Beauty and the (vs) the Geek Ep3

We start the show with the Beauties coming back from last week’s elimination one by one. Oh Tommy, poor sweet, deluded sweater-vested Tommy. Wanting so desperately for Amber to come back and it just wasn’t going to happen. He seems to believe he will reconnect with his lost Beauty after the show is done. Cut to a clip of Amber’s statement that she will never be in touch with these people again. No supermodel for you! Leticia is particularly pleased due to the threats Amber made last week.

All are called into the study for the next challenge, which will be some sort of sports challenge. What sport is yet to be revealed. However there’s a bit of switcheroo that has to happen. Each team must trade a member. Not entire sure why, just more fucking with the perfectly fine formula. BatG how you vex me! Jillian volunteers to go off to the Geeks while Chris volunteers as well to go off to the Beauties. The extra catch with whichever team loses, the switched member is immediately eliminated with another elimination to follow of the remaining members. We have a bit of a bitch face moment from Jillian as Cowboy Joe starts huffing and puffing, ordering the poor woman around. This is a bitch face moment that is truly justified as Cowboy Joe proves himself to be much of a jerk.

Off to the yard we go with the Geeks and the Beauties with many lame attempts by the Geeks trying out various items such as Badminton (yeah, unlikely) Basketball, boxing and Football. Jonathan feels he would be completely bad, which is very likely. His type of games have nothing to do with sports or physical activity. He likes his games pure like Quake Death match. Ahh a Geek after my own heart! Randi tries to teach Greg how to box who is excited but as he sucks at sports.

Tara is completely hating this challenge as she doesn’t like to get sweaty or dirty and gasp maybe the outfits won’t match! The horror! Chris is extremely determined and predicts they will win because they have him.

Flag Football is the sport of choice at the L.A. Coliseum. Randi is afraid of bone breaking, having never played the sport before. Each team gets a bit of practice time. Cowboy Joe takes control of the Geek Tank as he apparently has some football knowledge, explaining some of the terms but no one is interested, just wanting to keep it simple. Jonathan snails his way through the tires on the field.

Chris takes control of the Beauties as his ass is on the line if his team loses. Leticia seems to appreciate this as none of the Beauties have really stepped up in that regard. He does have a much better technique than the other supposed team leader.

Cowboy Joe continues to take control of the team, calling out plays forgetting what the other Geeks said earlier about keeping it simple, continuing to throw out various football terms. No wonder in the little stat blocks that pop up his specialty was mass confusion. He does manage to simplify one thing when Jillian is told to “cover her girl” when she doesn’t know who her girl is he replies with “Pick one running your way.” Sound advice if you ask me. Chris notices their defense is weak, using that to score the first touchdown.

Geeks were down 18 to 6 nearing the end and in the next play Matt goes down and goes down hard. Despite the pain in his shoulder he was insisting on getting back up and playing. There are many tears on both teams as he gets taken off by the medics. He is able to walk off the field but the game was over for him.

Less than three minutes to go and Geeks get themselves up with 12 with a rather impressive sprint by Tommy. Considering how fit he looked last week, this does not surprise me. Chris grabs one more touchdown before the end and the Beauties have won. The Geeks did come really close so they really do have a lot to be proud of. It could have easily have been a complete slaughter.

Jillian is on her way out. Her exit is so much better than Amber’s bitchy rant last week. She is genuinely complimentary of the Geeks and wants to see them again. Little bits of the former heart of the show are creeping back so my faith is a little bit restored. It is a rather sucky way to go I have to say.

Back at the house, Leticia eagerly waits by the door to learn the fate of Matt, who enters the house with his shoulder in a brace for the next month. I broke my clavicle in elementary school (while learning to do a safety roll no less) so I feel his pain. It’s not something you can put a cast on. He is remaining in the game, well until whatever happens in elimination but I am happy no injury will keep him out.

Tiffany seems to want all the J named guys should be off to the elimination room, not quite being able to remember all their names. A group consensus does agree that Cowboy Joe has to go due to his overly aggressive nature during the game. Jonathan is considered due to his negatively during the game (and perhaps the unproven boob touching as well) The Geeks file down the stairs to meet their fate. Chris is safe from elimination but is sent over to the stairs and this week’s twist is revealed! This is moment #1 of me screaming at my TV, this in joy.

They are back to Beauty AND the Geek. No more stupid VS, just wonderful, beautiful AND!

The Beauties being the winners get to choose their Geek. For those of us having done the math (unlike Eric Cartman, I won’t forget to mention I suck at math. Seriously. Algebra made me cry) but even a math impaired sort like myself can tell we have one surplus Geek.

Again, much agonizing over choosing who they want. Cara breaks down because she really wanted Greg (battling Randi for him).

Cara gets to go first taking Chris.

Amanda, self proclaimed airhead chooses Tommy.

Leticia gets Matt. After the waiting by the stairs for him I am unsurprised. Not quite sure where the sudden connection comes from. Aside from Leticia being the one to knock him down but it’s nice to see.

Randi gets Greg like she wanted. This should be an interesting pairing. It has both the potential to be really good, and really bad depending on how much Greg is to match up to Randi’s aggressive nature

Christina is excited to choose Jason. Jason expresses much joy, having waited 23 years for some beautiful woman to want him.

Tiffany wants to work her goofy spirit to bring Jim out of his shell, much to the Beauties surprise as that was apparently not the geek she chose originally.

Jonathan and Cowboy Joe are left, with Tara being the last to choose. Here we have moment #2 of screaming at the TV, and not in joy. Yes people, we have a cliffhanger! Again, this is a vexing show and a generally vexing season.

At least things are back to normal, the way it’s supposed to be. I still feel a bit jerked around by the start of the season but I am so very glad they have returned to normal and relatively soon. Bring on the makeovers! Well it looks like it won’t be next week judging by the previews but it is a favourite of mine.

still here

I've decided to narrow my focus a bit, for as you can see I am a bit behind. I'm going to focus for now on Beauty & the Geek and America's Next Top Model. time has been a bit of an issue of late.

back later with thoughts on this week's Geek. and if you are reading, make yourself be known please! I welcome comments and I do like to know people are actually out there.

Beauty and the (vs) the Geek Ep2

I am so glad to see the proper theme song back. At least I have one small bit of comfort and familiarity in a completely switched around season.

An early mention of this shows Get the fuck off my TV award goes to Amber just for the comment regarding one of the geeks who return from the elimination room that "someday he'll be rich and take care of me"

the challenge a 10 minute talent review. Johnathan feels they have an advantage as most of the beauties are models and all they do is pose. most of the girls agree most of them have no talent. One comes up with the concept of writing E=MC2 on their asses and flash.

Despite much debate late into the night the Beauties still hadn't come up with what they were going to do. The geeks meanwhile the Geeks seems to be getting a rap together. There was an interruption with a game of Spin the Bottle. Matt was rather sweet in where he said he didn't want his first major kiss to be during a game like that.

Amber continues to bug hitting on as many geeks as she can, last week being Cowboy Joe, this week she focuses on Tommy. She freely admits to the other Beauties she's just doing it to stay out of elimination. Some of the Geeks see right through here. So far I think she has real potential to be another CeCe

Off to the theatre with the Beauties trying to figure out how to fill another 8 mintues, and the Geeks fully prepared and rehearsing. The Beauties have this typical schoolgirl thing going on. Randi seemed to be taking the lead in choreography. This girl I like.

Beauties go up first and given some of the expressions of the audience, they're dead, at least I hope so. It was a mess. A complete and total mess. the boos from the audience further confirmed this exiting to the chant of "We want Geeks"

Geeks up next. For a Geek, Tommy is BUILT. He took of his shirt during the start of their act and whoa! Johnathan threw in a Vilosaraptor, impression, a bit of stand up from another. On the whole they were so much more together and it's the Geeks for the Win!

I still look forward to when they drop the VS aspect of the show. It's kinda interesting but it's still against what it's supposed to be all about. Most of the Beauties are relying solely on sucking up to various Geeks and not making any effort. Some just wanted to have fun and not bother studying. It's like they don't even care. What was even worse Amber was bitching about others doing it when she's probably the most guilty of them all. Only two episodes in and it's not about the learning from each other anymore. I have heard about half way though they drop the VS. I can only hope that is true.

In the decision process they use Roberts Rules of Order and various straw polls. 10 motions later and much discussion they made their decision which much seems to be based on who causes the most drama.

Tommy doesn't seem to see through Amber's manipulations and wants her to stay. Poor fool he. Up for elimination are Amber (who didn't take it well at all) Amanda (suspected it would happen as she hasn't made any connections) Randi, Christina & after the commercial break we have Jillian.

Amber pipes up once more and accuses Leticia and in turn insulting the Geeks. Cowboy Joe lays into her. He was a bit annoying in the first episode, but he has my support now. She continues to argue with him but Cowboy Joe holds his own. Tommy however continues to be an idiot, not wanting Amber to go.

Amanda's the first to be safe, followed by Christina and Jillian. Randi and Amber are the last to go with Amber having some sort of attack which I don't believe for a moment. It's Randi for the win, Amber whining that she buzzed in and she is gone! Such a relief for usually the one I want to go away the most seems to hang on, and on, and on.

Despite my continued misgivings on the change for the season this was a satisfying episode.

Reaper Returns!

And am I ever glad. It's shows like this I really wish I was a Nielsen viewer. This shows survival depends on it. So if you are one they actually count PLEASE watch! this also serves to prove that yes, I do watch scripted shows I promise!

Anyhoo, one of the larger complaints about the show thus far is it's being too formulaic. It does have monster of the week potential but with this last episode they are expanding a bit. Aside from the nab the soul, cannibal a guy who ate the brains of his victims, Sam was also determined to keep a sucky rock musician from selling his soul to the Devil.

Ahh good ol' Jerry (as was revealed to be a name he has used recently a couple of episodes ago) just as enthusiastic as ever. Yeah he puts up a good jovial front but in the end he served to remind us, and poor Sam, that he's fucking evil (eeeeeviilll I tells ya). Once Sam managed to prevent Ryan (sorry, can't figure out how to get the umlaut in there) to sign the deal (by using the recently captured soul to try and show what he may be rooming with in hell) he allowed Sam a moment of gloating before knocking down at least six aisles of the Work Bench (aka a local Costco). That was Jerry disappointed. Surprisingly in this plot thread Jamie Kennedy (last seen in Vancouver filming Kickin' it Old School) wasn't as annoying as he can be. I shuddered at hearing of his appearance but it fit the character well.

Add to the mix Cady (possibly the Devil's offspring) found the necklace that Andi refused and the usual Sam screws up, gets in trouble, then nices his way out of it occurs. When last we saw Cady, a flower died at her touch. Now she's proving to possibly do a Fatal Attraction. While it's not entirely proven she is the Devil's daughter, evidence is leaning that way.

We also have to have our sidekick bits, with Sock's Mom coming home from Vegas married and eventually kicks Sock out. It led to some nice moments with the Mother of the escaped soul. I particularly enjoyed the debate and potential cage matches of the escaped souls discussed by Ben and Sock. Personally, my money's on Fireman Soul.

There is so much yet to be addressed and even though I know there are more episodes to be filmed starting next week, I hope we can get through them all should the ax fall. We still have to find out what the deal was with the pages of the contract his father burned a while back.

I will also admit I do want this show to continue because it is filmed in my hometown. My day job is working for one of the local unions and we need to keep our crews working after the drought the writer's strike caused. We still have the possible Actor's strike to deal with but enough already. We need to keep people working!

America's Next Top Model 10: why, Dominique, WHY

this is one of the shows as I have just started this blog, I'm starting a little late in the game so I won't be trying to catch up. Let's just dive in shall we darlings?

Dominique oh how I hate thee! Why did you have to do good in the photo so the judges felt compelled to keep you on my TV for another week. 1st week you try and pull the "I have a child, therefore I deserve this more" card. 2nd week you insist on saying you're high fashion when we know you're nothing but Sears catalougue. Sorry m'dear but if Mr. Jay says you're not high fashion, you're not. This week you dare to call my favourite Whitney white trash, just because she tried to stop the rest from ganging up on Amie just because she wanted to shower in private.

First half of the show was all about runway with Mr. Jay taking the girls to the firehouse for a teaching session. I did feel really gratified that he really laid into Dominique and praised Whitney. Fatima, which I really wanted to like as she is the tragic back story model of this cycle but she just continues to be an uppity bitch and so not Ms. Attention to detail. They gave the girls sexy fire uniforms and she didn't have the shoes on. In the fashion show she had her shirt buttoned completely wrong.
Lauren continues to be a hopeless walker, just wanting to get off the damn runway ASAFP. I was rather surprised they didn't mention Whitney with her boob hanging out.

The photo shoot brought back memories of Save On Meats, which for those not in the Vancouver area is a large meat shop in the downtown east side that was my first job way back in 1987. They were not only modeling in a meat locker, they were wearing meat. Great, after a couple of actual clothing shoots here comes the concept shoot again. I will say there were several pairs of knee length boots I would have killed to have in my own meager collection. It would appear no one in this year's group is a militant vegetarian so we didn't have any of that type of drama.

Unlike last week they didn't completely cover Whitney up. I am probably being way to hopeful as I always root for the plus size girl but I really think she has a shot. She seemed to have the best attitude towards the weird wardrobe in a post interview but was a bit squicked when it was first put on.

Amis was little Miss Sleepy before judging, not even putting any effort in what she was wearing to panel. One would hope, and Tyra brought this up, after 9 Cycles of this show she would have to seen a season or two and would KNOW you don't come to panel looking like you just got out of bed, which 10 minutes before she actually did.

Via the joys of taping in an earlier time zone I was able to fast forward through the constantly repetitive list of prizes. I know they have to shill for the sponsors but damn it's tiresome. When I stopped towards the end I was more glad than usual. For some crazy reason, Tyra was singing. Don't Tyra, please just don't. I'm just sayin'!

I was so full of disappointment when Dominique was called up half way through the reveal. She remains the girl on the show I most want to reach through my screen and bitch slap. In the end it was down to Amis & Fatima. My hopes were dashed as Fatima remained and Amis was told to go bye bye.

Next week it looks like my pretend model BFF Whitney & Dominique come to words once again. I will be rooting for Whitney. Dominique must leave my TV if there is any justice.

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On a more general note, with my recent acquisition of digital cable I watched this episode when I got home taping it from a U.S. Station. The one thing with the joys of Canadian content laws is the simulcasting that CITY TV has to do so we never see up here My Life as a Cover Girl. I always felt left out on sites like Television Without Pity that I could never comment on them. I can confidently say I wasn't missing much. It becomes even more glaring when they play a regular Cover Girl commercial after the My Life as segment with last year's winner. Total reading off the cue cards delivery.

My fingers are tired and I have to save up some energy to maybe write about Rock of Love later.

PCD Presents: Girlicious

Are you thinking what I'm thinking? MAKEOVER!

At least that's what they SAY is going to happen but I hardly noticed any difference save for Melissa, the uppity bitch of the girls, who got the Chelsea from last series look. As is another reality show tradition, one just had to have the total makeover breakdown. Jamie hates the colour which I thought was perfectly fine but it completely took her off her game.

Songs this week were a Disco theme. My personal favourite was this first group doing the SOS Band's Take Your Time. They had a great song and had the extra difficulty of doing it on roller skates. They at least gave them a barre in the front, crash protection I suppose, and it worked to their advantage. I still didn't see any faltering in the movements so they were safe.

Group 2 which did Blondie's Heart of Glass was screwed. Totally screwed. It seems like a simple song, sounds like a simple song but it's completely upper register and if you can't sustain that, as Chrystina couldn't, it's going to sound like crap. and it was, boy was it ever. Just my luck my long shot favourite Ilsa was in that group with Chrystina and makeover drama queen Jamie. Apparently Jamie is too proud to cry, but does anyway.

Group 3 with Donna Summer's Dim All the Lights was mostly meh for me. Both this group and the first group got much better songs to work with.

Ron Fair, I gotta ask, what the fuck is up with all the hats this year? Seriously dude, not helping you at all. Add the constant bitch face watching the performances and it's just not working.

It was either Chrystina or Jamie that was going to get the stiletto boot off, based on of course the edit through the entire show. In the end Jamie got to go off and get her hair redone.

This is one of those shows I don't know why I watch it but I keep coming back to it. Typically I would have watched this last night but between the constant repeats on the CW & Much Music it was easy to catch up on.

Beauty and the Geek 5!

I'm a bit wary going into this installment. For a reality show, this one usually has a lot of heart. Geeks learning from Beauties (ok, not all see CeCe from Season 3 who didn't learn a damn thing) added an interesting dimension. Sure there was inter-group friction but mostly they got along. There was one exception in the now classic reality convention black chicks fighting between Brandi and Amber. Their particular flava your ass is fatter which started with don't talk behind my back.

My first concern is lack of the usual theme song, the Pet Shop Boys Opportunities. I am hoping this only lasts this starter episode since they didn't have the opening credits as usual, just the introduction of what is happening this year. I hope it will be back next episode, for that is not the only unwelcome change.

This year it's Beauty VS the Geeks. I know they want their 'social experiment' to evolve but this to me takes away from the spirit of the show. First challenge was getting phone numbers. To level the playing field they gave the beauties Make Unders. This makes it much more fun than your average transformations. The Beauties weren't entirely ugly, just looking a bit more average. Combinations of bad skin, hair, clothes and the like. On one they used a fat suit.

Despite this the Beauties won the challenge and had to choose five geeks, half the team, to be eliminated. I will give some a bit of credit as they did agonize over the decision.

Chris: Has a girlfriend so they felt he didn't need their help.
Tommy, John, Joe: In various forms, that they had more social skills.
Tom: Apparently an attractive, dateable geek. I kinda have to agree here.

Onto the "faster, harder & more nerve wracking" quiz room. As soon as they get a question right, they are free to go. If they get it wrong, the next to buzz in has to get it right or are eliminated. It is indeed much quicker than the old version. If it wasn't for the VS aspect of this year I would like the change. Alas the last one left was John E., the Recovering Microsoft Addict, who had some sort of asthma attack at his leaving.

It's too soon to really get my favourites yet. Although the fag hag in me will gravitate towards Greg the Self Proclaimed Gaysian. Many of the Beauties were warming up to him as well. I think a majority of the Beauties seems to be pretty nice. Not completely judgemental of the the Geeks, just uncomfortable.

Early impressions: I am reserving complete judgement yet as it is only the first episode but I can't help but be still bothered by changing it to a VS instead of each side helping each other out. How can they learn and evolve as people if they don't have the direct influence of the other. I am worried for this season. What will they do if they run low on one of the sides? Mix it up? It's hard to say how this is going to go.

I'll give it next week and we'll see