Month: February 2008

Survivor: Micronesia Episode 1

Jeff Probst recently said that Survivor: China was the season that saved the series and allowed it to continue beyond this season, and I’ll have to agree. They seriously botched the few seasons before that with bad casting and lame twists (just to get it out of my system now, the following twists still suck always have sucked: exile island, hidden immunity idol, final three instead of final two), and acknowledging that is hopefully a good sign. Given what they’ve put together this year, I think it’s pretty safe to assume we’re still on the right track. While some of the people cast as favorites are questionable at best, I like the fans vs. favorites concept because it ensures that not only do we get people who have seen the show and thorougly enjoy it, but we also get some good quality former contestants as well.

Before getting into the first live blog of the season, in case you missed it, check out the Survivor: Micronesia cast. I’m most looking forward to Eliza, Amanda, and James, although I don’t expect much out of James, despite the fact that he’s likeable. I’ll be interested in seeing what new lie Jonny Fairplay tells to top the dead grandmother. Hate him or hate him, you can’t do this season without Fairplay. Parvati’s very dangerous, and so is Ami if she doesn’t get ahead of herself. I hope Ozzy’s looked up “strategy” in the dictionary before embarking on this season, and Jonathan’s hopefully looked up “good strategy” or at least “strategy that doesn’t suck”. Cirie’s a non-entity but may go far as a result. I could go either way on Yau Man. What are your thoughts on the returning favorites?

The fans are completely unaware they’re playing against the favorites. When they do find out, they run the risk of being star struck or having preconceived opinions. That definitely helped Stephenie the second time she played, even though Bobby Jon couldn’t get his two brain cells to cooperate to get him further than being the first member of the jury.

Erik thinks he’s the new Ozzy. Joel thinks he’s the new James, except bigger. Kathy loves Yau Man. Tracy wants to kick Jonny Fairplay (who’s wearing a “Will Lie 4 Food” hat), but she’ll have to get in line behind Jeff Probst.

There are two hidden individual immunity idols, one for each tribe, which can only be played the first time they go to tribal council. If only these were the last hidden idols, I’d be good with them. It’s a race across the water. Jonny Fairplay gets there first but grabs the wrong one. Yau Man tackles him into the side of the boat to get the right one. Fairplay’s probably going to sue. Then Yau Man points out the other idol to Kathy, allowing her to get her team’s idol.

The fans tribe is named Airai. They’re looking forward to playing against their favorite players, particularly since they know their game, or so they think.

Kathy’s confused by the concept of gay people, which may not bode well for her relationship with Chet. She’s also quick to tell Tracy she’s never seen implants. Nobody’s happy Kathy’s immune.

The favorites tribe is named Malakal. They believe they have an advantage since they know how the game works. Jonny Fairplay wants to bring home the bacon for his pregnant girlfriend. James is pleased because this time he’s actually got people pitching in, since they know what they’re doing this time. Parvati’s still a flirt but says she plans to form good alliances as well. James likes her because she’s one of those sex kitten type girls. This combined with Amanda and Ozzy getting along well has Eliza concerned.

Unlike the favorites, who seem to be progressing well, the fans take too long getting their shelter up, and they pay the price for it when the rain starts.

Eliza, Ami, Yau Man, and Jonathan decide to form a group, in an effort to fend off the couples. I’d expect some bad blood between Eliza and Ami after last time, and I think we all know Jonathan can’t be trusted. The choice for a fifth comes down to Fairplay or Cirie. Jonathan wants Fairplay, but Fairplay is approached by Ozzy and Parvati first. Granted, it’s Jonny Fairplay. Jonathan wants Parvati out before Ozzy, while the other group wants Eliza out first. Then the other alliance approaches Fairplay, too. Hard to tell what he’ll do. And Cirie? Apparently, nobody wants to be bothered with her. Don’t know why. She’s a vote with the ability to be loyal.

Yau Man learned from Michelle in Fiji that his glasses could start a fire, and he uses that same technique this time to get something going for the favorites.

At the challenge, the favorites don’t hesistate rubbing their success in the faces of the fans, who don’t buy it, or at least don’t want to buy it. It’s a combination between a puzzle challenge and a lot of physical work. First, they must assemble four wheels and put them on a cart. Fans get their cart together first. The favorites are disastrous, and even after they get their cart together, they wipe out, taking Eliza down (she’ll have a bump on her head, but she should be okay). After their cart’s ready, they need to get it through an obstacle, which is followed by a bridge they must build with planks. The next test is to finish a turnstyle with the wheel pieces. It’s never even close, and the fans win immunity and flint.

Cirie doesn’t have a plan, and for that matter has no idea that everybody else has allies. Whoever tries to pull in Cirie is smart because she’ll go with whatever plan will save her.

Parvati and Fairplay come up with a plan to pretend Fairplay’s going home. He tells Ami, but she doesn’t trust him. Now might be a good time to remember that Cirie’s on the island.

The favorites believe they were too overconfident, and that’s why they lost the challenge.

Fairplay’s using the Dr. Will strategy. Go ahead. Vote me out. I dare you. But is it strategy, or does he really want to go home because he’s having a baby?

With his idol, Yau Man’s safe. Not that he was in danger.

Votes:
Fairplay
Fairplay
Fairplay
Fairplay
Fairplay
Fairplay

Now that Jonny Fairplay’s the first person out (damn, what a waste of a spot), I’ve got just one word for the rest of the tribe: Cirie.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of Survivor: Micronesia Episode 2 The Sounds of Jungle Love, which airs Thursday at 8/7c on CBS.

American Idol 7 Episode 8

The auditions wrapped up with a stop in Atlanta last night in American Idol 7 Episode 7. We were treated to perky Miss South Florida Fair Brooke Helvie and 16-year-old Alexandrea Lushington. Fairly uneventful, but still one of the better showings we’ve seen recently.

Tonight it’s a mix of auditions from all the cities, before we head to Hollywood next week. They’ve saved some of the best and probably about 45 minutes worth of the worst.

Amy Davis grew up lower than lower middle class, which I’m not sure exactly what that means. She sings Blue Bayou. Decent voice. The judges think she can learn to get better once she gets over her nerves.

Ryan Seacrest tells us Tiffany McCambell has a voice that’s a gift from God. He didn’t say which one, though. Simon wants to know if he has a return policy.

Twins Cory and Chris Lang say they have pretty much the same girlfriend, Ashley Lawing, a blonde with a purse dog. She believes she knows which one she’s in love with. They, meanwhile, believe they’re hiphop artists. Then it’s her turn to audition with her pomeranian Panda. I bet the dog’s the most talented one of the four. The dog gets through to Hollywood.

Carden Lee McKinney sings One Night Only. Good voice, but Simon’s afraid she’s too theatrical. She gets two yes votes (as usual, not Simon).

Plus size model JoAnne Borgella sang the national anthem at the college basketball championships at Madison Square Garden, so the judges expect her to be a good singer, and she delivers, if not overly convincingly (Simon says no, though the other two put her through).

Alesha has been singing since she was 8, and she sounds the same now as she did then. They dismiss her so she can go learn Dolly Parton and come back. She learns Islands in the Stream. Actually, she does sound okay with this song. Simon refuses to vote, but the other two let her through. This is the first time they’ve sent someone off to learn a new song that it actually worked out.

Jay Smoove (seriously?) thinks he’s an R&B recording artist. He sings an original song, Beautiful Lady. After hearing his nickname, I wasn’t expecting much, but he’s surprisingly actually not bad. Not quite good enough, though.

Chikezie Eze was cut last year. Not real clear why. Unlike the people who get rejected for having no talent at all who just can’t take the hint, this guy’s got a good voice.

Danny Noriega is another returning reject. He sings Proud Mary. He’s one of those guys with a voice that doesn’t sound like it’s actually coming from him. I was surprised that he sounds good.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 7 episode 9, which airs Tuesday at 8/7c on Fox.

Big Brother 9 Cast

CBS has announced the cast of Big Brother 9, which premieres next Tuesday February 12 at 9PM EST. If you were hoping for just a straight up game with no lame twist, well, maybe you can hope for Big Brother 10 instead. This year’s cast is all allegedly single people who are in the house with their alleged soulmates. The one thing that I do kind of like the sound of is that people will be evicted in pairs rather than individually (if only they could have kicked out both Dick and Danielle on the same night last year).

Adam
29
Public Relations Manager
Del Ray Beach, FL

Alex
24
Staten Island, NY
DJ Entertainment Company Owner

Allison
28
Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
Boston, MA

Amanda
23
Paralegal
Fridley, MN

Chelsia
21
College Student
Cedar Falls, IA

Jacob
23
Electrician
Dallas, GA

James
21
Riding Bicycle around the World (I don’t want to know)
Sarasota, FL

Jen
26
Bartender
Columbus, OH

Joshuah
25
Advertising Media Buyer
Dallas, TX

Matt
23
Roofing Foreman
Charleston, MA

Natalie
28
Bikini Barista
Salem, OR

Neil
29
Realtor
Los Angeles, CA

Parker
26
Paparazzo
Northridge, CA

Ryan
27
College Student
Columbus, OH

Sharon
23
Realtor
Olathe, KS

Sheila
45
Former Model
Reseda, CA

Cast photos after the jump.

As usual, stay tuned to dingoRUE for live blogs of the show.

Continue reading “Big Brother 9 Cast”

American Idol 7 Episode 7

Miami was better than Omaha, but not much happened there in American Idol 7 Episode 6 either. We got a glimpse of a boy bander who thinks he’s a rocker (Robbie Carrico), single mom Suzanne Toon, and excessively perky Syesha Mercado. For some portion of the evening, the judges were all sipping out of Paula’s cup.

Tonight’s stop is Atlanta. Clay Aiken, Jennifer Hudson, and Fantasia Barrino auditioned here. Ryan Seacrest’s parents show up, but they’re not there to audition.

Josh Jones is in love with glass. He sings Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen. He’s decent, but Simon again fears he’s found a demon. They make him sing with his back to them. For some unknown reason, Simon doesn’t think someone who has to perform not facing the audience could win. He gets two yes votes (not Simon).

JP Tjelmelano auditioned two people ahead of Carrie Underwood. Yet another one of those people who can’t take the hint. At least this will be the last we see of him, though, as he’s gotten some camera time. Simon gives him a no. Randy gives him a no. Paula gives him, well, I can’t really tell, which leads to a montage about how nobody can understand what Paula’s actual vote is since she doesn’t have one half the time.

Asia’h Epperson lost her father two days before the audition, as she got a phone call about a car accident half an hour after talking to her dad to inform him she was making the trip to Atlanta. She sings How Do I Live as a dedication for her father. She’s a good singer with a unique voice, making it enough of the way through the song before crying to impress the judges.

Brooke Helvie is Miss South Florida Fair (yeah, that’s apparently a real thing). She sings Who’s Loving You by the Jackson Five. In addition to being really perky, she’s got one of the better voices we’ve heard. Also, she gets her wish and hugs Simon, who calls her possibly the most annoying person he’s ever seen.

The introduction for Eva Miller tells us she’s got a lot of attitude. Don’t even let her sing. We know this is a waste of time already. Despite the belief that it’s all an act, the judges just let her keep singing on and on, something they don’t allow some borderline singers to do.

Alexandrea Lushington sings My Funny Valentine after Ryan gets done hitting on her great grandmother. It only takes a couple lines before the judges stop her and let her through. I don’t remember this girl, but she got beat out by David Archuleta (who we saw in episode 3) about midway through Star Search in 2003.

16-year old 9th grader (I don’t want to know how often he’s stayed back) Nathan Hite plans to show the judges his wit, which means he suspects that he sucks and is just doing this so he can yell at Simon. Simon gives him a choice whether he wants to listen or be a smartass. He pretends to listen before going into smartass. Mildly amusing but not worth showing.

Nurse/biker chick Amanda Overmyer sings Janis Joplin’s Mean Woman. Simon’s got the same concern I do: how much variety is this girl going to be able to deal with? She’s definitely good enough to go through, though.

Josiah Leming quit school and has been living in his car for nearly a year, which he says he loves. He sings a song he wrote called To Run. Simon thinks he’s picked up an English accent when he sings. He’s iffy but good enough to go to Hollywood.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of American Idol 7 episode 8, which airs Wednesday at 8/7c on Fox.

Kyle XY Season 2 Episode 17

Amanda returned home from school in Kyle XY Season 2 Episode 16. With her mother unwilling to take the hint, she decided to not get back on the plane and instead hid in Kyle’s house.

Amanda asks Kyle if she can stay there just until the morning. He offers her his tub to sleep in and literally gives her the shirt off his back. Not wanting to offend him by refusing the tub (he says he would understand because “It’s a tub”), she agrees to sleep in it. He can’t get comfortable on the floor, though, so she of course lets him get in the tub with her. How many times have I heard this story before? The next morning, Nicole knocks on his door, wondering why it’s locked. She doesn’t suspect anything.

Lori’s hoping to get paroled from grounding, and her excuse is that she’s the designated driver for a bunch of underaged drinkers. Josh pretends he needs to see Andy for emotional support because she’s got chemo, but Nicole knows her chemo is actually on a different day. Unlike the other two and the worst attempts at getting time off for good behavior ever, Kyle’s willing to do his time.

As Kyle’s saying goodbye to Amanda, she gets stuck in the room because Josh has chores that will require him to leave the windows closed. He sneaks her out the other way, where Josh sees her, and then Lori walks in. Just as Amanda’s running around from room to room, someone from the Department of Children’s Services shows up regarding a complaint filed against Kyle, which may be ridiculous, but since he was a former ward of the state, they have to check it out. While they’re discussing keeping the truth about who Kyle really is a secret from the woman checking into the complaint, Amanda is in a convenient position to overhear the whole conversation.

The kids get concerned about the social worker because that’s basically a fancy word for snoop. Josh wants to hide his porn. Lori needs to hide her beer that she claims she was holding for a friend.

Amanda is stuck hiding in Kyle’s room when Nicole warns him to clear out anything incriminating. Still not understanding the part about going to the front door, Jessi climbs in through his window, looking to spend time with Kyle and hoping Amanda would get lost. Just then, Declan shows up to take the beer, blocking them in with the ladder.

Kyle sneaks Jessi out first because getting caught with her wouldn’t be completely terrible. She insists on talking rather than sneaking out, though. She brings him the missing record from the jukebox, which she found in her room. She takes offense to his unwillingness to help her out right away. As she’s leaving, Jessi mentions that she’s like part of the family, so the social worker accuses Nicole of becoming too emotionally involved.

With his newfound ability to control electricity, Kyle is able to send Amanda a signal to escape. It works. But as she’s sneaking out, her mother is getting ready to knock on the door. Busted. Amanda stands up for herself, and the social worker says that they’re pretty much done there since that’s a family dispute. Except she does need to see Kyle’s room, which has had everybody concerned seeing that he sleeps in a tub and all. When they walk in, there is no tub (it’s beer with pillows and blankets covering it, but nobody needs to know that until later). Kyle ends up getting a glowing report, but she says she has “grave concerns” about Nicole and will file the proper notice.

Amanda brings news that her mom listened more than usual, but still won’t let her see Kyle outside of school. At the end of the day, Kyle doesn’t regret his decision because it’s worth the risk to protect those he cares about.

In the end, we find out that it wasn’t Amanda’s mother who called the social services. Instead, the person who said she was from social services was sent by Latnok and refers to him as “the one.”

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another recap of Kyle XY Season 2 episode 18 Between the Rack and a Hard Place, which airs Monday at 8/7c on ABC Family.

Prison Break Season 3 Episode 11

Sammy overthrew Lechero in Prison Break Season 3 Episode 10, but it wasn’t long before Lechero was back in charge with Sammy’s untimely death after Scofield set him up. Sucre got a bribe from Susan, which he immediately sent home to Maricruz, so now Susan knows exactly where to find her.

The plan’s to get out of there by tomorrow, a seemingly impossible task, which means it should be no problem for Michael. He breaks the news to Lincoln that T-Bag’s coming, too, and Mahone, and Bellick, and a druglord.

T-Bag warns Whistler that he shouldn’t trust Michael, the guy who’s broken him out of prison twice now.

While they’re digging, it starts raining. Worried that the tunnel won’t hold up at night, the plans are changed: they’re leaving tonight instead of tomorrow.

McGrady confronts Michael, and once again, he tells him he’s not going with them, saying he’s protecting him from a life on the run.

Susan threatens Maricruz again, which gets Sucre to spill the beans that Michael’s having second thoughts about who he’s breaking out with, since last time he broke out some mad dog killer types.

Bellick wants to be a team with Mahone, turning on Scofield and being a hero. Mahone’s not real interested in the plan.

Sucre shows up at the prison. Michael needs help with the backup generator. He feeds the information on it back to him (manufacturer, model, and customer service number). By calling customer service, he finds out they’ve got just enough dark to make it out.

Susan wants to meet with Lincoln in person. When he arrives, they call Whistler so Susan can drive home a message to him by torturing Sofia. Scofield warns him that if he gives away the information, which he hasn’t figured out yet, Susan will turn on them. Later on, Whistler does figure out the coordinates and warns Scofield so he can plan accordingly. Michael suggests giving them the wrong coordinates to buy some time.

T-Bag wants to be Mahone’s partner, too, which leads to a response involving the word inbred.

Susan, Lincoln, and Sofia come to the prison to get the coordinates. Whistler gives her part of what she wants, saying he won’t give her the rest until he knows that everybody’s safe. She gives them 24 hours to get her the rest.

Lincoln’s going to have to cut the power from the outside. Michael tells him he’s got his concerns about pretty much everybody, but he just wants it to be over.

Michael has another chat with McGrady, giving him the option whether to stay or leave. He obviously chooses to leave, since nothing good can come from staying either.

Everybody finds out just how much time it’ll take for the backup generator to come on: 30 seconds. Not leaving them a lot of time. With that in mind, T-Bag and Lechero threaten to kill Whistler if they’re not first. Mahone’s not interested in moving ahead in line, though, as he doesn’t want his back to any of these people.

While at the prison, Sucre’s stopped and told that, when they ran his ID, they found out he’s got a warrant out for his arrest.

Lincoln runs a bus into the wires outside the prison, knocking out the power, and that’s where we leave things for next week.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of Prison Break season 3 episode 12 Hell or High Water, which airs Monday at 8/7c on Fox.