I actually miss Mary Murphy. I really hope they bring her back next season and get rid of Mia. I was really tired of Mia and Adam putting their heads together all the time and having the same opinions.

Still can't stand Robert. I'll be happy with either Kent or Lauren winning. I still can't believe how much I've grown to like Lauren. She really has grown from the girl with the inappropriate cheerleader smile all the time to a phenomenal dancer.

Vortex - I agree with you on WoA. I think that it was key when the judges said that Miles' work seemed like a piece in progress and that Peregrine's work needed editing. I also think that Abdi's work was the most moving and possibly that he surprised the judges more than either Peregrine or Miles.

Anyway, I am very pleased that he won and I think that for me at least the show was a success. It will be interesting to see if they get a second season.

TC: Interesting that they sent Kenny home. I have felt for a while that he was talking a better game then he was cooking. Glad it wasn't Kevin. Neither restaurant was particularly interesting. They really didn't stand out, did they? A boring Restaurant Wars this season.

I feel somehow like there was a lot of self-promotion this year, between the format and dizzyfeet and dance day and step up 3d. I just think it felt very self-involved.

Interesting critique. I agree with it.

I did not see last week's show, so I think I will go back and watch it. I was wondering about the wisdom of Nigel going on and on about saying "this is the most dancing the finalists in a show have ever done" coupled with all the injuries there have been this season. Are they trying to wear out the dancers?

It's like they aren't learning lessons and they don't realize when remarks sound tone deaf.

TC: Interesting that they sent Kenny home. I have felt for a while that he was talking a better game then he was cooking. Glad it wasn't Kevin. Neither restaurant was particularly interesting. They really didn't stand out, did they? A boring Restaurant Wars this season.

the executive chef on the losing team almost always goes home if s/he doesn't have a good dish. I thought it would be Amanda, since she didn't respect the protein. And I hate her. She should have gone home after that sherry debacle with the kids luncheon.

ha! you aren't ever going to forgive her for that, will you?

Yeah, I can't believe how long Amanda has managed to stay around.

Amanda reminds me very much of Leah from the season when Josea won, so I've never liked her. She *always* screws up the meat dishes, she always seems completely baffled that she's being criticized, and she never seems to take any of it very seriously. Blech.

ha! you aren't ever going to forgive her for that, will you?

Nope. Not just the extremely poor idea, but that she refused to let it go and another chef had to change her dish and went home as a result.

amanda definitely does not project competence.

SYTYCD: don't missing the opening dance, you all.

there was at least one nice surprise.