Since the show she has won a freaking Oscar (plus another 28 worldwide awards)! It was for the portrayal of Effie White in Dreamgirls. She has overcome a number of personal tragedies. She has also become the face (and body) for Weight Watchers, appeared in 8 other films and was called upon to sing at the Oscars - twice. I don't think she cares that she lost.

Kellie Pickler

She came sixth on American Idol. Since the show she has had two number one country albums (the third gaining a still impressive number 2 spot), released nine top 50 singles and has toured with Taylor Swift, Rascall Flatts, Sugarland and Brad Paisley. Also an accomplished song writer, she has won three songwriter awards from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers. Just this year she competed in Dancing With The Stars (Strictly Come Dancing to us Brits) and she won. And if her success wasn't enough she also shaved her head in support of her friend who was battling cancer. I don't think she cares that she lost.

Samantha Barks

She came third on I'd Do Anything (A BBC show searching for an actress to play Nancy on the West End show Oliver). Since the show she has starred in 6 theatre shows (including Oliver as Nancy). However her moment came as she picked to play Éponine in the stage version of Les Misérables, which led her to been cast in the film version along side Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman and Russel Crowe. She has now won international awards for best newcomer. I don't think she cares that she lost.

Sophie Sumner

She came second on Britain's Next Top Model. Then the wonderful Tyra Banks announced the Brits Vs Yanks cycle of America's Next Top Model. Sophie competed and won! She has now been featured in Vogue Italia, become the face of Covergirl, become the face of Top Model's perfume and randomly appeared in a Bollywood movie. I don't think she cares that she lost.

So, the moral of the story is that your Mum was right - Its not the winning that counts, its the taking part. In this day and age you don't need to win a reality show to be the star of the show. In my opinion the winner tends to be the sympathy vote a lot of the time, or the person most relatable  - not necessarily the most talented. I personally can't wait for Leah McFalls album and I will try my darnedest to be at the tour.