So, lots of things to talk about….

But first is my slow recovery from the massive disappointment that was the Top Chef finale. Carla, Carla, Carla. Hootie…why did you return back to your self-doubting ways and listen to Casey? I mean, did you NOT see her season? Worst finale flameout ever. Seriously. I know this is on you, but I have to say…Shut up, Casey! And? How in the world was having Casey there remotely equal to having Richard, or even Marcel? Where was someone like, oh, Tiffani? Who was a close runner up. Not the biggest flame out of all time. And then? And THEN? They go and choose freaking tool Hosea for the win? See, this is why it should have been Fabio in his place, then any finish would at least have been satisfying on some level. Did he deserve the win based on his final meal…maybe. But I truly think the final win should cover the whole season of food…and that would have (obviously) been Stefan. Which might have been a bit anticlimactic, sure…but a hell of a lot more satisfying than freaking Hosea. Wow. Horrible, horrible end to an otherwise entertaining season. Oh, and Stefan? For all your boastful, Finnish ways, when Carla’s tears undid you? You won me over. I think he’s a little more dry and a lot more complex than was shown. But…what can you do? Enjoy the 100K Hosea. Gag. Here’s holding out hope Carla wins fan fave….or Fabio. Give that man a blog, Bravo!

And then we have the next batch of American Idols announced, and it’s not exactly a shock to learn that Adam and Jello Hair Girl Allison are in. All we were really waiting on was who made the third spot. And though I’m okay with it, as he was one I had tagged, I found myself disappointed it was Kris and not, perhaps, one of the other girls, like Mishavonna or Jesse. Watching them all perform the group song in the beginning (and wasn’t it weird watching Nick/Normund sing straight? So odd.) it was clearer who had stage presence and who didn’t and Kris? Wow, really not so much. Now we wait for the last batch, which isn’t just the drama and pain that is Nathan Headband, but Von, JuNot, Jorge, Lil, and a bunch of “who are they’s?” sing this go around, so….could be interesting. Or not, as the past two weeks have shown. Then we finally get the wild cards and perhaps something fun back in the mix to round out what is, thus far, a kind of lackluster top group.

Alright…now on to Survivor. First, it was weird coming off of AI and going straight to Survivor as Spencer, the young guy, looks like Nick Mitchell and that was just..all kinds of wrong and confusing a little bit. Anyway- this week we get more of Coach being a total assbag. And while I love the fact that Tyson totally acknowledges this and is just playing him….Tyson isn’t exactly a lovely individual, either. And didn’t you think, when Jerry was voted off for being ill, that they made it look like Coach and Tyson were caught off guard? Like maybe they’d voted for Erinn? Except the closing credits showed everyone voted for Jerry except Jerry. A shame on that, because I liked the guy. Who am I liking most right now? Taj, hands down. Her little secret alliance with Brendan is awesome. Hope the plan to bring Stephen and Sierra in works. Could be one of the most fun secret alliances in Survivor. If they pull it off. Also…will Brandon tell Taj he found his idol? I think he will…

Now, on to the most fun part! Free stuff! Not to many of you voted for Hosea, so your chances were pretty high here, but there can only be one winner, and that is? Blog Babe Lee Ann! Woo hoo!! And everyone who posted a comment are in the running for the second prize…and that winner is? Rachael! Send me your address if you haven’t already…and a few choices (in case I’m out of your first one) and I’ll get books in the mail.

Have a great weekend all….tune in Monday for some Amazing Race MAC and more chances to win Free Stuff!!

So…what did you think about the Top Chef finale? Who is your fave left to be in the Final 12 of AI? Who would you send to Wild Card? For me…Anoop is an easy inclusion, Mishavonna, and Jesse…

DISH!

Tags: Uncategorized by Donna
6 Comments »

This is…so incredibly not fun. I’m only four singers in at the moment, as I type this, and I decided I needed to start blogging now, so I can just wipe these performances from my memory banks as soon as I’m done writing about them. Please tell me the best is yet to come, show. Don’t make me beg.

First up:
Jasmine. Singing I’m Not Going To Write You a Love Song. Really badly. I know! She was horrible. What is up with that? One of the sure things and….no. Denied. I don’t think she’ll make it. Not on that performance.

So, sadly to say, was the deal with Matt Giraud, Dueling Piano Guy. I know! Again!! But, seriously, if you think they’re actually doing okay, at all, I challenge you to look away from the tv, or close your eyes, and just listen. Wow, it was that bad. And I heart this guy. He sings Coldplay. Except no, no he did not. Butchered Coldplay.

Then, when we get some gorgeous girl with legs that go on for three lightyears, and hair that cannot be real, but you know it is, because she’s just that damn pretty….and we don’t know her, but we kind of want to love her right now, because our faves are so letting us down. But no. Denied again. Seriously denied. Yikes denied. Please, don’t let her through, denied. Sorry Jeanine, we never knew ye. But we won’t be getting to know ye, either.

And then? And then? Nick comes out, as Norman, and though there were shaky moments and the whole thing was hilariously funny? Seriously? Again, don’t watch, just listen…and so far? Yeah, best vocals tonight. What does that say, people? It says scary things, is what that says! I love Norman. Love. Him. But not for this show. He will get a gig somewhere, Vegas, NY, LA, somewhere from this because he’s too talented not to…so I’m not worried about Nick or Norman. Who AM I worried about? ME. Loving this show. Ever again. So, for the love of all that is entertainment, entertain me with actual singers singing well, dammit.

And then, what do they give us? Like, dude, yo, 16 year old, Jello Red haired Allison, bro, dude, man. Wow. I don’t want to vote for her and I haven’t even heard her sing yet. Public schools really are failing us. Dude. Man. Brah. Then she sings Alone, by Heart, which she couldn’t even say, not once with a straight face. Man. Dude. And….so of course she rocks it. And? I don’t care. Not a fan. If she was the next American Idol…? Gag me. Sorry. Your mileage may vary. Powerhouse voice. Immature kid. Her interview with Ryan before and after peforming were beyond painful. Simon was more than a little right when he said she needed to develop a personality. She needs to mature is what she needs - she’s 16. Voice is more than ready, but not the kid. Yikes.

So that leaves 7 to go. Do I really have to wait allllllll the way until Adam comes out last to save me? He will, you know. He’s going to tear this place up and then straight down to the ground. Mark my words. The only sad thing is….pretty much anyone with a decent voice could do that at this point. Come on, show!

Now we get Brand New Cute Boy, Kris Allen, who we have never seen and should have, because he’s j’adorable. On no! He’s singing Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson? Wow, what is WRONG with these kids? I don’t even know this guy, but from the clips, he looks like alt rocky guitar playing Jason Mraz-y guy. Michael Jackson???? Wtf? David Archuleta? Sure. This (very very cute) kid? No, apparently. He doesn’t do a bad job once he gets out of that low register, but he needs Archuleta level chops to really power that song..and he’s not that kind of singer. Not horrible, but so not That Guy. Still, j’adorable and compared to the rest of the field tonight, might do it. Might. Still 6 to go, sorry to say, Kris.

Next up is Megan Corkrey…and Ryan tells us the songs tonight will be available for download on iTunes tomorrow. Ah hahahahahahahaha. That silly, Ryan. Like we’d pay to be tortured like this after being tortured for free? She’s singing Corrine Bailey Raye. Seems like a perfect fit for her. Seems like. Finally. We’ll see. I’ve been burned too often, show. Really awkward stage presence, but she started totally in the groove…then veered screechingly off it of it by the first chorus, then found her way back in a little, but wow, all over the place. Such a shame. Because it should have been great. She has great in her. (Wow, don’t talk smack… Simon was right on it about the vocals.) I thought it was worse than they did. Or she did, apparently.

Matt Brietzke is next, singing Tonic’s If You Could Only See and I’m just not even commenting any more on song choice. Go for it, Matt. You could hardly do worse than others that have come before you. So, I think he does better than his hardworking-man compatriot Michael Sarver, and we all know how it turned out for him…so perhaps he’ll go through, too. I like him, but his singing leaves me less than energized. Nothing personal, Matt. But he’s not in my Top 12. Not even with this less than stellar group. Ditto, Simon. And Randy, and Kara, and Paula. And his inability to own the bad song choice diminishes my love further. Not memorable. Sorry.

Jesse Langseth is up next…lots of parents singing this year…and I liked how she reacted to the smack talk on Chair Day. Good on you. She’s singing Betty Davis Eyes. Could be interesting. Or not. Let’s see. She certainly has killer eyes….and what do you know? Not bad singing, either. Could we actually have a Top 12′er in the house? (I know, I know, we had Jello Hair Girl…I just can’t count her despite knowing she’s in.) I think she outdoes Megan easily in the Alt Girl-Smokey Voice contest tonight. That’s how you “discuss” with the judges, btw. Megan. Matt.

Man, Ryan is just weirdly off as the host tonight. Just a step out of sync. All the time. Really. A lot.

Kai is up next, taking us back to the 60’s with What Becomes of the Brokenhearted. I heart Kai, and love how he’s taking care of Mom, but not sure I’ve ever really been enthralled with his vocals. Okay, his hair is scary. He did a better job than I thought he’d do and he really tried to put a personality into it, but, sad to say, it was just passable singing, not knock you over singing. And he’s such a good guy. But that was merely good guy singing. Not idol star singing.

Wow, another underwhelming week. If Jasmine and Matt had come out and rocked us, we wouldn’t care at all at this point, with two faves a lock and Adam still on deck. But…no. So, who to pick? Can we bring Anoop back now? No one is rocking me. I’m tempted to vote for Norman, just because at least I was entertained.

Mishavonna is up….please save us. Be the top female vote getter so we don’t have Jello Girl in the mix until at least Wild Card week. (She’d get that and I couldn’t disagree, considering…)

OMG - I want that Clive Owen-Julia Roberts movie in my theater rightnow. Finally, Clive as a fun guy, a good guy, a sexy secret agent guy. Being all cute and sexy. With Julia. Roberts. Now THAT is a birthday present right there. We need more of Clive as That Guy, America. The hell with the singing! Wait, what am I saying, my Woodland Forest Creature 2.1 is still yet to come.

Okay…so Mishavonna is singing Drops of Jupiter and I’m crossing fingers. That’s how to be a teenager who can handle herself. Allison. And yeah, baby, we finally, FINALLY, have a finalist I can get behind. Young, relevant, pretty, the real deal right there. Go, Misha. Not perfect, but that is someone I will vote for. Wow, so it looks like me and the judges are way off on this one. Hunh. Waaaaaay off. Light years of way. I really really liked that and thought the relevance fit was obvious. Damn, judges. Way to handle the post interview, Misha. About all you could do really.

And now??? And NOW? Adam Lambert. Boy, don’t let me down, WFC2.1. Seriously. I need you to be in this. Because up to now? A whooooole lotta meh. Bring it. He’s singing Satisfaction by Mick and the Boyz. Hunh. But I remain hopeful. Because, honestly, where else can I go at this point? But? Finally? Someone confident enough to switch it up a little. And it’s fab for me. Not a song that will connect with your heart like Kara wanted, but do I care? I do not. I like watching him. I want to watch him again. And for more weeks to come. At least he’s interesting. And Lord knows we need that this season, it appears. And the crowd woke up. Yeah, yeah, his hair looked a bit wiggish, okay, more than it usually does. Me? Not caring. Keep this guy in. Otherwise we’re gonna get 12 of what came before him tonight, and be honest, other than Norman right this second, who do you remember? Before the highlight reel….who?

Exactly.

Wow, this is, as of yet, SO not the season I thought we were heading toward. So not. But there are a few bright stars. Any that are David Cook and Jason Castro caliber of fun-ness? Not sure. And really not sure this last group next week is capable of fixing that. Because, honestly, we have to suffer through Nathan Headband still. Not sure I’m up to the hysterics and the drama. I’d rather see Nick/Norman perform again. Twice.

But..Top 3 this week? I think we get Adam as top guy, and Jello Girl as top girl (sad to say.) The third spot can go almost anywhere. I’d like to think they’ll pick Mishavonna, but it could go to Jesse, which I’m good with…but will probably go to Hardworking Man Matt (if last week is any indication) which I’m not good with. I think Cute Kris will be lost in the crush.

What do you think? DISH!!

(And check out Tuesday’s blog for a chance to win Free Stuff!) The Top Chef free stuff winner and the actual Top Chef winner MAC…will have to wait until tomorrow’s blog. I KNOW! I’m so mean like that, but it deserves better than a tack on MAC to this….show.

So, who was your fave last night? Who will make it through? Spill. Share. Snark. It’s not like you don’t have ample material here.

Tags: Writing by Donna
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So…this week you get two - 2 - two chances to win!

Chance #1: Send an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with “Who’s Top Chef?” in the subject line, and tell me who is gonna win Top Chef tomorrow night! Your choices? Stefan, Hosea, or Carla. You have until 10pm EST on Wednesday to get your votes in. One winner will be drawn from the correct guesses and announced here on Thursday.

Chance #2: Every time you comment on my blog this week, you will be entered for a second chance to win. That winner (yes, a second winner - you can enter both!) will be announced here on Friday. You have until Thursday Midnight EST to enter.

Good luck!!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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So, last night on Amazing Race, good teams went bad, bad teams went good, then bad teams kinda went bad again…and yay, another great leg of the race!!

We started off with Steve resigning his That Guy club membership by apologizing to his wife for his behavior on the first leg and becoming supportive guy who says nice things about his wife. Aww, way to go, Steve!

Then Team Weeble gets all cocky - on Leg Two, mind you - and loses their edge by not calling ahead for plane tickets to Germany, and goes from third to last in one missed plane swoop. Hopefully they’ll learn early that it’s always a RAAAAAACE!

Mom/Son are still rocking, and I thought it was great that the weather gods decided to let Mel have his paraglide over the Bavarian Alps. Very cool!! And I love that he was so appreciative of his opportunity to do this - and also that he’s serious about being a full partner in running this race, despite being Old Guy (and Old Guy with a groin injury to boot!) Go Mel!

Now it’s Segway Obstacle Course! Not as entertaining as the Cheese Hill….but wait! The other option is cream cake target throwing! And the target? The other teammate! HA! And there are more beer drinking and music playing locals to laugh, and laugh, and laugh at the cake covered racers. Yay, challenge designers! Good times.

Team Lawyer Sibs are doing really well, and Victor seems to be understanding that just because he’s ten years older, doesn’t mean he has to direct everything, but he acknowledges its hard to undo a lifetime of it being the other way. I like this team - they’re both competant and likable and having a great time. Laughing through the pie throwing challenge and, in general, rocking this race. I do wonder how things will go when they experience setbacks, which all teams do at some point. For now…we like them. (And ha! on his sister telling him to stop singing - he’s just so giddy with how much fun he’s having, it’s kind of cute. I’m liking him. This week.)

Cool wood stamping clue thing! And having to ask a local for directions while covered in cake was also amusing. Definitely a much easier leg than the first and somewhat anticlimactic, but still interesting to see how the teams, who all left within one hour of each other, have changed leads and places throughout this leg.

Aww, okay so now I feel sorry for Linda Lost In The Alps. I was so proud of her for tackling her fear of heights in offering to do the paraglider, only to have to defer because of the winds and walk down. It does look like the trail down wasn’t marked very often, as other racers did worry at times that they’d somehow gone off course…but somehow Linda manages to get so far off track she ends up on a road at the bottom of the hill and has to hitchhike back to the cable car place. Which doesn’t appear to be a short drive. Wow, Linda. And awww, he’s still supportive when she shows up late and last. Good job, ex-That Guy!

Okay, so now Victor and his sing-songing is getting a bit much, but he’s still cutely excited. They are team number one. And they seem to have a pretty commanding lead.

Yay, more cake with Team Cute Couple! And they’re also having fun with this. I love them all going to the pitstop with cake all over them. Mom/Son are having a bit more of a struggle with the cake - other teams got to the cherry filled one pretty quickly. Mel/Mike decide to go the Segway route, apparently having done them before. Hope the obstacles don’t hurt Mel! Man, Mom/Son are still throwing pies! Ha!

It seems like the teams are all catching up, to some degree, at the pie/Segway task. Not sure how far behind Steve/Linda are, but I hope they have a chance to finish. Besides, I’m sure that even as nice as he’s being, Steve wouldn’t mind tossing a pie at his wife right about now. Not that I blame him, really. Not this time.

Mel/Mike make up massive time doing the Segway and get to the pitstop castle, only to be able to see Phil at the Amazing Bathmat through a locked gate, which they cannot open. After some very awesome eyebrow porn from Phil, a local walks up and casually opens the gate. Don’t you hate that? That would so be me. They are Team Number 2.

Amander/Chris, Team Cute Couple are Team Number 3. Margie/Luke, Team Mom/Son are Team 4, which Phil signs again, because he’s freaking awesome. And shocks Luke who was convinced the cake challenge cost them major time. Brad/Victoria, Team Older/But Fit couple is Team 5.

To the surprise of no one, Team Weeble takes the stunt Segway challenge. Everyone who did this challenge seemed to have little problem with it. And weren’t covered with pie, to boot. Team Flight Attendant are slinging pies…and still no sign of Linda/Steve. Sky is growing dark.

Team NFL Cheerleader Jaime/Cara are Team 6. Linda/Steve show up as Team Flight Attendant leave the pie shack, so they made up decent time, but I don’t see them making it past this leg. A shame really, all things considered. There are other teams who are kind of interchangeable at this point (Yes, I’m looking at you Team Cheer and Team Stewardess) and at least these two are entertaining and memorable. Ah well.

And then Team Stew gets totally lost trying to find the wood slicer and gives Steve/Linda a chance to catch up…almost. Teams get lost trying to find the pitstop, but Team Sisters, Kisha/Jen are Team 7, Team Weeble is Team 8, Team Stewardess is Team 9…and? Yep, Linda/Steve are last. Boo. And here, last week I wanted them gone. Whoda thunk? Ah damn, a shame they didn’t get further. And you’re right, Linda…hold on to that, it is priceless.

Next week? Romania! Gymnastics! In leotards! (Okay, so maybe now I’m not all that upset about Steve and Linda not being here…) Ooh, Team Lawyer sibs get some conflict, so I guess that question will get answered sooner rather than later. And Team Cutie might be pulling a very unfortunate Dallas Manuever next week with their fannypak! Ack!!

Tune in tomorrow for all the details on how to win free stuff this week. And? DISH! Who is your fave team? Who do you want gone from your television screen? Which names won’t you bother to learn? And who watched the Oscars? Penelope? Really? And not Mickey?? I did like how they did the presentations. Maybe one of the better formats I’ve seen in a long time. Well done, show!

Tags: Uncategorized by Donna
8 Comments »

So, on Survivor last night it rained. A lot. And the immunity/reward challenge looked exhausting on the level of the now infamous Amazing Race Cheese Hill. All it was missing was locals standing on the side of the lake, laughing at and taunting the contestants. If you like wrestling, rain, and lots of pixilation, this was your challenge to watch.

The squicky part? Oh, that would be Coach. Yikes, but what was that whole mess with Candace? Not so much the whole passive aggressive part where they were arguing over the merits of a one pot meal, but afterward when he was all over her and being gross and slimy and she was holding it together with him fairly well, but clearly rejecting him… Ew. Uncomfortable, much? The question is, was Coach voting her out for so vocally wanting to vote his squickiness out…or because she wasn’t falling under his ’spell.’ (Excuse me while I throw up a little in my mouth…) In his previous blog, Jeff talks about how this is the season of blindsides - which, we’re certainly getting that - but he also goes on, almost reverently, about his admiration for all things Coach. I would like to assume that either a) he was totally being sarcarstic, or b) we’re going to get the resemption edit arc of all arc’s coming up, because wow…he’s just gross. And as far as I can tell, largely, otherwise, useless. (For a guy who has a resume as long and varied as his and keeps spouting about how he wants this to be the survival of the strong…it’d be nice to see him ante up, oh, anytime now.)

Folks I liked? Brendan and Taj. Especially Taj. She’s cracking me up. A shame she coulddn’t pull off the poker face when talking about her famous NFL husband and lie about that. Big ol target on her back, now, but so far, she’s the most entertaining and real contestant there. Also enjoyed the whole bonding thing between the City & Country spear fishermen. Ha! Kinda cute. Otherwise, it’s still a whole lot of faces without names for me.

Okay ~ time for the free stuff winner! Woo hoo! Winning blog babe this week is Denise W - yay! Send me an address and a list of a few titles (in case I’m out of your first choice) and I’ll get your prize in the mail.

Tune in Monday for the next round of Amazing Race MAC and the details on your next chance to win free stuff!

Hope to see some of you at the signing tomorrow - or you can attend “virtually” click here for all the details.

Have a great weekend! And? DISH!!

Tags: Writing by Donna
4 Comments »

First, on American Idol, we’re down to three from the first group. Alexis Grace makes it in and sings well again…then my spirit is broken a little when Michael Sarver makes it in over Anoop and sings like a bar band guy, again….wrapping up with the fake drama surrounding Tatiana and Danny, and to the shock of no one, Danny makes it in and Tatiana tries to melt down all over the place while he sings out (also not the best singing…again) and though the camera finds her several times she’s given no actual airtime to share her breakdown with us. (Currently on the top five list of things to be thankful for.)

Notable? No one really did much consoling to Tatiana. I think she’s been so toxic no one wanted the crazy all over them. She basically had to corner the poor 16 year old into giving her some comfort. A bit disappointed that Danny’s first impulse was to bask in his own momentary glory and not at least turn and glance at his competitor…but when you see everyone scurry away from her in her moment of rejection, that’s kind of telling. Plus, do you really think she’d have remembered he was on stage at all if she’d won? So…I’m just walking away from that.

Hope we get Ricky and Anoop in the wild card round. I also fear we’ll get Tatiana just so they can humiliate her some more. All of that, and the picture of Danny’s wife, all need to go far, far away from this show now. Seriously. Move along, nothing to see here.

On Top Chef we’re also down to three….only not the three I was hoping for. Everyone brought their A game to the finale in New Orleans and prepared excellent dishes. That said, comparatively speaking, Stephan more or less phoned it in and coasted into the finals on his former laurels. His bottom two placement in the last two challenges no longer makes him a lock for the win, at least in my mind. Hosea, unfortunately, totally stepped it up and deserved his place in the final three (even over Stephan) while Fabio faltered just slightly enough to be the one sent packing. (Sob!) Jeff was brought back to be given another shot, and if anyone had stumbled at least a tiny bit more, he might have made it through, but was sent packing again, albeit with his head held much higher.

And that leaves? Carla! Who won last night, the challenge, the new car, and more of my heart. Love her. Whoda thunk, way back in the beginning of the season, that not only would she still be around, and be such a strong, worthy contender, but that we’d all love her so much. Yay, show! Yay, Carla!

Next week….12 more singers to slaughter on AI…and three chef’s to the finale on Top Chef. Tonight? Survivor. In the rain. A lot of it, from the looks of it.

Tomorrow….winner of this week’s giveaway is announced right here. See Tuesday’s blog for details on how to enter! Good luck!

And? DISH!!

Tags: Uncategorized by Donna
8 Comments »

So, they split the top 36 into three groups of 12, from which we’ll put the three through and the rest wait around to see if they get saved during wild card week. And then, they went and put all my faves in the first group. Of course, keeping in mind that I haven’t even heard half of these people, so whose to say my real favorite has yet to sing for me. Guess we’ll find out!

First up, Jackie Tohn. Not one of my faves, and her take on Little Less Conversation didn’t change my mind. She’s a good entertainer..if you like her kind of thing, which, meh for me. But the song? Wow, not so good. (And please, dear God, are all their parents there? Way to drag down a show. Move it along, peeps!)

Next up - new face! Ricky Braddy.

Wow….and from this point on, my entire, very very very very long blog was lost when I went to post it just now. Wow. I can’t recreate folks. No words. I can’t believe that. I’m unbelievably….unhappy right at this moment. I finished writing this at 2am. Should have just posted it then.

No time to go back and do it all over, so here’s a link to E Online’s version - much milder than mine, but the essence of each performer/perfomance is there. E Online

Suffice to say - for me, the night was a major disappointment. My top three - Danny, Alexis, and probably on past performance, Anoop. My wild card - Ricky.

Tonight - Top Chef! Go Fabio - Go Carla! I hear there’s a double elimination. I don’t suppose we’d luck out and lose Stephan and Hosea. No? Well..tune it tomorrow for more sMAC. I hope.

And now? DISH! WHo was your fave? Who disappointed you the most? Who do you think makes it through?

PS - they have an Elimination Station video up on the Amazing Race website, which, this week of course is Preston and Jennifer’s arrival (it’s in Thailand!) But…wow, check out the video Elimination Station Amazing Race and get a primer on how couples who can’t communicate effectively will never be happy when one of them,Jennifer, has absolutely no sense of humor and is possibly the most over sensitive person ever. Why he sticks around for that emotional bs is beyond me. Not that he’s a prize, but given that specific exchange, with a partner who has even a modicum of humor and self awareness, I don’t think he’d be such a bad guy and they’d have laughed about it. Yikes. Miserable ever after, those two.

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Okay, so this week I’m makin’ it easy on ya. To win a free book from my website bookshelf, just drop me an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with “My Turn!” in the subject line. I’ll draw one name from the pile and announce the winner here on Friday. Good luck!

Other free stuff? Did you know that both Jeff Probst and Our Phil are blogging their respective shows over on Entertainment Weekly? (EW.com - Pop Watch) It’s true! The morning after each episode of Survivor or Amazing Race, they share a little insight and background on what’s happening behind the scenes. Pretty cool stuff - check it out! Phil’s Amazing Race Blog can be found here. And Jeff’s Survivor blog can be found here. Enjoy!

Tune in tomorrow for some MAC on the first viewer-voting week of American Idol.

And, oh yeah…I’m doing a booksigning this Saturday! I’ll be signing copies of LET ME IN, my March release (early!) both in person and “virtually” online as well. Visit Turn The Page Bookstore here for all the details!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Seriously, you can’t ask for much more. And new opening sequence! New graphics! Well, I do miss the Head Turn. Nothing to mock! Come on, show!

Some pretty likable teams up front, and only one Team Bickersons making me roll my eyes early on. (Yes, I’m looking at you, Preston and Jennifer.) Why are these two people together? And why, for the love of all that is entertainment, are they on my television set? This is not good times. It’s frustration producing. I don’t watch the show for that, show.

Otherwise, kinda liking these folks. So far.

Liked the lack of airport time, loved how the train had those huge windows so you could see out over the Swiss Alps - how cool for a first destination. Love the split screen and the digital time showing how far back teams are. I’m SO on board already!

And, so okay, maybe the self proclaimed Team Hilbilly is also going on my not-so-much list. At least Steve is, anyway. Dang. Way to be supportive, dude! Ass. (Joins Preston in the That Guy Club. And we’re only ten minutes in. Yay.) Also Linda? Pack some Kleenex. No crying on TAR!

Conversely, Team Lovebirds (Kris and Amanda) are adorable. Take notes.

Lovely views! Makes me get itchy passport fingers!

Tammy & Victor, lawyer sibs…such good ennunciators, those two! Team Flight Attendants and Team Cheerleaders seem like they’d be good…but I’m still kinda waiting. Although, while both of those teams are standard T&A casting, we didn’t get any Team Zoolander young studs who dominate the race, this year, so that is a bonus. Well, in some ways. But I’d rather see interesting teams of non-models run the race. Team Gay Son/Dad is an interesting pair. Will they bring the funny? Love Team Stuntmen. Just watching them makes me happy. No clue why. Just does. They smile a lot. I think I will call them Team Weeble. (They wobble, but they don’t fall down…)

Show of hands when you saw the second highest bungee jump in the world off that sheer dam face…how many felt their stomach drop just looking at it? Then grinned at the thought of Team Weeble, who will own this challenge. Everyone else? Hope they brought a change of underwear. Seriously, I don’t even have to do this and it makes me want to scream like the girl I am. Yikes! But what a truly awesome first Road Block. You’ve redeemed yourself, show. For now.

And very cool watching deaf son Luke take that long, silent leap, while mom was the one who needed new underwear. ME TOO, MOM!! I like them. Props Flight Attendant - much cooler than I would have been. And not a sound! As for Steve and Linda…dang Linda, I don’t approve of the complete lack of spousal support, but you seriously cannot run. At. All. Like, at all. Shuffling is your top speed. Did it not occur to you that this might be a problem while running a raaaaace? Around the world?

Interlaken - yay, bells, dogs, cheese!

Pretty damn grueling challenge - that hill, that cheese! I already have no idea how Linda will make it through this. Kill her now, Steve. Just sayin. Everyone, old and young, is seriously huffing by the time they climb that slippery steep slope….now go back down with a monster wheel of cheese on this wooden rack backpack thing apparently made out of balsa wood…and then do it again! Totally digging the drunken Swiss bell ringers, hanging at the bottom watching, laughing, swigging brewskis. Ha! This could only be improved upon by one of those bullet speed rolling blocks of cheese taking them out like bowling pins.

No one is handling this challenge smoothly so far. Could I go back and just do the bungee twice? Wow, way to step it up, show! This is intense. Leg One!

Team Lawyer Sibs - dial it down, wow. No trampling the Weebles! And don’t you love Club That Guy, telling their partners “You HAVE to do this!!” Like that’s going to suddenly make them more physically capable…like they’re purposely sucking at it. Wow. Can we eliminate Steve and Preston? Steve has been convinced they were going to be eliminated since leaving the starting line. Not without some merit, mind you, but for the love of racing, shut it, Steve! Linda…not a racer. Never will be. Just eliminate him and put us all out of our misery.

Next! Yodelers at the Pit Stop!

Margie & Luke hit the mat in my all time favorite Amazing Bathmat landing EVER. Phil is a rock star as he signs to them that they are team number one. LOVE THAT! Possibly one of the best race moments. Sigh. Very satisfying first epi, folks. Very.

Second? Team Lawyer Sibs, Tammy/Victor. Third: Team Weeble!! Fourth:Team Gay Dad/Son. Fifth: Team Lovebirds - Amander & Kris (love the Kiwi accent!) So far, all my fave teams in front! Woot! Team Six: Team Older Folks - Brad & Victoria, who had NO MUD on them after the cheese round, how in the world did they manage that?; Seventh: Team Cheerleader; Eighth - Team Jock Sibs, It should be mentioned here that Steve and Linda rocked the cheese challenge - seriously, it’s stunning, I know - and left there in fifth heading to the mat, then wander around unable to find the pit stop…and come in…ninth: And Linda wins back my heart briefly by loving the Phil Eyebrow Porn as much as I do, and telling Phil so (love!). So…last place? Wow, this is now cemented as my most favorite first leg EVAH when Team Flight Attendants beats out Team Bickersons in a footrace to the mat. YES! Taking one Club That Guy member out, straight off. Rock and roll, baby! Buh bye, Preston. And Jennifer, if you want to win a footrace for the finish line, maybe you should, oh, I don’t know, RUN, instead of making your partner carry you! Can’t help but think it’s just as well they’ve taken each other off the market and saved other singles everywhere the heartache of ever dating either of them.

All in all? You can’t do better than that to launch a race. Worth the wait, show, worth the wait.

Next week? Germany! Linda lost in the alps! Crying! Cream pies in the face! Can they top Leg One?

Dang! Now, it’s your turn! DISH!!!

And tune in tomorrow for all the details on this week’s giveaway!!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Wait, what do you mean it’s the Brazilian Highlands? No kilts? No longhaired cattle? No bagpipes? No plaid buffs? No guys in kilts? Shirtless? What?

Well…I guess I’m still in….but seriously, show, think about the whole Scotland thing. Ratings through the roof. Especially if all the casting is done there. At least for the guys. And then you can head right back down to Australia and New Zealand…k? Just tryin to help.

Not tryin to help? Grammy from the Mothership of Crazy. Wow, at first I was like “so typical, vote off the oldest, assuming they’re the weakest. Did they NOT see who won last season?” (I’ll be 50 next year, so perhaps I was taking this a bit personally…but I’m a fit, strong, athletic woman, so…seriously?) And I was all agreeing with her about how some whiny youngster who couldn’t hack it would go home first. (Close!) Then we find out that she’s not just a little bit buggy-eyed nutso plus a whole lot of annoying, and, well….now I’d vote her off for that. Totally. Could care less how old she is. I’m betting she’s been pretty much batshit crazy at every age. Yikes.

And yet, despite not knowing what a “pace” is, or having any real clue how to actually play the social game, she didn’t go home, even when her team lost the immunity challenge. That went to whiny, if not weak, girl, Cristina. Who I think was more bossy-make-everyone-tense-by-complaining girl more than anything - which she owned, so you have to give her that. Which they did, all the way down the path to Sequester-ville. Buh-bye Christina! (And, honestly…cowboy boots and a little red tent dress? Was she going to be the most miserable person ever? Yes.)

Who did I like? The sick chick from the other tribe who built a shelter for the clan after the ceremoniously tried to dump her five minutes into the game. There won’t be Sugar-level love here, but I want her to stick around for a while.

Beyond that, Alabama rancher JT is shaping up to be an entertaining guy, and not all that hard to look at. Tyson is…different. Rennaissance Man dude might want to scale it back before he ends up following Cristina with all of his Up With Strong People! Weaklings Suck! vitriole. I wanna like him, I do….but he has some work to do there.

Aaand? This week, we got to see the scorching heat-dessert part of the highlands, next week, apparently, we get to see the rain. I understand, from a pre-show Probst interview that we’re going to see a lot of that. Oh. Goodie.

What did y’all think? Early on faves? Early on haters? DISH!

Happy Valentine’s Day everyone! Curl up with someone special…or some really special chocolate and a great book. I know….toss up.

Tags: Writing by Donna
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