Top Chef: OMG! I knew the dishes were going to be an issue because they didn't give any attention to them, which items were being chosen, and we didn't see any prep. Of course, because they didn't wash them! Hello! Wash your dishes!

I adore Bourdain more and more every blog. He needs to come to my house and sit on my bed and we'll watch the show and snark together. And then I'll make him risotto without cream. Cream? Are you kidding me? I'm in a current risotto obsession. And mine is always wrong anyway, because I use my Japanese rice for everything. But seriously, Howie, cream?

Brian should get credit, though, for talking Casey down or they would have made a similar mistake. But even if scent were a good idea, they put up umpty million candles. That place must have reeked. Even one candle pretty much permeates the area.

Right now, I would like to see Tre, CJ, & Casey in the finale. I am so over Howie now, although to their credit, apparently he and Sara didn't squabble too much in the kitchen this time.

Gawker feels cheated by the lack of an elim. How do they feel when there are double elims? I'm not too worried about it as far as the integrity of the show goes.

I'm looking forward to the do-over. It'll be really, really interesting to see how things shake out. Who is able to take direction is pivotal.

They're having stories already about American Idol auditions. God help us all.

I think I could stand American Idol, if not for all the vicious audition footage. I get no amusement and feel much angst from watching ernest people with lots of hope and no talent.

Right now, I would like to see Tre, CJ, & Casey in the finale.

This would be my dream finale as well.

How do they feel when there are double elims?

Extra rewarded?

Do you think that they'll do three? Not four. . . I like those three and I would add Dale if there is four. If he must be eliminated I want it late because he has the best confessionals.

So, Madonna's brother is a fame-whore? What. a. shock.

Meanwhile, CBS is going to have a treasure hunt.

I flat out refuse to watch the audition footage for American Idol. There is only so much "poking of the mentally ill" that I can handle. I don't set my season pass until 6 weeks after AI starts so I can skip all the audition rounds.

I was reading amuse-biatch - lalalala scrolling down and found this picture of Marcel on his Alaskan fishing trip. The blog entry.

Past seasons of AI had a much better mix of good audition/bad audition footage. Also, bad auditions used to just be bad singers. Last season was a low point, I think, in terms of just picking out truly disturbed people (or those who were not physically attractive - bush baby and the girl with the floor length hair) and inviting America to make fun of them. Not ok. I will howl about the ghetto, wanna be diva who goes off on a cursing rampage when she doesn't make it through because at least she has all of her faculties about her and is just a little delusional about her "talent". But when you ask me to mock a former Special Olympian, you have crossed the line.

seriously. I just can't find that entertaining.

Aww. So cute, all of them. I did not even remember Ashley. And my Chuy. Still stings.

What in the world is Cat wearing?