I feel sorry for choosing Ugly Betty, thinking that if I didn't like anyone after four episodes, the season couldn't get any better. Damn!

For me, the finale was HI-larious because the whole final sequence of events was utterly predictable. The minute it became a question, I knew Dreamz would renege, which automatically handed Earl the win.

Whether that was set up or not, I gave up on any belief that Survivor isn't wildly manipulated by the producers long ago. I was very entertained to have the added drama and silliness in the final jury. Two people sitting there had now clue of how they were not even in the running for a million dollars. One of them had a glimmer of understanding of the process (it seems like few in that last vote ever do). Cassandra's clueless "I just want to win a million dollars because I'm a nice person" grin, Dreamz utter cluelessness to his own thought processes, and Earl's dawning realization that all he had to say to get a million was "yes, I screwed Yau over," were all the truly priceless parts of it, for me.

Also, is it my failing memory, or did they not ever have a Reunion With Loved Ones challenge?

A couple of them got letters during a reward, but that's it. No argument from me - I usually FF that stuff anyway.

OMG Shear Genius. I am so pissed off at Tabitha for throwing away her game like that. If she'd taken charge from the beginning and said "Look, we both know styling is your weak point, so I'm going to be the leader," Boogie and Ben would be gone and she'd be in the final 4. But no, she had to let Tyson hang himself and her in the process. Idiot.

I won't be missing Tyson much, but there are now 3 people in the finals I wouldn't let near my head for a million dollars. Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease let Anthony be brilliant in all the next challenges.

Every way you look at it, Tabitha really hung herself.

Ooh, Making the Cut is premiering on TLC right now (EST). It's apparently behind the scenes at the Vidal Sasson Academy.

They all look so young...

Very young! But damn those were a lot of good haircuts on display. Gotta say it's fun looking at all the freshmen with long hair and the seniors with perfect Sassoon looking cuts.

Totally different vibe than Shear Genius, of course. This is an Inside The Industry kind of show, but lots of interesting personalities on display. Some Cordys, some Cordettes...

Our friend Andy has worked with both a builder and the designer of the challenges for Survivor and is a huge fan himself. We were SURE they tailor them to get the drama they want, but he said they plan and build them before the cast even gets there. Andy asked if they didn't switch which challenge they use which week for the sake of outcome and designer guy said, nope, but they do spend time planning challenges so people with all kinds of skills (brains. swimming, endurance, team-skills, etc) can win.

I never bought the idea that Survivor changes up the challenges to get more drama or help/hurt contestants. It seems like it would be hard to come up with a challenge, get a prototype built to test for safety and how well it would work, etc in the little time they have between the Tribal Council and the other challenges.

I can't help but think they're opening themselves up to lawsuits going down that road, too. I'm sure they all sign a phonebook of a contract, but still..