Category Archives: Century 21 Reality

2010/04/11 · 8:08 pm

‘Survivor All-Stars’: The Dragon Slayer Is Vanquished

Before we get into this past week’s Tribal Council, let’s hear from Amanda (I think it’s Amanda.  Eight weeks in and I’m just now able to keep Amanda and Danielle straight.  And Candace and Courtney).

Insightful stuff there, Amanda; really eye-opening.

So Coach claims to have survived an a choose your own adventure of dangerous predicaments in exotic locations, facing down vicious natives and brutal conditions with only his cunning (and tai chi) to protect him.  Unfortunately, for Coach, here on Survivor: All-Stars he encountered the ultimate threat in the form of Russell Hantz.  And no amount of tall tales of enduring against insurmountable odds could save Coach this time.  And, really, he can boast all he wants about loyalty and cowardice, but he has no one to blame but himself.  He refused to vote for Russell two weeks ago and then decried the result when Boston Rob was eliminated.  And with his mancrush out of the picture he decided to take on the leadership role, and in doing so sent up the “varsity” team in the bowling reward challenge, because he so desperately wanted to win the bounty of a smorgasbord of (cold) pizzas.

More: Goodbye, Coach. And a new Survivor cookie???

2 Comments

Filed under Century 21 Reality, Tribal Council

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

2010/03/12 · 5:05 pm

Sorta In Memoriam: Tom Westman (and a brief discourse on celebrities and moral turpitude)

And so begins my long overdue thoughts on Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains.  It’s a shame we have to start on such a sour note.

A few weeks ago my mom and I were talking about the Tiger Woods scandal (it was what she came up with after brainstorming topics for dinner conversation) and she asked me if there was some one in the public eye, a role model perhaps, that would really break my heart if they were exposed to be in some kind of scandal or lascivious activity.  I told her that as I’ve become an adult I’ve learned to let go of such things, that as a 26 year-old you can’t put another person, especially a public persona, on such a pedestal.  She suggested that we should hold these people to a higher moral standard, but I argued just the opposite, that with celebrities – actors, musicians, athletes, politicians – we should expect less adherence to a moral code.  These are people who are told they are great, they are special, and thus think they are exempt from common behavior, that they are above the law, both legally and morally.  Now there are, of course, exceptions, but too often their celebrity status goes to their heads, and they think the rules don’t apply to them.  And the bigger they are, the harder they fall, and the less we should be surprised when they do.  Sad but true.  So to answer my mother’s question, there was no one I could think of whom I believed in so deeply that any discovery of indiscretion would be utterly soul crushing (unless it was revealed that Tom Hanks has cheated on Rita Wilson with a harem of Golden Corral buffet attendants, but I can think of almost nothing less likely).

However, a couple nights later I sat down to dig into the premiere of Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains and I realized that I was mistaken.  There remained at least one person I felt that strongly about, whom I believed to be nearly infallible, with whom I couldn’t fault and would be shocked to learn of one.  And that man is former Brooklyn firefighter Tom Westman.  Yes, as a fellow Long Islander I’m biased.  But the way he so thoroughly dominated Survivor: Palau is really unparalleled in the show’s history, and he did so by a mixture of uncanny physical prowess and the utmost integrity.  In my eyes he played a flawless game, and perhaps became the last role model standing.

Read on: The one true Hero…

2 Comments

Filed under Century 21 Reality, Freak Out Control, In Memoriam, Local Flavor, Mancrush, Tribal Council

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

2010/01/07 · 6:31 pm

I’ll Be Watching ‘Survivor: Heroes Vs. Villians’ Because of This Guy

That’s right, Long Island’s own Tom Westman is officially back in the game for Heroes Vs. Villains.  I stopped watching Survivor a season or two after Tom absolutely dominated Palau, and while the real reason I ceased watching is that there were just too many good shows on Thursday night (and at the time my TiVo could only handle one channel at once), I’d like to think that after Tom every other competitor just paled in comparison.  He’s five years older now, but hopefully five years awesomer.

The only thing better would have been if Michael Skupin rose from the ashes and returned.  But that’ll never happen (I’m still sore about his departure, though.  His Kucha tribe was one of the strongest in the history of the game, and if he didn’t have to bow out due to his melting flesh then Kucha would have probably run the table in impressive fashion).  I do have to say though, I’m kinda over Rupert.  The good guy/Hillbilly Jim act has worn rather thin.

Check out Survivor authority Dalton Ross’ take on the new all-star season.

3 Comments

Filed under Century 21 Reality, Tribal Council

Tagged as , , , , , ,

2010/01/05 · 1:07 am

It’s Just Another Muppet Monday

First Monday of 2010 and already we have enough Muppet material to last a month.  Talk about setting the bar high right off the bat.

Most notably, the Muppets appeared on last night’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (which begs the question, at this point, does EMHE really require the “Home Edition” designation.  Do people even remember the original Extreme Makeover, a less dirty, less Foxier version of Fox’s The Swan?).  Even better than renovating a home and changing a family’s life is that the Muppets got to work with Sam Champion, who boasts the 2nd best weatherman name, just behind Storm Field (interestingly, however, Champion might be the front-runner for best overall name.  It’s fascinating and complex how these things work).  As usual, the Muppets demonstrated their unique brand of mayhem, as well as their extra-large hearts inside adorably tiny bodies.  Coming on the heels of their work with Habit for Humanity, the Muppets now seem to be the go-to team for carpentry (speaking of which, as it is now 2010, make sure to check out Disney’s “Give a day, get a day” list of participating programs.  Surprisingly, being an extra on The New Adventures of Old Christine is already all filled up.  Even more surprising is that Disney considers being an extra on a CBS sitcom an acceptable form of volunteerism).  But really, will ABC just give the Muppets their own show already?  Yes, Muppets Tonight didn’t set the world on fire.  And yes, America’s Next Muppet didn’t make it to air.  But just because that didn’t work out doesn’t mean that the Muppets don’t deserve another crack at it (and, please, the opportunity should be on ABC, not The Disney Channel.  And if not on ABC, maybe they should put Kermit and Co. in a gritty cop drama and send them to FX).

Check out the full show here, and an exclusive clip below:

Vodpod videos no longer available.

In other news, it was just announced last week that the Muppets film debut, The Muppet Movie, was included on the list of features to be added to the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress.  Finally, the government takes a real step to preserve a national treasure (also, many thanks to my roommate who righted a wrong and gave me The Muppet Movie on DVD for HanuChristmas.  I’m embarrassed to say that I only had it on VHS (although, I might as well just have waited until they perfect/release the technology to imprint it on my brain)).  I guess, unlike his predecessor, Barack Obama cares about the Muppets.

And, finally, I thought it really fitting/kinda sad that Amazon offered me these recommendations today.  It’s not that they’re wrong.  It’s that they’re so right.

1 Comment

Filed under Century 21 Reality, Mickey Mouse Club, Muppet Mondays, Muppets

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,

2009/12/09 · 2:51 pm

Gentlemen, Start Your Crocs!

It’s finally arriving tonight: the Top Chef finale! (unless, of course, Bravo teases us and airs a rerun instead as they’ve been known to do.  Just to screw with me.  But it seems pretty official that it’s happening tonight.  If you consider the blogosphere official.  And facts.  Assuming you think facts are official)

It’s a six-legged race between one Voltaggio, another Voltaggio and the one that’s not a Voltaggio (Kevin!).  Here’s how it stacks up:

The Favorite: Kevin.  The man has just been nails all season, delivering simple, yet elegant food (like a nice cardigan).  He’s the Iceman of Top Chef, except impossibly polite (and not kinda homo-erotic).

Who Do I Want To Win: Bryan.  Love the fact that he seems incapable of displaying human emotion.  It’s not that he’s a robot.  He clearly has a heart, it’s just that you can’t tell if he’s ecstatic or livid or asleep.  But his food has uniformly looked delicious and complex without being smug.  And how cute was it when he bought that stuffed animal for his daughter?  Aww!

Who Do I Think Will Win: Michael.  He’s been running neck a neck a neck all season with his brother and Kevin, but his biggest competition may have been his own ambition (see what I did there?).  He’s the biggest risk taker of the three, and having the chance to do the traditional progression we’re betting that he’s going to be able to pull it all together and truly wow the judges with intense flavor profiles and interesting textures and avocado foams and other words they say a lot.  Also, if he doesn’t win, someone might get hurt, whereas Bryan and Kevin will be gracious losers.  So for the sake of the judge’s own safety (and Padma’s ‘lil bear cub), they might hand the title to Michael V (ah, just kidding, Mike!  I’m sure you won’t hurt anyone if you lose.  We’re just having a good time, that’s all!).

While you count down the minutes on your egg timer until the finale, you can check out Jen talking about how she’s become an inspiration to Philadelphia’s female youth (take that, Rocky!):

Vodpod videos no longer available.

1 Comment

Filed under Century 21 Reality, Top Scallop

Tagged as , , ,

2009/11/25 · 11:44 am

OMG! The Real Housewives of OC Are Just Like Us!

They shop at H&M too!

Well, at least Jeana and her daughter Kara do.  At the mall!  Just like you and me!

Oh, this is cute.

Don’t be shy, Jeana.  This is where Kara shops when she pays for her own clothes.  And she lives in LA now, so she knows what’s what.  Plus, SALE!

More Photos: Sales Everywhere! The Fitting Room! Budgets!

Leave a comment

Filed under Century 21 Reality, Local Flavor, Masochism

Tagged as , , , , ,

2009/11/13 · 8:11 pm

More Crocs on Top Chef! But Still Way Behind Tattoos for Most Common Cheftestant Accessory

Months ago I lamented the departure of Top Chef Cheftestant and Hati survivor Ron Duprat, he of the red Crocs.  We were going to miss his jolly laugh, his trouble understanding the meaning of words like “vice” and “deconstructed,” and his revolting cocktails.  But most of all we were going to miss his plastic footwear, the fire truck red slip-ons that made him stand out from the rest.

It was then, with great pleasure, that I realized it appears that perennial challenge finalist and lover of all things pork Kevin Gillespie has been sporting his own pair of Crocs this whole time, albeit a much a less fashionable black set.  Looking back, it was very hard to pick this up, as they just as easily could have been confused for a pair of black boots.  But if you know what you’re looking for then you can (sorta) make out the Crocs, like in this picture from the Penn & Teller episode.

Kevin Gillespie

More photos of Crocs!

1 Comment

Filed under Century 21 Reality, Top Scallop

Tagged as , , , , , ,

2009/10/21 · 10:29 am

I Told You, Dick Wolf

The Biggest Loser pulls down big numbers Tuesday night.

Hear that, Wolf?  They’re coming.  Slowly, but surely (mostly slowly), they’re coming for your empire.

2 Comments

Filed under Century 21 Reality, Is That Still On?, Who's the Boss?

Tagged as , ,

2009/10/16 · 5:47 pm

You’re Not There to Make Friends. But Are You There to Cook Good Food? Questionable.

On this week’s Top Chef chefstant and house mother/pariah Robin joined the hallowed ranks of reality TV competitors like Omarosa and Kelly Wiglesworth who have uttered the now legendary phrase “I’m not here to make friends.”  This reminded me of a segment from the recent This American Life episode, “Frenemies.” In this act, titled “I am here to make frenemies,” Rich Juzwiak of the blog foufour details the evolution and now ubiquity of this quote in reality TV shows.  He also put together a thorough “I’m not here to make friends” highlight reel.  Enjoy!

Leave a comment

Filed under Century 21 Reality, Other people's stuff, Top Scallop, Virulent

Tagged as , , ,

2009/10/13 · 8:42 pm

Project Runway’s Logan Rips Off Project Runway’s Logan (Badly)

LoganThis season Project Runway has had the unfortunate luck of airing on Thursday nights, an evening that is already  jammed with enough quality programming to make a DVR sweat.  Add in the fact that in its first season on Lifetime the production quality as arguably slipped (the additional switch or production companies from Magical Elves to Bunim-Murray perhaps having something to do with that), the questionable talent of this season’s designers (no one has demonstrated any real mastery or vision yet), the presence of an overwhelming number of tampon and birth control commercials (thank you, Lifetime), and that DirectTV does not offer Lifetime in HD, I have not been as excited to watch Runway as I had been in seasons past, and thus viewing has often slipped until the weekend or even the following week.  That was the case with latest episode, which I finally got around to watching last night.  Again, the designs and execution were rather disappointing, with a surprising number of hideous messes, and the judges again overlooking an appealing offering from Carol Hannah (girl still has not been in the top 3!).  But, what was more interesting than the offensive fashion was what I realized after show when doing my customary post-viewing research. Continue reading →

Leave a comment

Filed under Analysis, Century 21 Reality, Makes You Think

Tagged as , , , , , ,