Whose Reality?

Heading Back This Way

2009-10-22T19:33:00.003-04:00

Ok, so it has been way too long. So to my one dear reader, who still checks in to see if I have updated anything in the past year, I am coming back. There is so much TV to discuss: Glee, SYTYCD, Modern Family, New Adventures of Old Christine, and so many more. I will be here soon. Right now, I have to figure out a Halloween costume. Times tickin' away and I'm totally procrastinating. Anyway, hope to share my random thoughts with you soon.

Fang is the new Kota or Vice Versa? or better yet, I can't tell!

2008-11-06T20:38:00.005-05:00

So last week I missed watching Survivor and had to watch the double elimination night (buh-bye Ace! Love ya, Kenny and Sug!) right before tonight's episode. Wow! Love the HD and what a great story arc to see both hours back-to-back.

Anyway, in tonight's episode, the tribes (minus Ace--heehee--and Dan--really too nice a guy for the game) thought there would be a merge. Mostly because Jeff and Co. made it look that way. They had a HUGE feast, strange new immunity idols that are inexplicably floating in the ocean now, Ugly Shirt* claiming he is king, and a bag for of something. Well, it turns out to be rocks that separated the group into 2 new tribes.

The "new" fAng: Matty (poor boy loves himself some red and the "ghetto"), Sugar, Charlie, Evil One**, and Ugly Shirt
The "new" Kota: Kenny, Crystal, Marcus, Bob, and Suzie

Maybe because I don't know the super old Kota 6 very well but I am really pulling for the beat-up Fang members. They took out Ace and actually seem cool now. Plus, Ugly Shirt and Evil One get on my LAST good nerve. My TV needs to thank Matty for winning immunity for them. Because had they gone to Tribal and one of them not gotten voted off, my 52" would have been shatter by my remote.

Alas, Kota lost. Crystal is still a weak player physically. (Does anyone have proof of that gold medal?) But she and Marcus have some sort of cousin connection. And Crystal promised to not write his name down. This is a similar promise given to Ace.

So when the votes are counted, outwitted, outlasted, and outPLAYED was Marc-ACE!!! Well, until next week, I must wonder how Charlie will feel knowing his buddy has gone to Jury hotel. Will he ask to be sent to Jury to get a wonderful vacation with Marcus?

ABC, CBS, Fox, and...NBC? AKA: What happened to the writing on my networks?

2008-10-26T19:59:00.002-04:00

So I'm settling in to watch this week's Amazing Race. I just watched a repeat of Desperate Housewives from season one. This year, I have found DH to be incredibly boring...no beyond boring...just plain dull. There are no story lines that I care about at all. Not one! So I thought maybe DH's magic has worn off. It's just same old, same old and we are tired of it. But after watching tonight's syndicated repeat from the first season, I realize the DH magic isn't gone. The writing and the story lines are! Where is that quirkiness each character inhabits? Where is the back biting and sassy-ness? Where is the spark?

Unfortunately, for ABC, DH isn't the only show suffering this year. Ugly Betty has seemed to lost it's "Betty-ness". After last year's writer's strike, the producers said that they were going to get back to the true heart of Betty. I'm still waiting for that. Plus, all the great lines that Amanda, Mark, Willy, Christina, and many others used to have are gone. Now they are just charactures of the personas they used to be. Only Daniel's story so far has any meat to it and unfortunately, it does not include Betty.

So where does that live the other networks? I've all but written off NBC for good. Not even is SNL all that great and now that Amy Poehler is a mother and not returning, the writing is at it's lowest in many, many seasons. Amazingly, I am enjoying CBS's lineups the most. Except for Ugly Betty, Samantha Who?, and Brothers and Sisters, I'm a CBS loyalist. This year The Big Bang Theory is amazing. Yes, I've said it before, but wow! It's really good! How I Met Your Mother is coming back to its exceptional oddity. And really no one does reality like CBS.

Of course it's not "Fox season" yet. Fox season begins in January with American Idol and 24. But please remember to set those DVRs for 24's premiere in November! Ok, the race is on! Gotta go.

Look here later for thoughts on Brothers and Sisters. I promised a friend to keep up with it for her. She, too, knows it is THE BEST drama on TV this season. Lucky for ABC, they still do have some good writers.

Live from the 'Sugar Shack'

2008-10-23T20:56:00.003-04:00

Tonight's Survivor was both entertaining and extremely frustrating. The perennial losers, Fang, truly have been cursed. They lost the snake-like reward challenge. Ultimately, losing the tasty danishes as reward. Crystal, the Olympic Gold Medalist--was it really for track? because girl hasn't shown much talent in way of running on this show--broke down and cried. Were her tears shed because she couldn't eat a sweet treat? Nope. Possibly because Sugar was going home to her shack and have a pineapple induced coma again? No-sir-ree-bob! She cried because she has only won 2 challenges since being out there! She is eating a grain of rice a day! Her tribe is inflicted with the pain of listening to Ace and Kelly all day/all night. Dang! I'm crying right now just thinking about that myself.

Meanwhile, over a Kota...oh wait! I don't know who that is. We never get to see them. They win! That's all we really need to know.

After an almost victory for Fang, things just go from bad to worse. Ace somehow convinces, yet never actually says anything, Sugar to give up the idol to him but she ultimately takes it back. At a rather honest Tribal Council, Kelly gets the fire blown out.

Here's my take on Fang:

Matty is physically and mentally the strongest of the team. They need to rely on him.
Kenny is still a gamer and knows when surprises are happening and where there are shortcuts.
Ace is truly a snake and needs to be removed soon for the safety of all members.
Crystal sees all but doesn't know how to insight and ultimately will let it ruin her game.
Sugar is my favorite on this tribe and maybe my favorite of the season. Her cavalier attitude towards the Hidden Immunity Idol has thrown the tribe in a tail spin. They do not seem to know how to handle her when it's time to vote off another tribe member. Should they force her to use it? Should they blindside her? They have all wondered but never done anything about it. She has been too upfront without being upfront about it. It's refreshing and yet odd. So far, it's keeping her around the idol in her position. Time will tell.

The ACC is Upside Down

2008-10-22T08:16:00.002-04:00

Ok, so watching college football was more enjoyable and much easier back when UNC was basically a "basketball school." Now that they can solidly play football, I'm a wreck on Saturdays. Before it was easy to pull for Virginia Tech to win the ACC and go the Orange Bowl. Even though they have been a member of the ACC for 5 years now, they are a part of "the new acc" and I don't have personal hatred for the team. The history of upsets and bitter rivalries are just not there yet.

However, VT is letting me down. Currently Boston College--anyone else tired of all things Boston?--is at the top of the Atlantic Division and Georgia Tech--who seems to be ESPN anaylsts' favorite ACC team--is at the top of the Coastal. There are a few weeks left. Here's hoping that the ACC flips once more and somehow UVA and GT start to lose games.

For current standings and all things ACC go here.

For the true Tarheel, this is you.

GC = Gutless Chicken

2008-10-16T20:55:00.003-04:00

Random thoughts for tonight's Survivor:

I can't stand quitters! You signed up for the show. Deal with it! Getting voted off doesn't send you home. Just on a nice vacation.
I'm convinced that Marcus and Charlie are in love.
Matty has really high hair.
Fang is a disaster.
Ace is incredibly annoying.
Sugar better watch out because Ace will bite her like a snake in the grass--whoa! I'm channeling Truck Driver Sue from Season 1.
Bob reminds me of Bill Nye the Science Guy.
Bright Shirt is slowly growing on me. Maybe he will earn his name.

And Bravo's (Maybe? Could be? Sorta?) Final Project Winner!!!

2008-10-16T19:26:00.006-04:00

Ok, so if you have not yet seen the show and you DO NOT want to know...STOP READING. Or just jump to another post. :-)

Last night, I was nervous. Not for our country--long since over the Presidential election--but for which of the three great designers would win Project Runway. (Seriously though, get out and vote. Vote your concious. Vote your views. Just vote!)

It came down to a final three of women. First time ever for the show! And they truly deserved it! I love all three as designers and all three of them had previously won challenges. The best part is that all three designers are very different and showed EXTREMELY differing styles. Any of the three could have won and I would have been completely satisfied. However, I feel the TOP designer did win.

Leanne's wave inspired collection and pedals were beyond amazing.

Ninagarcia!, Kors and Company all really like her work and called it fashion forward (whatever that means). What I do know is for it lack of color (really Leanne, the ocean does have more shades of blue and tan) it made up for in complete hard work and expert design. Way to go! You deserve to be Bravo's possibly last Project Runway winner!

"...next lamb for slaughter," says Ace

2008-10-11T09:27:00.003-04:00

This week's Survivor begin with Kota coming back from Tribal Council and dealing with the fact that Kelly (as everyone assumed) was the only other vote for Ace other than booted off contestant, Paloma. So how does everyone deal with this? Say, maybe, try to come together as a tribe? Or possibly understand that Kelly and Paloma were friends so she couldn't vote her friend off? Of course not! This isn't Big Brother with their weak sympathy votes! This is Survivor! And do Ace has decided that Kota needs to get rid of Kelly. After all, her one vote makes a HUGE difference in the game compared to the other 7 votes. But, really that's just new math for you. Go investigate!

Over at Fang, they have rice issues. And Bright Shirt is convinced that they are going to starve. So naturally, this becomes a split in the leaderless tribe and now they have alliances. And guess what? The two moms on the team--you know the ones that tight bond back at Day 1 to create such physically weaker tribe--are on different sides.

On Day 10, Jeff Probst plays a little game I like to call passive aggression. Each member of the tribe has to rank the other members in order of importance. Then they stand on these tiered thread spools. And Marcus was ranked #1 not just by his BFF, Charlie, but obviously the rest of the tribe too. Ahh, poor Kelly, Ace--who probably has a chapped ass from being a lowly #2--has worked wonderfully back at camp to make you the lowest member of your tribe.

Over at Fang, things are just a mess. No one is happy with any of their rankings. Matty is #1 over there. And in all things extremely odd, Bright Shirt is beating the Olympian. And the one they had originally chosen as leader is now almost their least effect member.

And now for the BIG shocker! TRIBE SHAKE UP!! (And BFFs Marcus gets Dan to select Charlie to continue to peel him grapes and fan him. Ahhhh...such love) And Ace still gets Kelly who he despises. His face was priceless! And poor Sugar was the last one standing and is sent to Exile Island to remain for several days. I think she gets to come back in time for the next administration to move into the White House but really I can't be sure. (Actually, it's just until after the next immunity challenge.)

This week's immunity challenge is a lacrosse sitting in an inner-tube. I'm hoping for a great rush of white water to take them all out. But just as I'm getting bored, Bright Shirt scores a goal over the head of Ace. So of course after being embarrassed by an "old man", Ace leaves the goal to try and be superman. Bright Shirt scores a second goal for Kota. At this point in the game only Marcus is playing. Everyone else is lazy rivering it. And the third straight (and final shot) came from Bright Shirt. Kota wins! There must be a curse on the name of Fang.

And now the game is slowly turning into Big Brother. Jackie knows that it will come down to her or Kelly going home. She goes to the other side and basically begs and gives away her first 3 children to get to stay. The problem is what will Sugar do with her hidden immunity idol and her alliance with Ace. So they don't know which of the blonds to get vote off. But at Tribal Council Kelly decides that is the best time to blame their loss on the exact people she needs to keep her. Surely that strategy won't bite her in the behind. And actually it doesn't. Jackie is sent home instead. Good move GC, Crystal, Matty, and Kenny. With that vote they take Ace's influence out of the game. Next week, we see how Sugar merges into this tribe.

This episode is brought you by....Speedo!

2008-10-07T20:20:00.003-04:00

First of all, the Presidential debates are really messing up my TV viewing. This time it was the Vice Presidential debate. On Thursday nights, I watch Ugly Betty live and DVR Survivor. Because I felt obligated to being a good American citizen and watch our two VP candidates debate (well discuss....actually speak about various topics), I did not get a chance to watch this week's Survivor until tonight.

And as it turns out, that was quite OK. Tonight's episode allowed a chance to meet the Kota tribe members as they were the losers in both the reward and immunity challenges. So basically after starting the first few minutes showing how stupid the various members of Pang's tribe are, we got to learn that the other contestants aren't much more intelligent. Well, everyone except Sugar (but known to her birth certificate as Jessica) She found the hidden immunity idol without too much trouble. So now we know truly how vapid Dan really is since he was looking IN the water last week for the idol.

After all was said an done (including Physics teacher Bob not being able to solve a math problem), Kota voted out Paloma. My first reaction when the tribe members were talking about eliminating her was "who is she?" Well, at Tribal Council we found out. She is loud, abrasive, rude, and someone I would have voted out too. But as a fan of the show, I wish she would have stayed around. I would love to see her and Ace argue more! But alas, we will need to wait until next week when Bright Shirt takes on the members of the Pang tribe.

Kenley's Tule Box

2008-10-01T21:56:00.003-04:00

Tonight's Project Runway was a complete mess! Messy clothes. Messy attitudes. Messy fabrics.

Here is the show in a nutshell:

The designers look at flowers.
Leanne is afraid of bees.
NO ONE likes Kenley.
Kenley leaves fabric at Mood.
Jerrel's look is U-G-L-Y but inexplicably wins.
Leanne's look is great but is considered boring.--I must like soft shapes in muted colors.
Kenley's look is unusual and not as heinous as the judges seem to make it out to be.
Korto's dress is going to be used for Miss United States.
Kenley gets an attitude adjustment from Kors and Co. before she pulls out a knife and stabs a reluctant buyer.
All are sent home to make collections to have a show walk-off for the final three spots.

All in all=A MESS!

FINALLY! watching Survivor: Gabon!!!!!

2008-09-30T19:36:00.006-04:00

OK, I'm going to do something I enjoy reading--LIVE blogging. Of course, it's not too live since it is now Tuesday and I'm finally getting around to watching the show. But the following are my thoughts as the show unfolds. It will be long. It will be loud. Sit back, buckle in, and enjoy! Please excuse any excitement and yelling. Survivor remains after all the best reality game show on TV.

1. HD!!! Love seeing Gabon, Africa in High Def. It's like I'm there. WOW!

2. "Street clothes" ???? Really!!?? Have these 18 fools NOT ever seen the show? You know you are going to be living in a jungle, desert, swamp, etc. with nothing but the clothes on your back (and feet). So please, explain to me why I see a suit, several dresses, a bow tie (fashion disaster in any setting)? If I were on the show, my "street clothes" would be some sort of layered workout look consisting of sneakers, socks, shorts, warm up pants, t-shirt, and warm up jacket with a hood. I have, after all, actually seen the show and know better!

3. Too many people to follow who is talking/introducing his/her self.

Is Marcus hitting on Jeff?
Randy (aka Bright Shirt) will NEVER be married. (Good to know.)
Jeff likes purple (aka Michelle).
Is that Georgia O'Keefe!?

4. Way to single out the too "old" people. Now comes the school yard pick.

I would NOT have picked "bald-y" first. Good pick grandma. Way to call out the Olympian!
Charlie must love Marcus. Do we see a showmance brewing?
Did Danny not learn from "Boo" or "Dreamz" that silly nicknames never win? I refuse to refer to him as GC. I give the nicknames dangit!
Jeff really does like some purple. In 5 minutes, he was flirted with her twice. Are he and previous Survivor contestant/winner Jenna still together?

5. Time for first challenge! UGH! It sounds overly complicated with individual immunity and working for rice for the tribe and so much other stuff. Come on people! Run! Your food SURVIVAL depends on it. Imagine that...the athletic team wins. And the Olympian? She struggled. So much for the gold medal in Survivor.

6. First commercial break. TWO HOUR premier? What!? Glad I'm watching on a Tuesday when TV is pretty dull.

7. Now time for the tribes to get their homes together. I see huts. Very nice of the producers to give them homes. I still say the hardest place to live was a toss-up between Season 2: The Outback with the desert and deadly snakes and Season 3: Africa with having to live inside a fire-ring to keep tigers from eating everyone.

8. They build homes in Maine. Gee, I thought Maine was known for lobsters. Thanks Bob for making yourself seem like an outsider.

9. Speaking of outsiders: Gillian (aka Georgia O) is a cheerleader and local Outward Bounds leader. She loves some elephant dung. (Someone wants to show Gillian his dung. Not sure who said it. Thought I was dreaming it at first. But rewound and sure enough, it was said.) Good play on words Bright Shirt: "not done crap". HA!

10. Purple looks like a cross between Lindsay Lohan and Jessica from So You Think You Can Dance. And skinny guy likes her. He rambles about the last girl he kissed. I want a challenge. Starting to get bored.

11. Yellow tribe is concerned about dung but in a whole different way. They are actually planning out their latrine and whether it moves and how many holes to dig. Wow! That is a lot of planning.

12. Marcus is already in his underwear. Do the producers pay these people per day for stripping? I know he was wearing a suit and all but still, keep it in your pants. And by the way, Marcus is straight. He wants you to know. Good, got it! All of America was on pins and needles. Someone please alert Probst that Marcus wasn't hitting on him. Instead he hoping Jeff would be one of the many Marcus worshipers.

13. Ugh! Bright Shirt is bleeding. It looks awful in this blue night vision. Although, it is some GREAT Halloween makeup work. Already getting stitches on the first day. This does not bode well for him and his shirt. (Right now, I'm not enjoying HD so much.)

14. Commercial again! This time for HIMYM and Big Bang Theory. Both are great. HIMYM last night was about a quest for the ultimate burger. I want a burger real bad! (OK, no more commercial commentary....unless it's really good.)

15. I just remembered I need to sign up for a Yoga class. Or, better yet, I will just keep this show and practice for free!

16. First immunity challenge!

I love puzzle challenges! This always shows who are logical thinkers and who are emotionally too wound up to out last, out wit, out play.
I teach too but didn't realize playing with puzzles was like teaching Physics. Of course, I didn't do too well in my Physics class back in high school.
Bright shirt HATES Georgia O. Since their team lost, I say bring in Donald Trump from The Apprentice and fire both of them! Oh, I mean vote them both out! Whatever!

17. Tribal Council! Oh, I love it! We usually aren't treated this much arguing and attitude until the eye-rolling jury. Let's hope this level of anger comes to every Tribal Council. Finally, a leader! And it's Danny? Really?

18.After the vote, and really no surprise at all, Michelle is the first one voted out. So much for the drama at future Tribal Councils. And wow the producers are acting like it's Christmas. First huts and now fire. How about earning your rewards and actually surviving? By the way, did I see flip flops on Olympian? When did Sketchers make a hybrid sneaker/flip flop?

19. Hour number 2. And we are greeted with the bromance again. Look, they are on a romantic boat ride. And they agree with Donkey from Shrek. They are onions! Lots of layers.

20. Bright Shirt and Leader Danny fight about water. Now we have Operation Too Many Words. Oh my bad: "Operation Let Other People Crash and Burn". On Thursday's show there will be a Mission Accomplished banner waving behind Jeff at Tribal Council.

21. And now we have another Halloween costume. Marcus is rocking the just-out-of-the-box Revolutionary War soldier look with the sports coat, bandanna, pants, and shoulder bag. (Is it me or does this show seem to be taking a very Marcus and worshipers turn? So far, I'm not a fan.)

22. Leader Danny can't sleep because of snoring and starts wish-swishy at the washing machine. Georgia O, who is now wearing knee highs on her arms, wants quiet hours. Now we are having an argument over leadership because Leader Danny quit. No one wants to lead. They need a leader. (Where is Barack and John when you need them?) They need to not be a loud team or quiet team. They need a UNIFIED team. And their answer to being leaderless? Face paint! This episode sooooo needs to be replayed on Halloween. Maybe VH-1 can put Rocky Horror Picture Show on hiatus for a year.....On second thought...Let's Do the Time Warp Againnnnnnnn!

23. 2nd immunity challenge: This involves balls.

And yep, there it is..I had heard about it but couldn't believe it. Marcus needs to wear pants. Although I'm sure Charlie enjoys seeing Marcus flapping in the breeze. I, however, want to only see the red and yellow balls. At least we know that CBS doesn't re-tape challenges.
Kota wins again
Pang looks like they watched baby ducks being killed
Dan is sent to Exile Island--after all these seasons, I still do not like this concept.

24. Seeing Charlie, makes me miss Todd from Survivor: China

25. The hidden immunity idol search begins. Somehow Dan believes a sandy crater is the bottom of the lake. He does not deserve it!

26. Bright Shirt and Ex-Leader Danny hold hands and sing Kum Ba Yah! They create a fishing line together. And now, Pang has fish! Ahhhh, the love!

27. Does Dan have the idol? Does he not? Is he smart? Should he still be here? Lots of conspiracies.

28. 2nd Tribal Council

Ex-Leader Danny and Bright Shirt still agree
Dan still wants a leader
No one likes Georgia O--but they all agree with her except when she talks
I like Olympian--hence for now shall be called by her name Crystal: she calls out Dan for possibly having the idol (Score one for Dan-O! He turns his pockets to prove he doesn't have it.)
Georgia O is so out of here...she wasted a vote on skinny kid (obviously she was not in the planning who to vote out)
That snake freaks me out!
Georgia O knows she is going. Her face no poker face. She should never go to Vegas.
And so long Gillian. Your tribe actually just got weaker. They need your fire and spirit and leadership. Oh wait! They don't need a leader. Or do they? No! Yes! Oh, I give up. They need a baby-sitter because not a one of them has the balls to be a leader. Maybe Marcus could swing over to Pang for a while. Apparently he has plenty of balls.

OK, on that note, this has been fun. It's long and I thank you for reading it. Tune in on Thursday for our 3rd tribe member voted out of Gabon. And check back here. This week is busy and lots of new shows so no more live blogging for the week. Just fun write-ups.

Score=1 Point to ABC!!

2008-09-28T23:02:00.002-04:00

Well, good thank goodness ABC still has some great writers. I just finished watching Brothers and Sisters. It's late but I can't possibly sleep. The drama! THE DRAMA! Oh, how I love the Walker clan and its family dysfunction and love. Tonight's season premier wasn't a pilot of some new invention, instead it was a growing organism, like the Walker family itself, moving into a new direction and yet still relishing in what makes the show great. Tonight's episode is an example of why I believe this show is the best drama on TV. The writing, directing, and cast are amazing. I love everything about it...but most the way the characters will talk all over each other. Just like family!

Season Premier or a New Pilot?

2008-09-28T21:55:00.003-04:00

In full disclosure, I have not had a chance yet to see Survivor: Gabon. The weekend was busy and it is still in the DVR. Instead of watching the Thursday night line-up, I was at the Kathy Griffin show. She was phenomenal!

Anyway, I only have about 2 minutes before Brothers and Sisters' premier. I did get a chance to watch Ugly Betty earlier today and watching Desperate Housewives right now. And this is what I want to know. Feel free to discuss in the comment section. But when did season premiers turn into what appears to be pilots for new TV series? Both Betty and Housewives seems to have re-invented themselves and not necessarily for the better. The shows that I was so hoping to see this week both let me down. The writing watching that funny nor were the story lines that entertaining. Instead the shows seem to want to start all over with new vibes. Hopefully, they will find those old sparks both seasons had before.

OK, B&S is starting!

So I've Feel Like a Scrub

2008-09-24T20:13:00.004-04:00

Not like one of the doctors on NBC's Scrubs but a total loser for not posting. There has been so much happening that I have missed talking about. And you my faithful reader (I'm pretty sure I'm back to only one person reading now since it has been so long since my last post) have missed out reading the craziness of life on TV.

So anyway, on Big Brother I was almost right. I did predict that Memphis would make it to the end. But ultimately, possibly the best player of all time--take that Dr. Will!--won the game. Congrats to Dan for winning EVERY jury members' vote.

Over on Project Runway, we are down the final four. All of my favorites are gone. I really though Terri was going all the way to Bryant Park. And imagine the looks she would have created for it. Too bad! So really I don't care who wins as long as it is not Kenley or Suede. Well, OK, hopefully it will be Korto. I am happy the Jerrell made it this far because I can't wait to hear what he has to say about the looks at Fashion Week.

Anyway, this week Survivor begins. Amazing Race is just around the corner. Ugly Betty is coming back. How I Met Your Mother started strong. Big Bang Theory made me laugh. The New Adventures of Old Christine is thoroughly entertaining me. Desperate Housewives and Brothers and Sisters kick off this weekend. Check here for some updates on my favorite shows.

Roll Call!

2008-08-27T18:45:00.003-04:00

My favorite part of every political convention is the Roll Call. This is where each state (and delegation--looking at you Guam and "Democrats Abroad") gets to cast its vote for nominating the Presidential nominees. This is the most fun thing about the conventions. People speaking get all excited literally giving shout outs to everyone that ever was, is, or going to be an elected official. The best part is when these people are wearing something crazy; it starts to look like the Miss America pageant parade of states. It's great!

Time for some business....
And now it is official. The Democrat National Committee has nominated the first every non-white male for President of the United State. With Hillary Clinton making a motion to end the official Roll Call and declare Sen. Obama the nominee through acclamation (in other words, a voice vote of "aye"). I did not hear any nays although House Speaker Pelosi did not allow any time for the nays to start.

Speaking of Pelosi...she wore the same outfit she wore at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC--same initials but VERY different from the Jr. Senator of New York) National dinner in October. It's an OK outfit but not the most flattering on TV. It is one of those better in person deals.

So now all that is left is hearing from the nominee himself. Congratulations Sen. Obama!

Oh! And Sen. McCain announcing his Veep choice. Anybody betting? Do I hear a Romney or a Powell or Lieberman in the mix? What do you think? Let me know. Leave a comment.

And the Olympics are Closing

2008-08-24T08:44:00.004-04:00

For the past 2 weeks, I have watched more NBC than I normally do in a total year. The Olympics have been fascinating. There were many highlights and huge successes. There was the Olympic drama and pageantry. And there was those times when I would get up to get something to drink, go to the bathroom, or check email while the "Olympic moments" or behind the scenes stories that I feel have no real purpose. The Olympics are about the athletes and the competitions. Not what is the favorite food of the man who screwed in a bolt on the Olympic Torch in the Bird's Nest or something just as random.

So in the spirit of Miley Cyrus' 7 Things, I wanted to list the seven things that have irritated and impressed me the most during these games.

"7 things I hate the most about you-u-uuuuu"

the name "Redeem Team" (how more pretentious can one be?)
Nastia Lukin's mother not present when her daughter won the all-around gymnastic gold (com'on lady! you won the same prize years ago...competition nerves shouldn't be much to you by now--and you CAN afford to attend the games to watch your child many others cannot and you owe it to all of those parents to be there waving a flag, clapping, and hugging your child!)
the Olypmic moments--see above
the cameras all up close and personal on Lolo Jones' face after she lost (why not show the happy winner--in fact who won? Her being a gold medalist must not be a big deal.)
the constant beach volleyball coverage--were there not other competitions?
asking other U.S. swim team members who won medals to tell about their thoughts on Micheal Phelps
both the Men's and Women's 4 X 100 relay team did not qualify for the final

"the 7 things I like the most about you--uuuuu"

Bela Karoy!!!!
Nastia Lutkin and Shawn Johnson winning Gold and Silver for all around and switching places for Balance beam
Micheal Phelps' sweep of 8 golds
the U.S. Men's Volleyball team wins gold after having tragedy at the beginning of the games
both Men's and Women's 4 X 400 relay teams winning gold
Matthew Mitcham winning Men's 10-Meter Platform (simply amazing final dive and consistent through each round plus he keeps China from the big sweep--but how bad do we all feel for those poor men from China? I hope they are not held in bad standing.)
beach volleyball--contradiction? not really...I love watching it but don't need to see every match at the expense of other events.

So my readers, what are your thoughts about these games? Are they best ever? Do you believe all the hype around the World Records (fluke or not)? How cool is the Water Cube and the Bird's Nest? Is there any way London will be able to compare in 2012? Did China obtain its goal and appear more open and transparent or do they look as closed and controlling to the world as before? Any controversies? Leave it in the comments.

Project Runway is FAB-U-LICIOUS!!!

2008-08-20T21:25:00.003-04:00

Ok, so last week, why was the Blaine Show not canceled even though his outfit totally didn't fit the task at hand and Brooke Shields called him "bratty"? Well, simple. The producers wanted Blaine to be around for this week's challenge to design outfits for New York drag queens.

And what do we get? A complete mess!

**Side note: I can't stand Joe. He is mean and THE biggest queen of the bunch. There is not a more catty individual on the show this year. And speaking of catty, I despise Kenley, those stupid flowers she puts in her hair, or that awful nasally sound that she calls talking.**

This week's text-in question was "who would you rather see in drag? Michael Kors or Tim Gunn" I was really hoping it would be a tie and during the credits, we could have gotten even a photoshopped image of that. But alas, Tim "won" with 54% and no picture came with it.

As for the outfits, I personally liked Joe's design the best (even if I can't stand him). The look, the shape, all worked and it was obvious the drag queen wearing it loved it too. He has a talent for sports wear but other than that, not much. The sucky part about him winning is that he will have immunity for next week so we seen him at least 2 more weeks. UGH! Terri's outfit was great too! I enjoy Keith a great deal but his outfit was a frilly mess and he and Daniel deserved the bottom. So long Daniel. Here's hoping Keith will get better next week.

The Golden Smile

2008-08-20T21:11:00.004-04:00

Finally, after almost two weeks of competitions, the 2007 Ladies World All-Around Gymnastic Champion, Shawn Johnson won a gold metal at the Olympic games. I have not written about the Olympics yet because everyone else has and there is already too much being seen. However, I couldn't resist her smile when she won. And the tear running down her cheek as the U.S. National Anthem was simply too much to take. I loved it!

Congratulations!!!!

America's Favorite Untrained Dancer

2008-08-08T10:47:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to Joshua on being the SYTYCD winner. It came down to him and Twitch. Why? Luckily, the producers or judges or endorsers decided this year that the Top Guy and Top Girl needed money. So Katee won $50,000 along with Joshua. However, Joshua will get a contract to work with Adam Shankman on an upcoming film. Joshua is fun and proved that he could adapt to many different styles. He and Katee were an amazing couple and together made dance magic. I just wish that Katee and Josh would have stood side-by-side at the end. Instead of Twitch and his glass-less frames and that stupid t-shirt with the frames imprint.

But during the show, it was finally obvious that the judges and Cat Deeley preferred Joshua and Katee over all the other dancers. It was great seeing them in so many dances. (Did Katee get a chance to rest between all those performances or just run backstage, change outfits, and run back on stage? It seemed like she danced every other number.) The dance of the night belonged to Katee and Will who performed the Pas De Deux. * Not sure how it is different than lyrical/contemporary/jazz (are those any different either?) but it was beautiful! It was passionate! It was amazing!

Congratulations to America for voting for the better "untrained" dancer and congrats to Joshua and his family.

*Updated: the correct spelling and a link to the video

The Shirt Comes Back on in the BB-10 House

2008-08-08T10:29:00.004-04:00

Well, things in the Big Brother house finally got really interesting. After, the best week of the season so far, the house guests finally quit the herd mentality and voted out the "body builder from Iowa" (yet lives in the LA area in close proximinity with many of the other guests--looking at you Keesha and Memphis). I could not tell if Jessie had figured out that he was going or not. It seemed Memphis knew.

But things worked out well for me as a viewer with Michelle winning HOH. It came down to her and Libra and I was about to throw my remote on the floor and smash it thinking Libra was about to truly be in power. (Side note: I would never throw my remote at my TV no matter how mad I get because I could never live without my TV.) When Michelle won, still looking ridiculous in that red unitard that Libra gave her, she started screaming and I thought she would announce her nominees right then and there. It was great!

By the way, that red unitard needs to be retired for good. After seeing Jen from BB8 wear it, no one looks good in it. Anyway, Julie (Mrs. Chen :-) ) asked Libra why she didn't take the letter from home instead of taking away Michelle's Hawaiian vacation during the POV competition earlier in the week. Now, I don't blame anyone for taking a vacation but I am tired of hearing Libra on BB After Dark complain how much she wants to hear from her family and how she hopes to get HOH so she can get a letter. Also, the lame answer she gave about not being worried over her kids made me mad. I go on a week long vacation without my dog and nearly cry every night that I don't get to see him, pet him, walk him, feed him, play with him, etc. She signs up to be away from her NEW (5 months old) babies and just shrugs it off that a vacation for his husband is so much more important than hearing from her family. OK! I don't get it but hopefully, Michelle will put her up and she will finally leave the house. A lot of the drama will leave too and there will be more fun moments.

By the way, what is the correct spelling for unitard?

"...nothing to do with female wrestlers"

2008-08-06T23:13:00.004-04:00

On tonight's Project Runway, Jarrell worried that their "field trip" to find out about this week's challenge would relate to wrestlers. He was close...very, very close...but wrong. Tonight's challenge required the designitestants to create a look for U.S. female Olympians walking in the Opening Ceremony. Although, I thought the challenge should have been gender neutral (ie. polo shirt and shorts like what they will be wearing since Ralph Lauren actually designed the 2008 look for the U.S. Olympic Team), I enjoyed most of the outfits. My favorite was Terry's very chic sports suit look. It seemed versatile and with all the layers, some athletes could take off the jacket or bow-tie and it would appear as if there were many different styles walking into Olympic Stadium. However, the judges perferred Korto's simple linen pants (as if that would travel well!) and very flowy vest instead. Take a look at the outfits for yourself.

I have determined my favorite desigitestant is Kelly. I enjoy seeing Keith on the show and he seems to have some depth--hopefully, his designs will be more showcased (other than that toilet paper monstracity he created last week). And Terry is really impressing me.

I dislike Daniel, Joe, "leath-uh" Stella, and tanexoric Blayne. Even Seude doesn't get on my nerves as much as any and all of these others.

PS: I really hope Jerrall stays a while so I can continue to get great lines for the blog titles.

"America's" Favorite Dancer

2008-08-06T21:43:00.005-04:00

Nigel apparently doesn't think America can get it right. So he wants those of us uneducated viewers (who he wants to make sure we learn and get better) to know how to vote. He believes that our favorite dancer must be this guy:

No matter if we feel one of the others deserve the win. However, solely from tonight's show (and that's really hard because of all the gushing of how great the dancers are and then the fact that the two guys got THE BEST dance of the night), I think the winner should be this guy:

However, I still feel this girl is the best and most amazing dancer this year:

And I am not still not sure how it worked out for this girl to be in the finals--she's good and all but at the beginning I would never had said she would be in it:

And I'm still mad this guy didn't make it.

Oh, that's right, Nigel wanted us to like Twitch more. So, fine, Twitch, if you win, please, Please, PLEASE! lose the glasses.

PS: Nigel there was NOT an "untrained" dancer on the show. Some just had more school for the arts training than others.

It all ends well over at the Food Network

2008-08-06T17:04:00.002-04:00

It seems that The Next Food Network Star runner-up and my favorite of the three finalists, Adam, will have his own show on the network after all. Although, it will not be a cooking show, at least we get to enjoy a likable host doing fun things.

Simple Pleasures

2008-08-05T18:28:00.002-04:00

I write a lot about TV and it is a GREAT pleasure in my life. But I'm just sitting here in my house with the lights and TV off. My dog is on my lap sleeping soundly. I'm reading the latest news at abcnews.com and Sr. Political Correspondent for ABCNews, Jake Tapper's blog. These quiet times are the best.

Ahh....simple pleasures. (Someone, cue "Simple Gifts".)

Batting a 1.000

2008-08-03T22:00:00.003-04:00

Well, so far my voting is really off track this year. It seems the people I vote for just do not win.

Hillary Clinton lost the primaries AND my home state
none of my votes for SYTYCD worked out
And now my choice for the newest HGTV designer didn't win

Congratulations to the newest member of the HGTV family, Jennifer. America voted for her to be the Next HGTV Design Star.

Although, I preferred Matt's work, style, and personality to Jennifer's hand painted designs on walls, I am content in knowing that her show will be good. Really, it was a win-win for us HGTV viewers with either designer. Hopefully, there will be a place for Matt somewhere on the network. If not, I am sure he will do have a great career in Colorado and LA.

I'm Back...and What Did Yall Let Happen While I Was Away?

2008-08-03T14:14:00.006-04:00

So I go on vacation with my family for a week and suddenly all goes wrong in the reality tv world. How could you, my faithful reader (I think I might have lost one of the two), let this all happen? Let's take a look at some of the damage done this past week.

So You Think You Can Dance
The best male dancer was voted off this past week. Not only was Mark a great dancer but he was an amazing performer. I will admit at the beginning of the season he wasn't my favorite dancer (male or female). But with each week, he showed something the others haven't consistently showcased--the ability to mesmerize the live audience and make all the dances look easy. His quirky solos added to the fun as well. However, he never had the judges in his corner. From the beginning it was obvious that creepy Nigel did not want a male contemporary dancer to succeed this year. So instead our final three includes two males who are good but not that great. However, my favorite dancer of the season, Katee, is still around and should win this week. So if you are a voting person, vote for this one:

And while we are here, let's discuss this awful catastrophe: the Emmy awards have a new category, Best Reality Host. And Cat Deely is NOT in the list. She has it all!
Surely this season's affectionate hug and actual show-stoppage to comfort Twitch a few weeks ago when he was in the bottom two (and should have gone home) will seal the deal for her next year.

Big Brother
Not that I am that surprised over the two people nominate this past week or who was sent home.
It's just a shame that again this year Big Brother is slipping into a herd mentality and missing the scheming game play. Where is the strategy? Where is the fun? I was so excited to have Keesha as the HOH and she let me down by sticking with her un-holy and actually very weak alliance. At least she admitted to Julie that she is tighter with Renny than Libra. Don't look for something exciting to happen this week either. I already know who the HOH, nominees, and Veto winners are and looks like a continuation of last week.

And finally....The Next Food Network Star
I know that I haven't talked about this show before because truly none of them inspire me to cook. No one from this series (past and present) seem to have the same star power as the heavy hitters (Rachel Ray, Paula Deen, Sandra Lee) on the network. But this year's group all seemed bland. When it came time to see the final three pitch their shows, one stood out as creative, original, and one that updated the network in a way that it desperately needs. Except for the HH's above, the network is as stale as week-old light bread in a wet bag with a loose twist tie. Unfortunately for us, Adam's show with an internet guest will not seen. Instead we get a not-as-fun version of the Neely's without emphasis on BBQ and spice. (Sigh.......) Yet, again the network had a chance to do something original and instead gave us leftovers.

So, I have to readjust to regular everyday life after vacation and adapt to my favorite summer shows going down the tubes. But the bright shining light is that I have a DVR full of Weeds and Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List to catch up on. These shows have stepped up their games this year! And I read that Showtime is continuing Weeds for at least two more seasons! YAY! So, summer TV is great!!!!!!

While on Break, Mull Over This

2008-07-25T22:14:00.003-04:00

So I will not have another update for a few days. I know this seems odd to the 2 of you reading this but really, how many posts have you kept up with? If you have read them all....then I thank you! Anyway, there are plenty of things here to read before the next posting.

Previously, I had posted about my thoughts on Sen. Obama's candidacy for President. I wanted to write my thoughts on Sen. McCain.

First and foremost, his policies and rhetoric is currently very socially conservative. He seems to have given up the idea of the "Maverick" he once claimed to be. And yes, he does have a past of working with Democrats to help solve our nation's problems even when it could be detrimental to his career. However, he no longer seems comfortable in that role and yet doesn't seem comfortable in the role of the modern conservative either.

Economically, our nation needs strength and I am not sure he possesses the knowledge or understanding we need to get us back on the correct track. I am not an economist either but I have hope that our next President will have the foresight to put into the place the best people to help correct our financial problems.

Sen. McCain does bring an impressive background to qualify as Commander-in-Chief. Although, this is a large part of the job description is having a stronger resume in this one area what should put in him the Oval Office over Sen. Obama?

For those of you who are McCain fans, I ask you to answer this question: Given Sen. Obama's natural gifts for public speaking and charisma why should Sen. McCain who seems more abrasive and understated be elected as our President when the U.S. needs someone to help heal the damage from our economic, world, and energy missteps?

so we say goodbye again

2008-07-25T22:09:00.002-04:00

Well, on last night's SYTYCD, all was righted. Sorta. Comfort was voted off again after having to come back to replace the injured Jessica. I was not happy to see Comfort come back in the first place but then when we found out on Wednesday's show that she is not just a B-girl but a art school trained ballet and jazz dancer, I lost all sympathy for her and wanted her to go. Her technique was never the quality of the others. She probably should have been off the show long before the first time.

On the other end, the presumptive (and Judge) favorite, Will got voted off. Was it because the judges pushed him down our throats? Was it because he reminded us of Danny personality wise, yet never danced with the same gentle strength that Danny possessed? Was it because Will just really was not a great partner to any of his partners? Probably some of all. Last night, when Twitch and Will were both in the bottom two, I was ok with either leaving. I'm really hoping the final four will be Katee, Mark, Joshua, and Courtney. But really, I could interchange Courtney or Chelsie. They are similar. As long as the final two standing are Katee and Mark, all will be right.

In search of "America's" favorite dancer

2008-07-24T18:24:00.003-04:00

So, my Wednesday night TV line-up is completely out of control. Why did Bravo and CBS set out to take on Fox and So You Think You Can Dance? So my DVR records all of them but I actually watch Big Brother and Project Runway "live" and then watch SYTYCD Thursday afternoons/evenings.

Well, I just started to watch and realized that the storm we had last night messed up the recording. LOTS of pixelation and audio issues. I thought I might be able to do without audio and just watch the dancing in silence but then my DVR kept cutting up at the same moments. That would be at the point when my power flickered. So I didn't get to see the whole show. I saw the first three couple dances and Comfort's and Will's solos.

What I gathered from the parts I saw is this: Toni Basil needs to replace both Mary and Nigel as permanent judge. Her heartfelt and technical critiques were great. She showed a knowledge of dance that educated the viewers while critiquing the dancers. Also, it is apparent that Nigel doesn't want Comfort or Mark to stay around as "America's favorite dancer". He wants Will or Twitch. Will's solo was nice but his rhumba didn't excite me. In fact, I fast-forwarded through it because I was bored. Watching it in FF bored me too. Comfort's solo is what we have seen from her each week.

Twitch and Katee's contemporary dance was more Broadway/acting than dance and Twitch hardly had to move. On the other hand, Mark and Comfort's hip-hop was captivating and outstanding. I wish the judges would gush about it as much as they did the first two dances that were not nearly as exciting.

Oh well, tonight we will see who America has sent home and who dances another week.

"Remnants of Nonsense"

2008-07-23T21:33:00.003-04:00

For tonight's Project Runway, the designers were tasked with designing for their models. Original, no? Actually, it was. The models were the clients and they were the ones to go to Mood to pick out the fabrics for the outfits with no input from the designers at all. I first I thought, "wow, this should be neat." After all, models know the fashion industry. Then I through the artful editing of those Bravo producers I quickly learned that the Project Runway models do not know fabrics or how cloth makes clothes. Neither do I so I can't blame them. After all, Old Navy just magically dreams up what outfits I buy.

So currently the show is on. The models have just gotten ready in (is it?) Tresseme studio. I decided to type as they walk down the runway for a second0-by-second rundown. And here we go!

Heidi knows fashion! Her dress is nice!
What? Green fabrics? Is this Bravo's attempt at Earth Week? I missed that part when Tim was explaining the task.
Queen Amadalia is wearing green and "green". Where is the Star Wars outfits? They look much better than what she is wearing tonight.
Keith--hidious! She's wearing a yellow garbage bag.
Terri--nice
Wesley--must be going home
Jerrell--too much color blocking and fringe
Jennifer--eh?
Daniel--it looks basic ugly brown
Joe--same brown and better but still tacky
Suede--GO HOME SEUDE...Seude took Seude to the next Seude level
Kenley--didn't we see the ode to flower pot before in Season two
Kelli--glad you have immunity
Leanne--more brown
Stella--that is "beachy"?
Blyane--pepto dress
--decent black and white
Korto--the dress is inside out and putting trees on her neck doesn't make it better

Commercial time: my guess is that J.Crew shorts and blazer (aka Wesley) is going home. And how can they possibly like Seude's ode to strips?

UGH! Seude's mess of a dress is what the naked blue fly lady in those commercials would put on because she has nothing in her closet to wear to her cocktail party? Really that is what the judges like?

And Auf: I was correct!

BB10--Does the Power Shift?

2008-07-23T21:22:00.003-04:00

So now that the gay cowboy has been voted out (as I correctly predicted although that was as much as a sure-thing as the oceans having tides), there is a new HOH. I am not a fan tonight's particular challenge for HOH. BB has used this method before. It was the one where two house-guests compete head-to-head game show style and the winner of each round chooses the next two. This is only fun when people are willing pit their rival alliance against itself. This didn't happen too much tonight. Is it because there really isn't a rival alliance but instead a gang of 8 and some floaters?

Or are people still holding their cards closely? I really hope so. Now that Keesha won HOH, I hope the house turns upside down. If she plays her power this week the way she was trying to get the house to play this past week as she was trying to get Steven to stay, then this is going to a GREAT week. Keesha is an emotional player which always mean either a silly wasted week of HOH or one of big moves.

If Keesha plays it the way I want her to, then she is about to be my new favorite player for the season. As it stands, I have nailed down that Dan and Angie are my favorites. Renny is still my favorite house-guest. Lybra and Jerry are fighting it out for my least favorite player and house-guest.

Oh! And as for the "showmance", I certainly am not one to cast stones but really the preacher is proud of his son having sex for all the world to see? (Right now, I refuse to link to the youtube clips that prove it but if you worked your way to this site, then you certainly can find the clips yourself.)

BB10--I don't see Steven staying

2008-07-22T22:26:00.002-04:00

Well, just finished watching tonight's episode and it looks like Steven is going to be meeting Julie tomorrow night. Although, Dan (and Angie) is becoming my favorite player for the season, I will be sad to see Steven leave. I think I would enjoy being in the house with him. I worry for Keesha because she is going to be "tainted with the stigma" of Steven unless the new super alliance of Jesse, Michelle, Memphis, and Angie comes to realize just how much they are great players and with Keesha could roll the house, I don't see Keesha staying much longer. Renny is still a lot of fun and she is quite a smart player. She knows when to stir things up and when to lay low and let others go down in flames. I'm digging this season. Can't wait to see who will be the new HOH.

Thoughts about Obama

2008-07-22T18:16:00.003-04:00

As I said yesterday, I do have real concerns about both presumptive Presidential nominees and am looking for real advice, links to accurate information, and answers to questions I have about the candidates. I am starting with Obama today mostly because he seems to be the superstar and because as a Democrat, he is the one I should be leaning towards right now but in reality, I'm leaning away from him.

Here are my concerns and if any of my friends can dispel them, I am grateful. If you feel the same, I appreciate the support. And if you want to just have a good hearted debate, then outstanding!

My number one concern about Obama is that I feel he is the opposite side of the same coin as then Gov. Bush in 2000. Somehow the relative "unknown" (I am aware that having a ex-President daddy doesn't make one completely unknown but as a political leader he was) garners the support from all the party bigwigs. Whereby they become surrogates to help the candidate win the support from the far-fringed part of the party to start a monumental snowball of support that wins the primary. This support from the party bigwigs also take on a Rove-esque (in the case of Bush actually Rove; for Obama it's Axelrod) style of campaigning that makes comments and then lets dissenters to those comments become labeled as obstructionists, those who distract, or racists.

In fact, although I do feel Obama has a rather high gloss* sheen, he himself does not bother me as much as his supporters AKA fans. Whether Sen. Obama is encouraging his "Obamabots", as they have become to be called, or simply turning a blind eye to them, they have accused people of being racist for not supporting Obama whether race is a part of it or not. They have spread many falsehoods about other candidates and said blatantly disrespectful things. I am not naive enough to believe that a campaign can't get dirty. However, Sen. Obama set his bar at a very high spot and I have not seen his campaign run by Axelrod ever come close to clearing that bar. In fact they simply just walk under it and call it a distraction if someone points out their disrespect.

Freedom of speech and press is vital to our government and I worry about this. The media seemingly salivates at the prospect of a Pres. Obama and has not really been partial at all during this campaign. When a journalist does ask a valid question that is in some way harmful to Obama's campaign, the response is not an answer but a "we don't participate in that kind of politics--it's just a distraction." A distraction from what? From being a Senator of Illinois? A distraction from looking presidential? Is not one of the tasks a U.S. President have to answer questions from citizens?

All in all, I want this one question answered: As U.S. Senator, what has Obama done to better his state and the U.S.? What bills did he actually envision, research, and author? How has his work ethic proven that I should believe he will make an outstanding President?

"Where's the Batman?"

2008-07-21T20:20:00.003-04:00

Saw The Dark Knight yesterday. In a rating system it earns a WOW! There's not much more that I can say. The story, the action, the music, the acting...all of it. Phenomenal!

Everyone and their cousin has talked about Heath Ledger's performance as the Joker. And deservedly so. He was amazing. When he was on screen and many times when he was not, it was as if the entire movie was about him and not Batman. There was no greater performance in the movie and that is tough because it stars Christian Bale, Aaron Eckhart, Maggie Gyllenhal, and Academy Award winners Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine, along with many, many other great actors. It is certainly worth the $8.50 or so to see it now.

Just so you know I'm not a complete reality TV stooge part two

2008-07-21T18:35:00.003-04:00

This post has nothing to do with reality TV. Well, actually it is the most real thing on TV right now. It deals with the 2008 Presidential election.

I have a real problem and I am asking for your, my faithful readers--I have two now!, for help. Although I can be snarky at times and quite silly at others, when speaking about this election, I come from an honest and open place not filled with malice or ill intent. Mostly I have questions and I am looking for someone to answer them.

As those who have been around me during the primary season knows, I was and am a huge Sen. Clinton supporter. Often hearing her speak and trying to read as much about her initiatives as possible. Unfortunately, things did not turn out the way in which I had hoped. So now I have to look for another candidate to support. Yet, I find myself completely on the fence.

Naturally, I should be supporting Sen. Obama as he is the presumptive Democratic nominee. His voting record and rhetoric are more closely aligned to that of Sen. Clinton's. However, I am not feeling comfortable about supporting him. I will post later what I feel the most uncomfortable about in terms of his candidacy separately. Likewise, I will write a post about Sen. McCain. So to my friends, as you read through my questions, if you can answer them coherently and rationally without emotion, then I would love to hear from you. I really would like to chose a candidate to support. Maybe, this year, I will be able to be one of those "uncommitted" voters the pundits love to talk about in October. We shall see.

Project Runway AKA "You're a bunch of slackers!"

2008-07-21T14:35:00.003-04:00

When Tim Gunn gets snippy, you know you have really messed up. What I love about Project Runway the 2nd most is Tim's positive energy and reinforcement he gives to all the designers. What I love about PR the most is when Tim tells it like it is to these designers and makes them really see the incredibly distasteful looks they amazingly try to make.

I do not intend to claim that I know the first iota about making clothes because I can't sew. The closest I ever got was when I was forced to take Home Ec back in Jr. High and we were only allowed to get one try at the sewing machines with no thread at all. However, I can tell when people make trash and there was a lot of it during this first episode. Literally. The designers made outfits out of things found at the grocery store and many pieces looked great and many pieces looked like table clothes (because that is how creative this "most diverse group ever" got).

It's too early to really like anyone that much. I did like the all yellow dress and the LOVED the vacuum cleaner dress. But what possesses someone to use trash bags!? And that costume from the set of the Hostile movies is just plain scary!!!!!!! And finally, Blane needs to stop with the "girlicious." It is old before it started. Next episode, I'm sure I will have to speak about Suede.

Just so you know I'm not a complete reality TV stooge

2008-07-20T21:01:00.003-04:00

This summer, I am also watching the best comedic writing on TV right now: Showtime's Weeds. Mary Louise Parker and Liz Perkins acting are amazing and haunting. However, without the writing and directing, this show would be flat. If you don't have Showtime, please get the past seasons of the series from a movie rental. It is great!

SYTYCD

2008-07-20T20:37:00.003-04:00

Just for those of you who know me well (and that would be all of my faithful READER! since yall are the ones who would actually read this crap), I haven't forgotten to write about my other summer favorite show: So You Think You Can Dance.

I would like to say more about it but what can I say? I feel as if Nigel and Co. are trying to play the viewers who have stuck with the show since the beginning and watched great dancers make it to the final. This year, they seem to be manipulating us (a la Nigel's other manipulation American Idol) to crown either Twitch (who SHOULD have gone home this week), Josh, or Will.

Twitch is limited and is faltering more and more each week. But the jidges continue to praise his every move. Even his solos which used to be great are looking more boring each week.

Josh is great and a lot of fun to watch. I have no problem with him still being around and the judges praise of him. He's great!

Will is good but it seems they want to remind us each week of his alliance to Debbie Allen. He is technically pheonominal but still, he (a) needs to wear a shirt some, and (b) why can't the judges ever praise his partners? Are they not 1/2 the dance? If they keep up then they are as technically great as him.

I've been bummed because there appears to be NO LOVE this year for Contemporary dancers. Chris and Thanye's departures seemed early for good dancers. And now it seems the judges are out to cut Mark.

On the ladies' side, Katee is a master! She could teach these kids how to dance and to think she almost didn't make the show. Wow! It would have been our lose for sure.

So this is what I think of this year's BB Cast

2008-07-20T20:18:00.004-04:00

Ok, so from the previous posting, you can tell that I am a big fan of this year's Big Brother. I have been watching this show from the very first season. However, BB9: Til Death Do Us Part (or whatever they called themselves) was awful and I quit watching after the first week. But so far this season is turning out to be MUCH better!

This cast may not be the highest degree of entertainment (ie. not saying completely stupid and vapid things instead actually walking around in clothes and talking about news stories and politics) but they know how to play the game! This cast is one based in strategy and game playing. As a person who enjoys logic, puzzles, and intelligence, I enjoy this group.

With that said here is some things that I have noticed. These observations come purely from watching CBS and only one night of Big Brother After Dark. I don't feel the need to get the feeds or actively watch BBAD, instead I want to watch as CBS unfolds this season and try to follow my favs old school. Anyway, this is what I think:

1. Jesse is not NEARLY as stupid as CBS tries to play him. Silly? Maybe. Vain? Definitely. Stupid? NOT at all.
2. Libra is NOT the 2nd coming of Danielle (BB3 and All Stars not the silly runner up from BB8). Libra would be schooled up against the real All Stars like Danielle, Kaysar, Janelle, and the evil Doctor.
3. Steven is a gay BB cast member with a brain and one who seems to represent what the gay community is about: the same as the straight community--boring!
4. If I were in the house, I would be friends with Angie and Dan.
5. I still love says-it-like-it-is Renny!
6. To me, Jerry gives off the dirty old man vibe.
7. Memphis is getting stronger and Ollie might let his "showmance" hurt his game play. Still predicting one of them making it to the end.
8. The rest are just ok people and I won't be upset to see them go.

I will be sad to either Steven (most likely) or Dan leave this week. The house's emotional stability gets weaker with either of their leaving.

"It's gonna get ugly...it always does"

2008-07-17T18:55:00.004-04:00

Big Brother 10 is here! One of summer tv's greatest pleasures is Big Brother. A group of people living in a fishbowl with no outside communication for months. What could be better? After all, they have to create their own fun in between the weekly competitions and voting out a member of the house.

Up for elimination this week were Renny and Brian. Renny who is engagingly funny and strange with a great fashion sense--was she wearing blue macrame?--was nominated after some random non-fight. Brian who thought was the puppet master got the sock puppet pulled off his stubby hands when the girls in the house figured out he was playing too hard. Not that difficult, because he really was playing too hard. He had told everyone in the house basically the same thing (they had to vote the way he wanted them too). This strategy has worked in past seasons but usually it doesn't start within hours of moving into the home.

If we haven't learned anything from all the seasons of Survivor (come on BB folks, the game is same only without the jungle setting and the snakes and rats sleeping beside you!) we have learned one thing...do not overly play the game on the first day. Let some one else go away and then start the work. Scheme from the beginning just keep it to yourself.

Ahh, but the poor puppet master and his togetherness idea didn't work out too well. With an almost unanimous vote Brian was sent home. Thus saves a another week with crazy-as-all-get-out Renny, clearly obsessed bodybuilder (and someone who needs to read anything) Jesse, the showmancers Ollie and April, and the rest of the gang. Currently, I don't have a favorite. We'll see how the show pans out.

And for Brian, the game did get ugly. You are correct, it always does. And to that I say game on!

My one prediction: Ollie or Memphis make it to the final show.

PS: CBS, lose the live audience. It barely works for the season finale much less a weekly occurrence.

I'mmm Ba----aack!

2008-07-16T18:06:00.002-04:00

I was going to title it New and Not Improved since I am just starting to blog again and not really changing a thing. But when it comes to lameness, I always choose the weaker pick. Besides, who doesn't like a daily reference to The Poltergeist film series?

Anyway, here I go again. Always promising to be better and always failing you, my faithful READER--yes, the one that I have. I am going to try harder this time. I figure I will mostly talk about my favorite thing--REALITY TV!

So reader(!), sit back and enjoy the show.