underwater excuses from model wannabees

The girls seem to be all buddy-buddy on ANTM this week!

At their challenge this week, the girls met Marisa Miller and she gave them tips on how to pose in their bikinis. And she told them how to be sexy for men but not over the top for women. She even had them practice in a makeshift shower! Haha.

And then she led them to Nigel where he introduced them to their next photo challenge! They were going to jump off a cliff and had to look sexy and graceful!! Um, right! And they only have one shot at it. Wow! The winner of the challenge would get a chocolate pearl necklace valued at over $5,000 and the most frames at the next photo shoot! And that winner was…Nicole!

So, Nicole got the most frames. And she chose Sundai to get the next most frames, followed by Laura, then Jennifer, and Erin getting the least amount of frames.

Russell James would be their photographer this shoot and it’s going to be underwater! Oh, and poor Laura was freaking out but she started to get better as she calmed down. Of course, Nicole completely rocked it out. Jennifer really did better than I thought she would. Sundai really needed to get over her problems because she just had ever excuse in the book. Thankfully, it seems like Erin didn’t do so well.

I am at a crossroads here – I really dislike Erin so I want her to go home. But I also think that Sundai does not deserve to be in the competition. She hasn’t done anything yet to prove that she has what it takes to stay here.

Marisa Miller joined judging panel this week, which is interesting since she already has some knowledge of the girls. Sundai’s photo caused her to look a million miles long, but her face is completely hidden. Laura’s photo was not too bad and you could not tell at all that she struggled during the shoot. Jennifer’s picture was her best yet and she looked just gorgeous in it. Once again, Nicole’s photo was beautiful and interesting. Erin performed exactly how I expected her to – poorly. She could have done better but she’s now just trying to act out and get attention.

Wow, Jennifer had the best photo this week! And for once I saw the competitive edge in Nicole. She seemed a little upset that she didn’t get best photo. But she and Laura were safe, leaving Sundai and Erin in the bottom two. This is Erin’s third week-in-a-row being in the bottom two.

Ugh, Erin is like Christopher from Project Runway! I don’t know how they keep managing to scrape by!! So, sweet little Sundai was sent home. I’m not too surprised or disappointed by this. I don’t think Sundai was that strong and she never won anything so it makes sense for her to go home. I just hate Erin and want her to leave!

weight loss heads to washington

The Biggest Loser gets political!

Alison surprised the contestants with a week-long trip to Washington, D.C. But, of course, they wouldn’t be on vacation! They would be trying to inspire others and help fight the obesity problem in America.

And she threw another surprise at the contestants – they are all playing for themselves from here on out!

For their first challenge this week, each of the contestants needed to gather people to join in on a public workout with Bob & Jillian at the Washington Monument. Whichever person had the most people to come out would win a special prize and take their group out to Subway for lunch. And Liz edged out Allen by one person!

After the challenge, the contestants met with some members of congress to talk about their stories.

Then they made their way to Constitution Gardens for the start of their main challenge. The challenge had four legs to it and whoever won them all would get immunity at the weigh-in. Since Liz won the pop challenge, she has the opportunity to skip one of the first three challenges if she wishes. Phase 1 had the contestants running a mile. The top 6 finishers in the mile would advance to the 2nd Phase. Rebecca came in first, followed by Daniel, Allen, Amanda, Rudy, and Liz. They would all compete in Phase 2 while Danny, Tracey, and Shay had the pleasure of knowing that they could finish a mile.

For Phase 2, the 6 players would race halfway down the Watergate steps to collect 17,000+ pennies in their collection tube. Those 17,000+ pennies represented all of the pounds lost on the show so far. Liz smartly sat this challenge out, which meant only three of the other competitors could advance to the next stage. Rudy finished first, with Daniel in second, and a very close call put Rebecca into the next Phase over Allen.

Phase 3 was set in front of the Washington Memorial. Four pedestals with very narrow ridges waited for the contestants and they need to balance on those 2 ½” ridges while holding a pilates ball over their heads. The two contestants that balanced the longest would move to the final competition. Daniel and Liz could handle the balancing act, leaving Rudy and Rebecca to duke it out for immunity.

The final Phase required Rudy and Rebecca to take 206 steps in front of the White House. Rebecca asked what the 206 steps signified and found out that The Biggest Loser has had 206 contestants so far. Rebecca easily won this challenge and won herself immunity for the weigh-in.

And of course, the show wouldn’t leave out the others in rewards. So, everyone received a special invite to the White House and met with the White House kitchen staff. They cooked a healthy lunch in the White House kitchen.

Ooh, this week they had their weigh-in at the Lincoln Memorial. Here is how the weigh-in broke down:

• Rebecca: -4 pounds, *immunity
• Shay: -9 pounds, 2.24% loss, under 400 pounds
• Tracey: -3 pounds; 1.52% loss
• Daniel: -11 pounds, 4.04% loss
• Allen: -9 pounds, 3.44% loss
• Danny: -12 pounds, 3.48% loss
• Rudy: -9 pounds, 2.64% loss
• Liz: -3 pounds, 1.36% loss
• Amanda: -7 pounds, 3.27% loss
  

This means that Tracey and Liz fell below the yellow line and risk elimination. No surprises here, Tracey was sent home. Finally, her stupid mistakes and choices in the beginning of the game caught up with her!

the athletes leave the dance floor

DWTS’s last double elimination picks off the weakest links.

Though he just completed his best dance of the season, Michael Irvin received the lowest combined score this week and was sent home. Then the other bottom two couples, Aaron & Karina and Mark & Lacey, had to battle it out on the dance floor. I am so shocked that Aaron & Karina were in the bottom after their performance from last night!

Sadly, Mark & Lacey were sent home after the dance battle. I feel bad for Mark because I think his Samba would have been better if Lacey didn’t have to sit that one out for being sick. But I guess someone needed to go.

hip hop's legacy goes contemporary

More top performances and two more goodbyes on So You Think You Can Dance.

Risking elimination last week due to injury, Noelle came back to dance with her partner Russell. And this week they have a Hip Hop routine from newest choreographer, Jamal Sims. Well, Russell certainly lucked out this week with Hip Hop and he looked pretty comfortable up there, even in his preppy tennis outfit! Noelle, on the other hand, was a little weak. She did respectable in some part but some parts were really awful.

Power couple Ashleigh & Jakob had a Viennese Waltz from Tony Meredith & Melanie Lepatin. Aww, it was so sweet. It totally was like a couple’s first wedding dance. It was so sweet and innocent but passionate. And it really seemed like it was just a dance for them and no one else. The judges had a few criticisms here and there but I personally just loved it!

Bianca & Victor were lucky enough to get a Tyce Diorio Broadway number. Hmm, I think the characters and choreography overpowered them this week. They did so well last week and I think it was lost a little bit this week. I started to like Victor more during the end but I think Bianca was a little too confident throughout the whole thing and didn’t live up to it all.

PYT’s Mollee & Nathan had a Bollywood routine next and I wonder if my theory from last season about every Bollywood routine being good will ring true here. Yes, still works! But I think they danced it really well and the choreography was really exciting. Love them and their dancing.

Ugh, my least favorite guy on the show, Phillip, had the Samba with his partner, Channing. And Tony & Melanie did not hold back on the choreography one bit! I think that Channing did a lot better than Phillip did – she just seemed more comfortable with it all. And Mary called Phillip out on not being a good partner for Channing and I’m glad someone did it!

And now my least favorite couple, Karen & Kevin, got a NappyTabs Hip Hop routine. This is in Kevin’s comfort zone so I hope that its good but I just really don’t like Karen. Wow, this was probably the dirtiest routine I have seen from Tabitha & Napolean! They did really well, as much as I hate to admit it. I started to like Kevin more here but miss Karen is still going to be my Janette from last season.

Uh oh, Kathryn & Legacy pulled a Contemporary routine from Stacey Tookey. I really hope that Legacy can handle this because I just love him. Well, I think he succeeded! It was just beautiful and well danced by both of them! Okay, it’s official. They are definitely my favorite couple this season!

New couple Pauline & Peter were so lucky that they got a Wade Robson Jazz routine! I don’t know if it’s possible to fail while dancing a Wade Robson number. I think not. It was really clever and sharp and interesting. I think Peter had more personality with the routine and found the little nuances of the routine while Pauline was still safe with it.

Ellenore & Ryan were the last couple of the night and they finished things off with a Tango from Miriam & Leonardo. I am hoping that I can like Ellenore after her brash arrogange last week. Oh, but I felt so bad for her! Her dress got caught in her shoe! But she kept it going and didn’t let it stop her. It was a good routine and well danced. I am beginning to forgive Ellenore for last week and I will give them another chance.

Now the judges need to choose the bottom two guys and two girls because there is no results show this week due to the World Series. And they were Noelle, Bianca, Victor, and Phillip. Can’t say I’m surprised by any of the choices.

Well, Noelle definitely left it all on the table during her table. That is what a Bottom 4 solo should be! Ugh, and Victor’s solo was so dynamic and powerful. I just loved it! Bianca did really well with her solo and showed a lot of variety and humor in her solo. However, not doing it for me at all was Phillip. Maybe my wish of sending home my least favorite guy will come true!

Oh my goodness I am so shocked that the judges sent Bianca home. I definitely think that Noelle did well in her solo but I thought the judges would have preferred Bianca. Not so shocking is the fact that the judges sent home Phillip!! Hooray for that, at least!

dwts nears a perfect 30

The stars face two dances and two eliminations this week on DWTS.

Dancing first this week was last week’s dance off winners, Michael & Anna. They had a Foxtrot and I’m not sure he can muster the elegance and fluidity needed for this. Well, I just hated the song so it made it hard for me to enjoy. But I think he did pretty well and probably the best he’s ever done. In fact, he scored a 23/30, which is his highest score!

Donnie & Kym took the floor next with the Quickstep. Gosh, it’s no wonder that the Osmond is so beloved – they have so much charisma! Donnie is so fun to watch and you can’t help but to love him. I thought he did really well with this routine. Unfortunately, there were some mistakes that apparently only the judges could see and they ended up with a 24/30.

Mark no longer had Lacey this week because she was clearly ill with the flu. For the actual performance, Chuck Liddell’s old partner Anna, danced with Mark. Here’s hoping it’s a good routine! Ooh, and they had a Samba this week! You know Lacey would have killed that. Hmm, it was a little awkward and it makes me a little sad! He was doing so well last week. But he definitely gave it his all to put as much personality in it as possible. This definitely hurt him with a score of 19/30! I hope they get some audience votes.

Apparent front-runners, Mýa & Dmitry, had the Foxtrot. And who did Dmitry call in to help inspire Mýa? Cloris Leachman!! Haha. Well, though I may hate to admit it, I think they really did well this week and certainly channeled old Hollywood. Too bad for them, Len did not like the routine. Not too surprising since Dmitry likes to push the envelope with his choreography. They still ended up with a 25/30 which is the highest score so far.

Aaron & Karina danced next and this week they had a Jive. Wow!! His feet were moving a mile a minute! It was like he was a teen idol from the 50s or something. It was really fantastic and this is the closest I think we have come to a perfect 30. They got a 29/30!!

My remaining faves, Kelly & Louis, heated up with dance floor this week a Salsa. Well, at least I’m hoping they heat things up. It was definitely high energy and she did really well. I just hope it’s enough for her to stay. They scored a 24/30 which puts them right in the middle of things.

The last solo dance of the night belonged to Joanna & Derek as they took on a Rumba. Hmm, since it’s another “sexy” dance, I’m sure she will do well and that the judges will love it. Okay, I thought she did well and I think she actually outdanced her natural sexiness, which is good. But I thought Derek’s choreography was a little jerky in some places. They scored a 27/30 which is pretty good.

Now for the team dances: Team Paso (Aaron & Karina, Mýa & Dmitry, Mark & Anna, Michael & Anna) vs. Team Tango (Joanna & Derek, Kelly & Louis, Donnie & Kym).

Team Paso seemed to have some issues during rehearsal with too many egos in the room! But they pulled it together and it was a pretty good performance. They received a 24/30 which will be added to each of their individual scores.

Team Tango seemed to have a better moral and work ethic. But does that translate into a good dance? Yes, it does! Their synchronicity was better and I think their solos were better, too. It was absolutely fantastic!!! As a team they got a 28/30, which will be added to their scores.

herring...and onions? no thank you!

Windy weather and swinging clubs prove difficult on The Amazing Race.

The teams are now flying to Amsterdam and it’s a fight for the best flight at the airport. Looks like all of the teams are catching a midnight flight. And while all the teams sat down in the airport and chatted, Sam & Dan decided to come out to the rest of the teams. No one seemed too surprised and everyone took it well.

When the teams arrived, Brian & Ericka couldn’t get their car to start. But all of the other teams made it to the dam at the same time. From there, they had to travel to Martinitoren for their next clue. Once they got there, one member had to climb all of the stairs in the spire and count all of the bells. When they had their final number, they would get the next clue.

Father-son team, Gary & Matt made it down first and made their way to Vierhuizen de Marne for their next clue. However, they got stuck while getting directions, so Sam & Dan and Meghan & Cheyne made it out before them. All of the teams got the number of bells right on the first try except for Brian & Ericka. This was just not their leg of the race!

Sam & Dan made it to the Detour first and they had to choose between: Farmer’s Game, where they had to swim across a creek and play a version of croquet/golf, or Farmer’s Dance, where they had to hit a bell, learn a traditional dance, and then eat some traditional herring and onions! I would totally choose the golf one to avoid the herring and onions!

Turns out, Sam & Dan are really good at golf and were the first to leave for the Pit Stop. Meanwhile, Meghan couldn’t get a handle on the game and Brian & Ericka were still at the spire counting bells! Haha, and then Gary & Matt changed their minds and switched to golf after their realized they needed to eat herring!

On her fourth attempt, Ericka correctly counted 62 bells and made her way to the windmill, while Sam & Dan reached the pit stop and came in first place! Maria & Tiffany had over 30 attempts at the bell and still couldn’t ring the bell at the top, so they headed to gold. Not surprisingly, the Globetrotters hit it on the first try and made their way to the dance. Brian & Ericka finally caught up but forgot to get the bikes so they were walking to the dance! Haha!! I loved watching the Globetrotters dance! Maria decided to give up on the golf and they went back to the dance and continued with the bell. Oh my gosh! And then they decided to go back to the golf because they couldn’t ring the bell! And now, Brian & Ericka made it to the dance and rang the bell on the first try and succeeded in the dance. But I think they are going to be in trouble for not using the bikes.

And it did get them in trouble. They incurred a 30-minute penalty while they waited for the girls to finish with the gold challenge. After waiting 30 minutes, Maria & Tiffany still couldn’t complete their challenge and Bryan & Ericka took the last place on the race.

only the best can out-sew the best

It’s a blast from the past on Project Runway.

Ooh, the designers are facing away from the runway when Heidi introduces their challenge. And when they turn around, each designer had their best look on the runway. Their challenge would be to create a companion piece for their best outfit. And poor Logan is the only one who has never had a winning look!

The chosen best looks were: Logan’s first Red Carpet look; Althea’s model challenge mini-tuxedo; Christopher’s VMA dress; Gordana’s wedding dress re-make; Irina’s Dynasty-tastic gross Aspen look; and Carol Hannah’s Christina Aguilera gown.

Okay, once again, I am really tired of Irina’s arrogance. And, really, Christopher? You want to just make your VMA dress but longer? Isn’t that exactly what your Victorian Vampire dress looked like?! I’m interested to see Logan’s new zipper dress and hoping that he can finally pull out a win!

Althea gets pissed after she sees that Logan’s collar is all made of zippers and apparently that was what she did on the Christina Aguilera challenge. I don’t even remember that! But she was cohorting with her bestest frenemy, Irina, to find a way to approach him about it. But instead of confronting him, she tells her model about it! And now Irina is complaining that Althea’s sweater is copying her design from last week! Well, one thing I know for sure is that Irina will not be quiet and I bet she will say something.

I don’t know what Heidi was wearing at elimination cause it was not cute! But I like how her silver metallic Bermudas matched Logan’s silver metallic skinny jeans! Ooh, and judging this week is Nick Verreos from Season 2, along with Nina Garcia and actress Kerry Washington.

Once again, Christopher fell in the bottom! It’s just awful and too reminiscent of his other pieces. And Irina’s outfit was too similar to her other outfit. Ugh, but lame judges loved it. FINALLY, Nina had a bad comment and thought that the dress looked cheap! Haha. The judges just hated Gordana’s outfit. I can’t say that I disagree because Matar looked so drab in it. Carol Hannah’s dress really wowed and I think she hit a homerun here. Even though she only does dresses, I’m okay with that! I mean, look at Uli from season 3. Poor Logan didn’t wow and I think this is the end for him. I think Althea did a great job and it was a perfect companion piece to her winning outfit. Now, surprisingly, it was Heidi who brought up the similarities between the oversize sweaters and Irina’s diva-tude really came out.

Althea won this challenge and I am so happy!! And I just loved seeing Irina’s face when the judges announced it. Oh, wow, Christopher is in! I would really hate to see his line of short and long bedskirt dresses coming down the runway. I hope he doesn’t make it to Bryant Park. So, it’s between Gordana and Logan for the bottom. Hmm, and Logan was eliminated. I saw this coming and it makes me sad.