Ack!
I missed My Tim last night, but that’s why they make TiFaux. Tune in tomorrow for all the MAC you can stand. And don’t forget to enter this week’s SHaQ Attack contest! Details in Monday’s post.
Happy TGIF-eve everyone!
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And the winner is?
…….not my pick. Waaaah!
Marie came in third, which was kindly announced very early on in the very loooooooong finale and a relief to everyone, I think. So it was Mel or Helio for most of the night. I will say, both were equally deserving in their own way, and it was clear Helio had the crowd behind him. Which, as it turned out, was a precursor for how America voted, as he and Julianne won the whole thing.
And, though I was certainly happy for them, most especially for Julianne as it was really thanks to her efforts and she was definitely deserving of the repeat….I just felt so bad for Mel and Maks! I wanted them to win. Baaaaadly. Dangit. (And, not that it really mattered as they got the same scores from the judges in the last round, but what was up with giving the pimp spot to Helio last night AND tonight? I think Mel and Maks should have gone last. Just saying. It wouldn’t have affected the outcome, just would have made me happy, and well, we all know how important that is.)
So….another season in the can. And, even though my favorites didn’t win, I cannot wait for the next one. I so enjoy this show and this season was great fun to watch. (Though, seeing him again, I wish Eye Candy Albert had stuck around a lot longer!) Now we await Dance Wars with Carrie Ann and Bruno (and Drew as host!) which…I’ll hold off with an opinion until I see one, but I’ll at least tune in.
Next up? Project Runway tomorrow and FINALLY we get to see why the teams were held over in Tribal Council after the last show, which was what, a million years ago now?
Oh, and don’t forget to enter this week’s SHaQ Attack contest! Details in Monday’s post, winner announced Friday!
Well…
….not the fun-filled night I’d hoped for. Wah! Finale night and the stars danced, but, eh, color me not overly impressed. It was like they were just plum worn out and threw together the best they could under trying conditions. A shame. I almost wish we could have had just one dance apiece from them, just longer and more polished.
Overall, I liked Mel’sfirst dance best. Cute, well done, actual dancing going on. I spent most of their entire second dance going, “Oh, Maks.” How cute was he in his sneakers, trying to hip hop? Adorable, yes. A great dance effort, however? Not so much. I was really disappointed in the lack of ballroom content and felt the choreo really let her down.
Marie went the comic route both times and…honestly, where else could she go with this? She was fun and entertaining, but it was a bit frenetic and trying-too-hard for me and, therefore, a bit sloppy. Still, amusing and the doll idea was a good one in thought, just not as much in execution.
Julianne definitely came through with the best choreo for tonight, in both dances. They had the best dance content of all, if not all that great an execution. I think Helio’s enthusiasm and his relief in fulfilling all those lifts really got the crowd on his side.
I really had hoped Mel would knock them dead with their freestyle, and clinch the win. But the combination of going first (I would have loved a Marie, Helio, Mel appearance order) and not doing a particularly memorable last dance could give the win to Helio.
Ah well. I do think Marie will come in third, which is tons better than anyone hoped and deserving for the fun and entertainment she brought to the show. Then it will come down to Helio and Mel…and it’s anyone’s guess really. I think they do one more dance tomorrow night, but, of course, it doesn’t affect the outcome. Aaaand, we get everyone coming back. And Celine Dion.
Should be an interesting night, if nothing else.
So…who wins??
Don’t forget to enter this week’s SHaQ Attack contest. It’s an easy one this week! See Monday’s post for details. 
You’re scaring the children, Ron.
So…apparently I don’t know how to work the time stamp thing on this, so pardon my delay in posting today.
Last night we had Amazing Phil, chicken-in-a-net, and goat-in-a-bucket. Or basket, as the case may be. (And, I’m sorry, I am loving this PETA season of Amazing Race, but poor wittle goaties!)
So, Azaria finally proves (to me, anyway) what it is about him that really rubs me the wrong way. He’s a condescending, patronizing….aaaah-older brother, isn’t he? Yikes. Still not on the Hendekea love train, either, but sheesh, Az, calm down and stop shrieking at your (poor, apparently physically disabled because she’s a woman) sister.
However, this also isn’t play fair, share your toys. It’s a RAAAAAAACE! For a million dollars. With one winner. So shut up Jen (of ….& Nate.) Take turns? Being first? Um. No. You either haul your whining ass to the mat first, or…you’re not first. And Rock On Hendekea for basically saying, “I luv ya, but…seriously?”
Also, Yay U Turn! Much better obstacle in the race than the Yield. And why is it that people whine every season when someone uses it? Like it’s somehow not fair. Um, no. It’s part of the race. For a million dollars. I do get that it’s not always the strategic thing to do, and should be used wisely, but come on. Get over the whining already. That said, show of hands to everyone who thought that the Blondes thought they’d U Turned TK and Rachel, not the really straggling Jason and Lorena? (There is some vague resemblance in the two teams, after all.) The way one of them kept looking over her shoulder as they ran to the next clue, panting about the delayed team being right on their heels…well, that team was TK and Rachel. The other two weren’t even shaking their booty yet. Of course, for those who want the Blondes to pay for their dirty deed, I’m thinking that watching their haggard 4-legs-in selves on national television right now is probably punishment enough.
So, that was a pretty subjective booty shaking task, but I totally enjoyed seeing what the teams came up with. Although I could have done without the Blondes and their Britney Does Tribal Africa sex kitten routine. It wasn’t all that sexy. My personal favorite, was Goth Ninja Kent. I also enjoyed getting the chance to see Jason and Lorena actually show us the kind of couple they’re capable of being. He was great throughout the end of that leg. She maintained pretty well, too. For someone who is perenially mentally out on the ledge.
My other favorite moment was Vixen (who has the most beautiful eyes) being so thoroughly moved by her surroundings. She wants good things to happen to good people and couldn’t put together the constant happiness and joy she was encountering from people who were living in such substandard conditions with no hope of improvement. I heart the Goth Team.
Something else I’m loving is Nick and Don. Grandpa just stuffed that chicken into the bag, didn’t he? And then he rocked panning for gold (I think they were the only ones who knew to run water over the goop covered pieces.) So, yay Team Jr/Senior!
And finally, TK and Rachel. I love how you’re running a Zen race. But there are these things called maps. Or asking for directions. For the love of God, look into it.
Next week, Ron takes a spill. And…I’m not as distressed as I should be about that. Yes, he’s trying, but he’s also….still annoying. Not that I wish injury on the annoying of the world. Just Ron. Kidding! But wouldn’t it be fine if Ron had to sit out the rest of the trip and Christina could just, oh, join the Jr/Sr Team of Nick and Don? (And…how tall is Nick anyway? He was at least a whole person taller than Christina.)
And Blondes? Hit the gas! I mean, Karma’s a bitch and all, but yikes!
In the end, bye bye Jason and Lorena. I’m glad we got to see your good side. But Lorena, honey? He’s never gonna marry you, sweetheart. Still, it seems what they do have is solid. Not that I completely understand why, but hold on to that.
Now, it’s SHaQ Attack time! Woo hoo! Since we’ve probably eaten way too much and spent even more over the past few days, I’m taking it easy on you this week. Just send an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with Pick Me! in the subject line. I’ll draw a name from all the entries and Friday one lucky Blog Babe will win a free book!
Aaaaand, dish!
Aaaaaand, no surprises here, folks!
So, to the shock of no one, even those who really liked them, Jennie and Derek went home last night. I think we all knew Marie’s fans would keep her in, and Helio…well, I totally don’t understand Helio’s attraction, but, whatever. (Really, rewatch his dances and don’t look at Julianne. At all. The guy isn’t all that great. Watch his feet!)
However, I’m one of Marie’s fans, so I’m happy. (I know she’s not a great dancer, but she makes me happy when I watch her. I grin a lot and feel good. I need more of that in my day.) And, though Jennie is, by far, a better dancer, her wishy-washy-ness in regard to her standing on the show sort of makes me glad Marie is still there, too. No one can fault her drive. Well, they all have that. In spades. It’s been a very entertaining season. I’ve enjoyed it more than any other, and would have honestly been happy with any of the remaining 4 in the finals.
Mostly I am just happy Mel & Maks are it the finals. They’re my pick to win. I might even vote! (Which means I can’t watch it at 2 am like I normally do!)
So, on to the musical/dance guests. Avril I could take or leave. I thought it was kind of funny that the camera hardly showed any of Sabrina and Mark’s dance. I know, I know, but as a current contestant, I thought it was kind of over the top to bring them back as “guest dancers.” I realize it’s to promote the tour they’re all going on, but still. What little bit I did see I still thought was waaaaay too overwrought. Lighten up, Cheetah Girl. I know she’s good, but it didn’t make me miss having her on the show. The opposite, really. Which leaves us to discuss, Michael Flatley, Lord of….Gilligan’s Island? What the hell was that costume choice? It was like The Good Ship Lollipop…with Dancing Leprechauns! And I’ve never seen Riverdance, but does Flatley always spend that much time running around like a football coach on the sidelines? It was rather…odd. The man can clearly dance, so no faulting him there, and I really liked the performance in terms of the dance itself. I wish they’d been in more traditional clothes though. And he’d kept himself in the dance and not playing symphony conductor in search of a symphony. Just me? Possible.
Next week each team will have to dance a Judges Choice, and our favorite, the Freestyle! That is the one reason I’m sorry Derek is gone. I really wanted to see what he’d come up with. I’m hoping he comes back next season and gets a really good match.
Okay, so a great many of you Blog Babes guessed that Jennie was going home, but there can be only one winner in the Short SHaQ Week. And that winner is? Jill S! (No, not that Jill S. Shalvis already gets copies of my books. ) So, woohoo, New Jill S!! Thanks for playing!
I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving holiday. I have been so thankful for your loyal support, your great good humor, your very kind thoughts for my pup and my family, and your wonderful Blog Babeness! You guys rock. It’s a pleasure to hang out with you all. Thanks for hanging in there with me!
I’ll be back Monday with more MAC and more SHaQ!
Until then….Gobble Till Ya Wobble!
Semi-finals night!
Marie, Jennie, Helio & Mel are in the semis….
Ballroom round first…each couple chooses their own dances…
First up, Marie and Jonathan dance Quick Step. It was lively, fun, up beat and perfect for her. The judges loved her and the audience gave her a standing O. Just a guess, but I’m thinking she’s a good bet for the finals…. Judges - 10, 10, 9 = 29. (Boo, Bruno!)
Mel & Maks are next up with a Viennese Waltz. Wow, quite the choreo Maks is putting her through. Spins after spins, long split steps that make my thighs hurt, and covering the entire floor like sprinters. Beautiful, fun, and the ending was cute. As are they. I heart this combo. Big. Judges? 10, 10, 10 = 30. (Loved the Wrath of Maks. Now that is eyebrow porn at it’s finest. Sorry, Phil!)
Jennie & Derek take on the tango. So….the dance is pretty good. But it’s almost impossible to tell because of the horrible, bombastic music. What IS that? Yikes! In triplicate. Even Derek’s very innovative choreo couldn’t overcome it. I finally rewatched it with the sound on mute. I mean, that was just shriekingly unlistenable.
It’s a real shame. I would love to see that danced to something else, just so I could really watch it. Judges - 9, 10, 9 = 28.
Julianne & Helio do the Fox Trot and I thought they were really lovely. I thought everyone had pretty flattering outfits on tonight, but I think theirs was the most elegant and flowy and fun. Nicely done! (And having great music certainly helped!) Judges -10, 10, 10 = 30 I do love how sincerely thrilled each performer is to get good comments and scores. It so matters to them and that carries over and makes me care, too.
So, after round one, I’d say Mel definitely in the finals, Jennie, not so much. But I’m torn between Helio and Marie. He’s great and she’s fun. Torn, I tell you, torn!
Everyone gets a dance lesson from Uncle Lenny! Woo hoo! LennyDance!
Latin Round!
Marie and Jonathan take on the mambo. And, so, they start off strong with some fast choreo, but I can’t see because MY EYES MY EYES! WHAT is she wearing??? Oh. My. God. Okay, he strips off that hideous skirt and she yanks off his sleeves and it’s very playful and cute and pretty much her only chance to get in the finals is to be playful because the others have her totally outgunned in actual skill. And? It is fun and playful. Very Lucille Ball. The judges might call her on being over the top, but I enjoyed it. Loved the ending with her on her brother’s laps!! Hilarious. Judges? 9,9,9 = 27 Fair score. Fun!
Mel & Maks take on the paso. With whips! It was wonderful, powerful, great. Judges are speechless. Then Len sings “you can whip me if I misbehave” and everybody loses it. Oh my god, hilarious!! Judges? 10, 10, 10 = 30 very well deserved points. Wow. And these two are just stinkin adorable.
Jennie & Derek up next with cha cha cha. Okay, great song (Mustang Sally), Jennie looks incredible in that outfit and Derek knows how to choreograph. This is as good as it gets for her and it’s pretty damn good. Enough to launch her past Marie & Helio into the finals? Ehhh….not so sure. But it was a great way for them to end the night. A shame she didn’t bring that earlier on! Judges? 10, 10, 10 = 30
Julianne & Helio close out the night with their cha cha cha It’s fast and furious, but while Julianne unsurprisingly shines, you don’t really find yourself watching Helio much. I’m sure he was good. I guess. It’s a lot of red they’re wearing, isn’t it? And Julianne has a whole lotta Edyta-leg showing. But, to be honest, I liked Jennie’s better. Whoda thunk that? Judges? 10, 10, 10 = 30 I so don’t agree with Len on them being the couple to beat. That would be Mel and Maks to pretty much anyone you talk to, I think. But….whatever.
So? Who stays? Who goes? If you guess right, there could be a free book in it for you! Check yesterday’s blog for details, but don’t delay! Deadline is 8pm EST tonight!
It’s raining, it’s….camels
And Phil’s spiky hair. Oh, Phil.
Last night on The Amazing (Soggy) Race….Pretty interesting leg once you got past all the airport bunching. I was so sorry to see the sisters go, especially when we had a chance to see Screeching Lorena and her Very Understanding Boyfriend Jason finally hit the bricks. My god, who could deal with that? Well, Jason, apparently. But not me. Show of hands on who wanted to shake her and tell her to get a grip and grow up a little. Can you imagine having such a complete screeching meltdown everytime any little thing stressed you out? I mean, sure, I’d love to be four and throw a major, foot stomping, full body flinging temper tantrum in the middle of Wegman’s every time they’re out of Edy’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream, but, somehow, I manage to hold it together. Hold it together, Lorena. Sheesh.
Ron was kinder to Christina, and he had a hernia - which everyone from Amsterdam to Ouogoudougou knows about considering he never shut up about it. In fact, Ron just never shuts up period. What I loved? When the camels got agitated over his singing. Silence, Ron. It can be peaceful. Look into it.
TK and Rachel, running a spiritually uplifting race…mostly in the wrong direction. If these two can do one leg without a major detour (and not the kind they have to play every leg) I’ll be stunned. More stunning, that they’re not next to last every leg. But they’re kind to one another and having a great time, and for that, I am grateful to keep them around.
Jen and Nate? Not so much. Not as grating this go around, but boy do they deserve each other or what? Loved that she’s all superior about her learning skills, but who knew the African word for Fish, Jen, and got you your clue? Yep, not you. These two could go far far away (on some other, non-televised race) anytime and I’d be happy. Please take Lorena with you.
Hendekea and Azaria rocked this leg, came in first, won another vacation together…and, I just don’t really like em. No particular reason, either. They’re completely nice people. So, it’s a quandary. But….there it is. Was I the only one who thought it was kinda….unfortunate, that they’re busy celebrating their trip to Bermuda on the Amazing Bathmat, while their helpful African student stands there with them, sort of looking lost? I kept thinking…he has no idea about Bermuda and never will and yet without him, you wouldn’t have won the trip. So, shut up Hendekea and Azaria.
Kynt and Vyxsin are still doing well. Totally laughed over her opening his door and how he brings out the chivalrous side in her. These two? I do like. So, yeah, go figure, right? But they race well, they’re totally enjoying the race and each other, and that’s nice to see. Way to go, Pinky and the Brain!
Donald and Nick, also racing well. What I like? Is that Nick totally lets his granddad go for it on the tasks. I mean, if you’re going to bring your granddad on a race, then you kind of have to let him race, even if you think you could do it better. And Nick does that. I could do without the inappropriate comments about the sisters from Donald, but I love that he’s just going full tilt in this race. And the man can milk a camel. So there is that.
The Blondes are still racing well, though my love for them diminished this leg with their standard Ewwww Africa! Ewww Flies!! comments. Sigh. But I’d still rather have them there then some others. (Lorena and Jen!)
All in all, good episode. Stubborn donkeys, kicking camels, and desert downpours…..it doesn’t get much better, really. (And awwww, baby camels!)
Next week, The Blondes get devious. No! I’m….so not stunned.
Tonight? It’s Dancing With The Stars semi-finals! Who will go home? I hope you know, because this week we’re having a Mini SHaQ Attack contest. With the holidays upon us the end of the week, we’re going to have a Half Week Contest. So, you early-in-the-week blog reading babes have the edge! Tonight they dance, tomorrow someone goes home. You guess the right contestant, you’re up for a free book. Answers have to be in by 8pmEST tomorrow! Winner announced Wednesday, then the blog resumes the following Monday.
Will it be Marie? Mel? Helio? Or Jennie? Send your vote to donna@donnakauffman.com with All Done Dancing in the subject line. Good luck!
TGIF!
So…..on Survivor, nobody guessed right! The overwhelming number of votes went to Pei Ghe and Courtney. Not one Blog Babe guessed Frosti, but (sniff!) he was the one who got voted off. I was sort of hoping it would be Erik. Well, I wanted it to be Pei Ghe, but oh no, she had to win immunity. Dangit. Overall, it wasn’t all that exciting an episode….until the last several seconds, where, rather than send the newly reduced tribe back to camp after voting off Poor Cute Adorable Frosti, they are told their business isn’t over yet for the evening. Ah ha! I was all excited…then they rolled credits. I HATE cliff hangers! So…we wait.
But, in the meantime, we can reveal the winners of this week’s SHaQ Attack contest. Seeing as nobody guessed Frosti, that means everyone who voted for anyone was in the running this week for an advance copy of my January book, The Black Sheep & The Hidden Beauty. So….the winning Blog Babes are……..Jeanne S and Susan S! Woo hoo!!!
I hope everyone has a great pre-Turkey Day weekend. Be safe and I’ll see you all here Monday for some Amazing Race MAC. I also wanted to thank everyone for their continued good thoughts for my folks. They are mending and doing much, much better!
Hi Tim!
FINALLY! Our Tim is back and it’s Make It Work time!
Last night was the premiere of the new season of Project Runway. We meet all 15 of the new designers and I definitely think this season will showcase the best talent yet. It’s been around long enough now, with a proven track record, that you have some relatively heavy hitters applying, trying to get some attention to their already established selves, and it shows.
Instead of making them do something with ridiculous foundations, they gather our fearless group in Bryant Park, the location they all hope to return to, triumphant, showing their own fashion line, for fashion week at the conclusion of the season. This time, they are instructed to race across the park to three tents filled with 50,000 dollars worth of top of the line fabric from Mood, then create whatever they want that shows their point of view and aesthetic. I liked this idea. Get to see what they’re really made of right off the bat.
I wanted to go through each designer, but with 15, it’s waaaay too many. I will say that there were designers themselves that I was drawn to, and work that I liked. Only occasionally did those two lists collide.
Rami wins the first challenge and Simone is the first to go. I thought Lisa, the freaky girl, was equally horrible, but I will say I was more interested to see what she’d do next than Simone, so I wasn’t unhappy with who was Out. I wasn’t as gaga over Rami’s outfit, mostly because it wasn’t flattering to the bouncing boobs of the model, but I got why they were impressed. I liked Chris’s outfit a great deal, also Jack’s, Stephen’s, and Kit’s were interesting. I understood why Christian and Victorya were chosen as top three, though they weren’t my faves.
Once we get to a more manageable level, or when I can blog as I write, I’ll MAC each of the designers. For now, I’m just thrilled my decadent little pleasure is back! Come join in the fun! Bravo only replays it a million times during the week…so catch up already!
Aaaaaaaand…..dish!
PS…Also, last chance to get in this week’s SHaQ Attack contest. Deadline is 8pm EST. See Monday’s post for details!
Another one bites the dust…
So, last night we had Gloria Estefan actually singing (always nice when the musical guests don’t lip sync) and some famous choreographer not exactly proving to me (or anyone from what I could tell) what made her so darn famous. At least Wade Robson’s stuff was innovative and different (not for him, but compared to others - you got what made him unique.) Fatima’s performance, however? Very…generic. We did get to see Our Tom in jeans and t-shirt (nice guns there big guy!) and Julianne dance with both her former partner Mark Ballas AND Maks, so that was something fun.
What wasn’t so fun was sending one of the couples home. It’s clear they are all close and so you just sort of wish it was a recital and not a competition so we could just watch them all every week. But no, that’s not how it works.
Announced safe first? Marie and Jonathan. I don’t think anyone was more surprised than they were. So immediately I’m thinking it’s Cam or Jennie, but just watching poor Mel B’s sick face tells you that the celebs know that anyone can be Sabrina’d. She was hanging on to Maks for dear life. (Of course, any excuse, really and I know I’d take it…)
Next we learn Helio and Julianne (who got a well deserved encore) are safe. Then we spend what feels like an eternity listening to a very gravelly voiced Tony Robbins and some other nehru’d motivational guy go on and on (and on….) about what the strengths and weaknesses of each remaning competitor are. That was a bit too much filler for me.
Oh, and because it can’t be said enough. Shut up, Samantha. Please stop with all the attempted shit stirring. You’re not good at it and this crew isn’t going to fall for it anyway. Gah, last night was just painful with her. Someone make her stop.
Finally, we are down to three and are told that we aren’t going to know who’s bottom two tonight. Mel and Maks are announced safe (thank god, I was afraid Mel was going to be ill if she had to wait it out much longer) and so it’s down to Jennie and Cam (which would be no surprise even if they were bottom two, but we’re told - not necessarily!)
We do, however, find out who is the very bottom vote getter…and it’s Cam and Edyta. I honestly thought it was going to be Jennie, but it’s not a shock or anything. He is incredibly gracious and sincere in his good-byes and I liked how he was sure to make time for him and Edyta to get their last dance. What’s ironic, is this is the guy who spent more time flying back and forth to fit in all of his filming obligations, and now, with the writers strike and the dance show boot, he’ll go from putting in million hour weeks to…..having a whole lot of time to play with his kids. Which is great, but I kinda sorta felt bad he got booted this week with everything else that is happening.
Semi-finals next week! Who will go home…who will be the final two? I’m predicting a Helio and Mel finale, but with Marie’s fan base, you never know! As to who wins it all? If it were up to me, I’d choose Mel, but we’ll see!
Tonight? Our Tim is FINALLY back! Yes, Project Runway returns. I cannot wait to see what’s in store for us this season.
Don’t forget to enter this week’s SHaQ Attack contest for a chance to win an advance copy of my January release, The Black Sheep & The Hidden Beauty!! You have until tomorrow night (Thursday) at 8pm EST to get your votes in. See Monday’s post for all the details.
