his hate of Casey was clearly because she's pretty, which is misogynistic, but so common that I didn't even think about it.

Just the fact that we live in a world like this is making me a little sad.

Hung is kind of washing out for me -- he's doing crazy stuff or bad stuff - he really hasn't had a good day in weeks.

It's telling he hasn't won anything yet (besides a Quickfire). Whereas I think a few of the chefs took some time to adapt to the situation they're in, with it's unique pressures and constraints, I think Hung's floundering because of his own ego and inflexibility.

This. Hung's talk about being an asshole is clearly just talk. But his inability to step outside of his own head and see what other people are seeing (and tasting, and frelling wanting to taste) is making me really hate him. It's one of my pet peeves.

I also don't want to count Casey out -- she's sharp, and a lot of her failures have been interesting. I think she may make it to at least near the end, if not the finale.

And this. Casey's becoming my chef to beat (though I still haven't seen last night's ep). And even though she's had some teary moments, she seems to have the emotional stability and fortitude to go all the way.

Casey's becoming my chef to beat (though I still haven't seen last night's ep). And even though she's had some teary moments, she seems to have the emotional stability and fortitude to go all the way.

Sean is me, right down to the not-having-seen-last-night-yet (it taunted me from the Tivo just a few minutes ago when I went home to get Emmett his lunch). Though Tre is right up there, too.

Ergh. I expect I'll have to hate Howie after I watch this episode. And, yeah, it is different with the women -- the testosterone flareup with Joey, especially with all the buddy-buddieness afterwards, felt fundamentally different from his pure cold contempt for the women he's teamed with.

But without Howie's dickishness, I guess we wouldn't have Ted's loveliest blog ever. I heart him so very, very much.

Tre just shucked his shirt and handled business in his wife beater (mmmmmm, he can cook for me ANYTIME)

::whimper:: Bunk now.

Okay, I attempted to see who has elimination challenge top/bottom standings. This could be highly inaccurate but:

Malarkey, Hung and Tre are tied with 3 times in the top. Then Howie and Dale with two a piece then CJ, Casey and Sarah M with 1 each.

Howie has been in the bottom 4 times, Sarah M. 3 times, Dale, Hung and Casey - 2 each and Malarkey amd CJ 1 each.

Wikipedia's got a cheftestant progression chart.

So far, the remaining elimination winners are Brian, C.J., Howie (2) and Tres (3).

Casey, Dale, Hung and Sara M. have yet to win an elimination challenge, although everyone's been high at least once. (I'd be high too if I were on this show.)

Interestingly, Howie has been low on every episode he didn't ultimately win.

But Casey is the only one who has won the quickfire twice.

But Casey is the only one who has won the quickfire twice.

True, which, interestingly enough, is where Marcel was before the end of last season. He didn't actually win one until episode 11. Same episode Cliff manhandled him.

And Hung hasn't won a challenge but he has been in the top half 3x which is more than anyone else.'=

And those times were spread evenly through the season -- but I think that of the 4 teammates last night, his was the weakest dish.

Casey has been "low" more than Marcel was -- but I think that this season's contestants are generally better than season 2's so I'm not sure that means anything.

Theoretically, this is Sara N's interview at chow.com but it is still downloading for me.

BB: The last 5 minutes of tonight's show got caught off. Did anything exciting happen after whatshername got HOH?