Yahoo! TV blog has a post written by Brian Gianelli entitled "Is 'Top Model' Even Trying Anymore?"
My answer: Not really.
I will state now that I think this group is one of the most talented I've seen yet on the show. But I agree that the show is going downhill. It seemed Tyra self-corrected with Cycle 10. She moved the show back to New York, sent them on some challenges, critiqued girls, etc. I know quite a few on the internet--myself included--felt that Tyra or one of her production staff realized that Cycle 9 was nothing more than joke. The backlash against Saleisha's win must've been a wake-up call. But did Whitney's win put them back into a feeling of complacency?
I came for the bitch fights and pictures. I ended up staying for the interesting study such a show makes in communication. Honestly, just look at the Hannah-Brittany-Isis debacle for a clear example of miscommunication and awkward social judgement. And occasionally, the pictures. However, the article makes a good point: "...with growing emphasis on the antics of the former supermodel and less focus on the aspiring wannabes." I think the Hannah-Brittany-Isis debacle has been the longest we've seen the girls in the house. Over the cycles, phone calls home have been shown less. I miss those as they gave some insight into both where a girl is coming from and where she is going.
Another point: "And did I need to know that her and her best friend hung out in a hot tub on vacation taking photos of each other and that inspired this week’s challenge? No." Well, I admit it made for a great story. Did I need a ten minute video of Tyra and said best friend in the pool? No! That cut out either valuable time in the house or before the panel. Is it just me or is panel now: Girl comes up, gets either good or bad praise, thanks the panel, go back. There was a time when they would linger more on the judges.
Anyone else remember the panel challenges? What happened to those? I'd rather have these girls try and sell me a chocolate bar than see home videos play past their novelty.
So, what does the show need to do? I think it's fallen into a rut and needs to shake itself out. I know the old saying is "if it isn't broke, don't fix it." And yes, I do love being able to predict when something is going to happen, but I do want to be surprised. Like this week's past episode, with Hannah being eliminated based on runway alone. That was a twist and I enjoyed it. Particularly since the promos made it sound like the runway would be the main event and panel would be right after. Not that it was a challenge and there would still be an elimination later on in the episode. I think Tyra and the production staff need to take a look at the show, see what still works and what's stale.
I disagree with Gianelli's suggestion to add more Ms. J. While she/he/it delights me on runway challenges, there are times in judging where I want to yell "SHUT UP!" She/he/it can irritate rather quickly. I saw bring on more Mr. Jay. He seems to still be taking this seriously--well, when not roped into being Beta Jay or Prince Couture--and does offer some great advice during photoshoots, even if Tyra is telling them something else at panel. I think they need to bring back some more of the models who used to stop by and offer advice to the girls. Not all of these girls can be expected to follow Tyra's footsteps and may have different strengths--we know some get canned for being only "commercial" or "editorial" or some other reason that was praised earlier but seems to be a good reason to get the boot at week 7. Bring in the other models to help these girls find what may be their niche.
I do agree with Gianelli's suggestion to bring back Janice Dickinson. Sadly, I tuned into Top Model in Cycle 5 when Janice was replaced by Twiggy. But Janice kept coming back to help the girls and do challenges/photoshoots. Bring her back. She always had the more critical eye and keeps the viewer guessing. Besides, there's always the possibility of a bloodbath when Janice is around.
The show needs to start taking itself seriously if its models are to be taken seriously. Watch the behind the scenes shows. These girls talk about how hard it is to gain employment after the show because they are labeled with the "reality shtick." Notice in the "Top Models in Action": they are girls who didn't win and are often successful overseas.
Note to Gianelli: These behind the scene shows reveal that the girls HAVE to scream when Tyra enters the room. They talk about walking and being, "Oh, it's Tyra," someone yelling "Cut" and making them refilm it until they think the energy is just right.
I know I should dare not say this, but perhaps the show needs a vacation. "Forbidden Broadway" has taken vacations and it will do so after this run is over. Of course, there is always the chance that the viewers won't come back. But the faithful fans will and new fans will. It's always best to go out on top than whimper to a finale.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
So, Good-bye, So Soon?
Let's face it, the economy has been at the forefront of everyone's mind the past few weeks. Wall Street has become the newest thrill ride with stocks gong up and down faster than the Tower of Terror drops tourists. Bush has plans to bailout Wall Street while Congress investigates these businesses. However, my sign of the state of the economy has shown up on the Playbill Online website.
Three musicals have announced closing dates within the next few weeks. These annoucements have surprised me and I believe that it must be due to financial worries. And the fact that no one can afford to see a Broadway play.
Camp musical Xanadu will close next week. This one surprised me both in how long it ran and now that it is indeed closing. I saw the movie once upon a time and it was Bad. However, the musical decided not to take itself seriously and embraced its camp. Theatre-goers loved it and it quickly became Summer 2007's hot ticket. It also received a boost in that it was not affected by the stagehand strike last November, making it one of eight shows to continue running. But insurance rates must be killer--nearly everybody wears roller skates in the thing. Accidents are bound to happen.
Following Xanadu's departure is [title of show]. Granted, while I am a fan of this little show that could, did I expect it to have a long run? No, not really. In an episode of the [title of show] show, we are playing we, co-creaters Hunter and Jeff discuss the replacement cast. But Aaron Lazar (as Jeff) put it best when he explained that the whole appeal was the fact that he and Hunter were playing themselves. Best case scenario would be a year-long run or at least making it to the Tonys. But the realist in me figured it would at least make it past the holiday season which is just around the corner. I was looking forward to the inevitable [title of show] show episode where the cast comes up with some zany way of convincing the people out there in cyberspace to come to New York to see a play.
Finally, the last musical to see the final curtain is Legally Blonde the Musical. Now this one really surprised me, perhaps because it is my favorite musical currently playing on the Great White Way. It is popular and I attended with near-full houses. And the MTV coverage--including the reality show to find the next Elle Woods, the real reason I started this blog (besides trying to keep up my writing)--didn't hurt either. But I guess all good things must come to end. I just wish it wasn't so soon.
Xanadu finishes its run on Sept. 28th. [title of show] will conclude on Oct. 12th. And Legally Blonde will don its trademark pink one last time a week later on the 19th. Now yours truly just has to figure out how to go see [title of show] before the 12th. The movie put me off seeing Xanadu and I'll always have my taped copy of the MTV airing of Legally Blonde.
If you can go see one of these shows one last time, which one would it be? Vote in the poll now!
Three musicals have announced closing dates within the next few weeks. These annoucements have surprised me and I believe that it must be due to financial worries. And the fact that no one can afford to see a Broadway play.
Camp musical Xanadu will close next week. This one surprised me both in how long it ran and now that it is indeed closing. I saw the movie once upon a time and it was Bad. However, the musical decided not to take itself seriously and embraced its camp. Theatre-goers loved it and it quickly became Summer 2007's hot ticket. It also received a boost in that it was not affected by the stagehand strike last November, making it one of eight shows to continue running. But insurance rates must be killer--nearly everybody wears roller skates in the thing. Accidents are bound to happen.
Following Xanadu's departure is [title of show]. Granted, while I am a fan of this little show that could, did I expect it to have a long run? No, not really. In an episode of the [title of show] show, we are playing we, co-creaters Hunter and Jeff discuss the replacement cast. But Aaron Lazar (as Jeff) put it best when he explained that the whole appeal was the fact that he and Hunter were playing themselves. Best case scenario would be a year-long run or at least making it to the Tonys. But the realist in me figured it would at least make it past the holiday season which is just around the corner. I was looking forward to the inevitable [title of show] show episode where the cast comes up with some zany way of convincing the people out there in cyberspace to come to New York to see a play.
Finally, the last musical to see the final curtain is Legally Blonde the Musical. Now this one really surprised me, perhaps because it is my favorite musical currently playing on the Great White Way. It is popular and I attended with near-full houses. And the MTV coverage--including the reality show to find the next Elle Woods, the real reason I started this blog (besides trying to keep up my writing)--didn't hurt either. But I guess all good things must come to end. I just wish it wasn't so soon.
Xanadu finishes its run on Sept. 28th. [title of show] will conclude on Oct. 12th. And Legally Blonde will don its trademark pink one last time a week later on the 19th. Now yours truly just has to figure out how to go see [title of show] before the 12th. The movie put me off seeing Xanadu and I'll always have my taped copy of the MTV airing of Legally Blonde.
If you can go see one of these shows one last time, which one would it be? Vote in the poll now!
Likewise, Do NOT Piss Off Mac Taylor
Recap: Mac investigates a bank robbery and ends up being held hostage by…hey, it’s Joe! Oh, no, wait, it’s the guy who tried to shoot House back in the season 2 ender.
Stella is flying around, trying to find Mac. Who is trapped in a car sinking into Hudson River. Mac’s a former Marine. He’ll get out.
New credits! Hey, they finally added Robert Joy (Sid) and AJ Buckley (Adam). Great!
When we come back, Mac has gotten out of the car. Some bushes rustle menacingly but he glares at them and they stop. He rushes to a nearby road and stops a passing motorist, where the license plate reveals he’s in Jersey. He introduces himself to the driver. She debates whether or not to believe him or write him off as a crazy killer and speed off. She decides on the former and gives him a cell phone so he can make a call. Stella gets it in the helicopter. She and Flack meet him in Jersey, where news reporters are covering the scene. A body is pulled out of the water and Flack realizes it is their prime suspect. However, it is not Joe, who kidnapped Mac. He asks Mac what happened, but Mac’s suffering from a minor concussion according to the paramedic who even I, as a girl, have to admit is pretty cute.
Flack gives them the bad news. Jersey Brass won’t let them investigate the scene except for pictures. So they use their fancy, hi-tech devices to bring the scene back to the lab. Adam investigates tire treads while Sid investigates a 3-D hologram of our dead prime suspect. Meanwhile, Danny and Hawkes try to get Mac to go home. But he won’t. As they continue to investigate, Mac realizes he was shot. But the bullet didn’t hit him, just his shirt. Lindsay marvels at how Mac couldn’t have been hit. She and Mac believe it was slowed down by the passenger side window, something wrong with the load and Mac’s shirt material. And that’s because Mac ix-nays the idea of divine intervention, saying “God’s a scientist.”
Danny reveals that Stella found a child’s hair clip in the back seat. I think I had one just like it when I was little. New Jersey sent over the DNA and it had commonalities with Joe’s DNA and female. They conclude it is Joe’s daughter. Adam reveals Joe is still in New York and Hawkes gets a number the guy dialed in the car with Mac. Mac calls Joe, who is surprised but says he doesn’t want to go to jail. Mac realizes that Joe is working with someone as we cut to commercial break.
Flack is working the phones trying to get information on Joe. Adam pops in and asks if he can plug in his USB. Flack leads him to a room where Adam reveals he caught Joe on a river crossing tollbooth, dropping money. Facial recognition matches but the car doesn’t belong to Joe. We are left in the dark as to who it belongs to, except that it will upset Mac and Stella. Flack asks Adam not to tell them for two hours.
Mac flashes back to being trapped in the car and seeing Prime Suspect (Derrick) dead. Danny comes back and says a bullet matches one used in an earlier bank robbery but Derrick wasn’t killed by Joe’s gun. Danny believes Joe used Derrick’s gun which explains the upside down markings. Mac remembers his kit was left in the bank and asks for it.
We flash to a bar with dancing women as Flack shows up. He interrogates the bartender, Sam, about where her car is. She says she leant to a friend—Lauren—but doesn’t know said friend’s exact address. Just by sight. Turns out Sam is Flack’s sister as he says he won’t bail her out if she’s involved and neither will Dad. No wonder Flack didn’t want Mac or Stella to know. Lindsay finds a trace to run down.
A nervous Adam goes to Mac, apologizing for not telling Mac sooner. He reveals the car belongs to Flack’s sister and Mac says Adam should’ve told him. The lab assistant says he didn’t mean any disrespect. Mac gets a call and leaves in silence. Adam mutters, “That went well. Yeah.” He meets Flack, who has found the car. They jimmy open the lock and pop the trunk. There’s a dead woman inside, revealed to be the woman who helped Mac in the beginning. So she didn’t think Mac was a crazy serial killer…she was obviously in over her head in something else.
When we come back, Danny is questioning Sam. He asks why she leant Lauren the car and she responds she was just trying to help a friend. As she begs Flack not to tell their Dad as someone greets her. Looks like he’s a regular at both the bar and the precinct. Flack tells him to move as Sam asks him to let her live her life. He acts all big brother like and pisses her off. At poor Lauren’s autopsy, she was stabbed and tortured by near drowning. Joe did it, Mac speculated, because Lauren was his partner-in-crime. That’s why she was on the road and surprised to see Mac! Alive!
Stella and Mac go up to an old railroad track now covered in plants. The trace Lindsay was tracking down led them there. They find freshly dug dirt and start digging. They find Joe’s stash of fake IDs. Is one for a George Jurgens? They figure he’s stuck. Can’t go home and can’t leave New York. Joe calls, telling Mac he’ll get the money before the CSIs get him—no matter how good they are. As Stella gets Hawkes to trace the phone, Mac brings up the daughter. He tells Mac he’s trying to get a better life for her and explains poor Lauren’s death was an accident. She was dizzy from the near drowning, scared and ran into a pole.
Adam and Lindsay scan the fake IDs and find a real one. Joe’s name is Ethan Scott in this. Lindsay runs Joe’s background while it is revealed poor Lauren was a bank teller at the bank robbed in the season finale. She conveniently called in sick that day. Stella determines she was the inside agent. Stella says they found nickel shavings in Derrick. Danny explains a key was missing off the dead bank manager’s ring. Derrick swallowed it, which is why Joe killed him. So Stella goes back to the bank, where Joe is attacking a guard.
She chases after him, asking for back-up. They go to the roof, naturally, and continue their chase. Joe knocks Stella off the fire escape, leaving her dangling over NYC streets as the handle of the bag begins to rip. She gets her footing and climbs back up, ready to get Joe.
11:08 PM: I kid you not: “Tonight at 11…”
Lindsay finds Joe’s NYC family. Turns out they are on the run. Alerts are out on the entire family and Danny is tracking all forms of transit, including the SI Ferry. Adam finds out that the family is going to Toronto, leaving from Poughkeepsie. Po-Town! Love to Marist and my old Metro-North Stop. Mac says we’ll be playing by his rules. Stella approaches Mrs. Scott and her daughter. She’s shocked when Stella tells her about the bank robbery. Stella asks for her help. Joe lugs the money through the Amtrak station. I think they may be at Poughkeepsie as Mac calls Joe. They talk and it is revealed nearly everybody on that platform has a gun. I thought it looked a bit too crowded, but I figured it was because I usually took the Metro-North on Fridays.
Mac arrests Joe for murder, robbery, assault and battery. And pissing Mac Taylor off. Seriously, you don’t do that.
Next week: Maroon 5! Who would contaminate a Maroon 5 concert?
Stella is flying around, trying to find Mac. Who is trapped in a car sinking into Hudson River. Mac’s a former Marine. He’ll get out.
New credits! Hey, they finally added Robert Joy (Sid) and AJ Buckley (Adam). Great!
When we come back, Mac has gotten out of the car. Some bushes rustle menacingly but he glares at them and they stop. He rushes to a nearby road and stops a passing motorist, where the license plate reveals he’s in Jersey. He introduces himself to the driver. She debates whether or not to believe him or write him off as a crazy killer and speed off. She decides on the former and gives him a cell phone so he can make a call. Stella gets it in the helicopter. She and Flack meet him in Jersey, where news reporters are covering the scene. A body is pulled out of the water and Flack realizes it is their prime suspect. However, it is not Joe, who kidnapped Mac. He asks Mac what happened, but Mac’s suffering from a minor concussion according to the paramedic who even I, as a girl, have to admit is pretty cute.
Flack gives them the bad news. Jersey Brass won’t let them investigate the scene except for pictures. So they use their fancy, hi-tech devices to bring the scene back to the lab. Adam investigates tire treads while Sid investigates a 3-D hologram of our dead prime suspect. Meanwhile, Danny and Hawkes try to get Mac to go home. But he won’t. As they continue to investigate, Mac realizes he was shot. But the bullet didn’t hit him, just his shirt. Lindsay marvels at how Mac couldn’t have been hit. She and Mac believe it was slowed down by the passenger side window, something wrong with the load and Mac’s shirt material. And that’s because Mac ix-nays the idea of divine intervention, saying “God’s a scientist.”
Danny reveals that Stella found a child’s hair clip in the back seat. I think I had one just like it when I was little. New Jersey sent over the DNA and it had commonalities with Joe’s DNA and female. They conclude it is Joe’s daughter. Adam reveals Joe is still in New York and Hawkes gets a number the guy dialed in the car with Mac. Mac calls Joe, who is surprised but says he doesn’t want to go to jail. Mac realizes that Joe is working with someone as we cut to commercial break.
Flack is working the phones trying to get information on Joe. Adam pops in and asks if he can plug in his USB. Flack leads him to a room where Adam reveals he caught Joe on a river crossing tollbooth, dropping money. Facial recognition matches but the car doesn’t belong to Joe. We are left in the dark as to who it belongs to, except that it will upset Mac and Stella. Flack asks Adam not to tell them for two hours.
Mac flashes back to being trapped in the car and seeing Prime Suspect (Derrick) dead. Danny comes back and says a bullet matches one used in an earlier bank robbery but Derrick wasn’t killed by Joe’s gun. Danny believes Joe used Derrick’s gun which explains the upside down markings. Mac remembers his kit was left in the bank and asks for it.
We flash to a bar with dancing women as Flack shows up. He interrogates the bartender, Sam, about where her car is. She says she leant to a friend—Lauren—but doesn’t know said friend’s exact address. Just by sight. Turns out Sam is Flack’s sister as he says he won’t bail her out if she’s involved and neither will Dad. No wonder Flack didn’t want Mac or Stella to know. Lindsay finds a trace to run down.
A nervous Adam goes to Mac, apologizing for not telling Mac sooner. He reveals the car belongs to Flack’s sister and Mac says Adam should’ve told him. The lab assistant says he didn’t mean any disrespect. Mac gets a call and leaves in silence. Adam mutters, “That went well. Yeah.” He meets Flack, who has found the car. They jimmy open the lock and pop the trunk. There’s a dead woman inside, revealed to be the woman who helped Mac in the beginning. So she didn’t think Mac was a crazy serial killer…she was obviously in over her head in something else.
When we come back, Danny is questioning Sam. He asks why she leant Lauren the car and she responds she was just trying to help a friend. As she begs Flack not to tell their Dad as someone greets her. Looks like he’s a regular at both the bar and the precinct. Flack tells him to move as Sam asks him to let her live her life. He acts all big brother like and pisses her off. At poor Lauren’s autopsy, she was stabbed and tortured by near drowning. Joe did it, Mac speculated, because Lauren was his partner-in-crime. That’s why she was on the road and surprised to see Mac! Alive!
Stella and Mac go up to an old railroad track now covered in plants. The trace Lindsay was tracking down led them there. They find freshly dug dirt and start digging. They find Joe’s stash of fake IDs. Is one for a George Jurgens? They figure he’s stuck. Can’t go home and can’t leave New York. Joe calls, telling Mac he’ll get the money before the CSIs get him—no matter how good they are. As Stella gets Hawkes to trace the phone, Mac brings up the daughter. He tells Mac he’s trying to get a better life for her and explains poor Lauren’s death was an accident. She was dizzy from the near drowning, scared and ran into a pole.
Adam and Lindsay scan the fake IDs and find a real one. Joe’s name is Ethan Scott in this. Lindsay runs Joe’s background while it is revealed poor Lauren was a bank teller at the bank robbed in the season finale. She conveniently called in sick that day. Stella determines she was the inside agent. Stella says they found nickel shavings in Derrick. Danny explains a key was missing off the dead bank manager’s ring. Derrick swallowed it, which is why Joe killed him. So Stella goes back to the bank, where Joe is attacking a guard.
She chases after him, asking for back-up. They go to the roof, naturally, and continue their chase. Joe knocks Stella off the fire escape, leaving her dangling over NYC streets as the handle of the bag begins to rip. She gets her footing and climbs back up, ready to get Joe.
11:08 PM: I kid you not: “Tonight at 11…”
Lindsay finds Joe’s NYC family. Turns out they are on the run. Alerts are out on the entire family and Danny is tracking all forms of transit, including the SI Ferry. Adam finds out that the family is going to Toronto, leaving from Poughkeepsie. Po-Town! Love to Marist and my old Metro-North Stop. Mac says we’ll be playing by his rules. Stella approaches Mrs. Scott and her daughter. She’s shocked when Stella tells her about the bank robbery. Stella asks for her help. Joe lugs the money through the Amtrak station. I think they may be at Poughkeepsie as Mac calls Joe. They talk and it is revealed nearly everybody on that platform has a gun. I thought it looked a bit too crowded, but I figured it was because I usually took the Metro-North on Fridays.
Mac arrests Joe for murder, robbery, assault and battery. And pissing Mac Taylor off. Seriously, you don’t do that.
Next week: Maroon 5! Who would contaminate a Maroon 5 concert?
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Do NOT Piss Off the Designer
Last week: One weird version of Snow White followed by makeovers, a Cover Girl challenge and a swimsuit shoot. Analeigh and Brittany end up in the bottom two and Brittany is sent home. Who’s next?
The girls go home to see Elina’s picture. She has a surreal moment. Analeigh talks with Hannah and Marjorie about how she feels she is next on the chopping block as she landed in the bottom two. She says if she ends up there again, she will go home. Not necessarily. Whitney kept landing in the bottom two and she won! Hannah can’t stand the pity party and in the confessional says that you can’t focus on the negative things. “You pick up your beans and keep going.”
TYRA MAIL! Your top model dream could end up in the gutter. Analeigh correctly guesses this means runway time! Or she’s really studied past seasons and realizes the runway generally comes right after makeovers. The girls go to a bowling alley where Ms. J gives them stiletto shoes designed as those funky bowling shoes. He then makes the girls walk down a lane. Isis slips but recovers. Analeigh needs to speed up and listen to Ms. J when he/she/it is yelling instructions at her. Hannah gets Ms. J’s vote as Worst There and he/she/it begs the other girls to help Hannah when they get home. Montage of the okay and then Ms. J informs Samantha she is bow-legged, demonstrating the proper way to walk. He/She/It also bowls between her legs. Sam, though, doesn’t let this get her down. She says she’ll work at it and make it her signature. Now there’s the talk Tyra likes!
The girls go home and start to help Hannah.
TYRA MAIL! “You think you have this competition in the bank? You may be walking right out of it.” The girls put two and two together and realize it’s a runway challenge. Some girls practice while Lauren Brie and some others talk about their competition: Cage Girl and Elina get mentions.
The girls met with Ms. J and introduces Jeremy Scott. They will be modeling his designs. Blindfolded. Seventeen Magazine Editor-in-Chief Ann Shoket makes her first appearance as a judge with Jay Manuel. Shoket says that the winner will get to do a shoot with two friends for Seventeen magazine wearing the designs of Kira Plastinina, 15 years-old designer from Poland, according to Sheena. She says that shows you what you can do anything at any age. So there may be hope for my employment future after all! I WILL get hired.
Jay brings the girls down when he reveals that for one girl, this will be their last runway. The girls will be judged and someone will be eliminated.. And Elina starts the thing off well. Samantha did well until she got to the end of the runway and hit the pose the designer told her not to do. Sheena, Joslyn and Analeigh did well, Isis did fantastic, Marjorie and Hannah were awkward. Shoket reveals the winner is…Joslyn! Jay reveals the next eliminated girl…already? We haven’t hit 8:30! And Hannah is eliminated. She takes it pretty well, getting a hug. She cries and says she’s learned so much. Bye, Hannah!
Joslyn goes to her shoot with Isis and Sheena. They all look awesome. And Kira is absolutely cute.
Tyra Mail! “This competition is deep. Some will rise above and some will go under!” Sheena guesses it’s a photo shoot. A double elimination!
Whitney is seen biking around…an empty New York street? She talks about being seen as a Cover Girl as she takes a picture with a young fan.
The girls meet Mr. Jay next to a pool with smoke coming off it. He tells them they will be focusing on the eyes. He introduces their photographer—NIGEL BARKER. I have to agree with Analeigh—he is sexy in a wetsuit. No wonder Mrs. Barker was clearly pregnant last week. Mr. Jay thinks Clark was flirting with Nigel…well, duh! Marjorie gets praise. Isis is worried about her tape slipping and it is clear. Analeigh hopes to impress Nigel and she’s getting praise. Sheena and Lauren Brie rock it while Elina gets stuck. Nigel is glad she admitted it but wished she used it to work, think outside the box. She doesn’t, but Samantha does.
TYRA MAIL! “Tomorrow you will meet with the judges. Only nine will continue on in the hopes of becoming America’s Next Top Model.” Elina’s picture pops up and the girls say good-bye to it. She’s not amused. She and Sheena talk. Elina sees it wasn’t her best photo shoot and that she didn’t like having to ask for help. Sheena gives her a pep talk. Next, Isis calls her godfather who gives her a pep talk. He tells her that only she can make it happen.
PANEL! We get some home video of Tyra taking her picture. Sam looks absolutely terrified as Tyra recaps that Hannah got sent home. The prizes, the judges, Ms. J’s bling, the guest judge—Jeremy Scott. Apparently this photo shoot came out of Tyra and her friend goofing off in a pool on vacation. Tyra advises the “smile with your eyes.” That’s usually popular advice, but this is now once an episode. Paulina compares Marjorie to the headless horseman but Tyra and Nigel defend it. It is funny watching Nigel try not to say Isis was too worried about her penis. I really wish they would let McKey go back to Brittany. Jeremy praises McKey for rocking his most difficult piece—clearly inspired by Carol Burnett’s Gone with the Wind sketch. Samantha gets praised for the picture but Jeremy gets to rip into Sam about her performance on the runway. Tyra thanks him for that to show the girls what the runway is all about.
Top Models in Action! Nigel tells us about Chantal post losing to Saleisha “TYRA! I WENT TO YOUR CAMP!” Towers. And actually, she’s the only Top Model I’ve seen after the show ended. I was watching an E! True Hollywood Story about the Pussycat Dolls and they showed a show featuring the Dolls’ lingerie line. And there was Chantal. Bravo, Chantal!
The judges deliberate. Ms. J continues to make fun of Joslyn and Paulina keeps insisting Marjorie is the headless horseman. Tyra disagrees and gives our Frenchwoman a “FIERCE!” However, she does agree when Paulina says that Isis is too worried trying to fit in. Tyra says the girl needs to stand out. Jeremy Scott is still hung up about Sam’s runway.
ELIMINATION! First name called and the girl who gets to see her face for the next week: Clark. Followed by: Analeigh, Lauren Brie, Sheena, Cage Girl, Marjorie, Joslyn, and Elina. Samantha and Isis land in the bottom two. At this moment, before judgment is issued, I fear for both. Isis is unique but Sam takes exquisite pictures. Tyra mentions how Isis was able to stand out last cycle and now she seems afraid to do so. Samantha takes great pictures but the designer was disgusted by what she did. Tyra tells her not to do it again and lets Samantha stay. Isis is eliminated…my sister is going to be pissed. Tyra tells Isis she is already an inspiration but that she needs to stand out. Isis gets a group hug. She wears the crown Tyra gave her last week and some huge earrings as she thanks Tyra for the opportunity. And will take all of the notes. Tyra is eating this up.
Hannah and Isis are faded out.
Next week: Marjorie’s insecurities get on the house’s nerves. I guess now that they can’t pick on racist Hannah, they’ll attack my Frenchwoman. LEAVE MARJORIE ALONE! Also, they pose with a monster.
I must say, this is the hardest cycle for me so far because they are all so good. And there is no clear bitch yet, so no one to really hate. Where’s the Jade? Heck, even the Dominique? Also, as my friends and some people on the Television Without Pity forums said, Ms. J lied when she said Elina’s hair style was a Top Model first. It’s just like Brittany’s back in Cycle 8. Hopefully though, Elina’s won’t have to be taken out.
The girls go home to see Elina’s picture. She has a surreal moment. Analeigh talks with Hannah and Marjorie about how she feels she is next on the chopping block as she landed in the bottom two. She says if she ends up there again, she will go home. Not necessarily. Whitney kept landing in the bottom two and she won! Hannah can’t stand the pity party and in the confessional says that you can’t focus on the negative things. “You pick up your beans and keep going.”
TYRA MAIL! Your top model dream could end up in the gutter. Analeigh correctly guesses this means runway time! Or she’s really studied past seasons and realizes the runway generally comes right after makeovers. The girls go to a bowling alley where Ms. J gives them stiletto shoes designed as those funky bowling shoes. He then makes the girls walk down a lane. Isis slips but recovers. Analeigh needs to speed up and listen to Ms. J when he/she/it is yelling instructions at her. Hannah gets Ms. J’s vote as Worst There and he/she/it begs the other girls to help Hannah when they get home. Montage of the okay and then Ms. J informs Samantha she is bow-legged, demonstrating the proper way to walk. He/She/It also bowls between her legs. Sam, though, doesn’t let this get her down. She says she’ll work at it and make it her signature. Now there’s the talk Tyra likes!
The girls go home and start to help Hannah.
TYRA MAIL! “You think you have this competition in the bank? You may be walking right out of it.” The girls put two and two together and realize it’s a runway challenge. Some girls practice while Lauren Brie and some others talk about their competition: Cage Girl and Elina get mentions.
The girls met with Ms. J and introduces Jeremy Scott. They will be modeling his designs. Blindfolded. Seventeen Magazine Editor-in-Chief Ann Shoket makes her first appearance as a judge with Jay Manuel. Shoket says that the winner will get to do a shoot with two friends for Seventeen magazine wearing the designs of Kira Plastinina, 15 years-old designer from Poland, according to Sheena. She says that shows you what you can do anything at any age. So there may be hope for my employment future after all! I WILL get hired.
Jay brings the girls down when he reveals that for one girl, this will be their last runway. The girls will be judged and someone will be eliminated.. And Elina starts the thing off well. Samantha did well until she got to the end of the runway and hit the pose the designer told her not to do. Sheena, Joslyn and Analeigh did well, Isis did fantastic, Marjorie and Hannah were awkward. Shoket reveals the winner is…Joslyn! Jay reveals the next eliminated girl…already? We haven’t hit 8:30! And Hannah is eliminated. She takes it pretty well, getting a hug. She cries and says she’s learned so much. Bye, Hannah!
Joslyn goes to her shoot with Isis and Sheena. They all look awesome. And Kira is absolutely cute.
Tyra Mail! “This competition is deep. Some will rise above and some will go under!” Sheena guesses it’s a photo shoot. A double elimination!
Whitney is seen biking around…an empty New York street? She talks about being seen as a Cover Girl as she takes a picture with a young fan.
The girls meet Mr. Jay next to a pool with smoke coming off it. He tells them they will be focusing on the eyes. He introduces their photographer—NIGEL BARKER. I have to agree with Analeigh—he is sexy in a wetsuit. No wonder Mrs. Barker was clearly pregnant last week. Mr. Jay thinks Clark was flirting with Nigel…well, duh! Marjorie gets praise. Isis is worried about her tape slipping and it is clear. Analeigh hopes to impress Nigel and she’s getting praise. Sheena and Lauren Brie rock it while Elina gets stuck. Nigel is glad she admitted it but wished she used it to work, think outside the box. She doesn’t, but Samantha does.
TYRA MAIL! “Tomorrow you will meet with the judges. Only nine will continue on in the hopes of becoming America’s Next Top Model.” Elina’s picture pops up and the girls say good-bye to it. She’s not amused. She and Sheena talk. Elina sees it wasn’t her best photo shoot and that she didn’t like having to ask for help. Sheena gives her a pep talk. Next, Isis calls her godfather who gives her a pep talk. He tells her that only she can make it happen.
PANEL! We get some home video of Tyra taking her picture. Sam looks absolutely terrified as Tyra recaps that Hannah got sent home. The prizes, the judges, Ms. J’s bling, the guest judge—Jeremy Scott. Apparently this photo shoot came out of Tyra and her friend goofing off in a pool on vacation. Tyra advises the “smile with your eyes.” That’s usually popular advice, but this is now once an episode. Paulina compares Marjorie to the headless horseman but Tyra and Nigel defend it. It is funny watching Nigel try not to say Isis was too worried about her penis. I really wish they would let McKey go back to Brittany. Jeremy praises McKey for rocking his most difficult piece—clearly inspired by Carol Burnett’s Gone with the Wind sketch. Samantha gets praised for the picture but Jeremy gets to rip into Sam about her performance on the runway. Tyra thanks him for that to show the girls what the runway is all about.
Top Models in Action! Nigel tells us about Chantal post losing to Saleisha “TYRA! I WENT TO YOUR CAMP!” Towers. And actually, she’s the only Top Model I’ve seen after the show ended. I was watching an E! True Hollywood Story about the Pussycat Dolls and they showed a show featuring the Dolls’ lingerie line. And there was Chantal. Bravo, Chantal!
The judges deliberate. Ms. J continues to make fun of Joslyn and Paulina keeps insisting Marjorie is the headless horseman. Tyra disagrees and gives our Frenchwoman a “FIERCE!” However, she does agree when Paulina says that Isis is too worried trying to fit in. Tyra says the girl needs to stand out. Jeremy Scott is still hung up about Sam’s runway.
ELIMINATION! First name called and the girl who gets to see her face for the next week: Clark. Followed by: Analeigh, Lauren Brie, Sheena, Cage Girl, Marjorie, Joslyn, and Elina. Samantha and Isis land in the bottom two. At this moment, before judgment is issued, I fear for both. Isis is unique but Sam takes exquisite pictures. Tyra mentions how Isis was able to stand out last cycle and now she seems afraid to do so. Samantha takes great pictures but the designer was disgusted by what she did. Tyra tells her not to do it again and lets Samantha stay. Isis is eliminated…my sister is going to be pissed. Tyra tells Isis she is already an inspiration but that she needs to stand out. Isis gets a group hug. She wears the crown Tyra gave her last week and some huge earrings as she thanks Tyra for the opportunity. And will take all of the notes. Tyra is eating this up.
Hannah and Isis are faded out.
Next week: Marjorie’s insecurities get on the house’s nerves. I guess now that they can’t pick on racist Hannah, they’ll attack my Frenchwoman. LEAVE MARJORIE ALONE! Also, they pose with a monster.
I must say, this is the hardest cycle for me so far because they are all so good. And there is no clear bitch yet, so no one to really hate. Where’s the Jade? Heck, even the Dominique? Also, as my friends and some people on the Television Without Pity forums said, Ms. J lied when she said Elina’s hair style was a Top Model first. It’s just like Brittany’s back in Cycle 8. Hopefully though, Elina’s won’t have to be taken out.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Hair Comparison
Can McKey Go Back To Brittany Now?
Last time: The house divided by color against Hannah. Nikeysha’s mouth got her sent home. Twelve girls remain—who will get the high fashion boot tonight?
The episode opens with the girls in the bus coming back from elimination. They talk about how it really feels like a competition now that people (ShaRaun, Nikeysha) are getting sent home. When they get to the house, there’s Tyra sitting in their living wearing a crown. Well, she brought pizza so I guess that’s cool. She tells the girls about when she was a young model and when she was my age, she started to get a booty and breasts. Someone hit puberty a bit late, apparently. Anyway, her mother was told by the agency that Tyra needed to lose weight so she could get work. What did Mama do? Gave her pizza and worked with Tyra on making over her career.
This all leads to: MAKEOVERS! She’s about to tell Analeigh what they’ll do to her (must I say that she’s been featured quite a bit already. Uh oh) when Ms. J comes in dressed as a hag. And carrying apples. The girls warn “Princess Tyra” but she’s too hungry to heed their advice. She takes a bit and passes out a la Snow White. The girls worry as Mr. Jay jumps in. He announces himself as “Prince Couture,” kisses Tyra and wakes her up. She says she’s too dizzy to tell the girls their makeovers, so they’ll have to wait till tomorrow. Mr. Jay (somehow) carries her out.
The girls head to the salon, where a de-hagged Ms. J and de-Princed Mr. Jay meet them and pretend they have NO CLUE about what happened the night before. The girls get their makeovers. Analeigh’s makes her look even more like Denise Richards. I like Marjorie has a brunette. In fact, so far, I like everyone’s makeover. Even Elina. She may not like the curly red hair, but it’s so adorable on her. She reminds me of Jessie Buckley from “I’d Do Anything.” She cries but Jay talks her through it.
TYRA MAIL! “Sometimes even Top Models have to work the late shift.” The girls figure they’ll pull an all-nighter. The bus takes them to Wal-Mart. Sutan, the make up artist, meets them with Cover Girl model—better known as Nigel Barker’s wife! I can see why they announced her pregnancy last week—you can see the future Barker’s bump! They give the girls a challenge to do their own make up and then make a commercial plugging True Blend. A commercial challenge so soon? The girls go through it and Hannah wins—she did do a good job. Elina and Analeigh needed some help though. I think Elina’s hair is throwing her off. Hannah celebrates with her new cute haircut.
TYRA MAIL! “Which one of you is suited to be America’s Next Top Model?” The girls wonder if it is business suit or bathing suit. Elina talks with the girls, saying she doesn’t like her mother. However, she does eat her food and live under her roof. The girls are confused and Brittany asks if maybe she’s just using mom as an excuse. Elina ends the conversation—either Brittany was too close to the truth or there is something that Tyra needs to draw out of her in a few weeks. Meanwhile, Marjorie and Analeigh are looking in the mirror. Analeigh says its difficult coming from a figure skating background because everyone is expecting these amazing poses. Okay, no offense, but in figure skating, you’re moving and you don’t have to worry about your face. Marjorie asks for some confidence and Analeigh sadly tells her she doesn’t have any. Marjorie hugs her.
I friggin’ love Marjorie.
The girls go to a beautiful house by the sea, confirming bathing suits. Mr. Jay tells the girls that Tyra made history by being the first black woman to appear on Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover. He introduces their photographer and then model/swimsuit designer Susan Holmes. The girls pose down by the beach. Hannah is told to watch her eyes, Elina finally embraces her hair. So we will not have a repeat of Jaeda and OMG! They cut her hair and now she’s having an identity crisis! Isis struggles with the shoot. I mean, the tape can’t be too comfortable and she does have to hide something, but the photographer thinks it’s also something about her face. I think Isis has a beautiful face. And that’s a wrap!
TYRA MAIL! “Tomorrow you will meet with the judges. Only 11 will continue on in hopes of becoming America’s Next Top Model.” The girls, particularly Isis, are nervous. My sister said that Tyra’s making the clues easy this cycle. I said maybe the girls are getting smarter. There was a pause and we both shook our heads.
PANEL! Tyra compliments the girls. Prizes, judges, Ms. J’s bling, and Susan Holmes—who modeled with Tyra back when my sister was born. Sheena was smiling with her eyes—Tyra’s favorite. Hannah is told not to freeze in a pose. Ms. J finally sees why I call Lauren Brie “CariDee 2”—but she has to be the best this cycle. Brittany apparently zoned out too much. Cage Girl is a beautiful brunette and gets praised. Paulina questions Elina’s tattoos, but Tyra says that it works for this. But she is told to watch out.
Top Models in Action. Lisa from Cycle 9! Wow, I forgot how pretty she was…But I do miss the Cover Girl in the Week.
The judges deliberate. Now that I really see Clark’s makeover, I don’t think she looks good that dark. Lighten her up, Tyra! Ms. J continues to make fun of Joslyn’s pose.
ELIMINATION! Elina is the first called and gets her picture displayed. Followed by: Lauren Brie, Samantha, Cage Girl, Sheena, Joslyn, Marjorie, Clark, Isis, and Hannah. Brittany and Analeigh end up in the bottom two .Brittany screams model! Analeigh is expected to excel. And she’s given a chance to do so. Brittany is sent home with the advice to study the European high fashion magazines. She hugs Tyra.
Next week: RUNWAY TIME in a bowling alley. And elimination will occur right after the runway challenge.
I can’t wait for the Tyra as Snow White footage to hit YouTube. That’s going to really cheer me up.
The episode opens with the girls in the bus coming back from elimination. They talk about how it really feels like a competition now that people (ShaRaun, Nikeysha) are getting sent home. When they get to the house, there’s Tyra sitting in their living wearing a crown. Well, she brought pizza so I guess that’s cool. She tells the girls about when she was a young model and when she was my age, she started to get a booty and breasts. Someone hit puberty a bit late, apparently. Anyway, her mother was told by the agency that Tyra needed to lose weight so she could get work. What did Mama do? Gave her pizza and worked with Tyra on making over her career.
This all leads to: MAKEOVERS! She’s about to tell Analeigh what they’ll do to her (must I say that she’s been featured quite a bit already. Uh oh) when Ms. J comes in dressed as a hag. And carrying apples. The girls warn “Princess Tyra” but she’s too hungry to heed their advice. She takes a bit and passes out a la Snow White. The girls worry as Mr. Jay jumps in. He announces himself as “Prince Couture,” kisses Tyra and wakes her up. She says she’s too dizzy to tell the girls their makeovers, so they’ll have to wait till tomorrow. Mr. Jay (somehow) carries her out.
The girls head to the salon, where a de-hagged Ms. J and de-Princed Mr. Jay meet them and pretend they have NO CLUE about what happened the night before. The girls get their makeovers. Analeigh’s makes her look even more like Denise Richards. I like Marjorie has a brunette. In fact, so far, I like everyone’s makeover. Even Elina. She may not like the curly red hair, but it’s so adorable on her. She reminds me of Jessie Buckley from “I’d Do Anything.” She cries but Jay talks her through it.
TYRA MAIL! “Sometimes even Top Models have to work the late shift.” The girls figure they’ll pull an all-nighter. The bus takes them to Wal-Mart. Sutan, the make up artist, meets them with Cover Girl model—better known as Nigel Barker’s wife! I can see why they announced her pregnancy last week—you can see the future Barker’s bump! They give the girls a challenge to do their own make up and then make a commercial plugging True Blend. A commercial challenge so soon? The girls go through it and Hannah wins—she did do a good job. Elina and Analeigh needed some help though. I think Elina’s hair is throwing her off. Hannah celebrates with her new cute haircut.
TYRA MAIL! “Which one of you is suited to be America’s Next Top Model?” The girls wonder if it is business suit or bathing suit. Elina talks with the girls, saying she doesn’t like her mother. However, she does eat her food and live under her roof. The girls are confused and Brittany asks if maybe she’s just using mom as an excuse. Elina ends the conversation—either Brittany was too close to the truth or there is something that Tyra needs to draw out of her in a few weeks. Meanwhile, Marjorie and Analeigh are looking in the mirror. Analeigh says its difficult coming from a figure skating background because everyone is expecting these amazing poses. Okay, no offense, but in figure skating, you’re moving and you don’t have to worry about your face. Marjorie asks for some confidence and Analeigh sadly tells her she doesn’t have any. Marjorie hugs her.
I friggin’ love Marjorie.
The girls go to a beautiful house by the sea, confirming bathing suits. Mr. Jay tells the girls that Tyra made history by being the first black woman to appear on Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover. He introduces their photographer and then model/swimsuit designer Susan Holmes. The girls pose down by the beach. Hannah is told to watch her eyes, Elina finally embraces her hair. So we will not have a repeat of Jaeda and OMG! They cut her hair and now she’s having an identity crisis! Isis struggles with the shoot. I mean, the tape can’t be too comfortable and she does have to hide something, but the photographer thinks it’s also something about her face. I think Isis has a beautiful face. And that’s a wrap!
TYRA MAIL! “Tomorrow you will meet with the judges. Only 11 will continue on in hopes of becoming America’s Next Top Model.” The girls, particularly Isis, are nervous. My sister said that Tyra’s making the clues easy this cycle. I said maybe the girls are getting smarter. There was a pause and we both shook our heads.
PANEL! Tyra compliments the girls. Prizes, judges, Ms. J’s bling, and Susan Holmes—who modeled with Tyra back when my sister was born. Sheena was smiling with her eyes—Tyra’s favorite. Hannah is told not to freeze in a pose. Ms. J finally sees why I call Lauren Brie “CariDee 2”—but she has to be the best this cycle. Brittany apparently zoned out too much. Cage Girl is a beautiful brunette and gets praised. Paulina questions Elina’s tattoos, but Tyra says that it works for this. But she is told to watch out.
Top Models in Action. Lisa from Cycle 9! Wow, I forgot how pretty she was…But I do miss the Cover Girl in the Week.
The judges deliberate. Now that I really see Clark’s makeover, I don’t think she looks good that dark. Lighten her up, Tyra! Ms. J continues to make fun of Joslyn’s pose.
ELIMINATION! Elina is the first called and gets her picture displayed. Followed by: Lauren Brie, Samantha, Cage Girl, Sheena, Joslyn, Marjorie, Clark, Isis, and Hannah. Brittany and Analeigh end up in the bottom two .Brittany screams model! Analeigh is expected to excel. And she’s given a chance to do so. Brittany is sent home with the advice to study the European high fashion magazines. She hugs Tyra.
Next week: RUNWAY TIME in a bowling alley. And elimination will occur right after the runway challenge.
I can’t wait for the Tyra as Snow White footage to hit YouTube. That’s going to really cheer me up.
This Could Be The Ending of a Beautiful Friendship
House, MD had it's premiere last night (9/16). It returns to its old night and an old time (some may remember that House occupied this same slot either last season or the season previous) with Dying Changes Everything.
In the episode, House (Hugh Laurie) takes on a case featuring a businesswoman who starts hallucinating. However, Foreman (Omar Eppes) and the other fellows (Peter Jacobsen, Olivia Wilde and Kal Penn) are left to solve it. House is having issues with Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard), who has just returned after Amber's death and announced he will be leaving Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein) tries to convince House to apologize for causing Amber's death and to tell Wilson what his friendship means to him. House decides to use emotional blackmail instead, telling Wilson he (House) won't cure the patient until Wilson agrees to stay. In the end, House cures the patient and Wilson leaves.
This episode proved why House is one of TV's best shows. The writing was particularly crisp, particularly between the fellows as they tried to find out what was wrong with their patient. The episode also kept the viewers on the edge of their seat: what exactly was wrong with the patient and will Wilson stay? It also provided some great development for Wilde's character--though her name has yet to be revealed--and how she is handling the revelation she has Huntington's last season. The best part of an episode is always listening to Wilson and House banter with each other. The writing is usually top notch and both Leonard and Laurie makes it sound like its coming from two people with history rather than actors merely reciting lines. Their chemistry is one of the best aspects of the show. Now that Wilson has ended his relationship with House, it's interesting to see how this continues or if the show suffers for it.
Great episode all around: A
In the episode, House (Hugh Laurie) takes on a case featuring a businesswoman who starts hallucinating. However, Foreman (Omar Eppes) and the other fellows (Peter Jacobsen, Olivia Wilde and Kal Penn) are left to solve it. House is having issues with Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard), who has just returned after Amber's death and announced he will be leaving Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. Cuddy (Lisa Edelstein) tries to convince House to apologize for causing Amber's death and to tell Wilson what his friendship means to him. House decides to use emotional blackmail instead, telling Wilson he (House) won't cure the patient until Wilson agrees to stay. In the end, House cures the patient and Wilson leaves.
This episode proved why House is one of TV's best shows. The writing was particularly crisp, particularly between the fellows as they tried to find out what was wrong with their patient. The episode also kept the viewers on the edge of their seat: what exactly was wrong with the patient and will Wilson stay? It also provided some great development for Wilde's character--though her name has yet to be revealed--and how she is handling the revelation she has Huntington's last season. The best part of an episode is always listening to Wilson and House banter with each other. The writing is usually top notch and both Leonard and Laurie makes it sound like its coming from two people with history rather than actors merely reciting lines. Their chemistry is one of the best aspects of the show. Now that Wilson has ended his relationship with House, it's interesting to see how this continues or if the show suffers for it.
Great episode all around: A
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
So, Now What's Carson Daly Going To Do?
MTV announced that "Total Request Live" (TRL) will be ending this November. The show, which counted down the top ten videos every afternoon, will have run for ten years when production shuts down.
It is clear why MTV made the decision: TRL wasn't as popular as it was back in the late 90s when it debuted. I remember when TRL was the first thing you turned on after getting home from school. In fact, I spent so much time doing extracurricular activies, I was mad that I was out of the loop most of the week! TRL was also the indictator of what was cool. We would watch it to see what music made it up there (mostly pop when it started) and to see where your favorite band ranked. It gave fuel to the Backstreet Boys-N*Sync battle. You taunted the fans of the rival band if yours ranked higher in the list. (I was a proud member of Team Backstreet). There was buzz if Carson announced that there would be a new music video debuting that day. This was before YouTube, so chances of seeing the video before the unveiling on TRL was low. It was a magical time that slowly ended as I reached high school. We know longer talked about watching TRL (most of us couldn't make home in time to see it) and I know I stopped watching as the pop groups slowly gave way to the rap/hip hop groups.
I also remember when you didn't dare go near MTV studios in Times Square in the afternoon. Even if it meant going the long way to your destination. The crowd of screaming, sign waving teenagers was just too much--even when I was a screaming, sign waving teenager myself! However, last summer, I spent time in Times Square. Tourists, but no more screaming, sign waving teenagers blocking city traffic.
And so, I bid adieu to a fond memory of my early teen years. In a way, that was my generation's American Bandstand. Producers though stress that TRL isn't ending for good, just going on an indefinite break. So who knows? Maybe in a few years, it'll be back and relative again. And then we'll have to avoid Times Square all over again.
It is clear why MTV made the decision: TRL wasn't as popular as it was back in the late 90s when it debuted. I remember when TRL was the first thing you turned on after getting home from school. In fact, I spent so much time doing extracurricular activies, I was mad that I was out of the loop most of the week! TRL was also the indictator of what was cool. We would watch it to see what music made it up there (mostly pop when it started) and to see where your favorite band ranked. It gave fuel to the Backstreet Boys-N*Sync battle. You taunted the fans of the rival band if yours ranked higher in the list. (I was a proud member of Team Backstreet). There was buzz if Carson announced that there would be a new music video debuting that day. This was before YouTube, so chances of seeing the video before the unveiling on TRL was low. It was a magical time that slowly ended as I reached high school. We know longer talked about watching TRL (most of us couldn't make home in time to see it) and I know I stopped watching as the pop groups slowly gave way to the rap/hip hop groups.
I also remember when you didn't dare go near MTV studios in Times Square in the afternoon. Even if it meant going the long way to your destination. The crowd of screaming, sign waving teenagers was just too much--even when I was a screaming, sign waving teenager myself! However, last summer, I spent time in Times Square. Tourists, but no more screaming, sign waving teenagers blocking city traffic.
And so, I bid adieu to a fond memory of my early teen years. In a way, that was my generation's American Bandstand. Producers though stress that TRL isn't ending for good, just going on an indefinite break. So who knows? Maybe in a few years, it'll be back and relative again. And then we'll have to avoid Times Square all over again.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams
In her latest weekend escape, Sam goes clear across the country to Los Angeles. She gets picked up by a helicopter at the airport and is given an air tour of LA. Complete of course with a glass of champagne. Not complete, however, with a Robin Leach voiceover. If helicopters didn’t give me the heebie-jeebies, I’d be jealous. This episode’s theme is “Get Sam into the movie business” apparently as she goes to take a class in stage fighting. She rocks the Rocky portion of the class and can hold her own with the Errol Flynn portion.
After a work out, she joins a bunch of people with lawn chairs and pillows…going into a cemetery. It’s Hollywood Forever, the resting place of many of Tinsel Town’s big names. Sam breaks down at Mel Blanc’s grave, mourning for the characters of our youth. But the reason everyone brought the chairs and pillows? They screen a movie on the back of a mausoleum. Now that is cool. I can’t see my sister complaining about us visiting a graveyard if there was a movie to be seen.
After the movie, Sam decides to take some lessons with fire throwers. She practices and reveals she used to work a mean baton. But in a major accomplishment, manages not to singe herself and safely makes it for drinks. It looks like she’s in a hotel bar, but it’s nice and quiet. She meets up with a fellow travel host who lives out in LA and they discuss the difference between the East and West Coasts. The friend comments how in LA, you can go to the local Starbucks and have a conversation with the barista. “You’d be shot in New York,” she says. Yes, yes, you would. And you’re lucky I don’t like coffee or else I’d be holding the gun.
You know what, I love the Surfing Rabbi. That congregation must be very popular. “My rabbi surfs! What does your rabbi do?” He gives Sam surfing instructions as “Hava Nagila” plays in the background. She wipes out a lot, but I’d daresay I would be any better. Nor am I surprised because I love her cruise specials and she didn’t take to the surfing machine on that either.
Two weeks ago I’d never heard of the Magic Castle. Now, it’s been on my television within the past two weeks—first Tyra sent the model-wannabes there to meet the judges, now Sam is getting a tour. She is introduced to a piano that plays itself and plays “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.” She goes to a few magic shows, even letting one use her ring for a trip. I hope it wasn’t her wedding band!
At the end, Sam travels back to the airport via helicopter. Actually, you know, I’ve sat in LA traffic. I think that may have been the smart way to travel.
Of course, I went to LA when I was five. My dad was working for ABC at the time and they sent him out to do some work in the LA bureau. So my mom booked the two of us tickets on a flight there and planned a trip to Disneyland. My mother loves to tell the story of all the businessmen who boarded the flight, took one look at me, and groaned. Who wants to be trapped on a five hour flight with a kindergartener? But I’ve always been the quiet child and I had homework to do—my Hickory Dickery Dock book wouldn’t fill itself, you know—so the suits kept coming up to make sure I was still on the flight. Unfortunately, I was victim to the pressure change that affects small children. The pain, I remember. The suits kept trying to help me as we landed.
In LA, we stayed in the Plaza Hotel and I knew we had made it. My mother still laughs at the sight of five-years-old me standing there, waiting for the doorman to open the door for me. We checked in, went to the room and I had no problem ordering room service as my mom caught a nap. I must say, I’ve always been the independent sort. The next day we drove to Anaheim, which in theory isn’t that far a drive. But we sat. And we sat. And we sat so long that by the time we checked into the Ramada (Type F on the Disneyland Chart), it was time to get back in the car to pick up my dad from work. “He can take the bus,” I told my mom.
We went and picked him up. Our Disneyland trip started! Naturally, I remember Disneyland more than I remember LA. Across the street from our hotel was Space Mountain, clearly visible from our room. It was also a memorable trip because I was finally 48 inches tall—I could finally go on the roller coasters! Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, the Matterhorn—here I come! It was such a great trip. I wish we could go back there someday. My sister was born the following September and has never been there.
Anyone up for a trip to Disneyland?
After a work out, she joins a bunch of people with lawn chairs and pillows…going into a cemetery. It’s Hollywood Forever, the resting place of many of Tinsel Town’s big names. Sam breaks down at Mel Blanc’s grave, mourning for the characters of our youth. But the reason everyone brought the chairs and pillows? They screen a movie on the back of a mausoleum. Now that is cool. I can’t see my sister complaining about us visiting a graveyard if there was a movie to be seen.
After the movie, Sam decides to take some lessons with fire throwers. She practices and reveals she used to work a mean baton. But in a major accomplishment, manages not to singe herself and safely makes it for drinks. It looks like she’s in a hotel bar, but it’s nice and quiet. She meets up with a fellow travel host who lives out in LA and they discuss the difference between the East and West Coasts. The friend comments how in LA, you can go to the local Starbucks and have a conversation with the barista. “You’d be shot in New York,” she says. Yes, yes, you would. And you’re lucky I don’t like coffee or else I’d be holding the gun.
You know what, I love the Surfing Rabbi. That congregation must be very popular. “My rabbi surfs! What does your rabbi do?” He gives Sam surfing instructions as “Hava Nagila” plays in the background. She wipes out a lot, but I’d daresay I would be any better. Nor am I surprised because I love her cruise specials and she didn’t take to the surfing machine on that either.
Two weeks ago I’d never heard of the Magic Castle. Now, it’s been on my television within the past two weeks—first Tyra sent the model-wannabes there to meet the judges, now Sam is getting a tour. She is introduced to a piano that plays itself and plays “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.” She goes to a few magic shows, even letting one use her ring for a trip. I hope it wasn’t her wedding band!
At the end, Sam travels back to the airport via helicopter. Actually, you know, I’ve sat in LA traffic. I think that may have been the smart way to travel.
Of course, I went to LA when I was five. My dad was working for ABC at the time and they sent him out to do some work in the LA bureau. So my mom booked the two of us tickets on a flight there and planned a trip to Disneyland. My mother loves to tell the story of all the businessmen who boarded the flight, took one look at me, and groaned. Who wants to be trapped on a five hour flight with a kindergartener? But I’ve always been the quiet child and I had homework to do—my Hickory Dickery Dock book wouldn’t fill itself, you know—so the suits kept coming up to make sure I was still on the flight. Unfortunately, I was victim to the pressure change that affects small children. The pain, I remember. The suits kept trying to help me as we landed.
In LA, we stayed in the Plaza Hotel and I knew we had made it. My mother still laughs at the sight of five-years-old me standing there, waiting for the doorman to open the door for me. We checked in, went to the room and I had no problem ordering room service as my mom caught a nap. I must say, I’ve always been the independent sort. The next day we drove to Anaheim, which in theory isn’t that far a drive. But we sat. And we sat. And we sat so long that by the time we checked into the Ramada (Type F on the Disneyland Chart), it was time to get back in the car to pick up my dad from work. “He can take the bus,” I told my mom.
We went and picked him up. Our Disneyland trip started! Naturally, I remember Disneyland more than I remember LA. Across the street from our hotel was Space Mountain, clearly visible from our room. It was also a memorable trip because I was finally 48 inches tall—I could finally go on the roller coasters! Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, the Matterhorn—here I come! It was such a great trip. I wish we could go back there someday. My sister was born the following September and has never been there.
Anyone up for a trip to Disneyland?
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Wait, I Thought Ghosts Couldn't Go Near Water?
9:01: Everyone gathers to go to Nantucket.
9:02: Everyone leaves as Grant tells us it could be a residual haunt while Jason is happy he can go home at the end. They arrive at the Slater Mill and meet Cheryl, their tour guide.
9:03: Cheryl gives us the history of the mill and how children used to work there. Cheryl tells us people feel like they are being watched in the tower. Cheryl says she feels there are still people working there.
9:04: A machine people have heard run when it wasn’t. When someone tried to alarm the building one day, the security company said people were walking around on the third floor. No one was there.
9:05: The attic can feel cold, even in July. The personal stories keep coming.
9:06: Jason sums up the case as a largely auditory case and that water may have something to do with why it’s so haunted.
9:07: Everything is set up! Lights out.
9:08: Jason and Grant go to the water wheel with the thermal camera. They start a session talking with the ghosts with the K2.
9:09: Meter goes off.
9:13: The meter indicates they are talking to a boy ghost. So, they start the EVP.
9:14: The ghost likes to work in the mill and lived in Central Falls. Grant restates the same questions to make sure they get the same answers. Light show!
9:15: Jason freaks out and feels cold.
9:16: Grant breaks out the thermometer. Temp continually drops and Jason is freezing. Cut to Tango and Steve. Steve freaks out as Tango laughs.
9:17: Jason and Grant continue to move and see if the ghost is following them. He is. The ghost says there are four people in the room, which there are.
9:18: The ghost agrees that there are two bald people in the room. Grant is ecstatic but Jason asks if the ghost is lonely.
9:19: Jason invites the ghost home? The hell? He texts his wife. Oh, I can imagine she would love that message. “hi ghost comin home w/me. xo. j.”
9:20: Kris and the other guy hear a machine. They go and investigate.
9:24: Steve and Tango are in the attic. Tango feels slightly dizzy, but Dave thinks the spinning wheel was giving him the feeling and not a ghost.
9:25: The move to the basement where they run into the spiders. We all know how Steve hates spiders. They wrap and being analysis.
9: 26: Steve and Tango argue about whether or not Tango is growing a goatee than turn to the evidence. Steve hears something.
9:27: Everyone is called in. Steve plays the audio. They think it sounds like a cat, but they know they would’ve heard that. He plays another audio.
9:28: Time for the reveal.
9:30: They play the second audio piece. It sounds like “hello” but with the tone of “Geronimo.”
9:31: Humphrey? That’s what the other audio bit sounded like to me. They show her their session with the K2.
9:36: Grant and Jason says good-bye and drive off to Case #2: Pettibone Tavern.
9:37: They want Taps to investigate before renovations begin after a fire. It looks like a beautiful Colonial-era house. The tour guide, Chris, tells us about the fire and praises the sprinkler system.
9:38: We get the story of Abigail, who married a sea captain but was dallying with a local. Her husband wasn’t too thrilled and beheaded both. We are told of a painting of Abigail and her mother, which was restored after Abigail was cut out.
9:39: The ladies room is haunted. Of course. It’s bad enough there is always a line for the ladies room. We don’t need ghosts! Tour continues.
9:40: Set up starts. Can’t go lights out as there are no lights due to the fire.
9:41: Investigation starts. Jason and Grant go to the basement to do some EMF work.
9:42: Jason has the thermal as he continues to investigate. He sees something.
9:46: Jason and Grant realize it was just a reflection off some pipes.
9:47: Grant and Jason go to see if the EMF field off the breaker box goes up through the floor. And it does. Cut to Steve and Tango. Someone is clearly seen in the background as Steve decides to light the candles to see if something will relight them.
9:48: Steve goes into debunking mode. He thinks the smell of the horse manure comes through the vents. They go and check the candles—still out.
9:49: Jason and Grant go to investigate the ladies room, once Abigail’s bedroom. They start a session, trying to lure Abigail out. All they get is that the toilet looks like an angel on the thermal.
9:50: Kris and Tango fit themselves into an old phone booth. Then Kris realizes they are trapped in there. Tango starts to panic as Kris reveals she had her foot there. But they are still stuck until they wiggle the door open.
9:51: Clean up. Kris goes to investigate the house of the Pettibone Tavern and asks the local history society for help.
9:52: There were Abigail Pettibones, but no proof that one was murdered. In fact, that rumor was started when the house was turned into a tavern.
9:53: Kris and the Historian go over the painting. While it is of a Pettibone, the child is most likely the woman’s son. Oops.
9:56: Reveal. No personal experiences, no evidence.
9:57: They explain the EMF and how it matched up in the creepy feeling spots. Jason talks about the research. They squash the main story of the house. But they say that activity may start up again after the renovations begin and they want to explore it more.
9:59: Chris is still a believer. Jason and Grant leave.
9:02: Everyone leaves as Grant tells us it could be a residual haunt while Jason is happy he can go home at the end. They arrive at the Slater Mill and meet Cheryl, their tour guide.
9:03: Cheryl gives us the history of the mill and how children used to work there. Cheryl tells us people feel like they are being watched in the tower. Cheryl says she feels there are still people working there.
9:04: A machine people have heard run when it wasn’t. When someone tried to alarm the building one day, the security company said people were walking around on the third floor. No one was there.
9:05: The attic can feel cold, even in July. The personal stories keep coming.
9:06: Jason sums up the case as a largely auditory case and that water may have something to do with why it’s so haunted.
9:07: Everything is set up! Lights out.
9:08: Jason and Grant go to the water wheel with the thermal camera. They start a session talking with the ghosts with the K2.
9:09: Meter goes off.
9:13: The meter indicates they are talking to a boy ghost. So, they start the EVP.
9:14: The ghost likes to work in the mill and lived in Central Falls. Grant restates the same questions to make sure they get the same answers. Light show!
9:15: Jason freaks out and feels cold.
9:16: Grant breaks out the thermometer. Temp continually drops and Jason is freezing. Cut to Tango and Steve. Steve freaks out as Tango laughs.
9:17: Jason and Grant continue to move and see if the ghost is following them. He is. The ghost says there are four people in the room, which there are.
9:18: The ghost agrees that there are two bald people in the room. Grant is ecstatic but Jason asks if the ghost is lonely.
9:19: Jason invites the ghost home? The hell? He texts his wife. Oh, I can imagine she would love that message. “hi ghost comin home w/me. xo. j.”
9:20: Kris and the other guy hear a machine. They go and investigate.
9:24: Steve and Tango are in the attic. Tango feels slightly dizzy, but Dave thinks the spinning wheel was giving him the feeling and not a ghost.
9:25: The move to the basement where they run into the spiders. We all know how Steve hates spiders. They wrap and being analysis.
9: 26: Steve and Tango argue about whether or not Tango is growing a goatee than turn to the evidence. Steve hears something.
9:27: Everyone is called in. Steve plays the audio. They think it sounds like a cat, but they know they would’ve heard that. He plays another audio.
9:28: Time for the reveal.
9:30: They play the second audio piece. It sounds like “hello” but with the tone of “Geronimo.”
9:31: Humphrey? That’s what the other audio bit sounded like to me. They show her their session with the K2.
9:36: Grant and Jason says good-bye and drive off to Case #2: Pettibone Tavern.
9:37: They want Taps to investigate before renovations begin after a fire. It looks like a beautiful Colonial-era house. The tour guide, Chris, tells us about the fire and praises the sprinkler system.
9:38: We get the story of Abigail, who married a sea captain but was dallying with a local. Her husband wasn’t too thrilled and beheaded both. We are told of a painting of Abigail and her mother, which was restored after Abigail was cut out.
9:39: The ladies room is haunted. Of course. It’s bad enough there is always a line for the ladies room. We don’t need ghosts! Tour continues.
9:40: Set up starts. Can’t go lights out as there are no lights due to the fire.
9:41: Investigation starts. Jason and Grant go to the basement to do some EMF work.
9:42: Jason has the thermal as he continues to investigate. He sees something.
9:46: Jason and Grant realize it was just a reflection off some pipes.
9:47: Grant and Jason go to see if the EMF field off the breaker box goes up through the floor. And it does. Cut to Steve and Tango. Someone is clearly seen in the background as Steve decides to light the candles to see if something will relight them.
9:48: Steve goes into debunking mode. He thinks the smell of the horse manure comes through the vents. They go and check the candles—still out.
9:49: Jason and Grant go to investigate the ladies room, once Abigail’s bedroom. They start a session, trying to lure Abigail out. All they get is that the toilet looks like an angel on the thermal.
9:50: Kris and Tango fit themselves into an old phone booth. Then Kris realizes they are trapped in there. Tango starts to panic as Kris reveals she had her foot there. But they are still stuck until they wiggle the door open.
9:51: Clean up. Kris goes to investigate the house of the Pettibone Tavern and asks the local history society for help.
9:52: There were Abigail Pettibones, but no proof that one was murdered. In fact, that rumor was started when the house was turned into a tavern.
9:53: Kris and the Historian go over the painting. While it is of a Pettibone, the child is most likely the woman’s son. Oops.
9:56: Reveal. No personal experiences, no evidence.
9:57: They explain the EMF and how it matched up in the creepy feeling spots. Jason talks about the research. They squash the main story of the house. But they say that activity may start up again after the renovations begin and they want to explore it more.
9:59: Chris is still a believer. Jason and Grant leave.
A House Divided Against Itself...Makes For Some Good TV
I’d like to say it is good you’re all still here and that the LHC didn’t blow us up. Yet.
This cycle’s opening is…very Tyra heavy. At least they seem to have kept it like last cycle’s. I preferred that one to the others.
The girls return home to see Marjorie’s picture displayed prominently. This could go south quickly. Nikeysha decides to explain herself, even though that’s what almost got her eliminated.
TYRA MAIL! “Don’t get it twisted. Will you bend over backwards to be on top?” This wouldn’t be so easy if I didn’t already know Benny Ninja would be on the show. And there he is! Can I say one thing about Bree? OW! Benny and Bree put the girls in red mesh grocery bags. Turns out Sheena is really flexible and is commended.
TYRA MAIL! “Did you learn your lesson? If so, you’ve this one in the bag.” I smell challenge? But first the girls play Truth or Dare in the hot tub…ooh, time for Kim and Sarah Round Two? Yep. Elina says she saw fireworks and another declares Clark will go home a lesbian. Hannah is uncomfortable with everything and Isis seems to back up a bit too close to Hannah. Okay, no offense, girls. It looked like Isis was going to knock into Hannah and she was putting up a “too close” motion. Hannah talks with Brittany and Sheena, who go against her about the push. Hannah is upset.
More talk. They are twisting Hannah’s “whitest white girl” statement around. I’ve called myself that before and it was never took in a racist way. Meanwhile, Analeigh helps distract Isis while she injects herself with hormones. The girls meet back up with Benny, who introduces handbag designer Tarina Tarantino. The models have to model her hand bags. Why am I thinking Nikeysha isn’t long for this competition? Elina wins! She gets a bag complete with accessories.
TYRA MAIL! “Wanna be on top? Then you have to start climbing that ladder!” Oh great, the models will be put on ladders. Way, the house is dividing by race…Now they are going to confront Hannah. They ask if Hannah is a racist. She denies it and Analeigh goes to comfort her. I do think the girls are twisting it as those are words my friends and I (both of many races) have used with never negative connotations.
Whitney’s family is so cute!
The girls are still on Hannah, who I think goes a bit far with a connotation to “gang violence.” The girls get off the bus and there’s Mr. Jay in a hot air balloon. They are sticking the girls in a hot air balloon? Oh, there’s the ladder…Can one hope one of the models, say Clark or Brittany, falls off? The photographer is Mike Ruiz, the guy who did the superhero shot from Cycle 5. That was the first episode I ever saw and started me on my obsession today!
Oh, they can’t use the balloon and use a crane instead. Damn, but Lauren Brie is very good. Now the real challenge, can Hannah get over the drama to deliver? Analeigh doesn’t rock it and they turn on the burlesque music for Sheena’s shoot. Jay thinks Isis needs to work on her face while Jay looks horrified at Nikeysha’s shoot. Can someone screencap his face there? Joslyn too rocks it while Clark needs some instruction. And now Hannah, who needs some flexibility. Samantha looked the part but fell flat, while Cage Girl couldn’t hold still. Poor Marjorie just gets Jay celebrating that the shoot was over.
TYRA MAIL! “Tomorrow you will meet with the judges. Only 12 will continue on in the hopes of becoming America’s Top Model.” Sheena tells the girls to start packing, which doesn’t sit too well with them. Looks like the drama with Hannah is forgotten.
Home video of Tyra! I mean, PANEL! Prizes, judges, Ms. J’s bling, Tyra’s singing, and the guest judge Tarina Tarantino. Nigel likes Hannah’s angles, but not her face. Now Nikeysha is under scrutiny—Tyra wonders if she has another anorexic on tap (see Cycle 10’s Allison). Everyone loves Lauren Brie’s picture. Isis gets the “dress like a model at panel” at panel. Tyra and Paulina differ on his picture. And they cue the French music for Marjorie, who gets good reviews. Elina gets two comparisons to Angelina Jolie. Sheena is told to tone it down and then asked if her breasts are fake. She pauses then denies it. Hmm…Ooh, Sheena speaks. She does have FAKE breasts and Tyra commends her for admitting to it.
Did they dump Cover Girl of the Week? Shannon’s husband is drop dead gorgeous though.
The judges deliberate and Tyra says the magical word “makeover.” I friggin’ love Marjorie’s picture and agree with Tarina, girl got lucky with that scarf.
ELIMINATION! Lauren Brie is called first and gets her picture displayed in the house. Followed by: Elina, Joslyn, Marjorie, Cage Girl/McKey, Samantha, Sheena, Hannah, Clark, Brittany, and Analeigh. That leaves Isis and Nikeysha in the bottom two. Nikeysha tries to say something but Tyra cuts her off. Girl, didn’t you learn anything from Tiffany (Cycle 4)? Isis gets a pass while I was right. Good-bye Nikeysha. Tyra does let Nikeysha show Ms. J her walk and she continues out the door.
And Nikeysha is still talking over the credits. God, I love the editors on this show. They have a great sense of humor. Next week: MAKEOVERS! So, what do you think of the Hannah-Isis push? The fight? Sheena’s fake breasts? And does anyone else think that Analeigh resembles Denise Richards?
This cycle’s opening is…very Tyra heavy. At least they seem to have kept it like last cycle’s. I preferred that one to the others.
The girls return home to see Marjorie’s picture displayed prominently. This could go south quickly. Nikeysha decides to explain herself, even though that’s what almost got her eliminated.
TYRA MAIL! “Don’t get it twisted. Will you bend over backwards to be on top?” This wouldn’t be so easy if I didn’t already know Benny Ninja would be on the show. And there he is! Can I say one thing about Bree? OW! Benny and Bree put the girls in red mesh grocery bags. Turns out Sheena is really flexible and is commended.
TYRA MAIL! “Did you learn your lesson? If so, you’ve this one in the bag.” I smell challenge? But first the girls play Truth or Dare in the hot tub…ooh, time for Kim and Sarah Round Two? Yep. Elina says she saw fireworks and another declares Clark will go home a lesbian. Hannah is uncomfortable with everything and Isis seems to back up a bit too close to Hannah. Okay, no offense, girls. It looked like Isis was going to knock into Hannah and she was putting up a “too close” motion. Hannah talks with Brittany and Sheena, who go against her about the push. Hannah is upset.
More talk. They are twisting Hannah’s “whitest white girl” statement around. I’ve called myself that before and it was never took in a racist way. Meanwhile, Analeigh helps distract Isis while she injects herself with hormones. The girls meet back up with Benny, who introduces handbag designer Tarina Tarantino. The models have to model her hand bags. Why am I thinking Nikeysha isn’t long for this competition? Elina wins! She gets a bag complete with accessories.
TYRA MAIL! “Wanna be on top? Then you have to start climbing that ladder!” Oh great, the models will be put on ladders. Way, the house is dividing by race…Now they are going to confront Hannah. They ask if Hannah is a racist. She denies it and Analeigh goes to comfort her. I do think the girls are twisting it as those are words my friends and I (both of many races) have used with never negative connotations.
Whitney’s family is so cute!
The girls are still on Hannah, who I think goes a bit far with a connotation to “gang violence.” The girls get off the bus and there’s Mr. Jay in a hot air balloon. They are sticking the girls in a hot air balloon? Oh, there’s the ladder…Can one hope one of the models, say Clark or Brittany, falls off? The photographer is Mike Ruiz, the guy who did the superhero shot from Cycle 5. That was the first episode I ever saw and started me on my obsession today!
Oh, they can’t use the balloon and use a crane instead. Damn, but Lauren Brie is very good. Now the real challenge, can Hannah get over the drama to deliver? Analeigh doesn’t rock it and they turn on the burlesque music for Sheena’s shoot. Jay thinks Isis needs to work on her face while Jay looks horrified at Nikeysha’s shoot. Can someone screencap his face there? Joslyn too rocks it while Clark needs some instruction. And now Hannah, who needs some flexibility. Samantha looked the part but fell flat, while Cage Girl couldn’t hold still. Poor Marjorie just gets Jay celebrating that the shoot was over.
TYRA MAIL! “Tomorrow you will meet with the judges. Only 12 will continue on in the hopes of becoming America’s Top Model.” Sheena tells the girls to start packing, which doesn’t sit too well with them. Looks like the drama with Hannah is forgotten.
Home video of Tyra! I mean, PANEL! Prizes, judges, Ms. J’s bling, Tyra’s singing, and the guest judge Tarina Tarantino. Nigel likes Hannah’s angles, but not her face. Now Nikeysha is under scrutiny—Tyra wonders if she has another anorexic on tap (see Cycle 10’s Allison). Everyone loves Lauren Brie’s picture. Isis gets the “dress like a model at panel” at panel. Tyra and Paulina differ on his picture. And they cue the French music for Marjorie, who gets good reviews. Elina gets two comparisons to Angelina Jolie. Sheena is told to tone it down and then asked if her breasts are fake. She pauses then denies it. Hmm…Ooh, Sheena speaks. She does have FAKE breasts and Tyra commends her for admitting to it.
Did they dump Cover Girl of the Week? Shannon’s husband is drop dead gorgeous though.
The judges deliberate and Tyra says the magical word “makeover.” I friggin’ love Marjorie’s picture and agree with Tarina, girl got lucky with that scarf.
ELIMINATION! Lauren Brie is called first and gets her picture displayed in the house. Followed by: Elina, Joslyn, Marjorie, Cage Girl/McKey, Samantha, Sheena, Hannah, Clark, Brittany, and Analeigh. That leaves Isis and Nikeysha in the bottom two. Nikeysha tries to say something but Tyra cuts her off. Girl, didn’t you learn anything from Tiffany (Cycle 4)? Isis gets a pass while I was right. Good-bye Nikeysha. Tyra does let Nikeysha show Ms. J her walk and she continues out the door.
And Nikeysha is still talking over the credits. God, I love the editors on this show. They have a great sense of humor. Next week: MAKEOVERS! So, what do you think of the Hannah-Isis push? The fight? Sheena’s fake breasts? And does anyone else think that Analeigh resembles Denise Richards?
Addendums
According to Zap2It.com's blog Korbi TV, apparently a role has been cast as a possible love interest for Secret Life of the American Teenager's Tom. And rumor has it she'll be introduced at Amy and Ben's wedding. So, I guess the Secret Wedding of the American Teenager is Amy and Ben's.
In light of this revelation, I guess we could play "Where's Waldo?" Last night's episode never did reveal where Mr. Molina was. Do you think he finally realized he was the only one who had any crumb of common sense in that school? And therefore, he ran far away?
In light of this revelation, I guess we could play "Where's Waldo?" Last night's episode never did reveal where Mr. Molina was. Do you think he finally realized he was the only one who had any crumb of common sense in that school? And therefore, he ran far away?
Rumors, Therapy and the Chords of Meaningfulness
The episode opens in the school as the rumor goes around about Adrian and Mr. Molina not being in school. Ricky and Amy have a confrontation where he drops hints he’s been with her friend Lauren. She marches off to confront Lauren who says, “At least I know how to say no.” Way to be supportive. Amy wants to storm off with Madison, who is then fought over by her two best friends. She yells that they shouldn’t stop being friends due to a mental patient. And rumor #2 is started: Ricky is a psycho.
Ben goes into Mr. Molina’s office, but there is a kid in there selling student reports. Meanwhile, Jack confronts Grace about her relationship with Ricky and the fact she is no longer wearing her promise ring. He then confronts Ricky. Meanwhile, Henry tries to pretend his first time was great but Ben reveals Alice already told him it was horrible. Henry and Alice argue and she yells that they will try it again until they get it right. Henry walks off as Alice asks Ben if he and Amy have done it yet. He says no.
Grace and Ricky talk about being crazy and being in therapy. Ricky lies that it’s about Amy and the baby, once again painting himself as a victim. And they remind us of rumor #1: Adrian ran off with Mr. Molina. Grace admits she’s attracted to Ricky and wants to go out with him. Grace, Grace, stay away! Please…The bell rings as they longingly walk away from each other. Ricky promptly goes and hits on some random extra named “Shauna.”
Adrian is seen driving her little red convertible around a curve and commercial. It’s good to note, she’s alone.
Now Jack is writing his record. He’s quite upset that Molina wrote that Jack was “emotionally immature.” The kid tells him he has to stop being so hung up on Grace as Adrian’s dad walks in. The kid informs him of Rumor #1 and when Adrian’s dad says he’s part of the police, the kid books it. Madison walks in and admits “I have a problem keeping my mouth shut.” She then rambling recaps the entire season to Adrian’s dad, including telling him his daughter is the school slut. When she takes a breath, he tells her who he is and Madison tries to backpedal, including telling him Adrian is very smart. This seems to surprise Dad.
Jack and Madison talk, with everyone now questioning if they need therapy. Grace is called in to talk with Adrian’s Dad. She fills us in on some of her story lines. Grace goes on about how horrible it was for him not to have contacted Adrian for 16 years but Adrian’s Dad is trying to steer the conversation back to Adrian. Turns out Adrian doesn’t return Grace’s phone calls. Next comes “Crazy” Ricky, who swears he doesn’t know where Adrian is.
Meanwhile, Adrian is stopped as a highway patrolman calls her dad. Dad sends Ricky on his merry way and he warns Adrian. Patrolman is trying to figure out a way to hold him as the kid comes in and points out she can be held for truancy. Commercial.
Back at school, Lauren tries to make amends with Amy. Amy gets mad that Lauren thinks she’s smarter than everybody else. She says she doesn’t want to feel stupid, particularly with the pregnancy. Lauren says she misses Amy and then drops the bombshell about Ricky being sexually abused. This shocks Amy, but Lauren keeps going on about how she thought it would make her special. But it didn’t. Amy promises not to tell anyone and Lauren tells her she is lucky to have met the love of her life at 15. Lauren accurately pegs Ricky as someone who needs someone to pity him. Which he works on Grace. By the way, what do you think Grace needed therapy for? Ricky notes Grace isn’t wearing her ring and you know he’s thinking, “SCORE!”
Adrian storms down the hallway, muttering in Spanish. She tells her father she hates him, but he isn’t too upset. She says he can’t run her life, but he says he can. Starting with enrolling her in a new, all-girls private school and taking away her keys. Dad says he’s concerned about Adrian and once again tells her not to see Ricky. She thinks because she has her period and has (protected) sex, it means she doesn’t need parents. Dad accurately realizes it means she does and he has big dreams for her. They have a father-daughter moment, complete with the chords of meaningfulness.
Grace goes to visit Adrian, to talk to about her and Ricky. She asks how Adrian would feel if the two started dating. “Betrayed.” Adrian says she can’t be her friend and sleep with Ricky. Grace doesn’t think she has to risk her friendship nor will she be sleeping with Ricky. Adrian tries to wake Grace up to Ricky’s true nature and gives her condoms, telling her not to end up like Amy Jurgens.
Cut to Amy and Ben researching about kids who were sexually abused. Way to keep your promise, Amy. They discuss Ricky and if he could ever be “fixed.” And then Amy says, “I guess we can have sex if you want.” This seems to throw Ben off. And their sex talk needs help. They decide to wait to have sex until they are older and can enjoy it more. Bravo! This goes to Ashley reading Amy’s book of poetry to her father, saying she’s sure Amy and Ben aren’t having sex. Dad decides to have the sex talk, but Ashley cuts him off. So he decides to tell her about the day she was born. It’s a sweet story that is complete with the chords of meaningfulness from Adrian and her dad’s conversation.
We cut to Grace’s kitchen where she and Ricky are cooking, though Ricky is more interested in getting with Grace. Tom reveals that Grace gave him $20 to stay out of the kitchen despite the fact that John Schneider paid him $40 to stay down there. Tom says he’s closer to Jennifer Coolidge time. John Schneider tries to convince Tom he shouldn’t see his prostitute friend. Tom reveals that Grace told him that John and Josie Bisset cheated on Amy’s Dad. John seems surprised. Meanwhile, Ricky is sucking Grace’s fingers when they are interrupted by Josie.
And Henry and Alice are still having bad sex. Give it up, guys!
Molly Ringwald finally returns from Chicago and talks to her husband on the couch. He wonders where she’s been looking so nice. She tells him she met an old friend and he accuses her of having an affair. Pot, meet kettle. They discuss the status of their relationship and Amy’s Dad reveals Ashley was conceived in a graveyard. I have to agree with Molly here, it does explain a lot. Molly says she doesn’t want to be married to Amy’s Dad anymore. The poor guy looks utterly despondent as the chords of meaningfulness play us out.
And that’s it! More episodes to follow in January 2009. According to Wikipedia, the episode title is “The Secret Wedding of the American Teenager.” So do you think Amy and Ben finally tie the knot or will it be another couple entirely?
Ben goes into Mr. Molina’s office, but there is a kid in there selling student reports. Meanwhile, Jack confronts Grace about her relationship with Ricky and the fact she is no longer wearing her promise ring. He then confronts Ricky. Meanwhile, Henry tries to pretend his first time was great but Ben reveals Alice already told him it was horrible. Henry and Alice argue and she yells that they will try it again until they get it right. Henry walks off as Alice asks Ben if he and Amy have done it yet. He says no.
Grace and Ricky talk about being crazy and being in therapy. Ricky lies that it’s about Amy and the baby, once again painting himself as a victim. And they remind us of rumor #1: Adrian ran off with Mr. Molina. Grace admits she’s attracted to Ricky and wants to go out with him. Grace, Grace, stay away! Please…The bell rings as they longingly walk away from each other. Ricky promptly goes and hits on some random extra named “Shauna.”
Adrian is seen driving her little red convertible around a curve and commercial. It’s good to note, she’s alone.
Now Jack is writing his record. He’s quite upset that Molina wrote that Jack was “emotionally immature.” The kid tells him he has to stop being so hung up on Grace as Adrian’s dad walks in. The kid informs him of Rumor #1 and when Adrian’s dad says he’s part of the police, the kid books it. Madison walks in and admits “I have a problem keeping my mouth shut.” She then rambling recaps the entire season to Adrian’s dad, including telling him his daughter is the school slut. When she takes a breath, he tells her who he is and Madison tries to backpedal, including telling him Adrian is very smart. This seems to surprise Dad.
Jack and Madison talk, with everyone now questioning if they need therapy. Grace is called in to talk with Adrian’s Dad. She fills us in on some of her story lines. Grace goes on about how horrible it was for him not to have contacted Adrian for 16 years but Adrian’s Dad is trying to steer the conversation back to Adrian. Turns out Adrian doesn’t return Grace’s phone calls. Next comes “Crazy” Ricky, who swears he doesn’t know where Adrian is.
Meanwhile, Adrian is stopped as a highway patrolman calls her dad. Dad sends Ricky on his merry way and he warns Adrian. Patrolman is trying to figure out a way to hold him as the kid comes in and points out she can be held for truancy. Commercial.
Back at school, Lauren tries to make amends with Amy. Amy gets mad that Lauren thinks she’s smarter than everybody else. She says she doesn’t want to feel stupid, particularly with the pregnancy. Lauren says she misses Amy and then drops the bombshell about Ricky being sexually abused. This shocks Amy, but Lauren keeps going on about how she thought it would make her special. But it didn’t. Amy promises not to tell anyone and Lauren tells her she is lucky to have met the love of her life at 15. Lauren accurately pegs Ricky as someone who needs someone to pity him. Which he works on Grace. By the way, what do you think Grace needed therapy for? Ricky notes Grace isn’t wearing her ring and you know he’s thinking, “SCORE!”
Adrian storms down the hallway, muttering in Spanish. She tells her father she hates him, but he isn’t too upset. She says he can’t run her life, but he says he can. Starting with enrolling her in a new, all-girls private school and taking away her keys. Dad says he’s concerned about Adrian and once again tells her not to see Ricky. She thinks because she has her period and has (protected) sex, it means she doesn’t need parents. Dad accurately realizes it means she does and he has big dreams for her. They have a father-daughter moment, complete with the chords of meaningfulness.
Grace goes to visit Adrian, to talk to about her and Ricky. She asks how Adrian would feel if the two started dating. “Betrayed.” Adrian says she can’t be her friend and sleep with Ricky. Grace doesn’t think she has to risk her friendship nor will she be sleeping with Ricky. Adrian tries to wake Grace up to Ricky’s true nature and gives her condoms, telling her not to end up like Amy Jurgens.
Cut to Amy and Ben researching about kids who were sexually abused. Way to keep your promise, Amy. They discuss Ricky and if he could ever be “fixed.” And then Amy says, “I guess we can have sex if you want.” This seems to throw Ben off. And their sex talk needs help. They decide to wait to have sex until they are older and can enjoy it more. Bravo! This goes to Ashley reading Amy’s book of poetry to her father, saying she’s sure Amy and Ben aren’t having sex. Dad decides to have the sex talk, but Ashley cuts him off. So he decides to tell her about the day she was born. It’s a sweet story that is complete with the chords of meaningfulness from Adrian and her dad’s conversation.
We cut to Grace’s kitchen where she and Ricky are cooking, though Ricky is more interested in getting with Grace. Tom reveals that Grace gave him $20 to stay out of the kitchen despite the fact that John Schneider paid him $40 to stay down there. Tom says he’s closer to Jennifer Coolidge time. John Schneider tries to convince Tom he shouldn’t see his prostitute friend. Tom reveals that Grace told him that John and Josie Bisset cheated on Amy’s Dad. John seems surprised. Meanwhile, Ricky is sucking Grace’s fingers when they are interrupted by Josie.
And Henry and Alice are still having bad sex. Give it up, guys!
Molly Ringwald finally returns from Chicago and talks to her husband on the couch. He wonders where she’s been looking so nice. She tells him she met an old friend and he accuses her of having an affair. Pot, meet kettle. They discuss the status of their relationship and Amy’s Dad reveals Ashley was conceived in a graveyard. I have to agree with Molly here, it does explain a lot. Molly says she doesn’t want to be married to Amy’s Dad anymore. The poor guy looks utterly despondent as the chords of meaningfulness play us out.
And that’s it! More episodes to follow in January 2009. According to Wikipedia, the episode title is “The Secret Wedding of the American Teenager.” So do you think Amy and Ben finally tie the knot or will it be another couple entirely?
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Tale as Old as Time
This past Friday, Netflix sent us the movie Penelope. In the mood for a movie night (particularly when my cold returned with a vengeance), my sister and I got comfortable, turned off the lights and popped it into our DVD player.
The movie tells the story of Penelope (Christina Ricci), a young woman born with the snout of a pig due to a family curse. It is believed that the curse will be broken when she marries one of her own--namely, someone also of a blue-blooded family. Her parents (Richard E. Grant and Catherine O'Hara) try to find a suitable suitor. However, many have a bad reaction when they see Penelope's face. One, Edward (Simon Woods), runs straight to the nearest newspaper. The editor (Burn Gorman) doesn't believe him but a reporter named Lemon (Peter Dinlage) does--he lost his eye trying to get a picture of baby Penelope.
The two team up and ask a down-and-out blue blood named Max Campion (James McAvoy) to court Penelope and get a picture. However, Max finds Penelope intriguing and the two form a relationship, though she remains behind a two-way mirror. They fall in love and Penelope reveals herself to him. She asks him to marry her because he didn't run, but he says he can't. Sick of rejection and being kept from the outside world, Penelope escapes her parents.
Out on her own, Penelope avoids her parents and meets Annie (Reese Witherspoon). Together, Penelope experiences things she had only heard about. After revealing herself to the world, she becomes famous. Due to this, Edward decides to marry her and her mother especially encourages her to accept. Penelope must decide if she wants to marry or if she really doesn't mind the way she looks now just as some new information about Max comes to light.
The story, a reverse beauty and the beast, was good and a bit more affirming than Tyra Banks trying to convince girls they are beautiful just the way they are when she changes all her models. However, as my sister kept pointing out, Ricci didn't look that bad. She's already has an unique beauty and it outshone the prosthetics. She plays the quirky roles well and Penelope was no different. McAvoy proves once again why he is in demand as a leading man, delivering a stirring performance instead of falling back on his good looks. O'Hara, as Penelope's overbearing mom, provided a good mixture of serious and comedic acting. It's just hard to see her as anything but Kevin's mom in the Home Alone movies. Witherspoon, who also produced the movie, brought her usual screen-lighting abilities to the story, but I wished both she and Grant had been given more to do.
The movie never really establishes a setting for the movie, occuring in this magic-filled alternate version of Europe. It has a mixture of British and American actors, though most of the main players all speak with an American accent (Gorman's accent particularly annoyed me and I wished they had let him use his normal accent, familiar to me from Torchwood). Though the fact an official setting is never given, it allows one to believe that this fantastical land the director has sculpted with beautiful lights, lush scenery and fireworks could exist. The script wasn't as predictable as it could've been, particularly in regards to Max, though one could easily predict the outcome of Penelope and Edward's wedding.
I recommend this for anyone who either likes Ricci or McAvoy, as well as lovers of romantic comedy. It's a great movie just to watch when you feel down or on a grey day with some friends.
The movie tells the story of Penelope (Christina Ricci), a young woman born with the snout of a pig due to a family curse. It is believed that the curse will be broken when she marries one of her own--namely, someone also of a blue-blooded family. Her parents (Richard E. Grant and Catherine O'Hara) try to find a suitable suitor. However, many have a bad reaction when they see Penelope's face. One, Edward (Simon Woods), runs straight to the nearest newspaper. The editor (Burn Gorman) doesn't believe him but a reporter named Lemon (Peter Dinlage) does--he lost his eye trying to get a picture of baby Penelope.
The two team up and ask a down-and-out blue blood named Max Campion (James McAvoy) to court Penelope and get a picture. However, Max finds Penelope intriguing and the two form a relationship, though she remains behind a two-way mirror. They fall in love and Penelope reveals herself to him. She asks him to marry her because he didn't run, but he says he can't. Sick of rejection and being kept from the outside world, Penelope escapes her parents.
Out on her own, Penelope avoids her parents and meets Annie (Reese Witherspoon). Together, Penelope experiences things she had only heard about. After revealing herself to the world, she becomes famous. Due to this, Edward decides to marry her and her mother especially encourages her to accept. Penelope must decide if she wants to marry or if she really doesn't mind the way she looks now just as some new information about Max comes to light.
The story, a reverse beauty and the beast, was good and a bit more affirming than Tyra Banks trying to convince girls they are beautiful just the way they are when she changes all her models. However, as my sister kept pointing out, Ricci didn't look that bad. She's already has an unique beauty and it outshone the prosthetics. She plays the quirky roles well and Penelope was no different. McAvoy proves once again why he is in demand as a leading man, delivering a stirring performance instead of falling back on his good looks. O'Hara, as Penelope's overbearing mom, provided a good mixture of serious and comedic acting. It's just hard to see her as anything but Kevin's mom in the Home Alone movies. Witherspoon, who also produced the movie, brought her usual screen-lighting abilities to the story, but I wished both she and Grant had been given more to do.
The movie never really establishes a setting for the movie, occuring in this magic-filled alternate version of Europe. It has a mixture of British and American actors, though most of the main players all speak with an American accent (Gorman's accent particularly annoyed me and I wished they had let him use his normal accent, familiar to me from Torchwood). Though the fact an official setting is never given, it allows one to believe that this fantastical land the director has sculpted with beautiful lights, lush scenery and fireworks could exist. The script wasn't as predictable as it could've been, particularly in regards to Max, though one could easily predict the outcome of Penelope and Edward's wedding.
I recommend this for anyone who either likes Ricci or McAvoy, as well as lovers of romantic comedy. It's a great movie just to watch when you feel down or on a grey day with some friends.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Goodbye Love
Tonight, an era ended on Broadway.
After celebrating it's 12th anniversary this past April, the musical Rent performed for the last time. Groundbreaking and acclaimed back in 1996, the show grew to become a mainstay on the Great White Way. It' won the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama as well as the Tony Award for Best New Musical. Cast member Wilson Jermaine Heredia, the original Angel, also won a Tony--Best Supporting Actor in a Musical.
Rent had a meteoric rise to fame, from the brainchild of a waiter to its current status of beloved Broadway musical. Yet why has it endured? My hometown newspaper, the Staten Island Advance, called Rent a "nostalgic" look at life in the 90's East Village. It could be the lasting tragedy of creator Jonathan Larson, who died before the first performance of the show at New York Theatre Workshop. That in seeing the work of someone who was taken so young, he lives on or one can wonder what could've been.
It could be all the performers who graced the Nederlander's stage, the energy and talent they brought to the roles as well as the bright futures it lead to. There's the original cast--Anthony Rapp, Tony winner Idina Menzel (Wicked), Taye Diggs (Private Practice), Jessie L. Martin (Law and Order)--whose performances were nearly all captured on film in the 2006 movie version directed by Chris Columbus. And to all who followed, who made Rent an experience for each new audience, they live on as the rag-tag group of artists struggling to live.
And therein lies the magic of Rent. Everybody who has ever been apart of a group of friends knows how strong those bonds could be, particularly in bad times. Through death, disease and broken hearts, the eight central characters stick together and face life with a positive attitude. That message has attracted years of Rentheads (the ones in the front, singing along and often start moo-ing halfway through "Over the Moon" before Maureen even gets to that point).
As director Michael Greif wrote in his letter for the final Playbill, printed on Playbill Online: "That's a lot to celebrate. It has been a great run. Thank you, Jonathan Larson."
After celebrating it's 12th anniversary this past April, the musical Rent performed for the last time. Groundbreaking and acclaimed back in 1996, the show grew to become a mainstay on the Great White Way. It' won the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama as well as the Tony Award for Best New Musical. Cast member Wilson Jermaine Heredia, the original Angel, also won a Tony--Best Supporting Actor in a Musical.
Rent had a meteoric rise to fame, from the brainchild of a waiter to its current status of beloved Broadway musical. Yet why has it endured? My hometown newspaper, the Staten Island Advance, called Rent a "nostalgic" look at life in the 90's East Village. It could be the lasting tragedy of creator Jonathan Larson, who died before the first performance of the show at New York Theatre Workshop. That in seeing the work of someone who was taken so young, he lives on or one can wonder what could've been.
It could be all the performers who graced the Nederlander's stage, the energy and talent they brought to the roles as well as the bright futures it lead to. There's the original cast--Anthony Rapp, Tony winner Idina Menzel (Wicked), Taye Diggs (Private Practice), Jessie L. Martin (Law and Order)--whose performances were nearly all captured on film in the 2006 movie version directed by Chris Columbus. And to all who followed, who made Rent an experience for each new audience, they live on as the rag-tag group of artists struggling to live.
And therein lies the magic of Rent. Everybody who has ever been apart of a group of friends knows how strong those bonds could be, particularly in bad times. Through death, disease and broken hearts, the eight central characters stick together and face life with a positive attitude. That message has attracted years of Rentheads (the ones in the front, singing along and often start moo-ing halfway through "Over the Moon" before Maureen even gets to that point).
As director Michael Greif wrote in his letter for the final Playbill, printed on Playbill Online: "That's a lot to celebrate. It has been a great run. Thank you, Jonathan Larson."
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Minute-by-Minute Replay!
11:00: On the job. Kris calls Grant and Jason and asks if they want to go investigate a church turned funeral home turned museum in Buffalo. They agree and brief everyone on it.
11:02: Everyone leaves Rhode Island to Buffalo.
11:03: Kris says that someone died during a wake while it was a funeral home. And it's so active, the volunteers won't go in. They meet with a director, who gives them the rundown. The curator explains it is to preserve the history of Buffalo. The director says they see a shadow man.
11:04: Personal experience! She picks up a picture that keeps winding up on the floor. The director also says people feel children as well as if they are being watched.
11:05: The curator's six years-old son was waked in a room. The tour guide points out her brothers toy box.
11:07: That shadow man really gets around. Tour Guide explains how they found 33 urns that were never claimed. Children and man have been reported down in the basement. She hopes her brother is one of them
11:08: The set up begins.
11: 09: Lights out. The girls go into the kitchen to do some EVP work.
11: 11: The Krises go through Jimmy's toy box and get emotional. We hear a sound as Kristyn is talking about being a mom and losing a child. It sounds like a boom.
11:15: Kris and Kris go to investigate the door, which made the sound. Kris says she saw something move in the doorway. They radio to make sure no one was at the door.
11:16: Jay and Grant say the door was locked, but the Krises easily opened the door. Something unlocked the door.
11:17: Kris Williams celebrates she saw something. Jay and Grant take the thermal into the hallway. They focus on the door.
11:18: Tango and Steve take a crack by the door. They do an EVP session. Steve thinks he feels a cold spot and gets Tango to feel around.
11: 19: Grant and Jay take an EVP session and magnetic field detector in the viewing room. They think they make contact with Jimmy.
11:20: There are more people than Jimmy, apparently. And the machine goes crazy! It's like a lights show.
11:24: We hear knocking from the attic as the light show ends.
11:25: Steve and Tango do some EMF readings while our favorite plumbers go to the attic to investigate. The readings are high.
11:26: Especially on the floor. Steve goes to the basement and finds wiring with a high EMF reading. De-bunked.
11:27: Grant does a thermal scan of the attic. No animals spotted.
11:28: More knocking. Jay declares them footsteps. Grant goes back up to the attic to investigate.
11:29: Something is coming at Grant. That's it--they've finally pissed off a ghost.
11:32: Grant interviews that he heard whispering before the shadows started moving.
11:33: Jay goes up--you already pissed off whatever is living up there. Why make it madder? He hears a sigh, Grant hears an older woman.
11:34: Jay sees the figure and gets out of the attic. They decided to send more victims up there. Tango is their first sacrifice.
11:35: Tango fits in the attic. He starts to antagonize it--asking it to do something. He gets nada.
11:36: The Krises go to the basement for thermal sweeps. Kris hears something.
11:37: EVP starts and Kristyn catches something on the thermal.
11:41: Turns out to be a reflection. De-bunked. We return to the attic. Tango starts cursing. The censors must've loved that. It's actually pretty funny.
11:43: Tango gets nothing, lights on and they clean up.
11:44: Steve and Tango starts analysis. Steve gives Tango grief about his "Candy Apple" red headphones. Tango spots something.
11:45: It's the sounds Grant and Jay heard. Now Steve spots something on the video. They see something move and freak out. They bring in the rest of the team, minus Kristyn.
11:46: Steve points out a mist that floats across a room and disappears. They rule it out as something on the lens. De-bunked.
11:47: They play the footsteps. They hear a voice that says "We want..." It sounds like it belonged to a chain smoker.
11:48: They get another EVP. A woman says something like "We went there..."
11:52: Preview for next week. Apparently a woman got beheaded in next week's locale!
11:53: THE REVEAL! Jay and Grant worry about how Tour Guide will react. They tell her about the Krises and the door. They show it to her.
11:54: Tour Guide looks ready to pass out from the door. Now, they are heading into the attic.
11:55: EVP time. Smoker's "We want..." She thinks it says "What do you want?" She freaks out. So would I and I like ghosts.
11:56: She thinks the female voice is speaking Polish and sounds familiar.
11:57: Tango apparently caught something. It says "Leave me alone." And it is male. Tour Guide is completely freaked out.
11:58: Grant and Jay tell Tour Guide how to deal with the ghosts. They tell her she is safe. And that the place is haunted.
11:59: They leave and Tour Guide has composed herself. They talk about her and how glad they are that Kris got see something.
12:00: End.
11:00: On the job. Kris calls Grant and Jason and asks if they want to go investigate a church turned funeral home turned museum in Buffalo. They agree and brief everyone on it.
11:02: Everyone leaves Rhode Island to Buffalo.
11:03: Kris says that someone died during a wake while it was a funeral home. And it's so active, the volunteers won't go in. They meet with a director, who gives them the rundown. The curator explains it is to preserve the history of Buffalo. The director says they see a shadow man.
11:04: Personal experience! She picks up a picture that keeps winding up on the floor. The director also says people feel children as well as if they are being watched.
11:05: The curator's six years-old son was waked in a room. The tour guide points out her brothers toy box.
11:07: That shadow man really gets around. Tour Guide explains how they found 33 urns that were never claimed. Children and man have been reported down in the basement. She hopes her brother is one of them
11:08: The set up begins.
11: 09: Lights out. The girls go into the kitchen to do some EVP work.
11: 11: The Krises go through Jimmy's toy box and get emotional. We hear a sound as Kristyn is talking about being a mom and losing a child. It sounds like a boom.
11:15: Kris and Kris go to investigate the door, which made the sound. Kris says she saw something move in the doorway. They radio to make sure no one was at the door.
11:16: Jay and Grant say the door was locked, but the Krises easily opened the door. Something unlocked the door.
11:17: Kris Williams celebrates she saw something. Jay and Grant take the thermal into the hallway. They focus on the door.
11:18: Tango and Steve take a crack by the door. They do an EVP session. Steve thinks he feels a cold spot and gets Tango to feel around.
11: 19: Grant and Jay take an EVP session and magnetic field detector in the viewing room. They think they make contact with Jimmy.
11:20: There are more people than Jimmy, apparently. And the machine goes crazy! It's like a lights show.
11:24: We hear knocking from the attic as the light show ends.
11:25: Steve and Tango do some EMF readings while our favorite plumbers go to the attic to investigate. The readings are high.
11:26: Especially on the floor. Steve goes to the basement and finds wiring with a high EMF reading. De-bunked.
11:27: Grant does a thermal scan of the attic. No animals spotted.
11:28: More knocking. Jay declares them footsteps. Grant goes back up to the attic to investigate.
11:29: Something is coming at Grant. That's it--they've finally pissed off a ghost.
11:32: Grant interviews that he heard whispering before the shadows started moving.
11:33: Jay goes up--you already pissed off whatever is living up there. Why make it madder? He hears a sigh, Grant hears an older woman.
11:34: Jay sees the figure and gets out of the attic. They decided to send more victims up there. Tango is their first sacrifice.
11:35: Tango fits in the attic. He starts to antagonize it--asking it to do something. He gets nada.
11:36: The Krises go to the basement for thermal sweeps. Kris hears something.
11:37: EVP starts and Kristyn catches something on the thermal.
11:41: Turns out to be a reflection. De-bunked. We return to the attic. Tango starts cursing. The censors must've loved that. It's actually pretty funny.
11:43: Tango gets nothing, lights on and they clean up.
11:44: Steve and Tango starts analysis. Steve gives Tango grief about his "Candy Apple" red headphones. Tango spots something.
11:45: It's the sounds Grant and Jay heard. Now Steve spots something on the video. They see something move and freak out. They bring in the rest of the team, minus Kristyn.
11:46: Steve points out a mist that floats across a room and disappears. They rule it out as something on the lens. De-bunked.
11:47: They play the footsteps. They hear a voice that says "We want..." It sounds like it belonged to a chain smoker.
11:48: They get another EVP. A woman says something like "We went there..."
11:52: Preview for next week. Apparently a woman got beheaded in next week's locale!
11:53: THE REVEAL! Jay and Grant worry about how Tour Guide will react. They tell her about the Krises and the door. They show it to her.
11:54: Tour Guide looks ready to pass out from the door. Now, they are heading into the attic.
11:55: EVP time. Smoker's "We want..." She thinks it says "What do you want?" She freaks out. So would I and I like ghosts.
11:56: She thinks the female voice is speaking Polish and sounds familiar.
11:57: Tango apparently caught something. It says "Leave me alone." And it is male. Tour Guide is completely freaked out.
11:58: Grant and Jay tell Tour Guide how to deal with the ghosts. They tell her she is safe. And that the place is haunted.
11:59: They leave and Tour Guide has composed herself. They talk about her and how glad they are that Kris got see something.
12:00: End.
Aunt Tyra Wants You to Vote!
Hour Two! We learn that Samantha is like Cycle 7’s Brooke—she’s missing graduation and prom to compete. Hopefully she doesn’t get eliminated on her graduation day like poor Brooke. The girls are on a rooftop. Two Brittany’s change their name. Cage Girl now goes by McKey, but I will still call her Cage Girl. Another Brittney goes by Sharaun (Shuran). The Jays, leaving the robot theme behind, tell the girls to get in their party bus and go to their new house. And we can go back to calling them Mr. Jay and Ms. J.
Tyra did her own awards show. And was there any competition for biggest makeover meltdown than Jaeda? I mean, come on. Continually bitching about the HAIR! The girls question Isis about hiding her junk (and yes, I will continue to refer to Isis with female pronouns). POOL PARTY! McKey seems to be bonding with Isis. Clark and Hannah are talking about Isis and they are uncomfortable. And Clark believes Isis doesn’t belong in the competition. Maybe her quest to be the house bitch will work, unlike Ebony who broke down quickly.
McKey fights and they steal something off the Rocky soundtrack. TYRA MAIL! Oh thank god they got read of the neon scroll. That was annoying last cycle. So, the girls board the bus and go to the Magic Castle. Ed Alonzo, he looks familiar, why does he look familiar? Anyway, he does some magic tricks with the help of the Jays. And he brings on NIGEL BARKER! *Drool* He then brings on Paulina. Oh thank god they brought her back. The four tell the girls they will be interviewing them to find out the real models. Ed Alonzo disappears.
It’s like speed dating! ShaRaun is up first, followed by McKey. When Lauren asks for tips about posing, Jay tells her to smile with her eyes. Oh, that phrase. Memorize it, love it. Tyra will repeat it over the cycle. Trust me. Oh, and my friend thinks Ed Alonzo vaguely resembles Alan Cumming. The girls return home to find a giant present on their lawn. They got shoes, jeans, dresses…I want that present. Marjorie and Sheena bond and Sheena thinks Marjorie needs to boost her self-esteem. The Tyra Mail says fashion isn’t the only way to make a statement.
The girls walk in to see Mr. Jay in a voting booth surrounded by an elephant and a donkey. Oh, we are now going to be encourage to vote. And the 18 years-old will be registered. ShaRaun is excited as her first election is the presidential one. So was mine…Four years ago. And Mike Rosenthal is our photographer.
Marjorie: Immigration. She’s a bit awkward, but if Amanda and Michelle taught us, awkward works.
Brittany: Military.
Clark: Bureaucracy, which she doesn’t even know. McKey doesn’t tell her, probably thinking she’s an idiot. And she’s getting the pretty Barbie, same face comments.
McKey: Environment. She doesn’t know how to be sexy until Mr. Jay tells her to start cage fighting. And the Rocky soundtrack kicks back in.
WHITNEY! We see her running around and trying on clothes. She talks about confidence and lip gloss.
Hannah: Nuclear Weapons.
Elina: Foreign policy. She’s smiling with her eyes. Tyra’s going to love her.
Isis: Privacy. ShaRaun doesn’t think she’ll be sexy as a man. The girls make nasty comments about her behind a voting booth. Isis says she’s going to stay there, though it looks like the confessional come from last episode.
Sheena: Gas prices. Jay tries to have her pull in the sexuality, yelling “Hooch!” when he thinks she’s going overboard.
Joslyn: Unemployment. Gets an “almost Tyra Banks hot.”
Analeigh:
ShaRaun: Homeland Security. She looks like she’s about to take flight due to the wind machine. Jay says she was stiff and unsexy.
Samantha: Economy. Worked it from the first shot.
Lauren Brie: Education.
Nikeysha: Cloning. She gets to pose with herself!
TYRA MAIL! Someone will be eliminated. Who? Marjorie thinks she’s going to get negative criticisms but realizes she needs to toughen up.
PANEL! Tyra blahs on about voting, suffragettes, etc. Prizes (Contract with Elite Model Management, Cover and 6 Page spread in Seventeen Magazine and a contract with Cover Girl). We meet the judges. Marjorie gets positive reviews. Nikeysha is already being tacked as the one who can’t take critiques. Tyra has a brother? In the Air Force? Hannah is accused of being too-Gossip Girl but yells it’s her favorite show. My sister loves the fact she doesn’t realize they are making fun of her. Judges debate.
ELIMINATION! Marjorie is the first and gets her pictures displayed in the house. Followed by: Isis, McKey, Joslyn, Elina, Samantha, Brittany, Sheena, Analeigh, Clark, Lauren Brie, and Hannah. Nikeysha and ShaRaun are in the bottom two. Nikeysha stays as ShaRaun is the first eliminate the one we’ll all be “Who?” when she flashes in the clip show. Tyra hugs ShaRaun, the girls cry and wave good-bye. ShaRaun leaves.
Next week: Kim and Sarah Round Two (I called it!), someone accuses Hannah of being racist.
I love Sheena and Marjorie. My sister likes Isis. Who do you want to see on top?
Tyra did her own awards show. And was there any competition for biggest makeover meltdown than Jaeda? I mean, come on. Continually bitching about the HAIR! The girls question Isis about hiding her junk (and yes, I will continue to refer to Isis with female pronouns). POOL PARTY! McKey seems to be bonding with Isis. Clark and Hannah are talking about Isis and they are uncomfortable. And Clark believes Isis doesn’t belong in the competition. Maybe her quest to be the house bitch will work, unlike Ebony who broke down quickly.
McKey fights and they steal something off the Rocky soundtrack. TYRA MAIL! Oh thank god they got read of the neon scroll. That was annoying last cycle. So, the girls board the bus and go to the Magic Castle. Ed Alonzo, he looks familiar, why does he look familiar? Anyway, he does some magic tricks with the help of the Jays. And he brings on NIGEL BARKER! *Drool* He then brings on Paulina. Oh thank god they brought her back. The four tell the girls they will be interviewing them to find out the real models. Ed Alonzo disappears.
It’s like speed dating! ShaRaun is up first, followed by McKey. When Lauren asks for tips about posing, Jay tells her to smile with her eyes. Oh, that phrase. Memorize it, love it. Tyra will repeat it over the cycle. Trust me. Oh, and my friend thinks Ed Alonzo vaguely resembles Alan Cumming. The girls return home to find a giant present on their lawn. They got shoes, jeans, dresses…I want that present. Marjorie and Sheena bond and Sheena thinks Marjorie needs to boost her self-esteem. The Tyra Mail says fashion isn’t the only way to make a statement.
The girls walk in to see Mr. Jay in a voting booth surrounded by an elephant and a donkey. Oh, we are now going to be encourage to vote. And the 18 years-old will be registered. ShaRaun is excited as her first election is the presidential one. So was mine…Four years ago. And Mike Rosenthal is our photographer.
Marjorie: Immigration. She’s a bit awkward, but if Amanda and Michelle taught us, awkward works.
Brittany: Military.
Clark: Bureaucracy, which she doesn’t even know. McKey doesn’t tell her, probably thinking she’s an idiot. And she’s getting the pretty Barbie, same face comments.
McKey: Environment. She doesn’t know how to be sexy until Mr. Jay tells her to start cage fighting. And the Rocky soundtrack kicks back in.
WHITNEY! We see her running around and trying on clothes. She talks about confidence and lip gloss.
Hannah: Nuclear Weapons.
Elina: Foreign policy. She’s smiling with her eyes. Tyra’s going to love her.
Isis: Privacy. ShaRaun doesn’t think she’ll be sexy as a man. The girls make nasty comments about her behind a voting booth. Isis says she’s going to stay there, though it looks like the confessional come from last episode.
Sheena: Gas prices. Jay tries to have her pull in the sexuality, yelling “Hooch!” when he thinks she’s going overboard.
Joslyn: Unemployment. Gets an “almost Tyra Banks hot.”
Analeigh:
ShaRaun: Homeland Security. She looks like she’s about to take flight due to the wind machine. Jay says she was stiff and unsexy.
Samantha: Economy. Worked it from the first shot.
Lauren Brie: Education.
Nikeysha: Cloning. She gets to pose with herself!
TYRA MAIL! Someone will be eliminated. Who? Marjorie thinks she’s going to get negative criticisms but realizes she needs to toughen up.
PANEL! Tyra blahs on about voting, suffragettes, etc. Prizes (Contract with Elite Model Management, Cover and 6 Page spread in Seventeen Magazine and a contract with Cover Girl). We meet the judges. Marjorie gets positive reviews. Nikeysha is already being tacked as the one who can’t take critiques. Tyra has a brother? In the Air Force? Hannah is accused of being too-Gossip Girl but yells it’s her favorite show. My sister loves the fact she doesn’t realize they are making fun of her. Judges debate.
ELIMINATION! Marjorie is the first and gets her pictures displayed in the house. Followed by: Isis, McKey, Joslyn, Elina, Samantha, Brittany, Sheena, Analeigh, Clark, Lauren Brie, and Hannah. Nikeysha and ShaRaun are in the bottom two. Nikeysha stays as ShaRaun is the first eliminate the one we’ll all be “Who?” when she flashes in the clip show. Tyra hugs ShaRaun, the girls cry and wave good-bye. ShaRaun leaves.
Next week: Kim and Sarah Round Two (I called it!), someone accuses Hannah of being racist.
I love Sheena and Marjorie. My sister likes Isis. Who do you want to see on top?
Wanna Be On Top?
Cycle 11! Tyra voice-overs that it's been ten cycles and Top Model is heading into it's next decade and going to Los Angeles. We see shots of past winners--and I forgot how beautiful Whitney was--as the thirty-three finalists arrive. They show up to some warehouse where they are greeted by robots that look like Mr. Jay Manuel and Ms. J. Alexander (henceforth known as Beta Jay and Alpha J). The girls change into wet suits as they take pictures and, oh, first mention of the signature walk! Finally, Tyra-bot comes to welcome them to Cycle 11. She tells them to forget technology and just be models.
The robots "teleport" into panel and then Tyra trips. She's still human. Let the judging begin! Lauren Brie reminds me of another contestant...I'm thinking CariDee. And Analeigh is so adorable--and I like the story how she was nearly sold to someone from Saudi Arabia. Oh, Clark's been studying past cycles--when asked who the prettiest girl is, she responds herself. But I think she's trying to set herself up as the cycle bitch. And Marjorie is from France! Cool...she reminds me, physically of Jael, but more coherent. Oh my god, Isis is from last cycle--she was the background during the homeless shot who stole the show! And she used to be dude. And she looks more feminine than Dominique.
I'm liking Sheena, who Tyra is already comparing to Kimora Lee Simmons. There's a plus-sized-yet-not-plus-sized model. Look! Models eating! I know, that's probably stale after ten cycles of non-stop munching. Hannah from Alaska recounts how she was chased by a moose, which Tyra makes her re-enact. That leads to a montage of silliness. Did anyone catch what was written underneath Elina's navel? And she admits to have a crush on Clark--is this going to be Kim and Sarah Round Two? (Cycle Five?)
Oops, blinked and missed Whitney's My Life as a Cover Girl.
And we start with Nikeysha flashing us. Hello, pixels! And now we got a cage fighter. Model v. Beta Jay. Hmm...Susan is from Harvard, because we know the Ivy Leaguers go pretty far in the competition. She admits she's an English major and Tyra knows more than the Harvard grad! And we end with a lecture on passion as we learn who is going home and who goes to a photoshoot. Hannah the Moose Girl makes it, CariDee 2 does as well, Sheena makes it (yay!), Isis, Cage Fighter, Ivy League makes it, Bitch Wannabe, Nikeysha. And now the crying begins. Renee is just a mess.
Photoshoot! And new wet suits--that look like someone stretched Mimi's pants from Rent to cover the body. Sheena and Hannah are endearing themselves to me just by personality. Liking: Analeigh, Lauren Brie, and Elina from photos. Not sure about personality.
Top Models in action? Being narrated by NIGEL! Talking about Toccara. Oh, it's trying to promote the "Meet the Models" contest since there's no Cover Girl of the Week yet.
Oh back to the robot theme. Conference time. Ooh, Lindsay is Whitney 2. Good point, Robots. Uh oh, Clark has been dubbed the pretty girl. We all know what Tyra does to the pretty girls. Well, time to find out who we're going to watch for the next 13 weeks. The girls have taken the Miss America poses while waiting.
Ready? Here comes: Sheena (SWEET!), Analeigh, Nikeysha, Marjorie, Samantha, Elina, Brittany R., Brittany S (Cage Girl), Brittney B (We have WAY to many Brittney's on this show. And Tyra thought two Amy's was going to be bad), Hannah (aww, I'm glad), Lauren (CariDee 2), Isis, Clark (who hugs Elina. It will be Kim and Sarah Round Two), and Joslyn. More tears. I think we'll be seeing Kacey next cycle since they are focusing on her.
Onwards to episode two and the first elimination!
The robots "teleport" into panel and then Tyra trips. She's still human. Let the judging begin! Lauren Brie reminds me of another contestant...I'm thinking CariDee. And Analeigh is so adorable--and I like the story how she was nearly sold to someone from Saudi Arabia. Oh, Clark's been studying past cycles--when asked who the prettiest girl is, she responds herself. But I think she's trying to set herself up as the cycle bitch. And Marjorie is from France! Cool...she reminds me, physically of Jael, but more coherent. Oh my god, Isis is from last cycle--she was the background during the homeless shot who stole the show! And she used to be dude. And she looks more feminine than Dominique.
I'm liking Sheena, who Tyra is already comparing to Kimora Lee Simmons. There's a plus-sized-yet-not-plus-sized model. Look! Models eating! I know, that's probably stale after ten cycles of non-stop munching. Hannah from Alaska recounts how she was chased by a moose, which Tyra makes her re-enact. That leads to a montage of silliness. Did anyone catch what was written underneath Elina's navel? And she admits to have a crush on Clark--is this going to be Kim and Sarah Round Two? (Cycle Five?)
Oops, blinked and missed Whitney's My Life as a Cover Girl.
And we start with Nikeysha flashing us. Hello, pixels! And now we got a cage fighter. Model v. Beta Jay. Hmm...Susan is from Harvard, because we know the Ivy Leaguers go pretty far in the competition. She admits she's an English major and Tyra knows more than the Harvard grad! And we end with a lecture on passion as we learn who is going home and who goes to a photoshoot. Hannah the Moose Girl makes it, CariDee 2 does as well, Sheena makes it (yay!), Isis, Cage Fighter, Ivy League makes it, Bitch Wannabe, Nikeysha. And now the crying begins. Renee is just a mess.
Photoshoot! And new wet suits--that look like someone stretched Mimi's pants from Rent to cover the body. Sheena and Hannah are endearing themselves to me just by personality. Liking: Analeigh, Lauren Brie, and Elina from photos. Not sure about personality.
Top Models in action? Being narrated by NIGEL! Talking about Toccara. Oh, it's trying to promote the "Meet the Models" contest since there's no Cover Girl of the Week yet.
Oh back to the robot theme. Conference time. Ooh, Lindsay is Whitney 2. Good point, Robots. Uh oh, Clark has been dubbed the pretty girl. We all know what Tyra does to the pretty girls. Well, time to find out who we're going to watch for the next 13 weeks. The girls have taken the Miss America poses while waiting.
Ready? Here comes: Sheena (SWEET!), Analeigh, Nikeysha, Marjorie, Samantha, Elina, Brittany R., Brittany S (Cage Girl), Brittney B (We have WAY to many Brittney's on this show. And Tyra thought two Amy's was going to be bad), Hannah (aww, I'm glad), Lauren (CariDee 2), Isis, Clark (who hugs Elina. It will be Kim and Sarah Round Two), and Joslyn. More tears. I think we'll be seeing Kacey next cycle since they are focusing on her.
Onwards to episode two and the first elimination!
Slut School. Really Classy...
Yet probably the closest thing to reality this show has gotten. We all have those schools in the neighborhood--the ones where you talk about the students who go there in hushed whispers for whatever reason. I know we have one where I live, the last hope school when you fail out of both Catholic and public hig schools.
Anyway, Slut School is apparently Amy's destination as we learn while Molly prepares to go to Chicago to save her mom. Who lets a woman with Alzheimer's travel the world? Ashley is thrilled to have dad back (not) and goes on a hunger strike till Molly returns. Dad takes the Molly-free environment to convince Amy not to go to Slut School but back to her old school. Amy seems pretty dead set against it as we go to Ben's room. I must've blinked, because I didn't recall Henry mentioning Alice dumped him last episode but...Alice dumped Henry. Who apparently spent the entire weekend wallowing on Ben's bedroom floor. Ben rouses his buddy and gets him to go to school.
Meanwhile, Grace is making two sandwiches as John Schneider pours his coffee. She explains she's having lunch with Jack because she's willing to take him back. John Schneider isn't too thrilled and tells his daughter to get new friends (namely, not anyone named Ricky or Adrian). He even suggests getting Tom to help, meaning he probably doesn't know that Jennifer Coolidge showed up last week to get money so her bag-of-oranges-wielding-pimp doesn't hurt Tom. John Schneider also suggests that it's kinda low for his daughter to grovel over a sandwich, knowing full well just where a man's stomach leads him. Grace isn't convinced.
And her BFFs Ricky and Adrian are trying to get dressed after a weekend together. Adrian still has issues with Amy having Ricky's baby, insisting that he not call it "his baby" but "a baby." Ricky wants to take responsiblity. A knock comes to the door and a half-clad couple answers it to find...Adrian's dad on the other side. Uh oh. After the opening and commercials, Dad is berating his daughter--whom he said he didn't want to see last episode--in Spanish. Ricky looks uncomfortable and grabs his opportunity when Dad orders him to leave. Adrian tells him to stay but Ricky wisely heads for the hills. Dad tells Adrian that he agreed to stay away from her because it's what Adrian's mom wanted. But now he wants her in his life. He says he's an ADA and he can get a court order that says she has to live with him--oh, and Mom has already said it's okay. Adrian is thoroughly upset and whines about it to my favorite character, the guidance counselor.
Madison is still mad at Lauren for making out with Ricky. Lauren says it's not like she had sex with him but Madison says she portrayed their best friend. Lauren's brother/Madison's boyfriend comes over and correctly points out that neither have been good friends to Amy as they were the blabbermouths who told the school she's pregnant and now she's going to Slut School. Ben is wallowing over this as Alice walks in talking sports with Jack. They are arguing between Dan Marino and Tom Brady, with Marino winning. Neither Grace nor Henry are happy to see the two holding hands, but the moment is broken as Amy walks in. Ben gives her a big hug and tells her he is glad she has decided to come back. Amy doesn't look so thrilled.
We cut to--Ben getting beat up? The hell? And then lunch, where Madison tries to talk with Amy, who is waiting for her boyfriend to show up. Ricky does and Madison goes to sit with Lauren. Ricky once again tries to tell Amy he wants to be part of the baby's life but isn't too thrilled with her being at school. Amy wants him to go away. Meanwhile, Lauren decides to call her dad and confess what she did with Ricky. And it turns out Lauren's dad is...RICKY'S THERAPIST? Great, now I'm going to have to redo my chart of how everyone's connected. Anyway, Ricky's Therapist makes sure that Lauren isn't pregnant and states he's happy she called him, she trusted him. However, Dad hangs up when he finds out his daughter was making out with his patient. Meanwhile, a cold look is exchanged between Amy and Humpty and Dumpty. Lauren realizes she lost her friend.
Molly calls a distraughtt Amy from a Chicago hotel bar. Amy ends the conversation quickly so Molly calls Amy's Dad. She yells at him for convincing Amy to go back to her old school, but Amy's Dad quickly hangs up. Meanwhile, Grace finds a beat up Ben.
And it's a meeting of the exes in the school office! Both Amy's Dad and Josie Bisset are there. Josie because Grace was being interrogated by the police, Amy's Dad because Amy wants to go home. They argue and each remembers why they aren't married anymore. However, it's quite interesting to watch these two. But as Amy's Dad convinces Josie he's back home with his wife who he LOVES, the exes club gets bigger. Adrian's mom AKA the woman Amy's Dad cheated on Molly with walks in to speak with the guidance counselor. She is shocked to learn that Amy's Dad was married before and she isn't the first person he's broken the Sixth Commandment with (Note: I'm going by the Catholic Ten Commandments. I'm talking about "Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery." Insert the proper number for your commandments). After Adrian's mom leaves, Josie drops a bombshell--SHE cheated on Amy's Dad. Whoa. Didn't see that one coming. Maybe Amy's Dad isn't as sleazy as we all thought. Anyway, he tries to cover as Grace leaves the office, but you know she heard. Especially since she blows off her mom. Josie leaves as Ricky's Therapist comes in. He asks for Ricky and Amy's Dad introduces himself so he can ask how the guy knows Ricky. The Therapist says he's Lauren's dad and we learn Lauren's mom is remarried. The Therapist tells Ricky to show up for their session and Amy's Dad looks like he needs my chart on who knows who in this show.
We jump to more yelling in Spanish as Adrian has it out with her mother. The counselor is stuck in the middle but unlike Ricky, he can speak Spanish. He gets the situation under control. Adrian's mom admits she purposefully got pregnant with Adrian so she would have someone to love and who would love her. She pushed away Adrian's dad because she felt guilty for it and didn't want to trap a man in a loveless-marriage. But it seems that Adrian doesn't love her mother either so Mom figures she'll be better off with Dad--and by that, away from Ricky.
Jack visits with Grace, who sees if he's willing to get back together. Apparently, his and Alice's act was just to make Grace and Henry jealous. Grace wisely points out this isn't a good basis for a relationship, but Jack argues that if she was jealous then there were still some feelings. Grace asks if Jack's willing to wear a chastity ring for her. He seems hesitant but agrees. Grace realizes this and notes that their problems began when she started wearing hers. She takes it off and Jack thinks, "SCORE!" But she says it's because she's not tempted by Jack anymore. He leaves as Tom walks in. He's appalled when he hears Grace talking about Ricky and losing her virginity to him. But she keeps insisting it will be after they're married. Because Ricky is SO the marrying type.
Henry and Alice seemed to have reconciled with some traumatizing sex. I mean, they look like they just saw a horror film. They talk, where Henry tries to win Alice back, but she's afraid they're already the boring, old couple who have been together a bazillion years and can't surprise each other anymore. Henry sees this and the two agree to remain friends, but glad their first times were with each other. They cuddle.
Ricky shows up to the therapist, who lets him have it. Ricky swears he's not going after Lauren because he's in love with Grace. The Therapist looks incredulous and says that maybe he can't help Ricky after all. Aww. Ricky meets up with Adrian, who tells him she isn't living with her mom or her dad. She's going to run away--with him. He declines.
Amy visits a recovering Ben and his dad, the Sausage King. The King continues to convince Amy that she should go to school. That she shouldn't run away, especially since she has people who love her and will support her. She and Ben hold hands. Meanwhile, Dad tries to call a truce with both Molly and Ashley. Molly hangs up on him as an old friend surprises her and Ashley refuses to eat the lasagna he made. And good thing as even he doesn't like it.
The next day, Amy and Ben walk into school together. Grace welcomes them and tells Amy that this is her school as well. She says that since Amy and Ben don't have a matching schedule, her friends will walk her to class. Amy wonders who those friends are, but it's revealed to be Grace, Madison, Lauren, Alice and the marching band. Who plays while Amy walks to class. I kid you not. Ben gets his own bodyguards with Henry and the more likely to succeed Jack as they share looks with Ricky. Fade out.
Next week's the finale, just in time for premiere season!
Anyway, Slut School is apparently Amy's destination as we learn while Molly prepares to go to Chicago to save her mom. Who lets a woman with Alzheimer's travel the world? Ashley is thrilled to have dad back (not) and goes on a hunger strike till Molly returns. Dad takes the Molly-free environment to convince Amy not to go to Slut School but back to her old school. Amy seems pretty dead set against it as we go to Ben's room. I must've blinked, because I didn't recall Henry mentioning Alice dumped him last episode but...Alice dumped Henry. Who apparently spent the entire weekend wallowing on Ben's bedroom floor. Ben rouses his buddy and gets him to go to school.
Meanwhile, Grace is making two sandwiches as John Schneider pours his coffee. She explains she's having lunch with Jack because she's willing to take him back. John Schneider isn't too thrilled and tells his daughter to get new friends (namely, not anyone named Ricky or Adrian). He even suggests getting Tom to help, meaning he probably doesn't know that Jennifer Coolidge showed up last week to get money so her bag-of-oranges-wielding-pimp doesn't hurt Tom. John Schneider also suggests that it's kinda low for his daughter to grovel over a sandwich, knowing full well just where a man's stomach leads him. Grace isn't convinced.
And her BFFs Ricky and Adrian are trying to get dressed after a weekend together. Adrian still has issues with Amy having Ricky's baby, insisting that he not call it "his baby" but "a baby." Ricky wants to take responsiblity. A knock comes to the door and a half-clad couple answers it to find...Adrian's dad on the other side. Uh oh. After the opening and commercials, Dad is berating his daughter--whom he said he didn't want to see last episode--in Spanish. Ricky looks uncomfortable and grabs his opportunity when Dad orders him to leave. Adrian tells him to stay but Ricky wisely heads for the hills. Dad tells Adrian that he agreed to stay away from her because it's what Adrian's mom wanted. But now he wants her in his life. He says he's an ADA and he can get a court order that says she has to live with him--oh, and Mom has already said it's okay. Adrian is thoroughly upset and whines about it to my favorite character, the guidance counselor.
Madison is still mad at Lauren for making out with Ricky. Lauren says it's not like she had sex with him but Madison says she portrayed their best friend. Lauren's brother/Madison's boyfriend comes over and correctly points out that neither have been good friends to Amy as they were the blabbermouths who told the school she's pregnant and now she's going to Slut School. Ben is wallowing over this as Alice walks in talking sports with Jack. They are arguing between Dan Marino and Tom Brady, with Marino winning. Neither Grace nor Henry are happy to see the two holding hands, but the moment is broken as Amy walks in. Ben gives her a big hug and tells her he is glad she has decided to come back. Amy doesn't look so thrilled.
We cut to--Ben getting beat up? The hell? And then lunch, where Madison tries to talk with Amy, who is waiting for her boyfriend to show up. Ricky does and Madison goes to sit with Lauren. Ricky once again tries to tell Amy he wants to be part of the baby's life but isn't too thrilled with her being at school. Amy wants him to go away. Meanwhile, Lauren decides to call her dad and confess what she did with Ricky. And it turns out Lauren's dad is...RICKY'S THERAPIST? Great, now I'm going to have to redo my chart of how everyone's connected. Anyway, Ricky's Therapist makes sure that Lauren isn't pregnant and states he's happy she called him, she trusted him. However, Dad hangs up when he finds out his daughter was making out with his patient. Meanwhile, a cold look is exchanged between Amy and Humpty and Dumpty. Lauren realizes she lost her friend.
Molly calls a distraughtt Amy from a Chicago hotel bar. Amy ends the conversation quickly so Molly calls Amy's Dad. She yells at him for convincing Amy to go back to her old school, but Amy's Dad quickly hangs up. Meanwhile, Grace finds a beat up Ben.
And it's a meeting of the exes in the school office! Both Amy's Dad and Josie Bisset are there. Josie because Grace was being interrogated by the police, Amy's Dad because Amy wants to go home. They argue and each remembers why they aren't married anymore. However, it's quite interesting to watch these two. But as Amy's Dad convinces Josie he's back home with his wife who he LOVES, the exes club gets bigger. Adrian's mom AKA the woman Amy's Dad cheated on Molly with walks in to speak with the guidance counselor. She is shocked to learn that Amy's Dad was married before and she isn't the first person he's broken the Sixth Commandment with (Note: I'm going by the Catholic Ten Commandments. I'm talking about "Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery." Insert the proper number for your commandments). After Adrian's mom leaves, Josie drops a bombshell--SHE cheated on Amy's Dad. Whoa. Didn't see that one coming. Maybe Amy's Dad isn't as sleazy as we all thought. Anyway, he tries to cover as Grace leaves the office, but you know she heard. Especially since she blows off her mom. Josie leaves as Ricky's Therapist comes in. He asks for Ricky and Amy's Dad introduces himself so he can ask how the guy knows Ricky. The Therapist says he's Lauren's dad and we learn Lauren's mom is remarried. The Therapist tells Ricky to show up for their session and Amy's Dad looks like he needs my chart on who knows who in this show.
We jump to more yelling in Spanish as Adrian has it out with her mother. The counselor is stuck in the middle but unlike Ricky, he can speak Spanish. He gets the situation under control. Adrian's mom admits she purposefully got pregnant with Adrian so she would have someone to love and who would love her. She pushed away Adrian's dad because she felt guilty for it and didn't want to trap a man in a loveless-marriage. But it seems that Adrian doesn't love her mother either so Mom figures she'll be better off with Dad--and by that, away from Ricky.
Jack visits with Grace, who sees if he's willing to get back together. Apparently, his and Alice's act was just to make Grace and Henry jealous. Grace wisely points out this isn't a good basis for a relationship, but Jack argues that if she was jealous then there were still some feelings. Grace asks if Jack's willing to wear a chastity ring for her. He seems hesitant but agrees. Grace realizes this and notes that their problems began when she started wearing hers. She takes it off and Jack thinks, "SCORE!" But she says it's because she's not tempted by Jack anymore. He leaves as Tom walks in. He's appalled when he hears Grace talking about Ricky and losing her virginity to him. But she keeps insisting it will be after they're married. Because Ricky is SO the marrying type.
Henry and Alice seemed to have reconciled with some traumatizing sex. I mean, they look like they just saw a horror film. They talk, where Henry tries to win Alice back, but she's afraid they're already the boring, old couple who have been together a bazillion years and can't surprise each other anymore. Henry sees this and the two agree to remain friends, but glad their first times were with each other. They cuddle.
Ricky shows up to the therapist, who lets him have it. Ricky swears he's not going after Lauren because he's in love with Grace. The Therapist looks incredulous and says that maybe he can't help Ricky after all. Aww. Ricky meets up with Adrian, who tells him she isn't living with her mom or her dad. She's going to run away--with him. He declines.
Amy visits a recovering Ben and his dad, the Sausage King. The King continues to convince Amy that she should go to school. That she shouldn't run away, especially since she has people who love her and will support her. She and Ben hold hands. Meanwhile, Dad tries to call a truce with both Molly and Ashley. Molly hangs up on him as an old friend surprises her and Ashley refuses to eat the lasagna he made. And good thing as even he doesn't like it.
The next day, Amy and Ben walk into school together. Grace welcomes them and tells Amy that this is her school as well. She says that since Amy and Ben don't have a matching schedule, her friends will walk her to class. Amy wonders who those friends are, but it's revealed to be Grace, Madison, Lauren, Alice and the marching band. Who plays while Amy walks to class. I kid you not. Ben gets his own bodyguards with Henry and the more likely to succeed Jack as they share looks with Ricky. Fade out.
Next week's the finale, just in time for premiere season!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Am I Stuck in a Time Vortex?
I was watching the premiere of 90210 and during one of the commercial breaks, a news promo was about the New Kids on the Block. Can someone tell me what year it is?
As for the new series, I can't compare it to its predecessor. I wasn't allowed to watch Beverly Hills, 90210 when I was younger and by the time I could, it was already on its way out. No one watched it--we were watching Dawson's Creek and Buffy the Vampire Slayer by that time. However, this looks promising and I'd watch it if I hadn't aged out of high school dramas when I, well, graduated from high school.
I grew up on Full House episode and it is great to see Lori Laughlin ("Aunt Becky") back on television. She has good chemistry with Rob Estes, who plays her husband and new principal of West Beverly High. The actors playing their children (Shenae Grimes as Annie and Tristan Wilds as Dixon) were good and look as if they can carry the new show. It is nice to see a normal family but considering this is a high school drama, I guess we can start the countdown now. Especially since we've already had the revelation that dad has a son out there that was given up for adoption by his high school sweetheart--now the mother of his daughter's nemesis.
Said nemesis is Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord), who physically reminds me of Elizabeth Berkley in her Saved by the Bell days. Naomi and Annie start out as friends but it is ruined before the premiere is up when Naomi steals one of Annie's old book reports and is busted for it. She is dating Ethan (Dustin Milligan), who Annie had a fling with a few summers back while visiting her grandmother (Jessica Walter). However, their relationship ends quickly as Ethan was caught cheating. Meanwhile, Annie becomes friends with Erin Silver, who prefers to only go by her last name, played by Jessica Stroup. She runs her own YouTube series where she takes down her enemies. She is also Kelly Taylor's half-sister and yes, Kelly (Jennie Garth) is back as West Beverly's guidance counselor. Dixon meanwhile befriend Ethan as they are both on the lacrosse team as well as Navid (Michael Steger), who works on the school news and is the son of porn producer.
Besides Kelly, Nat (Joe E. Tata) is still running The Peach Pit and it is still the main meeting place. Also, Brenda Walsh (Shannen Doherty) drops by to visit her old friend and to do some babysitting while Kelly goes on a date with the English teacher (Ryan Eggold). All in all, the series premiere set everything up pretty well, establishing relationships and characters very well. There was a good mixture of humor and drama with the script reflecting teenagers better than Secret Life of the American Teenager does. It does try to be relative with the inclusion of Spring Awakening, this decade's Rent. I'm sure the show is glad to get the publicity but I do remind people to make sure the rights are out to perform the show or don't expect to be playing Wendla in your school's production.
Well, now it's time to wait to see how the ratings come back and if 90210 has the same success as it's predecessor.
As for the new series, I can't compare it to its predecessor. I wasn't allowed to watch Beverly Hills, 90210 when I was younger and by the time I could, it was already on its way out. No one watched it--we were watching Dawson's Creek and Buffy the Vampire Slayer by that time. However, this looks promising and I'd watch it if I hadn't aged out of high school dramas when I, well, graduated from high school.
I grew up on Full House episode and it is great to see Lori Laughlin ("Aunt Becky") back on television. She has good chemistry with Rob Estes, who plays her husband and new principal of West Beverly High. The actors playing their children (Shenae Grimes as Annie and Tristan Wilds as Dixon) were good and look as if they can carry the new show. It is nice to see a normal family but considering this is a high school drama, I guess we can start the countdown now. Especially since we've already had the revelation that dad has a son out there that was given up for adoption by his high school sweetheart--now the mother of his daughter's nemesis.
Said nemesis is Naomi (AnnaLynne McCord), who physically reminds me of Elizabeth Berkley in her Saved by the Bell days. Naomi and Annie start out as friends but it is ruined before the premiere is up when Naomi steals one of Annie's old book reports and is busted for it. She is dating Ethan (Dustin Milligan), who Annie had a fling with a few summers back while visiting her grandmother (Jessica Walter). However, their relationship ends quickly as Ethan was caught cheating. Meanwhile, Annie becomes friends with Erin Silver, who prefers to only go by her last name, played by Jessica Stroup. She runs her own YouTube series where she takes down her enemies. She is also Kelly Taylor's half-sister and yes, Kelly (Jennie Garth) is back as West Beverly's guidance counselor. Dixon meanwhile befriend Ethan as they are both on the lacrosse team as well as Navid (Michael Steger), who works on the school news and is the son of porn producer.
Besides Kelly, Nat (Joe E. Tata) is still running The Peach Pit and it is still the main meeting place. Also, Brenda Walsh (Shannen Doherty) drops by to visit her old friend and to do some babysitting while Kelly goes on a date with the English teacher (Ryan Eggold). All in all, the series premiere set everything up pretty well, establishing relationships and characters very well. There was a good mixture of humor and drama with the script reflecting teenagers better than Secret Life of the American Teenager does. It does try to be relative with the inclusion of Spring Awakening, this decade's Rent. I'm sure the show is glad to get the publicity but I do remind people to make sure the rights are out to perform the show or don't expect to be playing Wendla in your school's production.
Well, now it's time to wait to see how the ratings come back and if 90210 has the same success as it's predecessor.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Memories...
Last week, as we were cleaning out the basement in order to put in our new TV, we came across some old pictures. One was from almost ten years ago. It was of my family and some friends on Splash Mountain in Walt Disney World. The girls in the front (my sister and her friends) are screaming their heads off, my dad and I have our arms up in the air and our friend Jack looks like he's asleep in the back row.
I've admitted my love for Disney before but this discovery came at an interesting time--exactly one year since our last Disney trip. My family and I have been there so many times, we have everything down to a science. Allow me to share.
Hotels. There are two options: staying on property or staying off. If you want the full Disney experience, stay on property. Each resort has it's own unique theme and charm, providing a good fit for whatever suits your family. We have our favorite resorts to stay--lately, it's been Pop Century since it's an economy class. We book two rooms--one for my parents, one for my sister and I. It allows us to do that and stay for a long period of time. Each section is devoted to a decade from the last century (50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's) and decorated to match. For example, when we stayed in the 80's, our staircases were inside Rubik's Cubes. Pacman and the ghosts decorated the railings as well as sayings like "Radical!" There are three pools and a main center with a gift shop and cafeteria (complete with a grocery section).
Though I wouldn't mind a return to Fort Wilderness, a cabin setting. It's easy to fit a family or party of eight in there (a queen sized bed, bunk beds, a large Murphy bed, and the couch). It also has a kitchen, so you are not confined to park eating. While I'm not much of an outdoors girl, there's just something about the setting that I love. Even if you are walking around in the dark coming back from the pool trying to find which cabin is yours, illuminating the numbers with a small flashlight.
Dining: Walt Disney World has a dining plan. My family doesn't use it and usually get annoyed at the people who do when they are holding up the line. For a better idea, go to this website. However, it does require everyone (whether on the plan or not) to make reservations if there is a sit-down restaurant you want to eat at. Some of our favorites to reserve are: Chef Mickey's (a buffet complete with characters in the Contemporary Hotel), the Liberty Tree Tavern and Trail's End. The Liberty Tree Tavern is located in Liberty Square with a preset menu: delicious biscuits, a salad, chicken, ham and roast beef, mashed potatoes and vegetables with apple cobbler for dessert. Until next year, there are also characters. Trail's End is a buffet at Fort Wilderness. My family loves it for the ribs. I love it for the fried chicken and rice.
The window service options at Disney aren't bad either--I'd suggest Geppetto's in the Magic Kingdom, the Electric Umbrella in Epcot, the Backlot in Hollywoodland and the Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney. Each service area has the fallback of hamburgers (or cheeseburgers without the cheese), but the menus vary. You and your party can easily find whatever you want.
Transportation. If you stay on property, Disney provides transportation around the resort. Buses run from each hotel to the parks as well as Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. If you want to go to a different hotel for food, you'll have to either go to a park or Downtown Disney (and after the parks close, only Downtown Disney until 3 AM. I don't know if this will continue once Pleasure Island closes). You can also take the monorails to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot from the Ticket and Transportation Center. If you stay at the Polynesian Resort, the Contemporary or the Grand Floridian, a monorail runs through those hotels. There are also ferry services available as well. Of course, you can also bring a car and drive everywhere. Saves time at the end of the day when everyone rushes the buses/ferries/monorails.
The Parks. For these, each family is different. My family always goes to the Magic Kingdom first, fastpass Buzz Lightyear and go on the Wed-way People Mover. A relaxing start and allows you to scope out the wait times in Tomorrowland. If you go to Epcot, I suggest going to the World Showcase once it opens. It opens an hour after Future World, so everyone is online or waiting on fastpasses for those rides. There are no lines in the Showcase. Once you are finished going around the world in 80 minutes, everyone is heading toward the Showcase while you are going to the much shorter lines in Future World. Note though: Fastpass Soarin' immediately. It has a three-hour stand-by wait and the fastpasses are usually for 4 PM if you show up at 11 AM. Animal Kingdom is generally a half-day thing, so plan for a trip to Hollywoodland or the Magic Kingdom for the second half. Also, avoid the Magic Kingdom on the weekends. It's usually the most crowded then.
Miscellanous. My family loves a good game of mini-golf. Last year, we went to the Fantasia golf course. It's a great time and allows you to meet some nice families in the back-up for the holes. Never underestimate the importance of just relaxing and using the hotel pool. If you have a car, don't be afraid of leaving the property for dinner one night. There's a Sizzler and an Olive Garden nearby. If you are Catholic, there is a church just outside the property called the Shrine of Our Lady of the Universe. It's just tourists and masses are packed. Don't be afraid to explore.
If you have any more Disney related questions, don't be afraid to ask!
I've admitted my love for Disney before but this discovery came at an interesting time--exactly one year since our last Disney trip. My family and I have been there so many times, we have everything down to a science. Allow me to share.
Hotels. There are two options: staying on property or staying off. If you want the full Disney experience, stay on property. Each resort has it's own unique theme and charm, providing a good fit for whatever suits your family. We have our favorite resorts to stay--lately, it's been Pop Century since it's an economy class. We book two rooms--one for my parents, one for my sister and I. It allows us to do that and stay for a long period of time. Each section is devoted to a decade from the last century (50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, 90's) and decorated to match. For example, when we stayed in the 80's, our staircases were inside Rubik's Cubes. Pacman and the ghosts decorated the railings as well as sayings like "Radical!" There are three pools and a main center with a gift shop and cafeteria (complete with a grocery section).
Though I wouldn't mind a return to Fort Wilderness, a cabin setting. It's easy to fit a family or party of eight in there (a queen sized bed, bunk beds, a large Murphy bed, and the couch). It also has a kitchen, so you are not confined to park eating. While I'm not much of an outdoors girl, there's just something about the setting that I love. Even if you are walking around in the dark coming back from the pool trying to find which cabin is yours, illuminating the numbers with a small flashlight.
Dining: Walt Disney World has a dining plan. My family doesn't use it and usually get annoyed at the people who do when they are holding up the line. For a better idea, go to this website. However, it does require everyone (whether on the plan or not) to make reservations if there is a sit-down restaurant you want to eat at. Some of our favorites to reserve are: Chef Mickey's (a buffet complete with characters in the Contemporary Hotel), the Liberty Tree Tavern and Trail's End. The Liberty Tree Tavern is located in Liberty Square with a preset menu: delicious biscuits, a salad, chicken, ham and roast beef, mashed potatoes and vegetables with apple cobbler for dessert. Until next year, there are also characters. Trail's End is a buffet at Fort Wilderness. My family loves it for the ribs. I love it for the fried chicken and rice.
The window service options at Disney aren't bad either--I'd suggest Geppetto's in the Magic Kingdom, the Electric Umbrella in Epcot, the Backlot in Hollywoodland and the Earl of Sandwich in Downtown Disney. Each service area has the fallback of hamburgers (or cheeseburgers without the cheese), but the menus vary. You and your party can easily find whatever you want.
Transportation. If you stay on property, Disney provides transportation around the resort. Buses run from each hotel to the parks as well as Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. If you want to go to a different hotel for food, you'll have to either go to a park or Downtown Disney (and after the parks close, only Downtown Disney until 3 AM. I don't know if this will continue once Pleasure Island closes). You can also take the monorails to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot from the Ticket and Transportation Center. If you stay at the Polynesian Resort, the Contemporary or the Grand Floridian, a monorail runs through those hotels. There are also ferry services available as well. Of course, you can also bring a car and drive everywhere. Saves time at the end of the day when everyone rushes the buses/ferries/monorails.
The Parks. For these, each family is different. My family always goes to the Magic Kingdom first, fastpass Buzz Lightyear and go on the Wed-way People Mover. A relaxing start and allows you to scope out the wait times in Tomorrowland. If you go to Epcot, I suggest going to the World Showcase once it opens. It opens an hour after Future World, so everyone is online or waiting on fastpasses for those rides. There are no lines in the Showcase. Once you are finished going around the world in 80 minutes, everyone is heading toward the Showcase while you are going to the much shorter lines in Future World. Note though: Fastpass Soarin' immediately. It has a three-hour stand-by wait and the fastpasses are usually for 4 PM if you show up at 11 AM. Animal Kingdom is generally a half-day thing, so plan for a trip to Hollywoodland or the Magic Kingdom for the second half. Also, avoid the Magic Kingdom on the weekends. It's usually the most crowded then.
Miscellanous. My family loves a good game of mini-golf. Last year, we went to the Fantasia golf course. It's a great time and allows you to meet some nice families in the back-up for the holes. Never underestimate the importance of just relaxing and using the hotel pool. If you have a car, don't be afraid of leaving the property for dinner one night. There's a Sizzler and an Olive Garden nearby. If you are Catholic, there is a church just outside the property called the Shrine of Our Lady of the Universe. It's just tourists and masses are packed. Don't be afraid to explore.
If you have any more Disney related questions, don't be afraid to ask!
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