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]
America's Best Dance Crew: I enjoyed the audition special, but none of the crews really stood out to me the way that Jabbawookeez or Kaba Modern did from the very beginning. Cannot believe that they put the hair flinging, Rutgers dance team through although really I thought that the East Coast teams just kinda didn't bring it in general. I don't know that the Latinas would've been a ton better. I thought that the pop collar southern kids were actually really, really good. The judges were right about the cheerleader faces, though. They have got to go. I thought the "theatrical" group that did all the footwork was better than the other crew, but once the whole deaf dancer storyline kicked in, they were clearly going to get through. Thought the West Coast crews were by far the strongest of the bunch. I probably would've taken the Filipino crew over Fanny Pack. Not that they were not good dancers, they were. Very clean, very technical. Their style just did not seem to match the show at all. I loved the Las Vegas b-boys, thought they were so cute and Soul Supreme were amazing (although perhaps a little too much like Jabba without the masks).
And I really think Shane, JC and Lil Mama are the best reality show judges of all. Knowledgable, honest, give real critiques and suggestions for what they would like to see next time so that the crews can improve. I hope Randy is taking notes.
NFNS - I can't believe it but I actually liked Lisa this week.
Maybe getting up in the middle of the night made her focus on the basics, not the yadda yadda.
And I really think Shane, JC and Lil Mama are the best reality show judges of all. Knowledgable, honest, give real critiques and suggestions for what they would like to see next time so that the crews can improve.
True fact.
I liked Lisa too. I think she just tries to hard to look "together" and comes across as uptight - when she relaxes a little, she's actually pretty talented. And her clothes and makeup are just so unfortunate it makes me want to take her shopping. But "Beautiful Basics" is a much clearer idea than the three-c's bullshit.
Also, she's the only one who's really standing out for me on the basis of her food. Way Too Perky Girl doesn't seem to have much else going for her, Indian Chick Who Crosses Her Arms Too Much doesn't seem to be able to cook Indian food, which is going to be a problem, and Other White Girl, I have no impression of at all. The guys all completely blend together too - there's Loud Friendly Black Guy, Other Taller Black Guy, Really Young Guy, and I Think Maybe One More Guy?
There was Annoying Romance Guy Who Kind Of Looked Like Greg Grunberg, but he was blessedly let go before he could do any more damage.
Other White Girl
aka Rhode Island girl! I was hoping she'd have a stronger personality, but I still want her to do well in the competition.
It did kind of crack me up when they were like, "Look, if you had pulled that stunt after you got hired, you'd totally get canned, but we don't have anyone Indian on Food Network, so we'll give you another shot."
It did kind of crack me up when they were like, "Look, if you had pulled that stunt after you got hired, you'd totally get canned, but we don't have anyone Indian on Food Network, so we'll give you another shot."
Well, that and losing your shit with your potential bosses on a reality competition show = woot, ratings! Losing your shit to your actual bosses in a real meeting, nsm.
As much as I would love to see an Indian cooking show on FN, I don't think NFNS is the right venue to audtion for it, just because so many of the challenges are time-based, and most Indian food takes a really long time to prepare. The best Indian cook in the world isn't going to make a good biryani in under 45 minutes without defying the laws of physics. [eta: And she's far from being the best Indian cook in the world. Hell, I could probably do better. I make a mean rogan josh.]
SYTYCD: Shane Sparks on whether or not he'll be there: [link]
Shane Sparks on whether or not he'll be there
yay! really nice to have confirmation.
