The Vampire Diaries followed The WB strategy to a T: a supernatural show with a beautiful cast from creator Kevin Williamson (Dawson’s Creek, Scream). Somehow, it took the network three years to arrive at the conclusion that this might be a good idea.

The result? The Vampire Diaries is now the #1 rated show on the network. Perhaps this will mean an end to this whole 90s remakes strategy that’s clearly not working. Or perhaps they’ll try again and relaunch The Heights, complete with a remake of “How Do You Talk to an Angel?”

Considering its ratings success, it comes as no surprise that Vampire Diaries has been picked up for a second season.

Ali decided in The Bachelor Season 14 Episode 6 that she would say yes if Jake asked her to marry her. Not long after this declaration, she showed up at his door with a puppy dog face, telling him that she had to make a choice between him and her job at Facebook. He told her about 10 times that this was her decision to make based on what was best for her, but she refused to make a decision until he told her whether she was going home or not. Quite possibly in order to get her to make a decision before the entire two hours of the episode were used on this drama, he told her that she was not in danger, and he wanted her to say. With that finally out of the way, she left anyway.

Gia gets the first date. Jake is worried that something’s holding her back. They take a boat to Gros Islet, one of the local towns in Saint Lucia, which leads them to both start thinking about travelling the world together. She’d like to tell him she loves him (and vice versa) by the end of the date. That night, they go to Smuggler’s Cove and have dinner on the beach. She’s surprised by how deep he is, apparently. While they’re rocking in a hammock and drinking champagne, he pulls out the fantasy suite card, which she happily accepts. They hop into a candlelit bathtub with rose pedals. Although she keeps saying the “L” word in her confessional, she’s still afraid to actually say it to him.

Tenley meets Jake next at Rodney Bay in Gros Islet. Since she said she hasn’t really seen his passion yet, he takes her flying. Well, a pilot takes them both flying anyway. The chopper lands in a rain forest for a picnic. Tenley says she’s fallen in love with Jake. Some of the way. Like Gia and Jake, she’d also like to travel. I just hope nobody is having a drinking game relating to mentions of an ex or a previous marriage. That said, Tenley claims that the past has passed, and she tells Jake she’s falling in love. After dinner, Jake breaks out the inevitable card, and she accepts the offer, making Jake the second guy she’s spent the night with.

Vienna gets the final date. He wants to get back to her fun, light, “almost immature” side. They board the ship used in Pirates of the Carribean. Vienna says that she’s never been in love. Jake’s concern with Vienna is that he’s not sure whether he is more than just physically attracted to her. Dinner somehow leads to the type of rings she’d like, so she picks the princess cut of course. He warns her, however, that there are two others that he could also see being his wife. Despite her fear, she’s gotta say that she’s fallen in love with him, leaving Gia as the last woman standing who has not shared how she feels. She, too, accepts the fantasy suite card, and she’s planned for this, bringing lingerie along with her.

Jake gets a call from Ali. She knows that she made the wrong choice. Oh shoot me. Since he was forced to put what he felt for her aside, he’s further along with the other three. Despite the obscenely misleading (aka typical) editing, he does not tell her to get on a plane. Instead, he says he does not think it’s a good idea.

On her video message before the rose ceremony, Gia tells Jake she’s falling in love.

Roses
Tenley
Vienna

Gia has been eliminated. Her baggage got more in the way than Tenley’s did. She realizes that she’s been a little slow and not as able to open up as maybe she should have been, and she does not think he made the wrong decision, although she did expect to get a rose.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of The Bachelor Season 14 Episode 8, where the women tell all, which airs Monday at 8/7c on ABC.

Last season, Meghan & Cheyne were the winners. Well, at least it wasn’t the bickering brothers. 11 new teams make up The Amazing Race 16 cast, including Jeff & Jordan from Big Brother. I just hope they’re less boring a couple than they were in BB. And also Caite, the infamous Miss Teen South Carolina, who probably can’t even find the US on the map, let alone the other countries in the world she’s going to.

The first test is to get to the airport using public transportation, something that, unlike the rest of the world, America is not known for. Everybody here drives cars. Or more specifically gas guzzling SUV’s. Only the first three teams to arrive at the airport will receive a ticket on the first flight. Everyone else will be leaving almost an hour later.

The first destination is Santiago, Chile.

One group goes to the bus stop, while another group heads to the train station. Among the train station group, some get on right away, while others will have to wait 20 minutes for the next one. Those people obviously are on the last plane. Now it’s just a question of whether the bus is faster than the train.

Steve & Allie and Joe & Heidi are from California, so I’m going to assume they know what they’re doing. Also on the train with them are Dan & Jordan and Brent & Caite. Then again, Carol & Brandy are from LA. On the bus with them are Monique & Shawne, Dana & Adrian, and Jeff & Jordan.

In either case, there are three spots for four couples. The bus group arrives first. Jordan asks for tickets to China. Really now? She’s not alone, though. The cowboys think they need to get money for Brazil.

First flight (via Dallas): Monique & Shawne, Dana & Adrian, Jeff & Jordan
Second flight (via Miami): Carol & Brandy, Joe & Heidi, Steve & Allie, Dan & Jordan, Brent & Caite, Jody & Shanon, Louie & Michael, Jet & Cord

Maintenance has decided to delay the first flight due to mechanical problems. They’ve been rebooked on the Miami flight. Now everybody is even. Well, that was pointless.

After landing in Santiago, they will travel by bus 60 miles to Valparaiso, known as the San Francisco of South America due to its funiculars used to travel its steep hills.

Jet & Cord are thrown off the bus. The driver’s not about to take their Brazilian money. Those who kept their American money were better off. The three teams that arrived at the airport last continue to bring up the rear and get the last bus: Louie & Michael, Jet & Cord, and Jody & Shannon.

The road block is cable walking. Teams must balance 120 feet above the ground and walk a cable the length of a football field. They picked a windy day to do this.

Road block (in order of arrival): Caite, Jordan, Joe, Allie, Dan, Brandy, Shawne, Adrian, Louie, Shannon, Cord

Most people struggle with this task but ultimately make it across in one attempt, including Dan, who just drags himself across after falling. Adrian, however, falls, and has to start over from the beginning. He reluctantly gets going again, but not until they’re in last place.

After the road block, they’re told they may only travel by funicular. Rather than trying to figure out what that is, Brent & Caite walk down. Jeff & Jordan at least ask people.

It’s time to paint the town known for its multi-colored homes. Teams must carry paint up a hill to the house that matches their paint color. This task has the potential to send them around in circles throughout the neighborhood. Steve decides to just start painting a random house. Dan drops a brush. Assuming it will be a penalty, they search, but they don’t find it.

The pit stop for this leg of the race is Palacio Baburizza, a 90 year old chalet.

Caite & Brent are the second team to arrive, but not having followed their clue to take the funicular, they have incurred a 30 minute penalty.

Likewise, Dan & Jordan are the fourth team to arrive, but they have incurred a 15 minute penalty due to losing a paint brush. Really?

First: Jordan & Jeff (win a trip to Vancouver)
Second: Monique & Shawne
Third: Jet & Cord
Fourth: Steve & Allie
Fifth: Joe & Heidi
Sixth: Carol & Brandy
Seventh: Brent & Caite
Eighth: Dan & Jordan
Ninth: Louie & Michael
Tenth: Jody & Shannon
Eliminated: Dana & Adrian

Having fallen off the road block a second time, Adrian & Dana get a visit from Phil. All the other teams have finished, and they have been eliminated from the race.

Stay tuned to dingoRUE for another live recap of The Amazing Race 16 Episode 2 When the Cow Kicked Me in the Head (Chile), which airs Sunday at 8/7c on CBS.

Smallville Season 9 Episode 14 Persuasion airs Friday February 19 at 8/7c on The CW.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19

“SMALLVILLE” - (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET)

“Persuasion” (HDTV)

LOIS MOVES IN WITH CLARK - It’s Valentine’s Day and while Clark (Tom Welling) is out on a date with Lois (Erica Durance), he unknowingly becomes infected by gemstone kryptonite, which has magical wish-fulfilling properties. Clark mentions to Lois that he wishes they had a more traditional relationship,so Lois quits the Daily Planet, moves in with Clark and starts planning their wedding. Still unaware of his new power, Clark also casually tells Chloe (Allison Mack) he wishes she would spend more time watching out for him, so an infected Chloe takes his wish to heart and sets her sights on a new target - Lois. Christopher Petry directed the episode written by Anne Cofell Saunders (#3X5264).

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Grey’s Anatomy Season 6 Episode 15 The Time Warp airs Thursday February 18 at 9/8c on ABC.

RICHARD, BAILEY AND CALLIE FLASHBACK TO KEY SURGICAL CASES FROM THEIR PASTS WHEN THEY EACH PRESENT AT CHIEF DEREK’S NEW LECTURE SERIES, ON ABC’S “GREY’S ANATOMY”

Guest Starring Sarah Paulson (”Down with Love”) and J. August Richards (”Raising the Bar,” “Angel”) as Young Ellis Grey and Young Richard Webber

Guest Starring Missi Pyle (”Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”) as Bailey’s Former Nemesis, Dr. Nicole Baylow

“The Time Warp” In his new role as Chief, Derek restores the hospital lecture series, and Richard, Bailey and Callie present to the group pivotal surgical cases from their pasts Bailey reflects on her first days as a shy resident, Callie looks back on a polio case, and Richard recalls a case in which he and Ellis worked on a patient diagnosed with GRID, a virus later called AIDS — on “Grey’s Anatomy,” THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network

“Grey’s Anatomy” stars Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd, Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang, Katherine Heigl as Isobel “Izzie” Stevens, Justin Chambers as Alex Karev, Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey, James Pickens, Jr. as Richard Webber, Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres, Eric Dane as Mark Sloan, Chyler Leigh as Lexie Grey, Kevin McKidd as Owen Hunt and Jessica Capshaw as Arizona Robbins.

“The Time Warp” was written by Zoanne Clack and directed by Rob Corn.

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Lost Season 6 Episode 4 The Substitute airs Tuesday February 16 at 9/8c on ABC.

LOCKE SEARCHES FOR HELP TO FURTHER HIS CAUSE, ON ABC’S “LOST”

“The Substitute” Locke goes in search of help to further his cause, on “Lost,” TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 16 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

“Lost” stars Naveen Andrews as Sayid, Nestor Carbonell as Richard Alpert, Emilie de Ravin as Claire, Michael Emerson as Ben, Jeff Fahey as Frank Lapidus, Matthew Fox as Jack, Jorge Garcia as Hurley, Josh Holloway as Sawyer, Daniel Dae Kim as Jin, Yunjin Kim as Sun, Ken Leung as Miles, Evangeline Lilly as Kate, Terry O’Quinn as Locke and Zuleikha Robinson as Ilana.

Guest starring are L. Scott Caldwell as Rose, Katey Sagal as Helen, Billy Ray Gallion as Randy, Suzanne Krull as Lynn Karnoff, Kenton Duty as teenage boy, Eddie L. Cavett as courier and Joshua Smith as school kid.

“The Substitute” was written by Elizabeth Sarnoff & Melinda Hsu Taylor and directed by Tucker Gates.

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One Tree Hill Season 7 Episode 17 At the Bottom of Everything airs Monday February 15 at 8/7c on The CW.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15

“ONE TREE HILL” - (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET)

“At The Bottom Of Everything” (HDTV)

BETHANY JOY GALEOTTI DIRECTS THE EPISODE - Nathan (James Lafferty) tries to help Haley (Bethany Joy Galeotti) and Jamie (Jackson Brundage) confront Lydia’s (guest star Bess Armstrong) seemingly hopeless situation, while Brooke (Sophia Bush) and Julian (Austin Nichols) navigate their volatile relationship in the midst of a hectic movie shoot. Meanwhile, Clay (Robert Buckley) and Quinn (Shantel VanSanten) spend some time apart, and Miranda (guest star India De Beaufort) tries to prove to Grubbs (guest star Michael Grubbs of the band Wakey!Wakey!) that she’s the right person to produce his album. Lee Norris, Lisa Goldstein and Jana Kramer also star. Bethany Joy Galeotti directed the episode written by John A. Norris (#717).

Sneak Peek

Cold Case Season 7 Episode 13 Bombers airs Sunday February 14 at 10/9c on CBS.

WHILE INVESTIGATING THE 1983 CASE OF A TAGGER WHO DIED FROM A FATAL DOSE OF SPRAY PAINT DOWN HIS THROAT, RUSH, VALENS AND MILLER EACH CONTEND WITH VEXING PERSONAL ISSUES, ON “COLD CASE,” FEB. 14

Emmy Award Winner Michael Badalucco (”The Practice”), Rick Gonzalez (”Reaper”), Keesha Sharp (”Girlfriends”) and Walter Perez (”Fame”) Guest Star

“Bombers” - Newly discovered details about Valen’s mother’s mugger, a joint custody request from Miller’s ex, and brewing legal hurdles for Rush from her arch-enemy (Moe) vex these three team members as they attempt to solve the 1983 murder of a graffiti artist, on COLD CASE, Sunday, Feb. 14 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. .

Walter Perez (”Fame”) plays the victim, Rick Gonzalez (”Reaper”) portrays a violent and territorial tagger, and Emmy Award winner Michael Badalucco (”The Practice”) plays the long-time head of a graffiti removal commission who knew the victim. Keesha Sharp (”Girlfriends”) guest stars as the new wife of Miller’s ex.

SERIES REGULARS:

Lilly Rush…………………………… Kathryn Morris
Scotty Valens…………………………… Danny Pino
Lt. John Stillman………………………….. John Finn
Nick Vera………………………. Jeremy Ratchford
Will Jeffries…………………………….. Thom Barry
Kat Miller…………………………….. Tracie Thoms

RECURRING CAST:

Moe Kitchener……………………. Daniel Baldwin
ADA Curtis Bell………………. Jonathan LaPaglia
Rosa Valens……………………………. Terri Hoyos
Ramiro Valens……………….. Ismael “East” Carlo

GUEST CAST:

Carlos Espinosa (1982)…………… Walter Perez
Sonia Espinosa (2010)………………. Ivonne Coll
Don Bardwill (1982)……….. Edward Carnevale
Don Bardwill (2010)……….. Michael Badalucco
Tut (1982)…………………………… Rick Gonzalez
Tut (2010)…………………………….. Manny Perez
Gina Lopresi (1982)……………… Teresa Castillo
Gina Lopresi (2010)………. Elizabeth Rodriguez
Eddie Clark (1982)………………. Jeorge Watson
Eddie Clark (2010)…………………… Earl Billings
Leon (1982)………………………. Trevor Jackson
Belen Hernandez (2010)……… Karmin Murcelo
Parking Attendant (2010)…………….. Terrance Christopher Jones
Jarrod Jones (2010)………. Dondre T. Whitfield
Chantel Jones (2010)…………….. Keesha Sharp

WRITTEN BY: Denise Th from a story by Hollie Overton & Th

DIRECTED BY: Janice Cooke Leonard

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