Posts from — February 2009

I am glad the girls did not have to pay for their haircuts, as they were styles you would see on fifty year old women. This show is trying to snuff the life out the Ladettes. Bianca who ended up being eliminated was told to quiten down.

However if you quiten down to much you get criticised like Kristyn did for being too placid.

Tonight’s episode really did not show much bad behaviour at all unless you call butchering all those cakes comes under that definition.

It was a night of revelations.

Nicole, who I really like, revealed she had had a tough upbring. I really felt sorry for her. But I also like her spirit and personality.

Sarah was upset whilst doing the flower arranging as it reminded her of death and she revealed her sister had died 18 months ago.

Bianca was the one who was eliminated, and she went home gracefully. 

The show has had a ratings drop so it will be interesting to see if Channel 9 will continue with the second series.

Now Top Chef has always had some dubious sponsorship deals with some pre-packaged food companies. But food bloggers are aghast that he is now spruiking diet coke. If you don’t believe me here is the ad.

Last night’s episode of Top Chef New York was as ususal very entertaining. The chefs had to cook for Food & Wine Editor and judge Gail Simmons bridal shower. They were in teams cooking under the themes old, new, borrowed, and blue.

Stefan’s arrogance knows no bounds.  He has a crush on Jamie who said “Doesn’t the word lesbian mean anything to him?”. Well Jamie I doubt it, he probably thinks he can turn you.

The elimination challenge was fun to watch. Carla and Danny teams did some sort of DIY deconstructed sushi, which they forgot to tell the guests how to eat. It was a huge mess and you knew someone from that team was going home.  Danny was the one who had to pack his knives and go.

Exit interview with Danny here..

Ariane won much to Jamie’s disgruntlement for her lamb.

After last weeks great recap  by Injera she has kindly done another great one this week. Thank you Injera. Also if you feel like reading something different than reality TV check out her great blog Injera.

Top Design – Triathlon

Eight designers remain!  Who will be our Top Designer?

The first voice we hear is Eddie, hoping for an individual challenge so he can express his own creativity.  The second is to Teresa, last week’s dead wood, who observes that she’s “not being utilised as much as (she) could be”.  This seems to be both a dangerous sentiment – “utilised”?  really?  like someone else in the competition (one of your competitors, no less) should be deploying you to show your strength? – and a very early signal to this viewer that Teresa’s going to go home this week. Yep, you heard it here.  Two minutes in and I’m picking the loser edit from this week.  Am I right?  Are my spidey senses still well-tuned?

Wisit is having left-over meatloaf for breakfast.  Eeew.

We cut to Natalie who, at 24, is saying that she has accomplished a lot by being “head designer” at such a young age.  Like the caption, she doesn’t elaborate on what that position entails and where it is.  Her next comment reveals some insecurity, though, in that she feels she still needs to prove herself, so perhaps she’s head designer for Subway franchises.  Andrea misses her kids.  Based on my limited acquaintance with Andrea, I am confident in predicting that this is the most interesting thing she will say or do for the entire episode. 

Eddie calls all the designers to go, and they head out the door to the usual montage of LA buildings.  I love that they show Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall.  It kind of ensures that any “design” we’re likely to encounter from our contestants will be a let-down. 

India and her bronzer and jeans remind the contestants that they have been working in teams so far.  They are all polite enough not to say “duh”.  No doubt the designers will still act as though they are utterly side-swiped when she tells them that this week’s challenge is individual.  I’m amazed by this capacity for surprise at the obvious when they are able to remain calm in the face of such sheer craziness as the hat and extreme sleeves of judge Kelly Wearstler.  As India announces the individual Top Design Triathlon, eyebrows ratchet up, demonstrating the limited Botox budget.  It is a “gruelling” event, and designers will have their “creative vision, styling ability and versatility as a decorator” tested.  Teresa looks scared.  If it’s an individual challenge, who will make the decision on how to utilise her?  Nathan, on the other hand, looks pleased, however he describes himself as “definitely not a triathlete.  I’m a smokerlete”, which is not the standard of quip I’ve come to expect from him. 

India goes on to describe the challenge.  She clarifies the obvious (there are three legs), but the elimination details are ambiguous : “you must perform well in each leg, those who are in the bottom may face elimination”.   As a Phil Keoghan watcher of many years, I am always attuned to the “may”, but “those who are in the bottom”?  Bottom what?  Two, three, eight?  Come on, India! 

The first leg is the “chair leg”.  Boom-tish.  Natalie laughs at this limp pun as though her life depends on it.  The task?  Choose one of ten unfinished chairs and transform it into a “one of a kind” piece.  There are lots of fabrics, paints, wood and “many, many other tools”, and two hours to complete.  Kelly and her hat and sleeves realises that India has forgotten to introduce her, so leaps right in and tells the designers that they will be judged on their artistic vision and creativity.  Most importantly, winners of each leg get immunity.  Wow. 

Nathan heads straight for the chair he’s had his eye on (they are all different, hence the “choice”), but others go directly for fabrics.  Wisit goes for painting the existing, plain fabric, whilst Andrea worries about the tension between the judges’ desire for a “wow” chair and her own, simple, classic (yawn!) tastes.  She is heartened by the mess that is Teresa’s chair, though, so I think she’s hoping to scrape through this one as “not worst”. 

Lots of painting, sanding, stapling. 

Ondine is inspired by Betsey Johnson, which must mean “kitsch and tacky”.  Her chair is shaping up to be pink and pom-pommy.  She has the gall to suggest that Natalie’s is over the top!  Natalie says she’s “pushing the envelope”, but it doesn’t look that original – more Tara Dennis than Marc Newson, that’s for sure.  Nathan’s is royal blue paint and shiny, shiny gold upholstery.  I think I spy some paint stains on the upholstery.  He says it’s “very unique”.  No!  Not a modifier for “unique”! 

Eddie chose a Queen Anne and is updating that old “grandma” chair.  He’s also the self-appointed time keeper for this leg.  Even though the judges explicitly said they are after the “wow” factor, Eddie says he doesn’t want the “wow” factor.  He wants the “glam” factor and the “beauty”.  I want the difference between all of these explained to me, with diagrams.  He paints the frame a rather ugly yellow, but has done an amazing job covering the cushion with a silver fabric.  The ever-humble Eddie says: “I am working the best with what I have and, honestly?  It was perfection.”

We haven’t seen Preston at all, in case you were wondering.

Time’s up!

Preston’s is the first up for judging.  It’s very dark and shiny – black paint with blue velvet upholstery.  He sees it as a desk chair.  Nothing about that says “wow” to me.  He just gets nothing from the judges except “thank you”.

India asks Wisit if he picked the fabric or painted it.  There doesn’t seem to be a correct answer to this question.  If he says he painted it, he’s taking responsibility for creating a whole bunch of ugliness, and if he says he picked it, then his taste is questionable.  Hey, what do I know?  Sleeves McHat really likes the effect.

Eddie’s looks… oh, I’m not going to judge!  Let the experts speak!  India listens to Eddie rave about his creation, then seems to want to confirm that the hideousness was not only intentional, but is unobserved: “So you’re really happy with that?  And you could live with your chair?”  Her only comment is “it looks very finished”. 

Natalie joins Preston in getting no more than a thank-you.

Andrea looks panicked and with good reason.  Her chair is horrible.  Bland colours and a baggy upholstery job.  Yuck.  She’s honest about it, though (well, except for the “horrible” bit, that was mine.  Oh, and the bland.  In fact, she only really owns the upholstery error). 

Teresa’s also looks a bit grim and India just wants to clarify that “it reflects” her.  She says it does.  Is that body dysmorphic disorder or something? 

Ondine gets a positive from Sleeves for her risk taking “that worked”.  Good on her.

Nathan’s “speaks to (him) as fashion and art colliding as one and ending up in an interior space”.  Sleeves thinks it looks like an “important” piece of furniture.  I’ll take “important” over “finished” any day.

As the designers gather for the verdict, there’s a shot of Sleeves and I can’t even listen to what she’s saying – I’m too busy trying to figure out what is posture, what is clothing and what is her body.  Wow.  I wish I could do a screen shot.  Natalie’s is the first to be identified as Less Successful (“a remnant from a Vegas hotel, 15 years ago”), followed by Teresa (“it was just an upholstery job”).  They did, however, love Nathan’s (“one of a kind”, “loud, in a good way”) , Eddie’s (“a bold statement”) and Ondine (“iconic feel”).  Nathan gets the win, but is not going to give up and slack off for the next two legs. 

Second Leg!  Will they persist with the “leg” puns for the challenge titles?  Sadly, no.  Jonathan Adler is guest judge.  Now they are going to “design and style a beautiful dining table”.   It’s a “perfect microcosm of all the challenges of design, apparently.  “Composition, colour, texture, scale… taste”.  So, clearly “functionality” is not key to good design.  Let’s see what happens, shall we?

They have 30 minutes and $500 to spend in the showroom, then 2 hours to design the table.  Teresa acknowledges that she really needs immunity.  Natalie’s response to her poor performance in the “chair leg” is to choose a table that is “completely the opposite” of what she’d normally go for. 

Shopping!  Preston runs straight for flowers.  I hope he doesn’t accidentally get fake silk ones!  Eddie scoffs that this is easy for him.  He even does a “Pffft”.  Andrea’s looking at stove top espresso machine, for some reason, and Ondine deliberately chooses a fabric that she describes as “a palm tree on a plaid”.  This, after Jonathan stresses the importance of taste.  Natalie is playing it safe with white and silver. 

Time’s up and work begins.  Nathan, with nothing to lose, is taking a radical approach – sanding back his table to get a “bohemian hangout/seaside cottage” casual vibe. 

Painting, stapling, hive-of-activity shots.

Natalie shows that she is listening to judge feedback to “edit” her ideas.  She is the first contestant today to say she really wants to win, so I’m glad I wasn’t counting on this as my drinking game trigger.  She does, however, say it twice, with varying emphasis, so that would work for two drinks, right?

Preston is aiming for “mothers’ day in the Napa Valley”.  He’s hoping he can pull it off.  Seriously, Preston would have the love light shining in his mother’s eyes just by flashing that smile.  She wouldn’t even notice the fake flowers!   She would certainly not be an objective judge of good table design.

Andrea’s missing her family.  Who knew?  Her theme is… snore. 

Teresa is keeping time for this task.  She is painting plates.  What an excellent way to utilise her time. 

Eddie’s grandmother is his biggest influence in his decorating life.  I hope she wasn’t watching when he used the term “grandma” pejoratively in the previous challenge.  The things she did with tinfoil for thanksgiving must have been better in person, because they sound awful. 

Time’s up!

Teresa describes her table as “informal, somewhat Zen”.  Zen is not a catch-all descriptor for things-you-didn’t-do-well, lady!  There is nothing Zen about her table.  I’d go so far as to say that there’s nothing “Zen” about it, either.  She has eucalyptus branches stuck randomly in vases. 

Natalie’s table is a big mess – literally – of yellow flowers, stacks of blue and white crockery, two woeful white lanterns and some yellow glassware.  It’s apparently for a brunch that “is a little bit on the fancy side, but not too extreme”.  Jonathan hates the flowers, but thinks the rest of the table is “great”.  Well done, Natalie!

Eddie’s looks fab.  I’d enjoy eating at that table.  Jonathan likes it, too.

Andrea’s white on white, with perhaps a touch of pale blue, table is boring.  She did it for a “girly” birthday party for her daughter, but it looks more like a very plain wedding table.  She’s not winning “mom of the year” with this one.

Nathan’s looks awesome.  It’s very casual – he hasn’t even “set” the places” – and Jonathan and India are happy with it.

Flowers seem to be Preston’s undoing.  India thinks the table looks more like a “flower shop” than somewhere you’d sit for a meal.

Wisit sings!  India grabs the nearest glass to stop it from shattering (would that work?).  They are so blown away that they make no comment on his OK table.

Ondine’s mixed metaphors to describe her southern-garden- teaparty-afternoon-brunch are a good enough guide to the mish-mash that is her table.  Jonathan’s not happy.  He doesn’t see Ondine in the table.  She agrees that it’s not really her.

Judging!  Bad news first.  Ondine made “no emotional connection” with the table setting.  Preston’s was impractical. 

Stand-outs: Eddie and Nathan.  Again.  Of course.  Nathan wins… again!  Amazing.  He’s sure he will be poisoned by the other contestants.

Leg three is coming up, after the designers have a good night’s sleep.

Two lots of breakfast and bathroom scenes in one episode is really taking it out of me.  Eddie considers a top-two finish in the first two challenges to be a good omen.  Nathan is excited.  Can he make a clean sweep?  His bizarre top thinks “yes”!  And the continuity editors scream “no”!

Margaret Russell, the Editor-in-Chief of Elle Decor, is judging the… “breathtaking space” challenge?  They must take inspiration from nature to tell a story for a photo-shoot.  They are looking for “amazing” and are offering the opportunity to have it photographed for Elle Decor.  There’s fist pumping and applause.  The catch?  They are shopping at a garden centre.  Natalie has obviously never been to a garden centre.  “Plants!  That’s it!  Plants!”, she panics.  They have $1000 to spend in 45 minutes.

Nathan goes for cacti and succulents.  Eddie is up for statuary – bird baths and urns.  He wants to do “pretty”.  Teresa is going for a Zen space.  Of course she is.  Natalie grabs vintage planters to achieve a Martha’s Vineyard look.  Andrea wants an indoor-outdoor vegie patch.  What about Wisit, Ondine and Preston?  Who knows!  It’s quite possible that Preston rolled up into foetal position when gardens were mentioned and missed the shopping expedition altogether.

They have four hours to transform very plain “two-walled” spaces.  Wisit is attempting a “Springtime in a Parisian Apartment” look.  Good luck to him.  He has turf and blossoms to help.  Ondine is using Kelly green in what she describes as a 60s pop colour scheme (although I thought you’d need more than one colour to call it a “scheme”). 

I was just going to say that I’ll use “Zen” as my drinking game word next week, but then I remembered that I need Teresa to go home.  “Every concept is Zen.”  Bollocks.

Nathan thinks his looks really bad.  “Horrible.”  He is particularly depressed when Teresa tells him that they are doing the same colour finish.  Ha!   He changes tack immediately.  “Zen Buddha Palace?” he says, with a horrified shudder.

Preston’s painting stripes, and I’ve just realised that he kind of reminds me of Robert Plotkin from Project Runway, probably just because of Robert’s banal swimsuit with racing stripes, but also because they both seem so, well, dumb.  He’s doing it for grandma.

Andrea is making a boring garden and Eddie snarks that Teresa’s tobacco colours are giving him a smoker’s cough.  Natalie is doing it for her mum.

They finish for the day, with an hour left to finish in the morning.  The designers are relaxing and Eddie leads the bitching about Teresa’s design.  Andrea interviews that “Eddie’s great, but it’s really important for me to be around people who are genuine because I’m a genuine person”.  Genuinely boring is far less entertaining than witty, Andrea.

Preston’s looks awful.  Awful.  Teresa’s is… Zen.  God, I hope she goes home.  It’s foul.  She’s done nothing with the floor.  India seems to be trying not to laugh.  Wisit’s is busy and he’s painted furniture on the wall, but it looks quite pretty and holds together as a concept.  Nathan’s is a “transitional” space, with a Baja vibe.  I don’t think he actually had a plan as to where it worked with an actual house, but it looks ok.  Natalie gets some positive comments for a routine job.  Ondine’s is all Kelly green with white furnishings and it’s certainly striking.  Andrea’s has nothing on the walls.  It’s just a garden.  The judges like Eddie’s, but think there’s still something granny there.  That really hurts!

Final judging.  I didn’t recognise Sleeves McHat in a cocktail dress and big – no, enormous – hair!   Natalie’s worked, “mindful and thoughtful”.  Eddie’s – polished, but no wow factor (and they hit him with “granny” again).  Preston’s chair was beautiful, but the overall room was complacent.  Wisit took it in the direction they wanted and had lots of ideas.  Nathan just threw a bunch of stuff in; boring.  Ondine hasn’t wowed in the triathlon; dishevelled.  Andrea’s was a mess.  Teresa’s plant choice was nice but the room wasn’t cohesive; “where you wait for valet parking”. 

Bring “˜em in! 

Who won the final leg?  Natalie!  Natalie?  Huh.  There’s no tension for the overall winner;  it’s gotta be Nathan.  They leave with their immunity, and with the unanswered question of “who gets photographed for Elle Decor” hanging over their heads (this goes unresolved).  Preston, Eddie, Wisit and Ondine are all safe. 

It’s between Andrea and Teresa.  Teresa gives us another couple of Zens in her final interview.  Who’s going home?  It comes down to the fact that the judges recognise that Teresa does everything “Zen”, but doesn’t do it well, and Andrea is bland.  So?  Who is it?  C’mon! 

“Teresa, we cannot live with your design.”

Next week, I’m hoping Andrea goes, followed by Natalie, then Preston.  But, even more so, I’m hoping that the contestants stop being so NICE to each other.  I need some interpersonal drama.

SPOILER ALERT: First I just want to thank TV Week for reporting in their latest issue that Amanda and Stewart were eliminated from The Biggest Loser tonight. Imagine my surprise when I opened up the mag and there was an article about Holly and Mel training this week with Emazon. That could only mean one thing they were not going home.

I can also presume they survive the surprise elimination that was to happen one hour after tonight’s elimination which will be screened tomorrow night.

Anyway I am hoping either Nathan and Andrew or Cameron and Sam go. Just because they are the least likeable teams left.

The look on Nathan’s face was priceless suddenly he was not in control of the game.

I also found it interesting that all the nice teams voted to keep Amanda and Stewart in. I know it is a game, but really Amanda needed it much more than Holly and Mel.

Anyway it looks like they are doing a great job on the outside with her dropping 22 kgs since she started the show, and even better she and Andrew both look really happy.

So you can do one of the best dance for your life routines in any series EVER and you get eliminated. WTF is that all about. Stephen’s bicycle routine was original and just brilliant, but the judges thought he should be the one to go. Outrageous. Yes the guys all did three great routines, but I thought Timomatic’s was nowhere near as good as Loredo’s and Stephens. Both of theirs were just breathtaking.

This is why getting the right partner at the start of the competition is so important. Stephen was always going to struggle to stay in the show partnered with Ash-Leigh, because her lack of warmth was not going to draw in as many votes as the other dancers.

Whilst on the other hand Emmanuel is managing to stay in due to Talia’s popularity. Anyway speaking of Ash-Leigh I actually it was unfair that she was eliminated tonight.

I am going to be a hypocrite in saying if she had not been voted out I would raised the probity issue of Jason Gilkison being on the panel, due to her dancing for his stage show. But her dance for your life was very good, whereas I thought Chanelle had to many rythmic gymnastic moves in hers, and after all of Lamb’s big talk about an aggressive routine I found it rather tame.

By the way I think Jason G should be on the panel every week as he has more charisma than Bonnie Lythgoe and Matt Lee added together.

Was Stephen kicked off just because he was partnered with Ash-Leigh? Was Timomatic kept in because they did not want to kick off a hip hop artist and they want to show his growth in the competition?

A picture of Project Runway Host Heidi Klum walking the red carpet at the Oscars. I am not sure about it. I like the colour but not the split.

TV Week that font of knowledge related to all things about trashy TV this week has an article about the relationship rumours that are circulating on the show. I could not resist buying this week’s edition to share the gossip with you.

BJ & Kat –

Girls who think BJ is hot can breath a sigh of relief as apparently he is straight. Apparently Kat and BJ used  to date.

Yes the dance world is small.. Max who was eliminated last week states “They are just good mates now. There’s nothing awkward between them at all.”

Max also says she does not see the pair of them reigniting their romance during the show as “…as they’re so focused on the dancing right now.”

Lamb and Timomatic

Well Bonnie has been whipping up this rumour for two weeks in a row. However it appears Tim has a girlfriend, who must NOT be loving that both a judge and host were casting aspersions about whether their dancing partnership was more than platonic.

Jesse who was also eliminated last week admitted a lot of people have been asking about the pair. “But dancers are naturally touchy-feely…. and Tim has a girlfriend. He’s a loveable dude, though – a lot of girls are loving him!”

Penny and Charlie

When blushing Charlie said he needed a cold shower after his sexy dance with Penny in a week one, everyone was wondering if he had a crush on her. “A crush? I’m not sure,” Jesse laughs. “But I do know that Penny’s engaged, so nothing’s happening there.”

I thought Charlie could have been gay but maybe I am wrong.

Emmanuel and Pania

Panis says that, her relationship with her boyfriend Emmanuel has gotten stronger since they were assigned different partners! “We were really excited when we didn’t get paired with each other,” Pania says. “Because we’re both hip-hoppers, we wanted people outside out own genre. We’ve been together for two years, so we’re happy to help each other out in other ways. He keeps me grounded and stable.”

What was with the repeat of the group dance from Monday night? The Kelley Abbey routine was great but they have enough going on tonight without the need for filler. I now agree with a RR reader about the similarity of the Wade Robson Zombie type routine now I have had a second viewing.

Just an aside I am seriously not coping with the return of the nappy pants. Pania had a pair on in the introduction. It brings back memories of the days I had a purple silk pair, and a perm. I don’t know which one I am more scarred by.

Did you notice the applause the audience gave special guest judge Jason Gilkison? He definitely adds a bit of oomph to the judging panel.

Jason Coleman as usual complimented Natalie Basssingthwaite on how she looked. Personally I thought she looked like she was wearing a sarong. It was from Willow if anyone wants to avoid that store.

Kat & Danny – Jazz – Katy Perry – Hot and Cold

Again they repeated the Danny package (as they did with everyone else’s)where he said that his grandma raised him as his mum was 14 when she had him. His mother has died, but he does not mention if he still sees his mother.

Aleeta Blackburn was the choreographer and the story line is about shop front dummies that come to life and get together.

Kat’s costume of red sequin disco pant, and silver sequin bolero jacket was gold. You can just imagine hundred’s of Mardi Gras Party ticket holders just saying I need that outfit. NOW.

About half way through the routine I was wondering is it the dancing or the routine? I suspect a bit of both. I thought the second lift where she lay on his shoulders was botched. Also I thought there were a few stilted moves. However maybe I was watching a different routine, as all the judges loved it. Jason Coleman made some minor criticisms about Kat being out of time at the beginning, and that their faces changed when they were about to do a lift.

BJ and Gianni – Contemporary – Natasha Bedingfield – The Scientist (Live)

Debbie Ellis Linnert is the choreographer, and it is another boy meets girl routine , is there any other plot in dance?

I love Debbie’s choreography it was joyful, and both BJ and Gianne rocked. Gianne just popped in the yellow dress.

It made the first routine look even worse. All the judges gushed about the dancers and the choreographer.

Lamb and Timomatic – ballroom latin – Neyo – Miss Independent

I loved the way hip hop dancer Timomatic screamed an enthusiastic “oh yeah” when he saw that he had drawn ballroom latin this week. Really he was think he would rather stick his head in a bucket of pus than dance the cha cha.

Choreographer Michael Glikman was given the challenge of turning these hip-hop dancers into sultry latin movers.

I thought this was going to be a disaster, but I really liked it especially the first half. There did not appear to be much ballroom moves in it.

Bonnie and Natalie were still whipping up the Lamb and Timomatic are on together rumour.

Jason Coleman loved it but queried whether there was any cha cha in it. Jason Gilkison confirmed there was very little, but place the blame “at the discrepancy of the choreographer.”

Matt Lee “Would have liked to see more attack”.

Ash-Leigh and Stephen – Contemporary – Kings Of Leon – Use Somebody

Ok did anyone else think there was a big conflict of interest with Jason Gilkison commenting on this routine when Ash-Leigh has been dancing in Burn The Floor – A Jason Gilkison production?

In the US version of SYTYCD Debbie Allen absented herself off the judging panel whilst a student of hers was on the show. Now I wouldn’t want to go that far to kick him off as he adds value to the panel, but he should at least declare the connection.

Choreographer Marko Panzic was covering his arse about his routine when he said he thought the chemistry between them was lacking. So that will be the reason it sucked is what he was really saying.

It was quite a good routine but Ash-Leigh just does not do it for me. I really think they will be bottom three again. I think Stephen’s journey on this show is going to cut short because of his partnership with her. He needs to get a new partner soon.

Jason Coleman said “Nice work for a ballroom dancer, but watch your walk as it retains your latin sexiness.”

Jason G said it “was a relief to see you pull out a routine like that.”

Chanelle and Loredo – Ballroom Latin – Eddie Palmieri – La Malanga

How fabulously wonderful was Loredo tonight? It was fantastic. Chanelle has lucked out being paired with Loredo. She is good, but he is at this point the best dancer in the competition. And all the dancers should take a lesson from him on how to change the expression on your face during a routine.

Oliver and Luda were the choreographers of this fantastic salsa.

The judges used a lot of superlatives to describe the performance, except Jason Coleman who thought it was a mess after the first 20 seconds. WTF?

Damien and Amy – Hip Hop – Roisin Murphy – You Know Me Better

Travers Ross choreographed a husband and wife super hero routine, and it had as much hip hop in it as Lamb and Timomatic’s routine had cha cha. I think Amy is going to get unlucky by being partnered with Damien and I would not be surprised if they were bottom three again. Oh if Stephen an Amy were dancing together now that would be a pairing.

It generally received reviews from the judges. Jason C wanted “Amy to go a bit harder,” but he thought “Damien was good for a ballroom dancer.”

Whereas Jason G thought the opposite. He thought Damien was the weakest link.

Pania and Ben – Ballroom Latin – Cyndi Lauper – Walk On By

We caught a glimpse of last year’s dancer Jemma Armstrong as she assisted choreographer Brendan Humprhies in teaching Pania and Ben the Rhumba.

It was absolutely stunning. Is Pania the dark horse to win the competition? She definitely has talent and presence. It was sultry, and as Natalie Bassingwaite said “I felt it”. And I believed Ben was straight for the 2 half minutes the routine went on.

Jason G gave Pania the thumbs up even though there were problems with her technique “she mesmerised him” and he said “Ben was probably the best partner in the competition.”

Penny and Charlie – Jazz – Gabriella Cilmi – Don’t Wanna Go To Bed

The air hostess role in this Kelly Aykers routine suited Penny perfectly. You could see her being one of Richard Branson’s trolley dolly’s once her dancing career is kaput.

I thought the routine was ok, but something I will have forgotten about very quickly. I think Charlie will go far in the competition, and Penny has been lucky to be paired with him. Not that she deserves to go this week.

Talia and Emmanuel – Hip Hop – T-Pain ft. Chris Brown -Freeze

How gorgeous did Talia look in the blue sequinned hot pants? I have to confess my view of Nacho Pop’s choreography has not improved since season one. However I am sure other people think otherwise. I know Talia has a lot of fans, but will this keep them out of the bottom three?

Matt Lee “thought she struggled”, Bonnie disagreed with Matt and thought she did a good job.

Thumbs up all round for Emmanuel, except Jason C thought Emmanuel “lacks musicality”.

Tonight again showed the improvement from last series.

My predictions for bottom three is Emmanuel and Danny, Ash-leigh and Stephen, and Amy and Damien.

While we wait here in Australia for Channel 7 to air season 14 of The Amazing Race, here is a little exerpt from the teams time in Switzland. It is hilarious for the audience, frustrating for the contestants, as cheese keep on rolling down the hill.

The footage does not give anything away about who finished first.

Tim Brunero Writes How He Assisted Sarah Brunton On Ladette To Lady

On Live News Tim Brunero writes about how he  gave Ladette to Lady contestant Sarah Brunton tips on participating on a reality TV show. He also reckons that a “feminist wet dream” is when a women act like a bloke. I think he needs to be flamed for those comments.

Elimination Interviews With SYTYCDA Dancers Jesse and Max.

Here is Jesse’s elimination interview in TV Week basically blames it on the choreographer. It was a pretty poor routine not helped by Max’s very poor dancing to it. And here is Max’s. She does talk a little bit about the fact that Jason’s dislike have her may have been a factor which got her eliminated.

Sonia Kruger’s Divorce Story All Over The Weekly Woman’s mags.

The only in town for the women weekly mags this week is the bust up of Sonia Kruger’s marriage. She has made the cover of both New Idea and Woman’s Day. Both have exactly the same story in them. All about too much work causing them to go their seperate ways.

A tiny bit of the Woman’s Day story is here.