Weekend Rant - Reality Madness

This week was full of some great stuff, some boring stuff and unfortunately some heart breaking stuff. My love affair with Paris Hilton's My New BFF took a nasty turn with the girls pulling out all the stops (and their claws) and deciding on who was the "fakest" with help of guest gossip queen Perez Hilton. Unfortunately it meant that Onch and Corrie were put up on the chopping block (I could not understand why that bitchy and nasty Natasha was not there instead after her huge freak out at the commercial challenge) and then Paris decided that Onch was too fake and had to go.

I am pretty much sure that I am way over this series now... there is no one interesting left to see except for a bunch of bitchy girls that I could care less about, but in a strange twist the girls seemed upset that Onch left. Stupid decision Paris ---seriously, it was a really stupid decision. At least she didn't give him a TTYN so maybe there is a silver lining somewhere in this whole debacle.

Stylista started this week, and if the first episode is any indication of how things will play out I am a bit disappointed but a couple of things were interesting enough that I will be completely hooked with in a couple of weeks. Anne Slowey is all that I expected and more, and the way she had the contestants shaking in their boots (literally and figuratively) at their first challenge was priceless. Anne knows her business and has a "Do not fuck with me" vibe that makes me wonder why she didn't eliminate more than one contestant this week. If there was ever a tougher or bitchier boss out there I have yet to see her. All of the stuff with her and her interactions with the contestants was interesting enough, but I am disappointed with the Layout challenge of the first episode and I wonder about the level of talent with some of these contestants. The 2 teams that blew it (and they did big time) showed a high school level layout scheme with poor colour choices and bad design ideas. I am not sure that some of these contestants were chosen by talent level or by personality.

I could care less about names at this moment, but Rich Spoiled Girl is a complete bitch that will either win or be pushed under a bus by one of the other contestants. I find the contestants pretty juvenile and their lack of professionalism is a tad tiresome. All the drama around the one with the huge rack was over done and little geeky gay guy better watch his ass before he says another inappropriate thing and gets it handed to him. I was not surprised that Scarecrow and the Big Girl were put up for elimination, and although Anne was gentle with our Big Girl this week but her time is limited. Image counts in this industry and as much as she wants to be there it isn't a sitcom and she will be shown the door soon. Bye Scarecrow, we never even had the chance to get to know you.

Top Design is still boring me to tears, and little Mr Martha Stewart was such a knob this week that I hope he gets booted next week. Preston is still rehashing the same things over and over (everything seems to be designed for a hotel lobby), Nathan is still blowing my mind each week with his out of the box and organic design sensibilities (and he is still my favorite to win), but this week I really loved the room put together by Ondine that appealed to my own personal style. I loved how she put all the knick knacks from traveling and gave the room an earthy feel and I felt that she incorporated the lighting fixture well into her room. The judges didn't feel that way and hated her room and she would have left if Mrs. Shroeder wasn't homesick and decided to leave the competition.

What???

I don't understand how silly people can be sometimes, but I have been waiting weeks for her to leave as she was really just so out of her element. She did a decent job with the challenge but she still needs more confidence, training and practice to go further along this career path. It was too much of a cop out for me and I was really disappointed that the judges gave her the choice (which she had to hum and haw about for a good commercial break) to stay or go. She wants to go? Fine, just let her go and that's it.

Thank god there are only 2 episodes left. I am not sure if I am interested in a season 3 at this point.

The Amazing Race had more outstanding visual moments again this week with their arrival in New Zealand (complete with Phil's dad -- meeting him was a cute moment) and more conflict between our bitchy divorcees Kelly & Christy and the brother and sister team of Nick & Star. All this drama is a waste of energy and maybe the teams don't realize it, but they are falling behind and need to concentrate on the Race and not on the other teams.

There are still lots of teams and the Race gets more exciting for me when we get down to the last 6 Teams and the stakes get higher. I did like that the first Fast Forward of the season was played, as it starts to divide the pack (although there do seem to be a lot of equalizer flights -- it doesn't matter if you show up early you all leave on the same flight). There does seem to be a lot of tension with some of the teams so I am expecting more meltdowns at a faster pace this season and we'll have to see how far this tension will push some of the teams. The teams that I like and am cheering for are: Toni & Dallas, Nick & Starr and Ken & Tina. The teams that I don't think will go far and I don't really care are : Andrew & Dan and Aja & Ty. The teams that I hope lose ( yes I know it sounds harsh but I don't like them) are: Terence & Sarah ( get out Sarah while you can -- Terence is way too needy and you are just enabling him) and Kelly & Christy. Yes ladies, I know that you both had bad relationships that ended in divorce but you can stop punishing the world for that. Very bad energy those two.

The tattoos on the Maori warriors was a trip of a challenge (wild stuff) and I laughed as the poor blonde Southern Belles got frightened silly trying to do the challenge and unfortunately were eliminated at the end of this leg of the Race. They did manage to get a hug out of Phil's Dad so I guess things weren't a complete loss.

Weekend Rant - The Week in Review

It's still damn busy with the viewing schedule (for all my complaining last year dealing with the strike I really can't complain this year about having nothing to watch) and slowly but surely I have been catching up with my favorite shows. We just went through Election season here in Canada and that helped make it an even busier than usual week.

The bad news is that there hasn't been that many new shows added to the Watch List. So far Fringe and Knight Rider have fallen to the wayside (honestly, it was another case of tried it and didn't like it) and there are still a couple of shows that feel on the bubble (Sanctuary is borderline at this point and I can hardly wait until Stargate Atlantis ends and I am even running behind on the episodes right now, I will catch up when we hit some repeats later this fall). I was glad that this season of Project Runway finally wrapped things up (congrats to Leanne -- at least Kenley didn't win) but even the 2 part finale sucked. I still can't believe that JLo dropped out at the last minute as guest Judge of the Finale due to a foot injury ( I heard that she ran a marathon after the episode) and it was probably another case of rats deserting a sinking ship. The rumor mill is non stop about the legal problems with the show moving to the Lifetime Network and who knows when or if we will see another season. Time will tell, things don't seem to be advancing that quickly on this side of the border either and no launch date mentioned for the Canadian version either.

The good news is that I am completely addicted to a couple of new series such as True Blood and I am ecstatic that it has already been picked up for another season. This is a vampire series that I can sink my teeth into, and Jason Stackhouse played by Ryab Kwanten is the sexiest redneck living in the Bayou that I have ever seen. Seriously. Not only is this is the best vampire series on TV since Angel and Buffy, it is definitively the most adult. I know you Moonlight fans are still lamenting the demise of the series, but I really suggest checking this series out if you like a dark and sexy show. If anything, I find some interesting similarities between the Vampire Universe that Sookie and her friends live in and that of the the Vampire Universe created by Anne Rice.Louisiana seems to be a very hospitable environment for these beasts and there is something sensual and sexy about things being hot and steamy all the time. It certainly brings out the sexual vibe from the characters and linking sex and blood seems to be a natural fit with the nature of things. It certainly hits a nerve as well as the similitude's between being a minority (vampire) is on the same level as being gay in today's society, and having to deal with being out but not accepted by the mainstream population. It's an interesting reflection on society.

and damn sexy watching.

On a polar opposite and bordering the realm of the ridiculous is the addictive Paris Hilton's My New BFF. I can not stop myself from watching this train wreck of a "reality" show and it was hysterical so see boy-girl Onch have a complete meltdown during the "Always look Hot Challenge" as the contestants had to look good while being on roller coasters. I have never been in such a state of complete awe and shock after seeing someone have a meltdown like that and being so over the top. Onch is such an over the top drama Queen that I was just laughing my ass off as s(he) was sticking his head in sideways to puke into the garbage can while carefully holding his cigarette off to the side. Later we had the big on knees and begging to be released from this challenge moment that was so pathetic that it was priceless. In other circumstances I would tell Onch to grow a pair.. but I think he already wants to hide the ones he has so no pressure there.

All drama aside, I love the girly-boy and think he would make a fabulous addition to Paris' Posse. Everyone needs a fabulous bitchy-girly boy as a pet and it would certainly keep some of her fans occupied. Besides, the girls are pretty fake for the most part, but I imagine that Paris wants someone as scripted and fake as her for company with no real personality that could be a challenge or take any attention away from her so it may go to the fakest of them all. God help the virgin if it's her.

It's all very entertaining and a highlight of the week.

My other favorite moments of the week were the return of Samantha Who?, still as funny as ever with our amnesiac good/bad girl. Jean Smart is so fricking hilarious as Sam's mother that she is a huge scene stealer and I love the chemistry between all of them.

Pushing Daisies is the greatest and most wonderful adult fairy tale that I have ever seen. This past episode with the Nuns and the truffles was too hilarious. Pigby is a great addition to the crew and I can hardly wait to see what happens this week with Olive going back home. It's nice to see some closure but the bomb that will be dropped on Chuck will be huge... just wait until she finds out that Lily is her mother! I can't believe the MADtv alumni that guest starred as the Truffle expert Sister Larue (Mo Collins, one of my long time faves) and the very funny Father at the Nunnery (Michael Hitchcock who had played Simeon on The Lillian Verner Game Show). Both of them were hilarious and it's a shame that we don't see more of them on TV.

Smallville has been keeping me very happy with all the gratuitous Green Arrow shirtless scenes, some decent stories and a ton of Lois and Clark. Erica is starting to become my favorite Lois out of all the series and I wonder if they can get her to do the jump to the big screen, she really has the character down and does a great interpretation. I am still unhappy that Chloe has ditched the reporter angle (too close to Lois I think) and it's getting interesting with her going into Oracle mode and helping to coordinate things (channeling the former Batgirl from Birds of Prey), but her intelligence is going to hit the fan when they do the return of Brainiac. The viewing is better and I hope that they continue in the adventure vein that they have started.

Supernatural has been great this season and this week's black and white adventure was fantastic as a "gimmick" episode. I loved all the old style credits and themes, and it was too funny with Dracula, the Wolf Man and then the Mummy. I called the mummy before it happened, and was hoping for either a Frankenstein or Creature from the Black Lagoon but they were only mentioned. I love how they did their own homage to the old classic monster thrillers. The boys were as hot as usual (black and white can be very flattering) and I loved Dean's idea that he was now a virgin again due to his rebirth. Oh those naughty boys. Still it was a great, light episode and felt like old times, just like it was supposed to.

The last and best thing of the whole week was the continuing competition on So you think you can dance Canada. The level of competition is incredible and most of the couples are dancing way harder than I have seen in the American version. Nico & Arassay are the most amazing couple so far and their Dark Angel dance was phenomenal.

I didn't agree with who was voted into the bottom group, I could see why the judges chose Dario and Romina to leave. I didn't understand why either Joey nor Izaak were in the bottom group as they clearly didn't seem comfortable dancing with their partners. Maybe the boys should dance together instead... it seems more up their alley.

I think the most frustrating thing is the Results Show, CTV has only given them 30 minutes and so all you hear is " we don't have much time so I'll get right to it" as the dancers are let go. It might be nice to have a tad more time to do their walk of shame before exiting the stage.

Reality Round Up - Crossing the Finish Line

Project Runway has been limping it's way to the finish line this season, and after last week's elimination of Jerrel (and my increasing dislike for Kenley), I am not left with many options for a winner that I actually want to win this season. Sure, I have loved some of the stuff done by Korto, but she has been missing the boat the last couple of weeks and has lost some of my interest. Leanne has been okay and probably has the best chance to win out of the girls just as long as she knows how to edit things down and doesn't get too carried away with all the detailing.I think that this is the first time they have had 3 female designers at the end round and while the variety is interesting, I have not enjoyed that much of this current and probably last season. This is Project Runway and I expect to see no less that one fierce gay guy there at the end.
The point is moot though as it will all be ending this week and after such a tepid season I have the feeling this show will be going the way of the dinosaur unless they get some fresh energy back.

There was just something missing all this season and while I still can't put my finger on exactly what it was, I just know that this season felt off in so many ways.

Top Design has been slightly better this time around and while the competition seems kind of tilted towards a couple of the guys, I was still a little pissed that Nathan didn't get the credit for his design ideas after that wacky Eco-Office switcheroo. I was not sad to see Wizit hit the road, his aesthetic was too bland for this boy and he really didn't take the challenge to heart. The best part of his appearance was his opera singing on the way out but I shed no tears over his departure. Eddie better watch his ass because Nathan is on his way to win the competition. Hopefully Mrs. Shroeder will be leaving soon as she is probably the least talented left in the gang and is continually riding on the coat tails of the other designers.

Paris Hilton's My BFF is turning into the best Guilty Pleasure that I have seen in ages.. and it is due more to those wacky antics of boy-girl Onch than anything else. Onch has got to be the winner because most of those contestants have no personality and as much as I hate Paris, I really think that our dear Onch could fit into her gang and for the love of whatever, I can not stop watching this show. The other girls (and that one terribly bland boy) that are trying to cosy up to Paris are really willing to do almost anything to please their girl (that thought there should be scary enough), but Paris wants them to have blind faith and so far has confronted them with a make over (done by some gay friends and just for Paris, it's her way of seeing how much of a friend you really are and if you trust her) and made the gang go out to party all night to see their endurance level. It has all been too fricking funny so far and you have to wonder what is next, I just know that I almost lost it when Shelly announced that she was *gasp* -- a virgin. Is Paris really the right role model for a girl like this? tsk tsk to be followed for sure.

Starting the New Season- More Hits & Misses

With the ton of shows coming back to the airwaves (and a few new ones that need to be checked out), there are already a few things falling off to the wayside and one of the first casualties of the season (after 90210) has been Fringe. The series just hasn't captured my attention and with all the other choices available I just haven't been interested in keeping up. It's time to clear up a bit of room on the PVR and if I hear some critical acclaim for the series it may be checked out later but I am not holding my breath.

Bravo is a hit or miss network for me, and for every show that I love there seems to be a few that just don't make the grade. The Rachel Zoe Project didn't live up to it's advertising, but if the Real Housewives of Atlanta is close to being as over the top as what I have seen so far it will be sneaking it's way on to the Watch List. I am slightly ashamed but I will admit that I will check out the first episode of Paris Hilton's BFF, but more for the shock and awe factor than interest in Parisite.

The Amazing Race kicked off it's 13th edition this week , and right after winning the Emmy for Best Reality Show (again), it blazed out of the gates with the teams leaving the US to Brazil .

The teams seem interesting and there is already some of that delicious tension between some of the teams and there are already a couple of them heading into meltdown mode after one leg. Watch out for Terence & Sarah, Terence is getting the award for most needy and best passive aggressive routine this episode, but Ken & Tina are close behind with the whole thing about his infidelity. Is this the right reality show to be airing this kind of dirty laundry? I was laughing my ass off at the Frat Boys (Andrew & Dan) who seemed to think that they had all the ins to airline travel and got proved otherwise. I think the big lesson in this episode is that you need to read the clues and follow the directions and look for the flag that indicates your particular choice. I am still always in awe when I see players that don't know the rules.

Unfortunately our hippy bee keepers were eliminated this week (too bad), once again proving that it is usually the old and the weak that are the first to go.... it's one of those basic laws of survival. It was another great start and I am hoping next season we can get an edition in HD. The locales and views are too stunning and this show really needs to be showcased in a better format.

Desperate Housewives returned, and after the small teaser at the end of last season that showed a 5 year jump in the storyline I was worried that we were getting into unfamiliar, or even worse, Jump the shark territory.

All I can say is wow... I loved the new developments, the return of Edie and all the different components of what is going on.The flashbacks that they are using to explain the 5 year gap are great, and I was in panic mode for the first part of the episode thinking that Mike was dead (and that would have been too cruel) only to learn that he is still alive and well and sharing custody with Susan and their son. The developments with Bree are heartbreaking (and it will be interesting to see how that develops) and I am so loving her ultra Martha Stewart mode that she is in. There are a lot of things that have not been touched on (such as where are some of the kids?) and I am looking forward to seeing some of the new reveals.

I love the new Gaby. It`s nice to see someone stretch their acting chops more and to see Eva be more than just a hot body and a pretty face. The new tension with Edie (the bitching that will be going on should be too fun and Edie got in some really bitchy comments this week) and her dealing with having a husky girl is funny and tragic at the same time, and it may show the true depth of Gaby, or more than likely her continual struggle with image and looks. It`s to be expected, she is a former model after all.

The jump forward was a gamble but it has garnered my attention... hopefully enough others have as well.