Celebrity Apprentice-A Kodak Moment

In the beginning there was Gene. Everything Gene touched turned to gold. He called himself the Benevolent Dictator. He was revered by men and worshipped by women. The world turned on it's axis because Gene hath spoken, and when he spoketh, the powerful, the mighty bowed down and acquiesced to him, he they calleth Gene. Hey wait a minute, was I dreaming? Someone wake me up because this wasn't how it played out on Celebrity Apprentice. In the beginning there was the Donald, and he said to Gene, how about you going over to the women's side and become their project manager, because the women can't win for S--T! Gene, whose usually stoic face did make a slight grimace, reluctantly said ok, but called the Donald the devil in the process. The guys as usual did the right thing and met with the Kodak executives and surprise, surprise understood what Kodak wanted, gee, now if I could only get my husband to catch on that quickly! On the other hand, Gene being Gene, this time sent two of his troops to meet with the executives. Unfortunately, he sent Nely and Carol, blabber mouth and the mute model. Because of Nely's incessant talking, they were unable to grasp what it was that the Kodak execs wanted. Kodak was unveiling it's 5300 printer with it's incredible ink, so cheap that it hopes to blow away the competition. Believe me, it's working. I went online to see the price of this printer and the cost of ink and because ink is so expensive, I'm in the market to buy one. Where do I sign up? Hey Kodak how about a free printer for the free plug- anybody listening out there? I'm so miserly with my ink that if my daughter ask to print something it better be for some school assignment.

Meanwhile, the guys elect Tito to be their project manager. I loved it when Piers said that Stephen was acting like a demented Rhino with a spear in his back. Stephen always takes the bull by the horns so to speak.

With most of their art work done, Stephen was taking pictures of the two burliest guys, Tito and Lennox, posing with the Kodak printer, shirts off, hey guys can a printer be sexy? Stephen jumps off the table and splat went the coffee right into the laptop that had all their art designs. Oopise! Guys, you have to stop rough housing. The guys start scrambling and blaming, scrambling and blaming when the voice of God, Trace tried to calm them down. When Jim Cramer made his visit to both camps, I thought he looked perplexed when he made his visit to the girls Winnebago, but was even more surprised by the guys camp, their disorganization, their garbage dump, their mess. The guys explained their mishap but once inside Jim was able to see that the guys were on track with the right promotional idea, plus it didn't hurt that Alec Baldwin made a surprise visit to the guys camp-did I mention I saw him eating lunch in LA?

In the boardroom, points were scored for each side, the women's for their organization and product labeling but really missed the point on what Kodak was trying to achieve. The guys messy setup was over looked because they hit it the main idea Kodak was projecting-cheap ink! It was a tense boardroom scene, the guys won again, hi five, down lo. Trump asked Gene why he didn't go to meet with the Kodak people and with a wave of his hand Gene said he didn't need to as he knew all that was needed to know. Trump went on to say that Nely pissed off the execs because she couldn't keep her trap shut. When he asked Carol if that was true, Carol refused to lay blame-aw come on, throw Nely under the bus-what is wrong with the women? They are all so polite not to offend each other with the exception of Omorosa, she'd throw her cat under the bus. The Donald kept throwing out Nely name as the one that messed up, Nely this, and Nely that, but when he asked Gene to bring back two with him, who does Gene chose? Jenny and Omorosa! Another aw come on moment! Gene was so steadfast in his choice however miscalculated, that it was his ultimate demise. Trump wanted to fire Nely (we all wanted her gone), but Gene in his superior, stubborn way brought back the wrong people. Everyone in the boardroom was totally perplexed! I was perplexed, America was perplexed! What are you thinking. Are you so full of your own self, you can't see beyond those black shaded glasses? No need to wonder why he brought back who he did, in the end he got fired and that in itself was a Kodak moment! -Single D

When I saw the challenge was for Kodak I was excited because I love taking pictures and experimenting with printing. So I was very curious about this new affordable ink. The self proclaimed Benevolent Dictator, Gene, went to the women's team and became the "King of All Women". How many titles can a guy have? Let's not forget Gene, that we all knew you as "the tongue" from your Kiss days! Well he lived up to his ego-maniacal image and sent only two reps from the women's team to meet with the Kodak executives. Now Carol seems to be a pretty smart cookie so why she didn't kick Nely under the table to get her to shut up is beyond me. If nothing else, I thought sure Carol would pick up on the ink thing. As it was, Nely told the team Kodak was promoting their new printer and said nothing of the ink. I have a feeling after this show, anyone in a meeting with her will think twice about letting her promote anything!

Back at the guys camp, Stephen is all about crawling around on the table. After getting Lennox and Tito on the table for a photo shoot, they all upset the table sending coffee into the laptop which contains all of their art work. Way to go guys! Don't you ever see those signs about not having drinks next to your computer? Everyone is all upset then you hear Trace in the background with that country drawl saying, "Ya all calm down". I have yet to see any emotion from this man. Aren't country singers supposed to be all down in the mouth missing their dog's or something? They managed to get their presentation going, messy but going. It did look like a trash heap with all of the printer boxes stacked outside and the banners falling off the trailer. Ever hear of duct tape? It would have fit right in with the decor. After getting their trailer set up, the guys get a big boost when Alec Baldwin stops by and buys two printers for $1000 each. Did I ever tell you that Single D saw Alec having lunch in LA?

Gene decides to use the ladies looks and celebrity to sell printers saying he is doing "God's work" by doing so. Why not, he already thinks he is the Almighty's right hand man. I keep hearing this phrase, "It's a Kodak World, Welcome" every couple of minutes. The trailer set up was fantastic but they didn't really put a lot of effort in the promoting of the ink or the printer. In the end the Benevolent Dictator couldn't pull it off and ended up the boardroom. What I couldn't understand is that the Donald practically told Gene to bring Nely in with him so she could be fired. Personally, I think Gene just didn't want to be there anymore and got himself fired. Nely has a strong presence but she is just not a real leader. Gene stuck by his guns even as he was being driven away in the limo, he kept saying how wrong everyone was. So Adios Gene and we didn't even get to see that tongue! ;) Double D

Project Runway 4-Make me the Avant-Garde

This episode centered on making an avant-garde outfit from inspiration from their model's hair. Their model's hair? The model's hair were quite normal-no hair raising styles, no bride of Frankenstein streak of grey, no Marie Antoinette coif and not a single Wendy's in the bunch. Just a few curls and long sleek locks. One would definitely need some imagination and help. Maybe that's why they were paired, Kit and Ricky, Sweet P and Rami, Chris and Christian (I had to laugh, C & C) and Victorya and Jillian. Chris and Christian looked like the bulldog and the poodle and I loved it when Christian said that if he were a girl his name would be Furouch (as in fierce). If he were a girl? He's more girl than Paris Hilton, especially when he struts his stuff like he's on the catwalk. I'm just jealous I can't walk like that! I think the person that suffered the most was poor Sweet P, having to deal with I am better than thou, Rami (formally known as "my designs don't stink"). I had high hopes for him, but his attitude and single sense of style is getting on my last nerve, plus the fact that none of his designs are wearable, or in other words, who would want to wear them. Rami and Sweet P are totally opposite in personalities, she's lay back and moves like a turtle, he's all tension and tautness. Their outfit was definitely not a collaboration of two, but of one, namely Rami's. There was no drama in Rami-ville. I was glad when Tim announced the surprise twist, that they would also have to create an everyday outfit from inspiration from their avant garde outfit, so that Sweet P had a chance to show off a design of her own. I didn't think she would be able to pull it off in the amount of time, (as evident from her past failings), but her dress was lovely and something I would want to wear.

I wasn't quite understanding Chris and Christian's dress, although I know the origins of it, a throw back to Chris's costume float days and Beach Blanket Bingo theater days. I loved the layers, loved the color, reminded me of some kind of rufflie wedding cake, but what was that shoulder thingy? Could it possibly provide shade for a small child? be a tray to carry drinks? or maybe some kind of ruffled fan? Very strange, but I did love the color.

I don't know how Ricky and Kit came up with their design, did they think their model looked like Little Bo Peep or Scarlett O'Hara, I guess they didn't realize this was not the Oscar for costume design or maybe they didn't know what avant garde means. Unorthodox, unique, daring, radical, how is Bo Peep radical? As Kit and Ricky left the runway after being told by the judges that theirs was one of the worst, I thought Ricky would faint and he looked like he needed help walking as he stumbled his way backstage. But he needn't worry as it was poor Kit, given the auf by the judges because of her too innocent interpretation of the avant garde.

My favorite design by far was Jillian's and Victorya's. That outfit was simply amazing! Beautiful and edgy. I didn't think those two would work well together, but there was no diva in the word team this time. It looked like they would not have enough time to finish their work, but as Jillian said "team last minute" pulled it off. Good for them, maybe they should consider opening a boutique together?

In the end, the winner of the challenge were Chris & Christian, because they really embodied the words avant garde-a daring, radical, experimental treatment of the artistic and that we know is where Chris really shines!-Single D

I too thought there was a lot missing as far as the hair went. The designers had two models to choose from and the only hair style you could really call way out was the bird nest looking do, which wasn't used, the rest looked pretty tame. At first I thought, no! not teams again but everyone worked well together except Sweet P and Rami. I really didn't expect Jillian and Victorya to get along, it should have been the clash of the designing divas and it was a little tense at first but Jillian came up with the let's flip a coin thing and all was right in the design room. Then you have Chris & Christian or Fred Flintstone and his pet poodle. Those two are a riot! I still say Christian wants to be the one on the runway. He was actually pretty good "modeling" around the design room.

Poor Sweet P having to put up with Rami. He wouldn't listen to her about anything. She was trying to tell him to put a bustle on the dress but he wasn't having any of it. Thank goodness he let her alone to do the dress, it was very cute. I used to like Rami, but after seeing how he treated Sweet P and acted like his stuff didn't stink, I was secretly hoping he would lose. Like Heidi said, can he do something other than draping? That queen needs to get off his throne!

Victorya & Jillian worked pretty good together except they were slow. I would have voted them to win with that outfit. It had that futuristic quality about it and it matched the model's hair perfectly. Jillian thought she had a bust on her hands with the everyday dress but it came out really cute too. Victorya actually kept her ego in check this time, I think because she knew Jillian can create!

Then we have Chris & Christian. Chris came through with his parade float dress as I knew he would! Christian was having fun playing with the ruffles. Tim was worried about their everyday look, but Christian stuck by it and he "made it work"! Good going team Fierce! Chris has come a long way after being Auf'ed. I'm glad he's back, he makes me laugh!

Double D

American Idol-Premeier

Give me your tired, your poor, your weird, your freaks and this season of American Idol begins. As usual, the auditions draw all the weirdos, crazies and delusional hopefuls, why should this season be any different? I did noticed that Simon, forever the same in his signature white tee shirts, coaching Paula on how to turn down those that are less talented-just say NO Paula! Paula does learn to say No, when Simon and Randy said yes (sometimes). Paula looks dewy and radiant as ever, how does she stay so young, I know, I know, plastic surgery and like I tell my husband, if I had her money and her job, I would look that rrrradiant too! Randy is still his svelte bad self, sporty sideburns and all. I love it when they play the cricket sounds as the judges sleep their way through the ones that are so utterly horrible. From the auditions, there were the forever wannabes, a Marc Anthony wannabe, a Taylor Hicks wannabe and a William Hung wannabe - hey, whatever happened to him? I bet he has some job at NASA designing rockets or something. A few honorable mentions to be noted here-James who sang "Let My People Go" and as my daughter said (she's verbally telling me word for word here), her music teacher said there's a part behind your teeth, on the top of your mouth there is a squishy part in the back and behind your teeth, there's a hard part. The hard part makes you sing higher and the squishy part makes you sing lower. So she said James was using his squishy part to sing that song. For me, it just looked like he was pushing his tongue on the top of this mouth, making his singing, if you could call it that, sounding more like some kind of chanting-not to mention that no one wants to see what the underbelly of someone's tongue looks like, yuck! Another honorable mention goes out to Temptress Brown, 16, who gave it an earnest try with her mom waiting outside in a wheel chair. Temptress did cry because she didn't make the cut, but did stir the hearts of the judges which were moved to give her a group hug. Go Temptress, keep on trying and never give up hope, but maybe you should rethink the singing at least. There were some auditioners that managed to make it through to the finals, such as that poor girl that was in an accident and suffered some kind of injury to her eye and it appeared that she was trying to hide it. When she talked, her voice was high and squeaky, but when she sang it sounded manly, and yet she managed to get the "golden ticket" and this is where I say, "Are you kidding me?" Anyway this season looks like it is shaping up with some real talent. Let's see what the next few cities bring to the talent lineup and I'm sure those less blessed will also keep us amused and laughing. Oh by the way, doesn't Simon look hot this season?-Single D

Dance Wars Still Bores

I was so hoping that Dance Wars would get better and that I would start to identify with some of the dancers, but all I felt was embarrassment and sympathy. They stilled remained anonymous. -with maybe the exception of Mariel and her touching moments with her sick grandma. What planet is Bruno and Carrie Ann on? What has happened to Carrie Ann's saber tongue critiques and Bruno's hilarious anecdotal comparison's? Did they take an overdose of sugar pills? They were so sticky sweet, maybe my plasma hi-definition TV is fooling my eyes and ears. I thought most of the dancing was like Dance Wars -The High School Musical. The first musical number by the guys-one four letter word-Lame! Who choreographed these numbers? Both numbers were not edgy enough-no excitement to reel one in. The second group looked alot like the Village People with alot of skipping and hopping around on the stage. Maybe it was the song choice? Horrendous and yet so many prideful parents in the audience. their faces beaming with hope and pride, and screaming teens-maybe the network is paying them (one could only hope). As my daughter said Carrie Ann has become the Paula of Dance Wars. Where is the Carrie Ann that we know and hate from Dancing with the Stars. She puts the celebrities would be dancers through the mill with her "you lifted her foot off the ground, I saw you". "your feet are flat footed and you need to hold your upper body straighter". The girls definitely have better voices and better dance moves. The first group of girls were somewhat nasally-will someone give them some nose spray to clear up their sinuses? The second group were more in the line of the Cheetah Girl style. I did feel bad when they eliminated one girl and one guy from the cast. Oh well, too bad, so sad, but they're young, they'll get over it, and there's still American Idol after all. -Single D

Ghost Hunters International

The ghost hunters are back and they are going international. Looks like Jason and Grant are leaving this one up to some of their associates. Andy is back and looks all grown up but no less geeky. Brian is also back as tech manager. Not a big surprise there since Steve is afraid of flying. As Steve himself says, the only thing he is not afraid of is ghosts. Considered the most haunted castle in the UK, Chillingham Castle in Northumberland, England is the first stop. The castle has a dungeon in which people were tortured before they were murdered. Sightings include full body apparitions and even animals. Andy and Robb right away debunk one apparition which turns out to be a suit of armor and a weather vane atop the castle which could look like something looking over the edge of the turret. Meanwhile in the chapel, Donna and Shannon had their video and audio batteries drained. Donna became uneasy and pulled out her rosary while telling the spirits that they are in a chapel and the spirits aren't allowed to hurt them. I guess they listened, no one was hurt. Never underestimate the power of the rosary! Barry and Donna team up in the lower dungeon where Barry feels something brush against his hand and Donna pulls out the rosary again. Nothing was caught on video but a few names where captured on audio. "Christ" was heard in the chapel, "Toby" and "James" were heard in the Grey room. Toby, it turns out, was the name of a dog that lived in the castle and James may have referred to James II who was beheaded in the castle. Kind of disappointing given the history and the sightings by others. I guess I was hoping for the ghosts to come out and do a song and dance! Just kidding guys, good job! Second stop on the international tour is Mary King's Close in Edinburgh, Scotland. A Close is an alleyway and this one has been built over and sealed since 1743 when people died of the Black Plague. That should generate some activity. Tours are given here and one area in particular, Anne's room, is supposedly where a little girl died from the plague and people bring in toys and money to help her feel better. The money, by the way, goes to a local children's hospital. While in this room, Barry and Brian try to get Anne to come out by removing some of the toys and telling the spirit they are going to burn the toys. Sure enough, they get a 10 degree temperature drop and the ion detector goes crazy. Nice guys, tell a little girl you are going to burn her toys! I'm surprised she didn't come out and scare you! In one of the houses, a piece of foam rubber falls over and freaks out Donna and Shannon. I'm sure Donna whipped out that rosary again! They also hear what sounds like a horse and buggy which turns out to be Barry and Brian removing the toys from the other room. Shame on you guys! Poor little Anne is probably still looking for those toys! Again, not a lot of activity for someplace you would expect it. Someone did photograph a shadow outside one of the houses and in the next picture it was gone. They did go back to look, and there was nothing on that wall. OOOOOO! Both investigations this week did not earn enough evidence to be called haunted. Hopefully next week will pick up! Double D

Amazing Race - Birthday Bust

This was so much like a soap opera, it was great! There was suspense, there was back stabbing, there was action, ok so it's like most episodes. Nate & Jen started out by saying they have been playing nice, since when! Then you have Nick saying that he and gramps have been playing the game like bitches. Jen started out so happy because it was her birthday and seemed all happy with Nate. Now, we all know that won't last. The next clue was to take a taxi to a Floating Garden in a building with a hole in it. Not real good with the clue this time. Father Ron and Christina, as well as the other teams, found it pretty quickly. It turned out to be an observatory. Good thing TK took the lead on this one since Rachel wanted to take the elevator down. It looked like the serene team was getting on each other's nerves but, it didn't last long and they were soon back to their Kum-by-ya selves.

After the Floating Gardens, the teams were off to Taipei, Taiwan or as Nate kept saying, Ta-pie. At the airport, Christina pulled a Boston Rob and asked the ticket agent to say the flight was full. Jen over heard and started yelling at the agent saying you can't listen to them! I loved the "who me?" look on Christina's face. Nate & Jen did not make the flight and even fell behind TK & Rachel when they arrived in Taipei. Rachel made the comment that Jen was pissed, when is Jen NOT pissed? She told Nate she couldn't believe how mean he was being to her and he hadn't said a word! Gee, sounds like last week when she accused him of pushing her into the cab.

The car seesaw challenge would have made me sick. Looked like father Ron was not real happy about it either. After that, they had to drive underwater for 17 seconds. Father Ron and gramps both looked like they would rather be anywhere but there at the time even earning gramps a bleep when he expressed how he felt. The other teams cruised through. TK & Rachel came out behind father Ron & Christina only to find the dreaded speed bump. In the speed bump, TK & Rachel had to don safety suits and run through a barrage of fireworks. TK said it was like running through a war zone.

While on the train to their next stop, Jen complained (go figure) to Nick and gramps that they work their butts off and TK & Rachel are slackers. Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't all the teams do the same challenges? I know Jen, it's not your fault sugar, the other teams don't do as much as you! I love it that Nick went right to TK & Rachel and told them about what Jen said about them. Way to stir that pot Nick! All teams chose the "Earth" challenge and had to find Youth Park. Jen talked to some locals who said to take the subway because traffic was bad. Not listening to Nate, Jen plowed ahead to the subway. The other teams took taxi's and found the park. When they couldn't catch a bus to the park, Jen blamed Nate saying he needed to step up and make decisions. Would she even listen if he did? So now they are back to hating each other.

Father Ron & Christina came in first with Nick and gramps edging out Nate & Jen which sent me jumping out of my seat for joy! Coming in last, Jen tried to tell Nate that they were not thinking about their relationship only the race while Nate started crying. I hope he was crying in frustration that he didn't pick a better team mate! Then the touching moment when Nate picked up Jen in a big bear hug. Gag me! If those two stay together after this, they deserve each other! Looks like father Ron really is changing his ways, he is much more enjoyable to watch with his new attitude. 5 backpacks to say GOODBYE to Jen! Oh, and Nate.

Double D

I can't believe that we are approaching the end of this season's Amazing Race and sure enough, it did not disappoint. As the teams are about to leave lovely Osaka, we learn that it is Jen's birthday and all is well with the world-but wait......it's still early. When Nate learned they were going to Taiwan, he said he didn't know anything about Taiwan, but that he does love Thai food-Thaiwan-Thai food close, not! wrong country Nate! The birthday bliss did not last long, while at the airport trying to make reservations, Nate interrupts Jen with the ticket agent and Jen explodes telling Nate that "I can't believe you're being mean to me on my birthday!" Waaa! Jen manages to keep up her tense stress level throughout the entire episode, seething below the surface every time they ran into TK and Rachel.

Ok, I admit it, TK and Rachel are behind and that's where I wanted them to stay-Jen said it best when they all caught up at the airport, that she wanted to rip those dread out of his head-ouch! My thoughts exactly-I'm sorry. They just bug the tie dye out of me. And Rachel, I don't think she has a clue in her head, best she listen to TK because her feelings are all wrong, like how she wanted to stay on the ground when looking for the clue at the floating gardens-hum, floating could mean air bound no?

How is it at the road block, father Ron and Gramps are chosen to do the car ride? Did you notice how the older contestants had the look of fear in their eyes, while the younger contestants were laughing their heads off with glee. Just goes to show you that as you age you lose your ability to enjoy anything death defying. I know this because I will never, ever go on that plunging water ride at Knott's Berry Farm, with the vertical dive straight into a pool of water again! I thought that father Ron would leave the truck-his mouth was a constant whoa, whoa, whoa, but he did emerge from the water jeep ride and said that was refreshing.

And who thought up that insipid speed bump, running through a bunch of firecrackers, why I have done that same thing at San Francisco's Chinatown New Year's parade (only without the fire suit). TK and Rachel managed to finish everything in record time in their slow mellow way.

Once again Christina's trilingual ability helped them make their way through Taipei, helping them translate the Chinese characters at the bottom of the tea cup. All three teams chose the best detour to do the walk challenge, which at first I thought it was to walk on a bed of hot coals, but it turned out to be sharp stones. Father Ron's feet must really tough as leather because he said it really didn't hurt him much. Go figure, tough feet, tough exterior!

I don't know why Jen seemed to think that it was faster to take a subway and then a bus to reach the park, that turned out to be the slowest way and thus their final undoing as they yelled to each other in the street in fits of frustration. Jen does make some sense (am I really saying this?) that Nate needs to make a decision for once! Now if only Jen could keep her mouth shut maybe he could.

The last two legs seemed to be easy for father Ron and Christina, maybe knowing the language helped and once again came in first. I'm hoping for either Ron & Christina or Nick & Gramps to win this thing, because if TK and Rachel win, they'll just buy a VW van and cruise around America singing some Cat Stevens song.

As for Nate and Jen, as Phil says, you are the last team to arrive, sorry but you have been eliminated. Jen's commentary on their relationship is that they killed it, or in this case over killed it as she leaped into Nate's arms and wept. Ah, this is what TV's all about. -Single D