Reality Bites

I just posted a blog for the first time in ages without doing it in Word and pasting it over. It posted and then disappeared so I’m re-writing. If the other shows up later, I apologize.

What I tried to say was that although I am a huge Idol fan and have watched every season, and while I acknowledge that this season had some of the best talent ever, I was bored. And I wasn’t the only one. The ratings stayed high but there was a noticeable drop from last season.

I watched the show live last night and wanted to pull my hair out. It could have been done in a tightly edited half hour without all the bloat.

I was touched by David Cook and Syesha being moved to tears by the support of their hometown fans, but I honestly cared nothing about seeing the hometown visits.

The group song was bad. It didn’t even sound like them when they were singing together.

I love Fantasia but had no interest in seeing her at all. Last night was about finding out who was in the finale.

The only thing that interested me last night (except for who was going to the finals) was Ryan getting after Simon for showing too much chest. He said something to Paula about buttoning him up and I just didn’t get it. A little chest hair has never scared me, but the extreme boobage of Ms. Abdul looked like it was about to escape her low cut dress and pop out right there on the desk.

In the end, Syesha went home and she wasn’t distraught or surprised. It will be David vs. David next week and I am looking forward to the finale.

But what can be done for next season? I’m looking forward to hearing your ideas. Here are mine.

***

Only do two audition shows. Show a good mix of who got through and who was a mess. Too much of anything (stupid auditioners) isn’t funny after awhile.

Spend more time in California letting us get to know those who are battling for the top 24. THAT is the time for personal stories and letting us see who is working hard and who is hardly working. Which kids practice to all hours and which ones party? Let us care about the people who make it to the big stage.

Let the kids sing entire songs.

Get rid of the mentors. Period. Let the artists find some other way to promote their new albums. Don’t take up our time with it.

Keep the results shows to a half hour.

No more cross promotion. If companies want to advertise, make them buy commercial time. And no more movie plugs either.

AND AS FOR THE JUDGES:

Paula is a train wreck and that’s part of the fun so leave her alone.

Randy needs to stop all the “dawg” talk and judge. He needs to stop waiting until Simon starts cutting someone off at the knees to yell how he really feels down the table. Of all the judges, Mr. Jackson is the most expendable.

All three judges need to be banned from getting on the kids for singing Whitney, Mariah, etc. They need to judge the performances and not get after them for daring to sing something “so well known”, etc. They are to judge the Idols, not compare them to other recordings.

So, what are your suggestions?

I can't explain it. I love the show. I've watched every season. This season honestly had some of the best talent ever. FOX didn't bloat the show repeatedly with 90 minute or 2 hour editions like it has normally done.

And still I was bored almost this entire season.

I wasn't the only one. Not only did the ratings, still high, show a significant drop, but a lot of my friends admitted to watching the show on fast forward.

Last night I watched the show live and wanted to pull my hair out. I honestly didn't care about the kids' trips home although I was touched by Syesha and David Cook being moved to tears by the outpouring of fan support from their hometowns.

The group song was strange. It didn't even sound like the trio when they sang together. Only when they broke apart for solo parts did they sound like themselves.

The Ford commercial? Eeh.

Fantasia? Same. I love her but I just didn't care. It wouldn't have mattered who it was taking up time from the business at hand.

The one thing that did interest me? In the beginning, Ryan kept teasing that Simon was showing too much chest and he asked Paula to button him up. All I could see was Ms. Abdul's boobage about to flop out on the desk. Now THAT was too much chest.

Besides, a little chest hair has never scared me. Much.

In the end, Syesha went home and didn't look a bit surprised. She knew it was coming, as did the rest of us.

I WILL admit to looking forward to the bloated finale next week. I do want to know which David will take the prize and I'm a Cook girl all the way.

But what can FOX do for Idol next season? I'm interested in hearing your ideas. Here are mine:

Show two weeks of auditions with a good mix of those who are going to make it through and those who are funny/awful. Too much of ANYTHING (bad auditioners) becomes boring.

Show more of the California rounds. Let us get more invested in those trying to make the top 24. THAT is the time for personal stories and who stayed up too late and who isn't practicing, etc.

Drop the padding and let the kids sing an entire song.

Drop the overt product placement. Make people buy commercial time if they want to advertise on Idol. (And this includes movie plugs).

Drop the mentor thing. Seriously. Let artists find some other way to push their new albums.

Stop the theme nights. Let the kids sing newer songs.

Keep the results show down to a half hour.

***

AS FOR THE JUDGES:

Paula is a train wreck and that's part of the fun so just leave her alone.

Randy needs to stop the "dawg" talk and judge. He should stop waiting until Simon cuts someone off at the knees to start screaming down the table to say the stuff he should have said when it was his turn. Of all the judges, he is the most expendable.

The judges should be banned from telling kids not to sing/change songs by Whitney, Mariah, etc. What are these poor kids supposed to sing? The judges need to get over themselves and judge the kids, not compare them to 10-year-old performances by someone else.

Okay. Them's my thoughts. What do you think?

Matt is now a girl.

I have hated Matt from the beginning. He always seemed ineffectual in the kitchen. He refused to answer when he was asked questions. He seemed to goof everything up.

AND THE WHINING! He was always whining that Ben and Bobby and EVERYONE was using him as a scapegoat. He claimed that he knew what he was doing and they were all trying to set him up.

The women were NOT excited about having him on their team and there was a good deal of trash talk about how quickly they were going to kick him right out of the kitchen. Jen and Corey were particularly unhappy.

***

The first challenge for the “new” team line-ups was a taste challenge. Chef Ramsay had made three dishes for them to sample. There was a chicken dish with fake chicken, a beef stew with no beef and sausage ravioli with no sausage. Most of the contestants rambled on about lack of seasoning, etc. Ben did mention that the “chicken” (made of soy protein) had a weird consistency, but only Petrozza spoke up, mentioning that the beef didn’t taste right in the beef stew.

Disgusted with their lack of palate, Chef Ramsay subjected the teams to a blind taste test. The girls quickly pulled ahead. It was 5 to 2 when the two biggest rivals in the kitchen went head-to-head. Ben and Matt were up against one another, tasting a dish that Ramsay had prepared. It had ten ingredients and they took turns naming what they had tasted.

Both did well, but because the women had such a huge lead, Matt’s correct answers secured the win for his new team. So while he and the ladies went to the patio for massages and a spa day, the men had to go clean the apartment top to bottom.

Ben was humiliated further when he was ordered to deliver tea to the winning team. Matt made a comment that he didn’t care when he went home as long as Ben went first. No love lost there.

***

At the dinner service, Roseann goofed up her first plate of appetizers but then seemed to pull it together. The Red Kitchen seemed to purr right along with Matt of all people being the biggest cheerleader. He talked and encouraged as he worked his station and even helped others. Appetizers were going out.

The guys, however, weren’t doing so well. Chef Ramsay and Bobby yelled at each other while nothing made it to the window. Bobby and Ben had spent so much time blaming everything on Matt…was Matt right? Was he being scapegoated? Because he was having no problems while Ben and Bobby couldn’t do anything right.

***

Then, for some reason that was never clear to me, Chef Ramsay (who is big on communication in the kitchen) jumped all over Jen for talking. She was crushed, just doing what he had complimented her for during the past weeks. Her reaction was to shut down and not talk at all.

This infuriated Ramsay even more and he called her out on being moody and having a chip on her shoulder.

In spite of this, the girls were getting their entrees out to the dining room.

The men weren’t doing as well. There was no communication in the Blue Kitchen and Chef Ramsay got into it with Ben.

Again, like with Jen, I was never clear what it was Ben did that brought on what seemed to be an irrational angry rant from Ramsay. He started screaming that they weren’t on Dr. Phil and Ben just seemed confused.

Matt was loving every moment.

***

More than half of the Red Kitchen entrees were out in the dining room. The Blue Kitchen diners were eating snacks and filling up on bread…and what little they had sent out was being sent back.

Petrozza came under fire for having a messy vegetable station while Matt was complimented on the best risotto that Chef Ramsay had ever seen in Hell’s Kitchen.

Matt beamed and offered credit to his team as well.

It was all very Twilight Zone-ish to me.

***

Things went from bad to worse in the Blue Kitchen. They had run out of lamb before entrees had even gone out. The Wellingtons were not coming out of the ovens.

But in the Red Kitchen, entrees were still going out. So why…WHY…did Ramsay go over and start in on Jen again? He yelled at her for being cocky and then threw a platter of plates onto her station. He said that she was undirectable.

Now, regular readers know that I’m no fan of Jen. I think she’s arrogant beyond her talent. However, I just saw no reason for all this anger being spit at her.

Roseann started to struggle and Ramsay went after her a little but nothing like how he was attacking Jen.

***

After 2 ½ hours, Blue Kitchen was getting food back. Chef Ramsay started kicking trash cans. He then told Ben to shut down. Ben talked back, telling him that he intended to finish his service unless the Chef was shutting down the kitchen.

Chef Ramsay shut down the kitchen.

***

After praising Matt for his performance and his risotto (for which he credited the women for playing as a team and being supportive), Ramsay declared the men the losers and told each of them to pick someone to eliminate.

Ben tried to come up with strategies that would keep himself in the game. Bobby was on board when they decided to target Louross, but Petrozza wouldn’t join them. He didn’t think that Louross deserved to go home.

Later, at the elimination, Petrozza actually nominated himself resulting in Ramsay complimenting his maturity and telling him that he was a gentleman.

In the end it was Ben who was sent packing.

Now the teams were too uneven. Only 3 people remained on the Men’s Team so Chef Ramsay asked for a volunteer to move to that team. The clips for next week suggested that the person moving over would be….



SPOILER ALERT…


Unless I’m wrong it looked like Jen was taken over to the Blue Team.

The three remaining Idols probably had their toughest challenge last night. In addition to picking out their own song to sing, they had to perform a choice from the judges and a choice from the producers.

1. David Archuleta

Paula Abdul picked David’s first song, “And So It Goes” by Billy Joel. He sang the song beautifully and the acapella beginning was stunning. But it was just too old for David in my opinion. He looks really young for his age and if I actually watch him sing, I find these older ballads awkward for him. With my eyes closed, it was great.

Randy loved it, Paula said it was pure and stunning, Simon found it predictable and not outstanding.

David picked “With You” by Chris Brown for himself because he wanted something younger. It didn’t suit him. He looked awkward and didn’t sound like himself, hitting a lot of off key notes.

Randy said it was the wrong song, Paula said it was perfect, Simon said that he was like a Chihuahua trying to be a tiger adding that the song wasn’t him and that it was awkward. (Hmmm, who else thought that?)

The producer’s choice was “Longer” by Dan Fogleberg, a beautiful song that I’ve played for many, many weddings over the years. He sang a straight version of the song, pretty but bland.

Randy said it was a bad choice, Paula said it was lovely, Simon said that he sang it well but that the choice was too “gooey.”

2. Syesha Mercado.

Syesha seems to have decided to glam herself up like Katherine McPhee did during her season on Idol, maybe hoping that she can jump over David Archuleta to the finals with David Cook.

I don’t think it’s going to work after last night.

Randy picked “If I Ain’t Got You” for her first song. She sounded great but I thought the song was boring.

Randy said she as amazing. Paula said she was proud of her and that she looked stunning. Simon said she sang it well but wished Randy had picked something she wouldn’t just copycat. He added that she looked beautiful.

Syesha’s choice, to prove that she can be a Rock Princess, was to sing an OLD Peggy Lee song called “Fever”.

I might be wrong, but it looked to me that she was hoping that doing an old, sexy song would win points with the judges while she slinked around a chair on center stage in a short, tight dress. All it did for me was make me want to look up Peggy Lee’s growly, hot version of the song. Syesha’s good but she doesn’t have the pipes for that type of torch song.

Randy said it was an interesting choice (meaning he hated it.) Paula said she looked lovely then told her that she wasn’t happy. Simon said that she was going to regret that decision today and that it was lame cabaret.

The producers selected “Hit Me Up” for Syesha. I thought she sang it well but I hated the song.

Randy said it was just okay. Paula and Simon argued over whether this was a song about penguins. Paula finally said that she sang it well but it wasn’t a good song choice. Simon told her that it was forgettable and that she’d had no defining moment…and while he didn’t come right out and say it, he let her know that he thought she was done.

3. David Cook

Simon picked, of all things, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack for David and I thought that he nailed it. The young man gives me chills. It’s a haunting, beautiful song.

Randy, burned because Simon didn’t like his song choice for Syesha, spent his time yelling at Simon over THIS song choice but said he liked the high note. Paula loved it. Simon said it was one of his best performances and called it brilliant.

Then he declared that Cook & Cowell took the first round.

David picked a song by Switchfoot for his choice (I missed the title). I still had chills.

Randy said it was a great song choice but pitchy. Paula said the song was too chopped up (which was true). Simon said it wasn’t his best but okay.

The producers picked “I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing” for David. I thought he did a great job.

Randy said it was okay but predictable. Paula said it was great and she’d see him in the finals. Simon said that David won the night.

***

And I agree.

I’ll be very surprised if we don’t have a David vs. David finale next week.

The highlight of last night’s show was the dance off between the kids who had appeared earlier in the season.

In the 9 and under category, Rashell & Aaron performed a fantastic Cha Cha. Kym Johnson even came by their rehearsal studio to give them some support. Both kids had become mini-celebrities back home and Aaron was very excited about that. “No matter if we lose or win, we were still on TV!”

They danced really well prompting this comment from Len: “Your little bums were flying everywhere!”

There was a break for someone named Omarion to sing a tribute to Michael Jackson’s Thriller (25th anniversary). People danced. They all looked like Wesley Snipes in those vampire movies he did before going to prison for tax evasion.

Then the kids were back. In the 10 and under category, Jaryd & Cara returned. They scored a visit from Maks and a smitten Cara was thrilled. “He’s so cute!” she said. They did an adorable Samba to the song “Istanbul”. Len told the kids that he’d “rather watch you two than those big ones.”

But it was the 13 and under kids, Brandon & Brittany that set the show on fire. They performed a Paso Doble that could have stood up to the pros this season. It was phenomenal. Tom Bergeron said he’d never seen all three of the Trio of Annoyance’s jaws hit the table at the same time before.

We’ll find out who won the viewer vote for the most entertaining performance by the kids next week.

Finally, left for the end, (with some unnecessary filler about how much each finalist wanted to win), we found that Kristi & Mark were safe. Then, after waiting for a commercial break and coming back with about 4 minutes left, we found that it was…as most of us predicted…Marissa and Tony going home.

They didn’t look a bit surprised.

So it will come down to Jason/Edyta, Christian/Cheryl and Kristi/Mark next week. I predict, that with his growing fan base and stepped up game (since injuring his arm) that Cristian and not Jason will be dancing against Kristi and Mark for the final.

I’m not trying to be a killjoy. Maybe I’m just suffering from Reality Overkill. But I have to be honest. I’m bored with this show.

I don’t really care who wins. Oh, I think Kristi deserves to win and I love Jason and Edyta so I’d liked to see them win as well. But I like Marissa too and Cristian and honestly, which of the four gets the Tacky Mirror Ball Trophy just doesn’t matter.

I’m having the same problem with American Idol. It’s some sort of malaise. I’m enjoying the shows, but not with the same fervor as normal. As much as I want David Cook to win AI, I’m not going to be devastated if he doesn’t because he’s going to be a star no matter what…and I like all three finalists.

Now Hell’s Kitchen is another topic. I get quite fired up about that.

So I’m actually looking forward to Dancing coming to an end. Like American Idol, they might want to look into changing things up a bit next season…or maybe keeping it to one season a year so that it doesn’t get old.

***

Last night the dances were decided by a random draw from a hat.

1. Jason & Edyta: Foxtrot

This was a fantastic routine. Edyta outdid herself with the choreography. Jason is amazingly elegant considering that he is a HUGE man! I’d hate to see him on the football field coming at me!

The Trio of Annoyance loved the routine. Len told Jason he glided like a dolphin across the floor. Bruno praised Jason’s showmanship. Carrie Ann said it was beautiful.

Scores: (in order of Carrie Ann, Len & Bruno) 9-10-9

(Edyta screamed with delight when she saw a 10 from Len!)

***

2. Marissa & Tony: Quick Step

I didn’t like the start of this routine, but the rest looked okay. I wasn’t blown away, but it was okay.

Bruno saw a missed step in the routine. Carrie Ann thought they did a great job. Len took the difficulty of the dance into account and called them on a little lack of body contact at times.

Scores: 9-9-8
***

3. Christian & Cheryl: Viennese Waltz

I thought this was a great performance and I don’t like Viennese Waltz but I was very distracted by Cheryl’s outfit which was very silver and very shiny! Tom Bergeron referred to it as a weather balloon.

The judges all liked the routine.

Scores: 9-9-9

***

4. Kristi & Mark: Tango

Kristi was definitely back last night. Her tango was hot and she looked amazing.

Len felt it was a bit hectic but he liked it. This sent Bruno into hysterics who LOVED the routine. Carrie Ann also loved it.

Scores: 10-9-10

***

There was a cute bit between the two halves of the show where Len went to help each team and show the dancers a new step that had to be incorporated into their last dance. I know he can be grumpy but Len seems like a really nice guy.

***

1. Jason & Edyta: Paso Doble

This was an amazing routine, my favorite of the night.

The Trio of Annoyance was pleased.

Scores: 9-9-9

***

2. Marissa & Tony: Rhumba

It’s time for Marissa to go home now. Her first dance was okay, this one was flat boring. She just isn’t up to the others but I love her and she’s made it this far which is amazing.

Carrie Ann didn’t like it and said it wasn’t good enough for a semi final. Len thought it was very good, pointing out what a hard dance it was. Bruno agreed but Carrie Ann started yelling at the guys that it wasn’t a semi final performance.

Scores: 8-9-9

***

3. Cristian & Cheryl: Samba

It was official with this dance. Cheryl got stuck with the ugliest outfits of the night. This black outfit with yellow flowers and blue ruffle was just hideous! Again, I loved the dance. I think having to choreograph around Christian’s injured arm has really jazzed up their routines.

Len said it was hotter than a chili pepper but said it was a little flat footed in places. Bruno said it was exciting and fun. Carrie Ann compared Cristian to Emmit Smith.

Scores: 10-9-10

***

4. Kristi & Mark: Jive

I didn’t like this as much as the one they did for 30 points earlier in the season but it was fast and looked difficult.

Bruno loved it. Carrie Ann loved the difficulty of the choreography but felt they were out of sync. Len thought it was a bit stiff in places but also loved the difficulty.

Scores: 9-9-10

***

Who will go home? Unless her fan base is bigger than Cristian’s I think Marissa will go home tonight.

Four women were left standing for the first time in Survivor history.

There was beautiful Amanda, physically strong and feeling secure in her alliance.

Cirie, the no nonsense nurse, wife and mom who got very close to the million in her original season and who engineered a lot of what happened in this edition of Survivor from under the radar, was maybe the strongest strategic player.

Parvati, the former flirt who tried everything to keep her original alliance together while making a secondary alliance that helped keep the women strong, was possibly the most secure.

And then there was Natalie, the last standing “Fan,” who was trying to show what a “bad girl” she could be, her ego a little over inflated.

All four were thrilled to be together at the end having outlasted, outwitted and outplayed the men but now they would have to fight against one another and two of them were finding that difficult.

Cirie felt unsure of her standing with Parvati and Amanda. From the beginning, no matter how the alliances fell, Cirie was always the bottom of the barrel (a fact that caused a few angry words between her and Amanda).

When it had been James/Parvati and Amanda/Ozzy, Cirie had been the fifth wheel…the first to go of that group. Now she could only hope that she would get to the final three and that Natalie would be the expendable one…but she wasn’t sure.

Parvati was close to Natalie. She had brought her into the alliance. And Parvati and Amanda were close and if she wanted to engineer a vote that would keep Natalie into the final three, Cirie didn’t like her chances.

For the first time Cirie showed some emotion over her status. She wanted and even needed the money. But while she had managed to maneuver a lot of the big blindsides in the game, her own fate was out of her hands at this point. She had to depend on the whims of the younger women.

There wasn’t a lot of strategy talk at the camp. Natalie decided that if she tried to campaign too heavily for votes that she would look needy and desperate. So with only a few muttered words with Parvati, we really didn’t see much on camera discussion.

The Immunity Challenge involved standing on a platform in the ocean, emptying leaky buckets of water into a cylinder that raised a set of keys, then swimming the keys back to shore. Once there, a set of ladder rungs were unlocked. These only fit into the ladders one way and the girls had to complete that puzzle, climb the ladder and lift their flags to win.

Amanda took the prize and won herself a spot in the final 3. Cirie and Natalie were then left to wonder which of them would make it to the end. Parvati was a lock.

It was left unclear who would be voted off to the jury. Cirie voted for Natalie and Natalie voted for Cirie, but in the end, Parvati and Amanda chose to remain loyal to their original alliance and they sent Natalie packing. Being a big fan of Cirie, I was thrilled.

The ladies returned to camp hoping for the usual feast for the final group. But there was no food. They began to discuss little hints that Dimples had dropped during tribal. Would there be a final two instead of three? Would there be another immunity?

They tried to wipe it from their minds but Amanda started to break down. Having come to Micronesia just a few weeks after completing Survivor China had started to take a toll.

And when morning came and they found that there was, indeed, another Immunity Challenge, all three ladies were in tears. They had bonded. They had wanted the jury to decide. Now, there would be one more Tribal Council and one more vote.

But first, they had to do the ritual DEAD SURVIVOR ROAST where the old torches are gathered and the finalists reflect on those who went before.

One thing became clear as they began the ritual. As good as this Survivor edition has been, the show did a lousy job letting the audience get to know the “Fans.” I barely remembered most of them.

Only Tracy, Chet and Cathy remained current in my mind. Tracy had been the “Fans” version of Cirie, manipulating from behind the scenes. Cathy had suffered from being ostracized and added to the unrelenting rain that kept her wet for days on end, she fell apart emotionally and asked to leave. Chet looked like he might just drop dead at any moment, especially after Joel dragged him around the obstacle course on a rope, banging his head against posts as he went…and yet Chet lasted longer than the bully.

“The chickens were never the same after Chet left,” Parvati said as they gathered his torch.

The Last Immunity Challenge was endurance. There was a small silver ball that rolled in a grooved piece of wood. This piece of wood would be held between two separate handles for five minutes. If the ball didn’t drop, then two other pieces of wood would be put on each side of the main piece and the handles would be outside those pieces. Every five minutes more wood would be added, making it harder to keep everything together.

Parvati was the first to drop out. Cirie, knowing that this would probably be her only chance, concentrated hard. She and Amanda struggled until the end when they had reached the last extension and it was just a wait and see game until someone lost their ball. Cirie’s fell apart first and Amanda won the last immunity.

She was the saddest winner I’d ever seen. She couldn’t stop crying. She didn’t want the responsibility of picking who she would take to the final. Cirie HAD wanted it and now she felt fatalistic…and with reason. In the end, sobbing (which caused laughter and eye rolls on the jury), Amanda took her buddy, Parvati to the end.

Our house felt it was a mistake and the expression on Ozzy’s face showed that he agreed. Why? Because while Cirie and Parvati had both done a lot of damage to the jury, Parvati was responsible for bringing Natalie and Alexis into the women’s alliance and they were almost sure votes.

Back at camp the two girls finally got their feast reward and they mostly sat and talked, waiting for….

FINAL TRIBAL COUNCIL

There were occasional hard words. Ozzy really went after Parvati in a rant that made me like him even less. The man was seriously deluded, continuing to talk about loyalty and telling the truth. Was the girl supposed to sit back and let him win? To hear him talk, it appeared that way. But then he declared that he might be falling in love with Amanda.

One vote for Amanda!

Young Erik made sure that Amanda knew his feelings were hurt because he had looked up to her but like his hero, Ozzy, he seemed to miss the point of the game. As a FAN he should have known how this stuff goes down. Still, it looked like Parvati might have had a point.

Natalie asked some inane question of Parvati, wanting to know how flirting translated into her sex life. Then she corrected herself a bit and tried to rephrase the question. In the end it made no sense whatsoever and I’m not even sure what Parvati answered.

Cirie wanted to know why Parvati deserved to be there more than her and why she should have been there instead of Parvati. It was obvious that she was still hurt even though she asked nicely.

By the end, it was hard to tell who was voting for whom, but there was a feeling here at the house that Parvati had the votes.

We were shown four: Erik voted for Amanda (willing to forgive and forget)
Alexis voted for Parvati
Natalie voted for Parvati
Ozzy voted for Amanda

Then we were off to New York and the reveal. The vote tied at 3 each and we began to wonder what would happen if there was a tie (anyone know?) But it was Parvati who pulled it out, 5 to 3.

***

REUNION SHOW:

A few things came out at the reunion show.

Ozzy & Amanda are still an item.

Ozzy has forgiven Parvati but he still acted and sounded like a jerk when he was asked if he and Amanda were still together. After taking a dig at Dimples (who is with an ex-Survivor himself) and then pretending that he had to leave his job and couldn’t get work (which was a slap at the lunch lady from the last series and she got caught)…I just found him really tacky. Dimples finally asked Amanda and she confirmed that they were still a couple.

Amanda was really breaking down after 70+ days doing Survivor with only a little break between.

Joel is a jerk in real life too.

Dimples can’t stand Jonny Fairplay.

James is just really popular and he won the fan votes for the second series in a row, receiving $100,000.

James’ dad is a cutie too.

Dimples made it clear that Kathy really suffered before she left and he respected her decision.

The Fans were at a disadvantage from the beginning and never really stood a chance.

***

The next Survivor will be in Gabon, Africa. I have a lot of memories of one of the last Survivors in Africa. I remember them trying to get water out of elephant footprints. It was so hard that finally there was a reward challenge and they were all given water. I remember someone eating precious beans while the others were away from camp. They had to have a fence around the camp because of lions. And there was a horrible schism between the young people who wanted to sleep all the time and the older people.

Ethan Zohn won that Suvivor, I believe, but I don’t think I enjoyed that edition very much. Let’s hope they can keep it up and we have another good series to look forward to this fall.

***

Anyone else disappointed that Amanda or Cirie didn’t win?

Who would have thought:

Out of all the big, egotistical, type-A guys cast in Survivor Fans vs. Favorites that it would be sweet little ice cream scooper, Erik, who survived?

He got on every nerve I had early in the show with his wide eyed wonder and worship of his Idol, Ozzy. But in retrospect, this was what the show had intended. It had been meant to be a study of what would happen when people met up with people they idolized and wanted to emulate.

The problem: The group of favorites was either determined to show that they were BETTER than their faves or they were mentally and/or emotionally unwell. Only little Erik responded as intended.

And if that meant throwing his teammates under a bus to keep Ozzy alive, then that’s what it meant. He even admitted, when the stunning expulsion of Ozzy was pulled off, that he would have told his hero had he known what was being planned.

And then, after another injury and shockingly stupid move, two men left in quick succession leaving tender, sweet, cute little Erik all alone on the Island of the Females.

Personally, I was scared for the kid. I AM a female. I KNOW how we get when we’re in groups!


***

Cirie is pure evil and I LOVE HER!!! I stand by my assertion that she is running this game while allowing other people to do her dirty work.

Last night, all she had to do was sit back and watch young Erik twist in the wind.

The Favorites seemed to be hanging together. No way were they going to let Natalie rain on their parade. First Erik had to go. Then it would be Natalie. And for this to work, they needed the kid to NOT win immunity. They also needed to keep him off Exile Island (and Natalie as well) during the reward challenge.

Making a deal to try and talk Erik into taking Amanda with him on reward if he won and to send Parvati to Exile, Amanda went to work her magic on poor Erik. She had reamed him out at the last Tribal and now she suddenly wanted him to prove himself so she could trust him. She promised to take Erik on reward if she won and wanted his assurance that he would take her if HE won. And MAYBE he would win back her trust.

He agreed. He also listened to her when she suggested sending Parvati to Exile. Afterall, she argued, Parvati was weak and she’d never find the new Immunity Idol.

So when the reward challenge came up, a Question and Answer quiz about past seasons, the Favorites tried to win so that the choices would stay in their hands, but Erik took the prize. He also infuriated Natalie by taking Amanda on reward and sending Parvati to Exile (who spent her time sunning on the sand).

Natalie was stunned and Cirie had a blast egging on her anger. What a stupid stunt! How could Erik have dissed her like that? Why didn’t he take HER after he’d promised? Cirie reinforced the feeling in Natalie that Erik couldn’t be trusted.

His return to the island cemented that fact. He knew he might have made a mistake, especially since Natalie wouldn't even look at him, so he started twisting faster in the wind, trying to be everyone to everyone. He told all the girls different stories then watched as they got together to discuss what he’d said. Amanda even said something to him at one point. Did he not realize that WOMEN TALK?

Then came the Immunity Challenge. The women desperately needed to win but they didn’t even come close. Erik easily won the “figure out coordinates, dig for puzzle, assemble puzzle” challenge. He won and we were left wondering if the Favorites would take out Natalie or realize that Amanda is too popular to take to the end and pull off another blindside.

And then…this went from being an amusing episode to being hysterical…and it started with Cirie.

Seemingly beaten, the women were sitting together talking. But it only took one suggestion from Cirie to turn things around. What if they could get sweet, naïve Erik to give up his immunity necklace to Natalie? He needed her forgiveness. What if Cirie said she’d vote for Amanda but ONLY if Erik earned her trust by handing the necklace over to Natalie at Tribal?

Surely that wouldn’t work! Surely the kid isn’t that stupid!

***

There is no way to describe what happened and do it justice. I HIGHLY recommend that if you didn’t see this episode, head over to Youtube or cbs.com and see if you can catch the last fifteen minutes of the show.

Erik wanted to trust. Erik wanted everyone to love him. Erik wanted to make the final four.

And so, at Tribal, with Jeff “Dimples” Probst managing…SOMEHOW…to keep a straight face, the kid handed his immunity necklace over to Natalie. Amanda and Cirie started laughing immediately. But it was Ozzy’s grin, Eliza’s wide eyed gasp and James’ hysterical breakdown that made the council.

As each lady marched up to vote, the camera lingered to allow them to say their piece. Amanda couldn’t even do it. She just said, “Erik…” and stared at the camera. Cirie told him that he’d just taken the mantle of stupidest Survivor ever!

James echoed this later, mumbling that he was no longer the stupidest Survivor.

What sealed the deal was watching the surprise and disappointment on Erik’s face when it all went wrong.

Hilarious and unexpected, this was a great episode. I can’t wait for the end…

Predictions? I think that Amanda has a great shot to win but honestly, I think Cirie has played the best game.

Debate my friends!

Am I mis-remembering or by this time isn’t AI usually bloating the results shows to 90 minutes or 2 hours? What has started this uncharacteristic self-restraint? Can anyone say RATINGS?

***

I may now know why Randy is scared to voice his opinions while “judging”. The show started last night with Seacrest calling him out on his tough critique of Syesha. Randy was anxious for people to know that HE didn’t make the pretty young lady cry the night before. It had been Paula welcoming her to her dream that had set off the waterworks.

The group song, “Reelin’ in the Years” had me reelin’. The kids are fine but the sound on this stage is horrific. You couldn’t hear them when they sang in unison. If it’s going to be that bad, then record them and let them lip synch. I’m a big girl. I can take it.

There was the usual recap and then David Archuleta, (who seems to look younger every week), was brought out. I didn’t know if I could take the suspense! Would he be safe? Would he go home?

Of course he was safe. He’s also really young and not very interesting. I get the feeling he’s sheltered. He seems distressed when he’s asked questions, like he doesn’t quite know what to do with them. So we had to sit through his reasons for his song choices the night before…which were the same reasons he gave the night before for his song choices.

We got to see the kids fly on a private jet to Vegas and see a show while being treated like celebrities. Exciting. Really. It was. I liked it. Great drama.

David Cook was dragged out. I still wanted to beat him up over his boring week. Does this man not remember THE CURSE OF DAUGHTRY? He can’t afford to lay off a week. America’s fickle and them little girls got them quick fingers and they’re all in love with Teen David.

He felt his entire day was off. He was right. He was also safe.

Then Syesha and Jason came out. I was worried for Syesha. She deserved to be in the top 3. Jason did not. But there is no talking to the little girl dialing fingers and he’s a cutie.

But before Seacrest gave one of them the bad news, we got to see the Ford Commercial with the group dressed as bullfighters while they sang a really bad version of “Ring of Fire.”

Taylor Hicks is now a stamp. Bet he never saw that coming.

The phone questions ranged from a 24-year-old who wanted to know if David Cook would take her out for her birthday while he’s in Pittsburgh to someone wanting to know why the Queen hasn’t knighted Simon.

The highlight of my evening was Maroon 5. I’m not a huge fan, but the lead singer was a complete hoot. He shushed the audience playfully at one point while he was trying to talk. And when Ryan asked about their upcoming tour, he seemed at a loss, finally coming up with “We’re gonna go to Europe...and San Antonio…”

As for advice for the young people…

He said, “Hello young people!” Then he told them to get ready to work and be prepared to think that they hate what they do.

It may be the best and most realistic advice the Idols have gotten all season.

Bo Bice came out to perform. It wasn’t bad. I really liked him. He hasn’t done that great but he’s had a ton of health problems, very serious ones, so hopefully he’s back on track.

And then finally…the dreadlocked one was sent home after joking that someone told him “that I shot the Tambourine Man yesterday.”

All that is left now is to let Syesha go so we can get to our David Smackdown.

Hey everyone! I’ve missed you!!! I’d hoped to be back in the saddle by now rarin’ to go but unfortunately, I was much more ill than we realized and I had to have the “rough” gallbladder surgery instead of the laproscopic so I’ve got about 4 weeks of recuperation to go through.

The good news? We caught it before it became critical. I got out of the hospital super fast and am healing quickly. I WILL be at my son’s wedding on Saturday and I get to come back and see all of you.

I still tire easily so I probably won’t get to personally respond to everything or drop by other blogs just yet. I was too tired to individually blog all the shows last night but I did watch them and wanted to make some quick comments.

Thank you for all the prayers and good wishes!

***

Today’s blog will be bullet points. My illness gave me time to sit back and think about my shows so I have some thoughts.

AMERICAN IDOL

I THINK….

Randy and Paula are useless as judges. Have you noticed how Randy will TRY to say something critical then wait until Simon goes all “pit bull” and then yell comments from the far end of the table that he was afraid to make earlier?

Randy and Paula are part of the grand circus that is American Idol and their chemistry with Simon helps make the show.

Syesha is a star. She’s not going to be the American Idol. She’s going to be better.

David Archuleta is going to walk with the title if David Cook pulls another lazy night like he did last night.

Jason Castro is only so cute. Do you know how hard it is to laugh with a mess of big staples in your gut? I laughed so hard last night during Mr. Bojangles I hurt myself.

***

HELL’S KITCHEN

Okay. Enough with the “theme” shows. I’ve had enough family night and sweet sixteens. Let’s get back to the nitty gritty.

I don’t like ANYONE in the cast this time out.

I don’t believe ANYONE will win the designated prize for this season. (Ramsay would have to be insane.)

The editing this time is so bad that I still don’t know some of the contestants. The lady who went home last night? I didn’t even remember she was on the show.

Cut the rewards. I don’t care anything about seeing guys stuff themselves into go karts. Let’s get a little more Top Chef next season.

I still really like Gordon Ramsay.

What on earth did our local St. Louis area girl, Christina, do to these other women? They aren’t showing it on tape.

***

DANCING WITH THE STARS

I really like the Trio of Annoyance. I even like them when Bruno and Len get into it on occasion. Actually, I like them even more when they spar a bit. There seems to be a casual, dysfunctional family thing going on there that isn’t as toxic as American Idol’s group. But not one person on this group is afraid to speak his/her mind and their judges’ marks are usually pretty close.

I still feel like this batch of dancers didn’t live up to the last two seasons and that ABC should have held off on this show until summer or fall with better casting.

Watching clips last night just showed how improved the show has become. The first few dances from the first two seasons were pitiful compared to what we see now.

I was really expecting more last night than what we got.

Mario going home was not a surprise. Marissa will go next.

Since Kristi fell from grace this week I once again feel that she might have a chance to win because now the audience sees her as vulnerable so they’ll vote for her.

***


And them’s my thoughts. I’ll try to check back during the day. See you all tomorrow with thoughts on tonight’s AI.

I didn’t feel well enough to blog all the shows live last night. I AM having the gallbladder out tomorrow and I’m very excited. I’m so miserable in fact, I was tempted to tell the surgeon yesterday to just hit me over the head with a shovel and jerk it out there in the office. Seems that he wants to do it the right way though. I should be back home and ready to go again early next week…thanks again for the support!

AI: Neil Diamond Week

I was bored out of my mind…until Paula saved the day by having a massive meltdown that is the talk of the cable news networks this morning. I thought that two people stood out: David Archuleta and Syesha. I liked David Cook’s second song (and you guys know he’s my favorite). Brook and Jason need to go home now.

The format of the show last night was insane. The judges were held to one quick comment on each person after they had all sung their first song. Then they would critique each singer individually after their last song.

Paula didn’t get the note. She started with Jason Castro and not only critiqued his first song, but his second which he hadn’t performed yet. Now, in defense of Paula, I believe that the judges observe the rehearsal run through so she might have been making notes of that. But she admitted thinking that she’d heard him sing two songs. The audience laughed a little but I was uncomfortable.

Who do I think will be in the bottom two (if they have a bottom two?)

I’d say Jason and Brooke deserve to be there but I think it will be Jason and Syesha. Who will go home? It should be Jason or Brooke but I think it will finally be Syesha (a fact that Simon stated last night, based on previous lack of fan support).


Hell’s Kitchen: Pizza!

Hell’s Kitchen is getting more interesting as we get to know the contestants a bit better. The girl who burned her hand so badly last week opted to go home. She felt that she’d hurt the team not being able to use but one hand.

Jen continued to impress Chef Ramsay. It was her pizza that won a early contest between the men and women (although if Ben had properly washed his mushrooms the guys might have pulled it out). Unfortunately, Jen continues to impress Jen and that is hard to take.

Both groups finished their dinner service for the first time which was amazing to see. Chef Ramsay didn’t pick a losing team but told the guys and girls to go upstairs and each pick one person for elimination. The girls picked Rosann who tanked during the meal. The guys went after Louross. But just before they went downstairs, Jen maneuvered the other girls to go after Christina, who she felt is a bigger threat to herself. The only time Jen looked uncomfortable during the show was when Ramsay asked her if she felt threatened by Christina and that’s why they put her up.

He wasn’t happy and Jen knew it. He didn’t seem happy with Louross’ nomination either. Luckily for both people, since the injured contestant had already left, no one had to leave last night.

Jen needs to watch out. Christina isn’t happy.

***

Dancing With the Stars

Well, it looks like Derek & Shannon’s little nasty meltdown over some critique by the judges cost them the game last night. They were sent packing and both looked like they expected it. We may also be seeing the end of Marissa. In spite of dancing very well, she ended up in the bottom two.

I think now that the final two will be Kristi and Jason. I still think Kristi will take home the ugly trophy.

Oh, and kudos to Dance Center again last night. I LOVE those segments.

***

Thanks again for all the kind wishes and support. I hope to be back with you for real early next week!

The teams must perform twice from this point on and the extra work load may have already claimed its first victim as Cristian injured himself during his second dance.

Another possible casualty is the front-runner, Kristi Yamaguchi. Suffering from high expectations, every little misstep was dissected last night by the Trio of Annoyance. Add to this the fact that while Kristi has maintained her level of competence, the other teams are gaining on her, leveling the playing field.

NOW it’s getting interesting!

***

1. Marissa & Tony: Tango

Marissa has been the most pleasant surprise in this competition. After last week’s amazing waltz, she came out and turned in a sultry performance in the tango. I thought she was a little awkward in a couple of her moves but otherwise it looked really good.

Len said it was her best dance. Bruno said she showed “drama, passion and I liked the disdain!” Carrie Ann said it was wonderful.

Scores: (in order of Carrie Ann, Len & Bruno) 9-9-9

***

2. Cristian & Cheryl: Viennese Waltz

We got to see him dance with his little girl during his taped piece. What a little beauty!
I felt that Cheryl was doing a lot more dancing than Cristian was during the performance. I also thought that the last move where he spun Cheryl on the floor looked awkward.

Carrie Ann felt that they didn’t have enough energy. Len thought that it didn’t have enough content. Bruno called Cristian “South America’s Clark Gable” and said they were a pleasure to watch.

Scores: 8-8-9

***

3. Kristi & Mark: Viennese Waltz

It was funny to see that it was Mark and not Kristi who was stressing out over doing two dances. He had never been to this point in the competition. She encouraged him instead of the other way around. I thought the dance was really lovely.

Carrie Ann liked it and loved the umbrella they had used as a prop. Still, she said that Kristi’s turns were a hair off. Len felt that the start was too long with the umbrella (“it’s called creativity!” Bruno said.) Len told Bruno that all his hot air was responsible for global warming. Bruno liked the routine.

Scores: 9-8-9

***

4. Mario & Karina: Foxtrot

After getting great scores last week, they still ended up in the bottom two. I wondered if it had something to do with the number of people who seem to dislike Karina. I saw a couple of mistakes in this routine including a stumble on Karina’s part and a missed hand hold.

Len praised Mario for doing so well being as young as he is. Bruno liked Mario’s youthful vitality, but he pointed out that he needed more control. Carrie Ann praised him for doing difficult routines but said that he needs to be a little stiffer on some dances.

Scores: 8-8-8

***

5. Shannon & Derek: Tango

I really liked these guys until Shannon had her little crying, pouting, snit fit over some critique two weeks back. Derek got snarky as well. They’ve both apologized but I’m not sure it will do them much good. I thought this tango looked good but it was the strangest, most annoying music!

Bruno told Shannon that her tango was fascinating. Carrie Ann said it was her best dance yet. Len said they did a terrific job.

Scores: 9-9-9

***

6. Jason & Edyta: Quick Step

Last week, Jason & Edyta ended up near the bottom of the leader board with low judges’ scores. Obviously Jason wasn’t happy about that. This dance was amazing! To see someone as big as he is move so fast and graceful was sensational.

Carrie Ann thought it was fantastic. Len told Jason he was going to go to the finals. Bruno said it was “quick lightning!” and the performance of the night.

Scores: 10-9-10

Bad Len!

***

At the end of the Ballroom Round:

Jason & Edyt 29
Marissa & Tony 27
Shannon & Derek 27
Kristi & Mark 26
Cristian & Cheryl 25
Mario & Karina 24
****

Latin Round:

1. Marissa & Tony: Rhumba

I thought it was really well done.

Bruno said he would have liked a little more dirt, but he liked it. Carrie Ann disagreed and thought it was beautiful. Len said there wasn’t much hip action and it was a bit careful.

Scores: 9-8-8

***

2. Cristian & Cheryl: Samba

At one point in this routine, Cristian showed visible pain on his face when he pulled a muscle in one arm. He continued to go through the motions of dancing but it was obvious that he couldn’t concentrate. He dropped Cheryl on one of their last moves. The judges said that they would judge up to the point that the injury occurred. Unfortunately, I thought it was a horrible routine and the judges agreed, if not in word, with their scores.

Carrie Ann and Bruno were impressed that Cristian kept going after he was hurt. Bruno told him that he appreciated his effort.

Scores: 7-7-7

***

3. Kristi & Mark: Cha Cha Cha

I thought this routine was a little spastic. I didn’t particularly like it.

Len said that he liked the middle. He didn’t like the start. He doesn’t like the boogaloo hip hop dancing. Bruno starting fighting with Len. “Blow out the cobwebs, Len!” He loved it. Carrie Ann liked it.

Scores: 10-8-10

***

Tom Bergeron teased about the new “cranky pants sandwich!” “Two hip judges and one cranky pants in the middle!”

***

4. Mario & Karina: Mambo

I liked this dance better than their first.

Bruno and Carrie Ann liked it. Len said that he wasn’t over the last dance yet. He said that Carrie Ann was misinformed and Bruno needed to be chloroformed. He loved it too.

Scores: 9-9-9

***

5. Shannon & Derek: Mambo

Shannon stood right in front of the judges and shook her booty…obviously to make sure they saw her hip action. She ended on the desk as well, face up and reaching for Len.

Carrie Ann didn’t know what to say at first but then told Shannon that because she’s so tall she needs to work on controlling her long limbs. Len said Shannon had a “bionic bum.” Bruno said she was working her tushy like a “wild woman.” They all told her to work on her gangly-ness.

Scores: 8-8-8

***

6. Jason & Edyta: Paso Doble

I really liked this dance. Edyta was back to her nearly naked outfits which made Frodo, my hubby, happy. I also liked the Monday Night Football music. There was, though, a bit of a lift during a spin.

Len said that he might not have frightened the bull but he scared the ….out of him. He didn’t like all the posing. Bruno liked it. He called him the “master and commander!” Carrie Ann thought it was fantastic but mentioned Edyta’s foot coming off the floor.

Scores: 9-8-9

***

This left Jason & Edyta at the top of the board and Cristian & Cheryl at the bottom.

Who will go home? I think this is Cristian’s last week and I don’t think it has anything to do with the injury.

The other team in the bottom two? Karina & Mario


***
PERSONAL NOTE: As I mentioned yesterday, I’m in the process of getting set up to have my gallbladder removed. I have no idea how many days this is going to take but I’m spending entire days at the hospital so I don’t have time to answer any comments but I will read them the second I get a chance. Please stop by and leave your thoughts and I hope to be back with you for real very soon!

Why the rush? I would have loved to have heard more comments from all the houseguests. I would have liked to see people watching tape of themselves and others. It would have been fun to hear confessions.

The problem last night was that they TRIED to work all those things into a one hour format and so nothing got enough time.

***

Julie Watch: This edition of Big Brother House of Bugnuts is ending just in time. Julie looked like someone shredded some really ugly curtains and attached them to an elbow length gray jacket that didn’t fit. There were multiple bracelets on each arm and her hair was completely gone. It looked like they attempted to do a Texas Beauty Queen “do” that fell flat.

***

We’re down to Adam or Ryan. Who will win? Who cares?

First there was a long recap which most people who cared enough to tune in probably didn’t need to see before Julie got down to business.

America was going to get to participate during the program too. We would get to log in to the website and vote on our favorite juror. That person who would win $25,000.

***

JURY HOUSE

The group at the house tried to decide who they thought was going to join them. Josh had just said that Shelia couldn’t get herself out of a wet paper bag when she showed up. She had a big hug for everyone.

Shelia told the group that Adam took her out and that she had a moral dilemma over who to vote for now. They all talked about who played the game the smartest. They all agreed that Ryan played a good game and Adam had played a good game as well.

Shelia felt that Adam was a bad player because he threw a competition in the final HOH so that Ryan would do his dirty work for him of taking Shelia out. Nat liked that Ryan had an alliance with everyone. Shelia agreed that Adam did things behind their backs but Matt reminded them that lying was part of the game.

Sharon felt that Adam took Ryan with him to the end, not the other way around. Josh said that their final words might make up his mind when it came time to vote.

***

Each jury member got to ask one last question.

1. Matt congratulated them both but asked Adam what he was going to do with $500,000. It will start after school programs. He wanted to spend $100,000 that way.

Ryan wanted to help his mom, give money to charity (jury laughed) and do something for Jen (made Chelsia gag).

2. Sharon told Ryan that she was confused why he fed her all that bull and then made Adam keep Shelia. Ryan said it was a last second thing and that he had wanted to keep her (and she wasn’t having any of it.)

3. Chelsia wanted to know what Ryan was going to do with $500,000…why on earth should she vote for him if he’s going to give Jen money after a lot of the things she did and said. Ryan said he wasn’t racist and that he still loved Jen to death (another nail in his coffin).


4. Josh asked Adam why they should vote for him because Ryan played harder and Adam kept throwing competitions. Adam admitted to throwing a competition and then he got really animated trying to make his case. Josh told him to stop screaming at the screen or else…

5. James wanted to know why Adam felt that he felt he was a better competitor than Ryan and why he should be in the final two instead of Shelia. Adam felt that he had taken adversity and made it work for him. He wanted to win for a better cause. He felt like he had brought Shelia along with him for a long time in the game.

6. Nat wanted to know why Adam was scheming to get her out of the house. Adam said that he wasn’t plotting to get her out, that he had to respect the HOH wishes.

She asked Ryan why he broke his word to her. He said that he had meant it at the time when he said he’d keep her but added that it was one of the hardest decisions that he had made in the house.

7. Shelia asked Adam why he lied to her face, looked her right in the eyes, and told her that he was going to take her to the finals of the game. She said that she saved him over and over again (which is true to a certain extent). He said that he had to do certain things to get to the end game. Adam was upset that she was putting all that pressure on him (and he was screaming again).

Shelia told him not to take all the credit for taking her to the end of the game. She said she played a very smart game. He agreed and added that he DID try to win that last HOH comp and he didn’t care what the jury house thought.

“Oh really!” Josh smirked.

***

Ryan said that he had done things he would never have done out of the house to friends. He said that he had never said bad things about anyone and he wasn’t going to say anything bad about Adam. He said he was fortunate to be where he was and he thanked them no matter what.

Adam said that it appeared that they were basing their judgment on personal relationships, game play and what each of them intended to do with the money. (As he rambled, the group either smiled in disbelief or just shook their heads.)

***

Josh said that Adam was acting so cocky that he couldn’t stand him. Chelsia said that the game wasn’t over for them because they would decide who would get the money. Matt now didn’t know what he was going to do.

***

Adam went on a rant after the questioning. He felt that he didn’t get any closer to the group during the questioning.

***

The jury was brought in to join the live audience. Then Julie asked Adam and Ryan for one word describing the questioning.

Adam started rambling but she pulled the word rough out of him. Ryan said nerve wracking. That, of course, is two words but Adam managed about 8 words before Julie shut him up.

***

Matt went to vote first. Josh said that he was going to vote for the person who played hardest in every competition and who had a backbone (Ryan?). Sharon based her vote on who she thought was the most loyal in the game. (Wasn’t sure what she was going to do.) Shelia said that she had a very easy choice (Another Ryan vote I thought). James said he hoped they would party away the money (that was his statement and it brought applause). Chelsia said she hoped they’d stick to what they said at the round table discussion before she voted (so maybe a vote for Adam).

***

The first six evicted houseguests now joined the others. They were the only ones who had watched the shows all the way through, so what would they say? Unfortunately, there was only two minutes for them to talk and Jen and Allison took it all. (Jen kept having to pull her too tiny shirt over her too big boobage!)

Julie asked if Nat was playing all sides in the house and she admitted to it. Now Nat was going to see tape of Matt and he apologized to her before it ever showed. Nat acted like she wasn’t going to be surprised and said karma had taken Matt out of the house. Then they never showed any tape!

Jen said that her thoughts on Allison had not changed because she tried to take Ryan from her so she can’t stand her. Allison said that she didn’t think that she was better for Ryan and she had no hard feelings for Jen. She had just felt that Jen’s sabotage of Ryan wasn’t right.

CLIP: They showed Adam for sure saying to Nat that he voted for her. Adam threw his hands in the air saying that Ryan already knew.

CLIP: Josh pretending to cry over a piece of pizza that he was threatening to eat which brought laughter all around.

***

VOTE REVEAL

One would win $500,000 and the other $50,000.

1. (Matt) Adam
2. (Nat) Adam
3. (Josh) Ryan
4. (Sharon) Adam
5. (Shelia) Adam!!! I AM SHOCKED!!!! And that was all he needed.


Then they all waited, watching the door which stayed closed until Julie yelled for them to come out (wasting another precious 15 seconds). Everyone went to give the boys hugs.

***

(Chelsia & James voted for Adam).

There was still one more piece of business. Who would win the audience vote…Shelia came in second place. James won! (Why?)

***

So, an unsatisfying end to a strange season. Too bad CBS didn’t give them more time at the end.


PERSONAL NOTE: Most of you know about my adventures with my gallbladder. Well, it landed me in the ER yesterday and I have to see a surgeon tomorrow so there is a very good chance that I may not get to respond to your comments and that I may be missing for a few days. I really appreciated the prayers and good wishes from last time and thank you all for thinking of me. Let’s hope they can do the quick, laproscopic surgery so that I’ll be back to normal in about a week and ready for my son’s wedding on the 10th.

I’ll make sure someone from the family updates everyone if I have to go in! If I have to miss my shows, you’ll all have to fill me in! Thanks!

A lot of things changed for me after last night’s episode.

First: everyone knows how irritated I’ve been with young Erik. His hero worship of Ozzy drove me nuts. HOWEVER, last night Darclyte’s hometown boy won me over. After returning from Tribal Council where his hero had been blindsided, Erik told the group responsible that he understood what they had done. Then he added that it was a good decision and that they were smart not to tell him because he would have told Ozzy.

I like the rare moment of honesty in a reality show.

Second: I’m not sure I hate Parvati anymore. She is there to play a game and she’s playing hard. Good for her! Taking out Ozzy was a smart move and aligning herself with other women was even smarter. The guys, no matter what they say, will always gang up and take out the women first.

Will this group of females hang together? I don’t know that I’ve never seen women make it work. One or more always seem to move over to the guys eventually, but I’m not sure this bunch will.

Third: After a stunt he pulled at Tribal last night, Ozzy dropped even farther down my “favorites” list.

***

Did anyone else notice that Natalie grew a personality on last night’s show? Did you notice that it’s an evil personality? This could be fun!

***

Is it just me or is my beloved Dimples Probst REALLY enjoying himself this season? He is just grinning and showing off those dimples constantly. There’s nothing like a little blindside here, a little near death there to get the blood pumping!

***

I love foreshadowing. This week it was James and his finger. I don’t remember him hurting his finger but it looked really gross last night and Cirie suggested that he get it looked at. James insisted he was fine.

Uh-huh. Just like Jonathan’s knee was fine.

James and Amanda talked after Tribal and James pointed out that what the splinter group had pulled off was really smart. Amanda was very unhappy at losing her Ozzy but she might have been losing him anyway…to Alexis. This might have been the kinder option.

But Amanda is a player and she was smart enough to recognize that the game had shifted and it looked like the women might be trying to form up and take out the guys. Being a woman herself, she thought she might ought to see if she could get into the group by keeping her anger to herself.

***

Parvati was trying to do damage control. She had limited her flirting, pretty much, to James and I think she genuinely likes him. James was not so happy with her though. James flat out asked her who she intended to take to the end of the game and she flat out told him “girls.”

She told James that he would never have credited her with having a plan and that he thought she was stupid.

In one of the most cutting remarks I’ve ever heard made on a reality show (I don’t count the hyper talk when people are showing off for the camera like Evil Dick on Big Brother), James told her that was a lie. He did not think she was stupid. He said that she’s selfish.

There is brutal honesty and there is honesty that is brutal.

Parvati went from there to talk to Amanda. Amanda kept her cool and listened to the plan. Cirie saw them talking and, always careful to keep herself near the action, she came over and told Amanda that she looked sad.

In the end, Amanda didn’t trust either of them but felt she didn’t have much choice.

***

SURVIVOR AUCTION

I always enjoy these things. Each person was given $500 to spend. They had to bid in $20 increments. HOWEVER, this time they couldn’t pool their money or share their food.

Cirie got a $120 plate with a hotdog, fries and the fixings.

Erik paid $80 for one covered dish, traded it for another and ended up with a huge tray of nachos. If he hadn’t traded he would have had octopus.

Natalie paid $240 for what ended up being bat soup. She was visibly angry. James, however, having eaten it before, ran up and took it. He told Jeff that the trick was removing the skin first.

Ewww!

Dimples held up a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and Amanda paid $280 to get it.

Still trying to get something to eat, Natalie used $240 on the next covered item and ended up with a bottle that had a note inside. It said that she was to send someone to Exile Island immediately and take all their money.

Poor Jason, obviously knowing he’d be a target, begged not to go back. Dimples tried to make it more attractive by telling them that since Ozzy didn’t use his Hidden Immunity Idol, it was dead (we were all wondering last week) and that a new one was hidden back on Exile.

Natalie sent an angry Jason away.

Still starving, an increasingly angry Natalie bid $380 and got a huge chocolate cake. The catch? She was to pick 3 people to share it with and then they only had 60 seconds to eat. Natalie warned her fellow Survivors before she picked her three people that they had better not hog the cake. She was hungry.

She selected Parvati, Cirie and Alexis. While poor Amanda, feeling very left out, watched (guess she knows how Ami felt now?) Dimples let Natalie grab a hunk first as they walked the cake back to the bleachers. Then everyone dug in.

Erik offered $40 to lick Cirie’s fingers and she took it. When it was over, the four women and Erik looked like little kids at a birthday party with chocolate smeared all over their faces.

***

NOW Natalie starts to worry about Jason on Exile Island. What if he found the Idol?

Meanwhile, on Exile Island, Jason found the Idol!

***

The girls met and decided to proceed as if Jason had the Idol. They began to plot to get into his head. Cirie felt that Natalie had the most pull with him so she said she’d try to convince him to let one of them win the Immunity Challenge because they were going to vote out James.

“Hell hath no fury,” Amanda muttered under her breath.

***

Erik celebrated his 22nd birthday. The girls gave him hugs and whispered behind his back that they wouldn’t try to take him out. “He’s not going home today,” Natalie said. “Happy birthday.”

***

IMMUNITY CHALLENGE

This one had several different tasks. First there were tiles holding puzzle pieces. The first four to break their tiles would go to the next part of the challenge.

There they had to dig up their keys, put their wheel puzzle together, put it on a rod and use it to lower planks down to a platform. The first two to complete that task would go to the final.

The final two had to use the two planks to get across a rope bridge to another shaky hanging bridge with small discs to stand on. The first to grab the pole on the platform would win.

Jason showed up and Natalie grabbed him long enough to tell him that anyone but James could win.

James, Erik, Amanda and Jason were the first four who broke their tiles.

James & Erik completed the second part next.

James blew it on the bridge initially but he battled back and at the end it was very close. But Erik got another birthday gift and won immunity that he didn’t need.

***

The girls tried to hide their glee. Erik was who they wanted to win. It played right into their hands. Parvati referred to the group as the “Black Widow Brigade.” They would wrap up their prey in their web and devour them.

Back at camp, Jason went to get water and Natalie went through his bags and found the Immunity Idol.

Natalie then kept the Widow’s plan going by telling Jason that James was going home. Jason, naïve as ever, admitted that he had the idol and since the girls kept their word to him the week before, he trusted them now.

Natalie then admitted to the camera that she was finally having fun and that she was being more herself…cutthroat.

***

Amanda talked to James and said that she didn’t know what she was going to do. But she did tell him that she thought it would be Jason and not him going home.

One of the last shots of camp was of the women surrounding Jason.

***

TRIBAL COUNCIL

Eliza and Ozzy were brought in and Ozzy glared at everyone and flipped them the bird behind his back.

Now I’m sorry, but that was just uncalled for and it was horrible sportsmanship. After having a few days to cool off, he should have appreciated what happened and admitted to himself that it was a brilliant move (and that he had been stupid…if he’d used his Immunity Idol, he’d still be there).

The interview portion of the council was boring this time. James admitted that things didn’t look good for him at the current time which was an understatement.

Dimples asked if anyone wanted to use the Hidden Immunity Idol. No one did. So he read the votes and at first, I admit, I wasn’t sure what was happening. The women’s strategy didn’t hit me until after the show.

James voted for Parvati. Everyone else voted for James or Jason. At first it looked like James was going home and I was a little confused, but then the votes for Jason started appearing.

I got to tell ya’ll. The stupidity runs deep this season in ALL the reality shows. I don’t know that I agree that this was the stupidest move ever in Survivor history but it gets more curious each time someone makes this boneheaded decision.

James broke up laughing as yet another person…Jason…left the island with an Immunity Idol in his pocket.

The kid was blindsided. We laughed our heads off here at the house.

James was ordered to let medical look at his finger as the group left the Tribal Council area and in the previews for next week, it looks like it gets serious for our favorite gravedigger.

***

I didn’t understand why Natalie voted for James at first, but Frodo (my hubby) said it was because they wanted to make sure that if Jason DID use his idol, James would be the next highest vote total.

I assume that was what was going on? If so, it was really smart.