Uh, yeah they do. And they did.

Ouch…things are getting brutal on So You Think You Can Dance.

I only got one out of three right for the bottom couples, proving no one is truly safe. Vitollo and Karla were the correct choices, but Jason/Katlyn were safe, as were Randi/Evan.

On the right end of things…Branden/Jeanette were good to go, as were Melissa Ade. Kupono and Kayla however, not so much. And in the truly surprising category, given the fan base that got them through a bad tango…Phillip/Jeanine were sent down to the bottom dwellers.

In the end, after the girls gave really strong solos (to my untrained eye anyway) and both Philip and Vitolio brought it with theirs…Kayla went home as expected, but just when I thought they’d send Kupono’s strange agent act home, they sent Vitolio’s far more superior talent packing. Understandable, given his bottom three repeat placements, but still…

And the show goes on. It’s not going to get any easier, either!

On to Free Stuff Friday! We had lots of entries, lured by the promise of a Christmas in July present of an advance review copy of Kissing Santa Claus, my next anthology, w/ Jill Shalvis and Helen Kay Dimon. But, alas, only one winner gets the prize goodie. And that blog babe is? Ron! Just email me at donna@donnakauffman.com with an address and your prize will be on its way.

I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe 4th ~ see you all here next week for more MAC and another contest giveaway!!

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Finally, we return to Week 1 standards. Very interesting, varied evening of dancing. Seven pairs danced, and while I liked some more than others, there were no real mishits.

Except for the very clumsy insertion of the Dizzy Feet Foundation infomercial. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a wonderful thing they are doing (although did you hear the distinct underwhelming reaction to the news that ::gasp:: Mrs. Tom Cruise would be dancing in a future show? Yeah. Yawn.) I think that whole thing was far better served up on a platter during a results show night. Not sandwiched in between team 6 out of 7…and team last out of 7. Talk about killing momentum…

Otherwise, a very enjoyable, entertaining night where my fast forward finger only got twitchy once. (Sorry, Vitolio, it wasn’t you…it was your dead-eyed partner.)

Okay, 7 dances. My top three:

Easily Branden and Jeanette’s Cha Cha. Holy Smokes, Batman. That? Was all kinds of awesome. When they showed the clips at the end of the show, it made me rewind and watch it all over again. Dance of the night for me.

P.S.: And yes, thank you Miz Mia for saying nice things to Branden. You can tell it meant a lot to him. Clearly. However, that said, abusive, Pygmalion-eque relationships don’t really get a lot of respect from this corner. You don’t get to literally beat someone up then say, oh, I only abuse because I love. What the hell is that teaching folks? There are far better, more constructive ways to both teach and lead. Be an example.

Melissa and Ade’s pas de deux. Now, aside from the fact that no one on earth believes she randomly pulled that from a hat (seriously, Uncle Nigel?) it was absolutely lovely and enchanting to watch. Very well done.

And, Kayla and Kupono’s contemporary routine. I know, and it was a Sonia routine, too, so go figure! It was definitely different, but the sheer athleticism of the dance, and they way they completely went for it, along with perfect costuming and music…it was an event to watch and absolutely memorable. I really wish these three dances had been in the latter half of the program and not the first. They all deserved that kind of attention.

What didn’t?

Well….Karla and Vitolio’s quick step. Not that it wasn’t done well. I think they did quite well considering neither of them are trained ballroom dancers and they’ve only been paired for a week. But wow, mismatch much? I think Vitolio gives his all to whichever partner he gets, but was it me or did Karla seem to want to be, oh, about a thousand miles from anywhere Vitolio happened to be? She just had dead-eyed stare going on the whole night. It says a lot about the caliber of the show when their very serviceable performance felt like a big letdown at the end. So, not bad at all, but comparitively, bottom three for me.

Who else landed there? Well, as much as I love Randi and Evan, and even really enjoyed their non-Tasty Oreo Broadway routine (but yikes on the diva they did get, huh? Wow.) I can’t say this was my fave of the evening. Not the worst by any stretch and fun to watch. But again, if I had to rank the dances 1 through 7. These two are in the lower half for me. Cute as buttons, though!

I’m torn beyond that, really. I thought Phillip and Jeanine did a really great hip hop routine, but agree that the chain was more distracting than it was a highlight. I kept waiting for them to crash - but it was really well done. So not really bottom three, but not tops either. I’d rank them 4th of 7.

And Brian Freedman has become a total head case of a choreographer and needs to stop saddling these poor dancers with routines that they cannot rise above, despite their amazing talent. That said, for the routine they were given, I thought Jason and Katlyn did everything they possibly could with it. You totally believed the story they were telling. Not their fault it was that whack job of a story they were forced to tell. (Serously, shouldn’t there be some kind of vetting process for these dances?) So, they land in 5th, and therefore bottom three, but I hate it that it’s not their fault.

Not sure who will go home, but if I had a vote, Karla would be first on that train out after last night. As for the guys…it will be between Jason and Vitolio, I’m afraid. It would be fair either way. Although if I had to mix up new couples, putting Vitolio with Katlyn might be interesting…

Still, a fantastic night of dances. Great range, wonderfully entertaining. Looking forward to where we go next!

Don’t forget to enter this week’s Free Stuff Friday contest. See Tuesday’s post for all the details! Winner announced right here tomorrow.

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Time to enter this week’s Free Stuff Friday contest. It’s simple, just send an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with “It’s My Turn!” in the subject line. I will pick a winner from all the entries and announce it right here in Friday’s blog.

And this week? The free stuff is pretty sweet! An advance review copy of my October Christmas anthology Kissing Santa Claus. Woot!

So, enter now! And tune in later this week for more Mad MAC on So You Think You Can Dance!

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Wow, so yesterday was a hell of a day, huh? First the news about Farrah, then Michael Jackson. I grew up right along with MJ, so it’s both tragic and stark to think that he’s gone. But what a legacy he leaves behind, the good, the bad, and the eccentric. But mostly, the music and the dance. Even in this day and age of the world becoming such a very small place, I wonder that ill wanyone ever have such a global impact again. RIP, gloved one.

Last night on So You Think You Can Dance, the bottom three couples weren’t much of a surprise. At least not to me. We had Karla/Jonathan, Asuka/Vitolio, and Jason/Kaitlin. Of those pairings, I do think the judges got it right and sent Asuka and Jonathan home. I was crossing my fingers for Vitolio, as it obviously meant so much more to him. Glad he’s got another shot. Will be interesting to see how he pairs with Karla. I think that match might do well.

Enjoyed the dancecrew, but they have nothing on Diversity, which recently won Britain’s Got Talent show. Check them out on You Tube. Would love to get them over here to watch.

Also loved the opening number. Way to go this season, choreographers. Would have never guessed that was NappyTabs. Really loved it. Didn’t love the schizo camera angles, but played back the routine to try and catch what the camera’s kept jerking us away from.

So…all in all, right on the money!

Still haven’t caught up with Top Chef Masters. With the shift of release dates, I’m pretty much in continuous deadline hell, but it’s a wonderful hell to be in, so no complaints from me!

Time for Free Book Friday! I asked you all to send in emails, which many of you did. From that stack we have one winning Blog Babe, who is? Marilyn E!! Woo hoo!! Marilyn, just send me an email with a few book choices (in case I’m out of your top choice) and I’ll get your prize in the mail. And don’t forget to check out this spot every Friday to see if you’ve won. I’m still waiting to hear from last week’s winner…was it you?

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend and will see you back here next week for more MAC and another Free Book Friday!

Now…DISH!

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We’re down to eight couples on So You Think You Can Dance. Still a high level of competition, but last night, while good, wasn’t as dynamic a show for me. Nigel made a point of saying that several of the choreographers designed dances that weren’t as complex or difficult, to allow the dancers to shine more….but I’m not sure I agree. Not that I want them pushed to the point of injury or anything, but it wasn’t a totally memorable night for me, in general. I think maybe my expectations were just too high, as there weren’t any actual bad performances and several quite good ones.

I think most of my disappointment stems from the fact that we’ve now had two Shane Sparks routines, and last night two Dave Scott routines, which are usually major highlights for me, but this batch of largely contemporary dancers don’t seem to really be bringing it to the hip hop style, so the routines have been a let down, or, at the very least, far from a show stopper.

I understand from Adam Shankman’s Twittering that as he’s going through the auditions now for the fall season of the show, that it looks like they’re going back to having more street dancers in the mix. I think that might be a more interesting thing, despite how ridiculously talented this season’s group of far more highly trained dancers can be.

Also…they are clearly spending a lot more money on wardrobe this year as the costumes for the dancers are far more elaborate. Sometimes good (Jason) and sometimes….not as much. (Janette - although, to be fair, it might have been more fierce on a different dancer, but her face was not made for those fishnets and leather.)

Oh, and for the love of god, never have Toni Basil back as a judge. It’s not that she didn’t have illuminating things to say, but you just wanted to kill yourself by the time she finally put her words together.

Okay, so first up, we had Karla and Jonathan with a Dave routine and ever since I found out that Karla is in Boogie Bots dance crew, I’ve been excited to see her do hip hop. And she did a good job…unfortunately there will never be even so much as a hint of gangsta in Jonathan. Boy cannot hit it hard to save his life. And that along with their lack of synchronicity, which I also lay at Jonathan’s softstyle feet, made the dance far from memorable.

Following them was Asuka and Vitolio in a rock and roll Mandy Moore jazz routine which, after seeing in their practice clip how Vitolio has totally taken over the protector role with Asuka, was ten times more dynamic. I think this was one of my faves of the night, mostly due to that chemistry, which was also there after the dance.

Next up was Ade and Melissa with smmmmokin’ hot rumba. Her body is ridiculous. So is his. Another favorite dance for me. This time for both the dance itself and the couple. Incredibly well done. Whew.

Branden and Janette get the other Dave Scott routine. I actually loved this routine, and Branden was amazingly good as the pop n locker. And it’s not that Janette didn’t do a great job as the rock n roller, she just didn’t quite have as believable a look or feel to her as Branden did - her face and hair were incredibly distracting and not in a good way. Still, all in all, one of the top half routines of the night. Branden was especially fun to watch.

Kupono and Kayla have their first dance together and it’s a very ethereal waltz, which I actually loved a great deal. Not so much Kupono, though he did a serviceable job, but Kayla really is a simply stunning dancer. I can’t help but want to see her with a better partner. (Seriously, can you picture her with Danny from last year? Wow.) I’m not sure there is one in this season’s crop to really do her that kind of justice.

Up next are Randi and Evan with a hilarious and adorable Mia Michaels routine. I’m so glad to see Mia is in a much more upbeat mood, stylistically, these days. This was funny, cute, different, quirky. I don’t know that it was a top three for me, but it definitely held my attention. I mean, the whole thing was choreographed with Randi’s ass as the focal point. Literally. You have to admire that kind of gumption creatively speaking. I hope to see more of this kind of thing from her this season. (And I also think Mia’s hairstyle and glasses totally rocked. Maybe she’s found her happy place after clearly not knowing where in the hell it was during the audition phase this season. I still think she owes Branden an apology.)

Jason and Kaitlin get the paso and while the costuming was amazing and the music intense….for me? I didn’t think they brought it at all. I felt like they were thinking waaaaay too hard about it the whole time and there was no real connection or true dynamism between them at all. And it’s a tough dance, so it’s understandable, but it was like they bulled their way through it, but no real power or finesse. It was bottom three for me. And it shouldn’t have been. Should have been a show stopper.

Last up where Philip and Jeanette with…sigh….a Tasty Oreo Broadway routine (and really, that is how is name sounds - say it outloud and see if you don’t agree. Tyce D’Orio….) Now, to be fair, I thought it was a really cute 40’s feel routine. I would have loved seeing this on the stage during a Broadway show, so kudos for that much at least. And I do agree with the judges that Philip’s skill wasn’t the sharpest in this, but he’s a very expressive and dynamic performer regardless and I don’t think that Nigel gave him near enough credit for that. I think he held his own with the clearly more at home Jeanette, for which this number was tailor made. Not top three for me, but not bottom three either.

Which leaves me with…who are my top and bottom threes this week…

Bottom for sure will be Karla/Jonathan, and should be Jason/Kaitlin. I’m not sure which of the “middle group” I’d put with them. I still don’t think it will be Phillip, which leaves a number of other pairs vulnerable.

In the top, for me, was Melissa/Ade and Asuka/Vitolio (though going early might hurt them.) Rounding that out could either be Branden/Janette or Kupono/Kayla, simply on Kayla’s dancing alone.

But it’s truly a very tight race and any of them could be in danger. I don’t really see any frontrunner emerging as yet.

What say you? Who are you loving? Who do you wish had a better partner? What guest judge would you like to see next week?

No Top Chef MAC today…haven’t gotten to view it yet. Hopefully tomorrow along with the results show MAC from tonight. Don’t forget to enter this week’s contest. Details in Tuesday’s blog post. Check right here on Friday to see if you’re the winner!

And now? DISH already!!!

Tags: Writing // 1 Comment »

To enter this week’s free book giveaway, send an email to donna@donnakauffman.com with “I have a need, a need to read!” in the subject line. I will draw a name from the pile o’ entries and announce it right here on Friday…right after the SYTYCD “who got booted off” MAC!

Good luck!!

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Fun news!

I have titles and release dates for upcoming books.

As I’ve already announced, this fall KISSING SANTA CLAUS, the new Christmas anthology will be out in October. My story, Lock, Stock, and Jingle Bells, will continue the story from last year’s anthology, TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT - and if you missed it, that book is being re-released in October in mass market (regular size) paperback. So check it out!

Then, in November, my next single title, A GREAT KISSER hits the stands, followed by the mass market size reprint of BLACK SHEEP & THE PRINCESS in January.

Now for the fun NEW news! My next single title has been pushed up to February 2010 - title is HERE COMES TROUBLE! Then, if that wasn’t cool enough, the book after that is coming in June! I know, three single titles in seven months. Now you know why I’ve been deep inside my little bat cave here. The June book is titled SOME LIKE IT SCOT. And yes, you guessed it, I’m going back to Scotland with this one. If you enjoyed Catch Me If You Can, Bad Boys in Kilts, or The Great Scot, hold on to your seats for this one!

AND! (Yes, there is more!) Harlequin invited me back to be part of their 60th year anniversary and I will have a book out with them next July! (Which brings the grand total to 4 titles in 8 months. Cah-razy!) And…and!! I will be doing another one for them (release date T& title BA) which, wait for it! Will be a paranormal! So for all of you who have pined for another paranormal from me lo these many years after the release of The Charm Stone and the four other para’s that came before it….this one is for you!

So, can you stand it? I know I can barely stand up! I’m thrilled and I hope you all are, too.

Below are the covers and copy for the remaining 2009 releases…back cover copy AND cover art for the 2010 books will be coming soon!!

Naughty or nice…
These “Kris Kringles” will make them tingle!

KISSING SANTA CLAUS
Donna Kauffman
Jill Shalvis
HelenKay Dimon

BACK COVER:

Three hottie humbugs find holiday magic where they least expect it…

DONNA KAUFFMAN
Lock, Stock and Jingle Bells
Holly hates the yuletide season more than ever since she inherited her mother’s Christmas novelty store, but her childhood pal Sean’s determined to warm her up—to Christmas and to him. When they uncover a diary concealing secrets involving both their families, this could be the Christmas that changes their lives forever…

JILL SHALVIS
Bah Handsome!
Behind on her bills, B&B owner Hope receives an unlikely guest—stranded solicitor Danny, who’s been threatening to put her out of business. Hope’s staff sees more fire than fight in the sparks that fly as they try and bring Hope and Danny together, but only a Christmas miracle can help these unlikely lovers see the light…

HELENKAY DIMON
It’s Hotter at Christmas
Hawaii’s no paradise for Marissa, who, thanks to a series of unfortunate events, can’t seem to get away from the sand to enjoy her Christmas East Coast style—with plenty of snow and slush. But tall, dark, and serious police officer Ted’s about to give this bad Santa in heels a Mele Kalikimaka she’ll never forget…

Coming October 2009!

TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT
Donna Kauffman
Jill Shalvis
HelenKay Dimon

BACK COVER:

This Christmas, sugarplums aren’t the only visions that will be dancing in your head. Prepare to have your toes curled by some of the holiday’s hunkiest heroes in this hot, hot, hot collection. . . .

DONNA KAUFFMAN
Unleashed
When Emma Lafferty is hired by a billionaire CEO to watch his pets over the holidays, she expects to enjoy a quiet Christmas in opulent surroundings. What she doesn’t expect is to spend the week trapped in the mansion with the CEO’s sexy great-nephew¬¬—and heir—whose motives are as shady as his desire is crystal clear….

JILL SHALVIS
Finding Mr. Right
Brilliant chemist Maggie Bell has a knack for choosing Mr. Wrong, and with yet another lonely Christmas looming, she decides it’s time to alter the equation—and seek out someone who seems totally wrong for her. Enter Jacob Wahler, the rough and rippling contractor who’s about as far from Maggie type as he could get. But suddenly what’s wrong for Maggie seems oh-so-right….

HELENKAY DIMON
Can You Hand Me the Tape?
Natalie Pritchard is desperate. It’s a week before Christmas and she’s lost the naughty tape she made for her now-ex-boyfriend. She’s so desperate, in fact, that she’ll turn to her nemesis Spencer Donovan for help. The sexy criminal defense attorney would be only too happy to assist—but can Emma afford his price?

November 2009!

FLY ME

Some men just leave you breathless…
******************************************************************************
BACK COVER:
Buckle up. Enjoy the view.

Jake McKenna fixes planes, not people. Compared to an engine, humans are high-maintenance and unpredictable—which is why Jake has zero interest in indulging his sister’s request that he play tour guide and rent-a-date to her boss’s visiting stepdaughter. Still, Lauren Matthews is nothing like the uptight, reed-skinny workaholic he expected. She’s curvy—deliciously so. Funny. Open. And convinced that there’s more to her mother’s hasty marriage to the local mayor than meets the eye.

Leaving her fast-track Washington career is the most impulsive thing Lauren has ever done—right until the moment she arrives in Cedar Springs, Colorado. Everything about sexy, enigmatic pilot Jake tempts Lauren to unleash her inner bad girl and let him take her places she’s never been…even as her snooping around town provokes some extremely hostile reactions. At this altitude, losing your head is easy. Trusting your heart can cost you everything…

So, there you have it! The rest of 2009….Tune in tomorrow for the details on this week’s free giveaway!! Then again Thursday and Friday for So You Think You Can Dance and Top Chef Masters MAC. Woot!

Tags: Writing // 4 Comments »

Interesting night, mainly because the bottom three this week was completely different from the bottom three last week. Which, while scary for the dancers and the voters, it does show both how tight the competition is this season, and that it’s not just about playing favorites (yet, anyway) as 12 of the original 20 have now been in the bottom and it’s only week 2. I love that part - that it’s such a contest.

Okay, so I said yesterday that I was thinking Kupono and Ashley should go, and I got that half right. Ashley is no longer. Philip got by on his fans this week, so in addition we got Max and Kayla, which I was worried about. However, the third pair was disappointing in that it was Jason and Kaitlin and I kinda thought his cutness would get him through. But the judges did critique them heavily and I guess the voters took that to heart. Which means, so far, it’s been about the dancing. Only Phillip seems to have gotten the fan fave over best skillz vote.

Neither vote was unanimous tonight and I can see why. On the guys, it came down to Pono and Max….with Max going home. I agree with that as I think he is dragging Kayla down, much as I like the guy. But I’m not sure Kupono is going to be a much better fit. Sad to say. All in all, though, it did leave the more dynamic dancers in the competition and I’m happy for that!

I also liked the opening Mia number - so not Mia-like. I wish the dang camera had just stayed front and center though so we could see the dance in its entirety, instead of the mad swivel action we got. Very annoying and hard to view. But good one, Mia, nonetheless.

And if Cat Deeley doesn’t get a best reality show nod next go around, it’s a damn crime. Love her, she makes what she does look easy and we know it’s not. Evidence? Insert Samantha Harris in her role. Yeah. I know. You can stop cringing and covering your eyes now. And unmute the television, too. (But could you imagine? Shudder.)

What say you, Blog Babes? Who’d ya love? Did they get it right with you? Who would you send home? And how will Kayla and Kupono get on next week?

Also? Winner of this week’s free book is? Thelma! Send me an email with address and a few title ideas from my website bookshelf. Give me a few choices in case I’m out of your top choice. Congratulations! Tune in Monday for a new contest! And? For you who Twitter, you already got some of the Breaking News! I’ll be revealing some exciting release news come Monday, too. Woot!

Time to get to it — DISH!! You know you want to.

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Highs and lows this week….but WOW, these kids are ridiculous.

But first? The Choreographers tonight? 2 Shane Sparks plus 2 Louis, plus 1 Brian and NO Tyce? Equals a show made of win for me. Surprise of the night? Doriana ended in the plus column. First. Time. Ever. And the new contemp choreo from Cananda? She’s no Mia, but I like her stuff better than Mandy’s, so welcome aboard, a!

Also loved? The insider info on the dancers. Interesting that NB (Naughty Ballerina) and her sister married brothers. Love it. And? That Jonathan’s little partner Karla is a member of Boogie Bots Crew, who I loved on America’s Best Dance Crew. So, hunh! Can’t wait to see those two do hip hop.

Okay, couples MAC, here we go:

First up are the intensely adorable Evan and Randi who got a Louis! jive that I really, really enjoyed. I thought it opened the show beautifully. I also love listening to Lil C describe his vision of how a dance looks inside his head. I love his words. All of them. But then, I make my living with them, so maybe it’s just me. And while I appreciated what the judges had to say critique wise, it was still one of my favorite performances of the night. Cutey patooties, those two.

Next up was NB Melissa and Ade who got jazz from Mohawk Diva Sonia and while I did appreciate it’s quirkiness and their ability to dance it well, it didn’t really grab me like some other routines. It looked kind of soft and flowy to me and should have been more hard edged or something. The judges gushed, so maybe they got something from it I didn’t. But I do like these two as dancers a great deal and hope they stick around.

Going third was Caitlin and Jason. I liked this Shane hip hop routine far more than the judges did, but I think it’s because Jason is such a cutie and the routine was adorable if not all that techinically hard edged. I do get that it wasn’t the strongest showing, but I really did enjoy it. Hope they stick around, too.

Up next was Asuka and Vitolio in a Louis! waltz and as it was designed to showcase Vitolio’s tough childhood, it really was touching. I like him. Still not an Asuka fan, but what can ya do? I don’t think they should be in the bottom this week, given the other performances, but I don’t know how long they’ll last overall.

Now for the surprise of the night for me. Branden and Janette get a Doriana Disco routine and I was all feeling SO sorry for them all over the place…until they came out and did what really had to be the best disco ever done on this show. Mostly because of the speed, it really commanded a much higher level of respect in terms of difficulty and the lifts were insane. Plus I love that song, haven’t heard it in ages. Also loved that Lil C finally gave Branden some props. Deserved. This, shockingly, was a top three performance for me this week. Disco. Whoda thunk it.

Then we get Kayla and Max doing a Brian Freedman routine, who was inside Wade Robson’s head, I think. But Max was kinda Mad Max hot for me in the opening moments. Who knew? I liked the routine well enough, mostly because it was different and therefore entertaining to me since I didn’t know what to expect. I liked that. And Kayla really is a ridiculously talented young lady. Not my fave of the night, but hopefully they get the votes and move through.

Karla and Jonathan got the new Canadian choreographer’s contemp routine and this was my fave of the night, hands down. Adorable and touching, the two of them, and I enjoyed every minute.

Going next to last: Phillip and Janeane got tango. However, tango didn’t get them. It was a tough adjustment for the street dancer and it showed, but props for giving it a decent shot. I think his massive popularity will carry him this week, but it was, performance wise, bottom three for me.

Ending the show, Kopono and Ashley got the final Shane Sparks routine and I loved the idea behind it, but as Mary said, it was just okay. They did the dance, but it wasn’t memorable. Not the best way to end the show, but at least after being introduced to all the couples last week, we can now start to see where the strengths and weaknesses are going to be.

Overall, I thought it was another memorable and strong performance show. I think this is going to be a very enjoyable season. My faves of the night: Jonathan/Karla, Branden/Janette and Evan/Randi. In my bottom three: Philip/Janeane, Kopono/Ashley, and Ade/Melissa (I know!) And going home, I sadly think that while it should be Kopono and Ash, that by virtue of going much earlier in the evening, it might be Ade/Melissa. I hope not! Max and Kayla might get lost in the mix, too.

However, props to the show for giving us really healthy vid clips of all the nights performances at the end of the show. It started stronger than it ended, so hopefully that reminded folks who did the best job.

What do you think? Who are you loving? Who would you not miss? Are we sending home a couple this week? Or two from different partnerships? Hmmm…can’t wait to find out!

BUT! Not tiime to dish just yet. First we need to talk about my new other favorite show: Top Chef Masters. Last week’s opener was still the best for me. Partly because of getting to feast on the godliness that is Hubert, and partly for things like the red headed Girl Scout giving the chefs a thorough critique…and them loving it.

But this week we got Wylie Dufresne, who is an interesting cat, and Graham who I adore, but he’s no Hubert. Overall, we get another enjoyable group and we’re off to the races. I wish, however, we had a different host. NotPadma Kelly Choi needs to pack her knives (and a few Twinkies) and go.

I enjoyed punk rock pastry chef Elizabeth more than I thought I would. Graham the Great Big Bear is my fave. He can come hang with me anytime. Poor Wylie was truly stressed out. And wow, Suzanne wasn’t she like the Anti Personality? Or Absent Personality I mean, I liked her, but she was like Human Beige. I had to laugh when she won the Quickfire “Make and Amuse Bouche From a Vending Machine” challenge and goes “I was so excited” in about the same tone of voice you’d use to tell someone their beloved pet had died. Also? Could do without ever seeing Ilan or Betty on my tv screen again. Ever. Show.

Then we get to the Lost Challenge, where they have to impress the writers and director from the tv show Lost by making a feast prepared with goods that are island approved - nothing fresh, all canned,etc. The section with Wylie and Graham totally geeking it out at Whole Foods together was the highlight of the whole show for me. Ha!

And though they all give it a good run, and Graham is alllllmost in, in the end, Steady As She Goes Suzanne pulls out the win- and deservedly so. I am truly enjoying this series. They are keeping the tone lighthearted, yet very competitive and also showing us what these guys can do. I loved Elizabeth making cookies for them all while they were waiting in the back kitchen for their final scores. All around good times. Can’t wait for next week.

Okay, now? You can DISH!! (and don’t forget to enter this week’s contest - details in Monday’s post. Tune in tomorrow for the winner and for the Morning After Commentary on who goes home on SYTYCD!)

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Happy Monday, Blog Babes!

First, thanks for all the support at the signing yesterday. Fun event, nice to be able to sign locally for a change.

I’ve started watching So You Think You Can Dance, and Top Chef Masters, and in both cases….I think we have some winners! (Hubert Keller is SO my new tv boyfriend. He can cook in my shower annnnnnytime!) So, I’ll be blogging those two shows for the coming weeks. AND? Giving away free books, of course.

Speaking of which, this week, since you all have been so patient with me, no scavenger hunting or guessing who gets voted off of what show(because already on SYTYCD, it’s brutal! Week 1 and already tough. Yikes!)

So, to be in the running for Free Book Friday this week, just email me at donna@donnakauffman.com with “Well, it’s about time!” in the subject line. I’ll draw a name and announce the winner right here Friday morning.

In the meantime, have you been watching the dancing? I think it must be The Season of Gay Adams for me this year. First Adam Lambert (have you SEEN the cover of Rolling Stone?) and now Adam Shankman. Smooches to both of them. Love. Mary, however, wow, so not so much. How toasted was she last week? Kinda, is the generous answer. But I’m already loving a bunch of the dancers and hating sending anyone home yet. Possibly the most entertaining opening Top 20 evah. Can’t wait for this week’s show.

How about you? Who did you love? Did you agree that they sent home the right pair? (Me, too!) You know what to do. DISH!!

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