Top Chef news! Including news about the panel of judges and the lineup of contestants, if folks don't want to be spoiled about any of that.

Dag, one of the chefs has a BAD reputation here. And there is no way he is only 39. This should be interesting. If only on the stupid Sun restaurant blog. For example:

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That was the most satisfying Survivor win in a while, maybe since Yul. And Sandra burning the hat? Telling Russell that the only people at the reunion who liked him were his friends and family members and then counting them off? Love her! And her hubby is a total hottie. Is she the greatest Survivor ever, well no. But she is the only one to play twice and win twice, so Russell can bite it.

I really think Hatch got a huge assist from having the ultimate bitter juror in Sue. Her vote was more anti-Kelly than pro-Hatch. What I'm saying is, I'm not sure even Richard Hatch won by playing the "Don't hate the player, hate the game" strategy. And certainly no one since has pulled it off. Todd from China comes closest. He was a snake and a schemer, but he was also a charmer.

That was a good season. She burned his hat. And then called it funky on national TV. Hee!

I do kinda think Russell should be in another season, but not as a competitor -- as a challenge. Like "We're putting you all in a room with this guy. Whoever can stand it the longest gets immunity."

Damn Strega, that burns.

Sandra video interview at EW. I gotta say, I have love for Sandra and her interview, even though she is losing her voice, she is the G.

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Seriously, "Hallelujah?" Bleh. The crowd seemed to like it, but I thought his voice failed him a couple of times in the upper range. I liked Crystal's song better.

Really? I loved the arrangement, and I thought he really sang it well. I know it's overused, but he seemed to feel it. I sure did.

Also loved Maybe I'm Amazed and Simple Man.

Casey was blah for me. So ... bye-bye? I hope?

I've always thought that Lee had plenty of emotion in his songs, just his voice isn't the greatest. He's been the pitchest one all season, yet he's still there. I don't know. I think performance should count, but you got to be able to hold a tune and there are more times than not that Lee just failed spectacularly.

Eh, at this point, as long as Casey goes home, I don't care who wins. They both get albums out of the deal and I'm sure Crystal will be able to turn that into something more than just decent.

OK Is Alright With Me? On semi-finals night? Really, Casey? You got Judge #4 up there making sense and shit. Dude. I was bored out of my mind. Isn't this season over yet?

Ryan is killing it tonight. At least that's something, right?

Mamasox doing Come to My Window? Good song choice. Not as awesome as I thought it would be. She didn't take a lot of chances with the song and she was out of tune for a lot of it. Melissa Ethridge's vocal on this was amazing. This paled in comparison. Sigh. Oh, Ellen is a total waste as a judge.

Lee on Simple Man? He was off key at the beginning AGAIN. Really? Is he tone deaf? That would explain so much. Oh, god. That was horrid. Now time for the tongue bath. Bleagh. I hate this kid. I hate these judges. I hate this season.

I'm watching Ancient Aliens (on the History channel!) I have to keep reminding myself that they're only interviewing people who agree with their premise.

Judge #4 and the Dawg pick Daughters for Casey. Gag me with a spoon. He sounds like he always sounds . . . Singer/dishwasher at your local bar. Oh and he could've at least learned the words. This is all he's doing. Only this. Learn the damn words to this craptastic song.

Ellen picked Maybe I'm Amazed for Mamasox. Quirky and unexpected. Love that Crystal did not do the gender flip. Her voice is ragged as hell, but that really worked for her here.

Simon picks Hallelujah for Lee. This song? For the five millionth time on AI? Simon's just fucking with me now. And he goes off key on the very first 'hallelujah" and pretty much stays off pitch for the whe rest of the song. Not even the Fantasia Barrino Memorial Pimp Chorus can help him. And the judges just lie to this kid and kiss his off key ass. They want the win so badly for this kid, they can taste it. Sadly for them, we can hear.