The Bachelor – Finale

Posted by Jeff on March 14, 2010

Hey, look at that, and you thought I was through blogging on The Bachelor! Well, I’m back at it – and what a finale, huh? Tenley, Vienna and Jake got to enjoy St. Lucia for a little longer. Jake’s family was involved in the process and got to meet both women. When it came down to the final rose (surprisingly, Chris didn’t come out and announce it) Jake chose Vienna over Tenley. It was a tough choice and turned out to be pretty emotional for him.
Jake’s family met Tenley first and fell in love with her instantly. Everyone thought she was a sweetheart and that she and Jake made the perfect couple. Tenley got along with the sisters-in-law and seemed to fit right in immediately
Vienna met Jake’s family the following day. It took them some time to warm up to her; her personality came off as abrasive at first. Eventually, they came around and were able to accept her for who she is.
At one point in the episode Jake said that he felt like he was always defending Vienna or standing up for her. I think that said a lot, I think she was always foremost in his mind and that he wanted others to accept her because he already had. It really showed on his date with Tenley. As soon as he said that the physical chemistry was missing, I knew it was over for her. I think she knew it as well. Jake knew he was wrong to say it; he tipped his hand too soon. It was funny to see him that evening try to talk his way back into her heart. ‘I love your smile, I love your eyes, and I love your laugh.’ That didn’t really explain anything about what he was getting at earlier, but it seemed to smooth things over with her.
Jake kept saying that there was something missing when he was with Tenley, that something felt forced. I know what it was. With Vienna he ‘could be himself’ and act silly or playful. The part that was forced with Tenley was maturity. Tenley is so much more mature than I think Jake was ready to be. Vienna’s immaturity is probably more in line with what he would be comfortable with. The biggest thing that influenced his decision I think goes back to their bungee cord leap of faith. Vienna was there as Jake overcame a big fear of his. No other girl got the chance to do something with Jake that he wasn’t comfortable doing. He was able to lean on her and she got him through it. That can be very powerful.
It must have been tough for Tenley to come back and see Jake after having him break her heart. Jake told her that she has a life friend in him. I had to laugh at that – Tenley said that she hadn’t talked to Jake since that day. What a friend huh?
I think that Jake made a good choice in picking Vienna. Both women would have been good choices though. Now, I don’t know much about Jake other than what he’s shared with us or what I’ve seen on the show. But personally, I think Tenley would have been the better choice, she’s so sweet, upbeat and mature. Jake must not have seen how quickly his family accepted her. It was a little tougher for them to warm up to Vienna.

Now, what would a finale be without another rendition of On the Wings of Love? C’mon man!

I have just one final question; does Chris’ sundial work indoors?

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Kitchen Nightmares- Le Bistro

Posted by Jeff on March 13, 2010

I finally caught an episode of Kitchen Nightmares. I’ve been meaning to watch this show for a while, but never really got around to it. I must say, it’s still an enjoyable show to watch.
In this episode Gordon Ramsay traveled to South Florida to help turn the Le Bistro restaurant around. I was pretty interested to see how this one turned out. Andy, the restaurant owner is an Englishman just like Ramsay. It was fun to watch them butt heads. I couldn’t believe some of the things Andy said and did. He actually admitted to being sick of dealing with customers. Whenever Ramsay offered his opinion or gave advice, Andy wouldn’t listen – he was very stubborn.
It was refreshing to see that at least cleanliness wasn’t an issue at Le Bistro. Almost every other restaurant Ramsay goes to has unbelievable filth. Not so this week, Ramsay could focus on the real problems facing the owners. I thought it was particularly funny that whenever Andy wanted to talk to someone as he was cooking, he would shout their name and ring a little bell. C’mon! One time he called for his wife and rang the bell – she responded. “I’m right here!” She was standing 5 feet away from him in the kitchen!
Eventually, Andy came around and started to listen to what Ramsay was saying. After all, I think he knows what he’s talking about. Although, it did seem like Andy came around a little too quickly considering how stubborn he was at first. I would have expected a slower response out of him. That made me really think about this show and how some of it must be scripted. Whenever we watch, my wife and I can’t believe that these restaurateurs resist change when they’re the ones who asked Ramsay for his help. The producers of the show probably tell them to do that – it makes for better TV.
Overall, it was a good episode, there was a lot of swearing (which the censors beeped out) and Ramsay was to help Andy make changes for the better. Good luck Andy and Elin!

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Lost – Dr. Linus

Posted by Jeff on March 11, 2010

This episode centered on Ben Linus both on the island and in the flash sideways. There were plenty of parallels between both storylines. We also learned a little bit more about Richard Alpert as well as the potential candidates.
The parallels in this episode were quite apparent; the most interesting one was when Ben was thinking about blowing the whistle on Principal Reynolds’ inappropriate behavior. Dr Arzt said, “You’re making a play. You’re going for the big job.” At one in the episode, Smoke Monster John enticed Ben by suggesting that once he left the island, he’d like to leave Ben behind as its protector (the big job). This next one is not really a parallel, but quite interesting to see. Ben was shown caring for his aging father – which we wouldn’t expect since we saw him kill his father on the island. Ben’s father talked a little bit about the Dharma Island they were on. “Who knows what you would have become” if they had stayed on the island. We know – a power hungry killer! Seeing Ben in this scene was a stark contrast to what we’re used to seeing from him. I must say, it was refreshing to see how Ben handled the situation with Alex Rousseau. It was very uncharacteristic of him to put others ahead of himself. Instead of taking the principle job, he opted to give Alex the future she sees for herself.
Richard made an appearance and shed some light on his past as well as gave a few more clues about Jacob. According to Richard, Jacob had given him a gift – obviously agelessness. Jacob had touched him as he had touched others on the island. After all that has happened, he’s starting to see that as a curse and wants to die. Jack was able to convince him to stay alive. Jack believes that Jacob has more planned for himself than to be blown up by dynamite. I think Jack is starting to get it. He’s turning into a believer. It’s almost like Jack is recruiting similar to what Smoke Monster John is doing. The reunion back at the beach camp was almost like last week’s final scene, wasn’t it? This week, Jack took a long look at Ben just as Smoke Monster John took a long look at Kate.
Toward the end of the episode Ben chose to stay with Ilana and the others on the beach. We’ll se how that turns out – I’m sure he has something up his sleeve.
Oh yeah – CHARLES WIDMORE IS BACK? What a shocker! He was one of the ones that I had originally thought could be coming back to the island, but dismissed that as a possibility because he had already been banished. He’s been trying to get back to the island for a long time; I wonder what he’s up to? Why didn’t he stop when he found out there were people on the beach? Is it possible that he’s looking for Smoke Monster John? Now that the sub has arrived, Smoke Monster John may have a way off the island – I hope he doesn’t succeed in leaving, he’s too evil. Once again we’re left wondering what will happen next. I’m on the edge of my seat! I’m really going to miss this show when it’s gone. :-(
A few quick thoughts:
– Wasn’t it interesting to think about when Ben told Lapidus that the island got him in the end anyway? He was supposed to be piloting Flight 815.
-I thought it was funny that Ben referred to living on the Dharma Island as “happily ever after”. Episode 11 of this season is titled Happily Ever After – I wonder if it’s foreshadowing?

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Survivor – Week 4

Posted by Jeff on March 7, 2010

This episode opened with Coach saying he was thinking of leaving. Apparently, he’s “working harder than anyone, man”. If he is, we’re not seeing it. I think he was upset over Sandra’s comments about him not being a leader. Now, Coach is a big boy, he’s played this game before – seriously, he was crying? Then he wants to bond with Boston Rob and do stuff together. What are they gonna do? Play basketball together?
I think that it’s cool that the survivors got to choose their own rewards from a Sears catalog for the Reward Challenge. The challenge was very exiting to watch. It came down to the last two survivors, to which my wife exclaimed, “It always comes down to the last point!” The Villains went on to win the challenge. Out of all the rewards they could have chosen, they picked the tool set (Where’d their machete go? Russell?) They also chose tarp as one of their rewards – didn’t they just get tarp, rope and nails a few weeks ago? With all of that equipment, they better have the best shelter in Survivor history!
2 Immunity Idols had been hidden, one at each camp. Tom found the idol on the Heroes side, and Russell really wants to find the idol on the Villains side. The rest of the Villain team agreed not to look for the idol, but Russell really has a burning desire to find it. It was funny when Rob said that Russell was like the Hobbit on crack – he kind is.
The Immunity Challenge was tough, and it came down to the wire, but the Villains prevailed. Unfortunately, one more Hero must leave. It was a good thing that Tom found the Immunity Idol, he and Colby are pretty much on the outs. At Tribal Council, Tom played the idol to avoid being sent home. Hopefully, he and Colby can forge another alliance to keep themselves in the game. Cirie was voted out at tribal in what Jeff labeled this season’s first blind side – and it was great. As the credits were rolling, we really wanted to hear what Cirie had to say, but the music was a little too loud. We couldn’t hear a thing – did you notice that too? “Cirie, the tribe as spoken”

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