DEBORA SHAULIS | On the Scene All in fun: Spell-check puts in its two-cents' worth

My computer spell-check program is asserting itself again.
It doesn't simply call my attention to questionable spellings. It wants to tinker with proper names and suggest other words in relation to personalities. Sometimes spell-check's name game is on the money; sometimes, it's a few cents short of a dollar.
Take, for example, Omarosa Manigault Stallworth -- Youngstown's connection to Donald Trump's recently concluded reality show "The Apprentice." Spell-check would substitute Omarosa with amorous and Stallworth with stalwart. Omarosa was hardly lovable on that show, nor was she trying to be, but she certainly came on strong. For being half-right about Omarosa, spell-check's value on a scale of a penny to a dollar equals a 50-cent piece.
Omarosa's "Apprentice" competitor, Kwame Jackson? Spell-check says change Kwame to champ. Jackson, of course, was runner-up to Bill Rancic in the series finale, but Kwame says with all of the endorsement deals he's been offered, he feels like a champ. Spell-check value: 90 cents.
Farewell to 'Friends'
TV viewers will say goodbye tonight to some good Thursday night friends -- that is, "Friends." While spell-check is curiously silent or uninspired by the names of four of the six actors -- Courteney Cox Arquette, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer -- it offers food for thought on the other two. With a keystroke, Jennifer Aniston would be transformed into Jennifer Unison -- which is how this sextet got those huge salary increases in years past. Give us what we want, they said, or none of us will be on the set. With another keystroke, Matthew Perry would become pert, perky or preppy -- things his acerbic character Chandler wasn't, or tried too hard to be. Spell-check value: 16.7 cents (one dollar divided by six).
Next Thursday, another longtime NBC sitcom, "Frasier," bids us adieu in fancy, funny, fussy Crane brothers style. Spell-check is correct in observing that lead actor Kelsey Grammer is a bit grayer these days. After all, Grammer began to portray Dr. Frasier Crane on yet another NBC show, "Cheers," about 20 years ago and a decade before getting a spinoff show.
Then there's Frasier's radio show producer, Roz, played by Peri Gilpin. Spell-check would swap her surname with gulping. Based on the TV Guide story I recently read about filming that last episode of "Frasier," it sounds as if there was a lot of gulping and gasping for air among the actors, who were choking up as they rehearsed their final lines. Spell-check has hit the jackpot! Value: one crisp dollar.
Turn off the TV and flip on the radio, but the spell-check game won't change. Andre 3000 of hip hop act OutKast gets a spell-check makeover: Andre becomes Andrew (boring), and OutKast becomes outlast.
With music as fresh and interesting as this (except for that "Roses" song I despise), OutKast just might outlast its competition. Spell-check value: 50 cents.
Young singer-songwriter Jason Mraz ("The Remedy [I Won't Worry]") could be Jason Mars, or Jason Marx. Well, he talks a lot about dreams on his Web site (www.jasonmraz.com), which could explain the otherwordly reference, but the shenanigans in some of his music videos remind me of old comedy movies a la the Marx Brothers and Three Stooges. Spell-check value: 60 cents.
Fun with 'Idol'
Let us not forget "American Idol," that amusing merger of pop music, ego and live television. Maybe spell-check is sound sensitive, as it links trials to the surname of Hawaiian contestant Jasmine Trias. Nice girl, but she's no singing idol. Listening to her squeak through rounds of competition has been a weekly trial. Barring any more controversies now that red-haired John Stevens got the boot last week, unique-sounding Fantasia Barrino should be on her way to becoming the Baron (okay, Baroness) of this competition. Spell-check value: 75 cents.
As for "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell, spell-check would rename him Cowbell or Cower. His stinging comments ring as loudly as a cowbell, but Simon cower from offering criticism? Never. Spell-check value: 25 cents.
XDebora Shaulis is entertainment editor. Write her at shaulis@vindy.com.