Whine & Cheese

Express Lane: Issue 64

American Idol's Danny Gokey Sets His Sights on Eyewear - Surprise, surprise! But Gokey states he was doing his "heart" hand gesture long before the recent wave of Lenscrafter ads doing the same thing. (5/15/09)

Derek Hough: Dancing With Footloose? - Seems like both Dancing Houghs are under consideration for roles in the re-make of the Kevin Bacon 80s classic... though very likely only one will get it, since the characters are (ick) love interests. Derek also notes he and Mark Ballas may follow Julianne's lead and take time off from DWTS to pursue a music career (Booo! don't bite the hand that feeds you!) (5/7/09)

The 2009 Kentucky Derby - The Big Picture - Guess that says it all... the always fine TBP pix from this year's Run for the Roses. (5/4/09)

Obama's Book Club Is Back: Netherland - I've pulled off the rare "O" book double ... reading a book just before Oprah (with 'Edgar Sawtelle') and now Obama picked it! (4/29/09)

Human Landscapes From Above - The Big Picture - Been lagging a bit in my TBP postings, but these aerial shots (from the same guy who did the London series) are pretty awesome. (4/29/09)

Julie Chen Is Pregnant - I'm pretty much through with 'Big Brother' but may just have to check in with the Chenbot to see the cylon - errr... baby bump. The Chenbaby is due in October. (4/22/09)

BB10 Renny & Jerry MegaMix

Have to share this Big Brother 10 You Tube video with you... I originally saw it on reality blurred, but forget to watch it until it showed up on Towleroad today...

And let me say it gave me such giggle fits to the point I was in tears by the time it was over (and yes, I think I even snorted)!  I am not sure the last time that has happened when I have been absolutely all by myself...

For those of you are not watching BB this season, Renny and Jerry are the "elder" woman and man in this year's house.  Renny is from New Orleans and very much a character... and Jerry is just a cranky old guy. 

Just to set the scene, in most parts of the video Renny is in a food competition where she has to try and match a sock with a person on another side of the wall based only on describing the sock... and Jerry is hosting a competition that was sorta kinda of car-related...

I am not sure if this will be funny to anyone not watching BB, but give it a shot and let me know...

Express Lane: Issue 51

Lance Bass Rumored to be on DTWS7, May Have a Male Partner - While it would be hot, I'm guessing the male/male speculation is more offensive?  Would they only be able to dance to songs by the Village People or say 'Relax' by Frankie Goes To Hollywood? (7/10/08)

Meet the 'Big Brother 10' Cast - It's baaaack (starting July 13), this season's hamsters include a gay cowboy, a Hooters waitress, a pro bodybuilder... and a 75 year old former Marine! (7/8/08)

Pet owners prefer McCain over Obama - I knew there was some reason I was still a bit unsure about Barack... (7/8/08)

Blake Lewis Dropped from Arista - Last year's Idol runner-up will have to fffff-fffind a new label if there's going to be a 2nd album.  Hard times for 'Idol' alums as past winners, Ruben and Taylor, have also got booted this year. (6/25/08)

You The Ones That We (Didn't) Want - Two of the runners-up of the *very* same reality show that put Max Crumm and Laura Osnes on Broadway as Danny & Sandy in the Broadway revival of 'Grease' are set to replace to duo next month. (6/24/08)

HBO Continues 'Treatment' - Ahh!  Just got thru the 43 episode, 5 days/week Gabriel Byrne therapy series last week (it ended in March!) and now word that it will be back... enjoyed it, but it was a big commitment! (6/23/08)

'Weeds' Goes Theme Song-less For New Season - With Agrestic up in flames and the Botwins headed to the border, it appears the Season 4 premiere was the last hurrah for Malvina Reynold's 'Little Boxes' as well.  So sad! (6/19/08)

Express Lane: Issue 49

Flight of the Conchords Soar on U.S. Chart - The pseudo-fictional New Zealand folk duo debut at #3 with their debut album... guessing Ashlee Simpson at #4 is not amused. (4/30/08)

China Marks 100 Days Until Start of Beijing Olympics - Yikes!  It's coming up quick! (4/29/08)

Adam hedges on charity donation; James knew gay porn would come out - Finally some news about the two of the biggest "out of the house" stories from 'Big Brother 9.' (4/29/08)

'Idol' Singers Who Sing First May Not Last - Heck, I forget some of the early performances were from the same show... and now statistics show "kicking off" the show is the most frequent "kicked off" slot.  (4/21/08)

Express Lane: Issue 46

Will Fantasia Star in Film of 'The Color Purple' Musical? - Yes, according to Fantasia... who says the movie turned musical to be turned movie musical will get underway once she wraps a new album and tour. (3/7/08)

Mario Lopez Will Be A Chorus Line's Next Zach - This Broadway debut seems kinda of a waste -- particularly in the adorable dimple department -- as the role is described as "mostly-unseen god-like director (heard on mic for most of the show)." (3/4/08)

Phoenix Strip Club: 'Idol' Once Danced Here - Blogosphere rumblings of David Hernandez's 3-year stint as a stripper for "mostly male" clientèle hits the mainstream media today... will be interesting to see how Idol handles this one. (3/4/08)

Pascal and Rapp Will Tour in 'Rent' in 2009 - With the show soon ending its 12 year run on Broadway, the original (and film versions of) Roger & Mark are taking their act out on the road. (2/29/08)

NBC, ABC Tussle Over 'Scrubs' - Wasn't I just thinking the show wouldn't have a SERIES finale due to the writers' strike... now it seems the ratings-challenged show may have another season on a new network. (2/29/08)

Montecito Resort Closes Its Doors - There goes my steady Josh Duhamel fix!  NBC folds on any post-strike episodes for its kitschy "Las Vegas"... the show ends just short of 5 seasons and with a "to be continued" cliffhanger... I guess we'll never know the fate of Danny & Delinda's unborn baby. (2/27/08)

Photo Gives Face to Anne Frank's "one true love" - Definitely have renewed interest in Anne and her diary ahead of our trip to Amsterdam which will very, very likely include a visit to the Franks' house. (2/27/08)

Adam fired for "[causing] tremendous damage to" the United Autism Foundation - The Big Brother 9 contestant finds himself out of a job after telling his fellow hamsters (on Day 1 no less!) that he works with 'retards.' (2/26/08)

Express Lane: Issue 43

Broadway's 'The Color Purple' Will Close Feb. 24 - The show comes to an end after a 2 1/2 year run... guess Fantasia really was a big box office draw. (1/24/08)

Amazing Race 12's Jen and Nate are Still Together - Well, knock me me over with a feather!  After a post-Race break, the two say things have "never been better" (though that's was a pretty low bar). (1/16/08)

Clinton Chooses Dancing Over Singing - Asked by Tyra Banks what reality show she would prefer to compete on, Clinton chooses 'Dancing With the Stars' - now once I know where Obama and Edwards stand on this issue, I think I will finally be able to make up my mind. (1/15/08)

Oprah Winfrey Getting Her Own TV Network - Perhaps ticked that Ellen Replaced Her As Favorite TV Star the Discovery Health channel will become her OWN... OWN as in Oprah Winfrey Network.  Yes, that's the name... not making this stuff up! (1/15/08)

Woman Who Made Hillary Cry Votes Obama - A pretty funny footnote... ok, I'll give you "emotional moment," but frick sake she didn't cry! (1/9/08)

'Big Brother' Returns to Showtime - Wasn't sure 'After Dark' would return for the first non-summer BB edition... sinc the premium channels are hurting for programming like the networks, but the wildly addictive (and unedited) 3 hour nightly block returns to ShoToo. (1/8/08)

Express Lane: Issue 41

Osmonds Headed to Sin City? / Midler Names Show - Donny and Marie rumored to replace Toni Braxton in a multi-yr headliner gig at the Flamingo... while the Divine Miss M dubs her Caesars production "Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On."  (12/6/07)

Will 'Color Purple' Return to the Screen as a Musical? - Oprah confirms that she's thinking about it, and I think it's a pretty good idea...  of course, would love to see Fantasia get the lead. (12/6/07)

Whatever happened to Melinda Doolittle? - Sadly one of the 'Idol' standouts from last season, Mindy Doo, still does not have a record contract... unlike... ummm... Phil Stacey?  Tragic. (12/4/07)

CBS Sets 'Jericho,' 'Big Brother' Returns - I guess CBS doesn't see an end in sight for the writers' strike.  A lot of new show news and  BBro, the summer's guiltiest pleasure, getting an extra edition and a Feb 12th premiere! (12/3/07)

Ballas injured during DWTS finale; Maks says he's "moving on" - Mark rushed to the hospital with a severe shoulder injury (torn labrum?) and Maks sulks that it may be time to pick up his toys and go home. (11/28/07)

DWTS Champ Calls Off Engagement - Helio may have won the mirror ball trophy, but the wedding is off... and I am quite sure the rumors have just begun! (11/28/07)

Maks says unlike Marie, DwtS cast did not "burden people with our personal issues" - Mel B's partner Maks is never one to mince words.  The truth or just sour grapes?  I'll go with a little bit of both. (11/26/07)

Express Lane: Issue 39

Laila Ali Steps in 'Gladiators' Ring - DWTS continues to get folks new jobs!   Last season's female dancing "star" stand-out is set to co-hosts (with Hulk Hogan), NBC's re-introduction of 'American Gladiators.' (11/9/07)

'24' Postpones Season 7 Due to Strike - And we have the first major casualty of the writers' strike!  With only 8 episodes in the can, Jack & Co. latest day has been postponed indefinitely until the show can provides its trademark uninterrupted run of 24 episodes. (11/8/07) 

ITF to investigate suspected poisoning of Tommy Haas before Davis Cup match - The German suspects the Russians of allegedly poisoning his 'dessert or a Latte macchiato' - with doping and match fixing allegations the tennis tour is sounding more like a spy novel everyday. (11/8/07)

Showtime Grows a Fourth Season of 'Weeds' - Though we're still waaay behind on Season 3 (and thinkin' it's not as good as S1 & 2), Mary Louise Parker & Co. will be back for another season (as will its 'partner' show David Duchovny's 'Californication). (11/5/07)

Sabrina Bryan Confirms 'DWTS' Romance - Although it seemed obvious and probably still will not squash folks wanting him to be gay, the Cheetah Girl confirmed that she is dating her dancing partner, Mark Ballas. (11/5/07)

Food Network's Giada Pregnant - Mamma Mia! Congrats to one of my FN faves (and her hubby Todd!) on their upcoming first child due in April... one thing's for sure the kid will eat good! (11/5/07)

HBO Sets Up 'Treatment' Program - Interesting premise and cast for this upcoming HBO series about therapy... but 45 half-hour episodes for 5 nights a week over 9 weeks seems like more than I (and our TiVo) would be able to keep up with.  (10/31/07)

Dovolani Takes on Dancing’s Inaba - Drama on the DWTS set as Carrie Ann Innaaaah-ba allegedly gives Tony the finger after he gives her a rulebook, highlighting what defines a "lift"... while I agree Inaba has been a bit cranky lately, sounds like Tony got what was coming to him. (10/29/07)

Big Brother 8's Eric and Jessica are still together - The show-mance lives on even outside the BB8 house, heck even Danielle & Nick still seemed cozy at the Fox Reality Awards. (10/29/07)

Viva Laughlin's cancellation moves Amazing Race 12's debut up to Nov. 4 - Well, that was a pretty easy prediction I (and many others!) made over a month ago. (10/22/07)

But First! BB8 Style!

This likely does not say a whole lot good about me, but one of things that I have most looked forward to the last couple of  Big Brother seasons is TVGasm's video montage of Julie Chen's trademark phrase "But First!"

I feared that there wouldn't be one this year... but alas, they've have come through again... and it still cracks me up to no end.  They have changed it up a bit and thrown in a surprise or two, including what had to be the guffaw-inducing Chenbot line of the season.

Don't think there's a way to embed the video here... so click the link below:
CLIPGASM: Say Goodbye To BB8.  But First. . .

BB8: Done-Ato

Now I wasn't thrilled with the Final 3 Big Brother 8 options... but things only got worse... let's just say by my Season Pass for ShoToo's Big Brother After Dark was quickly canceled!  How fast?  Well, faster than you can gloatfully shout "we won, we won, we won!!"... there is absolutely no way I can stomach five nights of father-daughter chit-chat or worse still, if they decide to not get along again.

There's no way around it, the Donatos will walk out with a total of $550k on Tuesday night.  Who will get how much is debatable, but I can't imagine that Daniele not taking home the big prize.  Unless the houseguests are masochists, I can't imagine Dick's vicious verbal attacks will win him any votes in the jury house.

And I can't blame them, Dick's behavior was as despicable as any I have seen on reality television.  What CBS aired was only a mere suggestion of how bad it was... the unedited BB: After Dark stuff was unwatchable at times... most recently, Part 1 of the Final ("Bunny Hop") HoH, where Dick mercilessly assaulted Zach for hours (at the time, I didn't know it was a Daniele's suggestion).  And while Jen was no angel, some of the stuff he said to her was downright heinous... pouring ice tea over her head was the nicest thing he could do since it didn't involve him speaking.

Ironically enough, Dick is going to get exactly what he wants... Danielle winning BB8.  He may be a jerk (Fox Reality and former BB-er, Marcellas, says... allegedly...  he's spoken to people who know Dick and they say this is not an act), but he genuinely would rather see her win... he's sacrificed himself before and I don't see the finale being much different...  and heck, a consolation prize of $50k ain't so bad either.

That said, I do give D&D credit for getting to the end.  They are deserving... any folks who get to the end of a reality show deserve to be there, even if they are accused of doing "nothing"... but that certainly isn't the case here... they won competitions and successfully schemed... and as Dick gleefully noted, it is amazing that the two of them made it to the finish line... even more so since the two other "existing relationship" pairs were broken up in the first two weeks of the season.

But I hope CBS and BB aren't feeling too warm and fuzzy about this father-daughter reconciliation.  By making it to th final, if anything, I think it gives them the illusion that everything is "fine."  I am sure there will be a nice honeymoon period, but I really hope they consider getting some counseling with the cash.  Otherwise and somewhat cynically, I can only predict that the line "Well, if it wasn't for me you wouldn't have made it to the Big Brother finals" is uttered by one of them someday.