Wash: Captain, didn't you know kissin' girls makes you sleepy? Mal: Well sometimes I just can't help myself.

'Our Mrs. Reynolds'


Non-Fiction TV: I Reject Your Reality and Substitute My Own

This thread is for non-fiction TV, including but not limited to reality television (So You Think You Can Dance, Top Chef: Masters, Project Runway), documentaries (The History Channel, The Discovery Channel), and sundry (Expedition Africa, Mythbusters), et al. [NAFDA]


megan walker - Jan 20, 2011 1:29:32 pm PST #16028 of 23273
"What kind of magical sunshine and lollipop world do you live in? Because you need to be medicated."-SFist

I avoided AI. I hate the auditions. I might show up for Vegas, but I am thinking I might give AI up this year.

This is me. I'm sort of enjoying not watching much regular stuff.


quester - Jan 20, 2011 2:27:04 pm PST #16029 of 23273
Danger is my middle name, only I spell it R. u. t. h. - Tina Belcher.

I'm watching AI because the only alternatives are the WB or Netflix and Hulu. I'm watching a fair number of the latter 2 but sometimes I just want something on, and at least it's a current pop-culture reference.

I miss Top Chef.


Amy - Jan 20, 2011 4:11:33 pm PST #16030 of 23273
Because books.

Top Chef: I think seeing themselves on screen in their previous seasons has changed some of the chefs behavior in this season, and there's also the new dynamic of different competitors. Compared to Marcel, Mike I. is much less annoying to me this time around, and he also doesn't have Robin to be nasty to, for instance.

It's weird to see people who changed for the worse, though, like Jamie. I really loved her in her season, and I couldn't wait to see her go this time around.

I also think Angelo is a good player -- last night, like everyone said, he knew well enough to keep his head down. And Dale's move was brilliant -- picking Marcel to lead a team was inspired.


zuisa - Jan 20, 2011 4:40:18 pm PST #16031 of 23273
call me jacki; zuisa is an internet nick from ancient times =)

Kat - yay that you're watching too! And you are right, the show was far better than it had any right to be. I tell myself every year that I'm not watching anymore, but let's be real: AI had me hooked the moment Kelly Clarkson sang her first note, and I'm clearly going nowhere.

I thought a number of people were pretty good, they didn't show too many terrible auditions, and I enjoyed the new judging panel. I was shocked. And ten years in, I still can't help getting all happy and smiley every time they end the episodes with montages of happy people with their golden tickets. The show may be a train wreck a lot of the time, but I feel as though there have been enough truly great performances over the years to justify it all.


Strix - Jan 21, 2011 7:58:07 am PST #16032 of 23273
A dress should be tight enough to show you're a woman but loose enough to flee from zombies. — Ginger

TC: I was glad to see Marcel go. I want to slap him -- he is SO un-self-aware. "People should have listened to me because I was made team captain! That makes me a leader, and everything should follow from that!"

No, fool, leadership is a quality and a skill. You have to earn people's respect. Strong people will only follow a strong person, and strong doesn't = snappy, bitchy and doesn't know how to motivate and organize.

And she seemed to move really slowly. I know! You need to MOVE YOUR ASS when you are FOH -- there's an art. You need to hustle your buns, keep an eye on everything, all while appearing cool, calm, and genial to the diners.

I think this is why so many restaurants die -- being a talented chef does NOT equal the ability to run a business or deal with employees. So many people seem to think that all you need is a great product, and everything else will take care of itself. So not true.

Tiffany was an idiot for letting her dish go; hasn't she seen what happens to people when Marcel and Angelo add their little twists to a dinner? I like her, but it was embarassing that she runs a fish restaurant and sucked at the fish challenge AND has so much trouble cooking a freakin' egg.

AI -- I almost never watch, but Steven Tyler was pretty hilarious. They let some pretty shitty singers go one because of pity, which I was kind of annoyed by. That girl from West Va! UGH.


flea - Jan 21, 2011 8:43:07 am PST #16033 of 23273
information libertarian

I never watch the AI audition rounds, since I hate embarrassment spectacles, but rickey.org nicely highlights a few of the auditions of people who can actually sing. I kind of like the judges dynamic vibe so far. Also, Jennifer Lopez is SO PRETTY. And manages to look about 25, despite being 41. Not that I am jealous, she said, peering at her brow wrinkles.


Amy - Jan 21, 2011 8:53:57 am PST #16034 of 23273
Because books.

And manages to look about 25, despite being 41. Not that I am jealous, she said, peering at her brow wrinkles.

I was JUST thinking that last night. And she doesn't look like she's had any work done, either. She's just luminous.


zuisa - Jan 21, 2011 1:11:58 pm PST #16035 of 23273
call me jacki; zuisa is an internet nick from ancient times =)

She's 41?! I had no idea. I would have guessed her at 30, tops. Which I realize makes no sense, as I saw Selena about a thousand years ago. Wow.


kat perez - Jan 21, 2011 4:22:42 pm PST #16036 of 23273
"We have trust issues." Mylar

JLo looks amazing on Idol. I have to admit that aside from the big booty, she never did much for me, but the bitch must be drinking virgin blood or something because oh my word! She's luminous on the show.

New Orleans did me right talent wise. I can't gripe about any of the 7 Golden Tickets we saw. Except for how I totally live to gripe about this show. Jaycee, the 15 year old kid? Shouldn't have gone through. First of all, he looks 12 and Hollywood is going to mess him up as he's not, how do you say? A traditional looking pop idol. And I think his voice is probably still changing. Sure, right now he sings like an angel. What's he gonna sound like once he gets through puberty. Down with teens on Idol.

Brett Loewenstern is such a special little snowflake and way too tragic to be on my TV right now. His Bohemian Rhapsody was lovely and his folks are my new favorite folks ever. The dad looks like a real life Burt Hummel. But seriously, y'all? He is way too It Gets Better to go on this show. He doesn't know mocking yet. Wait until Vote for the Worst gets hold of him. And he's so everything in your face all the time, which makes sense because he's 16, but I am exhausted just looking at him. I did enjoy him and Steven Tyler just being all freaky at each other. But in general? Nope. Don't want him on the show long enough that he'll get that John Stevens "get me out of this death camp please god no more Gloria Estefan night" glare.

Jovany could have a career in latin pop slotting in somewhere between Luis Mi and Chayenne, but his sound just doesn't work for the English speaking pop market and he's not as fine as he thinks he is. I foresee a spectacular crash for him much like Loud PR Boy from last season (or the season before? All the Judge #4 seasons blend together for me) Oh, and immediate points off for worshipping Marc Anthony. That's just wrong.

And I wasn't exactly blown away by Jacquelyn Dupree doing Carrie Underwood's version of I'll Stand By You. I'd bet folding money that girl has never heard of The Pretenders. She's not likely to make it through Hollywood though. Too generic. I did enjoy Steven Tyler drawing her uncle into a discussion on paddling the Dawg's ass. That fool is magic!

So OK, then. Of the seven that they put through, I only liked three. But those three were love. Jordan Dorsey can sing and he's fine and 6 year olds love him. What's not to like? Sarah Seller blew me away with that version of To Make You Feel My Love and she kept her poise through the awkward image of her maybe bio-dad blowing Mick Jagger (Thanks, Dawg!). And Paris Tassin made me like her through the sheer force of her awesomeness even though I really, really wanted to hate her and her special needs baby. I'm sure I will hate her soon enough, but for now, I got a little tear when JLo bestowed that magic kiss on her and her baby. And I wanted JLo's trench coat, but that's a whole other story.

Good stuff so far.


Nora Deirdre - Jan 21, 2011 4:36:28 pm PST #16037 of 23273
I’m responsible for my own happiness? I can’t even be responsible for my own breakfast! (Bojack Horseman)

Is this where I quietly say, "whoo, New Orleans!"