So, which was worse? American Idol or Top Chef. Okay, so AI wins that one hands down. I was almost convulsively pushing the fast forward button the entire two hours. On the one hand, I just can’t stand watching those poor, poor folks who truly think their dreams are going to be answered only to be laughed at and ridiculed, and it’s just hurtful to watch. And on the other hand, I can’t imagine how incredibly frustrating it must be to sit there as a judge and not laugh or ridicule these truly delusional folks who keep coming through that door. So, I’m torn, but either way, I just can’t watch. FF’d them all.

As for the actual talent, I thought the brother-sister duo was good, though I think big sis isn’t going to like it that little bro is going to get more attention. I liked the afro guy, reminded me a bit of the Neville’s. The young girl whose dad played for the NFL, she was good. I don’t even remember the rest. Mostly it was just a blur of freak show badness. And what, 14 people made it through out of all that mess? Maybe Memphis will be better. I’m more interested in a few weeks from now when the finalists are working toward being on the show itself and we’re past the freak show element.

Speaking of freak show, what the what was going on at the Top Chef apartments? After a good Quick Fire and an even better Elimination Challenge, they all had back to the apartments and suddenly it’s Lord of the Flies time. Elia, the sole remaining sane one, shaves her head, as does Ilan, then they get this brilliant idea to go after Marcel - as a joke. Some joke. And Elia? Hon? You were the only friend he had and even you didn’t step in?

Cliff, who you see from the apartment footage is an even bigger guy than I’d realized - dang, those shoulders and arms are massive! - goes after Marcel and actually wrestles him to the floor. It’s ugly and horrifying to watch, and I don’t care how much alcohol was involved, there was no excuse for it. I’m not a Marcel fan, but dear god, no one should be put through that, especially after all the relentless picking they do on him.

So, Cliff is very rightfully asked to leave (and his surprised face when Tom informs him of this, as if a simple apology should have been enough, is enough for me to agree even more whole-heartedly than I did before.) Did they all realize what they did was wrong? Sure. But did they truly appreciate the extent of how terrifying that moment was for Marcel? I dunno.

And really, how embarrassed is the cast and crew of these idiots? They bring in some of the best chefs in the world to judge them, then sit there and look like fools when these guys can’t keep their act together. It’s mortifying, I’m sure.

This leaves the final four of Marcel, Elia, Sam, and Ilan. The judges reveal in private convo that Cliff would have been the one eliminated anyway (glad they officially asked him to leave instead, though. Get some help, Cliff.) Now they had to decide if the remaining 4 go to Hawaii for the finals, or if they still send someone home. Sam and Ilan are told they are going through. Then after much torture, Elia and Marcel are told they are going with, too. All is happy, except, you know, I still want to throw up.

Who do I want to win? Well, now? I have no idea and don’t know that I care. What a train wreck of a season. I’d say Sam or Elia deserve it the most of the final four and would likely do the most with the prize, but all of them have left a foul taste in my mouth. Not exactly what you want to be feeling during a food competition.

Thank goodness I can cleanse my palate with a round of Grey’s Anatomy and Men in Trees. Except, oh yeah, the cast of Grey’s, or one cast member in particular (yes, I’m looking at you Isaiah) has stupidly resurrected his less than finest moment and actually found a way to make it worse, dragging a cast that should be ecstatically reveling in their Golden Globe win for best Drama Series, right back into the gutter of controversy. If Shonda & Co. do not fire this guy - he blatantly lied! Poor TR! - then my love for the integrity they espouse in their writing will go the way of my Top Chef love.

Which leaves Men In Trees. What are the chances Justine Bateman’s contract is already up and she leaves? Now. I would really like that. What I’d like even more is if they’d let the character played by Jason O’Mara speak with the man’s real Irish accent. Ahhhhh. That would have been lovely, wouldn’t it? I’m stilly liking him, and liking him with Marin. Can’t wait to see what happens with the town hooker being back in town, too (they’d better explain where she left her son, btw.)

And amidst all this fun and frivolity, don’t forget to get your entries in for this week’s SHaQ Attack contest. See Tuesday/Wednesday blogs for all the details. I’ll announce the winner tomorrow!

Tags: Writing //