12 Pairs Hit the Dance Floor

Just a quick recap from March 19th’s Season Premier…

William Levy, a famous Latin star, and Cheryl Burke were met with the audience’s seemingly never ending applause.  Apparently, the ladies find this man so gorgeous that his dancing is secondary to the eye-candy.  Carrie Ann Inaba and Cheryl Burke both “thanked” ABC for their jobs just for the mere fact that they get to watch William dance.  For me, all a bit over-rated.  He was fine, but nothing for me to drool over.

Sherri Sheppard and Val Chmerkovskiy had a joyous and fun filled Fox Trot that brought smiles to the judges faces.  They scored well for their performance, although I felt their technical skills were lacking.  She seems to be a delightful person and I can see her staying around for a few episodes.

My children know who Roshon Fegan is even though I do not.  He’s a break-dancing star from The Disney Channel who is obviously is a really great street-dancer.  He and Chelsie Hightower did a great job with their Cha Cha Cha and I can see Roshon continuing to do well over the next several episodes.

Gavin DeGraw and Karina Smirnoff had a lovely Fox Trot which obtained minimalist scores with the judges.  I think his personality is adorable, but don’t see him as a long-timer on the program.

Jack Wagner and Anna Trebunskaya had a delightful Fox Trot which took us back to the older days.  Jack has been a leading man in many shows and soap operas.  I can see him sticking around for many episodes and believe that his dancing showed promise last night.

Maria Menounos and Derek Hough started off the show with an average Cha Cha.  She seems to have a dynamic personality and is motivated to work hard to remain on the show.  They didn’t dazzle me, but their dance hit the middle of the pack.

Melissa Gilbert and Maxim Chmerkovskiy did a great Cha Cha, however were met with lower scores than I believe they deserved.  Melissa looked fantastic and I’d like to see her do well this season.  She has a lot of fans and hopefully they’ll keep her around for a while!

Gladys Knight and her partner Tristan MacManus did a fantastic job!  She’s such an icon!  I think that she’ll stay around for a few shows due to her following, yet due to her age, I don’t think she’ll keep up with some of the younger, flashier dancers.

By far, my favorite dance of the night was Katherine Jenkins, a famous English singer, and Mark Ballas.  She was absolutely gorgeous on the dance floor and her moves were remeniscent of a professional dancer.  I think she’ll go a long way based on her dance skills.   Her greatest obstacle is that the American public is not familiar with her.

I believe that Martina Navatrolova will be the first to go.   She was quite stiff in her dance and obviously this just isn’t her thing.

Donald Driver did fine, however I think his partner needs to taper her dancing down to match her partner.  She overpowered him.

All dancers get another shot next Monday night with eliminations next Tuesday.

Ben Flajnik has given the final rose and an $85K engagement ring to Courtney Robertson.   There’s a lot of speculation regarding whether or not this romance will last.  The day after taping, multiple media sources spotted Robertson sans the engagement ring that was given back to her on The Bachelor – The Final Rose.  According to a film taken by TMZ Live, Robertson claims that they are, in fact, a couple and the engagement is on. 

Being an avid fan and writing multiple recaps of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette episodes over the past several years, I found this season to be the hardest one to watch.  Each season, like sneaking to the last page of a book, I jump over to Reality Steve’s website and review his prediction for the season’s winner.  He had this one right.  Thinking all season that Ben would pick Courtney made the entire season to watch as one negative scene after another played itself.  Courtney did not behave like a gracious woman, nor one who was truly falling in love.  And, I think that’s hard for the viewers because they wanted to see a good outcome for Ben after his rejection by Ashley in the last season of The Bachelorette. 

Lindzi seems to be handling the rejection beautifully.  It’s been reported that she was actually at ABC and behind the scenes at the After the Final Rose taping.  However, she felt that Ben had so much to tackle on-stage with Courtney that he didn’t really need more pressure by interfacing with her.  She’s also been quoted as saying that she “dodged the Ben Bullet” and that she was just kidding when she told Ben that he could call her if things didn’t work out with Courtney.  She would love to be chosen to be the next “Bachelorette” or cast on Bachelor Pad, however nothing has been confirmed at this time.  Truthfully, she wasn’t my pick for Ben.  I really liked Kacie B. and Nikki.  I felt they were both best suited for Ben.

It was nice seeing Ashley and J.P. on After the Final Rose and hear them talk about their upcoming wedding within the next year.  They seem very stable and very much a couple in love.  My hopes and wishes are there for the both of them.

As for Ben and Courtney… I truthfully hope that they are both able to find a nice way to split away from one another, heal, and move on.  The trust issues and perceptions that they have for one another are seemingly too great to hurdle over.    I believe in true love, but am just unsure that this was a couple who were destined to be forever… despite the fact that they told one another on that mountain top that they would love each other forever.

Joan Knows Best

Season 2 of this hysterical reality series is my favorite currently airing.  Joan Rivers has the perfect one-liners and come-backs for every situation she is presented with.  She is absolutely one of the funniest women alive.  Viewers can see how much she truly loves her daughter and grandson, yet like a moth to flame she just can’t keep herself out of sticky situations.  Her over-mothering antics are over-the-top enjoyable to watch.  So far my favorite episode of the season is when Joan smokes marijuana to relieve stress.  Unbelievably funny, folks!  WE.tv has hit a home-run with this series.

The Real Housewives of Orange County

Being a resident of the O.C., I enjoy watching this show for the sights and sounds of my local stomping grounds.  These women, with the exception of the newest housewife, Heather Dubrow, are the most dramatic women around.  All they can seem to do is one-up one another and start teenage level fights over who said what about who to whom.  It’s a lot of ranting and raving about nothing.  What’s nice is to see Heather Dubrow’s view of these women as she’s getting to know them.  She has a much more conservative approach to the entire situation and is well cast for the season.  An interesting fact… with a few degrees of separation, I actually am professionally linked to her husband Dr. Dubrow (who is the same reality television plastic surgeon from The Swan and Bridalplasty) and spoke with him personally about the season before it started.  He was quite proud of his wife and her accomplishments with the show.  This show is a like watching a train wreck ready to happen with the gossip storms brewing up each episode.  It’s like a grown-up popularity contest.  It’s a guilty pleasure, I must admit. (Watch on Bravo-TV)

Ice Loves Coco

E!’s follow up to Khloe and Lamar is Ice Loves Coco.  Rapper and actor Ice-T (Law & Order SVU) is married to this blonde-bombshell model, Coco (Nicole Austin).  She is delightfully naive and silly, with a heart of gold.  With measurements of 39″ 23″ 40″, she is the real life Jessica Rabbit.  This season, Coco is faced with health problems surrounding her blood pressure and tries to get Ice to trade cheeseburgers for kale chips.  They talk about starting a family, Coco teaches her gay BFF how to drive, and start to build a new house together.   Coco and her dog Spartacus steal the show (sorry, Ice) and we are transported into this NY’s couple’s quirky, cool, and fabulous life.  I love to watch the way that Ice truly loves Coco.

The Dead Files

Amy Allan and Steve Di Schiavi star in this unique show about validating the existence of the paranormal.   They visit reported haunted locations across America and perform two separate investigations.  Steve is a retired NYPD homicide detective and Amy is a paranormal researcher and physical medium.  Steve interviews the residents of the haunted locations and performs a full investigation as to its history.  He researches deaths or any reportable incidents which occurred there.  On a separate night, Amy Allan walks the location and channels on camera the dead spirits whom she is communicating with.  Most episodes, she follows up with a professional sketch artist to create a depiction of the spirit she dealt with.  At the end of each episode, Amy and Steve meet up with the residents of the location to reveal what they’ve learned.  Often times, Steve has photographs, articles and pictures of the deceased associated with the property.  They compare these to the sketches that Amy had made to see if their stories coincide.  Their combination of their unique skills creates an intriguing and compelling show which makes the viewers question the validity of spirits amongst us.  (Travel Channel – Friday Nights)

So… Reality TV Fans…

Tune into my recommendations if you are so inclined.  I look forward to writing some upcoming recaps for the new Dancing With the Stars season and keeping tabs on American Idol.  Stay tuned.

The new contestants for Dancing With The Stars were announced this morning:

Jack Wagner, star of “Melrose Place” and “The Bold & The Beautiful” (pro partner: Anna Trebunskaya)
Melissa Gilbert, star of “Little House on the Prairie” (pro partner: Maksim Chmerkovskiy)
Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers all-time leading receiver (pro partner: Peta Murgatroyd)
William Levy, telenovela star (pro partner: Cheryl Burke)
Sherri Shepherd, co-host of “The View” (pro partner: Valentin Chmerkovskiy)
Katherine Jenkins, opera star (pro partner: Mark Ballas)
Gavin DeGraw, singer (pro partner: Karina Smirnoff)
Martina Navratilova, tennis star (pro partner: Tony Dovolani)
Roshon Fegan, Disney star (pro partner: Chelsie Hightower)
Maria Menounos, TV host (pro partner: Derek Hough)
Jaleel White, URKEL! Star of “Family Matters” (pro partner: Kym Johnson)
Gladys Knight, music legend (pro partner: (pro partner: Tristan MacManus)

Source:  The Huffington Post

My initial favorites:

Jack Wagner, Melissa Gilbert and Gladys Knight.  I’m not too thrilled to hear about “Urkel!”

I just cannot imagine Martina Navratilova dancing.  That should be interesting.

The Bachelor… January 16, 2012

After believing that Sonoma was Ben’s home town, we learn that his true home and heart are in San Francisco.  He travels with his bevy of beauties to The City by the Bay.  His first one-on-one date was with Emily.

Ben takes this wonderfully intelligent gal to the Oakland Bay Bridge to climb it on cables to the top.  Unfortunately, she’s terrified of heights.  Being that I, too, am acrophobic, if Ben took me on this excursion, I would simply dump the guy.  I mean, who does this to a gal unless he knows that she’s an adventuresome climber?  Oh, Shame Shame… Tisk Tisk Ben and  ABC!  In any event, she eventually makes it to the top of the bridge after suffering a panic attack… all in the name of potential love.  At least the girl gets a nice dinner, the rose and a gorgeous display of fireworks to kiss Ben under.

Ben meets with his sister for an iced tea and discusses some of the standouts.  Thereafter, he takes the girls out on a group date of snow skiing down a street in San Francisco.  The twist is, it’s 85 degrees outside so Ben and the girls strip down into bikinis before heading down the slope. 

Kacie B. ends up skiing backwards, tush-up down the hill while others navigate it with ease.  They are joined with a rather large group of on-lookers (neighbors and lookie-loos alike).  This date just came across as so contrived and not as a fun, exciting outing.  Again, I believe that it’s ABC finding any excuse to get the girls in bikinis.  Later that night, they go to a nice restaurant where they are able to mingle and get some one-on-one time with Ben.  Meanwhile, Brittney is given the date card for the next one-on-one date.  (Recall, she’s the one with the Grandma who set her up for the show). 

While she contemplates going on this date with Ben, she decides that he is not the one for her.  To spare him his time and feelings, as well as to give another gal an opportunity, she gracefully bows out of the competition and says “good-bye” to Ben.  Although the viewers are not privy to the details change in his date choice, Ben elects to take out Miss First Impression Rose, Lindzi C.

Their less than exciting date includes a trip to Swensen’s Ice Cream Parlor, a private concert at City Hall, and an intimate dinner in an old San Francisican speak-easy bar/restaurant.  They are both quite enamored with one another and she scores the rose. 

During the rose ceremony, the pot gets stirred upon the arrival of Shawntel (a front-runner from Brad Womak’s season).  She apparently has had several telephone calls with Ben and felt that they had a connection that she needed to explore.  If this was the case, why wasn’t she one of the original 25?

The ladies are visibly upset with her entrance and interruption into their quest for love.  None is more upset than Courtney, whose eyebrows are really starting to irritate me to death (it’s nearly a unibrow).  She claims that if he gives Shawntel a rose, then she will give hers back and leave the show (oh, we can only hope!).  I think she’s just insanely jealous of Shawntel’s looks and intelligence.  Her holier-than-thou attitude is really starting to annoy the heck out of me!

During the elimination, Erika passes out.  Unfortunately, she is one of the three to be eliminated, including the rejected Shawntel. 

 Until next week…

Owen Thornton and Bob Chatt Star in the Premier of Combat Cash

Discovery Channel has produced such a unique and refreshing new reality series in COMBAT CASH.  On January 11th, I had the opportunity to attend the premier party and view two back-to-back episodes, which were a roaring success with the crowd.   Nearly immediately after it aired, Bob and Owen were met with emails from fans and collectors alike wanting to know and see more about this great, history-based reality show.

The first episode was about Bob and Owen’s quest to locate a rare and unique World War II Japanese Hago Tank for a tank collector.  Later, they purchase Sadaam Hussein progranda banner which was retrieved from Operation Iraqi Freedom.  In addition, Owen’s passion for paratrooping collectibles led them to a seller of a rare BSA 1942 foldout paratrooper bicycle.  However, this was not the easiest purchase of the show.  Owen was forced to prove his love for the paratroopers by jumping out of an airplane.    

Viewers learned about  about the amphibious “DUCK” vehicles which were used in D-Day to take soldiers from ship to shore in the second episode.  Bob and Owen participate in an annual D-Day live re-enactment in Ohio which included these DUCKs, planes, and thousands of enthusiasts bounding the shores of Lake Erie.  We also got an insight into a rare collection of WWII guns as Bob and Owen get to fire away in attempts to create actual sound recordings of these guns being shot for the sound effects of a video game. 

Of all the subjects I took in school, history was the one which I struggled the most with.   All of the dates and facts were hard for me to memorize.  In COMBAT CASH, I am given a reminder of what our veterans experienced in our war-time history.  What is surprising to me is the number of military and historical enthusiasts not only throughout our country, but also throughout the world.  With my never-ending love for good reality shows, this show is a rare one which I can not only get good laughs from, but also learn from.  If history isn’t your cup of tea… I would still highly recommend this show to friends, “hubbies”, and anybody who loves The History Channel.

Kudos to The Discovery Channel for discovering such an interesting aspect of American culture and bringing us into the world of militaria collecting.

For more information on buying or selling militaria and great military vintage clothing, visit VintageProductions.Com, Southern California’s premier military collectibles company.

The Bachelor… January 9, 2012

Last night may have been one of the most least interesting episodes of The Bachelor to date.  Ben took the remaining beauties to his hometown of Sonoma, CA.  There, he had a one-on-one date with Kacie B.

Ben and Kacie enjoyed the local sight-seeing and shopping of downtown Sonoma.  As ABC aired clips of this evening date, the entire time I found myself annoyed by Kacie’s choice of date outfit.  For an evening date, in which Ben wore a nice outfit including a jacket, she wore a long-sleeved jersey shirt, shorts and boots.  She looked like she was going out for a picnic or bike ride, but not an evening out on the town.  At the very least, she could have worn slacks.  Nonetheless, she spots a baton in a shop they visited and grabs it as a surprise to Ben.  She then springs the news on him that she was a baton twirler in her day and proceeds to teach him how to toss the grand ole’ stick. 

They enjoy a quiet dinner in which Kacie is presented and thereafter accepted the rose.  Thereafter, they go to the town movie theatre where ABC put together a combination home movie of Kacie’s and Ben’s childhoods.  Ben, seeing his father (who passed away) on the big screen and hearing his voice, is brought to tears.  He shares with Kacie that this is an experience that only they will share.

While Kacie and Ben are out and about, the date card comes for the next group of girls.  This group date is for them all to perform a play in the local community theatre.  The playwriters of this work are children from the local school.  The next day, the ladies all audition for the kids in the park so that the kids may cast the play.  The one who made the biggest fool of herself was Blakeley who was wearing a completely inappropriate striped, short romper with her tah-tahs pushed up and out in full display.  It was appalling to see her dressed this way and running and bouncing about in front of the kids.  Needless to say, she wasn’t cast with the best part.  The evening’s play runs as planned and all are happy to see the child-friendly side of Ben.

The ladies move on to an evening of drinks, appetizers and pool-time (any excuse for ABC to get the ladies in bikinis).  It is here that Blakeley sets her sights on the rose and makes no qualms about going after Ben.  Her aggressiveness is received as an outright insult by many of the ladies who wanted some honest, good time with Ben.  Blakeley brags about her astrological sign of Scorpio and how that makes her a passionate person.  She adds that she has great kissing skills.  Well, it was either her kissing or her bikini bod that won her the rose from Ben for the evening leaving many ladies discouraged and jealous.  The good news is that she doesn’t appear to be Monica’s love interest anymore.

During the group date, the date card arrives which invites Courtney out for a one-on-one date with Ben.  Rather than being gracious about receiving the invite in front of others, she makes a snide remark to Kacie B. and acts holier than thou about getting the date card.  Like Kacie B., she throws on a tee, some shorts and boots and heads out for a picnic with Ben and his dog Scotch.  They eat lunch in a redwood laced forest and later have dinner at the winery.  Ben is amazed that somebody as beautiful and wonderful as she is not snatched up and off the market.  She explained that it is the treachery of dating in Hollywood that has left her single.  But, they both agree that finding one another is an “AHA” moment (thanks, Oprah for the phrase) and kiss.  She, obviously, gets the rose.

The elimination night includes the standard dose of drama.  Our tearful wack-a-doodle, Jenna, tells Ben that she’s not like a girl, but rather like a guy.  After she stumbles on her words to him in her one-on-one time, she heads to the bedroom to lie under the covers and cry.  Blakeley keeps interrupting Ben from his intimate encounters with those who have not yet received a rose.  This dons her as Queen Bitch of the Night as the ladies spew venom her way.  Even her Scorpion strength must not have been enough of a shield as she is later found by Ben hiding in the luggage room in the corner crying.  Personally, I think it was a ploy to get more attention.

As to be expected, the rose ceremony commences and the two eliminated are Crazy Jenna and who-even-knew-she-was-there Shawn.  A deep sigh of relief that Jenna is gone.

Next week, Ben is scheduled to take the remaining girls to San Francisco where he spends the majority of his time.

Until next week…

November Greetings to You…

I hope that all is well with you as we see Thanksgiving creeping around the corner.  It’s already that time of year to start thinking about Christmas presents, cards, and decorating the house.  Where has the time flown?  The twins, pups and I are planning our annual trip up to Big Bear Mountain.  There’s been a dusting of snow and the girls are hoping for a lot more so that they can snowboard while we are there.

I recently celebrated my 42nd birthday with my mom and sister.  We went to this fabulous place called The Melting Pot, which is a fondue restaurant.  I think I ate until I could eat no more.  My mom took me shopping and then a couple of days later surprised me with a copy of Nicholas Sparks’ new one The Best of Me.  So far, so great (but, to be expected from one of favorite authors).

For my birthday, I treated myself to a couple of goodies and also got my hair all chopped off.

(I got 3″ taken off my hair… EEK.  It will be the perfect length by Christmas time, I’m sure.)

In preparation for the Fall/Winter season, I cut back my overgrown garden in the front yard.  It’s nearly bare with the exception of my perineals.  We had some wonderful rains over the past 24 hours and I’m hoping for a bit more.  I’d like to plant some bright, colorful pansies next weekend and fill in the bare spots with fresh bark.

I’ve also been making little home repairs throughout the house.  I’m realizing that I’m falling in love with my house all over again now that I know that the girls and I are safe in our new mortgage.  It’s such a sense of relief after an anxious year of not knowing what the future would hold.

O.K.  time to gush about my favorite new show of the season… REVENGE!   This is the juiciest and most addictive drama since Dynasty!  There is intrigue, love, lust, jealousy, and it is filled with a cast of great characters.  My two favorites are:

 Emily VanCamp portrays Emily Thorne who is the main character who is seeking revenge for the death of her father, who was framed.

Victoria Grayson, played by Madeleine Stowe, is the housewife next door who was involved with Emily’s father, but betrayed him and sent him to jail.

I can’t get enough of this Wednesday night show (ABC).  If you are able to get it on-demand or on the web, I highly recommend it!

Well, here’s to a safe and happy week to my friends and readers!