So You Think You Can Dance - 7.3.08

Results Night!

The group number is set to Money Money from Cabaret, and that's always fun. Mark got another fun acting part. It was cute, though not my favorite group dance. It was choreographed by Tyce Diorio.

Cat's look is much nicer tonight. Almost Egyptian. The stylists have fun with her, that's for sure.

There is a little recap about bad auditions, and how mean Tyce was during auditions. I don't know that was necessary. Kind of out of place and weird. Maybe it was padding to make up for the lack of it last night.

Finally getting to the meat of the matter, Twitch and Kherrington and Katee and Joshua are up first. I am reminded how much I loved that bed dance, and I might just have to rewatch it. I really really hated Katee's hair in the Mia Michael's routine, and they could have brought more to the West Coast Swing. It was fun, but was it enough? After psyching them out a little, Cat reveals that both couple are safe. Twitch looked like he was going to faint. Or kick Cat in the shins. Not sure which.

Next up are Kourtni and Matt, Courtney and Gev, and Mark and Chelsie. Kourtni and Matt are quickly sent to the bottom 3, and I think it is deserved. Courtney and Gev join them there, and I don't think that is as deserved, but I wouldn't be sad to see Gev go, sadly. I like him, but I think he hasn't shown himself as a dancer all the way yet.

Comfort and Thayne and Jessica and Will are up last. Jessica is safe for another week at least, because Comfort and Thayne are in the bottom.

Before seeing solos, I worry about Kourtni and Gev. We'll see how the solos shake down before I make final predictions.

First, though, it's time for contortionist extraordinaire, Robert Murane. I don't think he would have done well in the competition with different styles, and he knew it, but he sure is an incredible popper, and I am happy to see him again. Nigel said that he also loved Philip Chbeeb, and he wants a dance off between the two of them. That would be awesome. Make it happen, producers. Might happen in the finale.

It's solo time. Kourtni did a convincing solo, and I liked her commitment, even though I hated her hair and her outfit.

Matt's solo was pretty good, too, but I don't know if it was enough to save him.

Courtney did an impressive amount of pirouettes, and she is cute as a button, but I don't know that her solo was strong enough, and I would be sad to lose her, so I hope it was enough.

After his solo, I really hope not to lose Gev because he is so good and different from all the contemporary boys in the competition. He brought his all to his solo, and it was amazing.

Comfort also brought everything that she had to her solo, though I wish she hadn't worn the hat. It could have been stronger, though. She seemed to do the same thing over and over again.

Thayne's solo was a little so-so, and I worry for him. He stayed up on the stairs too long, in my opinion.

Ok, after the solos, I think Courtney (sadly) might be in trouble, and it's between Thayne and Matt for me. We'll see if I am right.

During the deliberation, One Republic performed, and I like them, but I have to admit, I fast forwarded because it was getting late. (I have to say, and regular readers won't be surprised by this declaration, if you want to hear really good falsetto, go listen to some Erasure. I had to say it.)

Results are in, and Nigel said that they had a really hard time deciding. They were not unanimous. Courtney and her pocket sized cuteness are staying, and I am glad. Nigel didn't like Comfort's solo, but she is safe. Kourtni is gone this week, even though her solo was pretty darned good. I suppose it's been coming for a couple of weeks, though.

As for the guys, Gev proved himself in his solo, and he is safe. Matt has not shown improvement in the show, even though he is really good, so he is gone. Couples remain intact this week. Goodbye Matt and the weird ninja thing.

So You Think You Can Dance - 7.2.08

Cat is looking very mod tonight, and I hope that she just has her hair up. Looks like. Joining Nigel and the ever annoying Mary tonight are Tabitha and Napoleon. There is no padding tonight because each couple has to do two dances! So, getting right to it -

Joshua and Jessica 1st dance (Jive, choreographed by Tony Meridith and Melony) Jessica looks good in the period costume. I enjoyed them a whole lot more than last week, and I think the jive suits them well. Will is made of rubber and does a flip at the end right before a really neat lift to end it. Tabitha says that she felt the fight, and Napoleon said that he could see her bring it. Mary said that she saw a lot of missed connections, and she was disappointed in Jessica. Nigel thought that Will had his weight in the right place, but Jessica was a bit too high up.

Comfort and Thayne 1st dance (Broadway choreographed by Andy somethingorother) They work well as a couple, and Comfort was blazingly sexy. I loved the move where he dragged her across the stage. Tabitha agreed that the new couple was very well done. They acted really well together. Napoleon liked the flirtiness from Comfort and the coolness from Thayne. Mary said that she was proud of them. Nigel thought it should have been all about aggression and passion, and he didn't see it. He said it wasn't good enough.

Kourtni and Matt 1st dance (Hip hop choreographed by Cicely and Elisa) They didn't seem to be hitting anything hard, and I think it was a little soft. They danced well, but it didn't look like hip hop. Tabitha and Napoleon thought it was groovy, so maybe I am completely off base. Napoleon thought it was good for them, but not good as hip hop. Mary said even though it was slow, it should have made made her scream. I'm glad it didn't, though I am sad for Kourtni and Matt. Nigel said he wasn't sure if it was the choreography, the dancing, or the style, but he said it was like hip hop on sleeping pills. I would agree with that assessment.

Chelsea and Mark 1st dance (Jazz choreographed by Mandy Moore) It was quick and they move so languidly. I think I am a little in love with Mark. Tabitha loved the flirtation story, and loved their acting skills during the dance. Napoleon loved their chemistry. Mary screamed (I muted). Nigel said he didn't feel that it was fast, because the routine just worked. He thought that they were magic together, and I agree.

Kherrington and Twitch 1st dance (Pasa Doble choreographed by Tony and Melony) It was so fantastic. There was a lot of "aggression" there, and Twitch was a very compelling matador. It started with a lot of cape work. Napoleon and Tabitha thought that there was a slow build, but then it caught fire. Tabitha said that Kherrington looked like a matador, and Twitch started off like a calf. Mary thought it was full of passion, but the dancing was just ok. Nigel thought that Twitch had his shoulders a bit high and tight, but loved Kherrington's acting.

Katee and Joshua 1st dance (Contemporary choreographed by Mia Michaels) This is the kind of contemporary that I don't like, that is just a lot of flailing around and running. No thank you. I guess it was good, but I just don't like it. And Katee's hair was the most tragic thing about it. Nope, Mia. That was a miss for me. Napoleon and Tabitha loved it. Mary loved it, and loved the monumental stillness. Nigel thought that they were outstanding. Humph. Well, I can't like everything, right.

Courtney and Gev 1st dance (Hip Hop choreographed by ) Courtney was hitting it pretty hard and had a good attitude. They had good chemistry to me and worked well together. I don't like when people dance with hats on and you can't see their eyes. Napoleon didn't think Gev was keeping up with Courtney, and I agree. Tabitha thought it was a little too bouncy instead of poppy. She was also feeling Courtney. Mary said she felt it 50/50. She didn't think that Gev worked it hard enough, but thought that Courtney was killing the routine. Nigel thought it felt like Cinderella getting ugly, and didn't buy it.

Joshua and Jessica 2nd dance (lyrical jazz, choreographed by Mandy Moore) They have a shirt to use as a prop, and Will is going for Skin to Win, and it was really passionate and sexy as a dance. This is the first time I have believed them as a couple. I still think Jessica may be the weakest female dancer in the competition. I am sold on Will after this dance, though. Holy smokes was that sexy. Tabitha thought that the shirt usage was clever, and said that while she enjoyed watching Will dance without a shirt, it was his lines that made him really shine. Napoleon said that he felt like Jessica was holding Will back a bit, and I agree. Mary screamed, I muted. She puts them both on the Hot Tamale train, and I wish that it didn't matter so much to the contestants to be on that ridiculous train. Mary snuck another scream and I missed muting. Blast. My poor eardrums. Nigel loved Will and again urged Jessica to get out of her own way and she needs to realize that she is a great dancer.

Comfort and Thayne 2nd dance (Smooth Waltz, choreographed by Edward Simon) The dance is about long lost love, and it was touching and Comfort again looked gorgeous. There was a fantastic really long lift which she had beautiful lines in and Thayne did a nice job executing. The landing was a little rough, but I forgive them. Really nice job, to me. I'll remember that. Napoleon said that he doesn't know much about waltz, but he loved it. Tabitha loved Comfort, but thought that Thayne felt a little phoney. Mary loved it, and she is a Waltz expert. She screamed and screeched and cackled, so she must have loved it. Nigel thought it was smooth and tremendous. Nigel liked that Comfort took out her eyebrow piercing, and said it transformed her.

Kourtni and Matt 2nd dance (Mambo, choreographed with Alex Desilva) There was a really impressive lift sequence right in the beginning, and I impressed with Matt's hips. Kourtni isn't really all there for me, and that's a shame because I normally like her. The whole thing ended up being kind of so-so, but I think Matt did pretty well. Tabitha wanted more sexy from Matt, and Napoleon wanted it to be more down and dirty and sexy. Mary thought Kourtni was hot, but didn't like them as a couple. Mary said that they were too bouncy and also needed to get down. Shows what I know. Nigel thought that they didn't have their weight in the right place and wanted Matt to be more butch and macho, but it was a good routine overall.

Chelsea and Mark 2nd dance (Foxtrot, choreographed by no one mentioned) I am so drawn to this couple. I don't know about the technique, but they are so danged likeable. Tabitha said that poor Chelsea had a feather in her mouth for a good portion of the routine, and she just kept going, and that's why she loved them. Mary said it was a really hard routine and they hit it. My husband said that he would kill himself if he was married to Mary's voice. Nigel thought that Mark was a bit on his toes, and needs to pay more attention to the technique. Mary tortured him with her cackling, and he looked pained. I muted.

Twitch and Kherrington 2nd dance (Contemporary, choreographed by Mia Michaels) They are dancing on a bed. It is a dance from the male perspective of a breakup. Twitch is also going Skin to Win. Not complaining. This is a more emotional routine that I can get behind. They did an amazing job dancing around each other and using the bed and rose petals, and it gave me chills. Twitch had some serious vulnerability and I loved it. Kherrington was really good too, but this was all about Twitch. Tabitha calls it Awesome x 6. Then adds a couple. Napoleon calls it storytelling at it's best. Mary said that Mia outdid herself, then hoot-screamed, followed by a cackle. For heaven's sake. She said it was powerful and dynamic and believable, and I agree. Nigel claims that Mia was inspired to choreograph the routine from her relationship with him, and says he wouldn't mind one of the bodies shown on the show tonight. Twitch looked embarrassed. He said it was beautiful, and puts them in the top. I think this was an amazing routine, and gives me my faith back in Mia after the first (in my mind) stinker.

Katee and Joshua 2nd dance (West Coast Swing, choreographed by Benji - assisted by Lacey!) Katee's hair is toned down, so thank you hair department. Much better for me, and I loved the cartwheel from the both of them, and it was a spunky number. Napoleon and Tabitha loved the incorporation of character, but thought that Joshua looked like a peppermint. I am not sure about the ruffles on Katee's bust. Mary screamed and I missed my mute again. Double blast. Nigel thought that it was not as good as Benji and Lacey's West Coast Swing, but he liked their versatility. He didn't think that the cartwheel was a little rough, but loved Katee's hip bump.

Courtney and Gev 2nd dance (Broadway choreographed by Andy Blankenbueller) They are playing tourists in New York. Courtney looks really cute, and Gev looks kind of Jimmy Olsen. I think they sold it, and Gev had a fantastic flying leap. Napoleon and Tabitha thought that they were believable. She wanted them to follow the music's feeling a little better. Napoleon thought that Gev found his niche. Mary bared her formidable teeth and thought it was great. Nigel said that they seem like underdogs and made a short joke. He wanted Gev to open up in his chest a bit more. He thought that Courtney's round kicks were not high enough. He didn't think it was brilliant, but thought they gave it their all.

My top for the night are Mark and Chelsea, Comfort and Thayne, and Kherrington and Twitch. Courtney and Gev are up there, too.

I think Matt and Kourtni are in trouble, and I think Will and Jessica should be in the bottom three also, to get rid of Jessica. I don't know who will round it out. If I had my druthers, it would be Katee and Joshua because of that first mess. Not sure, though.

Robert Murane is going to be dancing tomorrow! I think he is the contortionist, so I am looking forward to it.

Hell's Kitchen: 6/1/08

(This is the first part of a two parter) The show started with a recap of the season up to this point, and I am reminded of the people I had forgotten already. I still wish Jen hadn't been so freaking obnoxious as a person, because she really did cook some yummy looking dishes.

Still, though, this season has just been so disappointing. I don't know if it could have gotten down to any other final three. That does not mean that they are the best cooks out there, but I think they are the best in this group. And I think that the final two is good.

Finally time for the show to begin.

Christina and Petrozza have to design their own dream restaurants. Christina has a much easier time coming up with a menu than Petrozza.

(I am again appalled at these supposed top level chefs smoking like chimneys. I get that it's stressful, but can't they come up with some other outlet, instead of one that will deaden their palate?)

Petrozza meets with the designer and can only come up with the fact that his food is rich. Christina has a much better vision, and has a lot of set ideas. Petrozza wants flowers and flowers and flowers. He has a bit of a manic look to him.

Christina wants black t-shirts under black suits for the waitstaff, and hates the celedon green chef jacket, which of course is what Petrozza chooses.

Petrozza is still talking like he's high on something when he is talking about his menu, and Christina is much more focused.

They are called into Ramsey's office, and he says he is wondering if he has the right finalists. There was a dramatic commercial break and Petrozza looked like he was going to drop dead. Back from the break, he says he is sure that he has the right finalists. Christina hilariously quipped "Chef, Petrozza's old, his heart can't take it!" Then, Ramsey says he is taking them to NYC to see one of his other restaurants. On the way to NYC, Ramsey takes a stroll down memory lane with the two of them. Christina has won 9 challenges, and that's a record. Pretty cool.

Once they get to NYC, they see their names on a billboard in Times Square. They are also going to Dubai, and Christina doesn't even know where that is. Crazy. They head to see the London NYC restaurant, and meet the head chef there. They get nice executive chef uniforms, and are told that they are going to be cooking their signature dishes right then, as a final challenge. Christina is not phased. Both of their menus sound good.

Petrozza is cooking Filet Mignon with caramelized onion rissoto with a red wine sauce. He made a green onion "paintbrush" that was really cheesy.

Christina is cooking Dry Aged NY strip steak with herbed compound butter, sweet corn succotash, and roasted fingerling potatoes. Sounds yummy. She is feeling just a little cocky.

The truth is in the tasting. The judges are his five executive chefs from restaurants from around the world. The first person to get three votes wins.

The first judge votes Petrozza, the second judge votes for Petrozza, the third judge votes for Christina, the fourth judge votes for Christina, and it's all tied up. The final judge is going to be overseeing their potential job at the London West Hollywood, and so the pressure is on. He chooses Petrozza, and Christina's winning streak in challenges is over. As his reward, he gets to choose first for his team, and they get to choose from all the people from the whole season.

Enter Whoopie Goldberg, apropos of nothing. Apparently she's a fan. I don't think she has a movie to promote, so it must be out of genuine interest.

Back at Hell's Kitchen, they see their dining rooms, and Christina hates hers, with white window treatments and stripes. She liked the stripes on the wallpaper in the sample, but on the whole wall she hated it. She said that she wanted to vomit, and then Petrozza's fireplace needed more room, so she yielded to having it encroach into her dining room a little.

She talked to the designer and seems to have come to a compromise to fix the ugly.

In the morning, it's time to pick teams. Bobby, Ben, Corey, Matt (in a really really stupid hat), Louross, Jen (looking less than thrilled to be back, and swears that she is better than the final two, and wants to show Ramsey that she is better. Ugh).

Petrozza chose Bobby, then Christina chooses Corey. Petrozza's second choice is Ben, and Christina's is Louross. The final picks (between the predictable undesirables Jen and Matt) will have to wait until next week.


Because it's all about the dramatic pause.

The Mole: 6/30/08

In the pre-action confessionals, Craig worries that he almost died, Nicole bemoans the fact that everyone she pegs as the Mole gets booted (I know the feeling), Clay thinks that Jesus would want him to win, and Paul thinks that he is smarter than everyone else.

Moving onto the challenge, Craig is worried because it is so cold out, and he is recovering from hypothermia. They are at a train station which was a holding area for prisoners, and they were chained together. Of course this means that the contestants are chained together, by their ankles, to steel bars. The object is to free themselves from the chains, and there is only enough slack for one person to move forward at a time. A key door opens every 10 minutes and if a person grabs a key, they can free themselves, eat, and sleep comfortably. If everyone is free by dawn, $25,000 will be added to the pot. The catch (and there is always a catch) is that there is an exemption card next to the key, and if anyone takes it, no money will be added to the pot, and anyone who is not unchained at the time the card is grabbed will have to sleep in the chains.

Here's the thing. If the Mole took the exemption, it might just be too obvious.

Craig is the first to promise to take the key, because he is worried about his health. Mark says that he doesn't trust anyone. Clay had a hard time deciding to step back and give Craig the slack he needed. Craig does get the key and goes in to the warmth. Clay keeps having serious trust issues. Kristin wants to go in next, and Mark feels defensive. Kristin claims to be worried that she is going to get pneumonia. Alex seems willing to trust people. Kristin is finally given slack to get to the window, and she grabs the key. Paul swears on his daughter that he will take the key. In his confessional, he says that you shouldn't trust anything he says. He reaches for the card, but takes the key instead. Alex and Mark and Clay are feeling completely on edge and won't trust anyone. Everyone wants Mark to go next, but Mark doesn't want to go next, even saying that he can't trust himself. Clay decided to go, and the coalition with Mark is faltering. Clay took the key. Nicole got her slack next, and she took the key. Alex decided to go next, and he took the key. Then it is up to Mark to take the exemption or the key. Alex called it an Evil Exemption. Mark is still bitter about the loss of his notebook, and he is moping a little too much about it. He finally entered the dining room, but before telling them if he took the exemption, he wanted to know what they were all talking about while he was gone. He did NOT take the exemption, and I am happy. Many are surprised.

The pot is now $177,000.

Clay brought up the point that the Mole wouldn't need the exemption.

As a present, Mr. Host Man gave everyone fresh new journals. Mark acted as if you had just returned his puppy dog. They are heading out of the Andes, into Mendoza, and it looks gorgeous.

On the way to Mendoza, they do some exchanging of information for their journals. Paul doesn't want to give up anything. Mark is still moping. Clay thinks they should share. Paul says that because Paul is a criminal lawyer, he is hypocritical because he is religious. Sticky ground there. Paul is really annoying. Craig worries that the game is bringing out the worst in people. Craig left the van with Mark and Paul and Clay and went into the other van. Paul tried to boot Clay from the van, and Clay tossed the lemon at Paul and ended up moving, too, then he asked Kristin to move into Paul's van. Seemed to cause harmony, and road singing, to be restored. Van Two is Paul Free. Perhaps not the most inspired lyrics, but Paul was being pretty obnoxious, so I don't blame them for their song.

The next morning, they have breakfast, and Mr. Host Man asks if Craig is feeling any better, with the better climate. In answer, Craig has a hacking coughing fit, and says his health might be exemption worthy. Paul says that the fact that he got to keep his original journal should be enough for him. Mr. Host Man says that they are going to be letting off some steam, and Nicole, a little too eagerly, asks if they are going to get to shoot things. Paul is quick to say "maybe something, not somebody!" Was he worried?

Time for the second challenge. It's called Travelers. They are going to be split in teams of two, and using different forms of transportation, they have 45 minutes to reach a statue. Each team to get there will add $10,000. The twist is, there is one person leftover. The first person who said "Exemption" at breakfast (Which is Craig) is the Transportation Captain. He gets to choose the teams and the mode of transportation. If no one reaches the statue, he'd get exemption, but no money will go into the pot.

Craig takes off with Mr. Host Man to pick out transportation. Craig is going for the exemption.

Alex has to dress up like a conquistador and has to lead a donkey, which he cannot ride. Mark will go with Alex and has to wear scuba gear, which he dubs "insulting."

Clay will be riding a unicycle, with Kristin on stilts.

There is a llama costume, and Nicole is going to be the head, and Paul is going to be the llama's rear end. Nicole is more than pissed about it. Mark started complaining bitterly about it, and said that he wouldn't even try. Alex suited up in his conquistador costume, but everyone else opted out. They all drive to the monument, and Kristin and Paul and Mark claim that it was a collective decision. Craig wonders if Mark's repeated opting out indicates him as the Mole. I would tend to agree. Mark is my current pick. Easy as that, Craig picks up an exemption.

At dinner, Craig apologized for being kind of ruthless in his transportation picks, but he is still happy to have the exemption. Others agree that they would have gone for the exemption in his place, but they claim that they would have done it in a different way. I'm not so sure. Nicole stands by the decision to opt out, saying it's not that much money, and calling the potential $30,000 added to the pot a paltry sum. Alex (in confesssional) says maybe for some, but he's a musician, and that's a lot of money. I'm on his side. Then Nicole said that Craig has zero scruples. In confessional, Craig calls Nicole a psychopath, and is worried that he is surrounded by crazy people.

Mr. Host Man asks how people are doing without outside contact. Mark says that he hasn't gone a day in 19 years without speaking to his wife, and now it's been 23 days. That's rough. Paul says that he has resorted to talking to a lemon. If this was Survivor, Probst would trot out loved ones. Alas, it's not.

Quiz Time!

1. Is the Mole Male or Female?
2. In the All-for-One mission, according to Mr. Host Man's perspective, where was the Mole chained, from left to right?
3. In All-for-One, when did the Mole grab the key?
4. Did the Mole get inside of a sleeping bag during the All-for-One mission?
5. In Travelers, what was the Mole wearing?
6. In Travelers, what form of transportation was the Mole assigned to?
7. Who was the Mole paired with in the Travelers mission?
8. At breakfast before Travelers, where was the Mole sitting, clockwise to Mr. Host Man?
9. Has the Mole had an exemption to date?
10. Who is the Mole?

(At this point, I am not even going to venture to guess concretely)

There is another tie, like last week. The difference in time is 1 second, and the slower person will be eliminated.

Alex is safe, followed by Paul, and then Kristin is eliminated. I know some people had her pegged as The Mole, and I guess they are wrong. Nicole looked stunned and at a loss for words. Nicole is the last woman, and says it's ironic, because she's an OB/Gyn and deals with women exclusively.

Next week is a recap show, with unseen footage, and then a new episode.

The Next Food Network Star: 6/29/08

(I want to apologize for the late blog - weird weather caused interruptions in the satellite last night, so I recorded the late show)

Adam knows that he is in trouble... first it was raw food, then it was too much slapstick. Lisa thinks the only thing she needs to work on is her on camera persona. She's got that right, because right now, her on camera persona is not friends with me.

It's challenge time. Chef Car Cora enters to explain the picnic like baskets on the tables to the perplexed contestants. It is all about descriptions. They have 30 minutes to create an original dish with the six ingredients in their basket, and then they have to describe their dish on camera.

Here's what's in their baskets.

Lisa: Udon noodles, beets, ginger, chicken, lemon, scallions.
Jennifer: Basil, Swiss chard, prosciutto, pork tenderloin, mango, almonds
Kelsey: Cod, Saffron, blood orange, fennel, polenta, onions
Shane: Avocado, habenero, flank steak, anchovy, cumin, garlic
Adam: Napa Cabbage, turkey, mushrooms, cilantro, heirloom tomatoes, gala apples
Aaron: Strawberries, white chocolate, pound cake, dark chocolate, coconut chips, cinnamon

They all seemed to do a pretty good job with the cooking. Then comes a twist. They have to describe other people's dishes! They will have 90 seconds to taste the dish, and then describe it.
Kelsey gets to describe Shane's dish, and she uses the words "burst of flavor," twice, and she didn't say what was in it, and gets a lovely surprise of habenero when she thought it was citrus. Cat Cora said that she didn't say why the flavors were so good, and that was a problem. When the camera stopped rolling, Kelsey downed a glass of water. Yup, that's habenero for you.
Shane's up next with Kelsey's dish. He did a good job figuring out what was in the dish, and he did a good job visualizing everything.

Time for Adam's chance with Aaron's dish. He keeps talking about the perfect bite, but I think he missed a lot of the ingredients. He also shoved a lot of food into his mouth right when he was supposed to be wrapping up. Not strong.

Aaron didn't introduce himself and seemed pretty tentative on camera. He took a long time contemplating the dish and not talking. Not good. Cat told him he had to think on his feet.

Lisa squints her way through describing Jennifer's dish, and I couldn't concentrate on what she was saying because of her giant pearls. She did a pretty good job describing the dish. Cat thought she seemed a little false.
Jennifer had a really hard time with Lisa's dish, and couldn't tell what anything was. She kept saying "and what is this over here?" She thought the udon noodles were linguine, and she didn't say anything of substance.

Shane ended up winning the challenge, and I think that was an earned win.

The second challenge of the show has a prize of getting the winning recipe featured in Bon Appetit. They have to make a 45 minute simpler version of a complex dish.

The choices are Beef Wellington, Coq au vin, and Turducken. They will work in the same duos that they had for the first challenge. They also have to make side dishes.

Shane gets to pick first, with Kelsey. Kelsey is delighted when Shane chooses Beef Wellington.

Adam and Aaron get the coq au vin, and Lisa and Jennifer get the Turducken. Neither are really happy about the choices made for them. They will be serving the editors and staff of Bon Appetit.

They have 30 minutes to go shopping for their ingredients.

Aaron and Adam's Coq au vin redo is up first. Adam's side dish was the polenta, and Aaron's was the pasta. Aaron was really nervous with Adam's idea to use bone-in chicken breast, and Aaron ended up winning out because the bone-in stuff wouldn't cook. They also had issues with their polenta being "gluey," and Aaron was unhappy with the plating, thinking it looked really sloppy. Adam was kind of funny during presentation when he said "Coq au vin brings up so many memories... the first time I had it was about 10 minutes ago." Aaron was not feeling proud of the dish, and was feeling nervous. He admitted that the sloppy plating of the pasta with the pasta hanging over the edge of the bowl was a mistake. The judges thought that the chicken was ok, but the polenta was a bad idea, and they were hoping for some more stew-like components.

Lisa and Jen's Turducken redux is a turkey medallion, with a pre-roasted chicken as a part of stuffing, and duck sausage. Jennifer is making acorn squash side dish, and Lisa is making roasted green beans. Lisa had one piece of duck confit, and it was roasting along with Jennifer's squash, and then Jennifer broke a big bottle of apricot juice all over the grill and everything had to get thrown out. Lisa thought that the turkey was a little bland, so she tried to make a highly seasoned sauce (or velote, if you prefer. Lisa does), but Jennifer didn't like it, and thought it was too herby, saying it tasted like she had just eaten a hunk of tree, and they don't use it. Lisa is really disappointed by that. During the presentation, Jennifer spent a lot of time apologizing for the lack of squash and duck confit, and said that the velote was not good, so it wasn't served.

Shane and Kelsey do their best with the beef wellington redo. Shane is doing creamed pearl onions, and Kelsey is making roasted veggies, and Kelsey is a whirlwind around the kitchen. They had the nicest looking plates in the group, and I would be most likely to eat their dishes! They did the absolute best presentation, too. How did it taste? The Bon Appetit crew had a problem with the plating, but the flavors seemed ok. The selection committee liked the way that Kelsey can answer questions thrown at her, but wish that she would stop saying how little experience she has. I would tend to agree.

It's evaluation time! Everyone is nervous. Kelsey was criticized for her descriptive skills about Shane's dish in the first challenge. Bob told her she needed to up her authority and stop talking about culinary school. Aside from the slightly unappealing look, their No-Nightmare Beef Wellington was really well received.

Jennifer was again warned that she was not knowledgeable enough about the food she was trying to describe, and the fact that she messed up with the second challenge was a problem. The judges said that they were going to be reminding Lisa that she needs to be more human (instead of vulcan).

Aaron got dinged for his inability to taste and talk at the same time, and though their chicken was yummy, they had almost no connection to Coq au Vin. Adam is told that his polenta was ridiculously unappealing, and he is really just there because of his personality. Aaron is told that he is self-editing in presentation, and that is his biggest problem, because he hasn't really shown himself.

In the end, Shane and Kelsey's Beef Wellington won the challenge, and I was not surprised by that. They are both safe, and I think that's proper.

Lisa is safe because of her skills and expertise. It's not her personality. Aaron is safe with a warning that he has to bring more of himself to camera. Adam is told that he is on super thin ice on a culinary standpoint, and Jennifer is told that her lack of some level of expertise is really a problem, and she is heading home. I think it is the time for her to go. I like her personality, but she just had a hard time showing that she can cook. Adam needs to step up the cooking, and tone down the buffoonery, and maybe he can get somewhere.

Next week's got Rachel Ray, and I like her, even though I know many do not. Looking forward to it!

Yeah, I'll be watching this

Teaser from Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog on Vimeo.

Not sure when it's coming, but it's coming to an internet near you... I love Joss Whedon, Neil Patrick Harris, and Nathan Fillon. How can it go wrong???

So You Think You Can Dance - Results 6/26/08

The intro group number was messed up. Made me wonder if it was another Shane Sparks. They all looked like they were in Nightmare Before Christmas. Mark looked mighty evil and as if he was having a great time. He plays characters really well.

Ok, it was a Mia Michaels routine. Not surprised by that one, either.

Cat's dress looks like it's on upside down by mistake. The ruffles are threatening to eat her neck. It's disconcerting.

After a super de duper quick change (is this show live? If so, I am impressed with the speed make-up people), Thayne and Chelsea T. are deservedly in the bottom 3. Katee's half dress and Joshua's tight pants are safe. Mark and Chelsea's routine last night took my breath away, and I am so pleased that they are also safe.

Kherrington and Twitch are the first ones in the next group who are safe. Joy! Courtney and Gev will dance another week, with no solos tonight. Comfort and Chris were not hard hitting enough for the music last night, at least for the judges (looking back, I think Chris especially needed a lot more oomph), and they are in the bottom 3.

The final group is Kourtni and Matt, and Jessica and Will. The only thing I could find wrong with Kourtni and Matt last night was the questionable wardrobe... you'd think they could have dressed them more like superheros, wouldn't you? Will could do better with another partner, though it did look like he nearly dropped Jessica once or twice... Kourtni and Matt are in the bottom 3, and I don't think they deserved it at all. Jessica needs to be in the Bottom 3, because I don't think that she is bringing her all to the stage. Nigel gave Matt a little acting lesson, putting on a few pretty good different accents, and I hope that Matt got the point.

The guest performers tonight are a dance crew that includes Ryan, Dominic, and Hok from previous seasons. Hok is still amazing. I didn't see Dominic or Ryan until after, but there were a lot of strobe lights. It was a pretty awesome routine with crazy break dance moves.

Solo time!

Chelsea Trail spun around a lot, and I guess she was good, but I still can't get behind her. She didn't wow me.

Thayne had a lot more feeling in his dance, and he had some amazing leaping splits. I liked his solo more than I expected to.

Comfort brought a lot of cool moves to her solo, and I felt her more than I felt Chelsea.

Chris was pretty good, but he doesn't really do it for me.

Kourtni had a really spunky solo, and I want her to stay.

Matt moves in such a fluid manner, and I really thought his solo was cool and unique. And he danced to Jason Mraz, who I think is pretty neat, too. So I have hope for him.

After the solos, I say Chris and Chelsea T. are going home.

Jordan Sparks is up to perform while the judges are off deliberating, and she looks very prom ready in a hot pink dress with a bright orange waistband. I guess that's a look. The shape is good for her, but I think it's this close to taffeta. She had little extensions in her hair that matched her dress. How... interesting. Oh right, she was singing. She's good. She is not my favorite, because she sounds like so many other singers out there now, but she is good. (I was a Blake Lewis fan... I still want his cd, even though I read someplace that he has been dropped by his label. Boo on that)

Nigel wasted no time dismissing Chelsea, and I was right on at least one of my predictions. I wasn't sold on her dancing, and I don't like listening to her talk (is that awful? I find her voice really annoying). Matt was applauded for his solo tonight, and I am thrilled. I also thought it was genius. Chris is eliminated, and I am 2 for 2!!!

Can't wait to see how Thayne and Comfort dance together next week.