New Stuff, Fun Stuff, and Free Stuff!
So, the dearth of Summer Reality Fun is almost over. This week Project Runway is FINALLY back after being gone a million years in legal purgatory. In the meantime, I’ve been assuaging my needs by cheating on Tim and Heidi with Project Runway Australia (realitytvfan.org) which has been both amusing and brow raising. (No pesky Standards and Practices Down Under so the F bombs fly like…well, F bombs.)
Also, on Top Chef Masters, Anita Lo finally lost her way with a raw bar under the hot sun (and I don’t know about you, but that particular twist bothered me a great deal - yeah, I’m all for drama, but not at the risk of putting people’s health in jeopardy.) Also last week Michael KEY-arillo proved that, unlike pretty much every other master chef on TCM this season, he can be both an asshat and a douche. And, while we’re on the subject of asshats, Top Chef producers, we don’t ever need to see Betty, Spike, Ilan, Blais, or Dale again. Ever. However, anytime you want to bring back Fabio, I will love you forever. So we have our final three in MC, Rick Bayless, and (deep, eye batting sigh…) Hubert. Loved how he mentored his team last week. Class act all the way.
In the Falls Reality News…we have an onslaught of stuff coming in September. Actually, the list of reality shows NOT on this fall would be shorter. In fact, American Idol would be the list. Otherwise, you can expect to see Survivor, Amazing Race, So You Think You Can Dance, and Dancing With The Stars… I will go from blogless to blogsplogged!
They announced the contestants for DWTS yesterday. (Their pro counterparts will be announced next week - the stars meet them today!) This season certainly looks more promising than last season, but then, that won’t be hard to do. (Should we just give the mirror ball trophy to the Olympian now?) This season we have, former NFL player, Michael Irvin, Olympic swimmer Natalie Coughlin, Donny Osmond, R&B singer Mya, swimsuit model Joanna Krupa , Melissa Joan Hart (Sabrina the Teenage Witch), Kelly Osbourne (real witch…Kidding! and Spawn of Ozzie), actress Debi Mazar, UFC fighter Chuck Liddell, singer Aaron Carter, swimsuit model Kathy Ireland, actor and Son of George, Ashley Hamilton, Iron Chef host Mark Decasos, pro snowboard Louie Vito (dude!), singer Macy Gray, and….in the Seriously? department, former House majority leader, Tom DeLay. (And no, I don’t mean House as in he played a doctor on television…)
All in all, a pretty interesting line up. Can’t wait to see which pros turn up this season and who gets paired up together. Show begins September 8. Which, amazingly to me, is only a few weeks away.
Now for the Free Stuff! End of summer is nigh and hopefully the heat and humidity along with it. Time to kick back with something cold to drink and hot to read. Maybe something from my personal bookshelf… Interested? Send an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with “Well, I have the umbrella drink, so…” in the subject line. This Friday I will draw a name from all the entries and announce the winning blog babe right here. Check in to see if you’re the lucky winner!
In the meantime…what do you think of the DWTS lineup? Early favorites? What pros should they get? Who will be the dark horse? Who will be the donkey? (Okay, okay, so I couldn’t resist…) You know what time it is… time to DISH!!
DWTS - with 16 “celebreties,” I suspect the first shows may be painful. I’m looking forward to seeing Chuck LIddell. Also, with 5 singers, I’m hoping a couple of them have the rhythm to dance. Local media has touted Michael Irvin seeking advice from the prior NFL contestants. Hope you have a GREAT week.
Quite an interesting lineup! I think that Donny Osmond will do well. I’m not sure about the others. And, what’s up with Tom Delay being on there?!
I am looking forward to the new season. I have missed the show.
I think Mya and Chuck Liddell will do well.
By the way, I read BAD BOYS IN KILTS last week. I loved it!
I have a hard time believing that Macy Gray is going to take it seriously. She’s an awesome singer, but definitely “quirky” when it comes to clothing, as a form of self-expression. I have to think that her dancing will fall within the same vein. On the other hand, I think Donny Osmond will do great! Can’t wait!
Cheryl - glad you enjoyed Kilts! The Great Scot is connected if you want to read about the last Chisholm brother. Just sayin.:) And you’ll be happy to know that next May? Some Like It Scot hits the stands and I might just be stayin in Scotland for a few more after that. Seems Graham MacLeod has a few buddies who might need some personal attention. And…I mean, what kind of author would I be if I left them out in the cold, heather strewn moors?
Nancy - totally agree on Macy. Should be interesting. I think Donny will do well. I’m curious how the athletes will do. I think Louie will be a cutiie patootie. Duuuude! And I have to say I’m rooting for Debi Mazur, just because she should bring the funny in rehearsal footage. The singers should do well. The models….should be models. Could care less about Kelly O. And seriously, if we’re going the politico route, Tom D was the best they could get? I suppose we should thank our lucky stars we didn’t get Blagojevich. I’d have had to stop watching one of my favorite shows then.
Donna, I read that DWTS returns on Monday, September 21.
Diana - you’re right! It’s the other dance show that starts on the 8tth - So You Think You Can Dance.
Yay, more Scot books!
My copy of The Great Scot arrived. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Looking forward to starting this one. Also, please feel free to let your Muse roam freely through the moors. Love a hot man in a kilt.
Cheryl & Sonya - The Great Scot is a fantastic book!
I think Donny will have no trouble keeping up. It’s Tom Delay that has me scratching my head.
people.com reports that Tom DeLay will be paired with Cheryl Burke:
http://tvwatch.people.com/2009/08/19/tom-delay-giddy-about-dancing-gig/
Wow, Diana…who did Cheryl piss off? Again? (I mean, after Wayne Newton, she should have a lifetime pass….)
Donna, I was wondering the same thing about Cheryl, but DeLay claims he’s a good dancer. We shall see.
More dance pairings revealed:
http://www.usmagazine.com/news/debi-mazar-my-dwts-partner-is-maksim-2009198
Except he went on to say he hasn’t really danced in twenty years. And then it was with his wife. So…who knows. Something tells me he won’t win me over the way Jerry Springer did…and that was a mighty steep curve.
I read in TV Guide today that Debi Mazur used to be a street/break dancer and was in several Madonna videos a million years ago. I find that hilarious and fascinating all at the same time. Who knew she was a b girl?
Thanks for the link!
Yeah, I reread the article, and DeLay didn’t say he was a good dancer–just that he’s danced all his life and those who are expecting him to fall flat on his face are in for a surprise. It’s always interesting to see how the older “celebs” do. I didn’t know Debi Mazar used to be a street/break dancer. That sounds pretty cool.
Not too many of them I care for. The Olympians will prob do well as always.
No Latin/Frency Eye Candy for me this year. Boohoo.
Yeah, the article I read was in the Wash Post today and I just thought it was funny that he says “oh, you’ll be surprised, I’ve danced my whole life” but as the interview went on, it was like, “Well, but not for the past twenty years…” So not your WHOLE life then, Tom… Just like a politician…. LOL But sure, he could definitely be a surprise. We’ll see!
And yes, I’m definitely more excited to see Debi dance now.
Donna, I just saw on Wikipedia that your boy Dmitry will be back this season. He’s paired with Mya. Also, Alec Mazo is paired with Natalie Coughlin.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_with_the_Stars_(U.S._season_9)
Maybe no celeb eye candy, Pat, but definitely some pro candy. Mmm, Dmitry!
Wow, can’t believe that Cheryl got stuck with Tom.
So happy that Dmitry is back.
Project Runway is back? Yay… I’ve been watching season 1-5 repeats to get my fix
Other pairs:
Mark Dacascos and Lacey Schwimmer
Michael Irvin and Anna Demidova
Joanna Krupa and Derek Hough
Chuck Liddell and Anna Trebunskaya
Kelly Osbourne and Louis van Amstel
Louie Vito and Chelsie Hightower
Just three celebs left whose partners we don’t know yet. Maybe Mark Ballas and Jonathan Roberts?
Melissa Joan Hart and Mark Ballas
Kathy Ireland and Tony Dovolani
Just waiting to see who Macy Gray is paired up with.
Macy Gray and Jonathan Roberts