I wish Top Chef did more (or any) blind tasting.

Ugh. The new judges on AI are killing me softly. I might almost like Keith Urban if he could ever get a word in edgewise (and step away from the flat iron - seriously) and Mimi clearly taught Mrs. O all about the side eye in prep for her recent encounter with that crazy orange man, but Niki Minaj? I refuse. She is worse than Judge #4 ever was living her "It's all about me" moment. I want to choke her with that cotton candy wig. Why doesn't she know that nobody who watches this show gives a shit about the judges really. We only ever liked Simon because he said the stuff that we were screaming at the TV from our couches. And we only ever liked Paula because she was drunk off her ass and drunk people are often funny. And nobody ever has liked Randy, so there you go. I don't think I can take Minaj making people dance for her all season while unleashing the Madonna faux-british accent and giving people wholly unoriginal nicknames. Boo.

Oh, and all the kids are just a blur for me now of verbal tics, tragic hair and skin that is not ready for high definition TV. 12 seasons. Sheesh. I do remember that I haven't been all that impressed with anyone that they are trying to build "moments" for thus far. And yet? I still won't stop watching.

On the Taste - one of the professional chefs that was cut the "Dumpling Diva" was on Chopped and I'm pretty sure she got cut the first round of Chopped.

Really?

Interesting.

I watched The Taste last night and found it enjoyable. I think that the blind taste test is an excellent idea.

PR, this season goes to 11: The "team" business doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would - as a sort of focused feedback thing, I can see the value. I don't love any of the clothes this week, but a lot of the runway looks are interesting, at least.

Zac Posen looks about 12. I don't have a sense of him as a judge, yet.

Aw, Nina, you have seen looks that were less finished than that. Don't lie.

In conclusion: I guess I will keep watching. Though I still wish it was an hour and not 90 minutes.

-t, that's why I watch on Tivo delay, I can fast forward through the garbage like watching the designers get ready or talking shit about the other designers during meals.

I do that, too! It just bugs me that there's that much bloat. Although, to be fair, it does make it a good show to have on when I'm doing something that will keep me from paying attention - I know I can just make sure I see the runways and not be concerned about missing anything else.

I'm missing Michael Kors already. Zac Posen is sweet, but too sweet.

I do want the team challenges to be more ... teamy. A cohesive collection, for example, not just eight separate looks. Something where they'll have to work together creatively more, and not just encourage or support each other.

The one who went home had that over-confident edit from the first moment, so it wasn't much of a surprise, either. I won't miss her. There are a few people who impressed me, though, but I'd have to look up their names. I hate the beginning of the season when you don't really know anyone yet.

There's just too many to keep track of at this point. Once a few more are gone and I've seen a few more designs I'm sure I'll have favorites.

I have no idea who anybody is yet. I did enjoy it more than I thought. Now, are the teams as they stand going to be permanent or will they be changing week to week?