Cat looks very Von Trapp ballerina tonight, in a baby blue tutu-like dress. She warns us that this may be the hardest night for our judges. Then we launch into our number set to “You Can’t Stop The Beat” from Hairspray (Holy Cross Promotion Batman!) choreographed by guest judge Adam Shankman. Is it just me, or were there only 6 couples there. Do we have another Jessi on our hands? We launch into a clip package, where Adam Shankman warns us he’s gonna dance everyone to death. Everyone seems to love him because he’s an unconventional choreographer. The first two couples called to the stage are Sabra and Dominic and Anya and Danny. One is safe, one’s in the bottom three. The judges loved Sabra and Dominic’s hip-hop, earning a louder than audible Mary Murphy scream. But they also loved Danny and Anya’s dancing as well, even if they quibbled over Danny’s possible arrogance/missing magic. Sabra and Dominic are in the bottom three, meaning Anya and Danny are dancing for their lives tonight. Nigel’s sorry that they’re not connecting with the audience, and Nigel and Adam make peace, with Adam retracting the arrogance complaint. Cat very sweetly suggests that maybe it’s because they make it seem too easy. Aw Cat, you’re such a good den mother.
The next group includes Lacey/Kameron, Shauna/Cedric, and Pasha/Sara. The judges enjoyed Lacey and Kameron’s hustle. They are immediately told they are safe. They hump their way off stage. The judges absolutely adored Pasha and Sara’s West Coast Swing. The judges enjoyed Shauna and Cedric did well for the first time. Shauna and Cedric are in the bottom 3, meaning Sara and Pasha are safe. They are much more sedate, and it is much more fitting. Mary still likes Cedric. I don’t.
This means that our final two pairs are Hok/Jaime and Lauren/Neil. The judges loved Jaime but didn’t like Hok. On the other hand, Lauren and Neil’s adored Wade Robson routine. Wow, I wonder who’s gonna be our last bottom couple. It’s….. Jaime and Hok. Big surprise. Then we’re treated to a clip package of the finalists going to the premiere of Hairspray. Kameron does a half-decent Chris Walken impression. Nigel fakes juggling Mary’s boobs. Then we get to watch them awkwardly interview the celebrities, a few of whom are in the audience. Zac Efron couldn’t look less interested to be there.
Time for solos:
Anya: Wearing a tassled leopard-print skin-tight leotard, she does a decent solo, but these ballroom people definitely have a harder time.
Danny: Danny’s solo is graceful, elegant, and beautiful. His spins are remarkable and the whole thing just comes across as polished and professional.
Shauna: Shauna yet again demonstrates what dancing for your life actually is. She clearly put her all into it and it’s great.
Cedric: Cedric does his excess of joint fluid thing again. He slides, pops, locks. It’s all cool looking, but he does the same thing all the time and he’s not great when he’s not doing it.
Jaime: Jamie also puts a lot of herself into the dance, but Shauna’s similar dance outshined her. I’d be worried if I was her.
Hok: Hok’s popping solo to a Broadway song brings more life to the stage than anyone else. He’s the most fun, the most engaging, and the best to watch.
Now it’s time for an Indian styled Hilary Duff performance. I’m fairly confident she’s lip-syncing and trying to his it by holding the microphone right in front of her face. She seems lifeless on stage. Maybe she and Zac Efron were discussing their disdain for being there right before she went on stage. The song also leaves something to be desired. Not that I’ve ever found her music to be half-decent. I think she’s even worse than Ashlee Simpson. That’s saying something. By the end she seems winded. Yikes. She didn’t even do much up there.
It’s cutting time. First up are the girls. They were unanimous. They’re taking everything into account this time, not just the solos. Jaime has been wonderful across the season. She’s safe. They’re worried that they can’t pin Anya down in a solo, and she needs to find that. She is also safe. Which means that Shauna is going home. They don’t think that the growth and personality are there for her. But they say she’ll have a glittering career and we cut into her clip package. Cat tells her it’s no time for tears, and it’s on to the guys. Nigel reminds us they’re unanimous. They very quickly cut Cedric. About time. He was out of his league. Again, they say he’ll have a long career. They clip package him, Cat reminds him of the offer from Debbie Allen, and Cat wishes us all a good night.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Big Brother 7/12. Eviction Time. But First!
Julie Chen, whose hair does not seem to have deflated since the last time we saw her, introduces what’s been happening the first week with the enemies. Then we go into the clips. Post veto, Carol hopes she has some supporters. Amber reiterates for the umpteenth time that she’s doing this for her daughter. Dick and Dustin both inherently trust Amer. Amber thinks she has more votes to stay than Carol. Carol, now talking to Jen, realizes she has to fight to stay but isn’t aggressive. Carol and Jess try to make up, but Jess isn’t having it. Carol now seems to be campaigning HARD. Thank god. I truly hope she stays. Even if she does have Joe campaigning for her. That’s forgivable. Zach now sees the point of keeping Carol, because they’ll be indebted. In the middle of strategy talk in the HOH room, Jen walks in and the boys leave, causing her to wonder if the boys are coming back. Jen, however, may have picked up on what was actually happening. Our favorite unstable roommate may be more than meets the eye (and that’s a lot of her). Woah. Is Jen a Transformer? I wonder what she turns into. I bet it’s a dancing cage. Or a shirt printing press. When Julie starts talking to them, she springs a question on Jen, who doesn’t answer, because she’s partially brain-dead. Jess and Carol say they don’t really care that one another are in the house. Dick says that his situation is hard but good. Danielle finds it awkward, and that everyone is making it easier for her. Joe and Dustin snipe at each other through compliments. After the break we’re gonna get Dick back-story. But First (Oh, Julie!), the houseguests discuss why they would want to evict either Carol or Amber. Nothing much of any substance is said.
Now, it’s time for some juicy Dick back-story. It starts with Dick pressuring Kail for an opinion on his child-rearing skills. Apparently, the Dick and Danielle feud started over a loan to Danielle that she couldn’t pay back. I certainly hope its more than 5 dollars. Dick’s mom thinks Dick is a good Dad. Dick wants to win the money and his daughter. Dick’s son hopes that the second happens. On to Kail’s secret talk in the HOH room. Kail likes big strong men. Kail was surprised that Eric would confide in her, but then chalks it up to her mom-ness. After the break, we find out how Eric’s family is dealing with his being America’s player. But First (Julie strikes again!), more pointless ramblings about the nominees, except for Jessica’s sadistic “The only reason to keep Carol is because its fun to watch her try to save herself. But she’s not gonna.” Note to self: Never borrow from or lend 5 dollars to Jessica.
Eric’s friends and family didn’t know he was gonna be America’s player. His brother hope’s he’s not America’s player. Listen Eric’s brother. If you hadn’t said that, you know he wouldn’t be. Reality TV editing should have taught you that. Speaking of America’s player, he wants to evict Carol, not Amber. And America wants him to evict….. Carol. Damnit Reality TV! The way he delivered his speech I was sure he was going to vote to evict Amber. And America, you are too easily duped by sad backstories. Now we’re gonna be stuck with Amber’s Conversations With God for a while.
It’s time to evict. But First (Julie, enough is enough!), they get a chance to say their goodbyes. Amber hopes everyone is in the last two standing. I’m not even gonna ponder that Jen-worthy sentence (a Jentence, if you will). Carol hopes everyone prospers and wishes everyone good luck. By a vote of 10-1, Carol is evicted. Houseguests, you officially suck. Everyone wishes her bye. Carol hopes she grabbed the right bag. Amber is, yet again, crying. Big surprise. Jessica looks happy beyond words. Julie Chen asks Carol how Jess is different. Carol says that she isn’t, and she doesn’t want to go there. Julie Chen does one of her “rubbing salt in the wounds” video packages. After watching, Carol calls Jess a conceited bitch. Oh Julie Chen, you saucy minx. You know how to get a reaction. I’m pretty sure I saw a blinking light in the back of Julie’s head. You’d think that the makeup people would have learned how to cover Chen-Bot’s more, um, “mechanical” features by now, but whatever.
It’s HOH competition time. Tonight’s competition is called “Majority Rules”. They have to answer how they think the majority will answer. I’m pretty sure they’ve done this exact competition before. Zach is first out. Then Nick, Danielle, and Dick. Then, in a stroke of genius, everyone says that Joe is more likely to cheat on a significant other than Dustin. Jameka is next out. Then out goes Amber. I guess God didn’t want her to be HOH. Julie eliminates Mike and Jess, and, for the second time Zach. Nice one Chen-Bot. Tie breaker time between Dustin, Eric, Jen, and Joe. They’re asked to guess how many gallons of water would the teacup hold. Crazy Jen is our new head of household, meaning that this should be, an, ahem, interesting week to say the least. If I were anyone who could get between Nick and Jen, I would watch my back. And, because of that, if I were Nick I would watch my back. Jen stares at everyone in the backyard as they discuss the competition and the eviction. Then she tells Amber that, if I heard correctly, she voted to evict Amber. Nice and blunt Jen.
Now, it’s time for some juicy Dick back-story. It starts with Dick pressuring Kail for an opinion on his child-rearing skills. Apparently, the Dick and Danielle feud started over a loan to Danielle that she couldn’t pay back. I certainly hope its more than 5 dollars. Dick’s mom thinks Dick is a good Dad. Dick wants to win the money and his daughter. Dick’s son hopes that the second happens. On to Kail’s secret talk in the HOH room. Kail likes big strong men. Kail was surprised that Eric would confide in her, but then chalks it up to her mom-ness. After the break, we find out how Eric’s family is dealing with his being America’s player. But First (Julie strikes again!), more pointless ramblings about the nominees, except for Jessica’s sadistic “The only reason to keep Carol is because its fun to watch her try to save herself. But she’s not gonna.” Note to self: Never borrow from or lend 5 dollars to Jessica.
Eric’s friends and family didn’t know he was gonna be America’s player. His brother hope’s he’s not America’s player. Listen Eric’s brother. If you hadn’t said that, you know he wouldn’t be. Reality TV editing should have taught you that. Speaking of America’s player, he wants to evict Carol, not Amber. And America wants him to evict….. Carol. Damnit Reality TV! The way he delivered his speech I was sure he was going to vote to evict Amber. And America, you are too easily duped by sad backstories. Now we’re gonna be stuck with Amber’s Conversations With God for a while.
It’s time to evict. But First (Julie, enough is enough!), they get a chance to say their goodbyes. Amber hopes everyone is in the last two standing. I’m not even gonna ponder that Jen-worthy sentence (a Jentence, if you will). Carol hopes everyone prospers and wishes everyone good luck. By a vote of 10-1, Carol is evicted. Houseguests, you officially suck. Everyone wishes her bye. Carol hopes she grabbed the right bag. Amber is, yet again, crying. Big surprise. Jessica looks happy beyond words. Julie Chen asks Carol how Jess is different. Carol says that she isn’t, and she doesn’t want to go there. Julie Chen does one of her “rubbing salt in the wounds” video packages. After watching, Carol calls Jess a conceited bitch. Oh Julie Chen, you saucy minx. You know how to get a reaction. I’m pretty sure I saw a blinking light in the back of Julie’s head. You’d think that the makeup people would have learned how to cover Chen-Bot’s more, um, “mechanical” features by now, but whatever.
It’s HOH competition time. Tonight’s competition is called “Majority Rules”. They have to answer how they think the majority will answer. I’m pretty sure they’ve done this exact competition before. Zach is first out. Then Nick, Danielle, and Dick. Then, in a stroke of genius, everyone says that Joe is more likely to cheat on a significant other than Dustin. Jameka is next out. Then out goes Amber. I guess God didn’t want her to be HOH. Julie eliminates Mike and Jess, and, for the second time Zach. Nice one Chen-Bot. Tie breaker time between Dustin, Eric, Jen, and Joe. They’re asked to guess how many gallons of water would the teacup hold. Crazy Jen is our new head of household, meaning that this should be, an, ahem, interesting week to say the least. If I were anyone who could get between Nick and Jen, I would watch my back. And, because of that, if I were Nick I would watch my back. Jen stares at everyone in the backyard as they discuss the competition and the eviction. Then she tells Amber that, if I heard correctly, she voted to evict Amber. Nice and blunt Jen.
So You Think You Can Dance 7/11. Our Top 14 Perform and Deal With Judge Drama
Opening: Cat starts on high wearing a sparkly garish outfit, introducing our top 14 before we cut into the credits sequence. In our opening, Lacey exposes herself to America, continuing a Schwimmer family tradition this year. That, or she has a very flesh-tone bra on. Cedric’s openings don’t even deserve to be there any more. Pasha brings more life to the stage than anyone else yet. Hok fakes smoking a joint. I think. Maybe I mis-read his gesture. Sabra has kooky hair. Neil finally does something other than twirling. Finally, when they end, Pasha holds Lacey in mid-air between his legs. I wonder if Kameron is jealous. This week’s judges include pervy birthday boy Nigel, crazy Mary, and Broadway and film choreographer Adam Shankman. Apparently, a lot of America wants Jessi back on since America didn’t put her in the bottom three. I don’t understand why they don’t just reveal that Jessi had to leave because of her medical problems. They don’t even have to specify. It’d just make that a lot easier. Mary found it hard to say goodbye to Jesus. Don’t worry Mary, isn’t the second coming supposed to be happening soon. Adam thinks Cat looks catastrophic (I agree so far) cat-tastic (OK, you’ve lost me. Is that a good or a bad thing?) Cat blushes. Adam reassures us that he doesn’t buy and sell human slaves.
Lacey/Kameron: Kameron is apparently a daredevil. Lacey, voicing over an absolutely terrible photo of herself, used to be a hair model. This week they’ve got a Maria Torres New York style hustle. Maria thinks it’s gonna be their biggest challenge yet. Kameron wasn’t prepared for the strain of the dance, and is clearly pissing off Lacey. As for the dance, it was good. Not stellar, but definitely a solid effort. Lacey is the much better partner here, constantly drawing my attention with her fancy as more complicated footwork. Kameron, as has been previously said, seems more like a prop again this week, although he holds his own. Adam thinks their showmanship was amazing, and that their partner work seemed effortless and they were truly awesome. Mary thought they were definitely hustlin’ it tonight. Mary thought that the leading was good but at times Kameron seemed uncomfortable, and that Lacey killed it tonight (that’s good). Nigel thinks that Lacey is outshining Kameron by a lot, but that the technical parts a big. He also thinks that Lacey far outshines her brother on technique.
Cedric/Shauna: Shauna snowboards. Whoopie Shauna. Cedric was his high school mascot for the Purgolders (a combination of purple and gold). Cedric thinks it was funny. Cedric thinks the mambo is a late 50s dance. They’ve got an Alex deSilva mambo routine, who is apparently very worried that he’s dealing with Cedric, bringing an extra two assistants. Snap Cedric, you just got served. Alex looks none too pleased at Cedric’s botching all of his choreography. Shauna’s confident that Cedric will get it in time. Well, that makes one of us Shauna. But enough of that, on to the dancing. Well, it’s miles better than Cedric’s last foray into ballroom, but it’s still a fairly weak number. Cedric’s got the footwork down, but that’s just it. It seems more like footwork than dancing. There’s a liveliness to it that’s absolutely lacking. Also, while Shauna, who was pretty darn fantastic, laid on the sultriness heavy, Cedric seemed utterly disinterested and devoid of any kind of the masculinity that’s necessary for these sorts of Latin dances. Adam says it was a lot better than he thought it was going to be. He thinks Cedric stepped up and Shauna twirled to save her life. Mary thinks that Shauna’s constant spinning was extremely difficult. Mary gives Shauna a ticket for the Hot Tamale train and says that this is the first week she thinks Cedric earned his place. Nigel thought Shauna was fantastic and that Cedric finally did something well technically.
Danny/Anya: Anya used to be blonde and studied international law, so she was Legally Blonde. Danny has an obsession with sunglasses. O…k Danny. I didn’t think they deserved to be in the bottom three last week, and they didn’t either. This week they’ve got a Tyce Diorio contemporary routine. This contemporary, unlike all the others, is about a man and a woman. They both seem to be very into the routine. Yet again, Danny and Anya prove to me why they’re the best pair this season. Danny’s technique is amazing, particularly his leaps, and they connect in this contemporary routine so well that the story is, for once, actually believable and understandable. My only complaint would be, and this is because I’ve become spoiled by them, is that the routine would have been a lot cooler if it was a Mia Michael’s contemporary, and we all know they could have handled a Mia routine. Adam thinks Danny is one of the most beautiful male dancers he’s ever seen, but he thought that at times they seemed disconnected, but that it was beautiful. Mary thought it was tremendous and that it’s terrific to watch Danny dance. Mary thought they needed to come together a little bit more. Mary also thought that Anya was ridiculously amazing. Nigel reluctantly says that it was really good, but wishes that not every contemporary routine ended in someone walking away. He thought Anya was fantastic, but that Danny was missing a little bit of magic. Adam jumps back in and accuses Danny of arrogance, harkening back to what Shane said in the beginning of the season. Nigel doesn’t think its arrogance. Adam retorts that it seems like Danny’s dancing indicates that it thinks it’s above the rest. Do I sense a catfight coming here? Nigel thinks that Adam is talking crap. Awwwww SHIT! Nigel is throwing down. I’m taking bets, if anyone wants.
Sara/Pasha: Our new pairing this week wants us to know two things. First, Sara loves to figure skate. Secondly, Pasha’s a computer nerd who assembles computers himself, than fixes the problems he’s caused. Sara found it really hard to lose Jesus. I’m sure any number of born-agains can help you find him Sara. They’ve got a West Coast Swing routine by none other than aggravating Benji Schwimmer. Now, this causes me to wonder. What would they have done if Kameron and Lacey got this routine? The pre-dance clip package is almost painful to watch, because Benji is so annoying, discussing how Dmitry taught him to be sexy by moving his hips. Benji, you are not, and you never will be, sexy. Benji thinks to be cool you have to have Russian sex appeal, hip-hop thug-ness, and himself as a teacher. I hate you Benji. I hate you so much. Travis should have kicked your ass last year. As for the dance, Pasha’s footwork is impeccable. Admittedly, he’s had a bunch of ballroom routines so far, but I think Pasha is one of the best dancers in this competition. Sara, meanwhile, holds her own in a routine that’s way outside her comfort zone. While she did seem very secondary to Pasha at times, some of the rotations and flips were really well executed. Also, they meld well as a couple, surprisingly enough. Nigel declaims that that was the magic he was talking about. Adam says that that as an audition would have gotten them jobs with him. Fantastic connection and great showmanship. Mary thought Benji did a great routine, and a great performance and partnership. Mary thinks that, since they haven’t laid a hand on each other before this, which garners one of the best facial expressions I can remember on television from Pasha,
they were insane, especially Sara, who did great for being so wildly out of her comfort zone.
Sabra/Dominic: Sabra was in High School Musical. Dominic has a secret crush on someone on the show. That secret someone is…. Cat, who he thinks is seven feet tall and French. I think, Dominic, you just ruined your chances with her. They’ve got a Shane Sparks hip-hop routine that’s being based heavily on their amazing chemistry, but will be sensitive too. The routine is great, as are Sabra and Dominic. Dominic, finally in his comfort zone, shows impressive footwork which Sabra is constantly able to match. She has a tendency of drawing my focus in almost every dance she’s in. I’m not sure if that’s a reflection more on her or Dominic, but either way, it works in their favor. Their chemistry, too, is unmatched by any other couple on the show. Adam also caught on that Cat is secretly French apparently. Maybe I’m just missing something. Le sigh. Cat kicks off her heels as well. Adam thinks that they just proved that hip-hop can also be about story and emotion. They did it for Mary, who thought they were magical and that they are a force to be reckoned with. Mary Murphy, thankfully, gives them a silent Mary Murphy scream, which she claims is because it’s louder than we all could hear. Well, either way, I’m just glad we couldn’t hear it (but apparently they could in Tokyo). Nigel thought it was terrible. Terrible that it lasted for such a short time. Oh Nigel, you’re such a trickster. Nigel claims that that taught him how to handle a woman. There’s the perverted Nigel. I had wondered where he went.
Jamie/Hok: Jamie used to want to be a basketball player. In the accompanying clip, she hits herself in the head with a basketball. Kudos, editors. Between Pasha’s face and this, you have one of your funniest episodes yet. At least Jamie admits that she’s not good. Hok plays violin. I wonder, if he and Cat sound similar, does that make Hok French as well? Double Le Sigh. They’ve got a Toni Redpath Waltz that is non-American traditional. Good news for Hok. Apparently Jamie and Hok may be crushing on each other. I have two words to describe their dance: Beyond Elegant. This is just so amazingly beautiful to watch. Jamie’s extensions are flawless, and the connection between them is palpable. Between this and last week’s Wade Robson routine, Jamie and Hok have seriously jumped up in my book. Adam thinks that Jamie’s lines and carriage and poise are flawless, but takes another shot at the show saying that he has no idea what function this type of dancing would have in the outside world. He also thinks that this was not the type of dance for Hok but he supported her beautifully. Mary thinks that the beginning was extremely well done, but that the actually movement left much to be desired, and that it was choreographed to hide Hok’s inability. However, she thinks Jamie’s extension was beautiful. Nigel thinks that he choreography was great because it accentuated Jamie’s lines and there was not enough actual waltz. Toni, in the audience, is seen booing. Nigel thinks that it wasn’t really good enough.
Lauren/Neil: Lauren has an Asian alter ego. O….k. Neil does a Wookie imitation, which sadly enough is pretty good. This week they’re determined not to be in the bottom three. They’ve got a Wade Robson jazz routine, which is aiming to be comic book-esque. Neil is playing a gentleman villain and Lauren is an innocent angel. Poor casting Wade. Neil can hardly pull off masculine, so I’m worried. Well, they’ve got the most boring Wade Robson routine yet, but it’s still pretty cool. Neil still has to work on pulling out his masculine side while dancing, but I will say that his psychotic villainy did work. He was the attention puller this week, but there was something that was lacking in their dance a little bit for me. Adam mocks Nigel this time, saying that they are everything dancing and this competition is about. He also says that Neil is the best he’s ever been. Mary also didn’t think that Neil was gonna be able to pull it off but that she underestimated him and they pulled it off. Nigel points out that Vanessa Williams is in the audience and that they saved the best for last.
The Best: Pasha and Sara really knocked it out of the park this week. Danny and Anya yet again proved why they’re a force to be reckoned with. And I disagree with the judges and think Jamie and Hok also deserve top 3.
The Worst: This is kind of default, since everyone did at least OK this week. Shauna and Cedric deserve to be here. Lacey and Kameron did alright, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them in the bottom three. If I had to pick a third couple to be here, I guess it would be Lauren and Neil, but they don’t quite deserve it.
The Highlight: Nigel and Adam’s fight over Danny, followed by Adam sniping at the show and Nigel. Methinks he won’t ever be asked back as a judge again.
Lacey/Kameron: Kameron is apparently a daredevil. Lacey, voicing over an absolutely terrible photo of herself, used to be a hair model. This week they’ve got a Maria Torres New York style hustle. Maria thinks it’s gonna be their biggest challenge yet. Kameron wasn’t prepared for the strain of the dance, and is clearly pissing off Lacey. As for the dance, it was good. Not stellar, but definitely a solid effort. Lacey is the much better partner here, constantly drawing my attention with her fancy as more complicated footwork. Kameron, as has been previously said, seems more like a prop again this week, although he holds his own. Adam thinks their showmanship was amazing, and that their partner work seemed effortless and they were truly awesome. Mary thought they were definitely hustlin’ it tonight. Mary thought that the leading was good but at times Kameron seemed uncomfortable, and that Lacey killed it tonight (that’s good). Nigel thinks that Lacey is outshining Kameron by a lot, but that the technical parts a big. He also thinks that Lacey far outshines her brother on technique.
Cedric/Shauna: Shauna snowboards. Whoopie Shauna. Cedric was his high school mascot for the Purgolders (a combination of purple and gold). Cedric thinks it was funny. Cedric thinks the mambo is a late 50s dance. They’ve got an Alex deSilva mambo routine, who is apparently very worried that he’s dealing with Cedric, bringing an extra two assistants. Snap Cedric, you just got served. Alex looks none too pleased at Cedric’s botching all of his choreography. Shauna’s confident that Cedric will get it in time. Well, that makes one of us Shauna. But enough of that, on to the dancing. Well, it’s miles better than Cedric’s last foray into ballroom, but it’s still a fairly weak number. Cedric’s got the footwork down, but that’s just it. It seems more like footwork than dancing. There’s a liveliness to it that’s absolutely lacking. Also, while Shauna, who was pretty darn fantastic, laid on the sultriness heavy, Cedric seemed utterly disinterested and devoid of any kind of the masculinity that’s necessary for these sorts of Latin dances. Adam says it was a lot better than he thought it was going to be. He thinks Cedric stepped up and Shauna twirled to save her life. Mary thinks that Shauna’s constant spinning was extremely difficult. Mary gives Shauna a ticket for the Hot Tamale train and says that this is the first week she thinks Cedric earned his place. Nigel thought Shauna was fantastic and that Cedric finally did something well technically.
Danny/Anya: Anya used to be blonde and studied international law, so she was Legally Blonde. Danny has an obsession with sunglasses. O…k Danny. I didn’t think they deserved to be in the bottom three last week, and they didn’t either. This week they’ve got a Tyce Diorio contemporary routine. This contemporary, unlike all the others, is about a man and a woman. They both seem to be very into the routine. Yet again, Danny and Anya prove to me why they’re the best pair this season. Danny’s technique is amazing, particularly his leaps, and they connect in this contemporary routine so well that the story is, for once, actually believable and understandable. My only complaint would be, and this is because I’ve become spoiled by them, is that the routine would have been a lot cooler if it was a Mia Michael’s contemporary, and we all know they could have handled a Mia routine. Adam thinks Danny is one of the most beautiful male dancers he’s ever seen, but he thought that at times they seemed disconnected, but that it was beautiful. Mary thought it was tremendous and that it’s terrific to watch Danny dance. Mary thought they needed to come together a little bit more. Mary also thought that Anya was ridiculously amazing. Nigel reluctantly says that it was really good, but wishes that not every contemporary routine ended in someone walking away. He thought Anya was fantastic, but that Danny was missing a little bit of magic. Adam jumps back in and accuses Danny of arrogance, harkening back to what Shane said in the beginning of the season. Nigel doesn’t think its arrogance. Adam retorts that it seems like Danny’s dancing indicates that it thinks it’s above the rest. Do I sense a catfight coming here? Nigel thinks that Adam is talking crap. Awwwww SHIT! Nigel is throwing down. I’m taking bets, if anyone wants.
Sara/Pasha: Our new pairing this week wants us to know two things. First, Sara loves to figure skate. Secondly, Pasha’s a computer nerd who assembles computers himself, than fixes the problems he’s caused. Sara found it really hard to lose Jesus. I’m sure any number of born-agains can help you find him Sara. They’ve got a West Coast Swing routine by none other than aggravating Benji Schwimmer. Now, this causes me to wonder. What would they have done if Kameron and Lacey got this routine? The pre-dance clip package is almost painful to watch, because Benji is so annoying, discussing how Dmitry taught him to be sexy by moving his hips. Benji, you are not, and you never will be, sexy. Benji thinks to be cool you have to have Russian sex appeal, hip-hop thug-ness, and himself as a teacher. I hate you Benji. I hate you so much. Travis should have kicked your ass last year. As for the dance, Pasha’s footwork is impeccable. Admittedly, he’s had a bunch of ballroom routines so far, but I think Pasha is one of the best dancers in this competition. Sara, meanwhile, holds her own in a routine that’s way outside her comfort zone. While she did seem very secondary to Pasha at times, some of the rotations and flips were really well executed. Also, they meld well as a couple, surprisingly enough. Nigel declaims that that was the magic he was talking about. Adam says that that as an audition would have gotten them jobs with him. Fantastic connection and great showmanship. Mary thought Benji did a great routine, and a great performance and partnership. Mary thinks that, since they haven’t laid a hand on each other before this, which garners one of the best facial expressions I can remember on television from Pasha,
they were insane, especially Sara, who did great for being so wildly out of her comfort zone.Sabra/Dominic: Sabra was in High School Musical. Dominic has a secret crush on someone on the show. That secret someone is…. Cat, who he thinks is seven feet tall and French. I think, Dominic, you just ruined your chances with her. They’ve got a Shane Sparks hip-hop routine that’s being based heavily on their amazing chemistry, but will be sensitive too. The routine is great, as are Sabra and Dominic. Dominic, finally in his comfort zone, shows impressive footwork which Sabra is constantly able to match. She has a tendency of drawing my focus in almost every dance she’s in. I’m not sure if that’s a reflection more on her or Dominic, but either way, it works in their favor. Their chemistry, too, is unmatched by any other couple on the show. Adam also caught on that Cat is secretly French apparently. Maybe I’m just missing something. Le sigh. Cat kicks off her heels as well. Adam thinks that they just proved that hip-hop can also be about story and emotion. They did it for Mary, who thought they were magical and that they are a force to be reckoned with. Mary Murphy, thankfully, gives them a silent Mary Murphy scream, which she claims is because it’s louder than we all could hear. Well, either way, I’m just glad we couldn’t hear it (but apparently they could in Tokyo). Nigel thought it was terrible. Terrible that it lasted for such a short time. Oh Nigel, you’re such a trickster. Nigel claims that that taught him how to handle a woman. There’s the perverted Nigel. I had wondered where he went.
Jamie/Hok: Jamie used to want to be a basketball player. In the accompanying clip, she hits herself in the head with a basketball. Kudos, editors. Between Pasha’s face and this, you have one of your funniest episodes yet. At least Jamie admits that she’s not good. Hok plays violin. I wonder, if he and Cat sound similar, does that make Hok French as well? Double Le Sigh. They’ve got a Toni Redpath Waltz that is non-American traditional. Good news for Hok. Apparently Jamie and Hok may be crushing on each other. I have two words to describe their dance: Beyond Elegant. This is just so amazingly beautiful to watch. Jamie’s extensions are flawless, and the connection between them is palpable. Between this and last week’s Wade Robson routine, Jamie and Hok have seriously jumped up in my book. Adam thinks that Jamie’s lines and carriage and poise are flawless, but takes another shot at the show saying that he has no idea what function this type of dancing would have in the outside world. He also thinks that this was not the type of dance for Hok but he supported her beautifully. Mary thinks that the beginning was extremely well done, but that the actually movement left much to be desired, and that it was choreographed to hide Hok’s inability. However, she thinks Jamie’s extension was beautiful. Nigel thinks that he choreography was great because it accentuated Jamie’s lines and there was not enough actual waltz. Toni, in the audience, is seen booing. Nigel thinks that it wasn’t really good enough.
Lauren/Neil: Lauren has an Asian alter ego. O….k. Neil does a Wookie imitation, which sadly enough is pretty good. This week they’re determined not to be in the bottom three. They’ve got a Wade Robson jazz routine, which is aiming to be comic book-esque. Neil is playing a gentleman villain and Lauren is an innocent angel. Poor casting Wade. Neil can hardly pull off masculine, so I’m worried. Well, they’ve got the most boring Wade Robson routine yet, but it’s still pretty cool. Neil still has to work on pulling out his masculine side while dancing, but I will say that his psychotic villainy did work. He was the attention puller this week, but there was something that was lacking in their dance a little bit for me. Adam mocks Nigel this time, saying that they are everything dancing and this competition is about. He also says that Neil is the best he’s ever been. Mary also didn’t think that Neil was gonna be able to pull it off but that she underestimated him and they pulled it off. Nigel points out that Vanessa Williams is in the audience and that they saved the best for last.
The Best: Pasha and Sara really knocked it out of the park this week. Danny and Anya yet again proved why they’re a force to be reckoned with. And I disagree with the judges and think Jamie and Hok also deserve top 3.
The Worst: This is kind of default, since everyone did at least OK this week. Shauna and Cedric deserve to be here. Lacey and Kameron did alright, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see them in the bottom three. If I had to pick a third couple to be here, I guess it would be Lauren and Neil, but they don’t quite deserve it.
The Highlight: Nigel and Adam’s fight over Danny, followed by Adam sniping at the show and Nigel. Methinks he won’t ever be asked back as a judge again.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Big Brother 7/10 Is Jenius Television
After a recap of the previous shenanigans, such as the enemy reveals and Jen freaking out over her photo, we’re left with three questions to ponder, re: the announcer. Who will win the veto? Will they use it? Will Eric accomplish his task? The question I have is, this early on, will anyone really care? Sitting around the table post nominations, Kail thinks that her nomination plan is foolproof. Amber is still bitching about that she’s a nominated mom. Carol very accurately figures out Kail’s plan. This is why I like Carol. She’s smart. Kail thinks she got off Scotch free. Well, she doesn’t appear to have any dark stains on you Kail, so I think you are Scotch free. Carol doesn’t want to fight against Amber, because she thinks Amber has just as much right to be here. Amber won’t stop crying in the confessional, but I can’t tell whether its joy or sadness, because Amber thinks God put her on the block to prepare her for the long haul. O…K Amber. Whatever you say. Jessica apparently knows the word “nonchalant”. Who knew? Carol and Jessica are both trying to outlast one another. As is everyone in the house. Some of these idiots are really starting to aggravate me.
Carol decides to appeal to Zach to campaign for her, and seemingly succeeds. Mrs. Robinson and her 3 Boys already seem to be plating hard. After that conversation, we get Kail and Dick talking in the backyard. Now this is an odd couple if I’ve ever seen one. But they seem to be bonding over parenthood. I wonder if Amber will be pissed at him if he nominates her as well. Our next segment involves everyone fawning over Nick. Except for Jen. She doesn’t like muscles, which is funny, because she’s obsessed with Nick on the feed. Nick runs down his list of favorite flirts, with Danielle, Amber, and then Jen. Jen, upon seeing Danielle and Nick flirting, shoots daggers at them, and proceeds to spread a rumor that Nick tried to kiss her. Wow. Jen is even more unstable than I thought she was. When Nick comes to confront her, Jen lies and stares blankly. Carol looks incredibly uncomfortable watching this. Carol, I keep growing fonder and fonder of you. Then Jen insists that he did. America, I think we’ve found the insane houseguest who will provide oodles of entertainment. Howie, you have been replaced. I doubt, however, that Jen will be able to call anyone “Busto.”
Before starting this section of the recap, I just have to comment about how creepy Julie Chen asking us if we like to watch is. But, on to the show. Jen asks Nick into the storage room, and admits that she’s jealous. Nick, if you have a pet rabbit, I wouldn’t let Jen know (That’s a Fatal Attraction reference for all of you). Jen then asks if she’ll kiss him later. Uh oh, everyone already appears to be over Jen. Her “Jen” shirts (Personally, I find Jenius funny, because she’s a vapid moron, but Hey, that may just be me), her Jen insanity, etc. Kail wants Carol gone, because she knows Carol is smarter enough to target her. Other possible targets include Danielle (though Evil would go through the roof), Joe (PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE), and Jenuine Jenius Jen. Amber is talking to God again. I thought Kail was supposed to be this season religious nut. One is certainly enough. Amber is sure God is on her side. There’s something really ironic about the professed nymphomaniac praying to God to keep her in a game where the audience is asked if “we like to watch”.
Time to pick veto players. Kail gets houseguests choice, and chooses Danielle. Amber gets Jameka. Carol gets Nick. Kail picks Jessica to host the competition. I can’t stand Jessica’s voice, but Kail apparently can. Jen points out that she’s stuck in a room with 5 guys. Jen looks thrilled. Dick looks scarred. I’m more with Dick here. It’s veto hide and seek. Everyone gets a veto to hide. Danielle hides hers in the slop. Carol hides hers between Dick’s mattresses, hoping no one else will want to touch his stuff. Amber hides hers in a pillowcase. Kail under some tea bags. Nick under a mattress. Jameka in her hair extensions bag. Carol quickly finds Amber’s. Kail finds Nick’s second. Dick and Jen fight in the HOH room. After Dick tells Jen about how rude is was with the “don’t touch me” comment during the food challenge, Jen wonders why Dick is pissed at her. Jen, you are a comedic Jenius. Kail, meanwhile, is apparently tearing the house apart, much to Jameka’s chagrin, who actually takes time to put her dirty clothes away that Kail unceremoniously threw about. Eventually Danielle wins the veto, making Dick a proud papa. Amber immediately talks to Danielle in the hopes of getting herself vetoed and Jen nominated.
It’s time for our America’s choice challenge. Eric has to make up a traumatic story to tell a chosen houseguest, who happens to be Kail. Eric proclaims it a cakewalk. Eric pulls out all the stop, fake tears, sniffling. It appears to be something about a high school girlfriend with an eating disorder. Kail is eating out of his hand by the end. Kudos Eric, full success. For the first time this episode, we get Joe and Dustin drama. Joe recognizes Dustin as his arch nemesis. Dustin thinks this experience is good and could work in their favor, and apologizes for not cherishing their time together. Joe, for the first time, seems sincere and says thank you. Joe, Dani, and Nick all realize that Jen is unstable and needs to go. As good train wreck television Jen makes, I would rather see her go than Carol, who I’m now crushing on. She’s smart, she’s cute. If she were a little more bubbly and boisterous, I’d almost feel like we have another Janie on our hands. Janie, how I miss thee.
Danielle is grappling with what to do with regards to the veto. Kail is now really worried that Danielle’s gonna change her nominations, in which case, she plans to retaliate. Kail, what happened to your good Christian values? I mean, I know the whole Eye for an Eye thing, but you didn’t know whom to nominate, so you put them up. Now you know that everyone wants Jen out. Calm down. Danielle is happy to be the first owner of the veto, but opts not use to veto. Danielle doesn’t want to stir things up, but in a couple weeks, well see. Amber wants to walk out the door, (too long pause), the final week. I hope she leaves this week. Nothing against you Amber, but Carol kicks your ass. Plus, I think all the electronics in the house may interfere with your walkie-talkie communications with God. At least, that’s how I think you talk with him. Well, even so, just please leave. You’ll get better reception in a church.
Carol decides to appeal to Zach to campaign for her, and seemingly succeeds. Mrs. Robinson and her 3 Boys already seem to be plating hard. After that conversation, we get Kail and Dick talking in the backyard. Now this is an odd couple if I’ve ever seen one. But they seem to be bonding over parenthood. I wonder if Amber will be pissed at him if he nominates her as well. Our next segment involves everyone fawning over Nick. Except for Jen. She doesn’t like muscles, which is funny, because she’s obsessed with Nick on the feed. Nick runs down his list of favorite flirts, with Danielle, Amber, and then Jen. Jen, upon seeing Danielle and Nick flirting, shoots daggers at them, and proceeds to spread a rumor that Nick tried to kiss her. Wow. Jen is even more unstable than I thought she was. When Nick comes to confront her, Jen lies and stares blankly. Carol looks incredibly uncomfortable watching this. Carol, I keep growing fonder and fonder of you. Then Jen insists that he did. America, I think we’ve found the insane houseguest who will provide oodles of entertainment. Howie, you have been replaced. I doubt, however, that Jen will be able to call anyone “Busto.”
Before starting this section of the recap, I just have to comment about how creepy Julie Chen asking us if we like to watch is. But, on to the show. Jen asks Nick into the storage room, and admits that she’s jealous. Nick, if you have a pet rabbit, I wouldn’t let Jen know (That’s a Fatal Attraction reference for all of you). Jen then asks if she’ll kiss him later. Uh oh, everyone already appears to be over Jen. Her “Jen” shirts (Personally, I find Jenius funny, because she’s a vapid moron, but Hey, that may just be me), her Jen insanity, etc. Kail wants Carol gone, because she knows Carol is smarter enough to target her. Other possible targets include Danielle (though Evil would go through the roof), Joe (PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE), and Jenuine Jenius Jen. Amber is talking to God again. I thought Kail was supposed to be this season religious nut. One is certainly enough. Amber is sure God is on her side. There’s something really ironic about the professed nymphomaniac praying to God to keep her in a game where the audience is asked if “we like to watch”.
Time to pick veto players. Kail gets houseguests choice, and chooses Danielle. Amber gets Jameka. Carol gets Nick. Kail picks Jessica to host the competition. I can’t stand Jessica’s voice, but Kail apparently can. Jen points out that she’s stuck in a room with 5 guys. Jen looks thrilled. Dick looks scarred. I’m more with Dick here. It’s veto hide and seek. Everyone gets a veto to hide. Danielle hides hers in the slop. Carol hides hers between Dick’s mattresses, hoping no one else will want to touch his stuff. Amber hides hers in a pillowcase. Kail under some tea bags. Nick under a mattress. Jameka in her hair extensions bag. Carol quickly finds Amber’s. Kail finds Nick’s second. Dick and Jen fight in the HOH room. After Dick tells Jen about how rude is was with the “don’t touch me” comment during the food challenge, Jen wonders why Dick is pissed at her. Jen, you are a comedic Jenius. Kail, meanwhile, is apparently tearing the house apart, much to Jameka’s chagrin, who actually takes time to put her dirty clothes away that Kail unceremoniously threw about. Eventually Danielle wins the veto, making Dick a proud papa. Amber immediately talks to Danielle in the hopes of getting herself vetoed and Jen nominated.
It’s time for our America’s choice challenge. Eric has to make up a traumatic story to tell a chosen houseguest, who happens to be Kail. Eric proclaims it a cakewalk. Eric pulls out all the stop, fake tears, sniffling. It appears to be something about a high school girlfriend with an eating disorder. Kail is eating out of his hand by the end. Kudos Eric, full success. For the first time this episode, we get Joe and Dustin drama. Joe recognizes Dustin as his arch nemesis. Dustin thinks this experience is good and could work in their favor, and apologizes for not cherishing their time together. Joe, for the first time, seems sincere and says thank you. Joe, Dani, and Nick all realize that Jen is unstable and needs to go. As good train wreck television Jen makes, I would rather see her go than Carol, who I’m now crushing on. She’s smart, she’s cute. If she were a little more bubbly and boisterous, I’d almost feel like we have another Janie on our hands. Janie, how I miss thee.
Danielle is grappling with what to do with regards to the veto. Kail is now really worried that Danielle’s gonna change her nominations, in which case, she plans to retaliate. Kail, what happened to your good Christian values? I mean, I know the whole Eye for an Eye thing, but you didn’t know whom to nominate, so you put them up. Now you know that everyone wants Jen out. Calm down. Danielle is happy to be the first owner of the veto, but opts not use to veto. Danielle doesn’t want to stir things up, but in a couple weeks, well see. Amber wants to walk out the door, (too long pause), the final week. I hope she leaves this week. Nothing against you Amber, but Carol kicks your ass. Plus, I think all the electronics in the house may interfere with your walkie-talkie communications with God. At least, that’s how I think you talk with him. Well, even so, just please leave. You’ll get better reception in a church.
Welcome Back: Sheriff Jack Carter
Tonight sees the return of Eureka, one of many shows that I like from the Sci-Fi channel (I’m a sci-fi nerd. I can’t help it; I just love most things in that genre). Eureka deals with the town of Eureka, Oregon. The town was created after WWII and stocked with the nation’s geniuses in the hopes of furthering the nation’s might through scientific achievement. In to this town of high IQs comes Jack Carter, a regular guy who happens to be a US Marshall, who accidentally gets stuck in Eureka. After proving himself and saving the town, he opts to stay and is made the new sheriff. In a town full of scientists though, things can go very wrong, with experiments wreaking havoc. And this is what the show does best. Jack is the layman in the town of super-intellects, but he always manages to solve the problem that the eggheads can’t solve. In this way, the show almost parodies the nerds (like myself) who watch it. It’s basically saying, “You may be all smart and knowledgeable, but all it takes is a jock to solve your problems.” I like a show that somewhat insults me. And I meant no sarcasm in that last sentence. It takes balls to say to your main viewer base that they need their antithesis to help them out. As Lou Grant would say, “You’ve Got Spunk”.
Adding to that, you’ve got a lot of quirky fun thrown into the show, for example SARAH, the smart house that Jack and his daughter live in, who also happens to have become emotionally attached to Jack. Top that off with some fun characters like the former space shuttle engineer turned town mechanic, or, my favorite, Deputy Jo Lupo, who is a great foil for Jack as a no-nonsense mocker of his feeble attempts to solve genius problems. Here’s hoping the second season is as much fun as the first.
Monday, July 9, 2007
When Talent Collides "On The Lot" 7/9
This week begins by showing us what our 5 directors had to work with this week, besides the tagline “When Worlds Collide”. The famous Universal backlot is home to our directors this week. But enough of that, its Adrianna Costa time. This week she’s in her shortest yet dress, a little purple number, and I mean the little part. Thanks Adrianna. But first, its elimination time. This week, Adrianna comes to bear the bad news alone, prompting this recapper to wonder whether Garry Marshall was finally institutionalized. Shira-Lee is our unlucky director this week, being booted for delivering a no-scares horror movie. That’s not all; two of this week’s 5 directors are going home. That’s very bad news for Hilary, and bad news for Shalini and Adam, because I would doubt Will and Zack are in any danger.
Speaking of Zack, he’s up first this week. His short, “Time Upon A Once”, is about one couple moving forwards and one couple moving backwards. I think. I’m not entirely sure. His concept confounds me a little. It’s certainly a visually arresting short, especially the little bit where the golden retriever is being pet backwards. That was really cool. As was seeing the dad from “Family Matters”. It was definitely worked better for its visual elements than its story elements. For instance, I didn’t quite think that the guy getting hit by the car fit very well. Carrie liked it like all of his other work. Guest judge Luke Greenfield (The Girl Next Door) thought it reminded him of something Spike Jonze would make. I agree, if the story was a little stronger. Garry Marshall likes dogs and wants everyone to remember peaches.
When we come back from break. Adrianna is chatting up our judges. Luke Greenfield wants us to follow our hearts, whereas Adrianna just wants us make sure we heard it. Then comes Hillary’s film. It’s a fable about donkeys set in the old west. Hillary is worried that her film won’t succeed. But then again, if it did, it’d be a first for her. It’s her best movie so far. The visual style is kind of aggravating, with all the soft-focus. There are one or two good jokes in there (particularly the girl turning Chinese). And she does show a wider range of shots, and less crude humor, which I was expecting (especially with a story involving a man and a tail). Carrie thought she improved a lot, but she needs to step up more and make something great. Luke thought it was wack, but in a good way, the way his mom would love. Garry quotes a mime.
We come back from commercial to see people entering our wildly fake theater. Adrianna and next week’s action movie directors are huddled around the fake concession, where Adrianna feeds Mateen popcorn and admits that she just touched his mouth. Will’s up next with his short “Spaghetti” about a couple that gets trapped in a spaghetti western. Will’s movie, despite a really weak performance from the lead actor, is pretty fun. It’s well shot, has a bunch of good dialogue (a first for non-talkie Will), and makes all the necessary cliché shots without coming off as cliché. Carrie is please that there’s dialogue this week. Luke liked it but wanted a little more punch at the end, using an analogy that involves anchovies. Garry doesn’t think Will looks Italian.
When we come back, Adrianna appears to be talking to an invisible friend. I wonder if that’s the one who keeps shortening her dress on commercial breaks. Shalini is up next, using special effects and Tatyana Ali. Shalini appears to be behind schedule, and is hoping she can get all her shots in time. Her short, “First Sight” is interesting. I actually really like it. Yeah, it’s a little ham-fisted in its pushing the message, but it was well-shot, both actresses did good jobs, and I liked the ending, although she signed a petition to help hungry children, not spare change. Carrie doesn’t like “message” movies because she finds them patronizing. Maybe Carrie just never signs petitions for hungry children. Luke felt like she was trying to brand him with the morality iron. Garry liked it because she was misunderstood. Garry also thinks that they play subtle in Connecticut. It’s very scary to me that Garry and I are the only two who see eye to eye on this one. Very scary.
Adam is up last this week with his short “Worldly Possession”, about a greedy suburban couple who get a military package. Adam is worried about his effects shots, just like everyone else. Adam’s movie is funny, his effects shots are great, and his actor’s performances are good to boot. The only problem I have is that the very beginning with the bumbling scientist wasn‘t very good. Carrie thinks it was the best movie of the night and provided a subtle message, glaring either at Garry or Shalini. I can’t tell. Luke loved it and thought it was well shot and the effects shots were great as well. Garry is moving to Connecticut. Good, he needs to learn subtle. Garry asks if Carrie would kill. Then he says he likes it when Adam’s people sing. Does that mean Jews? If so Garry, you’re not likely to find many singing Jews in Connecticut. I should know. I’m both Jewish and go to school there.
Adam was Carrie’s favorite. Zack was Luke’s favorite. Hilary was Garry’s most improved. That wasn’t the question Garry.
My rankings:
1) Adam. I really enjoyed it, and there weren’t many faults with it.
2) Will. Will’s first foray into dialogue was well written and shot.
3) Shalini. I liked it, I don’t know why, but I liked it.
4) Zack. It was good, but not up to the level I expected from him. Also, the more I think about it, the more it seems visually and possibly storily (is that a word?) lifted from Sci-Fi’s Eureka, a show that I like a lot better than On The Lot.
5) Hillary. A big improvement, but she really shouldn’t have made it past the first week. Claudia LaBianca was robbed!
Speaking of Zack, he’s up first this week. His short, “Time Upon A Once”, is about one couple moving forwards and one couple moving backwards. I think. I’m not entirely sure. His concept confounds me a little. It’s certainly a visually arresting short, especially the little bit where the golden retriever is being pet backwards. That was really cool. As was seeing the dad from “Family Matters”. It was definitely worked better for its visual elements than its story elements. For instance, I didn’t quite think that the guy getting hit by the car fit very well. Carrie liked it like all of his other work. Guest judge Luke Greenfield (The Girl Next Door) thought it reminded him of something Spike Jonze would make. I agree, if the story was a little stronger. Garry Marshall likes dogs and wants everyone to remember peaches.
When we come back from break. Adrianna is chatting up our judges. Luke Greenfield wants us to follow our hearts, whereas Adrianna just wants us make sure we heard it. Then comes Hillary’s film. It’s a fable about donkeys set in the old west. Hillary is worried that her film won’t succeed. But then again, if it did, it’d be a first for her. It’s her best movie so far. The visual style is kind of aggravating, with all the soft-focus. There are one or two good jokes in there (particularly the girl turning Chinese). And she does show a wider range of shots, and less crude humor, which I was expecting (especially with a story involving a man and a tail). Carrie thought she improved a lot, but she needs to step up more and make something great. Luke thought it was wack, but in a good way, the way his mom would love. Garry quotes a mime.
We come back from commercial to see people entering our wildly fake theater. Adrianna and next week’s action movie directors are huddled around the fake concession, where Adrianna feeds Mateen popcorn and admits that she just touched his mouth. Will’s up next with his short “Spaghetti” about a couple that gets trapped in a spaghetti western. Will’s movie, despite a really weak performance from the lead actor, is pretty fun. It’s well shot, has a bunch of good dialogue (a first for non-talkie Will), and makes all the necessary cliché shots without coming off as cliché. Carrie is please that there’s dialogue this week. Luke liked it but wanted a little more punch at the end, using an analogy that involves anchovies. Garry doesn’t think Will looks Italian.
When we come back, Adrianna appears to be talking to an invisible friend. I wonder if that’s the one who keeps shortening her dress on commercial breaks. Shalini is up next, using special effects and Tatyana Ali. Shalini appears to be behind schedule, and is hoping she can get all her shots in time. Her short, “First Sight” is interesting. I actually really like it. Yeah, it’s a little ham-fisted in its pushing the message, but it was well-shot, both actresses did good jobs, and I liked the ending, although she signed a petition to help hungry children, not spare change. Carrie doesn’t like “message” movies because she finds them patronizing. Maybe Carrie just never signs petitions for hungry children. Luke felt like she was trying to brand him with the morality iron. Garry liked it because she was misunderstood. Garry also thinks that they play subtle in Connecticut. It’s very scary to me that Garry and I are the only two who see eye to eye on this one. Very scary.
Adam is up last this week with his short “Worldly Possession”, about a greedy suburban couple who get a military package. Adam is worried about his effects shots, just like everyone else. Adam’s movie is funny, his effects shots are great, and his actor’s performances are good to boot. The only problem I have is that the very beginning with the bumbling scientist wasn‘t very good. Carrie thinks it was the best movie of the night and provided a subtle message, glaring either at Garry or Shalini. I can’t tell. Luke loved it and thought it was well shot and the effects shots were great as well. Garry is moving to Connecticut. Good, he needs to learn subtle. Garry asks if Carrie would kill. Then he says he likes it when Adam’s people sing. Does that mean Jews? If so Garry, you’re not likely to find many singing Jews in Connecticut. I should know. I’m both Jewish and go to school there.
Adam was Carrie’s favorite. Zack was Luke’s favorite. Hilary was Garry’s most improved. That wasn’t the question Garry.
My rankings:
1) Adam. I really enjoyed it, and there weren’t many faults with it.
2) Will. Will’s first foray into dialogue was well written and shot.
3) Shalini. I liked it, I don’t know why, but I liked it.
4) Zack. It was good, but not up to the level I expected from him. Also, the more I think about it, the more it seems visually and possibly storily (is that a word?) lifted from Sci-Fi’s Eureka, a show that I like a lot better than On The Lot.
5) Hillary. A big improvement, but she really shouldn’t have made it past the first week. Claudia LaBianca was robbed!
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Big Brother 7/8 Is A Chen Free Zone
After a very well edited recap of the entrance shenanigans, tonight’s edition of Big Brother begins. We get a little more detail on the enemies, such as the fact that Carol had been talking “smack on” Jessica. We then go back to Danielle, who’s case here is so far the most sympathetic, crying in the bathroom, explaining the beef between her and Daddy Dick, explaining his “mean friend” status, decrying his lack of a father-ness. Well, that was obvious looking at him. However, Dick goes to the bathroom and seemingly comforts Danielle, and comes off as someone who seems caring enough towards their offspring. We then cut to Joe and Dustin bickering. Dustin is definitely the one who comes off better of these two, Joe coming off as a bitchy, egocentric queen. Joe goes back bitching about his “immaculate” gonorrhea. I, and apparently the rest of the house, wish he would should his mouth. Carol and Jessica come last, and they come hardest. They seem to be plotting to play the rest of the house, and Carol comes off the better of the two, seeming saner and less conceited. And, like Jessica says, the curling iron hair works for her. We get the first HOH room, which looks oddly technical and doesn’t quite jibe with the rest of the Alice in Wonderland house. Amber is sad looking at Kail’s kids because she misses her own kids. What did you expect Amber? When the photo wall comes up, Jen starts crying because she’s never taken a worse picture. Jen plans to stand there and cover it until they change it. Jen, seemingly, cannot get over the fact that she looks fugly on the wall. Eric, meanwhile, thinks that Jen has proved herself incredibly unstable. This is why you’re America’s player Eric. You catch on fast…
When we come back from commercial, we get a little bit about Dick’s name-dropping tendencies, ranging from Madonna and Richard Gere to Survivor’s Jerri Manthey. It just keeps going seemingly, but every time Kail asks him about someone, he doesn’t know them. Next, we move on to Amber, who has “an amazing spirit” according to Dustin. That, or the perfect reality show combination of single mother, cocktail waitress, and Vegas. Amber’s family is apparently very dependent on her, which begs the question, why is she abandoning them for three months on the pittance that BB pays them. Mike and Kail seem to quickly align, and then they agree to draw Zach and Nick into their quickly formed alliance. While watching the spy-screen, they see Danielle “conversating” with her dad, and quickly decry her as untrustworthy. Zach is pleased with Nick being the forth person, because he sleeps next to him. Nick quickly dubs the alliance, Mrs. Robinson and her Three Boys. The move seems smartest for Kail, who very quickly has the three strongest men in the house backing her. Mrs. Robinson is here to play…
After the break, we get the food competition. At the couches, Dick has his arm around Amber. She’s seemingly had a hard enough life Dick. Do you really have to taint her more? Jessica, who is quickly becoming one of the funnies in the house, because she’s a raging idiot, decries it as “big bodies versus big hair”. Jen does not want Dick touching her. Good move Jen. Jameka also makes a funny, stating that during and after the competition, no one was going to be hooking up that night. Amber’s hair, the secret weapon of the red team, leads the red team to a resounding victory, giving the blue team slop for the week. Jameka is looking up to the slop. Oh, how wrong she will be. Very quickly, Jameka says that it stuffs, and declares that slop is most likely illegal in most countries. Dustin and Joe finally have a rational discussion, which Joe starts by saying this is his time, not their time. Dustin tells Joe that whenever he thinks about him, he “shakes like an epileptic in an arcade”, which I hope is from anger and not love. Joe goes back to the gonorrhea again, and Dustin comes off as more rational and more sympathetic yet again. Joe claims to have spoon-fed Dustin his life. Joe doesn’t believe that Dustin deserves Big Brother. Wow Joe. I hate you more and more every time I see you. Dustin, I hope you outlast him by a mile.
We’re back again, with another Dick and Danielle segment, where Dick tries to talk to Danielle, but she doesn’t speak back to him at all. Wow, I’m starting to like Dick a lot more than Danielle. She finally speaks, telling Dick he’s coming on too strong and needs to relax. Danielle realizes that working with Daddy is good game playing. Kail starts worrying about nominations. Mike seeks to advise her to put up the weak people from competitions. Kail thinks about putting up Joe because he’s a tough player. Eric is apparently the jokester of the house, and we are given our first America’s choice vote. We got to pick whom he should pour his heart out to. The one who I would vote for is Jameka. I wanna see a Jameka/Eric alliance for some reason. I think that might be a very funny alliance. This is kind of a lackluster choice for America though. We don’t really know anyone yet.
As we come back, Kail is retrieving the keys for nomination. Jen is scared she’ll be nominated. Joe is too. Dick is afraid Danielle’s gonna be nominated. Nick feels he’s safe. And we’re at the big table. Dustin, Jessica, and Evil (as Dick is called) are safe. Eric is first safe, then Joe, Zach, Danielle, Jen, Mike, Jameka, and Nick. Amber and Carol are our first nominees. Kail nominated them because they were the first couple knocked out of the HOH competition. Carol’s not pissed, but she realizes she has to fight. Jessica is happy because someone may do her dirty work. Amber is pissed because she’s a mom, and doesn’t think moms should nominate other moms. Kail is pleased with her nominations. Tuesday’s the veto competition (which already happened).
When we come back from commercial, we get a little bit about Dick’s name-dropping tendencies, ranging from Madonna and Richard Gere to Survivor’s Jerri Manthey. It just keeps going seemingly, but every time Kail asks him about someone, he doesn’t know them. Next, we move on to Amber, who has “an amazing spirit” according to Dustin. That, or the perfect reality show combination of single mother, cocktail waitress, and Vegas. Amber’s family is apparently very dependent on her, which begs the question, why is she abandoning them for three months on the pittance that BB pays them. Mike and Kail seem to quickly align, and then they agree to draw Zach and Nick into their quickly formed alliance. While watching the spy-screen, they see Danielle “conversating” with her dad, and quickly decry her as untrustworthy. Zach is pleased with Nick being the forth person, because he sleeps next to him. Nick quickly dubs the alliance, Mrs. Robinson and her Three Boys. The move seems smartest for Kail, who very quickly has the three strongest men in the house backing her. Mrs. Robinson is here to play…
After the break, we get the food competition. At the couches, Dick has his arm around Amber. She’s seemingly had a hard enough life Dick. Do you really have to taint her more? Jessica, who is quickly becoming one of the funnies in the house, because she’s a raging idiot, decries it as “big bodies versus big hair”. Jen does not want Dick touching her. Good move Jen. Jameka also makes a funny, stating that during and after the competition, no one was going to be hooking up that night. Amber’s hair, the secret weapon of the red team, leads the red team to a resounding victory, giving the blue team slop for the week. Jameka is looking up to the slop. Oh, how wrong she will be. Very quickly, Jameka says that it stuffs, and declares that slop is most likely illegal in most countries. Dustin and Joe finally have a rational discussion, which Joe starts by saying this is his time, not their time. Dustin tells Joe that whenever he thinks about him, he “shakes like an epileptic in an arcade”, which I hope is from anger and not love. Joe goes back to the gonorrhea again, and Dustin comes off as more rational and more sympathetic yet again. Joe claims to have spoon-fed Dustin his life. Joe doesn’t believe that Dustin deserves Big Brother. Wow Joe. I hate you more and more every time I see you. Dustin, I hope you outlast him by a mile.
We’re back again, with another Dick and Danielle segment, where Dick tries to talk to Danielle, but she doesn’t speak back to him at all. Wow, I’m starting to like Dick a lot more than Danielle. She finally speaks, telling Dick he’s coming on too strong and needs to relax. Danielle realizes that working with Daddy is good game playing. Kail starts worrying about nominations. Mike seeks to advise her to put up the weak people from competitions. Kail thinks about putting up Joe because he’s a tough player. Eric is apparently the jokester of the house, and we are given our first America’s choice vote. We got to pick whom he should pour his heart out to. The one who I would vote for is Jameka. I wanna see a Jameka/Eric alliance for some reason. I think that might be a very funny alliance. This is kind of a lackluster choice for America though. We don’t really know anyone yet.
As we come back, Kail is retrieving the keys for nomination. Jen is scared she’ll be nominated. Joe is too. Dick is afraid Danielle’s gonna be nominated. Nick feels he’s safe. And we’re at the big table. Dustin, Jessica, and Evil (as Dick is called) are safe. Eric is first safe, then Joe, Zach, Danielle, Jen, Mike, Jameka, and Nick. Amber and Carol are our first nominees. Kail nominated them because they were the first couple knocked out of the HOH competition. Carol’s not pissed, but she realizes she has to fight. Jessica is happy because someone may do her dirty work. Amber is pissed because she’s a mom, and doesn’t think moms should nominate other moms. Kail is pleased with her nominations. Tuesday’s the veto competition (which already happened).
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