Young Simon: So... how'd the Independents cut us off? Young River: They were using dinosaurs.

'Safe'


Non-Fiction TV: I Reject Your Reality and Substitute My Own

This thread is for non-fiction TV, including but not limited to reality television (So You Think You Can Dance, Top Chef: Masters, Project Runway), documentaries (The History Channel, The Discovery Channel), and sundry (Expedition Africa, Mythbusters), et al. [NAFDA]


kat perez - Apr 30, 2008 6:58:01 pm PDT #4661 of 23273
"We have trust issues." Mylar

( continues...) been so bad tonight (only Syesha gets a pass) that he’ll probably come off looking good by comparison. And the hair, good grief the hair. Why is it just getting worse and worse as the weeks go by? Is the crazy, giant forehead trying to hack its way out of the hair jungle? He has the Alfalfa strands working in the back tonight, too. Ick. Already not liking it. He is flat, flat, flat as well. And he’s trying to rock, emo it out. Again. Some more. Damn, why do all the kids sound like holy hell this week? Is it going up to two songs? Dude sounds like some 12 pack a day Marlboro man sucking on a Bud Light in the back of a catgut bar in the Greyhound station with a beat up karaoke machine in the corner. And not in the good way.

D. Cook, Part 2 - All I Really Need is You

Hmm. I don’t know this song at all. But he sounds at least better than the first time. He still sounds like a Three Doors Down cover band singer, but he always sounds like that, so . . . I guess for him this is good? Whatever. I coulda had a V8. The judges, as usual, are on crack when it comes to this kid. But what else is new?

Jason Castro – Forever in Blue Jeans

He’s so pretty, y’all. I just want him to come and sit on a stool next to my desk and stare at me all day with those big, blue eyes. And occasionally talk some crazy stoner talk and make me laugh. And then strum a little ditty on his guitar. I don’t know this song at all, so let’s get it started. Well, he hit his first note which automatically means that I like this song better than anything else I've heard tonight. And oh yeah, I totally know this song. Scratch the earlier comment. And he is turning it out. What a lovely song choice for him. He can totally do his Jason Castro thing and he is working it. He has no range whatsoever, but that’s always been true. He’s just got that earnest, Jason thing, and at least for me, it totally works. And he was consistently in tune and had a nice rhythm and flow throughout the song for the first time tonight, which automatically makes him the big winner as far as I’m concerned.

Jason, Part 2 - September Morn

Once again, starts off strong. He is in good voice tonight. Very nice. This is an interesting pick for him. He’s doing a little bit jazzier Jason. Not quite so folksy as he can be. Wow. I am really liking him tonight. And normally, I like him mainly for the Castro stoner-ness of it all, but I am really enjoying his singing tonight. Bravo, pretty face man. You done good. Well, you biffed the last note, but I’ll give you a pass because everything else was quite nice. And because your so, so pretty.

Hmm, based on tonight’s performances, I really believe that Brooke, or even D’Archie, should go. But I think, despite having what I think was one of the night’s stronger performances, Syesha probably will go. She just doesn’t have the fan base to make it past the rest of this bunch and she didn’t have a stellar week, like last week, only a solid one. Jason Castro was the only performer I really enjoyed tonight. D. Cook did the same damn thing he always did, so if you like that, then it was right up your alley (though I insist his first song sucked ass). And Brooke and D’Archie were ridiculous bad.


kat perez - Apr 30, 2008 7:08:57 pm PDT #4662 of 23273
"We have trust issues." Mylar

And now for my results night thoughts. Very weird top 4.

Results night

I have no comment about the judging “controversy” with Paula from last night. If you didn’t know that the judging on the show was rigged at this late stage of the game, then you haven’t really been paying attention. AI has a firm pimp hand, as any true playa would.

I am surprised, however, that Brooke went home. Pleasantly, but still. I don’t think it was Syesha’s strength, but rather America’s collective desire to not continue with the Brooke Breaks Down ’08 tour. I really do believe it’s for the best here, but I like Brooke and hope to see her at a coffee house near me soon. In other fun news, I wonder if Syesha can prevent an all boy Top 3? The all boy Top 3 would be a first if it happened. Who’da thunk it this deep into the show, we have the possibility for a first time occurrence? And it looks like we’ll definitely have an all male top 2 for the first time since Clay and Rube. It just remains to be seen whether it’s the two Davids or if Jason can sneak in.


Vortex - Apr 30, 2008 7:27:02 pm PDT #4663 of 23273
"Cry havoc and let slip the boobs of war!" -- Miracleman

Product placement on TC was really blatant tonight. I mean, even in the waiting room, you could see the glad wrap on the wall. I didn't think that they would kick Stephanie off on her first mishap.

Tom with saying that Mark should have used his budget better? Dude, have you bought veggies at Whole Foods?


Morgana - Apr 30, 2008 10:31:46 pm PDT #4664 of 23273
"I make mistakes, but I am on the side of Good," the Golux said, "by accident and happenchance.” – The 13 Clocks, James Thurber

Dude sounds like some 12 pack a day Marlboro man sucking on a Bud Light in the back of a catgut bar in the Greyhound station with a beat up karaoke machine in the corner. And not in the good way.

I don't watch American Idol, I was just skimming through to catch the comments about Top Chef, but this caught my eye and I loved it so much I thought it bore repeating.


Jessica - May 01, 2008 1:57:08 am PDT #4665 of 23273
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset

Dude, have you bought veggies at Whole Foods?

Yeah, but everyone else managed to work some protein in, and even at WF sweet potatoes are pretty cheap.

I can get four meals out of $5 at my normal grocery store! Not Top Chef quality, but whatever.

Well, and honestly that was my other problem with this challenge - I appreciate the charity aspect of working with kids and teaching them to cook, but what the fuck does it matter if a restaurant chef can't cook cheap & simple home food??? This was a challenge I'd have liked on Next Food Network Star. NSM on Top CHEF.


Jesse - May 01, 2008 3:04:03 am PDT #4666 of 23273
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be.

Seriously. They even could have done "simple, work with kids" without the money aspect. And of course the one with a kid won. When was the last time any of the rest of them cooked anything at home for dinner?


Frankenbuddha - May 01, 2008 3:46:05 am PDT #4667 of 23273
"We are the Goon Squad and we're coming to town...Beep! Beep!" - David Bowie, "Fashion"

I appreciate the charity aspect of working with kids and teaching them to cook, but what the fuck does it matter if a restaurant chef can't cook cheap & simple home food???

Yes. This.

I didn't think that they would kick Stephanie off on her first mishap.

In prior seasons, other than late late rounds, has anyone been kicked off the episode after they one an elimination challenge? Does WINNING an elimination round get you anything but bragging rights (as opposed to winning the quickfire challenge which saves you from the next elimination)? I'd at least have it so you have some minimal advantage (head start, first choice, etc.) in the next quickfire.


victor infante - May 01, 2008 4:02:30 am PDT #4668 of 23273
To understand what happened at the diner, we shall use Mr. Papaya! This is upsetting because he's the friendliest of fruits.

I didn't think that they would kick Stephanie off on her first mishap.

Not really her first. She was on the bottom last episode, too. Still rooting for her, but she needs to pull herself back together.

Does WINNING an elimination round get you anything but bragging rights (as opposed to winning the quickfire challenge which saves you from the next elimination)?

Nope, except for the random times they have prizes. That being said, no one really believes that the judges will through someone who has won once or twice on what's obviously an off day, unless the food is really, really bad. I can't think of an example, though.

And IIRC, Antonia follows Mikey as the first person to win both a Quickfire and a Elimination challenge (by themselves and not pat of a team or duo) on the same day. Of course, Mikey went home the next day.


Jessica - May 01, 2008 4:09:10 am PDT #4669 of 23273
And then Ortus came and said "It's Ortin' time" and they all Orted off into the sunset

Still rooting for her, but she needs to pull herself back together.

Yep, all of this. I get the same way when I'm under stress - I can't focus or plan, and I wind up overthinking the most mundane tasks. Hopefully she'll be able to take a breath and step back from it enough to make it through.


le nubian - May 01, 2008 4:18:55 am PDT #4670 of 23273
"And to be clear, I am the hell. And the high water."

peanut butter and tomato sounds really wrong on top of cous-cous.