Archive for May, 2009

YouTube – Susan Boyle – Cry Me A River 1999

2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs

• Stanley Cup: Cast your vote on Red Wings-Penguins
• Stanley Cup finals: It won’t be easy for the Penguins
• Ted Mouths Off: Stanley Cup staying in Detroit
• More Stanley Cup Headlines

Coverage of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs from ESPN includes series matchups, schedules, scores, and current news.

The 2009 Stanley Cup playoffs of the National Hockey League began on April 15, 2009, after the 2008–09 regular season. The sixteen teams that qualified, eight from each conference, play best-of-seven series for conference quarterfinals, semifinals and championships, and..

The latest National Hockey League 2008 Playoffs news, results, … Marian Hossa thought Detroit would win the Stanley Cup instead of Pittsburgh. …

I’ll be live blogging during the first game of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Pittsburgh Penguins take on the Detroit Redwings. The puck is about to drop. Detroit is playing aggressively, taking a few shots on goal, all stopped. …

A breakdown of the Stanley Cup finals, pitting the Detroit Red Wings against the Pittsburgh Penguins. On paper, this should be an easy series to predict. Detroit handled Pittsburgh in six games during last year’s Stanley Cup finals, …

The team only had about a month off after the 2008 Stanley Cup finals before rookie camp began and preparations were made for a season-opening trip to Europe. Then came the long, slow slide out of the playoff chase before the …

Both Brough and Halford went 2-0 predicting the NHL conference finals, the former moving to 11-3 in the 2009 postseason, the latter to 9-5. Now comes the most important pick: the Stanley Cup Finals. Detroit vs. Pittsburgh …

usan Boyle beaten in talent show final

LONDON (Reuters) – Street dancers Diversity were the surprise winners of television contest “Britain’s Got Talent” on Saturday, beating favorite Susan Boyle who became an Internet phenomenon and global celebrity after appearing on the show.

The troupe, which includes three sets of brothers and comes from southeast England, won 100,000 pounds ($160,000) and the right to take the stage at the Royal Variety Performance in front of the Queen.

Of the 10 finalists, Diversity were the bookmakers’ sixth favorite to win going into the show, but their acrobatic performance choreographed by 20-year-old Ashley Banjo was described by judge Simon Cowell as “utter perfection.”

“If I had to give marks on that, that is the only performance tonight I would want to give a 10 to,” Cowell said after their performance.

Boyle was runner-up, but so overwhelming were the betting odds in her favor that the result was seen as a major surprise.

The 48-year-old unemployed church volunteer from Scotland, who once joked she had never been kissed and has been described by newspapers as “frumpy” and a “hairy angel,” was the antithesis of what many considered a celebrity to be.

Yet her rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les Miserables” in April was downloaded on the Internet more than 150 million times and made her a household name.

Film crews camped outside her home in the small town in Scotland where she lives alone with her cat, tabloid reporters followed her every move and she appeared on U.S. chat shows hosted by Oprah Winfrey and Larry King.

PRESSURE

The pressure appeared to tell this week, when she threatened to pull out of the show and had an altercation with journalists.

In his blog, judge Piers Morgan wrote: “Let me tell you now, there is a downside to fame. People start criticizing you, sniping at you, trying to trip you up, belittle you, harass you.

He said Boyle had learning difficulties after being deprived of oxygen at birth, and was nicknamed “Simple Susan” at school.

“I am calling today for everyone to just give her a break.”

Boyle sang I Dreamed a Dream again on Saturday, and while her rousing performance was warmly received, it was not enough.

“You’ve had a weird seven weeks and you had every right to walk away from this and you could have walked away,” Cowell said after she sang. “You can walk away from this, win or lose, with your head held high, Susan. I absolutely adore you.”

Boyle, who praised Diversity after the public telephone vote was announced, said earlier in the show that the whole experience had been “well worth it.

“The pressure put on me has been overwhelming. I’ve got to put that aside now. When I step on that stage tonight it’s the accumulation of 40 years of dreaming.”

Despite not winning Britain’s Got Talent, Boyle is widely expected to land a lucrative recording contract as a result of her global fame and impressive voice.

Dance can be taught, practiced and perfected. Example: Jennifer whats-her-name in Dirty Dancing. But a voice like Susan Boyles is a gift and no amount of training can ever reproduce that.

the person who wrote in to say how ugly susan boyle is should be ashamed —– i doubt if your aunt franny would be proud of your comment —- look in your own mirror and if it looks good on the outside –you sure couldn’t say the same for the inside….. grow up ——– that is mean!!

Susan, good luck with your career. You sing like an angel. I always get emotional when I hear you sing I dreamed a dream. You have a God given gift. May you find peace and happiness with your success. God Bless You