This is a joyous week around Michigan, for lots of reasons. (If you're reading this from outside Michigan, just skip the first one; the rest is about "American Idol.")
1) The Michigan State University women had their sharp upset of top-seeded Duke. Lauren Aitch came off the bench to play superbly; in less than half a game (18 of 40 minutes), she scored 15 points, grabbed six rebounds and brought a ferocity to an MSU offense that had seemed hesitant. At one point, this was a 47-47 deadlock; somehow, it turned into a 63-49 rout. The crowd was ecstatic.
2) This is Motown week on "American Idol." The show is always at its best when doing Motown music; that's when Ricky Minor and his band soar. Now -- helping celebrate Motown's 50th anniversary -- Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy will both be around for the show (one night later than usual) at 8 p.m. Wednesday (March 25) and 9 p.m. Thursday (March 26).
The only bad part is that Alexis Grace, a terrific singer, won't be there. She was ousted last week, finishing 11th and just missing a slot on the tour. Here's the story I wrote after a phone interview:
On the day after being ousted from "American Idol," some contestants offer a cheery image.
Not Alexis Grace. "I never imagined going home this early," she said.
Judges had often praised her gritty, bluesy voice and some people saw her as a top contender. Instead, she stumbled during country week.
"I feel like I let my state down," said Grace, who is from Memphis, Tenn. "I'm from the South and we're suppose to sing country well; I think I do."
But there was the question of which song to sing. Grace, 21, considered doing something current from Carrie Underwood, but decided against it because two others were doing Underwood tunes.
Instead, she sang "Jolene," a Dolly Parton hit from 1974. "I felt like everyone knows 'Jolene' and it's such a pretty song," she said.
Judges said Grace had lost her edge. Going into Wednesday's show, she said she felt she would be in the bottom three among viewer votes, but didn't expect to be last.
When she was, she had one last chance to sing for the judges and change their minds. This time, her "Jolene" sounded bluesier, but Grace said that wasn't on purpose. "That was just what I was feeling."
She cried backstage, then went back to the "Idol" mansion "and packed all my bags and packed my 30 pairs of shoes."
It was the second straight year that a woman with a bluesy voice finished 11th, just missing a tour spot. Last year, it was Amanda Overmyer.
The difference is that Grace simply doesn't look the part. Just under 5-foot and 100 pounds, she initially surprised judges with her voice. "It was, 'You don't look like you can sing like that,'" she said.
On their suggestion, she changed to a hip look, including pink highlights in her hair. The color may change, she said, "but I'll definitely keep the edgy look."
The rest is indefinite. She'll go back to Memphis, where her boyfriend and her daughter are. She hopes to sing there and do some recording, with a style that's "Joss Stone mixed with Carrie Underwood and with Sheryl Crow."