It’s a rainy day here in the metropolitan DC area…. Ahhh, just the kind of work environment I like. So, there was no dancing on last night and I can’t watch the skating folks. I just can’t. Fall down go boom on a ballroom floor makes me wince, but I can live with that. Fall down go boom on ice, crack head open, yeah….that induces that kind of involuntary full body shudder just thinking about it that makes this show and me completely incompatible. You’ll have to get your morning after commentary rant elsewhere.

So, in lieu of that, I thought I’d use this space today to toot my own horn. (Hey, it IS my blog!) I have a new book coming out the end of December. (Tuesday, the 28th, just in time to use all those great Borders and Barnes & Noble gift certificates you got from Santa in your stocking!) OFF KILTER is the follow up to SOME LIKE IT SCOT, which came out this past summer. Both books quite easily stand alone, but it’s always fun to catch up with characters you’ve enjoyed in other stories, and you’ll get the chance to travel back to Kinloch, Scotland in this one. (And for those who have asked, yes, there will be a final wrap up of the three main players in the fall Christmas anthology, UNWRAPPED!)

So, about the horn tooting…I received my first advance critical review of OFF KILTER this past week and to say I was thrilled is putting it mildly. Publishers Weekly is like our industry bible, so when they have something nice to say, especially about a romance novel, I pay attention. When it’s about my book? Well, knock me over with a feather. Here’s the review…

“In the second of a loosely related trilogy (after June 2010’s Some Like It Scot), Kauffman spins a complex tale of personal rediscovery. Roped into posing for a sexy Highlander-hunk-of-the-month calendar contest, Roan McAuley is irritated and then intrigued by photographer Tessa Vandergriff. When he learns about her award-winning wartime credentials, Roan must re-examine what he knows of this odd, prickly woman, while Tessa tries to redefine herself and her life after the shell-shock of the battlefield. Startled at first by Roan’s attentions, Tessa soon becomes pleased, but her fear of loss and memories of betrayal threaten to wreck the fledgling relationship. This rather ordinary romance is elevated beyond the average by a well-earned satisfactory ending and the unflinchingly honest description of a woman’s emotional journey toward love and life. (Jan.) —Publishers Weekly

Thanks for letting me share!

In other review related news, there’s some interesting stuff being talked about with those “reader” reviews on Amazon. I’ve always thought that the public forum there was an interesting mix, and seemingly more a great soapbox for the disgruntled reader than a showcase for the happy ones, but I never really considered this: Apparently some of those nasty reader reviews aren’t from readers at all. And there are companies out there who you can hire now to post faux positive reviews! Wow. I’ve been at this for close to 20 years, so nothing really shocks me…but, seriously? Seriously? Here’s the link to the breaking story in the UK if you’re interested in reading more about it. UK Daily Mail

Don’t forget to enter this week’s contest! See Monday’s blog post for details. (And you know, I had to skim through all my blog photo uploads to find the cover for OFF KILTER, which meant scrolling through all the Man Candy Monday’s uploads of the past few weeks. It occurs to me that I might need to find an excuse to do that more often!)

After you enter the contest, come back here and DISH! What do you think about paying folks to post positive reviews? And fellow authors, publishers sabotaging other authors by posting nasty reviews? Is that crazy or what? Discuss. Or just talk about Man Candy Monday guys… I’m easy. (Hey, I heard that!)

Tags: Writing by Donna
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So, first, Amazing Race last night. Really, show? REALLY? You can’t spare a non elimination leg when it’s Mallory and Pops, but you’ll give one to Nick/Vicky? Now, Vicky? She deserved to stay in. Girl hung in there. Nick? Wow. There are no words, and yet, many, many words I could use. Just….not in public.

I’m guessing Nick’s background, maybe not the best? And Vicky gets this about him? But what made me ever-so-thankful was when she FINALLY said to him something along the lines of, “I know you want to be better, but the sorry’s aren’t enough. I need to see you change.” And….? He can’t. I do realize he gets that he’s being a total ass afterwards, but his behavior is belittling and abusive and being sorry doesn’t count. No one deserves to be talked to like that. NO ONE. That she’s quite definitely the best thing that ever happened to him, there’s no question. And that’s definitely going to hold true now that everyone has seen his lovely behavior on national television. I would hope that watching himself last night, berating her for not racing hard enough, then after she literally gives everything she has, including an internal organ or two, HE’s the one who gives up. You could do better, Miss Vicky, but I suspect you know that.

Nick? You couldn’t. You idiot.

Otherwise, very enjoyable, tough leg. Thomas and Jill are much easier to take when they’re doing well on the race. That said, I was thrilled when Team Docs and Team Home Shoppers continued to dominate. I’d be quite happy with a win from either of those teams. And though the Docs haven’t seemed to succumb to race fatigue, which earns them massive kudos from this viewer, Team BAM has. But you do kind of get Bam’s frustration with a partner who is clearly not her match, but yet…will take a watermelon to the face and keep going — which Bam also gets. Being part energizer bunny myself, I know it can be frustrating, even as I totally get that not everyone can go full tilt one hundred percent of the time. But with the end of the race looming, I’d be more amped, too. I’m glad they hugged it out and that she’s doing her best to deal with her quickly fading partner.

So…Man Candy Monday. This week is a bit different, Blog Babes. You know how we all like the candy for our eyes, but a man who can make us laugh might just be the sexiest thing ever? Well, one man who made me laugh passed away yesterday and took a bit of that laughter with him. So, today, my Man Candy is? Leslie Nielson. RIP, Shirley.

And yep, we’re having another Free Stuff Friday contest! To enter, just send me an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with “And don’t call me Shirley!” in the subject line. I’ll draw one name from the stack this Friday and announce it in the blog. WInner gets a free book from my website bookshelf. And! All previous winners, I did (FINALLY) get all my books sent out over the weekend, so any of you still waiting should find a prize in your mail sometime this week. I hope you all enjoy them!

Good luck! And, after you get done entering, come back here and DISH!!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Hello all you crazy Black Friday shoppin’ Blog Babes!

Me? Oh, I’m curled up at home with a good book. One great thing about being an empty nester is that there just isn’t anything THAT necessary to our holiday happiness that required me to be anywhere other than snuggled up warm in bed at 5 am this morning, sleeping off yesterday’s feast. A feast I didn’t have to cook! You know, I could get used to this whole having grown children thing!

My oldest son (22) loves to cook and somehow turned out to be a pretty great chef (don’t look at me!) He did the honors yesterday and put out quite the spread. All I had to do was show up with the pumpkin cookies!

We did have the Bread That Ate Tokyo, though. No….that’s not a turkey in the oven. That’s the braided egg bread that kept rising…..and rising….and rising….

But it sure was yummy with that hot crab dip when it was finally finished baking. We could have fed a small village with that thing. Hey, at least the yeast worked this year!

So, now I am curled up reading it all off. (You can too read it off!) Jogging? Pfft. It’s raining. And cold. I’m pretty sure it will all be just fine and my jeans will fit perfectly if I just stay curled up under this fleece throw and read a few more chapters. Mainly because that will keep me out of the kitchen. Where there are leftovers… You know, come to think of it, being that it’s chilly and rainy and all, the heck with jeans. I call for a sweatpants and fleece pullover day. Just to stay warm, of course.

You know what else I can do while staying curled up with a good book wearing expandable clothing? I can announce this week’s three Special Free Stuff Black Friday contest winners! Congratulations to the following Blog Babes!

Sheila M
Stephanie R (yes, the Stephanie World Domination continues!)
And Izzy V!

Just send me an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with your address and a few title ideas from my website bookshelf (in case I’m out of your first choice) and they will go out the next post office run!

Tune in Monday, by which time I should have worked off the feast with more furious reading and will be back at the Blog Helm with more Monday Man Candy and some Amazing Race MAC. And, of course, another contest!

Happy shopping everyone! I hope you find the deals of the century! Me, I’ll be over here with a good book, a pumpkin cookie (or three) and a mug of hot chocolate, cheering you on! (Reading AND cheering = twice the caloric burn off. It’s scientific. Look it up.)

Tags: Writing by Donna
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To all my American friends, readers, and Blog Babes extraordinaire ~ Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so thankful for your support, your friendship, and your willingness to DISH!!

I hope you all are enjoying a day with family, friends, or just curled up with some good Chinese carry out and a great book. (I’ve done all three!)

Please drop by tomorrow amidst the frenzy of Black Friday shopping to find out if you’ve won the Special Free Stuff Black Friday contest. What? You haven’t entered? Check out Monday’s blog post (last item) for details on how to enter.

Good luck…and gobble gobble!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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...Jennifer & Derek. It was a good night of performances, fun to see the rest of the cast back again…well, most of the cast…and Christina Aguilera sure can sing. Wow. Her hair, on the other hand? Was it styled by feral cats? I dunno. One thing that struck me while watching the previously dismissed dancers return for an encore, was that when Margaret Cho and Florence Henderson were dancing? Um…both of them were better than Bristol. Or at least more entertaining. Just sayin.

I enjoyed the “Best Of” dance and thought that Kyle and Lacey really nailed it. I realize that Uncle Lenny doesn’t like or respect Lacey (you have noticed that by now, right?) Yes, Len, she’s a champion swing dancer, not a champion ballroom dancer. And somehow she made it into the finals anyway. Deal with it. Because after their Instant Cha Cha, to give Bristol higher marks than Kyle? Is an insult to Kyle AND Lacey. I think they were the only ones to really incorporate the Instant Music into their Instant Dance. It wasn’t the most polished, but it was the best all around for me. I’d have rated it even more highly than Jen & Derek in this instance. Who knows, with Len’s backhanded compliments that he’s been dishing Kyle’s way the entire season, maybe he doesn’t like the 19 year old either. And, by the way? 19 years old. Pretty impressive young man and a very, very gracious one to boot. He gets my Standing O for the season. Well done, Kyle. Well done.

We had one more Dramatic Jennifer Injury Moment when it was announced before the program started that she’d ruptured a disc in her spine the night before during her performances, but she was Going On With The Show Anyway! I do admire her for getting through all the difficulties her broken and repaired body has presented her with this season, I really do, but I admit to a bit of Jennifer Injury Report Fatigue. However, for her sake, I’m glad she competed. I’m thinking she was glad about that to.

Because? In the end, the finalists bowed out in what was probably the best order. Bristol third, Kyle second, and Jennifer first. And though I was secretly hoping for a Kyle upset, I knew Len had taken care of that bit of business. And while I’m not okay with that, I am okay with how it all came down. Obviously, Jennifer was by far the most skilled dancer. Their Encore Waltz was possibly the most lovely dance I’ve ever seen on the show.

Though I do think with his three-peat, we can safely say that now it’s Derek’s turn to get the next Cloris. He’s a superb choreographer and I’d frankly be interested to see what he could do with a contestant who isn’t a ringer. How ’bout it, Show? I could do a season without Mark Ballas all together, but that’s probably not going to happen. They will be back in the spring, and Tom announced that there will be some surprise changes. Hmm. I think I can wait. By then, I’ll be ready to commit to another season.

In the meantime, in other Reality TV World news...

You remember Chad & Stephanie, the recently off’d team from Amazing Race? Well, seems they got married last week. I didn’t realize they’d only been dating for 5 months before they taped the race. And they’d already bought a house together. Well? Good thing, because right after the wedding made the news, so did the fact that they’ve already procreated. (I know! Another Chad! Eeee!) They are expecting the stork delivery in April. I truly and sincerely wish them the best. They’ll need it.

Also? In even more exciting Amazing Race news??? It was revealed yesterday that the next season will be another All Stars. And the first in HD! Can I get a Woot Woot! SPOILER! If you want to know the teams who were reported landing in Australia yesterday on the first leg of the race, filming RIGHT THIS VERY SECOND, keep reading, otherwise, avert your eyes now!

Because the last All Stars was Season 11 (and this coming one will mark Season 18) all of the teams will be coming from Season 12 and onward. Oddly, there are no teams listed as competing from Season 13 and a bunch from Season 14. Whatevs. Given the limited pool of resources, I think you will be happy with most of this line up (Hi Mallory & Dad!! And Zev & Justin!) I know I was!!

Here are the teams and the seasons they originally competed in:
Kynt and Vyxsin (Season 12)
Ron and Christina (Season 12)
Amanda and Kris (Season 14)
Kisha and Jen (Season 14)
Jaime and Cara (Season 14)
Margie and Luke (Season 14)
Mel and Mike (Season 14)
Flight Time and Big Easy (Season 15)
Zev and Justin (Season 15)
Jet and Cord (Season 16)
Gary and Mallory (Season 17)

So….what do you think? I know I’m excited. And is it possible that given there are no winning teams back in the race that the lack of Team Home Shopping Hostesses being listed here might meeeeeean anything? I hope so!

Don’t forget to enter this week’s Special Free Stuff Black Friday contest. Winners announced in Friday’s blogs. That’s right, I said winnerS! See Monday’s blog post for details on how to enter.

Then come right back on over here and DISH!! What did you think of the show last night? Were you happy with the way it all worked itself out? I think the producers sure are. And what do you think of the All Star line up for Amazing Race??

Tags: Writing by Donna
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Last night the three remaining finalists on DWTS gave it their fierce finest in their quest to own the much coveted mirror ball trophy.

In the redemption round, I enjoyed both Jennifer’s and Kyle’s dances, both being vast improvements over their original attempts at the same dances. I thought Bristol acquitted herself nicely as well. For Bristol. Yes, she has improved. But so have Jennifer and, most dramatically, Kyle. Actually, I think Kyle is what this show is all about. Good natured, but definitely pushed way out of his comfort zone, also with no dance training, and he just goes for it. I think his improvement has been the most dramatic of the season, and the most enjoyable to watch. Bristol’s general stiffness and overall lack of any sparkle whatsoever (on or off the dance floor) is what keeps me from rooting for her as a true underdog. Everyone keeps talking about how she’s the “most like us.” Well, I don’t feel any identification with her at all. I feel uncomfortable for her awkwardness and very uncomfortable for the spotlight she’s been thrust into, but I don’t feel she should still be a contender on this show. However…for Bristol, she did okay. (Though giving her the same score as Kyle? On what scale?) Highlight for me and sort of the definition of Bristol…was the rehearsal footage of Mark and Bruno dancing like mad fools…and Bristol just stands there, watching, as if she can’t even comprehend doing anything like that. I think that sums her up completely.

On the freestyle dances, I thought Kyle and Lacey were all energy and flash, and a great way to kick off the round. I thought Bristol, again all things considered, did a good job. For Bristol. Bob Fosse, however, probably rolling over in his grave. Mark might have wanted to find a routine that was more suited to the comfort of his partner, as did the other two choreographers, but then how was he supposed to know that not only had Bristol never seen Chicago (musical or movie, apparently) but she’d never even heard of it. Or Bob Fosse. Honestly, Alaska isn’t that off the grid. Is it? Sorry, too, to Joel Grey in the audience. At least you got to see your daughter dance.

And, I’ll be honest, I wasn’t all that moved by Jennifer and Derek’s freestyle. She danced it very, very well, but it just seemed kind of generic to me. And, was it me, or did she stand around a bit while Derek danced like a mad whirling dervish around her? Then there was that odd length hip hugger skirt. It was just weird, and very distracting for this viewer. Still, it was obviously a more skillful routine and far better performed in every possible way than Bristol/Mark, but for creativity, I don’t know that I’d have given them 10’s. I enjoyed Lacey and Kyle’s freestyle the best in terms of overall engagement. So, that would have been a reversed score for me there. Or at the very least Jen/Derek should have gotten the same score as Kyle/Lacey. I definitely wouldn’t have scored Bristol the same as Kyle for the first dance, not by any yardstick measure, but was happy to see they ranked her down on the second one. Yes, she danced okay for her, but in comparison to her competition, there was no way either of those dances earned equal skill and performance marks. Not even close.

End of the night, the scores, though I might have done them differently, I thought were still pretty fair, comparatively speaking. Jen/Derek had a perfect 60, Kyle/Lacey had a 58, and Bristol/Mark a 52. And we all know how those rankings have turned out every week, after the viewer’s vote. So, while I’d like a Kyle win, I’d be very happy with a Jennifer win. Bristol did very well to get herself this far given her wooden performances. But to win the whole thing? No. And if you’re going to argue the underdog defense, then we need to get that mirror ball trophy back and give it to Kelly Osborne.

They get two more dances tonight, which allows the judges to more or less choose the winner. About which I’m sure the producer is very, very thankful. Because while it’s just a dancing show and who cares who wins, really…if Bristol does win, then good luck booking any actual celebrity talent on upcoming seasons. What actual celebrity would agree to go on a show and bust their ass, only to have some stunt casting make them look like fools? Bristol is a sweet girl (okay, so I saw the Facebook rant from her and her sister, and she’s really not so sweet….) but, sure, it still sucks that she’s the focus of so much grief and insult. However, she had no business being cast on the show in the first place. She isn’t a “star” in any possible connotation of the word…at best, her mom is. And turning the show into political commentary is silly. Well, the whole show is silly, but lets keep the silly directed where it belongs.

What did you think? Who are you rooting for? And did you actually vote? I did. (Go Kyle!) What I didn’t do was watch the skating show that premiered after DWTS. Fall down go boom on a ballroom floor, I can manage. Fall down crack head open on ice? Not so much. There is nothing about that show or the “celebs” (and I use that one very very loosely) they recruited to be on it that calls to me. In fact, it gives me that involuntary willies reflex just thinking about them trying to learn to dance on ice. So those of you who have asked if I’m going to do Morning After Commentary? Um. No. Sorry! I wince just thinking about it. On many levels.

What I will watch and comment on is tonight’s DWTS finale, and Survivor’s next tribal council. Things are starting to get interesting over on the island…

Don’t forget to enter this week’s Special Free Stuff Black Friday contest. Details in Monday’s blog post. Then come back on over here and DISH!!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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So…on Amazing Race last night the remaining teams went to Bangladesh where there are so many people I felt cramped and claustrophobic just watching. Wow. And yikes. I’m the secluded type (writers, you know) so that would make me nuts. And that’s just as a racer. I can’t imagine living in that kind of overpopulated intensity. I’d never make it in Hong Kong, either.

Chad & Stephanie came in first the last leg, so were quite happy with their initial lead on this leg. All they had to do now? Just stay in front. And how do you do that? Book the first flight you can find…then go to Dairy Queen.

As in, “Can I have a Blizzard and fries with that?”

So, while the other teams all scrambled to find other flights, Chad and Steph housed down some food…aaaaand went to the back of the pack.

On top of that? Chad is still an ass. He’d really like to believe he’s not. But he is. And he always will be. In the cab on the way to the Blizzards of Doom, he opines on how he really wants to U Turn Team Home Shopping Network Hostesses. Partly because they are good racers….and? Because he doesn’t want to lose to a couple of girls. Chuckle, chuckle.

Yep, you’re a real chucklehead, Chad. (And Stephanie? You laughed at that comment. Um. You’re a girl. You know, the very thing he denigrates all the time? Stand up for yourself.)

It’s a challenging leg, with enough focus on the back of the pack teams that we are thankfully spared much Thomas/Jill footage. Yes, they were fairly decent this time, but then, it’s easy when you’re in first place.

In the end, Vicky/Nick came in second (no, I’m serious! And Nick? Will also always be an ass. But at least Vicky stands up for herself. You go, V.) After struggling a little, Team Doc comes in third. Then, with both of the final two teams being U Turned, it’s a race to the finish between Chad/Steph and Team HSN. I do not know where Bam gets her energy, but I’m glad she figured out that she needed to lighten up on hammering her less-than-Energizer-bunny teammate, who gave it her all, and then some. I still like this team, especially given how uneven they are personality wise. I think that’s, in part, what makes them so strong. That, and Bam is basically human crack.

Team HSN hit the mat first (YES!! Don’t scare me like that!) which left me chewing my nails, praying that this was not a non-elimination leg. And….it wasn’t! Chad and Stephanie? I’m very sorry to tell you, you have been eliminated from the race. Music to my ears. In the post-elimination comments, Chad says he feels like he’s a winner anyway, since he got his bride to be on the race. Stephanie gets all misty. Me? I threw up a little in my mouth…then decided that Chad was right. They were meant to be together. Saves the rest of the population from having to date either one of them.

(Me? Cranky? Nooooo.)

Next week? More intensity! Less population over crowding! It’s almost the end of the race already!

Okay, okay, I’ve made you suffer long enough. You might have heard that People magazine names their sexiest man alive this past week. So, that seemed a pretty natural fit for Man Candy Monday. Blog babes…I give you….Ryan Reynolds!

Who knew men in chains could be so…..hot.

Don’t forget to enter the Special Free Stuff Black Friday contest this week. I’ll have three lucky winners (yes, three!) who can score an early stocking stuffer. Just send an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with “Gobble gobble!” in the subject line. The winners will be announced in Friday’s blog. Don’t forget to check in to see if you’re a winner. Something to do while you’re standing in line scoring that early bird special!

Good luck! Then? Come back here….and DISH! Did you feel deep satisfaction when they sent Chad packing? Are you hoping for a reality show two-fer with a Kyle win this week on DWTS? And, like me, did you think that Ryan Reynolds was too cute for the SMA title? And then you saw those photos and thought….dayum, mebbe he is the Sexiest Man Alive! Tell us how you really feel.

Tags: Writing by Donna
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And we have a winner!!

Thanks for all the entries this week. Blog Babes rule! This seemed to be the Week of the Stephanies. There are a lot of you out there as it turns out. You should form a club! And, so it was no surprise, when the random winner selector picked? A Stephanie! In this case, it’s Stephanie Gamverona!! Congratulations!

Just send along a mailing address and a few title selections (in case I’m out of your first choice) and I’ll pop your winning prize in the mail. I have several others to go out as well - all will find their way to the postman this weekend. Promise!

Don’t forget to tune in next Monday for some Raaaaaaaaace MAC and, of course, some Man Candy!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Tags: Writing by Donna
2 Comments »

So….this is how Survivor is going for me this season: We’re down to nine people and I still have to remind myself who three of them are. I did finally figure out why Purple Kelly gets no airtime. She doesn’t talk…and no one talks to her. There is no tape to air. She’s not just out of the loop, she’s not even in the game. Even her alliance mates aren’t utilizing her vote. It’s a Brenda v.NaOnka-donk showdown and Purple Kelly? Yeah, she votes for…..Benry. Oookay.

In other news, Chase? Dude, it’s not your heart you’re voting with. Just sayin. Let’s be honest here.

Also, Jane. Wow. I want her on my team. I don’t care what the team is for. That is one tough old broad. And she’d be the first to tell you that, in those words. Jane, you might have gone off the deep end of crazy where Marty was concerned, but now that you’re Marty-free? Dayum. Volcano boarding and holding out against the young bucks for the immunity win in a strength challenge? Respect.

Oh, and Brenda? Yeah, it’s only good to be da king until he’s beheaded. Buh-bye now. And Sash? Bless you for holding on to the idol. Like anyone in their right mind thought you’d give that up. Btw, rest of tribe? Target Sash. Soonest.

My other favorite moment was NaOnka taking Fabio, her most detested person, aside for a little chit chat. I love Fabio. With all my heart. Did you notice that he was the only one to pipe up while they were on their volcano reward adventure to wonder aloud how things were progressing back at camp? You’d think he’d be all captivated by the moment, but his head was in the game. There’s more to that boy, I tell ya.

And whoa, Holly. Still wound a little tight, but yeah, I’d have never, ever pegged you for getting this far in the game. I hope you send Jimmy Johnson a really nice thank you gift when this is over for the pep talk he gave you that kept you in. Good job on getting the ball rolling on the Brenda ouster, and getting NaOnka, of all people, to roll with you. Dark horse? Mebbe.

All in all, one of the better episodes this season. Which, I know, isn’t saying much, but at least people were playing, and making moves happen. Moves that actually made some strategic sense for the remaining players. That’s new.

Don’t forget to enter this week’s Free Stuff Friday contest. Details in Monday’s blog post. Winner of the free book announced in tomorrow’s blog. Don’t forget to check in and see if you’re a winner!

But first….DISH! Are you rooting for anyone on Survivor this go around? Are you even still watching? Who is your fave to win? Who needs to go home next? And can you please tell me how Dan is still in the game? Right now I’m all for a Jane-Fabio-Dan final three. Jane, because she earned it, Fabio because it would make me happy, and Dan just because he’s still there. (Did they not see Sandra win this thing - TWICE - by not doing anything or winning any challenges or even being any good at challenges? Hello? Anyone? Bueller?)

Tags: Writing by Donna
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So, I had a John McEnroe moment last night, while watching Dancing With the Stars. Sure, yeah, I knew it was an outside possibility that Bristol would once again manage to somehow defy the odds and remain in the competition. And…I haven’t exactly warmed to Brandy. (Sorry, Maks.) But the performance show was pretty entertaining and I thought that now we finally had gotten down to some serious competition, it was, perhaps, Bristol’s time to make a graceful, if somewhat lifeless exit. Much like her dancing. And her personality.

My bigger fear was that, despite a dazzling, charming pair of performances, that perhaps, cutie Kyle would be in jeopardy, along, of course, with Bristol. Who, even when she really really brought it, as she did this week….was still rather cadaverish in her dance style and demeanor. So, if that’s “bringing it”…and it was, then, well, she’s peaked, this is her zenith. And, a big, sincere golf clap to her for all she’s accomplished. But now, down to the wire? Her run is over.

So when Jennifer was announced as safe *duh* and *yay* Kyle is safe, too!, leaving Brandy, and Bristol — with the caveat that they weren’t necessarily the bottom two vote getters — I thought, Ah, good. Finally, things even out, perhaps not in the order I’d have chosen, but, in the end, we’re going to be left with the bottom three most deserving of dancing their way into the final performance night. And, frankly, the only three who I would enjoy watching perform in a finale this season. And all was good in the land.

Except….no.

When it was revealed that it was, in fact, Brandy and Maks who had garnered the lowest votes, I channeled my inner Johnny Mac at his umpire angst filled best with a pretty hearty “You CANNOT be serious!”

I get the underdog story. I do. But, to go the distance, underdogs have to also be endearing. See: Kelly Osbourne. Or, for that matter, 19-year-old Kyle. He’s this season’s true underdog for me. Bristol, bless her heart, is a shy, introverted, non-charismatic young girl who is only on the show because of her completely opposite mom. And I do applaud the ‘every-girl’ untrained performer who has learned to dance. However, at this stage of the competition, that’s not enough. And she certainly hasn’t become, as Kelly did, a crowd darling, with charisma and charm, as she bravado’d her way into our hearts. I don’t know who’s heart Bristol is grabbing, but it’s not mine.

So, sure….Go underdog! and all that, but…now? In the finals? Yes, you had a good run, but at this stage, this is where you exit, stage right, and be thrilled and thankful that you managed to pull off a final 4 or 5. Not bad, for the underdog. Not bad at all.

Instead, we somehow have a final three with a great dancer, a great performer….and Bristol. Who, quite frankly, is neither. So…I don’t get it.

Last season Mom of Eight, this season Daughter of Sarah. What next, DWTS? Well, whoever you manage to find to lower the common denominator even further, and I have no doubt that you will….I hope you don’t mind if I sit that dance out.

Tonight is Survivor. With NaOnka still on board. I’m afraid to watch.

On the Happy News Front: Don’t forget to enter this week’s Free Stuff Friday contest. You can check out the entry details (along with a nice, refreshing glance at Monday’s Man Candy!) in Monday’s blog. Winner announced in Friday’s blog! Good luck!

Then, drop back over and…tell us how you really feel. DISH!

Tags: Writing by Donna
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