I also thought it was weird that the winner was chosen from the bottom three teams.

And got a special bonus prize! That doesn't seem right. Aren't they by design the most mediocre team??

True. Although the crossover on all these shows is so fluid lately -- not that Jonathan Waxman and Susan Fenniger *belong* to Bravo, but I was surprised to see them on Next Food Network Star recently.

The challenge seemed to be structured all wrong. Seems like the ones who did *well* should have been the ones to continue, leading to one winning team from the dinner course. The the bottom teams should have been chosen from those who weren't good enough to keep cooking.

It took me for ever to figure out how the challenge was working. Once I did, it seemed that not having to cook was a good reward, but I also think the first team to win should have been the overall winners.

When they were explaining it I was expecting that the top two from breakfast and lunch would be the ones to go on to the dinner service and the chance for the win. I think that would have made more sense.

ETA: I was mulling how they'd handle the losers in that case - they could have made them do a dessert cookoff!

SYTYCD: I usually miss it, for various reasons, but I do like watching the dancing. Haven't seen enough to have favorites. I agree with those who've complained about the directing - what's the point of a dance show if you can't see what they're doing? what with the angles and the lights behind the dancers, there were times I couldn't see what they were doing.

And I've discovered I really dislike the contemporary style.

not that Jonathan Waxman and Susan Fenniger *belong* to Bravo, but I was surprised to see them on Next Food Network Star recently.

It was hard to tell from the ep, but they were there to cross-promote The Best Thing I Ever Ate.

Work of Art: I'm really liking this show. Love Simon. Also, I loved Eric calling Miles on his act (if the stories I've read are true that it is an act).

Ryan and Jaclyn strike me as typical poseur artists like those I met while teaching at Bennington--they think they have talent, but it's all about themselves.

Note: There were truly talented people at Bennington (and they were amazing), but, like truly gifted children, they are rarer than their parents like to think.

hey, Walker, remember that I went to Bennington!

and I totally agree.

I can't stand Angelo! I hope they are selectively editing him because if he is that way in real life, I'd want to kick him.

I feel the same way. He's the whiner of the season. Talented, but always whining and bitching when he doesn't win. I think that it's editing, because they always do a reaction shot with him when someone else wins. Yes, he's disappointed, but so are the other chefs.

Well, one thing I learned was that those truly gifted people more than make up for the rest. But it was quite an experience seeing the new "everyone gets a trophy" attitude play out in an artistic setting. I don't think I could have stayed there long term, but I met the most amazing people and the faculty was just incredible.