Wolfie's Reality

TAR final leg, racing for a million dollars!

2008-12-07T16:58:00.000-08:00

The final leg of the Amazing Race begins as the brother/sister team, Nick & Starr battle it out with the separated couple Ken & Tina, and the hapless Frat boys, Dan and Andrew continue this leg much as they have the throughout the race.

Final destination is Portland Oregon. Nick & Starr leave first. as usual everyone gets on the same plane. They get taxi's. Ken & Tina get to detour first. High & dry or low & wet. It's about logging industry. Ken & Tina choose high and dry even though Tina is scared of heights. Nick & Starr also choose that and Andrew and Dan are in their taxi calling someone for directions I think. Ken & Tina bickering as she has trouble. Nick supports Starr as she completes her part of the task. Frat boys still in taxi, Tina still working on it. Nick & Starr head for next clue.

Frat boys arrive after both other teams have left. They too choose high and dry.
At the next place they have to ride a zip line down from Bridge of the Gods. This does not please Tina. But she does enjoy the ride. Nick & Starr arrive just after Ken & Tina. Now the teams must answer one question from each leg of the race. There is a game board. Then they enter a field with 150 clue boxes and find the clue box that has the right picture for the game piece. They have to do it together. Nick & Starr finish this task just before Ken & Tina. The Frat boys haven't started it yet.

Now go downtown by taxi. Find the green dinosaur to find their next clue. Neither K&T or N&S's taxi driver seems to know where they are going. They are however passing each other in traffic but I don't think either knows where they are going. Nick & Starr find it first. Now travel on foot, search through food carts for flag from Russia where they will find their next clue. Ken & Tina finally find it. Now figure out what their clue is saying, go to voodoo place to find their clue. Must go on foot. Nick & Starr find out, Ken & Tina find a lady that tells them where they are going, but tells them to go a shorter way. I think they are all going to the wrong place. Nick & Starr find it. Ken & Tina find it. Now they need a taxi to go to the pit stop. Both teams having trouble finding one.

The Frat boys are way out of the loop as near as I can tell. This is between Nick & Starr and Ken & Tina. I'm rooting for Nick & Starr.

Nick & Starr get in a taxi moments before Ken & Tina. Ken & Tina are saying a prayer in their taxi. The first to arrive at the pit stop is....Nick & Starr - YAY!! Starr tells the other races lining the end that all of them are great racers and made it hard. Nick says how much he loves his sister and wants to see her succeed. Ken and Tina arrive second. He says they had their ups and downs but it looks like they reconnected. They are crying as he gives her a ring (their wedding ring maybe). She says Ken is a great person and he showed her how important she is and how important their marriage is. Good.
The Frat boys arrive last as team number 3. They get cheers. They say they ended how they started with an incredible amount of mistakes. But they are happy that they made it to the finals. Everyone is happy. Sadly I did not see Toni and Dallas. I think their passports being lost was a huge problem and they were not able to be there. They were not mentioned and I didn't see Starr with Dallas but I could have missed it. But I don't think so.

This was a good season of The Amazing Race. I am glad Nick and Starr were the winners and I'm even glad Ken & Tina seem to have gotten their marriage back on track. I still believe strong positive relationships help immensely with this race. And as always they go to interesting places and are asked to do interesting tasks relating to the culture. Good job racers and good job Phil, as always. Thanks for reading.

TAR - what's important - relationships and passports.

2008-11-30T17:39:00.000-08:00

This season has been about paying attention. Several teams have made mistakes that took a toll but tonight's was perhaps the biggest one. I am sure that the experience is nerve wracking, exhilarating and often confusing. It is those that can keep their head on straight in spite of the tension that do the best. The relationship of the two partners seems to be crucial but it always amazes me how well most of them seem to get along even after they are eliminated. Some of them do break up later but a stressful race cannot cure the ills in a weak relationship. The adversity they go through seems to strengthen those bonds and relationships that start out strong. To succeed in this race, the teams must pay attention, read their clues, and keep their wits about them while under a great deal of pressure in a foreign country. What a great concept for a reality show!

The teams leave Moscow to hunt for Red October. Andrew and Dan have a penalty from last week, a speed bump, something they must do that the other teams don't have to do. They realize they've made a lot of mistakes. Dallas and Tony find the submarine, Ken and Tina find it as well and Nick and Starr. They must go to a national park and find a monument. Andrew and Dan find the submarine last. On the way to the monument everyone hits heavy traffic in their taxis. Ken and Tina are in a taxi with the driver smoking and she wants Ken to ask him to smoke later. He does not.

The next part is complicated. They find the statues of Stalin and Lenin and add up the number on them to get to the number 62, then go to an antique book shop give her the correct number to get a book, turn to that page in the book.

The boys are now standing at the wrong park while Dallas is working on the mystery and Nick is also working on it. The non-participating partner goes to a designated area. Toni gives Dallas the money and his passport as he goes off to solve the mystery (finding the statues and adding the two numbers.)

Ken and Tina get in an argument. She gets a jacket and says something about her money and starts off to do the mystery. Nick has the number and gets into Tina and Ken's cab (with GPS) and goes to the book store. Dallas gets to the book store but has the wrong number. He tries again in ten minutes as required, and gets the wrong number again.

Now teams go to another park and look for a lady with a Shetland pony where they get their next clue.

Andrew and Dan get to the right park and Andrew goes to do the task. The Dan gives him all of his money.

Detour is "ride the rails" or "ride the lines". In the first one they must get a pastry that has their clue on the wrapper.
Nick and Starr choose the rails. In ride the lines they ride the trolley cars and must find a key maker. The metro (the tube) is confusing but a lot of trains run so you can make a mistake and still not lose too much time. In the trolley cars you can get stuck in traffic or take the wrong one and lose a lot of time.
Dallas gets the number wrong again. Tina gets it right, and after they had discussed it, he now knows the right number but she takes off ahead of him. Finally he gets it right. The frat boys seem to be missing the count. The number comes from counting the number of Stalins and the number of Lenins and putting it together. Six of one and two of another = 62.
Tina admits to Ken in the cab that she helped Dallas and he's upset with her.

Dallas hasj ust realized he left his bag with all of the money and passports in the taxi he was just in when leaving the book store.

Andrew guesses the number 61 and is told no.

Dallas and Toni read the next clue, which is to travel by taxi and they have no money. He realizes this when he gets to the designated area and tells his mom. The other frat boy is there and they tell him. He asks if they will be ok, to which they say no.

Dallas and Toni ask some kids on the street about how much the metro or trolley is and they give them some money.

Nick and Starr get to the pastry shop.
Ken and Tina get to the lady withthe poney.
Andrew and Dan get to their speed bump. They must perform with a troupe of Russian dancers and perform to their satisfaction.

Dallas and Toni get some help from some guys in the park and get money to take the trolley back to where they must go by taxi.

The frat boys don't get the dance right, because they are awful. They must try again.

Ken and Tina realize they are on the wrong bus.

Nick and Starr get to the place they turn in their pastry. Ken and Tina are going back to the trolley to do it again. He's sure they are in big trouble.

The boys finish their dance and continue on.

Dallas and Toni have enough for the taxi. While Ken and Tina take another trolly and argue.

Andrew is the red haired boy.
Nick and Starr get to their next clue box and head for the pit stop. They arrive well ahead of the others. They are one of the three teams racing for the million dollars in the final leg of the race.

Ken and Tina find the keymaker. They must take the trolley bus. Andrew and Dan also find the keymaker.

Ken and Tina go to the station and open the box with the key that is where their next clue is. Tina sees the picture of the pitstop and thinks they have to search the station for their next clue.

Dallas and Toni find a young lady on the street that helps them again giving them the money they need.

Dan and Andrew find the pitstop and Tina and Ken see them and follow, arriving just after them. They are team 2 and Ken and Tina are their but are told they do not have the clue that tells them to go to the pitstop. Dallas and Toni are still working on it while Ken and Tina are searching for a clue box they don't see.

Ken and Tina finally find the clue box and make it to the pitstop as team 3. Dallas and Toni

Phil finds Toni and Dallas and tells them they have been eliminated. Dallas is feeling very badthat he let his mom down and she of course tells him he didn't let her down. They are very touching in the interview and clearly love each other ery much.

Nick and Starr are confident. Ken says now it's time to take control. The frat boys are thinking they want a million dollars as a graduation present. All three teams are ready for the final leg of the race.

Note: three times this episode there were Russian people on the street that gave Dallas and Toni the money they needed to get on a taxi or trolley. This show is entertaining and often re-affirms my faith in humanity, all humanity whatever culture or country all over the globe.

Survivor Gabon - T-day special ... left overs.

2008-11-27T17:02:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving night and we have leftovers to eat, and leftovers to watch as we recap the season so far. I'm not complaining mind you, both the food and the show were very good.

Tonight's show is a review and assessment with interviews.
Jeff talks about how Kota started out much stronger and outplayed Fang in 10 out of 14 challenges, but he says this is the story of how some underdogs slowly finessed their game and ended up on top.

We see Randy being his obnoxious self many times in many ways. Matty trying to lighten things up with his song dedicated to his girl friend. Randy shows his tender side, when he talks about his dog that died. He likes dogs more than people. I can understand that except that he makes people dislike him with his attitude.
After switching tribes, the underdogs start to work their game. Crystal and Ken get Mattie to vote out Jackie. Bob makes himself useful well liked with his ability to create helpful objects, including the pyramid thing to hang the pot on when cooking, a spoon and a tool that is akin to an atl atl. I don't know that they ever perfected it or the use of it but he's become valuable enough to keep for a while.

Over at Fang, GC and Crystal have issue and GC wants to quit, so he gets his wish. Crystal finds Sugar's immunity idol and Randy continues to be obnoxious. Sugar breaks the record for being sent to exile, which is food and comfort for her now. While Kota gets a reward feast and Corrine is basically at odds with the others on her team.

Sugar gets more food, rest and relaxation on exile island.

Kenny gets Sugar to vote out Ace, and Dan gets voted out on Kota. Then the feast where the second hidden immunity idol is thrown away. Marcus and Randy think they have control. Then there's another tribe switch. Matty informs Sugar about Kenny's lie about Ace. Marcus thinks he has Crystal wrapped around his finger, but he didn't and she and Kenny get Susie to take out Marcus. Another overconfident player blind sided.

Bob goes to exile island for a change and when he doesn't find the idol, makes his own. Around camp Randy stirs things up and is obnoxious as usual.

Charlie gets voted out as Sugar teams up with her new allies, rather than her old Kota team. Then Sugar decides to Corrine what all she's doing wrong, which Corrine takes until she's out away from camp talking to Randy. Then she rips Sugar and he willingly agrees since he's basically negative. Bob shows Sugar his fake immunity idol. Next is the auction and Randy tries to make nice with the cookies but the animosity comes out between Sugar and Randy. Randy makes himself irritating, on purpose. Everyone gets paranoid. Kenny wins immunity. Sugar tells Bob to bait Randy with the fake idol. And he gets voted out.

Jeff ends it with his remark at the TC saying it's very clear, this game comes down to "trust".

DWTS - Winners all

2008-11-25T18:04:00.000-08:00

Tonight we find out who wins season 7 of Dancing with the Stars. It has been great fun watching this season with Stars from age 18 - 80. New dances, new pros, - old pros including a father, son, his best friend and his best friend's sister. All kinds of injuries and accidents and a pro who had to have surgery so another filled in for her. What a season. And the dancing, through it all was wonderful.

The voted out couples come back for a dance, all of which were lovely of course. Misty May Traynor did not dance because of her ruptured achilles tendon but she is now walking on it again and wanting to come back to dance again (another season). There were several hilarious comic bits centered around Cloris Leachman who is such a wonderfully talented woman. Toni also doesn't dance tonight due to some minor successful surgery, but they don't say what it was. She will join them on the tour. Cloris and Corky come back and do the tango. and as always it's over dramatic and he does a great job with her. I do hope we see more of Corky in the future.

It is a very entertaining show tonight. If you missed it, go watch what you can online.

Warren and Kym do the hustle for their last dance. All of the judges again say how fun and entertaining he is. And indeed the fans are on their feet.
Scores 9 + 9 + 9 = 27 added to last night gets them 80/90 plus the call in votes (what ever they are)

Lance and Lacey do their jitter bug. He manages to keep both shoes on this time. Bruno says he's become a great showman. Carrie Ann says she saw some mistake, but compliments them. Len says they deserve to be in the finals, he sparkles.
They need a 28 to beat Warren & Kym's judges scores.
Scores 9 + 9 + 10 = 28 added to last night is 81/90

Brooke and Derek only need 24 to stay in the lead. They do the Vienese Waltz. It is of course fluid and beautiful. I suspect Derek will have his trophy. Carrie Ann says she is a star. Len says it's still the dance of the season.
Scores are 10 + 10 + 10 = 30 88/90 plus the votes from last night.

I'd like to see Lance win but unless he really out did Brooke on call in votes, I think I know who the winner is. We will see in just a few minutes.

Sadly Lance and Lacey are "eliminated" so get third place.

Our winner for Season 7 of Dancing with the Stars is Brooke and Derek! And they certainly deserve it. Derek finally has his trophy as does his sister Julieanne and his best friend Mark Ballas from previous seasons. Congratulations to the Brooke and Derek and all of the dancers this season, winners all.

DWTS- A grand finale indeed.

2008-11-24T16:59:00.000-08:00

A truly grand finale. This season the final three couples are all excellent dancers and entertainers. This has been a very fun season from Cloris and her early clowning to the beautiful Brooke, wonderfully charming Warren and the creative and exciting Lance. Indeed it has been grand. Who will win? I do not have a guess because each of these three couples has their own strengths that could carry them to the winner's circle. What I do know is tomorrow night will be great fun and very suspenseful.

The first hour is a review of the remaining couples' 2 favorite dances on tape, while everyone is dressed in matching costumes for the "Samba Smack Down" which will be live later as well as the free style. The child dancers winners did their jive and were given their trophy as well. There has been some competitive bantering with these three couples trying to psych each other out during the rehearsals.

The finalist doing the Samba smack down as a sort of group dance, begins with the solo of Brooke and Derek. The next solo is Lance and Lacey ending with Warren and Kym. Warren comes out doing a hand stand flip and he gets his hips moing very well. Both of the others did a great dance as well. It ends with a short group bit that looked very good as well.

Judges
Len begins by complimenting the "best band in the land" and then says they all performed better than they did earlier in the show. Warren did great, for Lance he says he loved the energy, and Brooke has been the sensation of season 7, and you are still the one to beat. Bruno says Brooke is sexy and sizzling and Lance has come up leaps and bounds, and Warren is irresistible. Carrie Ann says Lance has done very well, and Warren is the most improved but they seem to think he's still just a little lacking technically. She says Brooke did great but may have been reaching a little too far, saying some of it was a little awkward.

Scores are 9 + 9 +10 = 28 for Brooke & Derek
9 + 8 + 9 = 26 for Lance & Lacey
9+7+9 = 25 for Warren & Kym

First in the free style is Brooke & Derek. Derek so wants the trophy because his sister has won, and his best friend has won. They do some amazing lifts and acrobatics. Tom says "Wow, and that's what the freestyle is all about."
Bruno says you are the one that we all want. (the song was "The One that I want" from Grease)
Carrie Ann says you have to "bring it" here tonight and tonight, you brought it. Len says it's the best freestyle he's ever seen. She is going to be hard to beat!

Scores 10 + 10 +10 = 30 the perfect score.

Lance & Lacey are next. They are doing a hip hop and not doing any lifts in it in order to stay true to a true hip hop. I like it actually which surprises me. I suspect they won't get aperfect score but it really was good.

Judges - Carrie Ann loved the beginning and the end (where he took his shoe off) yet she thoughts there was one little part in the middle that didn't work for her. Len says he likes the hip hop and that he did a little few bars of cha cha cha in the middle of it. Bruno says the good thing is they always put creativity in the mix and bring smiles. Lance and Lacey will be among the stars on the tour later this year.

Scores 9 + 9 + 9 = 27

Now Warren & Kym. They are doing lifts and one that is "death defying". It was a good dance and did have lots of lifts.
Judges - Len says each season someone comes along out of the blue and is a big star. As an entertainer you have no one who can touch you. Bruno says, all resistance is futile. Carrie Ann says that one was my favorite but she says she saw a mistake.

Scores 9 + 10 +9 = 28

What a great season this has been! I've enjoyed watching and enjoyed blogging. Our last blog for this show will be tomorrow night. I hope you have enjoyed reading about it.

DWTS - semi-finals Rough and Tough

2008-11-17T16:35:00.000-08:00

Tonight the dances begin with some rough spots and some tough judging. But these semi-finalists are indeed tough and determined to make it to the finals. We have 4 very good and very competitive couples going into the semi-finals. Brooke surprisingly seems to choke and Lance gets in his groove. Cody works hard to compete as all grown up, while Warren just works hard. Who will the fans vote to keep in? Brooke probably has he smallest fan base to draw from. Cody has the Hannah Montana kids and Warren has the football/sports guys. Lance has the NSync crowd and some very good dancing going for him. Who will be in the finals? I'll have a prediction at the end of this blog entry.

Brooke & Derek do the jive & the salsa.
Jive is first and Len slams them. He says how surprised he was because it's so important to come out and do something fantastic right now and the dance was awful. Bruno says the technique was bad. Carrie Ann says they went for things they shouldn't have in the semifinals. They worked so hard to "wow" everyone and she made a bunch of mistakes, from the beginning when she missed her first step, down hill from there.
Scores 7 + 7 + 7 = 21

Cody & Julieanne do the salsa and paso doble.
The Paso Doble is first. They did this one in "military" dress and it was different than the ones doing it more like bullfighters. Bruno is first and he doesn't like the choreography and criticizes them. Carrie Ann says for determination they get a 10 but she could still see the tension between them. Len says "that was not good". He says it was stiff and wooden and lacked dance quality. Wow they are tough judging tonight.
Scores 8 + 7 + 7 = 22

Warren & Kym do the mambo and the jitterbug.
First is the mambo. For a big guy it looked like a pretty sexy mambo to me. The judges say, beginning with Carrie Ann, you have to up the game just a little. Len says at least you come out and perform, show us great personality. Bruno says flat footed but very engaging.
Scores 8 + 8 + 8 = 24

Lance & Lacey do the mambo and jitterbug.
First is the mambo. I thought it was good. Lets see what the judges say. Len says he's been tough on Lance in the past but that this is the best dance so far (tonight). Bruno says this is a semifinals dance. Carrie Ann says it was a show stopper, by far the best dance tonight so far.
Scores 10 + 9 + 9 = 28

Len meets with each of the semi-finals to give them some individual help. He comes to Lance & Lacey barefoot. But he puts his dancing shoes on, and works on Lance's pigeon toes.
He sees Cody to try to loosen up his stiffness, shows him how to rollhis hips. Next he checks on Brooke to work on her leg action to straighten them instead of being flexed. And last he stops in to see Warren. He wants to work on his feet. He has Warren show him some shoulder action.

Now some experts in the Salsa show what the judges are looking for in a Salsa.

Brooke & Derek do the Salsa as their second dance tonight. Bruno starts off saying Brooke is back, thank you and welcome back to the competition. Carrie Ann says a lot of lifts but they were all worth it and appropriate. Len says work to your strength, don't worry about other people. He is positive about this dance as well.
Scores 9 + 10 + 9 = 28
49/60 total

Cody & Julieanne do the Salsa also. The judges remarks for them are: Carrie Ann says it was alot of fun but a hair lacking, it was the musicality. Len thought the musicality was quite good, and seems to be impressed. Bruno says you had fun with it, you went with it but still loose technically.
Scores 8 + 8 + 8 = 24
46/60

The world class dancers show how the jitterbug should be done.

Warren & Kym do the jitterbug. Len begins saying how the audience loves to watch him perform. Bruno says you always make an impact but the dancing class didn't work. He says your feet were all over the place. Carrie Ann says she loved it, the lifts were kinda dangerous but they did it.
Scores 9 + 8 + 8 = 25
49/60

Next Lance & Lacey do the jitterbug. This week Lance's grandfather visits and he is a veteran of WWII who used to do the jitterbug years ago. Lance is dedicating this dance to him. He's wearing a sailor outfit in his honor and the love between them is very touching. Halfway through their dance Lance looses his shoe. He does great continuing on with only one shoe, kicking it out of the way. He was in white shoes, with his sailor suit, and white socks so it wasn't glaring when he lost one shoe, although it had to be difficult to continue with the jitterbug with one shoe on and one shoe off.
Bruno says shoes off or shoes on it was brilliant. A joy. Carrie Ann says it was magic, he didn't miss one step. Len says you come out tonight and danced two fabulous dances.
Scores 10 + 9 + 10 = 29
57/60

As hard as Warren has worked I think he will probably be the next to go. He's good for his size but he's just not as good as Brooke has been throughout the weeks, or as good as Lance has gotten these last few weeks. Cody is my other choice for not quite making it to the finals. If it were up to me I'd have Brooke and Lance as the final 2 but you never know what kind of vote count they are getting from the fans. Obviously the fans kept Cloris in a lot longer than she would have if it was just the ability to dance. But it is also the ability to entertain and the crowd enjoys Warren a lot. Still, he's my prediction for the next one going home.

Survivor Gabon - It's a game.

2008-11-13T17:01:00.000-08:00

Ken, the professional gamer (with Crystal's help) has managed to take out Ace and Marcus by convincing Sugar and then Susie to vote with them so Ken, who is the brains of the Ken/Crystal alliance is feeling pretty sure of himself. He might wanna watch that. Ace and Marcus both were pretty cocky too when they got voted out. Ken has pegged Bob as the next one to go and Bob is no dummy, he's well aware that he's "toast" if his side doesn't win, or if they don't merge. He is hanging out there without any protection as things stand right now.

Fang can't get a fire going. Randy says it's a good thing we don't have any rice, we don't have anything to cook. I guess he's accepting camp without fire as ok. Or his "biting" wit just isn't that funny. IMO

The reward challenge involves a sling shot type device, three person size, that is one on each side holding the ends while the third person launches the ball which appears to be about grapefruit size.
Kota tribe enters without Marcus. Charlie is shocked, Corrine says she's pissed because he didn't "deserve it" which brought a crack from Susie, that it's a game. Corrine sits out for Fang.
The sling shot/catapult device is used to shoot towards a "hole" akin to a golf game. Ken manages to win the first round for Kota. Second round goes to Fang, tied now 1-1. At the last shot, Randy and Matty and Charlie argue while Sugar watches. Fang wins the reward. But Randy of course is still gritching about it.

They send Bob to exile island. Randy and Matty diss each other in interview right after the challenge (that they won). The reward is a trip to a local tribal village with food and festivities.

Fang is Charlie, Matty, Randy, Sugar and Corrine. Kota is Bob, Ken, Crystal and Susie.
Fang gets a bath from the women of the village. Charlie is feeling bad about Marcus being voted out, said he (Marcus) did a lot of the thinking for us. Randy enjoys the tribal dance and thought one of the women was coming on to him. He danced. So did Matty and then all of them danced in the circle with the women. Matty saw it as a relief break from the stress of the game.

Ken is out in the canoe getting stuck going in a circle because the side balance thing is stuck in the reeds. He brings back a fishing net with fish to Crystal and Susie. He feels like the man of the group there "alone with two beautiful women." He is really getting delusional. Meanwhile Bob is off to find the idol and choosing the clues rather than comfort not knowing it's gone. He follows the clues well and finds the nail in the tree where the idol used to be. He figures maybe Sugar found the idol but he's going to do something anyway and he creates a fake idol. He's hoping to fake out the others with his fake idol. Of course Ken nor Crystal will be fooled because they already know it's not out there. Poor Bob. He's a victim of circumstances beyond his control or knowledge. I hope he's not voted out tonight. Ace, who I did not like, and Marcus who I did like got booted in part because of their own arrogance and Bob hasn't been arrogant that we've seen so I hope he doesn't lose challenge and end up being booted anyway.

Challenge, is about being the best fire starter. Randy says Crystal couldn't start a fire with a book of matches and a can of gasoline. He admits he has hated Crystal from the beginning and holds a major grudge.

This is a merge, drop your buffs. The idol is an individual idol. The new buffs are blue. They get flint, steel and a box of fire making supplies. Make a fire and burn through the rope first and you get immunity.

Susie is first to get flame. Sugar now has flame. No one else is even in it. Susie's fire is up to the rope, so is Sugars. Susie wins immunity! All of the guys don't even have a flame. They return to one camp, the old Fang camp. Interview right after shows Randy saying he's not going back to camp tonight (after TC) with Crystal. He says she'll be gone or he'll be gone. Geez Randy, you may be taking this too personally.

After the return to Fang camp they have all of the possessions and supplies from Kota.
Corrine talks to Sugar who is the swing person right now, trying to convince her to get along with Randy and vote Crystal out. Corrine thinks Sugar buys it, but calls her a moron in interview.
Ken, Crytal Matty Susie talk about Corrine. Ken wants to get Charlie out so he talks to them, making up that Charlie is the brains behind Kota even though it's not true. Ken talks to Sugar and says we'll get Corrine later, we need to get Charlie. Ken is still mad that Charlie cost him the second hidden immunity idol at the feast. Sugar realizes she's the "maiden of the hour". However she is aware that Ken will lie and she doesn't talk to Crystal, but also doesn't like some on the other side so she is not sure which way she's going to go, she really has no alliance at this moment, but both sides want her and she is very aware it's up to her.

Jeff says at TC, no talking to the jury. Jeff asks Randy about the tension on the last shot of the reward challenge. Randy says Matty's shot would have made it 9 times out of 10 but his shot would have made it 10 times out of 10. Then they get into the argument between Crystal and Randy. She says what's the beef, he says you and TC were running the tribe and split it and cost them challenges. Jeff asks her if she ever regrets any of her emotions, as she's been pretty vocal, she says she does not. Jeff talks to Charlie and Kenny a bit. Then he asks Randy about who has changed in his opinion. Randy says Kenny has grown. Sugar thinks she "knows"who everybody is.
Vote
Randy votes for CC (Crystal) and says "Bitch".
Ken writes down Charlie and says "Sorry Charlie"
Ken votes Crystal
Sugar thinks a while before she writes down a name.

Tally - Crystal, Crystal, Crystal, Crystal, Charlie, Charlie, Charlie, Charlie, and last vote is Charlie, and Corrine is shocked, Marcus shakes his head from the jury box.
Bob lowers his head a bit worried apparently.

Randy wrote down "C.C." When Jeff pulled the vote he asked who wrote that, and Randy spoke up saying "Crystal Cox" Jeff sort of scolds him saying if you don't want everyone to know who you voted for you have to write down a name so I don't have to ask. I suspect he didn't care. Of course now she is still there and knows but then again, it wasn't a secret.

Now if I have this right the merge has produced not a merge but a realignment of two major alliances. Crystal, Kenny, Matty and Susie (now with Sugar?) against Randy, Corrine and Bob?
Kenny is the gamer and he's really playing a good game of Survivor for such a geek, but he knows it so he might want to be careful. Sugar knows he lies. She might soon let him think she's going with him and flip yet again. Randy, Corrine and Bob are clearly at a disadvantage as far as the numbers go and Randy's open hatred of Crystal has just put a huge target on his back since she's in so tight with Kenny. I'd bet Kenny will have her back against Randy when push comes to shove. He needs to needs to get into the game as a game more than the personal vendetta he's on right now. Bob doesn't seem to have done anything wrong except be lined up with the wrong guys which could be a fatal mistake at this point. He and Kenny can match brains but Kenny has the conniving skills that Bob seems to be lacking at the moment.

I have no idea who's going to win this one. Corrine treats the other females with disdain until she needs them. None of them is dumb enough to fall for it. They just tolerate her for their own advantage. Susie is a surprise as the first individual immunity winner in my book, but I don't see her lasting. Randy, poor thing, is not likely to make it to the finals because of his attitude. Sugar has managed to stay out of the fray and clash of personalities by going to exile so much and that gives her the hidden immunity idol safety net as well. I guess even though Crystal is surprisingly worthless at challenges her hook up with Kenny has served her well. And I must say Kenny the gamer has played the game better than anyone else in the over all picture. After all, it's about surviving but on top of that, it is a game. If his ego doesn't get in the way or if he doesn't over reach, things look good for him but this year, getting confident has been a huge mistake.

DWTS results "serious contenders" are still fun to watch.

2008-11-11T17:01:00.000-08:00

After the review show of last night's dances we begin the results show that will leave us with the four semi-final couples. This is the point where I'm often amazed at how far some of the stars have grown into accomplished dancers. They are of course "performers" by nature whether they are in sports, acting, singing or modeling but this requires an element of performance with which they are generally unfamiliar. Not to mention I enjoy watching the fun of the dancing and the creativity of the choreography and the dazzle and cut of the costumes. Tom says "Only serious contenders remain" and he couldn't be more right.

Julianne returns to dance tonight and Lacey does a number with her brother Benji. He's very cute and could probably be one of the pro partners one day.

Cody stands between Edyta and Julianne. One has to think he's one lucky 18 year old young man. I hope he is not eliminated tonight so Julianne can dance with him again.

Maurice and Cody tied for 4th. Lance is 3rd. Warren is 2nd and Brooke is in 1st as we work our way through the elimination show.
First two couples safe are Warren & Kym plus Lance & Lacey.

We have a bit with a relationship specialist who addresses different elements in each of the relationships. It is a very brief moment with each couple and a very brief statement about them from the doctor. Sorry but it wasn't as interesting as I thought it would be because there simply wasn't any real depth to it which is probably due to the time constraints. Good try but this segment missed the mark for me. After Derek and Julianne's dance they return with the doctor talking with Cody and Julieanne. Cody got really emotional and he and Julianne both cried because he cares for her and he was worried about her going into surgery. That segment dropped the one line "advice" by the doctor and was worth the time spent. While other couples bits had ended with the Doctor saying things like "they really want to win" which is true, for every couple that has made it this far.

Derek comes out dancing down the steps to "Great Balls o' Fire" and opens the big grand piano top, when he lets it down Juliane is beside him. They get to some "fancy dancin' " for sure. This is a very very energetic and fun dance and it's very good to see her able to get back in the swing of things with so much "swing".

Brad Paisley does another song while3 couples dance. I enjoy these guest star music segments but always feel somewhat distracted with the time split between the performer and the dancers, as the camera switches between them. It was nice to see Max again but he has a new haircut, which is very short in the style that some guys are doing now days that seems to be rather minimalist and not to my liking. Hey I grew up in the 60's, I like long hair, or at least SOME hair.

There is a bit with a kinseologist (?) who talks about the anatomy of a dancer and it is a nice segment that shows the athleticism required to be a professional dancer.

The next couple who is going to the semi-finals is Brooke & Derek. The elimination after the break is between Maurice & Cheryl and Cody & Edyta.
The couple with the lowest combined score is Maurice and Cheryl. These dancers scores are so close it's all about that fan base who votes. That is not to say the final winner isn't the best but on the way to the finale sometimes it seems the order of the eliminations is partially determined by the fan base. But all in all I have been more consistently happy with the outcome/winner of this show than some of the other reality shows I've become addicted to over the last few years.

Finalists for next week are Warren & Kim, Lance & Lacey, Brooke & Derek and Cody & Julianne. High praise goes to Edyta for filling in and putting herself in a very risky position. She did well, Cody is still there and now it's up to Julianne herself to get one more trophy if she can. Will she pull it off? I don't know, I see great strengths in what she has done with Cody, yet her brother Derek has Brooke to work with which will give Julianne a run for her money to be sure. While I really enjoy Lance & Lacey, she's new and I have a sense she is not quite as in tune with what the judges are looking for and a great deal of this competition relies on the choreography that will suit the judges strict requirements for each dance, yet show off the strengths and hide any weaknesses of the partners. While Warren is fun to watch and doing a great job I don't see him making it all the way. It will be interesting to see how it all ends.

DWTS - Double up, Double down, Double dance

2008-11-10T17:01:00.000-08:00

As much as I adored her it's a good thing Cloris isn't here now. Tonight required a lot of work and the dances showed it. This was a night for younger dancers to show their energy, focus and concentration. It wasn't about comedy or entertaining but real dancing, doubled. Each couple learned two dances for tonight, one ballroom and one Latin which required a 15 second solo by the star. Sort of like poker, not the final or semi-final so it's not "all in" but it sure is time to double up.

Two dances, a Ballroom and a Latin dance with a 15 second solo in the Latin dance.

At the bottom last week Cody & Edyta, are first to perform tonight. Cody's very aware of what's at stake this week. Their first dance tonight is the ballroom dance, the Foxtrot. He looks very smooth to me and very elegantly grown up.
The Judges comments - Len says two dances doesn't mean they expect less and he was pleasantly surprised. Bruno says elegant and sophisticated and his most grown up performance so far. Carrie Ann says it was great but she sees Edyta's foot come off the ground so she takes off a point for that. She says, "I know but it's my role in life" (watching for a foot to come off the ground).
Scores - 8 + 8 + 8 = 24

Brooke & Derek do their ballroom dance, the Tango. I don't know, different dance and it's hard for me to tell how good it was. Judges say - Bruno says more than a tango, loved it. He calls it stunning. Carrie Ann says that is why you are the last woman standing. Len says he saw some things, out of sync one place etc. He says he's judging her on a higher standard (because she's been so good) and it was riddled with mistakes.
Scores - 10 + 8 + 10 = 28

Maurice & Cheryl and the Quickstep. Their Latin dance will be Pasa Doble. The QuickStep looked good to me. Carrie Ann said she loved the posture and the head angles. Len says great footwork, did a very good job. Bruno says it was good all the way through. He says most of the time they don't get all the way through it strong but Maurice did, good footwork, good posture.
Scores - 8 +8 + 8 = 24

Lance & Lacey do the Samba and the Foxtrot tonight. Tonight they are trying to do professional steps to keep Len happy without too much gimmick. Again it looks very elegant and he's very charming. There is a lot of "character" to their dance, with Lance's expressions.
Judges say: Len - he calls it extreme makeover. Says the footwork is still a bit dodgy but over all he liked it. Bruno says the classic style yet retained their quirkiness that makes them special. Carrie Ann says truly a bright light.
Scores 9 + 8 + 9 = 26

Warren & Kym are doing the tango and the jive tonight. The tango is first. I did like he choreography. The music was the James Bond theme song. He says something in her ear just after it ends.
Judges: Bruno says watch out James Bond. It was a mean tango. Carrie Ann says it was fantastic and he really connects with the audience. Len says last week a flop, this week on top, you're in it now.
Scores 10 + 9 + 9 = 28

The Latin rounds

Cody & Edyta doing the Mambo. He does a great solo, with some very grown up moves. He ends with a jump and landing on his side on the judges table.
Carrie Ann says A for effort and A for energy but a little erratic. Len says he hopes Warren doesn't do the same ending. He says a little stiff but he's done 2 good dances tonight. Bruno say the Mambo fever but a little spasmodic at times, but they all appreciate the effort he put into it.
Scores 8 + 8 + 8 = 24
The update on Julianne is that she's rested and ready to come back and dance with Cody if he makes it through. She will be back dancing during the results show tomorrow night.

Brooke & Derek doing the Mambo. Brooke dances right at the judges table swinging her hips wildly as the dance begins. Bruno seems to enjoy it. I think that time was her solo at the beginning rather than at the end of the dance.
Judges say, Len says it was great, could not see her foot action but her hips proved her feet and legs had to be right. Bruno says you are a great dancer. Carrie Ann says it seemed like a solo out of place, and criticized her posture at times but a great dance and wonderful performance.
Score 9 + 9 + 9 = 27

Maurice & Cheryl doing Pasa Doble. They begin with him dragging her out across the floor. He does his solo with the cape spinning but if that's all it was there were no steps. hmmm
Bruno says strong, imposing and powerful. Carrie Ann loves the focus. She gives a bit of critique. Len says he is not usually a fan of the cape work but he liked it tonight.
Scores 8 + 8 + 8 = 24

Lance & Lacey do the Samba. His solo is shortly after the beginning. He does a lot of steps, and did it well I thought. He can sure make a dance look sexy and hot.
Judges say, beginning with Carrie Ann that she thinks the Samba is one of the hardest dances. She says he needs to watch his spot, she finds it distracting. Len says he saw elements of the Samba but he doesn't seem to think it had the samba flavor to it. (choreography) Len says the footwork is atrocious. Bruno says he did a very difficult Samba. He disagrees with Len (well duh).
Scores 8 + 7 + 9 = 24

Tomorrow night Lacey dances with her brother. Ballroom dancing sure does seem to run in families doesn't it?

Warren & Kym do the jive for their Latin dance. The Jive is Latin? OMG Warren does some really cool jive moves during his solo which is shortly after the beginning. He is amazingly light on his feet for the huge guy that he is. Even Kym is winded after this.
Len says you epitomize the phrase "I could dance with joy." But he says the foot work was awful. Bruno says the footwork was a little flat but Kym choreographed to his strength. Carrie Ann says it was a little flat but he kept up. This is one of those cases where I obviously don't know what I'm talking about. I disagreed with what they said but as the scores come out, I didn't disagree with what they gave.
Scores 9 + 8 + 9 = 26

Next week is the private instruction from Len. I always like that.

Tonight, the standings after the judges scores are -

Brooke & Derek 28 + 27 = 55/60

Warren & Kym 28 + 26 = 54/60

Lance & Lacey 26 +24 = 50/60

Cody & Edyta 24 + 24 = 48/60

Maurice & Cheryl 24 + 24 = 48/60

I'm predicting that Maurice goes just based on his fan base not as large or active as Cody's Hannah Montana fans.

TAR If you don't read the clue carefully, you don't "get it".

2008-11-09T17:24:00.000-08:00

The episode tonight does not involve an airplane ride so it does not get "equalized". Ken and
Tina must do an extra task for coming in last at the non-elimination leg last week. The tasks are all in New Delhi tonight, and as we've seen before in some other countries, some people don't seem to appreciate the culture, or the circumstances of the native people. The negativity shows a lot about who they are, in my opinion. If you have ever seen the show, you should know this is quite an adventure, and for a large cash prize, it's going to be a difficult adventure.

Nick & Starr start out first, headed for an apt complex. Search for the clue box
Kelly and Christy are next to leave.
Toni & Dallas 3rd to leave.
Terrence & Sarah 4th. She talks about the relationship, doing better, he looks uncomfortable to me.
Andrew and Dan leave next talking about their strengths.
Ken and Tina leave last. All are looking for taxi who knows where they are going. He says it is challenging their relationship.

Road block is taking part in the cultural celebration at the apartment complex grounds where they get pelted with powdered dye and climb a ladder to get a clue, searching through many that say try again to find the right one.
Starr goes in for Nick & Starr
Kelly & Christy have taxi problems.
Starr is done, they go to where they search through bird cages for their clue.
Toni and Dallas find the apt, Dallas does it. He makes it. Away they go.
Kelly and Christy find the apt. Kelly goes for it. She really gets pelted,. She runs through but comes back before getting to the ladder, with paint in her mouth.
Terrence and Sarah arrive.
Kelly goes in again. She finds the ladder, yanks one envelope, not knowing it's the wrong one.
Terrence goes in for Sarah and Terrence. Gets to the ladder.
Kelly must go again. Sarah is cheering on Terrence. Kelly pulls one envelope again.
Andrew and Dan arrive. Terrence gets theirs. Kelly goes in again.
Dan (or) Andrew goes in. Says it was like a wild party but without girls. Sorry, I cannot remember which of those boys is which.
Terrence is whining about the paint in his nose.
Andrew/Dan gets theirs. Kelly tries and misses again.
She gets tripped, falls down, runs back, says she can't do it. She has watched Terrence get it, Andrew/Dan get it and yet she doesn't "get it". I guess I still haven't "warmed up" to them yet. I can't imagine that they win the race in the end.
ahhhh they decide to read the clue again. DUH The paint throwers come after Christy now too. LOL
She "gets it" and she gets it.
Ken goes in for he and Tina. Kelly & Christy can't get a taxi because they are so covered in the paint. Tina gets pelted by paint too, calls the people morons. They get a taxi, as do Kelly and Christy finally.

Nick & Starr get to the temple take off shoes and socks, didn't like having to walk barefoot among the bird cages. They find their clue.

Detour either follow a power line, find a guy, give him a list of numbers from the tags on the wires. or "Teary eyes", go to spice market, pick up bags of chili powder and use mortar & Pestle to grind up chili's but could burn their eyes.

Nick and Starr find clue.
Toni and Dallas find clue.
Terrence has Sarah going into the bird cages searching under the gravel tray.

They choose teary eyed, chili grinding.
Andrew and Dan find clue in bird hospital, choose bleary eyed.
Kelly and Christy flip out in the taxi being "scarey" while they look so awful.
Ken and Tina must serve holy water to thirsty temple gatherers. This is their speed bump.
Nick and Starr do the bleary eyed power line task.
Dallas and Toni do that as well. Nick acts like they don't know what they are doing, but Dallas and Toni figure it out while with them. Those four about even. Dallas I think said he's glad they helped them figure it out. It is eye for detail. Lest we forget, Dallas and Starr may be an "item".

Terrence and Sara arrive at the chili bags. These two whine a lot and I think the peppers will be very difficult for them. It seems Terrence is having trouble staying bent over the peppers to do the grinding. He just got the paint out of his nose, now he has chili pepper smell going up it. ROFLOL
Frat boys are stuck in traffic.
Christy and Kelly are now in a smaller cart like taxi. I'm not sure if they stayed in the same taxi or not. It seemed to me like their driver was getting upset with their stupid "roaring" in the back and I thought it looked like a different guy driving next time we see them but I might be wrong. Clearly he wasn't laughing with them or at them though.

Ken and Tina serving water. This is their speed bump. They must serve water to people who come to a temple until everyone has water if they want it. Tina learns to say "welcome" in the native language.
Terrence and Sarah having trouble with the chili.
Frat boys doing the power line task.
Ken and Tina are done with the speed bump and must go back to the bird hospital. They are stressing, Tina is very green from the paint. LOL

Ken & Tina get out of the taxi because of the traffic jam and get out to direct traffic, moving whatever was in the way so the traffic can move again.
Nick/Starr and Dallas/Toni finish their task and get their clue. Must make their way through the busy streets of Delhi to find a tomb that is the pit stop.
Terrence and Sarah crushing peppers, and she slams him during the interview.
Andrew and Dan figure out what tags they are looking for now.
Tina and Ken get the clue and choose ...
Andew and Dan get their numbers wrong.
Kelly and Christy are rding in a cart to get their power line numbers.

Andrew and Dan missing the tags and details again. As Kelly and Christy are turned back after their numbers are wrong as well.
At the pit stop....

Nick and Starr are the first to arrive.

Toni and Dallas are team 2.
Andrew and Dan get numbers wrong again.
Kelly and Christy still in their cart looking for numbers again.
Ken and Tina doing the power lines and numbers.
Kelly and Tina wrong again.
Chili's finally done for Terrence and Sarah.
The girls are still in their cart while everyone else walks the power line route. Again, he says not right.
Finally they walk it.
Ken and Tina get the clue with the right numbers the first time.
Frat boys and divorcees still searching the power lines, while Ken and Tina leave for the pit stop.

The girls finally figure out what they are looking for. Tina tells Andrew and Dan what they are looking for, as they leave for the pit stop.
The boys run, get to the guy first. He gives them the clue. Actually he gives them something to plug into a decoration at the shop nearby, then it lights up and they get their clue.

Ken and Tina arrive next despite their speed bump.
The frat boys are caught in traffic again. The girls too, as they bad mouth India.

At the tomb, Andrew and Dan arrive as team 5
Kelly and Christy arrive last. They have been eliminated. They cry, say how much they enjoyed it and how proud they are with what they've done. They came in last once again because they didn't read the clue carefully, so I guess they didn't learn their lesson from the beginning. Oh well. (rolling eyes)

Survivor Gabon - Shake, Rattle and Roll

2008-11-06T16:58:00.000-08:00

Another tribal shake up, Mattie rattles his competition and Crystal rolling over on her promise to keep someone safe. Marcus and Randy manage to turn the second not-so-hidden immunity idol into forbidden fruit that no one will touch, taking it out of play. Survivor is about out-smarting and out-lasting. This season it's certainly not about showboating and being over-confident tends to get you a trip down the path away from Tribal Council in the dark, without your torch.

Kota has won 9 out of 11 challenges.
Randy says this last tribal council was hard. He voted for Susie to go out and is sad Dan, his friend left. Randy kinda gets on Susie as do several others. Corrine dissing Susie. Susie says she feels like she has "the power" although I don't understand where she's getting that. There seems to be some discord that night after the tribal council but from what I could tell it was mostly aimed at Susie.

Fang after TC. Sugar is feeling her power. Mattie says it was a text book blindside but he says he's glad he stuck to his word. He is concerned though that he voted for Crystal and that she will be coming after him. Sugar says she trusts Ken more than she ever trusted Ace. The decide they have to start over and stick together. They openly discuss that Sugar has the hidden immunity idol.

Treemail talks about a feast. "A brand new tribe, a brand new tribe..." and a move to the beach. They all arrive at the feast and act happy to see each other, very happy to see the food. They ALL get to eat then when done they open a mystery box. Fang tribe members are stuffing their faces. Ken sees some clues sticking out under a bowl. Says it's a cue to another HII, but Charlie sees the clue and blows it for Ken, not able to choose between keeping it to himself or sharing it. Randy says he sees it. Randy digs in the sand, finds the idol, says he doesn't want it, if anyone else wants it then take it. They debate whether to take it, each one. Matty says it's the apple in Eden. If you take it you will get thrown out. They take the idol to the beach and send it out to sea. Randy is arrogant saying he's the king of Gabon. Marcus and Randy throw it out in the sea. Marcus says it's stupid, he got 10 people to throw away an immunity idol.

Mystery box.... 10 stones. pick out of the box. The odd numbers are the new Fang tribe and even are new Kota. Shake up the members again
Yellow Susie Ken and Crystal Marcus Bob
Red Randy Charly and Corrine Sugar, Charly
Marcus says I don't need immunity idol, I have great relationships.
Susie says she has great power and can swing with Crystal and Bob
Crystal doesn't feel secure.

Marcus discovers Crystal is the cousin of one of his best friends back home and that sort of throws a wrench in his plans. She tells Marcus she won't write his name down but she says in interview, that's just her playing the game

The Kota 6 plan to stick together and work on getting out what is left of the Fang tribe.
Matty says he's ok Ace got out but is upset with Sugar for going with Crystal. He tells her Ace was NOT voting for her. Now she's crying and knows she made a big mistake, getting duped by Kenny and Crystal. They seem to have each other's back now.

Marcus and Bob talk about the final six thing and Marcus feels better but he's unsure of
Susie. She tells Marcus she's in the middle and can go either way.
She tells him she thinks final 6 is ok, but she wants to be in final 3. In that tribe right now, Marcus and Bob are close, while Ken and Crystal are close so Susie is the "swing vote". This is smarter than letting yourself be considered "odd man out". Susie's talking tough.

Treemail
Randy says something about get rid of Matty then it doesn't matter what crazy Susie does. Randy says a one in a billion chance Sugar is a rocket scientist and has the idol. Oh wow. that was dumb Randy
Matty is feeling very vulnerable.

Corrine says she doesn't feel like Fang.

With arms outstretched hold two poles... the last person standing (endurance) wins Immunity for their entire tribe.
Crystal is out in one second. Sugar is out after 10 seconds. Susie is out. Randy and Corrine out. Fang has 2 people left.
Kenny is out for Kota. Bob and Marcus for Kota left, Charly and Matty left for Fang.
Marcus out for Kota, only Bob left
Charly is out. It's a showdown between Bob and Matty. Matty is laughing and trying to rattle
Bob but is close to losing his pole. Bob hanging in then loses it. Matty wins immunity for Fang tribe. Corrine says it's Faaang not Fong.
Kota goes to TC tonight, someone will be going home. Susie's question is can I get to final 3 by trusting Marcus.

Marcus talking after the challenge. Crystal starts explaining why she dropped out so fast. Marcus says Ken or Crystal has to go home tonight and he would rather it be Ken. He talks to Crystal about it. He offers her a spot on Kota six rather than Susie. She says can you sell them on it, and he says yes. But she's not crazy about him wanting to knock off her strongest ally. She realizes he's scheming but she says she is scheming. Marcus talks to Susie about how awful Crystal is. Susie realizes Bob will follow Marcus. She feels safer with Marcus right now. They start discussing the order of people going. She's buying what he's selling.
Ken and Crystal, she explains to him they want to vote him off and she can't let them do it. So they know they need Susie on their side. It's riding on Susie.
Crystal tells Susie Marcus is lying to her, if she'll write down Marcus then Crystal will vote off Marcus. and so will Kenny. Susie is not comfortable that Crystal can get her to final three. She is having to weigh her options and hopefully make her best choice for herself and her future.

TC - Ken and Marcus get into it a little in TC when Ken calls him out for obviously planning to take out Fang people as a strategy. Susie when asked says she's made her decision and she's happy with it.
Marcus votes out Ken
Crystal votes out Marcus
Bob votes out Ken
Ken votes out Marc-Ace
Susie is the deciding vote.
Tally is Marcus, Ken, Ken, Marcus, Marcus is out of survivor and first member of the jury.
Bob is worried, or exasperated. Another blind side.

This will not make Randy happy, Susie not only stayed, she took out Marcus and Bob knows it.
Looks kinda like Crystal is the real snake, at least for now. Marcus fell for the "best friend's cousin" thing. I liked him and wish he'd stayed but you can't play this game with any "attachments" that are superficial, not based on knowing the person, building the bond of a true alliance.
Next week - Kenny is the man of the house for Kota, says he can win this game. Randy is seen ordering Matty what to do during a challenge.

Marcus good bye message, I forgive but don't forget. He knows who wrote his name down.
He says he feels bad for Bob because now he's in jeopardy.

all I can say is........... WOW.

Ace was over confident and got blindsided. Marcus was not worried about his place and got blindsided. Kenny now thinks he can win this game. That plus Sugar finding out from Matty that Ken lied to her, tricking her into voting out her ally Ace leaves Kenny potentially in a lot of trouble if the pattern continues. Fang isn't good at challenges but those left are pretty good and lying and scheming and playing the players. Well it's certainly not "predictable" so far, at least in my humble opinion.

DWTS - Marching to the beat of one drummer ... or not.

2008-11-03T17:05:00.000-08:00

Another first. Tonight half of a couple's score is based on their individual dance while the other half of their score is the team dance so the total points will depend to a certain extent on what the "team" gets in the second dance. Two teams dance. One is the Cha Cha and the other is the Pasa Doble. The team concept seems to be more difficult for some that others. Add that to the frustration and problems between some couples, and Edyta stepping in for Juliane to dance with Cody and we have an interesting outcome.

Warren and Kym do the foxtrot. Len Goodman is back as judge. He says it wasn't your best dance and it wasn't a classic foxtrot. Bruno is wearing a boa, and says "I am what I am." (yikes) He says Warren was flat footed and needs to go back to normal. Carrie Ann asks him what was not right tonight and he says "his feet". Apparently he's not comfortable in his shoes tonight and it really tool its toll. He says back stage they just are not what he usually wears.
Scores 7+7+7 = 21 They will add the team dance from tonight to their scores as well.

Next they show some of the frustration between some of the couples. (Cloris isn't there to keep them laughing?)

Susan and Tony doing the Pasa Doble. During rehearsal she gets very frustrated wth him and he says he's not frustratedwith her but needs her to get angry for this dance. Bruno says well done. Carrie Ann makes her stand near the judges table and say "I am doing GOOD" Len says it's one of her best dances, well done.
Scores 8+8+8 = 24 or Susan & Tony.

Tomorrow is election coverage so results show will be Wednesday at 8 Central time. The team dance is going to be a Cha Cha & Pasa Doble.

Maurice and Cheryl doing the Cha Cha. Judges say... Carrie Ann says it was great, Len also says it was his best dance. Bruno says Happy Days are Here Again with Maurice.
Scores 8+9+8 = 25

Cody and his partner Edyta filling in for Julianne while she recovers from her surgery. They go visit Juliane in the hospital and she gives Edyta
Dancing the Vienese Waltz. Judges say -Len says getting a new partner is like getting a new pair of shoes. you have to get comfortable. He thinks Cody and Edyta looked comfortable with each other but he didn't think Cody looked comfortable with the dance. Bruno says it was like watching a fledgeling bird that was not quite ready to take off. Carrie Ann says she thought it was great. I'm not sure when Julianne is coming back.
Scores 8+7+7 = 22

Lance and Laci who got three 9's last week seem to be having difficulty as well with the frustration during rehearsal. He has hurt his toe and they are having difficulty. She says he's being so negative. She is actually crying in frustration with his negative attitude. The next day she apogizes to him and they try to work it out. Dancing the Rhumba. They look very happy with each other at the end of the dance. Judges say - Bruno - seductive, and he thinks it's wonderful. Carrie Ann says it was a great risk and a great payoff. Len says he didn't get it, it didn't enhance the performacne. He danced without shoes tonight. It was apparently unconventional for the Rhumba. Len really goes off on it in his crabby way. He seems to greatly disagree with both Bruno and Carrie Ann.
Scores 9+7+9 = 25 (Len really didn't like it)

Brooke & Derek do the foxtrot. They look back at last week and her "failed" Rhumba. She too is dealing with a foot injury. Their rehearsals are much more positive that Susan's or Lance's during the week. This looks very classic. They were very elegant.
Judges - Carrie Ann says "wow". Len says it had so many great elements it was more than the sum of it's parts. Bruno says Gobsmacking beautiful from start to finish.
Scores 10+10+10 = 30 (Good Job there Brooke & Derek!!)

Team work. Two teams of three couple
Maurice & Cheryl, Brooke & Derek and Warren & Kym make up team Pasa Doble.
Team Cha Cha is Susan & Tony, Lance & Laci, Cody& Edyta.
Their scores will depend on the weakest dancer's score.

First ever team dance is the Cha Cha. They come out all together but then Cody & Eyta take center stage for a short bit, next Susan and Tony do some solo time and finaly lLance and Laci do their thing in the spotlight. It wraps up with the 3 teams doing their steps together but they are not in sync as well as they should be, I'm sure.
Judges say - Len says doing the routine in a formation is difficult. Says Lance and Laci saved the day for the solos. Bruno seems to feel the same. Carrie Ann says the unison was terrible. But Lance and Laci did a great job.
Scores will be done by getting one over all score and that will be used for their second score of tonight.
Scores 6+7+7 = 20
They are keeping a good attitude about it.

Team Pasa Doble. Warren and Kym. do the first solo and he does very good. Next in center stage is Warren and ... who are also on. Derek and Brook do a great entended spin. Derek is such a sharp young man. Then baclk to the group which is more in unison that the other group I think. They end it well. They kicked butt on the team dance.
Judges says they looked invincable. Says they looked like a team, he loved it. Carrie Ann says they were all flawless in their solos. Len agrees but says it's easier to keep the unison in a marching dance that a cha cha. He says it was stronger and better than the other but he just wants to make the point it was a litte easier to do that with this dance.
Scores 10+9=10 = 29
This gives Brooke and Derek a great score for the evening.

Next week they will have to do two individual dances so there is a lot of work to be done.

Top is Brooke & Derek with 59. Maurice and Cheryl have 54. Warren & Kym have 50. Lance & Laci have 45. Susan & Tony with 44. Cody and Edyta at the bottom with 42.

TAR - a million dollar taxi ?

2008-11-02T17:02:00.000-08:00

After the recap from last week, which I'm sorry I missed, we see the last pit stop in Cambodia. Six teams including a time penalty for Terr and Sara. Nick and Starr depart first, for a flight to Delhi India, where they get a taxi to the place where they get their next clue. They are expecting confusion. They must go to a travel agency to get their flight. Dallas and his mother leave next, he discusses the difficulty of trying to talk to Starr with his mother and Nick around. Ken and Tina begin by talking about the difficulty in their relationship. Kelly and ... talk about having fun with each other. Ken and Tina having trouble because Tina's "so strong" (a nag). Everyone is arriving at the travel agent and booking their flights, I think everyone is on the same flight, as usual.

Arriving in Delhi they take off running for the taxis.

Kelly & Christy refuse Nick's advice to put on something over their shorts. He noticed some of the strange looks they were getting earlier on the plane. While they manage to get through this part of the race ok, it would have been more "polite" to consider the culture and throw on some sweat pants. They said it was too hot.

They all see cows in the street and crazy traffic. Tina argues that she knows where they are going but Ken thinks differently. It causes them some tension.

Nick & Starr get to the road block clue first. Paint the taxi after masking over the yellow. It's a small vehicle. Nick and Starr are there with Andrew and Dan and all four are working on their task pleasantly. Dallas and Toni arrive. Nick says he thinks the budding romance is cute (between Dallas and Starr). Some of the teams are still lost and can't find the place. Ken and Tina, as well as Terrence and Sara are still looking for it. Ken and Tina find it last. Getting more frustrated as they have communication problems with the taxi drivers.
Personal note: I enjoy watching but I know I would not like doing this because of the stress and frustration when running behind.

Tina is ordering Ken around while he does the masking on the taxi. In interview he says things aren't going that well, he doesn't want a lifetime of having to struggle to have a relationship.
Dallas did well coaching Toni while she did it. Terrence and Sarah are fighting while she does the task. I would not want to spend much time around some of these couples!

Dan and Andrew are first to finish the roadblock. Now they must go to the Ambassador Hotel and search the grounds for the guy that has the clue.
Andrew and Dan having navigation problems, Nick and Starr seem to be on their way. Ken & Tina had their taxi driver wait so they have a taxi when done. Terrence and Sarah are last to be done and they know they are last.

Nick and Starr arrive at the detour first. Choice launder money or launder clothes.
Create a necklace with Indian money exchanging their own money, or go to laundry shop, use charcoal heated iron to press 20 pieces of clothing.
Kelly/Christy and Andrew/Dan are laundering clothes. Dallas and Toni are doing the clothes as well. so are Nick and Starr. Terrence and Sarah chose money, Ken and Tina arrive last and choose money. Various cabs are lost as usual. Christy/Kelly are still aggravated with Nick and Starr and that they were there first.

Andrew and Dan arrive way behind on the ironing task. Ken/Tina and Terrence/Sarah are doing the money necklace. The task is in a place that is loud, and appears that it will be very complicated. Its a big wedding celebration with crazy dancing and loud music and they must give the completed necklace to the groom after getting through the crowd when they get it made. They have to get change for their money in just the right amount.

Nick and Starr finish ironing first. They must get through the confusing streets and find a landmark house. Phil says the last team "may" be eliminated. Terrence and Sarah have the right amount of money to make the necklace.

Nick and Starr arrive first at the pit stop. They each win an electric car.
They are good together. I enjoy watching them as they work through the race, and the budding romance between Starr and Dallas will be interesting to learn more about as I'm sure we will.

The frat boys find ironing to be a unique experience since they never iron.
Ken and Tina are still getting change while Terrence and Sarah are working on the necklace.

Kelly and Christy arrive as team 2.

Frat boys having a hard time ironing well enough. The crowds at the money thing are crazy. The winds blow over the frat boys stack of clothes.

The tension and frustration of being near the last takes its toll on the teams that most need to cooperate with each other. Who can survive it or avoid it is probably one reason many of us who like this show find it interesting, not to mention the travel, the customs and the cultures they experience.

The money necklace must be taken to the groom through the wild crowd. Terrence and Sarah find their groom before Ken and Tina.

Dallas and Toni are team number three.

Frat boys still ironing. I feel sorry for them because the task is so foreign to them and like most guys that age they are NOT good at it.

Terrence and Sarah arrive as team four.
I thought there was a time penalty but there is no mention of it.

Ken and Tina are wandering the street looking for a taxi.
Frat boys finally get their clue and find a taxi right away, hopefully one that knows where they are going.
Ken and Tina are fighting about getting IN the taxi. She's a pain and very demanding.

Andrew and Dan arrive as team five. They are ecstatic since they thought there were last.

Ken and Tina are last to arrive. This is a non elimination leg. The bad news is a speed bump will be encountered next time that only they have to complete. If they can't do that and still beat at least one other they will be eliminated. They both cry as they do their interview. This is the first time they have been last. The money is on Ken's mind as he told an earlier taxi drive that he may have cost him a million dollars when he got lost and finally turned them over to someone who could find the pit stop. Their relationship IS a struggle when things aren't going perfectly for them and I'm not sure I think she's worth it but we'll see if he decides to stay with her even if they lose the money.

Next weeks preview shows Tina and Kelly both losing their temper when being covered in some sort of paint being thrown at them. Both of these women are probably a bit too "foo foo" for this upcoming task.

Survivor Gabon - Just because I'm paranoid... doesn't mean they aren't out to get me.

2008-10-30T16:35:00.000-07:00

While Ace says Crystal is the next lamb to the slaughter, Ken sweet talks Sugar telling her Ace was ready, with his buddy Matty, to vote Sugar out. Ace knew he was a target from Crystal and Ken so asked Sugar outright this time for the hidden immunity idol. Sugar thinks Ace may indeed be about to vote her out so she doesn't hand it over so easily this time. Crystal seeing Matty and Ace talking in the canoe knows her name is being brought up. Dan on Kota is worried that he's not fitting in, and Susie takes the opportunity to tell Corrine who's planning on voting Susie out, that she was going to vote Corrine out.

After the recap we see the Fang tribe rationing the rice, measuring it and while Matty is worried about how much there is Crystal spills the rice. Sugar won't eat because she doesn't want to take it away from the others. Ken sees Matty and Ace going against Crystal. Ace says she'll be the next lamb to the slaughter. Y'know if he thought more in terms of getting the OTHER tribe out rather than who on his own tribe is going next it might be more productive while they are still on teams.

Kota tribe shows Dan feeling out of the group. Corrine notices and seems to feel for him but Marcus realizes Dan's paranoia is going to be a liability.

Challenge
Play keep away. Toss a breakable ball between members of one tribe while a member of the other tribe tries to break it. Reward is a helicopter ride and a nice afternoon picnic...and send a member of the losing tribe to exile. Corrine and Charly sit out. Randy is attacker for Kota Ace is attacker for Fang. Two tribe members of the opposite team toss the ball, Kota leads one zip, Bob and Sugar are the attackers. Jeff - Sugar "doing nothing, absolutely nothing." Kota scores again 2-0 game goes to 3
Matty attacker for Fang, Sugar drops the ball instead of catching it and Kota wins reward.
Sugar is sent again to exile for the 5th time. Matty gives a testimonial saying Sugar is a pin up model and useless and he would like to see her gone. He says it's madness, total madness. It's really amazing the way Fang always loses reward and Sugar always gets to go to exile and eat. That being the case it's not amazing that Fang then tends to lose the immunity challenges after that. The ONLY reason for Ace to not send her packing is because she hasn't given him the hidden immunity idol to keep while they are at tribal council. If she uses it tonight, and loses it by using it she's toast. What I don't quite understand is why that tribe has not yet made her use it or lose it and go home.

The helicopter ride is beautiful. Bob talks about the view of the crater. Susie too gets a testimonial and of course she was saying how fantastic it was.

Fang tribe, Matty says he's embarrassed, humiliated. He is going on about Sugar, says he hates her and he's getting pissed. Ace and Crystal watch silently. Matty goes in the canoe with Ace and tries to tell him to take Sugar out. Ace resists, Matty seems to fold and asks then what's next, and Ace says Crystal. Ken and Crystal at camp know that Ace is trying to oust her.

Kota tribe gets their picnic as well as letters from home. It's very emotional. Bob cries a lot while he's reading his off away from the group. The others do sit around reading and crying.

Exile shows Sugar in her hammock in the Sugar Shack. She says she doesn't know what's happening in this game. She's sticking with Ace she says in her testimonial. She realizes that may be stupid and she hopes he's not screwing her around.

Challenge
Good news and bad news. Both going to tribal council, but the good news is it's an equal shot at winning individual immunity idol. It's a log roll. Last person left standing wins immunity. In addition there's a twist that will be revealed after.
First two match up, Dan and Ace. Ace wins that one. Charlie vs Crystal. Crystal goes down Charly moves on to next round. Marcus vs Matty. Marcus wins
Randy vs Susie, Randy wins. Ken vs Sugar, Sugar wins. Bob vs Corrine, He says he won log roll in college. a long time ago. He stands very still, and he does get Corrine out, Bob moves on.
Charly vs Ace. Charly hits the water first by a fraction of a second. Randy and Marcus, Marcus wins. Sugar vs Bob, Bob in the water first, Sugar moving on. But only by a fraction of a second again.
Final round, all three on the log. Ace, in the middle, Sugar and Marcus. Sugar down, Marcus and Ace fighting for immunity. Ace loses and Marcus wins individual immunity. He gets a paper to read. It says you will now assign immunity to one member of the other tribe. He gives it to Sugar. He doesn't realize she has two I guess. Marcus thinks/hopes she will keep it for herself and Ace or Matty will get voted out.

Fang tribe is shown returning. Ken is saying he will do everything in his power to get Sugar to vote with him and Crystal. He meets with her and explains to Sugar how Matty wanted Sugar out. She doesn't know who to trust, knows he could be lying. He tells her things that are not true as far as I know but tries to get her to agree to vote out Ace. Ken tells Crystal he's convinced her. Crystal doesn't know whether she'll do it. Sugar talks to Ace who asks for the idol, to borrow. He says he needs to borrow it. She says why? She thinks this means Kenny is telling the truth. She tells Ace she'll think about it. Ace promises to give it back after the TC. She doesn't know what to do.

Tribal Council
Jeff - Sugar... tell me what's going on. She talks about the rice being low, Crystal knocking it over and not eating because she spilled it. Matty explains how valuable the rice is. He starts getting on her about it. Ace says Crystal made a mistake. He says her feeling like they blamed her is in her head. She gets defensive. They argue. Jeff - Sugar you have the perfect seat in this big drama. She says it's petty and this is why we haven't been winning, because they fight over petty things rather than work as a team. She keeps her individual idol for herself Crystal votes for Ace. Matty votes out Crystal and says he's been waiting for this day. No one plays the hidden immunity idol.
Votes - Ace, Crystal, Ace, Crystal, Ace is voted out! Matty looks confused, Crystal and Sugar and Ken all smile. I'm somewhat surprised. Matty shakes his head. Ace was blindsided. Sugar is smug. I don't know if Sugar didn't give him the idol or he was arrogant enough not to use it. I guess Crystal wasn't his "next lamb to slaughter!"

Coming up, Jeff says Susie commits social suicide.
Tribal council for Kota.
Day 21, late in the afternoon. Dan asks Marcus if he's going tonight. He says not that he knows of. Dan is showing some serious paranoia.
Charly, Corrine, Randy and Marcus (minus Bob) talk. They talk about Susie being more vulnerable than Dan. Corrine tells Susie she's not voting her out, says she thinks it's Dan. Susie says she's figured people were talking and she admits to Corrine she was going to vote Corrine out. She's being upfront (and stupid). Corrie says in testimonial "I hate her." Corrine goes to Randy with this info, and he says "yes I told you she was nuts." He says in testimonial that Susie's game is no game. Her vote can be bought. He says he wants her to go home soon. Corrine explains the convo to Charly and Marcus. They discuss that it could go either way. They know Dan COULD have the hidden Immunity Idol so they decide to go with voting out Susie.
Jeff - Marcus are you now looking out for yourself. He says we have to surround ourselves with the most powerful. Jeff - Susie is it fair to say you are vulnerable... who's weaker than you. Susie says Corrine maybe. Corrine disagrees. The two women get a bit bitchy with each other. Dan just looks nervous. Jeff asks Randy where do you sit on a scale of 1-10 with "letting it out" as opposed to keeping it to yourself. He says 8. (letting it out) Jeff asks Dan same thing and he says he's a worry wart and that's not good. Charly says they have to be able to trust each other going into a merge. He asks Corrine if tonight's vote could be a mistake. She says yes but she thinks she's ok with her vote
Bob votes, Susie votes out Dan, Dan votes out Susie. Marcus votes out Susie, says it's about Dan, not you.
Tally
Susie, Dan, Dan, Susie, Dan, Susie, Dan is voted out. Dan in his suit and tie leaves. Susie does not look comfortable with her win.

On the Fang tribe, Matty is left confused and maybe a bit out in the cold if Sugar, Ken and Crystal are making an alliance. I would have said they may want the strength he offers but at this point it's about time to start voting out the stronger ones, or it would be if they had more numbers going into the merge. It's hard to know but I think Fang is still more vulnerable without the power of Ace although they weren't winning anyway so maybe his strength was less of an asset than his arrogance was a detriment. Kota tribe seems to be playing a good strategy and winning food to keep their position of strength and power. The rest of this season ought to be very interesting.

Survivor Gabon A tribe is not a team.

2008-10-23T17:01:00.000-07:00

Fang may be a tribe but they are not a team. At this point in Survivor the reward and immunity challenges are still fought and won or lost as a team. That requires unity as a team, working together as a team or the team losing as individuals and being sent to Tribal Counsel to vote out another individual member of their team. American History teaches us,united we stand, divided we fall. Survivor Gabon is teaching the members of Fang the same lesson.

Ace says Tribal Counsel was sad, while Matty talks about every night he dreams about food, his girlfriend and his dog.

Over at Kota Dan seems to be the one pigging out and upsetting his tribe mates.

Ace tells Sugar they know she has the immunity idol so she decides to give it to him. He gets cocky in his testimonial about the power he has. Then he enjoys watching the elephant swimming in the river as he watches.

Reward challenge

Tethered to a 20 ft long snake that weighs 200 pounds they race around a track trying to catch up to and touch a member of the opposing tribe. Anyone can opt out if they are dragging by disconnecting from the snake. Corrine sits out. Kota gaining on fang. Fang is fading. Sugar and Kenny drop out and Fang moves faster. Kelli drops out so they are down to 3 members, Crystal, Ace and Mattie. Susie drops out for Kota. Crytal starting to drag. Mattie pushing but Crystal drops out, it's all on Mattie and Ace against 5 strong guys on Kota. Kota closing in and they win reward. Kota pigs out on a feast that includes fruit and eclares.

Crytal gets emotional at the loss and the sight of Kota eating. She says Randy is a troll. Kota sends Sugar to exile island again. I have no idea why. Maybe it's a way of being sure the idol is found and Fang knows who has it, and who is eating while the rest of them are not.

Sugar is indeed feeling guilty about the food she gets to eat while on exile island and the rest of her tribe is running very low on rice. Of course it does create tension among the tribe that doesn't have a team mentality anyway. Crystal, Ken and Mattie have been on the losing Fang from day one however it seems to be getting to Crystal more than the other two. She's stressed and resentful and tells the others they do not know what it is like because they had some time with food and being on a winning team.

Kota catches a large turtle. They cook up a gumbo and enjoy the reward of eating well from their own skills besides winning reward challenges.

Sugar comes in from exile island. Immunity challenge is an obstacle course while tethered in pairs. Susie sits out. The tethered pair must work their way through the obstacle course to a point where they untie and release the pieces that will be assembled into a flag pole. These sections are apparently very heavy and they must return through the obstacle course to their team before the next two can leave to get the next section.

Kelli and Sugar get quick start, Randy and Bob are dragging.
On the return fang loses a tremendous amount of time as Kelli and Sugar are dragging.
Crystal and Ace trying to catch up. Charlie and Corinne with a decent lead for Kota.
Ace and Crystal are making up time. Final two for kota is Marcus, for fang Mattie and Kenny who go quickly through the crawl through. Fang now passes Kota. They are in a dead heat returning with the flag pole sections. Now they must untie the pieces of the flag pole and assemble it. Ace tells Crystal get out of the way. He takes over not letting others help him and is trying to force the pieces together. Jeff tells them they fit together without forcing so he obviously is trying to join the wrong sections. Fang falling behind while Kota is working together. Kota wins immunity once again.

Jeff says that Kota continues to dominate. "If you continue to play like individuals you will continue to go to tribal counsel."

Crystal criticizes Ace, says they haven't won anything so how is he benefiting me.

Ace says Kelli is going home tonight. Mattie suggests they flush the idol tonight. He finally agrees with Ace to go get Kelli tonight. Mattie and Crystal talk.

Crystal is still wary of Ace and Sugar being in an alliance. Ken and Crystal talk. He's buying what she's selling. Mattie tries to push Ken to vote out Kelli after he and Ace talk and Ace convinces him not to worry about the idol. Mattie says he's locked in on Kelli, has made a promise he can't break. Ken talks to Sugar Ken tells Sugar to always keep it with her. I think she gets the idol back from Ace.

At Tribal Counsel
Mattie... we're cursed.
Kelli ... we can't work as a team.
Crystal slams Ace for pushing everyone away while putting the flag pole together.
Ace admits and takes the blame for how it "came together" (or not) at the end.
Crystal is called out by Jeff for crying. She talks about being frustrated with losing. Kelli gets on to Crystal and say when someone cries like that they are unstable. Crystal talks back to Kelli, saying she is not weak. Jeff eggs them on, saying "Kelli didn't say you were weak she said you were unstable."
Crystal talks again being frustrated. Kelli calls Ace out for talking about Crystal too. He objects to "being thrown under the bus." He is aware the plan is to get Kelli out tonight. His lamb is being led to slaughter.
Jeff says "Mattie you are one of the few guys who might have reason not to be worried." I didn't catch what his response to that was.

Ace votes Kelli
Mattie votes
Sugar votes
Kelli votes
Crystal votes someone she hates says go home but we don't see the name on the ballot.

Time to tally the votes - immunity idol is not played. Ace looks at Sugar and she shrugs so apparently she did take it back.

Kelli, Crystal, Kelli, Kelli, Kelli
Kelli is voted out. Ace smiles.
Jeff - "Tonight was the first tribal counsel that I saw some true passion. Maybe that's what was missing."

Next week each tribe will have to vote out one member.

DWTS - the energizer bunny

2008-10-21T17:04:00.000-07:00

Spanning the Globe, or at least the ages, from the youngest to the oldest stars who have ever danced on the show, we are being treated to an interesting, entertaining and unusual Dancing with the Stars season. From 18 to 80, it's all good. It's kinda like the energizer bunny watching Cody with his youth and energy growing into a fine performer along side of Cloris Leachman who keeps going and going.

Tonight the first hour was a recap of last night with a replay of yesterday's dances including the judges' comments and scores. The pre-dance segment is not included but a short backstage segment with comments from the couples showing their reaction to the remarks and scores. This fills the 7 pm (central time) time slot with the live results show beginning at 8 pm.

Lance & Lacy along with Cloris & Corky are the bottom two with 21.
Susan & Tony along with Toni & Alec have 22.
Warren and Kym have 25 while Maurice & Cheryl have 27.
Cody & Julianne have 28 while Brooke & Derk take the top spot with 29.

We get a sneak peak at the new movie High School Musical 3 Senior Year. Now the results show starts with the judges talking about the concept of 4 new dances for the stars as well as the pros. Len said he could not give a ten to a jitterbug which is why Brooke & Derek only got 29. He said it was like giving an Oscar to Mickey Mouse. He justifies the 21 for Lance & Lacy being the same as the 21 to Cloris & Corky because Cloris and Corky were so entertaining despite the fact that she's not as good a dancer. Next week the guest Judge is the Lord of the Dance Michael Flatley. The review dance was Cody & Julieanne's jitterbug.

The first guest tonight is The Brian Setzer Orchestra. Playing "We're gonna rock this town tonight" while Karina and her partner rock it out in a dance that is more like the dance I consider a "Jitterbug".

The first two couples who are revealed to be safe Warren & Kym and Cloris & Corky. They said this was in no particular order but Tom said later two couples will be revealed to be in the bottom two. He says it looks like an upset coming up. I'm guessing the bottom two are Lance & Lacy along with Toni and Alec and this result is quite likely based on the fan base Cloris has and I suspect Toni can't get anywhere close to.

Anthony and Alisa is the first "kids couple" dancing tonight. Dancing the Jive. Their dance is good, sometimes a bit like gymnastics. Of course Len said it was fantastic. Bruno asks her if she does ballet because of some of her hand and arm movements. Carrie Ann compliments them as well and reassures them someday they will be famous. Alisa made it clear in the pre-dance clips that she is intent on becoming famous.

Mitchell & Maria are the next young couple. They are dancing the Pasa Doble. They are serious and intense as they can be. Judges - Carrie Ann says they were fantastic, dance together like a perfect duo. Len compliments them. Bruno talks about the degree of sophistication. Of course they are very encouraging and positive for the youngsters and again I'm less than comfortable with the concept. I won't go into it again. This is for a place in the finals Moving on to the finals
Carrie Ann and Bruno vote for Mitchell & Maria while Len votes for Anthony & Alisa, which means Mitchell and Maria go on to the finals.

Macy's 150th birthday performance is a piece called "dancing through the decades" from the 30's to 60's to 80's and into the future. This is a big BIG production. Big set, lighting, costume design. with lots of hours and months in planning and preparation. A large dance troupe, a lot of flash, pizzazz and sparkle. Then there';s a bit about Macy's showing a lot of clips with various celebrities, shows, movies etc that mention Macy's in the dialogue or script.

None of the six couples remaining have ever been in the bottom two. Each of the stars talk a bit about it, Warren and Maurice say they are surprised by Cloris. They go through the stars as each challenges the next with something scripted. It's a nice piece.

Two more couples safe in no particular order are: Cody & Julieanne and Maurice & Cheryl. Four couples remain. With ten minutes or less left in the live show the question of who is going home will be answered soon.

In no particular order we now learn safe is Brooke & Derek, at risk is Toni & Alec, safe is Lance & Lacy, which leaves Susan & Tony the other couple in the bottom two. The couple leaving is Toni & Alec. Toni says her heart is better so she's ok with it. This was part of her goal, to get back to being able to perform which she says she still has to build up to, to take the stage in Vegas for an hour and a half, but this is a part of it. She looked very disappointed to be leaving but considering she has improved her heart condition she did well and should be proud of herself. It is clearly the phone calls from fans that keeps Cloris in the running. She's a favorite for her ability to purely entertain. I'm again betting Susan can outlast Cloris based on fan's calls but she had better get some more pizzazz in her routines. Again I'd like to mention, Susan Lucci is 60 years old so that she has kept up with the youngsters is a credit to her own stamina and ability. Of course they all have their advantages and disadvantages. For Cody his youth could have been and may still be a bit of an obstacle depending on the dance but he's come up to the task much better than one might have expected. Warren must deal with his sheer size which he has shown not to be too much of an issue in his performances. Brooke is very capable and is a good age for this naturally but her phone in score is probably substantially lower than Cloris. Lance is following in Joey Fatone's footsteps and he has said he was told in the early days of NSYNC that he was their worst dancer. He does however have those beautiful eyes. Maurice's only real hurdle is himself but we saw him pushing himself, and being pushed by Cheryl this last week to get it done. And he did.

It's been interesting this year and indeed very entertaining watching Cloris ham it up while Corky has to choreograph a dance she can do physically. For me one of the biggest "stars" to come out of this season is Corky. His son Mark Ballas has shown us his talent for a while now, but not being an expert on Ballroom Dancing and the talented people who have been in this field, I'm enjoying seeing Mark's dad show us what experience can do.

DWTS The Houghs and Puffs with Jitters about the Jitterbug.

2008-10-20T16:56:00.000-07:00

The brother/sister pro's, Derek and Julianne Hough both end up doing the jitterbug for the first time ever, learning as they teach. Some puffy hair and star/partners that are young, energetic and limber gives us some good jitter bugging even though Derek and Julianne both admitted they didn't know how to do this dance. Filled with flips until the judges almost flip out with joy and give them 9's and 10's. Where DO those young people get so much energy!?!

We are at the 1/2 way point and introducing 4 new dances -
Hustle, Jitter Bug, Salsa and West Coast Swing.

Lance and Lacey called Sir Dance-a-lot last week by Len, talks about his poor dancing skills so much that the record label wanted to kick him out. They are doing the West Coast Swing.
He has some solo steps that look really good to me. He's having fun. He falls down in one slide, jumps up and goes on just great. Good recovery. Points will come off for it but maybe not so much because of his recovery.
Len says you proved that you can dance last week. He says she has to let her partner show off some dance steps more. Bruno says the same thing basically, she needs to let him shine more than do her stuff. Carrie Ann says the same thing, you didn't focus enough on his dancing. They barely mention his fall.
Scores Carrie Ann 7 Len 7, Bruno 7 = 21

Toni and Alec - last week 22. This week they are dancing the West Coast Swing. He works with her on her posture and her shoulders. her outfit really shows off her back. It's backless and off one shoulder in the front. And of course very very short. Very very pretty. He does a great lift with her swinging her around several times. I do not really know how this should look so I don't know what to think. They do the moonwalk near the end. It was a Michael Jackson song.
Bruno says your are slinky and when you want to you can actually deliver. But he criticizes their doing the moon walk. Carrie Ann says it's difficult and she thinks they were over dancing it. Len says she has all the potential with a great professional. We've just not seen it. Sit down and regroup.
score 7-7-8 = 22 In the post interview they both say, you gotta do the moon walk, it was a MJ song!

A scene from some surprises. A surprise guest judge will be there next week. They will tell us who tomorrow.

Susan and Tony. Susan found out she has fractured two bones in her foot in her injury two weeks ago. They are going to do the Hustle. Tony says a lot of lift and lot of polyester. She says she has a feel for it since she was around in the 70's. Her ankle starts to hurt in rehearsals. They get an MRI. He says the only question is will she be able to dance through the pain. He does tell her two bones are broken. She is in gold fringe, shiny and go go boots. he's in john Travolta white pants, white vest, gold shiny shirt.
i don't see anything spectacular and I think she misses a step.
Judges say, Carrie Ann - it was fun, you represented disco well. She went through it like a trouper. She tells her she is performing in a glass box and she needs to break out and "get us". Len says you are treating Susan like a china doll. Bruno says it did look like a hustle, an uptown hustle. The judges are really rough tonight but that's what ya get 1/2 way through. As Tom said during the opening, this is when the judges begin to get crankier, and they do seem to be more critical tonight. Heaven help Cloris.
Scores 7-7-8=22

Warren and Kym doing the Hustle. They do a big swinging lift as well. He is doing the best he can, maybe not as sharp as a smaller man but he's doing well. More lifts. A lot of different steps in this one. Moonwalk. Ends with him lifting her onto his shoulder. Great reaction from the audience.
Len there you are, that's what I'm talking about, it was great, I really enjoyed it, well done. Bruno that's a guy who knows how to funk. Carrie Ann says it was great fun, nostalgic. All compliments, no critical comments.
Score 8-8-9=25

Cloris and Corky doing the Salsa. She says how she has been fortunate making it through to half way but he really wants to stay so she goes out and meets some fans. Funny of course. Corky says take those acting skills into the Salsa. Get in the character of the Salsa. They challenge Maurice who will also be doing the Salsa. She says dancing has given her a new lease on life and she doesn't want to go home. This is a hot Latin dance. She is wiggling good. Lots of spins. He is a great choreographer I think. When he spins her a lot, the next move he always holds her head in his hand close for a beat or two it seems, to give her time to recover from the dizzying spin. I noticed that before and saw it again this time.
Bruno says one thing is sure the old girl can still turn a trick. Plus side, you actually did a Salsa, you did it! But then he says something on the minus side about holding a pitcher of margaritas. Carrie Ann says she loves her. She talks about how entertaining she is. Len says he loves her he loves her because she's the first person on the show that is older than him. She asks how old and he says 64, she says you're a baby. He says she was hotter than a chili pepper.
Scores 7-7-7=21

Maurice and Cheryl doing the Salsa. Cheryl is having trouble with the choreography. She's having a hard time explaining it to him as well. They are not comfortable with this dance tonight. She really pushes him and he tells her he really wants it, he's not lazy and it's not that he doesn't care. She was fussing at him saying she knows he's not lazy, etc. The dance - Great shimmy and he blows a kiss towards the judges (Carrie Ann) It's good but again I'm not sure I can tell. Some really good moves in there though. He was getting into this dance quite a bit tonight.
Judges say - Carrie Ann has him come up to the side of the table and then she gives him a big hug and says great stuff. Len says you think the judges are tough... Cheryl was really tough. Bruno says whatever she did, she needs to do it again. They were very complimentary and excited about this routine.
Scores 9-9-9=27

Next is the jitterbug.
Brooke and Derek - He gives her a pep talk about being the front runner the whole time and sometimes you fall out towards the end but they are going to work hard to stay on top. Derek says he's never done the jitterbug before, so he says he did some Internet research and brought print outs of the steps with him to rehearsal. Yikes. Their outfits are cute as they can be. He is in a white t-shirt and jeans but it's still really cute with her in her poodle skirt like outfit. This is of course a lot like the jive. he adds a little bit of the twist, some flips. It looked so much like the jive to me.
Judges say Len says she is consistently good. Bruno says it was glorious. Carrie Ann says can I nix this, Brooke says sure. Carrie Ann says "I can't". Very positive remarks.
George Hamilton is in the audience tonight and Tom has to make a crack or two about him. Derek has his hair in an upsweep Fonzi style that is cute and hilarious at the same time.
scores 10-9-10 = 29

Cody and Julieanne. They also jitter bug. She too is not sure what she's doing with this dance so they go spy on Derek and Brooke's routine. (Derek and Julianne are, of course, brother and sister.) She's in a waitress diner outfit. He's in a white short sleeve shirt and bow tie. They too are doing a great jitterbug with lots of lifts and flips. I'm still not sure what distinguishes this from the jive. Bruno says it was incredible. he says they did good slapstick routine, acting skills showed. Carrie Ann says this was the perfect dance for you and you are giving someone else a run for her money. Len too said it was fun. had energy and he liked it.
Scores 10-9-9=28. There is some real competition going on between the siblings and it's fun to watch. Julieanne had on a cute wig that looked kinda like Flo from the diner. She said she had to do that to compete with Derek's hair-do.

The bottom two are Cloris & Corky and Lance & Lacey with 21 points.
The top of the leader board is Brooke and Derek with 29. (with Cody and Julianne one point behind)

Cloris has the fans for the call in votes but Lance has them too. Toni and Alec have 22 as do Susan & Tony. Susan has the fan base to keep her in it I'm sure but does Toni? My gut tells me that Lance has enough fans to get him through this week's low score, as does Cloris, maybe one more week. I think the people who are really in jeopardy this week are Toni (& Alec) and maybe Warren and Kym even though they got a 25.

TAR - Phil returns to his homeland & I want some kiwi juice!

2008-10-19T17:36:00.000-07:00

Previously Ken and Tina came in first, Mark and Bill were eliminated.

La Paz Bolivia, the world's highest capital was our third pit stop. Kelly and Christy confronted Starr & Nick about being told they (Nick and Starr) had asked Aja and Ty to U turn Kelly & Christy. This lends more tension to the relationship between Kelly & Christy and Nick & Starr on top of the sports bra "incident". Kelly & Christy are not afraid of confrontation and they actually seem to enjoy it. It may well come back to bite them later.

Flying to Auckland, New Zealand Ken & Tina leave first then Toni & Dallas. They all end up on the same flight which aggravates Ken. I guess he hasn't watched the show much.

At the airport Andrew and Dan say they are keeping Marissa & Brooke around and helping them a little because they are not a stronger team and besides they are cute.
Everyone seems to be checking flights on computers around the airport.
Aja and Ty getting frustrated with each other and starting to gripe at each other. He accuses her of getting attitude. She knows he's right.

When they arrive in New Zealand they race out to get their cars to drive themselves to Gulf Harbor to untie a knot that looks like a big ball that has a clue in it.

Aja and Ty have a blowout. He has never had a flat tire in his life, doesn't know how to change it. She's out on the side of the street yelling help. They are not happy with each other right now. She gets a guy to stop and fix their tire for them.

The clue says to Drive themselves to the summit of Mount Eden. a Fast Forward, the first of only two.
FF says go to the sky tower, climb to the top. Ken and Tina and Dan & Andrew try for it. Dan & Andrew arrive at the tower second so they go back to do the regular route.

Sky City. The FF. They climb this rope up the tower while hitched up to harness.
For the rest of them the Road Block that only one person may perform. Choose image of tattoo from a pouch on one warrior then walk among the tattooed warriors and find the match. If they match wrong the warrior takes their image and they must start again. If they match right the warrior gives them their next clue. The warriors are scary. They are dancing around dressed in typical aborigine gear in a fierce looking way.

Ken and Tina are doing the fast forward climb.

Terrence is doing the tattoo task. The first time he tries to match it's wrong and the warrior takes his image and runs away. Now drive to downtown Auckland and find a hotel, make their way to roof top for next clue.
Toni is doing the warrior task. Dallas says please do not eat my mom. LOL She gets the match first try. Now on to Citylife Hotel. Use binoculars to scan area and find a gnome, retrieve it along with their next clue.
Tina is climbing the sky tower with Ken but it's scary. It's like an open radio tower and it's windy and very high.
Marissa & Brooke having a very hard time finding the round ball knot they need to find to unravel to get the clue (to go to the warriors).
Ken is very proud of Tina, but she tells him he is the one who must grasp the gnome there at the top. She's holding on for dear life and I don't blame her one bit. I'm not a fan of heights so I feel for her, for the first time this season. Actually those two are doing very well in the race as well as doing very well with each other. Some couples get positives from the race while others seem to find their weaknesses as a couple. These two are surprisingly finding their way back together.
Kelly gets the warrior right, Andrew is working on it Then Andrew gets it.

At the top of the hotel, with binoculars, when you see the gnome, you have to go down and go get it where ever it is. They are all in various places that can be seen from the hotel rooftop.

Now drive yourself to landmark Kiwi 360.
Starr is trying to find the warrior tattoo match.
Andrew and Dan go after gnome on a bench.
Starr finds the tattoo match. They are on top of the hotel with Kelly and Christy looking for gnomes and see one first. That aggravates Kelly and Christy since they arrived before Nick and Starr.
Marissa & Brooke get the tattoo match finally
Aja and Ty spy a gnome.
Ken and Tina win first place again! They win a trip to Rio.
The detour - "Matter of time", use bare feet to crush kiwi to get 12 qts of juice or
race a blowcart around a track 3 laps, but you must assemble the blowcart which looks like a go cart with a sail instead of an engine. There is an instructor to tell you how to do this.
Terrence and Sarah doing kiwi juice. There are rocks at the bottom of the big tub they are in with all of the kiwi fruit. There are two spouts at the bottom where the juice flows out to fill up the containers. They drink a big glass of the juice after it's done. I would like that part, I love kiwi fruit.
Dallas and Toni doing Kiwi juice. It's hard on their feet.
Aja and Ty are having navigation problems finding a road.
Terrence and Sarah get juice done first. Make their way to pit stop.
Dallas and Toni try the juice but the spout gets plugged, and /or it hurts his feet too much so they give up and go to the other task, with the blowcarts.
Nick and Starr choose fruit. They too give up on that and go to the blowcarts.

Terrence and Sarah 2nd to arrive.

Andrew and Dan are juicing but having trouble so they go to the blowcarts.
Kelly and Christy doing juice
Dallas & Toni riding the carts must complete 3 laps and they do.
Kelly and Christy finish juice.
Toni and Dallas finish blowcart
Andrew and Dan doing carts, but having trouble because you have to assemble the cart. I think Andrew has to help Dan get his cart put together. This is not their best task.
Instructor says if you start to crash "Don't put your hands out."
Aja and Ty try juice.

Kelly and Christy arrive team 3

Andrew & Dan having trouble putting cart together.
Starr puts her arm out when she crashes, says she thinks she broke it.

Toni and Dallas team arrive 4

Starr is going to finish anyway. They finish and go towards pit stop but her arm is hurt. She's driving with one arm. Nick changes places with her and he drives.
Dan realizes how much he needs Andrew and is not going to be boasting about being so great anymore.

Nick and Starr team 5 No one mentions her arm, so we don't know if it was broken or not. I guess not. Maybe we will find out next week.

Aja and Ty at blowcart

Andrew and Dan are team 6 to arrive. And they are thrilled they are still in the race. They thought they were farther behind than that.

Marisa and Brooke at the kiwi juicer.
Aja and Ty can't get cart together correctly.

It's dark now for both of these teams.
Juice is done, so is blowcart, they are going to the pit stop.

Ty and Aja arrive team 7

Brooke and Marissa are last team to arrive. And they are eliminated. Phil's dad is the greeter at the pit stop and he says he thinks these girls need a hug. They are crying. Phil asks if he is offering to hug them, he says he is and he does. How cute!

Next week Terrence gets in trouble with the law. Pulled over by a cop. And Kelly and Christy's behavior gets annoying. Well they've been annoying me, but it looks like they are now annoying Toni and Dallas as well.

Survivor Gabon - Fang = Dumb and Dumber or Like taking Candy from a Baby.

2008-10-16T17:02:00.000-07:00

Usually even if I don't like a cast member, if he or she does well and goes far, I figure they deserve to win because they played it. In this case, if Ace wins this game I don't think he deserves all that much credit. It's like taking candy from a baby, or I should say a whole tribe of babies. Sugar is dumb but the rest of the Fang tribe (except for Ace) is even dumber.

As the show opens Ace knows he's in trouble. But he has Sugar in his pocket he says. She told them she looked the first time for the idol at exile but didn't find it so she took the "Sugar Shack" this time. (dumb!) Crystal realizes Sugar has been out there the longest to look for it so she wants to be rid of Sugar. She doesn't say it but it's clear she suspects Sugar really has the idol by now. Ace had tried to tell the others Sugar would have been out there all this time without food. Now Sugar returns and tells them it was good this time, since she spent her time in the Sugar Shack. She could have played it like she was starving and down about not finding the idol but she didn't do that.

Randy is thrilled that he and Susie found themselves in the new Kota tribe. He's in heaven being free of the old Fang members. He is actually one of the smarter castaways this time. He knows it is about adapting and he adapts to his new tribe happily.

Back to Fang. The elephant is a mama with a baby! Matty sees them first. She and baby are across the river. um..... you guys know you must be very careful with wild animals who are mothers with a baby near by, right? The elephant is knocking down small trees to get to the leaves she wants, which is fairly typical I think. Don't quote me on that. Now Ace and Matty are going closer by getting in the canoe. She bellows at them and they do leave quietly without getting hurt. The others are watching from across the little river. This little interlude is the only enjoyable moment this tribe has as a group. Ace, however, does enjoy watching the rest of them bicker between themselves as they get stressed by lack of food and low morale and the former alliance of Crystal, Ken, GC and Kelli just comes unraveled.

When the new Fang tribe is revealed, and Corrine sees Jacquie is gone, she shakes her head.

Reward is knocking fruit into a net, but it's more complicated. It's hard to explain the challenge so I'm not going to try here.
Fang first on the board. Kota making a comeback with Randy doing great. The weight of the fruit they got into the basket is what determines the winner. 16 lbs for Fang. Kota gets 18 and wins reward which is an herb garden, oil, salt and other things. Dan sends Sugar again to exile. She laughs and says she's already named it the Sugar Shack. He explains he wants her to find the idol and have to use it before the merge. Well I guess there is some method to his madness. Interesting logic. Will it work? It surely might since Crystal has figured out Sugar has had enough time there and she's Crystal's target. Of course if Sugar uses it, in TC the second highest votes gets the boot so one wouldn't want to have their name written down at all.

Charlie and the crew gets back to camp with their reward. Dan talks to them about life after the merge. Proposing they all stick together after the merge and pick off the members of Fang. Marcus notes the next immunity challenge is the most important one. Marcus questions in his testimonial if Dan is sincere because he's so eager to express his allegiance to the entire tribe. Marcus is not feeling as secure as Dan seems to want everyone to feel. Susie is basically silent.

Randy is planning to keep winning challenges and not rock the boat. Sugar is pigging out on fruit in her hammock enjoying the life of ease in "exile". Fang is eating rice and unhappy. GC is having issues with Crystal just because she told him to eat his rice. He has authority issues or something. He apparently cannot stand for anyone to tell him what to do. Ace is enjoying that GC and Crystal are arguing. GC wants to get back to real life, he's feeling the mental stress now on top of the physical stresses of being on the tribe that is low on food.

Matty says their chances are slim for their tribe on the immunity challenge because the elements are getting to them.

GC takes the canoe and goes off by himself. It's time for the challenge and GC is off on his own. Ace and Crystal are in camp while the others are at the river edge yelling for him. He comes back in the nick of time, five minutes before they must leave for the challenge.

Sugar comes back from exile island for the challenge. One member of each tribe throws a large ball down a hill, the other sides has a blindfolded tribe member who tries to block it with a shield while a caller yells at them which way to go. Ace is defender and Sugar is caller for Fang. Dan blindfolded and Randy calling for Kota. Kota scores 2, Fang scores 5 (Score depends on which of the "goals" the ball rolls into if it gets past the blocker.) Kota scores 2 more, it gets past Ace and he gripes at Sugar about her call. Fang scores two more, Dan stopped his own tribe's ball, Jeff says poor communication for Kota. Next ball. Kota gets 2 points, gets past Ace again. Ace took a shield into the face. Fang 7, Kota 6. Final ball - Kota scores and wins immunity. Randy was yelling at Ace to freeze and he did. Dumb. His caller was Sugar. Fang is going to the 4th TC out of 5.

GC talks in his testimonial about them losing again. He tells Matty he's ready to leave the game. Matty tells him he'll regret saying that. Crystal complains to Ace who smirks at the whole situation. Crystal says she will vote for him to go home, he's a quitter. Ace and Sugar talk. He asks her if she hid the idol. She says she did. They are away from camp talking and swimming. Crystal goes into Sugar's bag and finds the idol. Matty, Kelly, Ken all watch and they say tonight is the only night to blind side her It really changes things Ken says because they don't want to keep GC here longer.

Jeff talks about wear and tear with Ace. He says it is, says something losing your belt loops referring to GC. Jeff says is that right GC. He says yes. explains. Jeff asks Sugar if GC has talked about going home. She says yes. He asks GC who admits he wants to go home. Sugar cries because they all miss home. Jeff asks Matty, is it tough to hear a tribe mate talk about going home? Matty says there's no quitting, it's not an option. Jeff talks to Sugar asking if she feels at risk because she has been in camp so little. She admits she doesn't know these people because she's been gone so much. Jeff gets right to the point asking if they think she has the idol. Ken says they don't know if she has it or not. She says no one has asked her if she has it. She knows they could go through the bag. Jeff asks her if she keeps her bag with her at all times, as if she needs to be told to do this. She says she doesn't care if they go through her bag. She thinks there is some power in people knowing you have it, they won't want to vote you out.

She votes for GC, GC votes for Kelli. we don't see any other votes.

Hidden immunity idol is not played by Sugar. Votes are GC, GC, Kelli, GC, GC. Sugar looks at Ace, and he shrugs, then you see him smirk again. Jeff says you guys are going to have to dig deep if you want to last in this game. They later show Ken votes for GC, I'm not sure who else did, I think most of them. GC admits he voted for Kelli as a throw away vote and because he doesn't know her well.

This is really a stupid bunch. Yes GC wanted to go home but if they'd voted for Sugar she would have gone home or she would have had to use the idol and everyone would be back on even ground. Sugar has telegraphed she has it and she doesn't care if they know. Ken at least kept his head and said they didn't know even though they do. But by not voting her out, there's no way these people can go to another TC without everyone knowing she has the idol. So she will know if she needs to use it because she has her Ace in the hole.

Next time:
Ace makes a pact with Matty. I believe he whispers to Sugar about the alliance and says something to her about if she wants to give the idol to him, that's ok. Oh please, she can't be that stupid, can she? Well, maybe she can. GC does his last message saying he didn't expect the backstabbing and the lying. He has great respect for anyone who tries out and makes it. Obviously he just didn't want to stay so he gets to go home. Or does he? Do they go home from there or do they go to another spot until the taping is over. I've heard some discussion on the web that makes me think they don't go straight home even if they are not on the jury. Whenever he gets home his street cred is gone and his tough guy persona is not supportable, he quit in front of everyone who watches Survivor and anyone who even remotely checks on the status of their home town Castaway.

DWTS Results show - Campy Campaign Ads - Politically Funny

2008-10-14T18:02:00.000-07:00

If you haven't seen the show, watch for the pseudo "negative political campaign" ads. They are hilariously funny and make this results show that is otherwise predictable tonight, very funny and worth watching. The next similar political campaign ad will have me laughing just because I'll be remembering these spots from tonight's show. I loved it!

Review
They talk of Sir Dance a Lot, Cloris's tango, Carrie Ann talks about Erica Kane, Toni's sensuous Samba. Cody turns into "boy wonder". Brooke's Samba was too hot for Len but hit the spot for Bruno, the "sexiest Samba I've ever seen." Warren captivated the crowd but not the judges and their scores fell. Maurice's funky Samba wasn't "fabulous", and Rocco hasn't got a musical bone in his body according to Bruno and the other two.

Len picks the replay dance of Lance and Lacy. It starts of with some robot looking moves with Lance on the steps above Lacy but when they come down to the floor and dance together it's just very intense and energetic and as fun to watch tonight as it was last night. He has those sparkling blue eyes and his makeup for this dance is black eyeliner all around his eyes that really highlight them.

Tonight's special guests are a troupe of 7 male Flamenco dancers that are very good, and very HOT although it seems to me a bit like a mix between flamenco and cloggers but they are good and when they throw off their jackets and dance bare chested, well, it's fun to watch! Wolfie is a She-Wolfie after all.

Ranks on the combined score board are:
Cloris and Rocco tied for last.
A three way for fifth between Toni, Maurice and Cody
Susan is in fourth, Warren is third and Lance and Lacy in second. Leading the pack are Brooke and Derek. (As it should be.)

First couple safe is Susan & Tony. Joining them are Lance & Lacy. The first couple in the bottom 2 is Rocco & Karina. No surprise.

The ballroom kids competition next.

The kids - Mitchell and Jessica dance the Cha Cha Cha. They are of course as cute as they can be. Len tells them how great it was, crisp, great musicality. Bruno says the Cha Cha Cha is the cheekiest dance and they are the cheekiest. Carrie Ann asks about her costume, which she designed.

Hannah and Kirill dancing the Samba. These kids are fantastic. They look like the pros.
Carrie Ann asks their ages, which are Kirill 11 and Hannah is 10. Says they are fantastic. Len says they captured the flavor of the Samba, really working their bums. Bruno says how they really performed, they are really "performers" and it was great to watch.

Kirill and Hanna get Bruno and Carrie Ann's votes, Len votes for Mitchell and Jessica.

The kids really are cute and very talented. I am somewhat uncomfortable with kids in these types of competitions dancing adult dances intended to be sensuous. But then I'm not comfortable with the beauty pageants with little girls in a great deal of make-up with more than a hint of adult sensuality like the Jon-Benet Ramsey clips we've all seen. I always worry about them being pushed and/or thrust into an adult world when they should have more time as children. I do hope their ambition is their own.

The next couple safe is Brooke & Derek. Also safe Cody & JulieAnne, Toni & Alec, Warren & Kym, Maurice & Cheryl. The bottom two are Cloris & Corky and Rocco & Karina. I'm not sure anyone who has watched this season could not, or would not have guessed that was coming.

The couple going home tonight is Rocco & Karina. During the drawn out wait for the announcement Corky is still clowning around with Cloris. They are both really so much fun to watch. I suspect that next week will be her last.

At the end, Rocoo has Bruno come down from his judge's seat to show him how to make his hips move properly. And he does!

I am pretty sure next week will be Cloris and Corky's last dance. The only question is who will be in the bottom two with them. I'm going to go out on a limb and predict Maurice & Cheryl are also in the bottom two but won't be going home. Maybe Cheryl will pull out some fantastic choreography to get their scores up so they are not at risk. None of the others couples are at risk to the extent that Cloris & Corky are next time. When they are gone I am not sure how it's going to shake out. Brooke and Derek, of course, are on a fast track to the finals as are Lance and Lacy. But there aren't any bad dancers in the lot if you ask me. I'll be looking forward to next week, as always.

DWTS - Some people Cook in the kitchen. Some people Cook on the dance floor.

2008-10-13T16:56:00.000-07:00

Cooking in the kitchen usually involves some heat, some spice and some flare with those flames. Cooking on the dance floor isn't much different. Give Rocco some pots and pans and get out of the way. Give Brooke a partner like Derek. a beat, some boards under her feet and stand way back. There's cookin' and then there's really cookin'!!

The dances tonight are : Samba and the Tango
The dancers tonight include Cloris (& Corky) and Rocco (& Karina) who got the lowest scores last week which they are going to carry over so poor Rocco has some ground to make up. My prediction is he hasn't got the fans to be able to do it. We will see tonight if he has the dance moves to do it.

Kicking things off tonight, Maurice & Cheryl do the Samba. The look is Disco with an Afro wig and bell bottoms. Looks pretty good to me, Len said fun to watch, but he needs to be refining everything. Bruno says they are Mr and Mrs Jacky Brown but also a little too loose, for being half way through the comp. Carrie Ann seemed to think they took a "step back".
6-7-7 = 20 (Carrie Anne, Len, Bruno) I missed their combined score. They neither the top or the bottom score tonight.

Cody & Julianne do the Tango - I think he's missed a step or two but I'm not sure. It's a severe dance. He looks very grown up which is good.
Judges say - Bruno, Cody you are starting to find your mojo. It was a proper tango without gimmicks all the way through. Carrie Ann saw some tripping on the dress but a proper tango and loved it. Len says dark, effective, with attitude and your best dance without a doubt.
7-8-8 = 23 or 44/60 combined score.

Toni & Alec do the Samba, which he tells her is a quick energy dance. She says that's great because her doctor says her heart is doing good. She was recently diagnosed with a heart condition so this is one of those things, it's good for her, but she needs to be careful and keep an eye on her condition and get her doctors approval as we go through the weeks. There IS no costume this time to cover any mistakes. But I think she did great. Last week was the elaborate Marie Antoinette wig and dress, lots of dress. This week it looks more like a bikini with some beads and two tassels on each side (the bottoms). It's as little costume as last week was a lot of costume.
Carrie Ann says work on shoulders but you move really well. Len says performance and choreography must balance. On the promenade you went wrong but then you got back in it. Bruno says tasty morsel of sugar and spice. He says the spins were great, and booty ... you can shake it like the best. One mistake yes but he really liked it.
7-7-8=22 44/60 combined

Cloris & Corky - she tells him she really wants to compete. He says we have to find the right mix of the entertainment and dance.
They dance the tango - she's being very smooth...she's doing well. yes she's got the acting and the intensity of it but she's doing a better "dance" than usual. I'm so pleased that she danced as if she took it seriously tonight.
Len - says if I hadn't seen it I wouldn't have believed it, says she was raunchy and he loved it. Bruno says it was like watching a silent movie. Corky is making great faces during this. There's more clowning during the critiques. Carrie Ann owes her an apology. She says she under estimated Cloris. Says she thought Cloris could only do the "entertainment" but tonight she didn't, Cloris says "I did!", then Carrie Anne says you pushed yourself, and Cloris says "I didn't!" A lot of clowning and laughter during the critique, as always.
8-7-7=22 38/60 combined

Rocco and Karina who were at the bottom last week, would have gone home if not for Misty's injury, now he has a second chance. He wants to work really hard but Karina sees he isn't having fun. His Mom visits to see how he dances. She tells him "Shake-a what you mother give-a you" in the cutest Italian accent.
Rocco and Karina dancing the Samba. He's in one of those shirts with rows of ruffles on the sleeves, like Barry Manilow in a Cuban nightclub. Finally the sleeves come off. He is moving much better than before. He did MUCH better, I thought.
Judges - Bruno says all the ruffles can't disguise the fact that you haven't got a musical bone in your body. Carrie Ann tries to be nice but ... Len says it was good because he came out and had fun like his mum told him. awwww he can cook great in the kitchen I'm sure, but he just doesn't cook on the dance floor.
6-6-6=18 38/60 combined

Cloris vs Rocco is entirely up to the viewers votes so I seriously doubt he will be able to beat Cloris and her fans. We will know after the results show tomorrow.

Susan & Tony dancing the Tango. Get ready for the drama. They are watching her toes drag so i think maybe this is one of those "no lifting" things Carrie Ann is always watching. I did not see her toe leave the floor. She was Erica Kane, in true form tonight..
Carrie Ann says she did what she'd been waiting for. Len says it was your best dance so far. Bruno says there is a "hot broad" underneath that polished appearance.
8-8-8=24 45/60 combined

Last time Brooke & Derek got the first 10 of the season. As they prepare for their Samba they go out to party Brazilian style. They see some real Samba girls. She says she likes this dance.
She's pretty liquid in her body movement. Derek starts off with nerdy glasses and stiff, but she rips off the glasses and rips open his shirt and they dance! They really do cook on the dance floor. She also looks like she's having fun... uh oh... she can really wiggle... Len may think it's too raunchy.
Yepper, Len says - "you set a high standard so I expect a lot. It was slightly too erotic." Bruno argues and interrupts. Len goes back to his critique what he didn't like. Bruno is next and he goes into his "hot" stuff. Carrie Ann says good things, she may go all the way, with her athleticism as well as her dance moves.
9-8-9= 26 54/60 combined

Lance & Lacy after the straight traditional waltz last week that Len liked but Bruno and Carrie Ann thought lacked sparkle. These two are in the middle of the pack.
Tango, which begins a little strange but quickly goes into what looks good to e. intense and severe and they do not skimp on the moves and complexity in my opinion. Bruno - quirky exotic yet always a tango. You've got what it takes to get to the final Carrie Ann says she had expected a lot from him and he didn't shine but tonight he really did. Len is trying to give his critique ... he calls lance 'sir-dance a-lot' (I think he liked it!)
9-8-9=26 48/60 combined

Warren & Kym do the Samba. Kym takes him for some martial arts stuff. No big gimmicks for them. He is as always very light on his feet especially for such a big guy. Very mobile, agile and liquid. not awkward. He ends it with a flirty "come on" motion to Carrie Ann. She says this week it was lacking a little. Len says you make me smile, but agrees with Carrie Ann, too much gyrating with Kym. Bruno too says we are getting to a stage, you can do it but you didn't do it tonight.
8-7-7=22 47/60 combined.

New dances coming next week are salsa, jitter bug, west coast swing, and the hustle.

Tomorrow is the results show and we find out who's fans voted more tonight, Rocco or Cloris. I'm betting we bid Rocco farewell tomorrow and we get one more week with the Academy award winner Cloris Leachman before her time is up and we get down to brass tacks with the real dancing stars.

TAR - Read it and Weep

2008-10-12T17:00:00.000-07:00

Leaving from Fortaleza Brazil headed for La Paz Bolivia, 9 teams remain.

As we begin the show tonight Ken and Tina say they still have communication problems. Mark and Bill say their strategy is working well while Terrence and Sarah are still whining.
Frat bros Andrew and Dan are pleased with themselves as Marissa and Brooke, the pink girls say everyone calls out to them, so they think they are being underestimated.
The La Paz altitude proves to be a problem for the not-so-young racers, namely Toni, Dallas's mom, and Mark of Mark & Bill.
Everyone arrives at the Simon Bolivar statue and gets a blanket for the camp out til morning when the newspaper arrives. So again we are all caught up. Nick tries to make things better with Kelly and Christy who think Starr pushed one of their sports bras out on a ledge. They seem set on being anti-Nick/Starr.
Now the morning newspaper arrives. They must find an ad/clue in the classified section.
Teams now must go to the hat shop and buy a hat.

From the hat shop they must choose, wooden bicycles or marching band.
Caution - there is a U-Turn ahead. This will force the team named to do the other task as well.
Frat boys choose the marching band.
Again we have to read the clues. The clue said go on foot. Mark and Bill take a taxi to the location of the wooden bikes. They don't realize it was to be done on foot until much later.
Terence and Sarah go back to the plaza to do it on foot when they re-read the clue while in their taxi. They go back and do it on foot. Losing time but not as much as Mark and Bill lose in the end.
Mark and Bill choose the wooden bicycles.
Marissa and Brooke do the marching band task of gathering a marching band and making it to a specified location.
Terrence & Sarah on the bikes, as are Kelly & Christy, Aja & Ty, Nick & Starr. on bikes

Mark and Bill take a look at the U-turn but don't use it. They sense they are pretty far ahead of the others.
Marissa & Brooke and the Frat brothers Andrew & Dan are the only ones doing the band
Aja and Ty ... Ty is competitive and pushing Aja something she speaks about. These two are newly dating and finding out about each other.
Marissa & Brooke caught up to the frat brothers, on the band task and decide not to u-turn anyone.
frat boys also decline uturn although I don't know if they could since I don't think anyone was behind them on that task.
Kelly or Christy takes a bad spill on the bike. Nick and Starr consider u-turn for Kelly and Christy but decide not to use it. Probably a wise decision since Kelly & Christy are already very focused on competing with Nick & Starr. I don't think they appreciated the fact that it wasn't used on them though.
No one uses the U-turn.

Road Block - one person task. Fighting Cholitas.
They must learn 6 moves and the referee must approve.
Ken and Tina choose Ken to fight.
Marisa & Kelly arrive next with Mark and Bill arriving after that.
This fight is pretty funny, a LOT like WWF
Ken does well, finishes his task and pleases the crowd as well. He is used to athletic events in front of crowds though isn't he.

After the fighting task teams must now go to pit stop.
Terrence and Sarah stop for some mistaken red and yellow flag, jump out of taxi but then get back in and continue on.
Sarah fights for her and Terrence, Nick fights for he and Starr.
Mark fights for Mark & Bill team but he can't get his "moves" so he has to back for more training. Marissa has to go back for more trainin as well.
Dallas does the fighting for he and his mom and completes his moves the first time.
Sarah messes up her moves and goes back for more training.
Mark needs oxygen during his training.
The frat brother makes it and Ty makes it for he and Aja.
Nick and Ty succeed while the Mark is getting oygen and he still has trouble.
Mark and Bill are not youngsters. The altitude is a problem for Mark during the fight sequence.

Ken and Tina are 1st to arrive at the pit stop mat.
He says are getting closer, more positive in their relationship and gives her a big kiss.
Mark attemps 3rd time and makes it.
Marissa attemps 2nd time and makes it.
Sarah makes it.
Christy & Kelly are last team to do it, and Kelly fights for the team.
Traffic issues as always are scattered through out the travels.
Kelly makes it through the fight and head for the pit stop knowing they are last.
Tony and Dallas are team number 2
Terrence and Sarah are 3rd
Marissa and Brooke 4th.
Mark and Bill, while headed to the pit stop suddenly realize they will be hit with time delay because they took a taxi to the wooden bike place, missing the "on foot" words in the clue.
Ty and Aja 5th
Nick and Starr 6th
Andrew and Dan 7th
Mark and Bill arrive 8 but are indeed hit with 30 minute penalty for taking the earlier taxi ride when they were supposed to make their way on foot to the wooden bicycles.
Christy and Kelly still in their taxi wishing they could stay in the race and see the world. They know they are team 9 but as they arrive they are told even though they are last to arrive Mark and Bill are still on penalty so they are still in the race as team number 8 on the mat.

Mark and Bill step up to the mat and are told they have been eliminated. They are really sick because they lost on a penalty from not reading the clue. They said their plan was to win on their wits and they lost by not reading carefully. They are still best friends and take it well rather than blame each other. I'm sorry they are out because I really liked them.

Next week Aja and Ty seem to have a problem with their relationship, and Starr is blown over in a sail "buggie" and puts her arm out to break the fall, after the instructor had just said not to do that and seems to have hurt herself, perhaps breaking her arm. Of course it's only a teaser so we won't know until next week.

This week we did not see much conflict between the partners, but it looks like that may change at least a little next week.

Terrence and Sarah were smart to catch themselves in their mistake (taking taxi rather than going on foot) and correct it before it became a penalty. And they were not whining as much this time.

Tina was not going on about the past "mistakes" of Ken after they came in first for the second time and won a very romantic sounding trip from Travelocity. For their sake, I hope she does learn to let it go and move forward in a positive way. He seems to really care for her and he appears to be truly remorseful for his past indiscretions. We shall see how she treats him when they don't come in first place on the mat.

Kelly & Christy are perhaps a bit too focused on Nick and Starr. It could prove to push them to do better or distract them from their goal in the remaining race. They have been a big disappointment to me as I was really wanting to root for them but their obsession with Nick & Starr and their position in tonight's race, saved only by Mark and Bill's penalty, leaves me unimpressed with their ability to stay in much longer.

And last but not least I MAY have to admit that Marissa & Brooke are right, that I've been underestimating them. But I'm not quite ready to take that plunge just yet.

Randy aces out Ace, Kelli finds a team.

2008-10-09T17:01:00.000-07:00

Christmas is sweet in the Sugar Shack and Randy aces out Ace in the immunity challenge.

Ace says Kelli will be the next lamb to the slaughter. That may come back to haunt him. And in the Fang camp, Crystal GC and Ken bond knowing what a "walk" means when Randy, Mattie, Susie and Dan go out to "pick fruit".

Ranking your tribe.
A tally board for each one to fill out in private on a spot on the beach ... results are:
Kota - Marcus is 1 and surprised by that, but I'm not. Ace is second, Bob 3rd, Charlie 4th, Jacquie 5th, Corrine 6th, Sugar 7th and Kelli 8th and last. She remarks that it's interesting and different for her but she's not whining about it. Good girl!

Mattie is ranked first on Fang also not a big surprise, with Dan 2nd, Randy 3rd, Crystal 4th which upset her and she is the one who feels blindsided. Ken is 5th while GC is 6th who says it doesn't look good for a pimp, and Susie as expected is ranked last.

Jeff asks what Marcus thinks about Fang's rank and he says he is surprised Randy is as high as he is. Randy ends up on his team so I wonder if that will come back to bite him. Jeff asks Randy what he thinks of the Kota ranking and he says he doesn't think anything, that it doesn't show who's hooking up with who. Randy is a pretty smart cookie. Obnoxious but he's playing a pretty good game.
Randy says... about Kota.. doesn't think anything, doesn't show who's hooking up with who.

Jeff says "Drop your buffs" and they proceed to pick new tribes.

Marcus and Mattie will stay on the original tribe and be captains, picking first. They alternate between them. It ends like this:

Marcus - Kota from fang, chooses Dan, Dan chooses Charlie, Charlie chooses Randy, Randy chooses Corrine, Corrine chooses Susie (they told her to) Susie chooses Bob

Mattie - Fang chooses Ace from kota Ace chooses Crystal, Crystal chooses Jacquie, Jacquie chooses Ken, Ken chooses Kelli, Kelli chooses GC

GC last member of Fang to be chosen.
Bob is chosen for Kota and Sugar is going to exile island

Sugar is to stay there until after next tribal council and joins tribe who goes to TC

New Fang - Mattie, Ace, Crystal Jackie, Ken, Kelli, GC (red buff)
Kota - Marcus, Dan, Charlie, Randy, Corrine, Susie, Bob (yellowbuff)

On the new Fang, GC, Crystal and Ken had bonded when Mattie went out for a walk with Susie, Randy and Dan. Now GC, Crystal and Ken are still together, Mattie is kind of out in the cold. But he is original Fang, if they can play into that at some point. It is not as likely as one might think because that tribe had not bonded as a tribe at all.

But on Kota there are 3 of that former alliance with Mattie. Randy, Susie and Dan. I can't see Randy sticking with Susie for too long. The original alliance of Marcus, Charlie, Corrine (sans Jacquie) are still together on the new tribe. If Dan, Randy and Susie stick together, then Bob will likely choose to go with his former teammates. Randy would do a lot better jumping over to the four original Kota if they will have him. His play is good, he's smart, but he's got a numbers problem right now. I don't think he has a "loyalty" problem becaues he's more in tune with the idea of Survivor than he is into any "loyalty". I think this puts Susie in a bad situation. She's not strong in the challenges.

Sugar chooses comfort at exile island of course. Like Christmas morning, hammock, fruit, "Sugar Shack", swimming and laying out in the sun.

Back at Fang GC is happy because he's one of four. Ace is going to teach them how to make ginger rice. Kelli talks about being an outcast (with Crystal) Crystal tells Ken, they realize she can't stand her old tribemates and she's ready to "jump ship" and go with them. She's joining them and it gives her the numbers. Kelly, Ken, Crystal, GC

In the challenge the first score is Randy Kota on the board. Randy scores second point, no one on Fang goal, Ace left the goalie spot.
Kelli doing nothing and "Kenny is useless in this challenge" - Jeff
Dan falls out of boat and Ace falls out of his boat.
Randy scores for Kota and Kota wins immunity. That means Sugar will be on Fang with Ace.
Jeff calls Fang out saying it's the worst performance he's seen.
Randy aced out Ace! I don't know if his new tribe will notice but he left his spot as goalie and then he fell out of his boat. He did not shine in this challenge and he's always boasting about being stronger.

TC starring Fang tribe, again.
Jeff asks "Mattie do you trust Ace now?" He says well he doesn't know if he trusts him but he wants him on his side. Ace says that's right, you have to do what's best for the tribe. I guess they didn't judge his performance as harshly as I did.
Jacquie is the one who cried and begged Crystal to keep her. It's between her and Kelli.
Kelly tries to throw Kenny and Crystal under the bus about being weaker. Crystal fights back.
Jeff says Jackie Ace and Mattie contributed today. Well I guess he contributed but he fell short in my opinion. Of course Kelli, Dan and Ken did nothing in their little boats. Ace makes the case for not knocking him out because of strength. Jackie talks about feeling vulnerable due to Fang numbers. Ken says Kelli should be most worried.

As they vote we see Ace vote for Kelli whispering he's returning the favor.
Kelli votes for Jacquie of course and Jacquie votes for Kelli. Hidden immunity idol not in play.

Votes: Jacquie, Kelli, Kelli, Jacquie, Jacquie. Jacquie is out and I'm shocked
Sugar will be a part of Fang, joining Ace. She'll find Kelli teaming up with GC, Crystal and Ken. Will Mattie go with Ace and Sugar because he was ready to break with Crystal, Ken and GC before the switch?

No reward challenge.

Next episode shows an elephant coming into or very close to the camp (Kota I think) and it seems GC is MIA and can't be found shortly before the challenge. (Yikes)

Dancing with the Stars - Our loss is their gain.

2008-10-07T17:00:00.000-07:00

Warren waltzed his way into Carrie Ann's heart, Maurice jived and jumped up to show what he's got. Susan the touper danced in pain with sprained ankle but made it through and the rebel Lance was prim and proper which may have pleased Len but Bruno wanted some sparkle.

Toni bombed with her period costume and dance apparently. Cody and his energy didn't energize the judges and they turned a blind eye to the blindfold trick with Rocco. Cloris was wacky again. What can ya say, she's very entertaining.

Brooke's waltz charmed everyone and got the first 10 of the season.

And Misty bid farewell. That is certainly our loss.

Maks danced with Eddita in place of the usual reprieve dance, dedicating it to Misty to show the routine they were working on when she tore her achiles tendon. Energetic and very cute. I'm sad that she's gone and also that we won't get to see his talent more this season.

Scores from the judges last night go like this:

16 - Cloris and
20 Rocco
21 tied - Cody and Susan

22 tied Lance and Toni
24 Maurice
25 Warren
28 Brooke

First two safe couples (in no particular order) are Brooke & Derek, and Cloris & Corky. Her fans are working those phones for her! Next couple staying is Maurice and Cheryl.

They have a short segment with 3 top choreographers which pleased me because I think that's a key part of the competition that comes from the pros that often overlooked. Kudos to the choreography these dancers do with the hardest partners, beginners.

With Cloris safe, I'm predicting Rocco is out this week which is fine with me but I'm betting this is her last week. Susan Lucci is 60 years old, has a huge fan base and is dancing great. The others are all substantially younger and I just don't believe Cloris can keep up even with her fans.

They are doing a segment on injuries which is appropriate considering there have been more ambulances this season than every before. Maks talks about being in shock and there is a shot of him crying and kneeling talking on a cell phone after her injury.

In no particular order, safe are Warren & Kim and Toni and Alec. The remaining couples are separated by only two points in the judges scores. Rocco at 20, Lance at 22, Susan and Cody tied with 21.

No one is going home tonight. But they are going to reveal who would have been going home.
About last night, judges comments are: Len says Misty would not have been going home. Carrie says it's a real reprieve for the low scoring couple, Bruno says you all have what it takes, you've got to work and come back.

Next couple safe is Susan & Tony and Cody & Julieanne. The couple with the lowest combined total who would have been going home is Rocco and Karina.

They are going to combine the scores with this week with the scores from next week on Monday to determine who goes home next week so these low scores from tonight (for Rocco) will have to be overcome next week.

My guess is Rocco will go home next week and Cloris gets yet another week to play due to the unfortunate loss of Misty. As mentioned a few paragraphs up, I believe Cloris will be going home right after Rocco. I think she's managed to stay because of her broad and active fan base which is probably larger than his. But I don't think she can manage to beat any of the others. We will however, most likely, be entertained by her and amazed by Corky's choreography with her for two more weeks. See ya back here next week.

TAR - The Clues and the Clueless.

2008-10-05T17:11:00.000-07:00

Some people need to "get a clue" and some are just plain clueless.

Nick and Starr leave first for Portaleza Brazil - Ken and Tina leave next and Terence and Sarah leave fighting.

Terrence and Sarah complain that Nick & Starr and Ken & Tina are in an alliance and didn't even say "Hi" to them at the airline counter when they arrived. Terrence and Sarah whine a lot. When they aren't whining about the other teams they are fighting with each other. They are newly dating and I doubt they will be dating long.

When they begin arriving at the ticket counter there is only one seat left on the plane. The agent suddenly gets word from somewhere that they have switched planes. Now it's a larger plane and there will be enough seats for everyone. Tina who is separated from Ken, the former NFL player who cheated on her, takes credit for getting a larger plane so everyone can get on the same plane. I'm beginning to get a clue about why he strayed.

She and Ken are indeed standing at the counter looking despondent, trying to get on the flight as others arrive when she is notified that they have switched planes to a larger plane. Now I don't know but since I've always thought they had to have at least 4 seats for every team (the camera guy and the sound guy or producer or something), perhaps the airline realized suddenly how many seats were about to be sold. However, it's hard for me to imagine there was simply a bigger plane in the hangar and they unloaded the people on the smaller one and said, come on over to this one instead. My guess is it was more like a mis-communication with the agent in the first place and the bigger plane had been arranged for this particular time and route by the TAR folks. It may not be the usual plane for this time and route and they did switch but I seriously doubt it was only when and because Tina convinced them to do it. Sorry Tina, I'm not buying it.

Tina is going around telling everyone that she got them to switch planes so everyone can make the flight, so "you owe me". Terrence decides to argue with her about it as they are standing in line to board the plane. Ken and Tina work their way to the front of the line when they get to the gate. They were not in a hurry to get to the gate because they knew they were first in line because they were the first to check in and after all they got the bigger plane for everyone. Tina keeps saying "what's fair is fair." Catty remarks between Ken and Terrence make everyone standing in line uncomfortable.

They decide to be civil and apologize to each other then Ken grabs Terrence around the neck and gives him a kiss telling him he's sorry. Terrence is forced to laugh. Ken manages to break the tension that Tina actually created. Ken and Tina do manage to get on the airplane first but as we all know that doesn't mean you get OFF of the airplane first or get to the taxi's first or get a good taxi driver or get to the next place first.

Get a cab to a sea side town where they take a dune buggie ride down the beach to where they get their next clue.

Stephanie and Anthony say the only thing missing in their life is financial stability so he thinks as the provider they need to win the race. They actually seem much less neurotic and needy than most of the other couples. As they ride in the cab thriough the seaside town they notice the poverty and talk about how lucky they are and begin to appreciate what they have. They realize they have complained about their apartment or their furniture when it's much better than what these people have. They seem to take this to heart as they go through the town.

Detour is called beach it or dock it.
Beach it - Teams must get the a 400 lb boat across beach by rolling it over two big logs to the water.

Dock it - teams search for container in a ship yard, looking for a unique serial number on computer, then locate it in the ship yard. Not physical, eye for detail required. Only Mark and Bill the long time friends who are geeks choose this task.

When they get their boat into the water the teams must follow a marker towards a taxi stand. Tina bitches at Ken and tells him he NEVER listens to her and he is NOT to tell her what to do as he has her walk through some watery reeds then up a hill towards the taxi stand sign.

Terrence chooses the long way around because it's flatter and he doesn't want to climb the hill. (big mistake)
Tina bitches at Ken some more Terrence is frustrated because they can't get a taxi from the place they are because he took the flatter route rather than climb the hill.

Kelly and Christy get hung up on misreading the clue, and look for a container after they did the beach it thing already. They spend a lot of time digging in the sand and watching others leave the beach area headed for the taxi stand when they finally decide that no one can find it and so they give up also. They didn't seem to notice none of the other teams were digging around looking for it either.

Road Block
One team member has to search for a clue hidden in plain sight.
Search a wall with ads for next destination then take the name of it to the guy standing there and when you are correct he'll give you the next clue.
Mark and Bill team arrive first. I'm not sure which is which but he figures out pretty quickly that he just needs to write down all of the destinations on the wall, then go to the guy and read them off until it's the right one. Tina gets a clue watching him do that and she does it too. She's not quite as clueless as I thought.

Mark and Bill racing Ken and Tina to the pit stop. Mark and Bill were ahead until the taxis pulled up side by side at a stop light. They had a friendly joking exchange (after rolling down the windows to see who was in the other taxi) then Ken and Tina's taxi speeds off at the light. Mark and Bill are not all bent out of shape about it. Tina says at the pit stop that she and Ken need to work on their communication but since they came in first she guesses they are doing something right. See, she is getting a clue.

Kelly and Christy announce "We have learned to read the clues." Then they don't read the one they are holding in their hands! It said, have your taxi wait during the "Roadblock" task, but Kelly and Christy let their taxi go. After completing the task they can't get a taxi. Finally they do and they promise they are going to read the clues much more carefully after today.

At the pit stop.....
First - Ken and Tina
Second - Mark and Bill

Then in a foot race with 3 teams arriving at almost the very same moment are ---
Third - Terrence and Sarah
Fourth - Aja and Ty
Fifth - Dallas and Toni
After that comes Nick and Starr in sixth, and miraculously the clueless Kelly and Christy seventh.

In another foot race at the end are eighth, Andrew and Dan and ninth Marisa and Brooke.

The last to arrive are Anthony and Stephanie
"You have been eliminated"
They say they are going to move forward and Anthony explains he knows he has a lot to be thankful for. He has Stephanie and he has his health and he has his good looks. ROFLMAO I think these two will be fine and much like the Beekeeping Hippies who were eliminated last week, they are truly thankful for what they got to see and do.

Next week we have some issues of altitude sickness. There is more info on the CBS site we are told so we will have to look there for clues or else we will be clueless.

TAR the teams

2008-10-05T16:56:00.000-07:00

Terence and Sarah - dating - she works on Wall Street, he is a Realtor. She says she is low maintenance and he's emotional. With those jobs they probably really need the money right now.

Marisa and Brooke - blonde, southern college girls in matching pink sweats. Where's the eyes rolling icon when I need it.

Andrew and Dan - Frat bros, called "Team Superbad" by other teams and "entertaining" by whoever writes the bios on the CBS site. (that seems to indicate they stick around more than a week.)

Aja and Ty - dating long distance, testing the relationship (well this ought to do it) to see if it will hold up under the stress.

Mark and Bill - friends for 23 years, geeks, science fiction, comic books... ok lets see where these two can use a long term friendship to get through situations others stress out over.

Toni and Dallas - Mother and son. Single mom who sacrificed a lot to put son through college. Who will be the leader now? Teaming up with an adult son can be rewarding and challenging. (I promise, this I know)

Nick and Starr - brother/sister team. He's been in an off Broadway musical and she's been a Dallas cheerleader. This should be interesting. I don't think they are shy.

~~Anita and Arthur~~- the old hippie couple. "free spirited" and "energetic", live on a farm, make their own honey, hard workers... you get the picture. I would love for them to be fun and last long, but after Big Brother's house guest Jerry, I'm waiting to make my judgment.

Kelly and Christy - Friends for 10 years through marriages and divorces (it sounds like) who sound like smart accomplished business women. It would be nice to see a couple of smart women who are over 25 go far in this game.

Ken and Tina - married but separated, trying to fix their marriage. (uh.....) he's the ex-NFL player who was apparently a "player" in every sense of the word, has now decided to behave ... hmm... we'll see.

Anthony and Stephanie - a couple who have been broken up for a year, but he will propose if they "make it throuh the race". OMG.. what does THAT mean? Do they have to win it or do they just have to get to their elimination without killing each other?

Survivor Gabon - An Ace in the hole

2008-10-02T17:00:00.000-07:00

An Ace in the hole in poker is usually a good thing. In Survivor if your name is Ace and you get in a hole with the numbers, meaning more people align against you, it could be a bad thing. But then again, if your Ace in the hole is your own partner in a two person alliance, because she has the hidden immunity idol and only you know it, it plays more like poker.

Ace is arrogant and Sugar is smarter than she looks. Can they dodge the bullet from the other tribe as well as the alliance in their own tribe that is against them?

Beginning with Night 6. 32 days to go.

Fang is the tribe eating three meals a day. Some pointed discussion between Randy and GC, will it come back to haunt them?

Marcus, Corrine Charlie and Jacquie in an alliance in Kota
Sugar and Ace are "connecting", and it's clear Ace plans to go to the end, taking Sugar with him. Both of these two talked about being flirts, now they flirt with each other as they align.

Reward challenge. blankets, hammock, pillows, mats.
Ace hanging on against GC and Matty, Kota scores because GC gives up.
Kota leads 1-0
Second round goes to Fang
Ace and Dan on the pole again, attackers different and this is for the win, for reward and for the psychological boost Fang desperately needs. It's close but Crystal is a warrior, fighting hard and finally... Fang wins reward! and they send Sugar to exile. (hah! I saw that one coming!)
Ace is calling the loss a "strategic withdrawal". Paloma is getting dissed by the group, while she hides out in a hut and is obviously at risk if they go to TC.
Sugar gets to the sandy crater, then up a tree, then to another clue then she goes across a creek and voila she finds the hidden immunity idol! Good Job! I have new respect for her!

Day 9 Bob says to Ace, two on the bottom are Paloma and Sugar and I know you like Sugar.

the alliance of 4, bring Bob into their group so they have the numbers against Ace and Sugar.

Immunity Challenge - the slippery slide. get tiles, work out a number puzzle, raise your flag.
Kota sits out Paloma and Sugar. (their two "lowest"?)
Crystal showing she can run, Fang pulls ahead. lead changes to Kota. Bob the physicst solving the puzzle vs the video game expert Ken. and Ken wins it Fang wins immunity!

Sugar talks about the clues but says she got them wrong. Alone in the canoe she admits to Ace she's got the idol. He figures they will dominate the game. He's preparing for the "dismissal" of Paloma. She in turn goes to Corrine to work against Ace. Corrine goes to Charlie. Ace has more enemies than he knows and it's a numbers game right now. Jeff asks Sugar about exile island, she talks about her dad a bit, not about the idol. Ace is called out as a big shot, being condescending and Paloma notes he didn't bring his bag with him (arrogant). Marcus hangs on to his immunity idol (from the first challenge?) so he's safe, everyone else is not. Sugar has a hidden immunity idol no one knows about except Ace. She does not use it before the votes are read. Paloma 5 Ace 2 (or more) that's enough, she is gone. Ace is smug. Fang has momentum.
Scenes from the next episode - The division in the Fang tribe will cause them problems as they "rank" their own tribe members.

Corky and the Corker

2008-10-02T06:55:00.000-07:00

Reflections on the results show a day later.

Kim Kardashian was sent packing, something she’s used to doing I’m sure. Packing, that is, after all she travels a lot doesn’t she? Or does she? I really don’t know but I’m out of the loop when it comes to being famous for being famous.

There is an old saying, “She’s a real corker!” It means she’s really something, quite fantastic, a real “stopper” perhaps. I always interpret that phrase as meaning someone quite funny as well. Cloris Leachman could easily be described as a real corker if you asked me. She is full of talent. Whether it is her wit, her comedic stunts, or her dramatic (or over-dramatic) flair. She has talent. She may not be as agile as the 18 year old Cody, but I’d guess Cody won’t be quite as agile in the year 2076 when he’s 82. She’s doing the steps isn’t she? She’s learning the dance isn’t she?

That brings me to Corky. Lets have a standing ovation for Corky Ballas. He’s in there competing in the dance competition with his son and two other kids he raised and taught to do this, Derek and Juliane Hough. I cannot find a birthate on him but he is listed as “retired” from competition after being a winner in Latin dance. He was raised in this business as well by his father George who also happened to invent the “weed eater”. Now there’s some trivia for ya.

But I want to go back to the choreographer Corky. One of the things that is important in this show is the choreography. If you do lifts when you should not, Carrie Ann will bring you back down to earth quickly. If you get too edgy or too modern or too hip hop or throw in the “funky chicken” like Billy Ray Cyrus, you will surely hear about it from Len and likely from the others as well. If you choreograph a dance your “star” can’t do then it will cost you both in scores. If the star is not having fun that too shows. And if they are having too much fun when they are supposed to be serious, their marks will usually reflect that as well. So Corky, I gotta hand it to ya, You’ve managed to play straight man to a real scene stealer, design a dance she can do, and hang on to her while she does what she does. Just dealing with Cloris has been a little more than Tom, Samantha, Bruno, Len and Carrie Ann could manage all together. You handle her and let her shine! Good Job!

I’d like to mention one more thing that is rarely mentioned. Yes, Cloris is at least 20 yrs older than the next oldest person competing. That means, Susan Lucci is doing her dance at the age of 61 and doing quite well. If Cloris wasn’t stealing the scenes we might be more aware that Ms Lucci is quite the trouper as well. After all she has been nominated for an Emmy almost every year since 1978. That’s more years than Cody has been breathing.

Let’s hear it for the not-so-new but still-as-talented as ever crowd dancing…. dancing with their hearts, because they ARE the stars.

Wolfie's - My perception is my reality -

2008-10-02T06:47:00.000-07:00

In the interest of the human who's body I (Wolfie) inhabit while we are on line, for her privacy and some would say safety, I have created this blog that is my perceptions, my recaps, my thoughts and my rantings about the reality shows that I watch. We will skip most of the pictures of the family, no SS numbers or mug shots or street addresses of wolfie or the family.

But in the virtual world, I will tell you my most favorite website is BigBrother Updates and now the companion site "RealityUpdates" and that my friend is where you can find me if you want to discuss correct, argue or agree with what I'm posting here.

I'll begin this by making my second post a copy of the other one that I posted last night about my thouhts on the results show Tues from Dancing with The Stars.