The Llamas family photos

The mother Michele

The father-Lorenzo

The daughter-Shane

Tila Teliqua-Shot at Love # 2

It's Bi-nanza (how many different ways will she use that pun?) time at the house as Tila's challenge for a date is ride'm cowboys and cowgirls. How is it that prime young studs (or so they think) and young women (can they be called that?) can't hold on to a mechanical bull to save their lives? This is mechanical bull riding for toddlers 101. The bull is in an inflatable wading pool so the contestants don't get bruised up should they fall off. The bull is going in slo mo, about 1 turn per every 5 minutes. How hard is that? Are these people wimps or what. How is it that prime young studs (at least they think they are) fall off after 10 seconds? They whole thing was so lame, I had to go to the kitchen to get myself a snack. When I came back, Tila was announcing that the losers were going to cook chili. Gee can I be on the losing team. I would have loved to cook chili, that should have been the challenge, a Bi-Chili cook off. Everyone was criticizing Bo for taking charge of the cooking, hey I love it when a man can cook!

The next thing we know everyone is in the pool for a pool party, more like a pool orgy. The girls are stacking up on Tila as the guys watch, mouths open, drool dropping. Snap those mouths shut and roll up your tongues guys. I imagine that scene was every guys dream come true. Jersey was so excited he wanted some of the action, but Tila definitely was not feeling it and things came to a screeching halt. The next challenge for the two on one date is down drench derby, cranking water into a bucket until it falls over and drenches the two pairs. Lisa and Kyle win the date. Kyle is showing his creepy side again by asking Tila strange sexual questions, like have you ever done it on top of a fridge, in a cave, on a boat, well maybe not exactly those questions, but something to that effect, just plain gross. No wonder they call him kreepy Kyle. When Lisa gets her private time with Tila, kreepy Kyle just kept staring at them. Kreepy Kyle is krazy! Lisa gets the kiss, while Kreepy Kyle get the kan, along with sweet George. He reminded me of last season's Italian Stallion Domenico, just as sweet but without the accent. Poor George, everyone was crying at his departure, I guess he was beloved by the house, but not by Tila. Tila said to Jersey, don't make me regret sending George home. You will honey, you will. As George summed it up, good guys do finish last, and at that cut to Chad head butting really hard Bo....to be continued!

PS-Kyle you're probably not as kreepy as you came off, just stop staring and take some lessons in how to act in front of a girl! -Single D

Top Chef - Box lunch

We join our chefs this week as they are coming down from the wedding. Andrew is still on a culinary high saying he is either going to stab somebody or cook some amazing food. I'm hoping for the amazing food. Sam Talbot from season two is the guest judge this week. He's still a cutie! The quickfire challenge is to make a "sexy" salad in 45 minutes. The chefs get busy and come up with creations like, Antonia's poached egg and wild mushroom salad with bacon vinegrette, Lisa's banana, squid, lobster salad with grapefruit vinegrette sounded like a mess to me. Spike wins the challenge with his sensual beef salad with pineapple, yum! He doesn't win immunity but is told that he will get an advantage in the elimination challenge. The elimination challenge is to make a healthy box lunch for Chicago cops. They are to take a typical policeman's box lunch and make it healthy. Spike's advantage for this challenge - he can chose up to four ingredients that no one else can use. They go to Whole Foods to get their supplies. They have to make something incorporating a vegetable, fruit, protien and a whole grain. Chefs have to wait until Spike picks his advantage ingredients before they can shop. Spike is too much enjoying his shopping waving his picks in front of the others. He picks chicken, tomatoes, lettuce and bread so no one else can use these ingredients. The girls grumble that they better see Spike use all of those ingredients. Richard and Andrew keep changing their recipes as Spike picks each ingredient. Richard decides on lentil and tuna burritos while Andrew makes sushi using pine nuts and parsnips as the rice with salmon and veggies as the filling. Dale makes bison rolls using cabbage in place of lettuce and Lisa comes up with edamame and shrimp stir fry with hot sauce but says that someone burned her rice. Everyone pretty much used the fruit as a side or in a dessert. As everyone is cooking, the camera keeps panning over to the microwaves showing the GE logo. I guess GE gave them a big sponsorship. It's lunch time and the cops come in for the feast. I kept looking for my husband's cousin who is a Chicago cop, but I didn't she her. Hi Tara! As they make their selections, Spike only puts out two or three of his dishes telling everyone they are going fast so they better grab one. Did anyone bother to tell Spike that it doesn't matter how many he serves but that it has to taste good? Richard keeps asking everyone, "do you like burritos?" which I thought was pretty clever, get them in the mind set that they are eating high calorie burritos instead of healthy ones. As the judges come in, Chef Tom is confident the chefs will be serving healthy tasty dishes. Chef Tom tastes Lisa's dish with the hot sauce which brings tears to his eyes. What? Don't like spicy? Andrew's sushi did not hold together at all and wasn't very tasty and the judges get confused about Spike's lack of using the lettuce and tomatoes in his dish which was chicken salad. At judges table, the judges like Stephanie's meatball and mushroom soup and Dale's bison rolls with mango and cucumbers. Dale wins with a prize of a magnum of Rutherford Hill Merlot and tickets to visit the winery in Napa Valley. Nice prize! Can I go? I love Napa and Rutherford Hill Merlot! Andrew, Spike and Lisa are the bottom three. Andrew starts questioning the rules which doesn't sit well with the judges. Andrew did not use a grain in his dish opting to use the ground pine nuts & parsnips in place of rice. Lisa still says someone burned her rice when it's possible she did it herself. Spike seemed surprised that he is one of the bottom three and the judges remind him that he used his advantage to the detriment of the other chefs. They also said that he just made chicken salad to which Spike challenged the judges saying what do they know about salty and sweet combinations. Looks like they know quite a bit Spike, that's why they are sitting at the table and you aren't! The judges had not commented on Andrew's lack of using a grain in his dish so Lisa points this out to the judges. Andrew jumps on Lisa for this then Lisa starts to say "I'm sorry, I didn't realize you didn't use....." when Andrew cuts her off saying thanks for calling me out. In the back room waiting for the judges decision, Andrew goes after Lisa for calling him out and Lisa fires back then Andrew tells her she shouldn't whine about her burnt rice. Go to your corners kids, it's over! As Andrew tries to brush off the tire tracks from the bus he was thrown under, the judges tell him to pack his knives and go. Hopefully the guys and gals of the Chicago Police Department had a good time! Double D

Hell's Kitchen-Taste Testing

Matt is overjoyed at his defection to the girls team, but for the girls he's going to need to prove himself before he's accepted. Now I don't really have an opinion about him, but I tend to think that he is probably misjudged alot because he always wears a scowl on his face. It's just his natural face but it's always in frown mode. Poor guy, I know plastic surgery could help that. The reward challenge involves the infamous palate taste testing. Both groups taste three dishes cooked up the the chef himself, chicken pot pie, beef stew, and raviolis, with one major ingredient missing! Everyone seems to think it's some kind of spice or something. Petrozzi thinks something is wrong with the meat but can't pinpoint it. Everyone loves the ravioli but doesn't realize it's missing the pork. The other dishes are made with tofu/soy substitute meat products instead of the chicken and beef. Now you would think they would be able to tell the difference between tofu and beef. The next challenge is the blind taste test. Again, how do you not know the taste of yams and nectarines? The girls are in the lead, when it comes down to the final taste test between rivals, Ben and Matt tasting the clam chowder. They had to name the 10 ingredients in the soup. Much to my surprise, Matt was able to name more ingredients and won the challenge for the girls. Winners get a spa treatment, losers clean the dorms. Matt is ecstatic that he won the challenge for the girls and seems to be enjoying the chocolate facial mask when Ben comes in to serve them tea. Hummm, chocolate mask, yum! The dinner service is pretty much the same rerun with Roseann messing up again and Louross in stall mode. Ben is by far the worst performer of the evening. Matt is so happy that Ben is getting hammered by Chef that it is translating into his putting out the best risotto that has ever been made in Hell's Kitchen according to Chef Ramsay. Matt is so proud his chest is puffed out like a proud rooster in a chicken coop. Unfortunately, it seems like both teams can't get their stuff together to make a complete dinner service, so it's "shut it down!". Chef Ramsay calls the men's team as the losers and for each of them to nominate someone. Back in the dorm, Ben is the first one to call on Louross to be nominated even tho it was Ben himself as the weakest member. Bobby doesn't want to go along with that and says why not each one of us vote for each other so that all four go up, which I thought very democratic. Petrozza is not sold on the idea and says he has to think about it. In front of Ramsay, each one nominates each other until it's Petrozza's turn. He says he can't nominate anyone, what! Come on, Ben was the weakest link, swallow crow and nominate him! Petrozzi says he will nominate himself. Chef Ramsay is surprise by his self sacrificing valor and knows that it took alot of guts to do that. In the end, it's Ben that is eliminated, he really needed to go, he was just plain mean, and as Matt said, karma will get you every time.-Single D

American Idol-Final Three

This week it's the battle of the final three-two David's and one Syesha. The evening was sort of a disappointment. I really didn't think they needed to sing 3 songs, that didn't show their vocal abilities at all. It left me wanting more, like Chinese food. I know I ate something, but I can't remember what it was. I think David Archuleta struggled last night. His song choices were terrible. I can see why his intrusive stage dad wanted them changed. The first song "And So It Goes" was alright, but his second, Chris Brown's song, which I absolutely love,"With You" was not good. I bet his dad chose that song. And the last producer's choice "Longer Than" was just ok. Big disappointment, since I'm a huge Archuleta fan. What can I say about Syesha, she looked amazing. I hated that "Fever" song-way too old for her to be singing. At least she has a great first name that can stand alone like all the other great single name artist like Cher and Madonna. I think David Cook had the better song choices, however, I'm not really a fan like I would go out and buy his CD. The judges have told David A that he needed more emotion in his eyes well what about David Cook, he always looks like a dead fish when he sings, there is absolutely no emotion in his eys. I think the final battle will be between the two Davids. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for David Archuleta, let's hope his dad keeps his golfers cap head out of David's singing!-Single D

The Bachelor-London Calling-Hollywood Ending

Gee, life is a Hollywood ending! An English bachelor comes calling and ends up with the American Dream and a Hollywood ending, but more on that later. Matt takes his remaining two women, Chelsea and Shayne to London to meet his parents, Trish and Tony and his brother, Simon. Sorry Simon, but Matt inherited the good looks in the family. Matt comes from your typical English stock, prim and proper parents, living in the typical English house you might expect, old English furniture and large paintings with gold gilt frames. Matt takes Chelsea for a ride on the Eye. When I was in London, that wasn't even built yet. Chelsea goes to meet Matt's parents for dinner at their house. Simon remarks on how pretty she is. To me it seems that Chelsea is trying really hard to impress Matt's parents, a little too hard. Matt's mom seems so nice and down to earth. I was wondering where dad Tony was during this, he just disappeared.

The next day, Matt meets Shayne and takes her on a double decker bus ride to see the sights of London. Shayne's outfit is very cute. Snaps! Shayne is amazed at London and says it looks like it's out of the movies. For someone being raised in a Hollywood family, she has done very little traveling. My daughter has more flier miles than she does! At first Simon said that he didn't think she was the right match for Matt, but then after talking with her, he thought her very mature and nice. Our blondie showed her confidence and maturity and held up to the scrunity of the meet the parents. The only time Matt's dad said anything was when Matt asked his family which one they liked better and he said Shayne. Go pops!

Back in Barbados and the Hilton, there's that Hilton sign again, the girls have one last date with Matt. Chelsea gives Matt a present, a cooler bag with cereal and surf board wax, not very romantic if you ask me. Just goes to show how there's not the warm and fuzzy vibe between them! She says it's for breakfast in bed. If I'm having breakfast in bed it better be croissants, scones, jelly and cappuccinos! And the wax is to teach Matt how to surf when he comes to California. Chelsea tells Matt that she's falling in love with him, but during their whole time together, she just seems so awkward and clumsy in the relationship and there's absolutely no chemistry there. Unlike Shayne, who seems so utterly at ease with Matt, gripping onto him like a baby chimp. Shayne and Matt's last date is para sailing which looked like so much fun. Shayne tells Matt "see what I do for you"!

Shayne's present to Matt is two frames with pictures of herself writing "I love you" in the sand. Now that's romantic! Matt still doesn't give us any hints of whom he's choosing, telling each one of them that he is falling in love with them. Is he allowed to say the "L" word?

Matt chooses the Tacori diamond ring, absolutely beautiful. He was holding it while standing on the balcony over the ocean, I was afraid he would drop it in the ocean! yikes!

I always get so nervous when the limos pull up, nervously pacing...which one will be the first one, like that would tell me which one he picks? Of course I'm hoping Shayne wins. The votes on our blog show the most votes cast for Shayne! Looks like America agrees. Out of the first limo is Chelsea, in a long flowing Grecian style dress. She goes to Matt and he shows no sign of nervousness. He gives her the customary, I think you're wonderful speech and then drops the but.....I've fallen in love with someone else! I was so ecstatic! There is a God after all!

Chelsea is crushed but manages to keep her composure until for one split second she blurted out "You picked the most falsest one!". Matt shot back "if you think I did, then you don't know me! "

In the next limo, Shayne makes her way to Matt, wearing a billowy yellow chiffon cocktail dress with her hair in a up swept duo and long bangs. I'm wondering if those diamond bracelets both ladies had on were real? Shayne meets Matt and he proceeds to tell her that she is amazing and that he has loved every second that they had together and then he drops to one knee as Shayne cries "Matt, Matt!" I could weep! It was so romantic! He says "Monkey, will you marry me?" It was just the perfect Hollywood ending with a montage of their bachelor journey. In the end, this season of London Calling was just perfect. I hope Matt and Shayne will be able to keep it going, but knowing the rate of breakup, that might be hard. Shayne's last word to him was "Matt, you have to promise me not to look at any other women, because you have looked at too many women during our relationship." Very funny! I'm just wondering if Shayne will be willing to give up her acting career for Matt and move to London? That's the big question mark in that ending, nonetheless, it was simply jolly well perfect! -Single D

It's the final two in London to meet the parents. Chelsea goes first and Matt takes her up in the London Eye. Not your typical ferris wheel with its stand up, glass enclosed gondolas with an amazing view. That would have been one of my "face my fear" things that Matt finds so sexy. On to Matt's parents house. Matt's brother Simon looked so serious until he tells Chelsea if she moves to England she will have to bring her Wellies. Matt's "mum" does all the grilling on Chelsea while his father was not very much a part of the picture. All I can say is Matt's family is obviously well-to-do with a huge house in London. Unless it's all staged and they really live in a two room flat in London's ghetto.

Next up is Shayne. He takes her to Hyde Park and on a double decker bus tour around the city. At the house bro Simon wasn't real sure about Shayne but she really warmed up to them and them to her. Matt's father asks Shayne how old she is to which she responded 12. I think she had them in the palm of her hand after that.

After Shayne leaves, Matt sits with his family to get their reaction to the two women. Mum & dad like Shayne saying she seems the more genuine of the two while Simon likes Chelsea. I say Simon wants Matt to pick Chelsea so he can have a crack at Shayne!

It's back to Barbados for one last date before the big rose ceremony. Matt takes Chelsea on a helicopter tour which ends up on a secluded beach. Chelsea looks like she finally has loosened up a bit and is actually having fun with Matt. She gives Matt a California Survival Kit consisting of cereal for breakfast in bed, surf wax because she wants to teach him to surf and a map for all of their travels. I thought it was clever, maybe not so romantic but clever.

Matt is still calling Shayne monkey, apparently because she clings to him as a monkey would. Matt takes her parasailing with her squealing all the way. Later, Shayne gives him a present of pictures of her writing I love you in the sand saying this is the most important present you will ever get from me. What no more imagination? After telling her she is the warmest, most genuine person he has ever met, she looks up, while rubbing her eyes and asks "did you like my present?" Now I like Shayne but, in that moment, she looked every bit a child being put to bed by a doting guardian.

At the rose ceremony, Chelsea arrives first all hopeful but gets the "I'm sorry but" speech from Matt. My heart went out to her because she did take so long to open up. I just hope she doesn't shut herself off from finding someone who can love her for herself.

Come on, didn't we all know it was going to be Shayne? Young, gorgeous, potential movie income what red blooded man wouldn't go for that? So Matt asks "monkey" to marry him to which she happily agrees.

As they stare into the sunset, we look forward to the Bachelorette next week! Double D

Survivor-Fan vs Favorites Finale!

I can't believe we've come to the end of another season of Survivor, this one being the best one in recent memory. I say memory, because once they leave the island, I can barely remember who participated! The girls are celebrating their victory over the mind bending blindside they played on unsuspecting naive Erik. They couldn't beat him in challenges, but proved that they could beat him in mind control. Great job! Amanda, Cirie, Parvati and Natalie get tree mail calling for them to prepare for their final 3 immunity challenge. This challenge of balance (on a pole in the ocean) and filling up the tube which held the key to the puzzle ladder on shore, was a challenge in quickness and concentration. I was holding my breath as Natalie takes a huge lead, but Amanda managed to keep steady and won immunity. I really didn't care who won as along as it wasn't Natalie! Ok, ok, I'm a favorites fan! It was pretty much a sealed deal that Natalie got eliminated, say goodbye Natalie, sorry to see ya go, you seemed to have lost steam at the end.

At tribal, the jury looks freshly polished and washed. Ozzy still looks pissed at Parvati, get over it Oz, it's a game and you lost! Erik seems to be taking his elimination with good humor and is all smiles.

At camp the girls decide to let the chicken, Gloria go. No wonder they didn't eat her, any animal with a name is a pet in my book. Now that it's just the girls, I'm wondering what they are eating, since no one has caught any fish, just coconuts? I think the cameramen must be secretly sneeking food to them. Our chicken Gloria doesn't want to leave camp and decides to make a nest, why leave paradise now, she knows whose feeding her!

When the final survivors make the journey of remembering, I always start to feel sentimental, ok, maybe for 10 seconds. I forgot who originally played in the game, it seemed so long ago, so it's a good refresher. Bye Fairplay, bye Yauman, gee were they even in this game?

The final challenge was one of concentration and determination, holding blocks together without dropping the ball on top. Of course, Parvati is the first one to drop her ball, has she ever won any challenges? That challenge looked hard with the sun beating down and Amanda and Cirie licking the sweat off their lips. I was sweating just looking at them and Amanda wins the final challenge. I kinda wanted Cirie to win to mix things up, but I was ok with any of them winning. Get the Kleenex out because Amanda starts to whine on how she has to make the decision to cast off one of them and you know whose going home, Cirie. I don't know why she wanted to keep Parv. They are like two slices of white toast and at least if she would have kept Cirie, there would have been a big difference between them, stragety and game playing. I think Amanda would have had a better chance with Cirie sitting next to her than Parv. But in the end, did it matter who was up against Amanda? Amanda just doesn't have any verbal skills. Being on equal footing between Parvati and Amanda, I think it came down to how they came across to the jury during the final Inquisition. The only thing Parv had going for her was her strategic underhanded game play, which it seems, that the meaner, the more devious, the more you have back stabbed people and lied, the more you increase your chances of winning, with the exception of Ethan, from Survivor Africa. Amanda didn't have a chance against anyone, because she couldn't verbalize her playing ability. I thought she should have said that she managed to be in the final two twice, which I think is a total testament to the way she played the game and is proof that she has what it takes to be the ultimate survivor. But because she was unable to persuade the jury, she lost the vote of confidence. All they saw was a weak, sniffling Amanda, what they needed to see was a strong, competent Amazonian woman, but instead they got give me a hankie please!

In the end, Amanda might not have won the game, but she managed to win the guy, Oz. Isn't love grand. I loved Ozzy's speech and his denouncing Parv's game play for the sake of a million dollars, but Oz, it's a million dollars, let's face it, I'd sell my husband for a million dollars! Ok, not really sell him, well maybe for George Clooney. I thought he was going to produce a ring for Amanda's finger, I'm forever a romantic!

Hey have you been tuning into the webcast of Ponderosa? I love the peek at life after Survivor. It's hysterical and makes the Survivors back into real people and not the contestants you love to hate. Ponderosa is like a glorified camp with all the food, drink and Crest white strips you could want. Hey I could live like that forever and with the gorgeous beach at their footsteps. Well, this season was totally satisfying, like eating a good surf and turf dinner, can't wait for Survivor Gabon, Africa, looks promising! See you on the blog!-Single D

Here we are, the final four - 3 faves and one fan. The girls are celebrating but now the interesting part starts. I'm sure Natalie will be the next one out if she doesn't win immunity. We'll see who steps next into the Venus fly trap.

Immunity challenge is a ladder puzzle but to get the key to unlock the pieces, the girls have to stand on twenty foot pole and use buckets of water to raise the key. Cirie wasted too much time trying to reach the key and fell behind quickly. Is it just me or were there holes in the bottom of those buckets? It seemed to me that there was a lot of water leaking out when they were raised. Anyway, Natalie and Parvati take an early lead dashing my hopes for Amanda. Oh ye of little faith I tell myself, for our Amazon Amanda comes back and blows them out of the water! She really is a good match for our Jungle Boy Ozzy!

As Jeff talks about the blindsides at tribal later that day, the camera pans to the jury and we get a shot of Ozzy glaring at the girls. I guess he's still upset about his blindside. It's your own fault Ozzy, how many times do people say don't get too comfortable. No one is safe in Survivor! Cirie starts saying that she feels she is on the bottom as she plays the poor pitiful me card. Well she can stop saying that as the vote comes back and Natalie becomes a jury member.

As they return to camp, Cirie is still doing the poor me thing and starts yelling at Amanda which makes Amanda start yelling back, kind of. I think Amanda was just defending herself and trying to make Cirie see that she has not been on the bottom. After all, if Cirie was on the bottom all this time, I don't think she would have made it this far. Amanda starts crying, her and Cirie make up and they all have a group hug and all is right with the world. The next morning they decide to free the last chicken which they have named Gloria. Gloria doesn't seem to want to leave as she makes a nest right in front of the girls. That chicken has ceased to be a chicken and is now a pet!

Next comes the reflection walk. Who is Mary? I had already forgotten some of the players, not Yau-man though! He got such a raw deal! There is something about this part that brings out my emotional side. It's almost like watching a memorial for a funeral, I have to remind myself that these people are alive just not in the game!

The last immunity challenge, balance a metal ball on a cylinder while adding pieces to the handle every 5 minutes. I'm still cheering for Amanda. As they add the pieces, Jeff stirs the pot telling the girls they are battling each other. Parvati drops out first and as I'm sitting on the edge of my sofa, Cirie loses concentration in the final seconds giving Amanda immunity and me a quick calorie burn as I jump up and down cheering. Jeff explains to Amanda that by casting her vote at tribal, she is saying who she will take with her to the end (really?!). With that, Jeff tells the girls to have a fun afternoon. Nice Jeff, drop a load like that then say "have fun". Nothing like some mind games to polish off an afternoon.

Back at camp, Parvati is talking to Amanda like it's already them in the final two. Parvati tells Amanda that Cirie has pissed off more people than she has making Amanda's decision that much harder. At tribal, Amanda starts crying again about the decision she has to make but she votes out Cirie, crying the whole time while Parvati breaks out in a huge grin.

Cirie's little speech at the end didn't make me feel sorry for her. Cirie pretty much rode everyone's coat tails. I will say that she did do some fast talking to save her butt and was instrumental in some of the blind sides, but other than that, she didn't do anything around the camp and remember when she was going around saying that she was in control and everyone should be bowing to her and doing her laundry? That's right, and she says she was on the bottom, HA! Ultimately she was on the bottom, but HA!

Now it's the jury's turn. Eliza comes out with guns blazing but we all expected that didn't we? Natalie's questions to Parvati about how her flirting translates into the bedroom gets everyone so confused that Jeff asks Parvati if she knew what was being asked of her. I think Natalie was just feeling out Parvarti for a date. Cirie is still pissed off at Amanda for voting her out and she still thinks she should have been in the final two. I'm sorry, but Cirie is sitting there dripping in diamonds and she should get a million bucks?! Maybe she needs it to pay off her jeweler.

Ozzy is still mad about being blindsided telling Parvati she threw away their friendship for a million dollars. Ozzy pours his heart out to Amanda telling her his is falling for her. Isn't reality TV love grand?

What is wrong with Amanda?! During the jury questioning, she just sat there like she expected them to hand her a million dollars. Now is the time to toot that horn girl! But does she?! No! And Parvati is talking herself up saying how well she played the game. I was yelling at the TV for Amanda to stand up for herself! She was final two twice, she won a lot of challenges, she worked around camp, she stayed loyal to her alliances. I don't know, maybe when you get to the end you are so worn out physically and emotionally you just want it to be over.

So Parvati wins the million. At least Amanda still has Ozzy. Maybe they will make little jungle king babies and we will see them on Survivor 36! Double D

Top Chef - Wedding Wars

For the quickfire challenge this week, the chefs are divided into two teams to do the relay race. The race is to make a quart of mayo, section an orange, peel an artichoke and fillet a monk fish. Let me tell you, a monk fish is one Ugly fish! Andrew tore through those artichokes like a hot knife through butter. Richard & Dale go head to head to fillet the monk fish. The teams are even so it comes down to the mayo making with Lisa and Nikki. Lisa is a whiz at it making that whisk fly! My arm hurt just watching her. Lisa's mayo making talent won her team the quickfire challenge. Dale, who is on Nikki's team, freaks out and slams his hand into a locker leaving a good size dent. Lighten up Dale, you can't win them all! Instead of restaurant wars as in Top Chef's past, they are doing wedding wars complete with wedding cake. One team will cater to the groom's tastes and, of course, the other team will cater to the bride. Dale's team get the groom who likes Italian food so Nikki should have a chance to redeem herself. Richard's team get the bride who seems to want a mix of bar food and picnic fare. Andrew is so excited about wedding wars that he says he has a culinary boner. Now there is someone who likes cooking! Dale, on the other hand is already getting an attitude saying he is picking up everyones slack and doing everything. The rest of the team is not happy with Dale since he is not willing to be a team player and won't work with anyone. I guess if he isn't cooking with Richard, he won't cook with anyone. After a day and half of straight cooking, the chefs start feeling the lack of sleep as Andrew stops talking much to the surprise of everyone and Dale, when asked by Chef Tom, can't remember what it was he prepared. Dale had his hand in so much that I can understand that. Nikki would not step up and take control of the team even though she has the most experience with Italian food. Lisa started on the groom's cake right away just in case something went wrong. She made a chocolate hazelnut three tiered cake. A cake Single D would love! It wasn't pretty but I'm sure it tasted good. Stephanie stepped up to make the bride's cake, a five tiered dark chocolate cake with lemon filling. Her cake was OK looking, she decorated it with fresh flowers. The menus started with short ribs and blue cheese in phyllo, pizza, pulled pork sandwiches and bruschetta on flat bread. Chef Tom was practically gnawing on the flat bread and Gail was afraid she would break a tooth. The bride's dinner consisted of fillet, potatoes gratin, creamed spinach (one of my faves) and crispy, almond crusted chicken. The groom's dinner was mixed roasted veggies, butternut squash tortellini, sea bass, pork and beef ragu as well as fillet. Richard's team bride, was the judges favorite with Richard winning, again. Richard gave his prize, a $2000 gift certificate to Crate and Barrel (one of my favorite stores), to Stephanie saying that she was a trouper for making the wedding cake. Stephanie told Richard they could split the prize. OK, enough of the nicey nice! Dale's team groom failed terribly and Dale says he did everything but won't take responsibility for anything saying everyone but him did bad. This upsets Spike who goes off on Dale calling him a little b!tch. Them's fightin' words dude! Spike is a little full of himself when the judges tell him his sea bass was the only good dish from the team but his roasted veggies were terrible. Nikki was the first to say she was not the lead on this challenge and the judges asked her why not since she is the Italian food expert of the team. Nikki is told to pack her knives and go. The judges thought she did not step up and take the lead. Come on girl, you are an Italian chef and groom wanted an Italian menu. She SO should have been the lead. Back to the pasta kitchen with you! Double D

Survivor-Fans vs Favorites-Erik Errors!

This will absolutely go down in the annuals of Survivor history as one of the funniest, craziest blindsides ever! OMG! Wasn't this the best episode ever! To begin from the beginning, Erik's pissed at Amanda for outing him during tribal council. Amanda gets the notion to work on Erik and sweet talk him into her side. The reward challenge is looming ahead and thoughts are turning to who will get the privilege of going to Exile Island for one last chance at finding another immunity idol. Amanda makes him a promise that if she wins reward that she will take him and for him if he wins to take her and send Parv to Exile to which he innocently agrees. I am saying here, is he crazy or what? The reward challenge is Survivor history questions, to which Erik is pretty knowledgeable at, gee imagine that, since as Jeff Probst pointed out that at the first Survivor, Erik was only 14! Erik wins reward and keeps his promise to Amanda, takes her to reward and sends Parv to Exile. Natalie you can close your mouth now. Plan 1 complete. The spa reward looked absolutely amazing. Of course any reward involving a massage and a pedicure is heaven! Back at camp Cirie is taking great glee at Natalie's distress at Erik backstabbing her. The Black Widow's web is falling apart. A camera shot of Exile island shows Parv sunbathing on the beach like it was some sort of resort. She has no inclination of finding that immunity idol, who cares, she has the numbers. Once back at camp, Erik is flapping around like a fish out of water, switching sides by the minute. Guess that happens to men when they are out numbered by women. Erik has little clue on the workings of women. Doesn't he know that women if forced to commune will probably stick together unless of course he's the desirable male to which he doesn't come close. Sorry Erik. Erik knows it's do or die to win immunity challenge for him. The immunity challenge was a difficult series of digging and putting puzzles together. Of course Erik wins, his digging ability is far superior to the ladies. The girls are dismayed that he won again!

Back at camp, the four girls are hatching an absurd plan. Cirie tells Natalie, that if she could work her magic on Erik to give her the immunity necklace as a gesture of goodwill, they wil pretend to vote off Amanda. Natalie says that is crazy, no one would do that! But Natalie gives it her girlish try and gets the wheels spinning in Erik's little brain. Erik's comment it's not all hair on my head, yes it is Erik, it's just hair up there, no brains.

At tribal council, Jeff Probst knows just the perfect questions to ask to stir up the drama and Erik's insecurity. Cirie should become a shrink once she leaves Survivor, because she sure knows how to push peoples buttons and tells Erik that for him to redeem himself a gesture of goodwill needs to be shown. These are the magic words that Erik needs to hear and he gives, yes you heard me right, gives the immunity necklace to Natalie, much to the chagrin of the jury and the women! What a moment! I was laughing my skinny, bony ass off. This guy is probably a virgin. He doesn't know women, is too trusting and has no common sense! Erik you just gave away a million dollars! I bet he still lives at home with his mama. Erik don't you remember that the first rule of Survivor is to remember that it's a game? I guess you can say it's refreshing that someone would be so trusting in others and believe in the goodwill and sincerity of others. Yeah in a perfect world! In the perfect world, my husband is George Clooney and I look like Angelina Jolie. Sorry Erik, it's a hard knock life. Don't get too jaded, we women are not all bad. I loved his parting sentence "You guys drive me crazy" and with that another perfect blindside! -Single D

Amanda didn't win any points with Erik after going off on him which gets Erik thinking, send thee to the jury. Amanda has other plans and starts playing Erik by making up and striking a deal with him to take her on the reward challenge should he win. Natalie is also playing on her friendship with Erik. So where is Cirie and Parvati in this little love fest? It looks like Erik starts to get a little suspicious when he says he can't trust anyone. Keep thinking that Erik after all, you are the Super Fan and have seen what goes on in this game.

The reward challenge is to answer questions of Survivor past. This is right up our Super Fan Erik's alley. It was fun to relive Survivor past. I remembered a lot of the situations but not the seasons so I would have lost bad. Our resident cutie, Jeff had to point out that Erik was 14 when he started watching Survivor. Thanks for making me feel old Jeff! Erik wins reward with his vast knowledge of Survivor and will forever retain his Super Fan status.

Erik keeps his word (of course) to Amanda and takes her on reward which is a helicopter ride to a resort where massages and food await. With all that pampering and food, not to mention Amanda sitting across from him dressed only in what looked like a towel, Erik looked like a love (or lust) struck puppy and that he wanted a little more from her than just friends. Go ahead Amanda, make him a man!

Back at camp, Natalie is confused and not real happy that her friend took another woman to reward. Cirie plays on that making Natalie believe that Erik may not be so loyal after all. After Erik and Amanda return, Natalie comes upon Erik & Cirie talking about the final three and she is not part of it.

Immunity challenge - a repeat of find the coordinates, dig for the puzzle pieces and put it together. Erik is pretty darn sure he needs to win this to stay in the game so he goes full tilt on the digging while Parvati barely makes a dent in the sand and Cirie not too worried either. His only competition seems to be Amazon Amanda but Erik stays ahead and wins immunity which means he has a spot in the final four.

Rather than except defeat, the girls, with Cirie spearheading this, convince Natalie to get Erik to give her the immunity idol so they can vote him out. With all the girls playing him, Erik looks like he may be on ropes and possibly considering giving up the idol.

At tribal, the girls are still working Erik making him think that he has to do something to redeem himself. What exactly has he done to have to redeem himself you may ask? I'm wondering that too but those girls are SO good that Erik is sure he has done something. OK so he's young, I'll give him that, otherwise he's stupid if he gives up immunity. He's been watching this show for how long?

How do you say STUPID? Let me count the ways! Erik does give Natalie immunity and the whole jury can't believe it. I thought James was going to fall off his seat he was laughing so hard. Parvati declares Erik the dumbest survivor ever. I have to agree with her as a stunned Erik gets his torch snuffed and James says at least he lost the title of dumbest survivor. Never underestimate determined women! Double D

Tila Tequila-Shot at Love-# 2

This week's episode is a challenge of endurance, no not by the contestants, but by me. Can I endure a whole hour of sloppy lame relay races and endurance swallowing? The Bi Athleon featuring a relay race, men against men haters, slipping into wet suits, jumping into pools to retrieve pearl necklaces, dunking for red or blue balls that have men or women symbols and then slip sliding into home base. The only obstacle to this course was it's participants. The guys take a big lead in the beginning but lose it when one of them gets caught up in not being able to find the right ball. It's a slip slide photo finish, but the girls win by a fin. I couldn't understand why the girls were not able to slip on the slide, it looked like they were dead fish flopping on land. The winners, girls, gets a class with Tila, the loser boys, get to go to the prom. Humm, I think going to the prom is much more fun that sitting in class. Tila plays the sexy instructor in a class of girls gone bad in their catholic girl's uniforms. The challenge, whoever writes I love Tila 25 times the quickest gets some one on one time with the teacher. Lisa, the softball instructor wins of course, she does have a strong arm. The funniest thing was when Tila brought out the robospanker, where in the world do they sell that? While the girls are in class, the guys get in trouble by staging a panty raid in the girls suitcases. They had them on their heads, using them as slingshots, stringing them up. The girls were enraged. Ok, that's where I draw the line, you just don't mess around with a women's suitcase, that's just plain wrong! Glitter starts to cry saying that everyone is so mean. Glitter, you need to go home, MTV is not for the faint of heart. At the prom, everyone is vying for Tila's time. Ryan gets some alone time and Tila says that he's kinda cute, except he kisses like a dead frog. Cut to Glitter crying.

The next challenge is the "Conveyor Belch" nice! The participants have to drink shots of mysterious liquids. Glitter is still crying. Not so mysterious and not so nasty. Stuff like hot sauce, lime juice, mustard, canola oil, etc...well, at least it's food stuff. You would think that the shots were animal urine or something the way everyone was puking. And not in puke buckets, but on the carpet. Didn't their mothers teach them anything? I pronounce the whole lot weak as water, they better not try out for survivor, they couldn't eat worms or bat stew. Weak! The girls win again, 68 shots to 64. The girls then have to compete for a date with Tila by eating a pigs va -jay jay. Now that's gross. Some where out there, there are some poor piggies without their va-jay jays, is that nice? Lisa's determination and the ability to sallow pig wins her the date but not before she had to chose one guy to accompany them. She choses mild manner Dominic. During their threesome date, Dominic makes the mistake of telling Tila that he thinks all this bi stuff is just a phases, whoopsie, wrong comment. Tila takes offense to that which is unfortunate for Dominic since it seems like he's not your regular animal house resident. The elimination round is a chopping of 4 off the show, V, Lauren, Ryan (the frog kisser) and Dominic. Thank goodness the faster we can get rid of the participants the faster the show will be over, but then again I'm sure MTV is already planning Tila 3!-Single D

American Idol-Final Four

Where has the season gone that we are now down to the final four, David Cook, David Archuleta, Syesha and Jason. This week it's music from the Rock and Roll hall of fame. David Cook starts the show off with "Hungry Like the Wolf"-is that a classic? It was just ok. It seems to me that all his songs sound the same. He really needs to tame the hair and have a make over. Will someone find him a comb? I thought Syesha's Proud Mary, would make Tina Turner proud, although Simon thought it was a cheap karaoke. I thought the second song was ok, although I didn't recognize that Sam Cook song. I know she's proud of her heritage, but does she have to get all weepy eye over it? Maybe it was the pressure of this whole thing. Syesha does have an amazing range to her voice and yes, all her songs sound different. I think that finally the judges are beginning to see that Jason really doesn't have the right stuff. Jason chose a Bob Marley song. Why, duh, because of the hair dude! I thought "I Shot the Sheriff" was terrible. Can you really display amazing vocals on that song? When even Paula is hesitant to like it, then you know it's really bad. I thought his second choice, "Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man" was a perfect choice. His voice reminds me of Cat Stevens, sing some Cat for us!

The show stealer of the evening was David Archuleta singing one of my favorites, "Stand By Me". I could melt! Now that's a classic. When he said that he was going to sing the Elvis, "Love Me Tender", I thought why? But his rendition of it was pure magic. I can't imagine what his voice would be like if he had both vocal chords, truly amazing! Shame on you stage Dad! He's lucky that he didn't ruin David's voice and my choice to win this whole thing! -Single D

Hell's Kitchen-Sweet Sixteen

Ok, I missed the beginning when both sides were dishing the dirt and came in when the announcer said that both sides lack harmony-ya think? A trip to my favorite LA 's Farmers Market, at the Grove is such a wonderful food emporium. Next time you find yourself in LA visit that place. A part of old LA with a new mix of restaurants and shops. One of my favorite places to eat was Dupars where you could sometime see movie stars and TV personalities. One time at breakfast, the Maytag repairman was sitting behind me eating his oatmeal and coffeecake. Bless his heart! The food is amazing there so with just $100.00 and 25 minutes leaves very little time to ogle the culinary delights of that place. The reward challenge is to cook three dishes for a sweet sixteen party. Both teams back at Hell's Kitchen need to cook their dishes in 45 minutes before the teen and her mother come to judge the dishes to be served at her Sweet Sixteen party. Matt is criticizing the guys for making something so common as chicken wings which is served up to Melissa with raving reviews. Chalk one up for the guys. Next dish by the girls was halibut with mango salsa which Ben declares as so yesterday. The girls won that round. For the third dish, Melissa was torn between the steak and fries by the girls or the surf and turf by the guys. Initially, Melissa looked like she was going for the girls dish until meddling mom piped up and said remember who will be eating your food, then Melissa said, well that changed my mind and gave it to the guys. The guys win the reward challenge and are treated to a day of go carting and special dessert creations while the girls have to decorate for the party that evening. Hey, I would have loved to do that, not bad for losing. They could have had to go through garbage or something! The party planner shows up dressed in a loud orange suit, was that for real? I think the whole gay party planner was put on. He just didn't look genuine. Where's the party planner from "Father of the Bride"?

Looks like Louross has a crush on Corey. Careful Louross, Corey will eat you alive!

During the dinner service, I was wondering if Chef Ramsay would contain his foul mouth in front of a teenager party? The party planner tries to talk over Chef Ramsay explosive outburst. The one dish that needed to be cooked to perfection were that of Melissa and moms. However, both are sent back to the kitchen. Once again, Bobby jumps in to save Matt's station as he is having a break down. It is a rush to complete the dinner service and Chef Ramsay says that this time no one will be eliminated, because it was a 98 to 99% return rate evaluation. At that Matt had to open his big mouth and say that was very nice of you, when Chef Ramsay says go, Piss off, go back and nominate one from each team for elimination. Nice going Matt, next time keep your mouth shut!

The guys chose Matty and the girls chose Shayna which surprises Chef Ramsay again and calls out Roseann as well. He really wants Roseann gone. Shayna however opens her mouth and tells Ramsay that she left a 3 month old baby at home to come do this. Ah ha! Fate seal, you could tell that at that moment, Chef was edging for Roseann, but when Shayna said that about her baby, he decided right there that she needed to be home. Goodbye Shayna, how could you leave your newborn? Chef Ramsay did the right thing. Oh yeah, Matt goes to the girls team, let's see if he can make any friends there.-Single D

The Bachelor-London Calling-Bachelorette Reunion-The Women Tell All

Well, this reunion of the bachelorettes was pretty tame and they really didn't tell us anything that we didn't already know. Come on Chris, take some lessons from cutie Jeff Probst and stir the pot alittle. The women were just too polite. We wanted truths, lies and videotapes! Chris Hansen starts out by calling on Stacy and her infamous act of giving Bachelor Matt her lacy g-string upon their first meeting. She says that's not really me and that she felt pressure to make herself stand out from the crowd. Well, she stood out alright, as the skank of the bunch, nice going! Chris didn't pry it out of her that maybe her consumption of alcohol had something to do with that. I'm surprised that she could even remember that after passing out, oh yeah, she would be missing something!

Next in the hot seat was Robyn (does she look 22, more like 32!) who ticked off all the ladies by saying that she wanted to win this competition. What was it a rugby game or something and Matt the trophy? Well, she'll definitely not win any Miss Congeniality sashes in this competition along with Marshana, who was just so uncompromising in her self assessment of her sassy self. I think Marshana has become infamous in her "walk-off" comment. She was even on Ellen proclaiming that sassy "walk-off" comment as her own. She nonetheless, looked great in that outfit and I was glad that she made it that far. She did try to make a weak attempt to give kudos to the quality of women that were left in the running.

Chris Hansen said to Amanda that she managed to pull off one of the funniest pranks in Bachelor history by hiring the fake parents. But Amanda said that she initially thought when Matt didn't chose her at the final three rose ceremony that maybe he was pranking her to get back? What convoluted thinking. Now that's desperation. She says that she went into that ceremony pretty confident that she would get a rose and was devastated when she didn't. After all, didn't he try to convince her fake dad that he really liked her? Poor Amanda, America's sweetheart goes home roseless. I noticed not all the bachelorettes were present, like the singing clarinet player, Michelle P and where was the white house aide worker...what's her name?

When Matt made his entrance I was wondering, why the shaved head, and when Chris asked him if he was doing a Beckham, Matt brushed it off. Shaven head and a gruffy beard. I just didn't like it. He didn't look so cute and his new look made his nose look even longer-sorry Matt! Grow your hair back and shave that 5 0'clock shadow. I tried looking for clues on who Matt chose as the last woman standing. Matt did say that the women, Chelsea and pause here.....Shayne are wonderful. Ah, did he say Chelsea's name first for a reason? Was she the one that he picked? Why hadn't he said Shayne's name first? Ah, but I speculate. I'm still hoping that it's Shayne's finger that diamond ring goes on. After all, doesn't he call her by his pet name "monkey". By the way, ABC your website on the Bachelor stinks-no pictures and no recaps. What's up with that?-Single D

Top Chef - On a budget

Oprah's personal chef is the guest judge for this episode. The quickfire challenge - create a fabulous entree' in 15 minutes using Uncle Ben's microwaveable rice. Some of the dishes were simple yet elegant like Spike's stuffed tomatoes and some were down right different like Antonia's rice salad with skirt steak. Lisa grilled shrimp and sauteed some veggies in tequila. Where was that idea in the last challenge? Antonia wins immunity with her rice salad, the judges were crazy for it. The elimination challenge - make a nutritious, kid friendly meal for 4 with a budget of $10. Now, the chefs are shopping at Whole Foods. Anyone that has set foot in a Whole Foods will tell you $10 will not get you down one of the aisles! All of the chefs go over their $10 budget and have to scale back. Antonia was peeling leaves from her bok choy to make the $10. Andrew actually comes in .28 short and runs off to buy something else. Back at the Top Chef kitchen, the chefs find out they will be getting some help. They get paired up with a child from the Common Thread program, part of the program is to teach children to cook with emphasis on families having dinner together. Spike's kid cuts himself while peeling a carrot so Spike tells him it's good luck. If that's true than I'm leading a charmed life! The chefs really get the kids involved in the cooking with one kid pounding chicken with a skillet making Chef Tom wince & look away unless the kid starts pounding his hand. The kids have to serve other kids, as well as the judges, their dishes and explain what they cooked. When Spike brought out his pasta dish, the kids went crazy. Nikki's one pot chicken and veggies was a hit with kids and judges alike. Stephanie's dish fell short with the judges saying that she was typical restaurant chef who doesn't cook much at home. That and the combination of peanut butter and tomato didn't fly. I love peanut butter but please hold the tomato! Who ever heard of a PB&T? Antonia wins elimination with her whole wheat noodle and vegetable stir fry. She's two for two in this episode. For once, Dale nor Richard ended up in the top three. They're slipping. Mark ends up in the bottom three, again and thinks it's because Chef Tom doesn't like him. Chef Tom was very surprised to hear this. Lisa also can't figure out why she is in the bottom three. The judges tell her it's because her dish is bland which she totally disagrees. The judges couldn't get past Stephanie's peanut butter and tomato and put her in the bottom three. Mark's sloppy vegetable curry earns him a pack your knives and go with Chef Tom reassuring him that he does like him. Sorry Mark, it's back to New Zealand and more cooking lessons! Double D

Ghost Hunters - Trans Allegheny Lunitic Asylum

The Trans Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston, WV is the stop on this week's Ghost Hunters. The asylum was established in 1858 and is the largest hand cut stone masonry building in North America. At one time there were over 100 lobotomies a day performed, some without anesthesia. I guess they figured crazy people don't feel pain.

Some of the reports here are sounds, full body apparitions, shirts & hair pulled. One woman was grabbed and pulled down a hallway in front of another woman who sat on her to keep her from being dragged any further.

Jason & Grant, or J & G as I like to call them, start investigating in the main building. They hear what sounds like a voice and Grant tries to provoke the spirits and they hear laughter coming from right between them.

Steve & Tango hear laughter in the women's ward. When Tango goes outside to try and debunk the laughter, Steve hears footsteps and movement in the ward even though he is the only one in the building.

Kris & Kristen go to the main building where Kristen sees a shadow. Kris gets frustrated because everyone except her is seeing things and having experiences. Don't worry Kris the ghosts will warm up to you eventually!

J & G go back to the main building where Grant tells the spirits to let them into their world, mess with our heads. After that, they see a man in a hospital gown who puts his hands over his head, crouches down and disappears! Grant is so excited that he chases after the man hoping to see it again.

The findings - Steve finds that they were able to record a lot of the noises they heard as well as the voices. The creepiest part was when they play back the recorder that was set up in a window sill with no one around, you hear someone or something move up to the recorder and breath into the microphone. I get goosebumps just thinking about that one.

The team declares the asylum haunted and would like to come back again. After seeing the apparition, I'm sure they are clearing their date books! Double D