The summer season is finally kicking off!

How much are you loving So You Think You Can Dance? I love that they’ve finally figured out that we’re far more entertained by watching great dancers than the weirdsmobiles. The level of dancing is crazy this season, and, so far, seems like the ladies have a slight edge. But who knows? Last year I thought the guys had it, and, for the most part, they did…but in the end, it wasn’t a guy that won the season. Also loving that we dispensed with the audition rounds in two quick weeks of shows, and, starting tonight, we’re already in the Vegas rounds, baby! I’ve read that Uncle Nigel’s plan this season is to have a Top 20, which he’ll pair up to perform together. Then, once we’re down to the Top 10, he’ll bring in the All Stars, and match them up that way. I think that’s a fantastic blend of the past few seasons, and can’t wait to see how that pans out. One thing I am anxiously awaiting though, is word on Alex “Freaking” Wong. Is he back? Will he be an All Star? What’s going on with our favorite injured dancer? Nigel has teased that we’ll hear from him…but in what manner has yet to be revealed!!

Over in the hellfire kitchens, MasterChef has cranked up a new season. I watch this one more somewhat more removed than I do from other competition shows, it doesn’t “hook” me, but I still find it compelling enough to watch. I’m more invested in The Next Food Network Star. I love that the winner gets his or her own show. Thems huge stakes, my blog babe friends. I’m not so sure about the crop of contenders this season, though. I think, for the most part, many more of them are telegenic than last season, and they all (sans Howie, who has already exited) appear to be excellent chefs. So, we’ll see. So far, I’m enjoying Orchid, the fishmonger guy, and the chef who was his teammate in the commercial round, whose name I can’t remember. One thing that never ceases to amaze and confound me, though, is how contestants come on to the program–and granted, as I mentioned, the stakes are huge, so I get why the claws come out–but it’s like they completely forget that the actual prize is a television program in which WE the viewers have to LIKE them enough to want to WATCH them. What makes for good tv and good drama (though for me, “drama” isn’t “good”) in a reality competition, is not the same thing that makes for a good cooking show. Dial it down already with the claws and fangs. There are several competitors who you couldn’t pay me to watch. I can barely stand them competing, and would never watch their shows. Of course, they haven’t a prayer of winning. When did “nice” stop being “good?” At the moment, Orchid is the new Aarti, and it’s her party to lose.

And finally, we have The Voice. I’ve been enjoying this program and am glad they’re finally getting on with the live competition. But, is it just me, or other than the initial round when the judges had their backs turned while choosing their initial teams…doesn’t it seem like they’re just making this up as they go along? Of course, I think they were surprised when the show became an instant hit, and are now scrambling to try and figure out the best way to keep us hooked. In fact, until last night’s first live show, we had NO idea how these next rounds even worked. I’m sure they didn’t either. As it turns out, two of the four teams sang last night, and we get to vote. Next week, two members of each team are sent home. The highest vote getter stays, and the team leader gets to pick one to stay. The other two, see ya later. I kind of like that we don’t get all the say, but at least some of the say. I wish Dancing With the Stars would adopt more of this kind of thing. My favorite forum is how SYTYCD handles it. Public vote decides the Bottom 3, judges pick who, from that group, goes home.

So, last night, it’s a toss up for me. I think Team Xtina crushed Team Blake, overall, but her team is more cohesive whereas Blake’s is, stylistically, all over the map, so it’s harder to rally for his peeps. However, that said, they can all sing their little (and not so little) fannies off. I think Blake’s rocker is a good guy, but he’s generic. His voice is not distinctive and he won’t stand out on radio. He’d be awesome in a band, but is not a front man. Not a memorable one, anyway. I love what Dia did with the Kanye song, but, again, her voice isn’t truly distinctive or memorable, either. I only say that, because her teammate, Xenia, is incredibly distinctive. That’s a memorable voice. I just hope the rest of her can catch up. She’s endearingly awkward, which was never more apparent then in their group performance. I got a kick out of them doing a Maroon 5 song, but it otherwise paled in comparison to Xtina’s Lady Marmalade power performance. Which brought the house down, then down again. Perfect song choice. Rounding out Blake’s team is his sole country dude, Patrick Thomas, who again, cute as the dickens, but not distinctive enough either, for me, to see him with a huge radio/recording career. I still wish Blake had gone with the kid with the glasses on that sparring match,

Over on Xtina’s team, little Raquel is just a pocket pussycat doll star with a massive voice. It’s not particularly distinctive, but it’s so huge and she’s got the rest of the package to go with it, I don’t see why she can’t join the ranks of pop starlets out there. The one who really grabbed me, though, every time, though, was Beverly McClellan. I expected her to be more ostracizing, and yet I completely could not take my eyes off of her and the crowd went all kinds of nuts for her. Dynamic, distinctive, and she owned the stage every time she opened her mouth. Who’d have thought she’d be the key vocal on Lady Marmalade? I love how they’re styling her, too, though I liked the Marmalade outfit even better than her solo one, which was cool. I was sure that, like on Marmalade, Frenchie would lose a little of her edge in comparison to Beverly, but then she came out all leather and spice in the end there and I was like, uh oh, here we go. Unfortunately, though a good performance overall, for me, it sounded a little sharp in delivery, so….edge still goes to Beverly. Frenchie remains more a massive Broadway talent to me. And that leaves Lily who ends up being an afterthought on this team, the least distinctive of the four, despite also possessing a powerhouse voice. She rubs me the wrong way, always has, and I don’t know that it will change. Maybe in a girl group, a la the Bangles or something, her vibe would be more accessible.

All in all, it was a really good night. I give the edge to Team Xtina for the more memorable performances, but overall, my faves were one from each team. My picks would be Xenia from Team Blake, and Beverly from Team Xtina, with Raquel, for marketability alone, a very close third. Going home for me would be Dia and Rocker Dude (see, I can’t even remember his name) from Team Blake, and from Team Xtina, Lily and, sadly, Frenchie. We’ll see! Can’t wait for next week to see waht the other two teams bring. Some of my fave performers are on those two teams.

But tonight, it’s Vegas baby, yeah! Oh, and show of hands who watched White Collar and Covert Affairs season openers last night? I have them all saved on my DVR and as soon as I get done telling my imaginary friends what to do for the next chapter…I get to watch those imaginary characters cavort about. Not a bad day. Not a bad day at all. Speaking of which, for all of you who have enjoyed my paranormal books, I can tease to you that I’m currently working on a project for Harlequin featuring a hero who is, well….out of this world! Just sayin.

Don’t forget to enter this week’s contests. Yes, that’s plural. See Monday’s blog post here for all the details on Free Stuff Friday and how to win a free book from my website bookshelf. Then head over to Cakes by the Cup Blog, enter for another chance to win some Blog Cupcake Candy there. AND get a seriously yummy recipe for Chocolate Chip Zucchini cupcakes while you’re at it. No, I’m not kidding. Trust me on the YUM quotient. Have I steered you wrong in the kitchen so far??

And, speaking of the kitchen, all you baking blog babes out there…what are you waiting for?? Get me your cupcake recipes pronto! The Original Cupcake Recipe Contest is in full swing! Click on the CONTEST! link up there in the blog roll under my smiling face, or click right here, and read all the fine print. You have until June 15 to get your recipe in. I’ll choose the Top 3 and send them on to the Very Special Judging Panel over at Amazon, who will pick the final winner. Winning recipe will be published in the back of my Sugarberry Island Cupcake Club book, SWEET STUFF! Good luck and good baking!!

Then come on back over here and DISH! Who are you liking on The Voice so far? Lots of variety there, hard for me to pick an overall fave. Can’t wait to see the other two teams next week. Are you watching the dancing and the cooking? Do you want Alex Wong back as a competitor this season? An All Star? Or just BACK?? Tell me how you really feel!

Tags: Writing //