On DWTS, to the surprise of no one, Kathy Ireland goes home, and once again, Tony D is left in the dust. Ah well. It wasn’t Tom, but it was close. More alarming was that Tom wasn’t even in the bottom two. Come on. Sigh.

I enjoyed Joss Stone, especially her first song - loved the dancing duo to that one. The USC Trojan marching band and Stomp The Yard show was fun. But who is the Disney chick and why do people think she can sing? Yikes but that was, omg, like, totally bad. (Okay, so maybe I didn’t add Modern Family to my permanent DVR list, but there were two things that still make me laugh when I think about them. wtf = why the face. I will use that forever. And the Lion King entry of baby Lilly. It does have its moments.)

On SYTYCD - one of the better audition shows to date, I think. Some very interesting and moving performers and, all around, a more entertaining evening. Looking forward to New Orleans tonight and the return of Mr. Shankman. (And the dude who didn’t know who he was? Wow. And you want to be on this show?) Tonight we get Top Chef, too - yay! Then it’s television purgatory for me until mid-next week. Sigh.

Next week is also the debut of two releases for me. Woo hoo! The re-release (in mass market papeback) of last Fall’s Christmas anthology, To All A Good Night, and the new anthology for this year, Kissing Santa Claus. For those who keep track, my stories on those two books stand along, but are connected to each other (and will be followed up with a final installment next fall!) We’ll celebrate by giving away a signed set of the books to a lucky blog babe. Stay tuned next week for the details. I will also be guest blogging next Tuesday at the launch of RomCon. I’ll provide a link next week so you can check it out.

In the meantime…. who goes home next on DWTS (assuming we’re never going to get rid of Creepy Man.) Who are you rooting for? I’m enjoying Mya and Donny, and Lil Louie makes me happy. (And you have to be pretty lil’ to be littler than Regular Louis! and yet, Our Lil Louie pulls that off. So adorable.) What about Top Chef? Have a favorite? For me it’s Gnome Kevin all the way, with Jenn and the V Bros right behind him. So DISH already!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Apparently the judges only had two paddles for most of the night. 6 and 7. What was up with that? I won’t go into the odd scoring, or how everyone seemed to be thinking PAR-TAY with Uncle Lenny gone. Because I’m still trying to figure out who okay’d the costume, and how Stoner Music Dude was allowed back into the building, along with Stoner Singer, and Stoner Band. I mean, what WAS that? When Disney and the Muppet song are the high points? There needs to be a sit down with some people.

So…the really good dancers: Mya, Aaron, Donny.
Dancer who made me smile the most? Louie (Cutie Patootie)
Dancers who should stay: Mark, Kelly, Michael, Joanne, Natalie
Dancers in trouble in the next few weeks: Melissa, Chuck, Debi
Dancers who should all be excused right now: Tom and Kathy

Show of hands of everyone who totally got that it wasn’t about Tony not wanting to dance more closely with Kathy? Exactly. I’m thinking we’re not hearing about a pretty big part of her life - her faith - and how it is impacting her dancing. She gives these stilted, pageanty answers to (a completely inane and PLEASE REPLACE HER) Samantha and is incapable of letting her hair down. And speaking of hair, can someone also please fire thre hair extension dude? Because, the Barbarella look just doesn’t do it.

And wow, Maks. Dial it down, buddy. Good on you, Debi, for letting him have it. Also, Karina…lighten up on the poor kid. (Gee, you don’t think maybe there is some behind-the-scenes, my-star-is-better-than-your-star competition going on there, do you…..?)

So, interesting night. I didn’t miss Cranky Lenny, but Baz was kind of a ho-hum replacement. Even if it was kinda purty to look at. And listen to.

Who do you think is going home this week? Who is your favorite? DISH!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Yes, I watched Amazing Race and YAY!!!!!! But first, I did catch up on Survivor and man, Mike, DUDE, you made me feel old. My folks used to play that original recording of Alley Oop and when you uttered that line? The whole song popped into my head. Which was cool for about five seconds, reliving some past memories. Except the damn thing stayed there. I’m STILL humming it. Thanks, man.

Okay, two hours of Our Amazing Phil and his Amazing Bathmat of Racing. Loved, loved, loved the opener. It’s so good to have this show back. Comfort food, with less fat and no calories. Most of the couples are pretty tolerable. Except show of hands on who realllllly wanted Zen Yoga couple to find that damn license plate first? ME! Yikes with the lawyer shtick, already. But, otherwise, not so bad. Sure, the poker chicks were annoying, but honestly they’re not winning and anyone who downs two wasabi bombs gets at least a one week suspension from me picking on them. Shudder. Nice score on the early non-elim round.

However, tossing someone out before the show even begins (SO harsh!) then throwing them right into a Japanese game show? Gotta admit, I LOVED it. Even the harsh elimination. Sure got everyone’s adrenaline pumping even more than before. Started everyone off seriously tense, but also that much more appreciative of the journey they were about to embark on. Cool.

As for the teams, will take me another show to get more keyed in to who I’m rooting for, except for Duck Whisperer Zev, who I already adore, and his partner as well, who is pretty damn awesome for being such a true bud. Also like the Team BroGay. Like the intense blonde duo okay so far. Love Team Globetrotters. Was liking Team Pure until the duck meltdown, but we’ll see. Wasn’t too choked up to see Team Aggro Dude leave, but can’t imagine what his partner see’s in him. (He’s having major meltdowns over her duck herding task, but was happy to find out that she does well in high pressure situations because a solid marriage needs that. If, you know, he ever decides if she’s worth marrying. Um, dude….did you ever stop to think that maybe she’s looking for that very same thing? Because, epic fail on your part, buddy.)

Overall, it was just so nice to have RAAAAAAAACE! back, that I was willing to overlook all kinds of things. (Like Team Miss USA? Wow. That’s going to get old. Okay, maybe it already is, but it’s only Week 1.)

Now…back to Survivor. Still not happy about Evil Russell, but maybe it’s just me…I didn’t mind watching him so much this time. Maybe it’s because he’s just straight up evil and isn’t prancing around that fact. He’s also street smart, which makes him even scarier, really (finding the immunity idol with everyone standing RIGHT THERE before they even hand out clues? That’s balls. And I have to admire that move. I mean, dang.) And don’t get me wrong, he’s gross on levels of gross we’re just starting to discover, but still….

Maybe it’s because I’m only starting to find folks to root for (Jaison, and others whose names I cannot commit to memory yet…) But mostly I think it’s because Russell is evil with a plan. A plan he’s actually making happen. He’s at least interesting, if still evil. And gross. However, you have someone like Ben, who is just pure asshole with only stupid to back it up, and you start to value the entertainment that is Russell a little bit more. Because Ben needs to go home. And that needs to be followed very quickly by Yasmin. Which, WOW, have you ever seen a more idiotic move than the one she pulled in the opposing team’s camp? My mouth was just hanging open the whole time. Whether or not she had a point with Ben was meaningless. It was how she conducted herself from the second she held court and announced her arrival, to her huge fight with him, and, well, just every breath she took, basically. And because it needs saying again…WOW. That’s some serious self involved ego right there. And not remotely entertaining to me. So Ben, Yasmin can’t get their torches snuffed fast enough for me…but Russell can stay. For now. I just want to see what else he does. As long as he keeps the pretty around him, I’ll put up with the gross.

And, not to let you all down, but I am heading out of town on Thursday (work, not play, darnit.) and my time will not be my own again until mid-next week. I will be TiFauxing with a frenzy whilst I’m gone, but won’t be back up n’ MACing until sometime late next week when I can catch up a little. No worried, Free Stuff Friday will return next week! At some point. Might be a Lightning Round Contest, but it’ll be baaaack.

In the meantime, we still have a some dancing with stars and dancing with Cat. Hopefully this will be the last time we ever have to see DeLay on a dance floor on national television. Don’t let me down America. I’m counting on you!

In the meantime…. What did you think of Race? Who are you loving? Who needs to hit the bathmat last on the next leg? Survivor…still in? Or has the evil run you off? DISH!!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Well, I know one way to avoid MACing about Evil Russell…don’t watch Survivor! I didn’t get to PR either. But the two hour season opener for Grey’s was certainly interesting. Watching them cover up the fact that both Gray sisters were pregnant in real life was entertaining as well. Wonder where the storylines will go when they take off for a few episodes and Heigl is gone to film her movie. Could actually be interesting…

And the reason I had no time? I was off doing book research yesterday, learning basketweaving. I know, it’s s tough job, but somebody has to do it! My current book (Some Like It Scot, June 2010) deals with a little known adjunct of that industry that works with flax linen, and in this case an unusual hybrid with wool. I got to study all kinds of amazing artisan baskets that were true works of art. I worked on an in-progress waxed linen project, then got to get my hands dirty (and wet!) making my very own, cute little reed basket. Check it out!

Basket Number One!

Some days, it does not suck to be me. And now? On to Free Stuff! Where, possibly, it doesn’t suck to be you, either! Woo hoo!! This week I am giving away two copies of my November release, A Great Kisser. Check out what Coffee Time & More reviewer Kimberly had to say about the book (she gave it a “5 Cup” review!)

“I have not read a book this emotionally intense in awhile. From the light-heartedness of a romantic relationship to the conversations between Lauren and Charlene, this story runs the gambit of emotions. As much as this is a romance, A Great Kisser is also about Lauren finding out about her mother, the woman. So often, we forget our mothers are women, too, and Lauren does get a new view on who her mom is. The great kisser part, of course, pertains to Jake. Ms. Kauffman writes the kissing scenes in such a way that my toes curled just from the descriptions. With the added mystery of Arlen and his secrets, I was glued to the pages from beginning to end.”

Not bad!! And more exciting news! In the December issue, Cosmopolitan magazine is going to feature an excerpt of HelenKay Dimon’s novella from our October anthology (along with Jill Shalvis), Kissing Santa Claus. Yay, HelenKay!!

But now it’s time to reveal this week’s winners! Congratulations Jenn C and Sue A!! Woo hoo! Just send me your addresses and I will get your advance copies in the mail.

So, I am headed off to a three day crafting event for my “play” job. Will share some photos of the projects I design for upcoming classes when I get back. What I want to do is make more baskets! In time, in time. In the meantime, I am headed to Scotland (in my head…it’s a tough job) to go play with Graham and Katie for a bit. And did I mention that Graham MacLeod has two friends? Two best friends? Seem’s they’re single, too. Hunh. Imagine that….

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend. Don’t forget, the Amazing Phil is back this Sunday! Yay! See you all Monday with some new Race MAC. Enjoy! But in the meantime…for those who watched Runway and Survivor….DISH! (I know the outcomes, so you won’t spoil me.) Are you going to keep watching Survivor? Who is going to win Runway? Who should go home next??

Tags: Writing by Donna
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I’m already waving the white flag. Too many shows, not enough ME.

But first, it was Elimination Night on DWTS, and to the surprise of no one, Ashley and Macy were the first to be axed. America, it better be Tom next week. I mean it. I felt bad for the very stressed out Kelly, who they made wait far too long to hear her results. But Debi won a few (more) points with me for her sincere sadness over watching Macy get the axe. You could read her lips when she said, tearfully, “I feel so bad for her.” Admittedly, Debi’s Tweets about her husband and little daughters’ support might also be swaying my feelings toward her. Of course, it’s sadly a toss up between her and Tom, I think, on who will go home soonest. I’m hoping that her fiery and funny combination with Maks off the dance floor will keep her around a little longer…say, longer than Kathy Ireland, anyway. Sorry, KI. (And what’s up with the Jackson family being the Osmond family’s personal audience guests the past few nights?)

On SYTYCD there was some fun audition stuff, and I caught up on a few new series I taped. Only one survived the first week on my DVR, and that was Good Wife. I don’t know that the background story is as riveting to me as just enjoying a new, well acted courtroom drama. The Castle season premiere was a very welcome sophomore return. So enjoyable, Nathan Fillian. And not at all hard on the eyes. Yes, we’e serving umbrella drinks down here in the shallow end of the pool. Join us, won’t you? Big Bang Theory was a welcome return. Only sitcom I can sit through, it appears. But Jim Parsons is such geek money I can’t not.

Also caught up with NCIS:LA, Top Chef, Cougar Town, Modern Family, and The Desperate Witches of Eastwick. Top Chef will stay on my DVR but, I’m afraid, the others all met with elimination. (Hey, it’s elimination night, after all.) None of them were horrible, just not grabby enough to keep me tuning in on limited viewing time (even without commercial interruption.) And I’m particularly bummed about Eastwick because I’ve missed Paul Gross since his hunky days as a Canadian Mountie on Due South. (Would you pass another umbrella drink? Thank you.)

On Top Chef, Eli has now taken the place of Mike I on my Biggest Misogynistic Ass List, which is no easy feat. Wow, trash the cancer survivor? There’s a game plan. Way to gain the good wishes of people and not taunt karma, there E. I don’t care what her cooking skills are…or aren’t. On the other hand, my love for Gnome Kevin grows. He seems to be so sincerely enjoying the true nature of the challenge of this whole competition. And his sincere joy upon spying Penn and Teller was fun to watch. I want to hang with Kevin and let him cook me food. (I’d even pass up the umbrella drink.) Btw, who is dressing Padma this season? Because, um…between the alternating streetwalker and dominatrix looks these past few weeks, I’m wondering what show they think she’s actually on…

So, the return of Toby. Boo. Penn’s response to Padma saying she’s had bull testicles before? Golden. Can we keep Penn and get rid of Toby? Just askin. Love Teller miming his judging commentary.

The Voltaggio Bros and Gnome Kevin continue proving their strength (despite a little slip by one bro in the quickfire) and though Jenn had to scramble this week, she still came out a contender. I was on the Send Ron Home boat from the beginning of this episode, but completely understand why Ash was on the chopping block, too. I was hoping Eli would self destruct. No such luck. Ashley was a surprise in the top group. In the end, the Gnome wins, which is made of Yay! In the bottom, Ron, Ash, and Laureen. No surprises there. Packing knives? In the end, Ron does go, and I think that was the right call. Classy exit. Eat well, cook well, be well, Ron.

Tonight we get two hours of Grey’s, more Project Runway, Mentalist returns (mmmm, Simon Baker!) and an hour of suffering through Survivor: Psycho Samoa. If it’s another Russell-centric hour, then, I’m sorry, but that one will have to fall to the wayside as well. Which would be a first for that show in many years. However, I’m still all Coached out on my psycho contestant limit and there are too many other, far more enjoyable shows to watch this fall. (Come on, Amazing Race this Sunday!)

How about you? Any new loves? Any lost love for old sure things? Surprises? Disappointments? Right now, if I had a week’s worth taped at once, Castle, the dance shows, Big Bang Theory, then TC would get first look. Maybe Grey’s and Amazing Race will muscle in there. And while Good Wife is interesting enough to stay on the DVR list, overall the new fall stuff hasn’t been as exciting as hoped.

And yeah, yeah, yeah, I heard that. Yes, I do find time to write. (And design and teach 4 new projects a month.) No, I don’t need much sleep. It’s genetic. (Thanks, Dad!) Five hours a night and a five mile run in the morning, and I’m good. (And hungry. Pass the Unfrosted Blueberry PopTarts, will ya?) Hey, it’s fruit and whole grain bread. Add ice cold skim milk. That’s health food in my book! Don’t even need no stinkin’ umbrella. Besides, anything that only requires my Hello Kitty toaster for full preparation? Double bonus meal. Close second? Eggos. Except more steps - what with the butter, syrup, all the stacking and cutting, it’s like work - and you can’t eat it with your hands and type at the same time. Plus there’s dishes to wash after… But when I feel like really cooking (aka anything with more than one step)…mmmMrs Butterworth, baby. Ahhh.

Um, where was I? Oh, right. DVR’s - best invention ev-ah. Playing TV Catchup is a great wee hours wind down. As is reading…thoroughly enjoying Lost Symbol at the moment and can’t say I expected to as much as I am. Brown has come a very long way with characterization, to go with his already madd storytelling skillz. Mostly I love that it’s set in my hometown and deals with a subject that is a part of my family history. Cool stuff, Dan. Cool stuff.

Don’t forget to enter this week’s contest - double winners! Announced right here tomorrow.

In the meantime, though….DISH!

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Ladies Night…and, honestly, it wasn’t like they had to do much to top the guys, but I was starting to get a little worried there in the beginning…

Debi was so nervous and despite her fly girl background, I think she’s going to struggle. Maks isn’t helping, I don’t think. I thought Melissa was charming and funny, and good partner with Mark, but she was also spotty and stiff. Finally Mya (and Dmitry!!!) came out and looked lovely and graceful and THANK YOU. Whew. She has a way to go, but a wonderful start for them (despite the bombastic singer….) And yikes, Uncle Lenny. Get a grip. First night. Thanks for taking the edge off, Tom!

Tony and Kathy Ireland take on the salsa, and well….add Tony to the list of pros who probably won’t be around long this season. Aww. She was trying so hard, too, but I don’t know that she’s going to get it. A nd what was up with the matronly skirt? She’s still got a great legs, show em off, but that dress did her no favors. And Tony’s pleats were really distracting…

So…what’s up with the judging? I mean, they purposely gave them less training time to avoid the raft of injuries they had last season, and to bring them along at a more sane pace. Good call. So why are the judges hammering them like it’s the week before the finale? I mean, at this stage, a little encouragement couched in some gentle critique that will help guide them would be most welcome. By this viewer at home, too. Carrie Ann was the closest we came to this. But the manufactured drama and slamming of novices is really starting to turn me off. I don’t know if it’s a conscious decision made by the show, or just the way the panel has decided to handle things, but….take a giant step back, you guys. Sheesh.

6 time Olympic medal swimmer Natalie Coughlin and (pause….deep, appreciative sigh) Alec Mazo are up next with salsa. She has a lot to live up to given that Olympians have ruled this contest, but Alec is adorably supportive as her partner (Maks!) - of course, he’s married to Edyta, so the guy knows how to dance with tall, Amazonian women. Not sure the choreo totally worked to her advantage, but she definitely has promise. Easily as much as Louie (Louie!!) did yesterday. And Lenny? Con-struc-tive. Look it up.

(Great Sony ad campaign.)

Macy Gray and Jonathan (who is married to Anna Trebunskaya, who is paired with Chuck - so, yay, pro couples!) and I admit this one had me curious, because I haven’t gotten the energy vibe from Macy. Ever. Like, she’s the antipathy of spunky. So this is going to be interesting. And yeah, five seconds into the training film and whoa. I’m SO sorry, Jonathan! He joins the “pros who are SO screwed” list. Again. Not fair, show. Not fair. However, purely as a viewer? Comedy gold, people. I think I want her on my tv forever. Balances out all the Lenny frustration I’m feeling. But then, the performance. And, wow, okay…so just walking out? I’m already stunned. She looks amazing in that dress. Right there, a miracle, really. (About which I’m sure she’d be the first to agree.) And her joy when the crowd first cheered was palpable. You know that was a lot of work for her. You made your mom proud, Macy. (And thank you Uncle Lenny for not crushing her spirit.)

OMG…what did she just say? Busted her cherry? Carrie Ann squeaked her scores. I’ve never seen everyone lose it like that laughing. See? COMEDY GOLD. I told you. Keep her, America. I beg. Save this season, because so far? Not much to truly adore here. And okay, so I was giggling…but when they panned to Derek and his partner backstage, and the total deer in headlights looks they had? Laughed till I cried.

VOTE MACY.

So, Derek & The Model are going to do well. Again. She’s Cameron Diaz pretty, knock out body, and seems like a sharp cookie, to boot. It’s love/hate people. Love, because we really need dancers. I don’t even care who anymore. Entertain me! Dammit. Good choreo, Derek. Hot enough for ya Lenny? Why yes, indeedy, apparently it is.

Last up is Kelly Osbourne, who I just have no clue about regarding how she’ll do here, but she looks darn cute in her outfit. And I think, better shot as the closer than DeLay last night. But then, who wouldn’t? And? She has the real Louis!! Welcome back, maestro! And you have your work cut out, but if anyone can turn her into a princess, it is surely you. Then look! How charming does she turn out to be? Stunning and lovely. Loved it. Loved Louis. Loved sobbing, Mom. (Crying me.) You go, Kelly. You go.

Now on the relay dances. Dancing fox trot: Kathy, Debi, Joanna, Natalie. Nat/Alec were great, Kathy/Tony did okay, Joanna/Derek had great lines/choreo, Debi struggled, but did better with character. Dancing cha cha relay : Kelly, Macy, Mya and Sabrina. (I officially love Kelly after that clip package and dang, did she luck out getting Louis. Best teaching pro there is.) So, Macy/Jonathan crack me up, but dang she does go for it, in true Macy-style, Mark/Melissa do better than I thought they would, good choreo, Mya/Dmitry bring it - very well done, but Kelly/Louis KILL it, even the stumble at the end was cute. What a pair, those two. Hard not to love them. She’s got my vote. I adore watching her. What a feel good story.

(So, am I the only one who wonders how Marie Osmond would compete now that she is in such smashing shape? I think it would have been hilarious and very entertaining to have both Osmonds on the same season.)

Well, overall, far more entertaining and invigorating night. I think it’s the women’s season to lose. Clearly Joanna, Natalie, and Mya are front runners, but Kelly totally has a big chance if she keeps up the endearing charm. (Loved that both parents were there supporting and seemed so sincerely blown away.) I think Debi is in the most danger of going home, but only because Macy is so unintentionally hilarious, while Melissa and Kathy are somewhere in the middle of the pack, but closer to bottom than top.

What say you? Who do ya love? Who needs to leave? The results show tonight with the Swayze tribute should be dynamite. But right now? DISH!!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Inaugural night of Dancing With the Stars: Guys Edition and already, Samantha? Shut up. Wow. Right? She has absolutely NO sense of timing. Whatsoever. I know she has to keep things moving along, but man, she cut everyone off and just stomped all over those interviews. For the love of all that is sanity, producers…new backstage host, pronto! However, HI TOM!! Love you.

Beyond that, what an interesting mix, huh? Overall, pretty interesting, for a variety of reasons. Some can dance, some way can’t, but it’s not always the former who got my attention, or my immediate affection. Mostly, I’m in the benefit of the doubt stage and giving them all a shot. (Although was it me, or did Tom DeLay just look seriously scarier than Chuck Liddell, but for all the wrong reasons. Who did his facial work? The guys from the Thriller make up trailer? Yikes.)

So, they had cha cha and waltz this first night (tomorrow is Ladies Night) and no one really knocked it out of the park, so there is a lot of room there.

Aaron Carter (with Karina) was stiffer and more manic than I expected. Chuck Liddell (with Anna) was exactly how I expected, but I always have a soft spot for tough guys who really try hard. Iron Chef was seriously flexible, and yet had no manly chemistry with Lacey Schwimmer despite her doing her damndest to manufacture some. How can someone so good looking and macho come off so…well….gay? Ashley (with Edyta) was adorable and sympathetic for the obstacles he’s overcome, but I’m not thinking he’ll be able to get past enough of them here in this particular competition. Still, not bad eye candy either, for as long as he’s on the show.

We get to Donny Osmond and I am predisposed to like the guy since I feel like I grew up with him. Along with all the rest of the little girls in the 60’s and 70’s. I like the pro pairings so far this season, too. Donny gets Kym and I think that’s perfect. To the surprise of no one he has the showmanship down. This was the most entertaining thus far, because he an actually dance, too. And there was fun chemistry to boot. Was he the best dancer or the most promising? No. Did Kym choreo the hell out of that piece to make the most of his skillz? You betcha. Well done, you. And oh, poo, Uncle Lenny. More razzmatazz!

(And still? Shut up, Samantha.)

Okay, hands down the winner of the Cutie Patootie Couple Award of All Time is Louie Vito and Chelsie Hightower. Ridiculous with their cuteness. And his total dorkness is a huge part of that. Love already. Not much hope, but big love. And…yeah, no amount of choreo is really going to help, but what an adorable smile! (Take notes, Chuck! It can’t hurt!) The judges were much kinder than I ever expected - wow! Yay! A new Louie! (Dancing Poppet! Ha!)

Hall of Famer Michael Irvin is up, and he gets the new Amazonian pro, Anna D. Yikes, she’s no shy, retiring babe, is she? Perfect for the big, hulking athlete types (and gives Edyta a bit of a break there!) She looks a little like Maria Sharapova’s older sister…and Irvin is still in pretty damn fine shape! Love the Jerry Rice Grudge Match as motivation. He wasn’t as good as I kind of thought he would be, and I’m not sure if it’s him, or the relative inexperience of his partner in the role of teaching pro. But there’s time and he’ll move on. Which isn’t saying much this season, but he has more potential than most so far. (And you gotta love that his moms is in the audience!) Wow, Lenny was harsh, though. Dang, after they were so sweet to stumbling Louie, they were all super tough on Irvin. I’m guessing it’s because he actually has potential to do something with the critique. But they do also hammer Anna on content, which proves I wasn’t so far off the mark there, after all. Go, me. Wow, that’s crazy how badly they scored him. I guess there really was no content there. Dang.

Okay. Seriously? How did this come about? Whose idea was it to make Delay the closer? Really, show? Because….yikes. And ew. Lots of that second one. So sorry, Cheryl. So very sorry. This is never going to be a Jerry Springer thing where you start with loathing and learn to love. I adored Jerry by the end. This will not happen here. If anything, the loathing will only increase. Sigh. Not to mention the heebie factor increasing exponentially with the grandpa pants and the close up shots of hip action. EW, show, EWWWWW. And then Wild Thing? Are you kidding me? It’s not even MACable. Move along. Nothing to see here. I need to go bleach my eyes now.

End of Round One…and as Round Two Relay dances swings by and they all do their second dance….yeah…nothing to add here. Entertaining, though! So…yeah, overall, it’s not going to be a Big Season of Win for the guys, I’m afraid. I hope the ladies bring it. (Good commentary, Debi and surprisingly erudite there, Kelly!) I don’t think they will have to do much to leap out in front and take a commanding lead. (And? More Dmitry! Yay!)

What did you think? Who’d ya love? Who made you cringe? Who goes home? Tough call this time as there are more than three that are at the bottom on my list (and Irvin isn’t one of them, judges!) and not too many floating to the top, as yet. I think Aaron, Iron Chef, Louie, and Donny are the favorites. Irvin needs a new partner and he’d be up there with them, but I think he’s through, as is Chuck. Ashley is in serious danger. But if I get to pick, I send home Delay without delay (sorry, Cheryl!) partly because, duh, but mostly because ewwwwwwwwwww! You?

DISH!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Another new week, another chance to win free stuff. Woo hoo!

I got a few preview copies of my November release, A Great Kisser, in my hot little hands and would love for them to be in your hot little hands. So, what with it being Grey’s Anatomy season opener week and all, alls ya gotta do is send an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with “Seriously? MINE!” in the subject line. I will announce two winners this Friday! (Well, it is a double-header season opener, so it only seemed right.)

Best of luck to everyone!

Coming this week is More MAC as Our Shows start to premiere. I will try to keep up, but I’m thinking with DWTS, SYTYCD, Survivor, Project Runway, Top Chef AND (Emmy again winning) Amazing Phil–er, Race all running their fall seasons AT THE SAME TIME, that for my sanity, and that of my editor, who would really like this book turned in on time and doesn’t really care if Russell is evil or whether Gnome Kevin is the best chef…I will have to be pick-n-choosy on what I MAC about any given week. I’ll probably go with whichever one inspires me to rant–er, disseminate my views with an understated eloquence. Okay. Rant. (Like anyone would buy the other anyway, even if I could pull it off. Which I SO could. Hey…I heard that.)

In the meantime, DISH! Who is already afraid their DVR will balk? Or simply meltdown? Me!!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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So…just what we need. More People Behaving Badly. And it’s premeditated badness this go around. When it comes to Evil Russell on this season’s Survivor, several impressions sprang to mind. First, he kind of struck me as the Evil Stooge, or the 4th Stooge, as it were. He’s almost a caricature of evil and hard to take seriously, except, you know, he’s totally an asshole for reals. Secondly, I wanted to pull out the now classic Kelly Clarkson response to Kanye’s miserable behavior on the VMA’s, which is “Were you not hugged enough as a child?” Because, clearly, he’s just doing this to get his own personal rocks off. Which, Ew. On more levels of Ew than we previously knew existed.

In other news, I thought Shambo was hilarious and kind of cool. Bully Ben is kinda assy. And buh bye Marissa. Stupid move on all parts there, I think. Me, I’m hoping the Russell-coined Dumbass Girl Alliance kicks his ass. Except…he might have a point where they are concerned. Sorry to say. Betsy is my only real hero so far. As both cop and woman, she nailed Russell’s brand of ridiculous right off the bat. Betsy for the win!

Also: last night the Project Runway: Making Clothes From Paper episode. Where we finally say good-bye to Johnny, thank GOD. Even leaving, he was clueless in terms of having any real sense of self awareness. And I think he told that steamer-ruined-my-paper-party-dress lie so many times he actually believed it when he left. Buh bye. Loved some of the other dresses, agreed on the winner (take that, Althea…) but felt Uli 2.0 got robbed a bit, being in the bottom three, though I did get that it wasn’t a wowza in style, but in construction, it was one of my favorites. And no muslin in that dress!

Next week? More panic, more drama, more Tim being perplexed. Can’t wait!

Hope you all have a fantabulous weekend! Tune in Monday for the next Free Stuff Friday giveaway (hint…My November release, The Great Kisser is up for grabs!) Until then? DISH!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Sorry for the invisible act this week. In addition to this being the Week of People Behaving Badly (and you know who you are, Serena, Kanye, Senator…) my computer has been behaving badly as well. So there have been major computer doin’s going on in Casa de Kauffman. Initially bad doin’s, but now things are good!

Managed to watch SYTYCD last night - didn’t think it was as riveting as the first week of auditions, but the talent level does look pretty good for this season. Also saw where Adam Shankman is going to be a regular judge and I LOVE this. I know from following his Tweets how much he wanted this and how much it means to him. You go, A Train!

Maybe this will make up in some small way for them adding Ellen to Idol.

Maybe.

Haven’t gotten to Top Chef yet. And tonight is the finale on Project Runway Australia. Woot! Go Anthony! AND! Survivor launches in Samoa. I’ll do Morning After Commentary fo sho. I hear it’s Russell who is the Worst Villain of All Time. According to Probst. I really don’t want a Worst Villain Evah Season. I want fun. Sigh. And there’s already been another contestant from this season blabbing about how racist the show is. More people behaving badly. Yay. Except, no.

In other news…I got the real deal copies of A Great Kisser on my doorstep and you know what that means! Yep, Free Stuff Friday’s shelf o’ books to pick from just expanded by one. Tune in Monday for the next round.

In the meantime, which fall show are you most excited about seeing this season? For me….hmmm….a toss up. For scripted shows, probably Castle (for obvious reasons) and for reality, definitely Amazing Race. Hi, Phil! I hear it’s the fastest race they’ve ever done and hits all kinds of new-to-the-show countries. Can’t wait!

DISH!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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