Reality Check

Project Runway: I suppose someone has to win Season 6

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:50:24 -0500

And now, the end is here.
And so I face that final curtain.

First off, before we get to recapping the Project Runway Season 6 finale, a big thanks to all the kind souls who found their way back to this blog each week to read my corny jokes. Being a sports writer, I don't often get to crack wise about pop culture, but these Project Runway recaps turned out to be just what the doctor ordered for me this fall. They often made me forget about the plight of newspapers and the stress of real life -- my wife and I are about to have our first kid, and it could happen at any moment, so I'm glad I got this knocked out in the nick of time so I wouldn't be typing away in a delivery room, trying to fit one last joke in between my wife's contractions.

I think we all pretty much agree the show has been pretty ... meh this season, and the judges' final selection only confirms those feelings, even if it was probably the correct one. But the snark has made it almost worth it! So buckle up, and let's take one more ride to Bryant Park, shall we?

At the fair Hyatt Hotel, we lay our scene. Civil blood is about to make civil hands unclean.

Carol Hannah is brushing her teeth while Irina and Althea drink orange juice that I bet Tim Gunn got up at dawn to squeeze by hand. Carol Hannah is sick, sick, sick, and is trying to suck it up and stay on her feet.

"I feel bad, but there is really nothing I can do to help her," Irina says. Anyone who really believes Irina gives two thimbles worth of a damn about Carol Hannah's health at this point should really see if they can buy the Brooklyn Bridge from Bernie Madoff because I hear he's willing to move quickly on a deal if you'll pay cash.

'Survivor: Samoa': Now what?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:00:26 -0500

I just can't wait to see what happens tonight on Survivor: Samoa after Russell's crazy blindside last week, his second in a row.

Russell thinks it was pretty awesome, comparing himself to Picasso and telling Dave and the other folks from his old tribe that it was "almost as great as my kids being born."

Shambo calls Laura a snake, evil serpent and all sorts of things. And then she pulls her smartest move ever (sigh) and basically makes it clear to John that she has flipped. Why? Augh!

In the reward challenge, there are two teams of five. One person lies face down in a cradle, and the other four maneuver them around with ropes as they grab 15 numbered flags in order and put them in a slot. It sounds easier than it looks like it actually is. The purple group (Natalie, Russell, Dave Ball, Laura and Brett) wins. They head out to a waterfall for a picnic lunch and spend some time with a product-placed phone, using it to take pictures.

Lackluster finale for pint-sized 'America's Next Top Model'

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:33:50 -0500

John-John is back with a look at the ANTM finale ...

It’s hard to believe that we’ve made it through an entire pint-sized season of America’s Next Top Model. I mention the size factor because it has been shoved down our throats the entire season. This year – as you remember – has featured models that are 5’7” and shorter. Tyra Banks and company used every free moment they could to remind us of this. I don’t even remember this much repetition for anti-drug campaigns growing up. Anywho, the models were shorter than usual this season.

Finalists Nicole and Laura started the season finale chatting about their beginnings. Nicole was talking about her awkward shyness. Laura spoke of her humble origins. She also dropped in a line about her being dyslexic, which was not really an issue the entire season. But the magic of editing suddenly turned Laura’s learning disability into a major plot point. (My guess is that a lack of overall conflict between both girls had the producers scrambling for some roadblock to make the finale more compelling.)

The dyslexia immediately became an issue when the girls learned that they had to shoot a commercial for Covergirl. Uh oh. Dyslexia + a script + nervousness= potential disaster.

The rest of the episode really seemed to flash by in a blur. Mr. Jay Manuel introduced last year’s winner Teyona, who noticeably stumbled over her own Covergirl spiel this episode. Nigel Barker joined the two finalists for a beauty shot. Nicole did a fantastic job posing with Nigel. Meanwhile, Laura was struggling with her commercial. She commented in a confessional that being nervous made her dyslexia worse. (Not a good thing at all.) Nicole also struggled with her own nerves during her commercial. Then Nicole started sounding snobby during her commercial takes, according to Mr. Jay. You could begin to see some daylight for Laura.

Project Runway prediction time: Who wins?

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:01:39 -0500

Well gang, it's finally here: The Project Runway Season 6 Finale. I think we're all in agreement this year was a bit of a mixed bag.

At times, the comedy was better than the actual designs, and much of that comedy wasn't intentional.

You can't specifically blame Lifetime or the Los Angeles locale, but it's clear that the return to New York will be good for everyone, especially if it means Michael Kors and Nina Garcia will be on the scene much more frequently. All that said, I'm still intrigued to see who wraps up the victory tonight: Irina, Carol Hannah or Althea.

I'm prepared to turn my snark meter up to 11 and have my wrap-up posted early Friday morning, but until then, leave your predictions below. What surprises do we potentially have in store? Will Irina scare the judges into giving her all-black collection a win? Will Johnny return to solve the mystery of the sputtering iron? Will Mitchell pop up to let us know he still hasn't learned how to sew? Will the winner get to make out with Logan?

While you ponder those thoughts, and many others, if haven't read this awesome interview with Tim Gunn from the Los Angeles Times you should definitely do so because it's just another reminder that he remains the heart of this show, through thick and thin -- the impeccably dressed, witty and gracious heart.

'Top Chef: Las Vegas': d'Or galore

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:03:43 -0500

Greetings, Top Chef watchers. Liz and Justine here to chronicle the last week before the competition moves from its cozy home of Las Vegas to the finale in Napa Valley. Most of the fat has been trimmed from the ranks of the cheftestants but one more still has to be cut.

Enough with the cheesy cooking plays on words. On to the cooking!

(Photo of Bryan Voltaggio presenting to the judges from bravotv.com)

'So You Think You Can Dance' results: Top 12 revealed

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:01:07 -0500

Wade and Amanda Robson are, of course, responsible for the drop-dead amazing group number that opens tonight's So You Think You Can Dance results show. It's awesome -- the dancers portray statues in a museum who go a little bananas. Love it!

Abruptly, it's time for some results: Ashleigh and Jakob are, duh, safe. Kevin and Karen are, duh, in danger. Ryan and Ellenore are also safe, and so are Russell and Noelle. Channing and Victor are, however, in the bottom three. This leaves Mollee and Nathan and Kathryn and Legacy. Kathryn and Legacy are safe, so Mollee and Nathan are the third couple in danger.

'The Biggest Loser': Hey, Tim Gunn's coming to dinner again!

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:22:33 -0500

The best part about tonight's Biggest Loser? That half-hour holiday special that preceded it, making it the hour and a half program it ought to be.

Except that, hark! It's makeover week, and that's my favorite. That's OK, as long as they cut out all the repeating and not the glamour. After a fakeout in which the contestants thought they were getting makeovers and instead were told that they have to give speeches, Tim Gunn and Tabatha Coffey appeared to tell them, just kidding, it is makeover time.

Yay!

As it turns out, though, we didn't get enough Tim G. time for my liking. We see him briefly talking with all the contestants about what they are looking for, their struggles with finding clothes that fit and flatter, and so on. Then, there were glimpses of some of the contestants in the stylist's chair with Tabatha, mostly focusing on Rudy not wanting to cut off his beard.

The reveals were a little bizarre. One by one, each contesant came forward to see Tim, who was stunned by the transformation of each of them. Then he took each person by the shoulders, said there was one more surprise and turned them around to show them that their families were there. Awww, sweet! But this all happened backstage of where they were going to be giving speeches, which was awkward. The dominant emotion remained surprise and joy, though. But to a person, everyone looked great. Rudy shaved! Rebecca got an awesome haircut! Allen killed it in his suit! Danny lost the gray hair! Liz looked like a million bucks! Amanda rocked this gorgeous blue shirt!

'Dancing With the Stars' results: Who goes home?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:01:29 -0500

Guest blogger Carla here, recapping for Sarah, who is recapping "So You Think You Can Dance."

And then there were four ... who will be narrowed down to three. But first, the judges want to see Mya and Dmitry Chaplin's salsa from last night. Judge Len Goodman wants to see her "tutti frutti booty"? Really? I was "Gossip Girl"ing last night and missed this. (P.S. My dad -- Hi Dad! -- is rooting for Mya.)

Next up is a recap of last night's performances, followed by some results ... oh, wait, no. We're going to have to wait a bit longer.

Now for a time suck: The dancers talk about the other dancers' strengths. Whatever happens, they will be happy! It has been the times of their lives! (Pick another cheesy competition cliche and insert here: It was probably said.)

'So You Think You can Dance' recap: Top 14 perform

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:00:56 -0500

Tonight's So You Think You Can Dance kicks off with childhood pictures of the judges -- "in the interest of fairness" -- because we're going to see childhood videos of the contestants tonight. Fun! Embarrassing, but fun!

The first couple of the night is Ashleigh and Jakob with a hip-hop routine by Tabitha and Napoleon. In the story of the dance, they're a couple and she's discovered that he cheated. I'm not always a fan of T&N's routines, but Ashleigh and Jakob perform it really well, including the acting part. The only thing I hate is Ashleigh's pants. Nigel Lythgoe says he loved their "gimmick," adding that Jakob is stepping up to choreographic challenges every single week and that he will make it to the Top 10. He says he originally thought Ashleigh had the potential for growth and would ride Jakob's coattails into the Top 10, but that she has grown far beyond his expectations. Mary Murphy says she was spellbound Ashleigh's passion was and that Jakob was totally on point. Adam Shankman Jakob is the biggest shoo-in for the Top 10 they've ever had. He also says he was one of the people who didn't believe in Ashleigh and that now he's a believer.

Karen and Kevin are doing Broadway with Spencer Liff. In rehearsal, they talk about how this routine is so difficult and complex and what trouble they're having with it. Liff interviews that he frankly thought it was going to be a cakewalk, and he was wrong. The performance is OK, but with all that buildup about how hard it was, it seems somewhat subdued. Still entertaining, though. Nigel welcomes Spencer to the show. He says it was a style that required humor in their performance. He says this was the first time she wasn't supposed to be sexual, and she didn't bring that humor or personality to it in that place. Yet, Nigel thinks Kevin brought even less to the stage, character-wise. Mary agrees that it needed to be so much more. "The whole thing seemed nice, and safe," she says. Adam says it was a challenging blend of movements and that it was amazing to watch Kevin get through it so well. He adds that he liked seeing Karen having to perform without being in "tigress" mode. He says it was a bump, but they are great.

Russell and Noelle are working with Eddie Simon on a second foxtrot, only this time, Noelle gets to perform it (she was injured last week, if you've lost track). Their dance is somehow smooth and groovy, and they're engaging with the audience more, too. Nigel says this was a whole new foxtrotting Russell, so much better than week one. He says Russell is a star and never ceases to amaze him. To Noelle, he says that she fights to get out of Russell's shadow, and she's getting there. Mary says Russell is so far outside his style, but he didn't look worried at all. She goes on to praise Noelle's technique and movement, saying how proud she is of them. Adam says the performance was exuding joy and confidence. He says it was fantastic and he loves them.

'The Biggest Loser': Updates on Shay and Daniel

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:55:43 -0500

Last week, we all had some confusion about why Shay Sorrells didn't get her makeover moment at the end of The Biggest Loser. Still not sure why that didn't happen, but she's kept on progressing. Here's video from the Today show this morning, featuring Shay, who has lost an additional 50 pounds since getting voted out, and Daniel Wright, who was also expelled during last week's double eviction:

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'Dancing With the Stars' recap: Semi-finals are here

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:01:25 -0500

I'm getting a late start on this recap thanks to the Ravens game, so this might be a little more concise than usual. But hey, maybe that's not a bad thing?

Anyway, it's semifinal time already. Except that when we see the opening credits, it feels like this season has been on forevah!

First up are Donny Osmond and Kym Johnson with the tango. He gets advice from Gilles Marini that he should make everyone uncomfortable. It makes sense in context, but Donny's on the cute end of the spectrum, Gilles at the sultry end, so what works for Gilles won't necessarily work for Donny. It's OK, not great, but the ending maneuver doesn't quite work. Donny sits down on the floor on the way to judging because he is so mad at himself. Head judge Len Goodman says his Argentine tango a couple of weeks ago was great, but this was not. Bruno Tonioli says he lost it completely and it went to pieces. Carrie Ann Inaba says there wasn't push and pull or light and shade, but he did handle the "costume misfortunes" of getting stuck in Kym's dress pretty well. Scores: 7-7-7, for a 21/30.

Next are Derek Hough and Joanna Krupa with the Viennese waltz. They look lovely (I even love Joanna's dress, and I usually think the costumes are pretty awful and gaudy). They are also helped by dancing to "Hallelujah," one of the best songs ever-ever. Bruno says this waltz had the grace of angels in heaven, but there was a slight hesitation throughout. Still, he says, fantastic. Carrie Ann says she was so raw at the beginning, and she has grown so much. Len says their hold when they are together is amazing, and that there was a little weirdness, but mostly it was a beautiful dance. Scores: 9-9-9, for a 27/30.

Just a programming note ...

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:37:31 -0500

Just a warning that my Dancing With the Stars recap will be a little late thanks to the Ravens' Monday Night Football game. (I know, I know, it's crazy that we're a one-TV household.) But I'll get it posted as soon as possible.

'The Amazing race' recap: Mud, more mud and vocabulary troubles

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:39:31 -0500

Bucky's back with a rundown on last night's muddy episode of The Amazing Race.

This week’s leg of The Amazing Race begins with the Globetrotters, who finished first last week, departing at 2:23 a.m. to catch a ferry for a 16-hour ride across the Baltic Sea to Estonia. They get to the ferry terminal and find that the next ferry leaves at 5:45 p.m. This means, I calculate in my head, that they will arrive in Estonia almost a day and a half after they left the previous pit stop, even though it’s not all that far from Sweden to Estonia. Why do the producers do that?

We learn that Sam and Dan have made up and agreed that bickering is no way to compete, which means that more bickering is on the way, I think. We also learn that Matt has worn his black bandana, a signal to the other teams that he and his father mean business and are in the race to win it.

'Top Chef: Las Vegas': We have a winner, winner, chicken dinner

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:40:26 -0500

Thanks to all of the commenters who entered our contest for the most creative quickfire challenge. After much deliberation between Justine and me (now I know how Padma and Chef Tom feel!), we've narrowed the entries down to our favorites. I know we said we'd have 3 winners at first, but since there were so many clever concepts, we expanded it to five winners. Prizes include Season 5 of Top Chef (for all you Hosea fans out there), Season 1 of Gordon Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares (the UK edition), and a cookbook of our choosing from The Baltimore Sun's cookbook library (which may or may not relate to the challenges the winners suggested).

Check out the winners after the jump!

(Photo of Michael Voltaggio serving a recent quickfire dish from bravotv.com)

Project Runway: Guess who's coming to dinner? Tim Gunn!

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:51:38 -0500

Well kids, I'm Kevin Van Valkenburg, sports writer in my spare time, but Project Runway blogger at heart. And as my favorite cheesy Swedish heavy metal band, Europe, would say...

It's the final countdown! (Da da da daaaaa! Da da da da daaaaaa!) It's the final countdown!

This season of Project Runway has been, I think we'd all agree, a bit uneven at best. A little soulless, even, almost like its Los Angeles locale. As much as I've enjoyed it for comedic purposes, ultimately we're left with three designers I can't quite figure out how to love, for either personal or professional reasons. I suppose if I wanted someone interrogated and waterboarded, Irina would be a great ally because she'd never flinch. (If this fashion thing doesn't work out, she definitely has a potential career as a villain-for-hire.) And I guess Carol Hannah is the dorky, but adorable little sister most of us never had. But as we wrap up this season with a two-parter in Bryant Park, I'm going to confess I can't wait for the show to get back to New York full time.

But the saving grace is that the penultimate episode each season -- where Tim Gunn knocks on your door -- is always one of my favorites, so as Michael Buffer would say, let's get ready to ~~rumble~~ recaaaaaap!

This episode begins with Tim and Heidi giving their usual cheery instructions, letting the designers know Tim will be dropping by, blah, blah, blah. But then, something surreal happens. Tim and Heidi go behind the silhouette screen and start freak dancing on one another. I'm nearly at a loss for words. It's like walking in on your parents and catching them passionately making out. I'm going to be traumatized for the rest of the episode.

Cut to talking heads by Althea and Irina, during which they express how much they'd like to murder one another and dump the other’s body in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. But of course, they pretend to be all Babysitter's Club BFFs to one another's faces.

"Althea and Carol Hannah are intimidated. They're expecting me to take the big guns to Bryant Park but I'm brining a tank. I'm taking the whole army," Irina says.

I think it's awesome that Carol Hannah's fantasies growing up probably involved Barbie and Ken sharing a South Carolina beach house and 13 kids, while Irina's seem more likely about leading the Georgian army to victory in battle over the Russians.