Also, didn't they start filming this ages ago, while the battle over who was going to air it was going on? I hardly think every change can be attributed to it being on Lifetime.

You're right about the maternity challenge, too. I'm surprised this is the first season they've done it, to be honest -- they've done uniforms, wedding dresses, swimwear, and wrestling costumes, for god's sake.

I think it's always hard to get into in the first few episodes -- there are too many people, and they're all too nervous and still getting used to the pace and the challenges. Once the crowd thins out, it's always more compelling.

I am disappointed they haven't done anything wacky yet, but am assuming that will come.

2.) Malvin and Ari were neither forward-thinking or edgy, although I presume they were brought on with that hope. Turns out, they were just batty and, worse, boring. Best to get rid of them now.

victor speaks the truth. Further, it always used to chap my ass when they'd keep someone like Blaine around just for the freak factor. How much better would that season have been without all the 'licious and the outfits that looked like the model was wearing a maxi-pad or pooing fabric out her ass?

And the gay thing is just ridiculous. If Ra'Mon and Mitchell and Johnny were any more out, they'd loop all the way back around to "in" again. And Ra'Mon giving Logan the business about turning into Stella with all the "leatha" was a little slice of comedy gold.

A commenter over at Project Rungay referred to Mitchell as the young Vincent, and everyone else was properly horrified.

And Ra'Mon giving Logan the business about turning into Stella with all the "leatha" was a little slice of comedy gold.

I loved that! I was like, "Hey, he watched last season!"

Plus, Stella! Stella was hysterical.

Re: Top Chef - about Ashley's objection to cooking for a bachelor party - from the link Megan provided:

And Ashley, boy is she fired up. She is gay, as are a number of competitors, and she is very uncomfortable cooking for a patriarchy party when she and so many people she knows can't partake. Alright, a couple things. First off, fair enough, Ashley. It's ridiculous you and your partner don't have the same rights as a married couple! I am sorry. But remember that you and your partner are welcome to have a bachelorette party. They are stupid and there is no law saying you aren't allowed to walk around Second Avenue wearing fake tiaras and making strangers take pictures with you so you can win a terrible scavenger hunt or whatever. Secondly, do you get mad when you are asked to cater a bar mitzvah because you are not a 13 year old Jewish boy? Finally, this is a reality show about cooking. You should be mailing flyers out and trying to get legislation passed if you are so mad, and not drinking beers on TV and trying to win a Poker Chip with Gail Simmons' face on it so that you can use an extra lobster in the Elimination Challenge.

And I have to agree. Because yes, her political stance is more than justified, but I'm not sure what it has to do with her chosen profession. And it's not an either/or situation. She can cater het unions and still lobby for equal rights.

The thing is, she voiced her opinion and then did the job she had to do. Her biggest problem (aside from having her opinion repeated endlessly by the editing monkeys) was that she tried to do too much. Her watermelon dish went over like gangbusters. She only did the dessert because nobody else did one and the groom had said he had a sweet tooth. Everybody is acting like she boycotted the challenge.

I'm watching the latest episode of Trinny and Susannah's show while I clean. I really like them, but my god, are they handsy. The last time I was groped that much by someone I didn't know was a female security guard at the Frankfurt airport.

Her biggest problem (aside from having her opinion repeated endlessly by the editing monkeys)

I was wondering how much of her continual complaining had to do with the editors.

speaking of Top Chef, just turned on the TV after a night out to see that Mark from season 4 as a sous chef for the challenger. I think that the secret ingredient is maple syrup. Mark seems to be getting a lot more screen time than sous chefs normally do.