Tuesday, September 28, 2010

And the New Bachelor is...Not Really New! Brad Womack is Back!!! Let the Fireworks Begin...

Hello Everyone!!

If you're like me, you have been in Bachelor/Bachelorette/Bachelor Pad withdrawal!! Monday nights were boring for a split second until Dancing With the Stars premiered last week. Last night's show featured, among...wait for it...dancing, go figure...the huge announcement of who was going to be the next Bachelor. Everyone was going cuckoo for news about who the next man would be to date 25 women in the hope of finding love. Little did they know that someone was coming back for another chance to jump into the most popular dating pool on television!! We finally found out that Brad Womack is going to be on next season of The Bachelor. Did you love the lame spoof of having Jonathan (The Weatherman) sitting next to Chris Harrison, so that everyone thought he would be the next Bachelor!? The Facebook statuses and Twitter messages were out of control!!! LOL!!

As someone who loves the shows and writing blogs about our favoutite guilty reality pleasure, I found it amusing how everyone got so worked up after the announcement was made. For the most part, people were angry and shocked that ABC would dare to cast the most hated man in the Bachelor franchise. They wanted to see Chris Lambton try his luck at love, or Kasey Kahl, or even Ty Brown. What people may not realize is that ABC tried to get Brad to be the Bachelor before Jake was offered the opportunity, and have been pursuing him for a while. They may not realize that the other men who may have been offered the opportunity could have had personal reasons for not wanting to be on the show. The media spotlight isn't for everyone, and some people may like to have a private life after reality TV.

I personally think this is a very smart decision. Brad rejected the women during his season because he wasn't ready for a commitment. Would it have been better if he chose DeAnna, then ended the relationship a month later? Think about it. He stood his ground and made the choice that was right for him. It cost him a lot, as the backlash was ridiculous. It's been a few years since that season...get over it people! Let the man have a chance to prove everyone wrong. You know you'll watch every week, and we all know the ratings will be through the roof. I personally cannot WAIT to blog about Brad's season. This is something ABC hasn't done...bring back a Bachelor for a second chance. I think a lot of people may change their mind and see him differently...but stranger things have happened.

I had to say something about this decision, as it was such a great move by ABC. Some people think it's crazy to recycle people for the shows...but it's been done for over 20 seasons, and it's still insanely popular. I tihnk this next season will be one for the books. If it fails...ABC knows they need to start looking for new faces. But if it succeeds...watch out. I think anything is possible if you give it a chance!

Enjoy the wonderful must-see TV that's back on the airwaves and I will see you in the new year to blog and dish about Brad and his season of The Bachelor!!

Until next time...XO

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Season Finale...Do a Little Dance...Make a Little Plea...Get Rich Tonight!!

How awesome was the finale!? Were you all laughing as hard as I was??? For those who haven't seen the show, or just read this for the entertainment factor, don't own a TV or just don't watch at ALL, I won't give away the ending...we'll save that for later. I think it's safe to say that the ending was as good as it's going to get in this type of crazy enviromnemt. I can't believe how quickly the season flew by. It was entertaining, dramatic, throw on a straight jacket insane fun! I don't know if my Monday nights will be half as interesting now that it's over. I know you are waiting for me to throw in my fiddy cents' worth...so let's get to it and dish this out one last time for the season. Got your drinks yet...no...??? Go get one and hurry back! ;)

I thought it was hysterical that the first challenge of the night was a ballroom competition! I don't think anyone in the "Super 6", as Dave affectionately calls the remaining couples, has ever seen the inside of a ballroom, or or had any formal type of dance training (with the exception of Tenley). We see everyone getting stressed about what is to come and I have to admit that it was nice to see people stepping out of their comfort zone. Dave was sticking to his pact with Kovacs to make it to the final 2 couples, and Natalie was regretting sending Jesse and Peyton home. She is ready to send Elizabeth and Kovacs packing, and I'm sure everyone else watching was, as well. Hmmm...Kovacs can stay...eye candy is always nice...but I know everyone would love to throw Elizabeth out of the house faster than Nat whipped off her bikini top back in Vegas!!

The remaining couples are paired up with some of the famous choreographers from Dancing With the Stars. Kip-Ten (sorry, I couldn't resist!! LOL), meaning Kiptyn and Tenley, were paired with Chelsie Hightower, Kovacs and Elizabeth had Edyta Sliwinska and Dave and Natalie were with Louis Van Amstel. I loved the interaction everyone had with their respective choreographers. Chelsie is perfect for cute little Tenley and Kiptyn, and Edyta is serious eye candy for Kovacs and an eyesore for Elizabeth and the little green monster that has taken over her body! When Elizabeth wasn't busy silently freaking out about Edyta wrapping herself around 'her man', she was busy mentally mopping up the drool that was pouring out of every pore in Kovacs' body! Priceless. I think Kovacs was wishing Edyta was his partner for the competition....or just having a very erotic daydream. You decide which one is more suitable.

My favourite scene was watching Dave doing anything and everything necessary to get the most out of the practice time he and Natalie had with Louis. Watching Dave get in touch with his feminine side and twirling Louis around made me want to get a paddle out and score him for his ballsiness. I also wanted to make him a girly drink with a little umbrella stuck at the top, and toast his competitiveness. This guy came to play, and to win. I love his attitude! Bet he can rock a sequined shirt like no one's business, as well! ;)

I have to give Natalie props where they are due, as well. She is a very strong competitor and totally willing to do anything to win the challenge. Did anyone else laugh at Louis asking if they had sex in the house? Between that and Natalie telling Dave to grab onto her boobs instead of her waist, I was losing my mind! I love this couple. They are pure entertainment, they know how to go with the flow and are totally able to infuse fun into any situation they are brought into.

OK...on to the competition. All three couples had to perform their dance for the guest judges...Melissa Rycroft, Jake Pavelka and Trista Sutter. I have NO idea why any of these people were there to judge. I would have definately preferred Len, Bruno and Carrie-Ann from Dancing With the Stars! Three former reality show people who once competed on DWTS don't do it for me. Anyway, Tenley and Kiptyn were first and had a great dance...until they fell over at the very end! I still liked it, and our wannabe judges did too. They scored 26 out of a possible 30 points.

Elizabeth and Kovacs wetre up next with a rhumba that was as brutal as getting a root canal without the necessary meds. It was awkward, painful to watch and I was severely embarassed for them. They still managed to squeak out 24 out of 30 points, but were eliminated from the challenge.

Finally, we get to Natalie and Dave and their cha-cha dance. They have a lot of chemistry and are driven to perform to the best of their ability. Natalie's dress was also my favourite of the night! The girl could wear a paper bag and still look like a rock star on the dance floor...but I digress. They performed well and even earned a "Hello sexiness!" from Trista, but with a score of 25 out of 30, they came second to Tenley and Kiptyn, who won the challenge.

While Tenley and Kiptyn were celebrating their immunity from the elimination ceremony and making out like bandits (or cute little bunnies...come on..it's Tenley I'm blogging about here!!), everyone else was stressing about the upcoming rose ceremony. No one wants to go home with $250,000 on the line, so they start to talk strategy amongst themselves. Kiptyn and Tenley are faced with the difficult task of selecting the couple they want to have by their side in the final four. At the rose ceremony, they choose Dave and Natalie as the final couple to move on, and Kovacs and Elizabeth are sent home.

Tenley says her decision to choose Dave and Nat was based out of loyalty, and Kiptyn hopes Elizabeth and Kovacs found love together. Ummm....were we watching the same season!? I donn't those two are part of the same BOOK (or in the same library, for that matter), much less on the same page when it comes to relationships and how they feel about each other.

The show ends with the remaining four leaving the house and the finale was taped a week ago before a live audience...and all of the eliminated houseguests come back to help decide the fate of the final four. When we see the returning contestants, we find out that Elizabeth and Kovacs are no longer a couple, and that she thinks Kovacs is a player. Sweetheart...what was your first clue!? The fact that you were his personal booty call, plaything, and he never really claimed to love you back should have tipped you off. Sorry..but reality really does bite back. Hard.

Elizabeth is finally a brunette again during the finale...thank GOD. The girl was annoying, but her bleach blonde hair was an eyesore! Thankfully, she went back to her 'roots'...lol. She looks much better and believable as a brunette. I wonder if the hair dye toned down the craziness factor too. Just sayin'...

We also get some resolution on the Gia/Wes situation of 'are they or aren't they' together. Gia admits that she is single again and that she is still interested in Wes. Wes admits he came on the show for the money, but didn't expect to fall so hard for Gia. After saying that 'bad boys need love to', they finally kiss for the first time in front of everyone. I have no clue if they are together now, but I can't say I am surprised at this outcome...are you? Do you think she will be in his next music video? On his next cd cover? I could go on for hours...lol.

The final four face questions from the former houseguests they helped to eliminate. Ashley questions Dave about how quickly he moved on from Jessie S. to Natalie on their overnight date in Vegas. Jessie says Dave did what he had to do for the game, but Dave says what happened was not for the game. In plain English for the people in the cheap seats...he was into Nat more. Hope that helps to eliminate any leftover confusion out there!! ;)

Krisily expressed that she was mad at Dave and upset that he didn't give enough respect from him to tell her that she was going to be sent home. Dave explains that there was no point in telling her, but she said it was a respect thing. Ironically, she ends up giving him her vote later. I didn't know if she would go there...but good for her for making a decision based on the game.

Peyton told Kiptyn she was shocked at his behaviour and how she saw that he lied to her. He told Peyton that he didn't forsee himself and Tenley getting together on the show. Gia also told Kiptyn she was upset that he alowed Nikki to get eliminated after she went against the 'Outsider' girls' votes in order to keep him in the house.

We get to Michelle giving her speech to Tenley. Ahhh...seemingly deranged, psychotic Michelle. Clearly, time does not heal old wounds...they just give you time to get crazier!! Michelle is still pissed off about the fact that Tenley mentioned to others in the house that she hooked up with Craig M. She goes on about hos she lost respect for someone who was so sweet on Jake's season of The Bachelor, and that she would NOT give her vote to tenley. Really, Michelle? We didn't see that coming!! LOL. ;)

Wes also gets his word in as he mentions that when it comes to money, you qustion your integrity...money definately talks in this type of environment. Dave was upset about that, as he and Wes were friends, but they were fighting around the time Gia was eliminated from the house. wes is ok with the outcome, as he has Gia over the money. Ummm...someone fill me in..are they actually dating!? Or is this part of a new song he is writing? Please fill in the blanks for me if you know...thanks!! The lines of reality have gotten so blurry.....


Finally, the couples are given a chance to plead their case to everyone about why they should win the $250,000 prize. Natalie admits that she initially came for the money, but she loved everyone in the house. She wants to pay off her debt, and start a charity. Dave thinks he played the game honestly and fairly. He apologized to Jesse B and Krisily for things he did, and hoped that he brought comic relief to the house. He also hoped that he has the votes of his peers.

Not sure why she waited so long, but Gwen chose to pick this time to admit to a conversation she overheard Dave having with other people in the house. He said that anyone in their 30's who was in the house was a loser. We find out that Gwen is actualy 39. Gwen was very upset about this comment, and Dave said anyone in their upper 30's should not be on a dating show. Hmmm...where exactly should they be? Playing shuffleboard with the other seniors at the retirement home?? I love Dave...but that was a ridiculous thing for him to say. That was probably the one major thing he did that annoyed people watching the show who don't feel like they need to date Col. Sanders to find love...LOL. Get a grip, Dave. Love comes in all forms, and at all ages and stages in life. People who are a little bit older know exactly what they want out of life and love...and won't settle for anything less. OK, I am done with the soap box rant! ;)

Kiptyn and and Tenley have their chance at stating why they should win the money. Tenley talks about how honoured she was to be there. She states that she lost more than just her marriage...she lost her home, and all the money her parents invested into it. She wanted to pay them back the money, and also have some fun with the winnings. Kiptyn told everyone how close he was to not coming on the show, and that he wanted to start a charity with the money, and also have some fun with the proceeds.

Juan also decided to make his comments known at this point. He said that Kiptyn played with integrity, Dave and Natalie played hard...but he didn't know why Tenley was in the final four and how she got there. Jessie S. defended Tenley, stating that she won her way to the finals.

The final two were determined by voted from the former houseguests. The first couple to get 8 votes moved on to the final round. The final two were:

Dave and Natalie

The final twist to the competition was explained by Chris Harrison. He mentioned that to test their relationship, they would be sequestered in separate rooms and had to make a choice...Share the money, or Keep the money for themselves. If one person selects share and one selects keep, the person who chose keep would keep all of the money. If they both selected share, they would split the money. If they both selected keep, neither would get the money, and the funds would be divided equally among the eliminated contestants!

Dave and Nat are separated to make their decisions. While they are gone, everyone speculates about how they will vote. The majority thinks Dave will choose share, but that Natalie will opt to keep the money for herself. The final decision is made...Dave selects share, and Nat looks upset and asks Chris R. if she can say something. Chris says no and tells her to reveal her decision. After a brief speech that made everyone believe she decided to keep the cash for herself, Nat chooses to share the money, and they each win $125,000!

What an ending! The only thing that topped their win was the delicious looking kiss Dave planted on Chris H. I wonder how good that was for both of them,!? It looked pretty hot from where I was sitting! LOL. Lucky Chris!!!

What a great finish to a hilarious season of Bachelor Pad. We saw the whole range of action - drama, tears, catfights, alliances, bromances and showmances. I am going out on a limb to say that I enjoyed this finale more than the finale of last installment of The Bachelor - that train wreck was insane, considering what has happened since the show ended. Bachelor Pad was exactly what we needed for a Monday night during the summer months, and I personally cannot wait to see the next installment...and you know there will be a second season!! Let me know who you think would make a great contestant on the next season.

If you are interested in seeing more of the former bachelors from previous seasons of The Bachelorette, Jesse Kovacs is doing a wine and book tour in the US and Canada over the next few months. My friends and I will be checking this out next week here in town at a Bachelor Pad party with former bachelors, and I can't wait to see the bromance of Dave and Kovacs in full effect! Here is a link to the Kovacs Brothers website, where you can get dates for his tour. The site also contains information about Dave Good's new book, "The Man Code' that will be on sale soon!

http://www.kovacsbrothers.com/

To all of you who have read my blog, provided me with comments and feedback, and have enjoyed the show with me, thanks so much!! I love writing this blog and really appreciate that you take the time to read my entries and give me such great feedback! Hope to see you again very soon for the next season of The Bachelor! Anyone want to guess who the next Bachelor will be? I have heard so many things already...and would love to know what you think!!

I will be back in the New Year to give you all the the scoop, dish and drama that is on The Bachelor! Until then, be good, find something fun to do on your Monday nights and enjoy the rest of the year!! :)

Until the next installment...XO

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Showmance + Bromance + Couples = Bye Bye Single Ladies!!

How many people out there get more amused as each week of this show passes!? I am one of those people waiving my hand frantically in the air! I admit it...I am shamelessly hooked to this crazy show! A dash of crazy, a pinch of Disney, a huge serving of drama and a splash of Bromance and you have the recipe for the funniest show that has been on our televisions every Monday night this past summer. I'm sad to say that the finale is coming up quickly...but as we know, all good (and drama-infested!) things must come to an end. I have to say...not at all surprised they got rid of the single ladies and kept their couples alliances strong. Hope that doesn't come back to bite the houseguests too hard in the finale! Let's get this party started and get back to where we left off last week...:)

We pick up with the guests talking about Krisily's elimination. Kovacs isn't crying over her departure, but Dave was upset about how Krisily's speech was about him. Ummm...maybe because you told her she was safe, then helped get her booted out of the mansion! The girl's got a right to be pissed. The line used last night is so true..."Don't hate the player, hate the game!!" Words to live by...especially if the vote comes into the hands of the people who were kicked out each week. I am secretly hoping for a jury bitch session like on Survivor, where everyone has a chance to make speeches and ask crazy questions to those left in the game. We need some spice thrown into the finale, and I hope ABC steps up and gives it to the fans! What's a show like this without knockdown fights and crazy drama!!??

The remaining houseguests get a bomb dropped on them the next morning when Chris H. lets them know they are axing three of the ladies, as there are too many of them. I love how the way they determine who leaves comes down to Spin The Bottle! Clearly, all the great challenges were already taken by Big Brother and Amazing race. Really...a bottle and a kiss? Why not look for a genie in that bottle, as the single girls had no hope in hell to get a kiss from the guys who were already coupled off with the other women. No surprise how it all went down. The remaining couples are:

Kiptyn and Tenley (Krisily was pissed about this....she saved him early in the game, but he saves Tenley instead. Please...saw this coming in a snowstorm. Couples will always kick ass over singles any day of the week. Sorry Krisily...I love your ballsy, honest attitude...but guys will always pick the girl they want to get closer to over the girl who is nice and has good intentions. Let's see if this comes back to haunt Kiptyn in the finale!!) Why did Kiptyn bother to pace around and pretend to think about his choice? Did anyone believe that? I like Kiptyn...but that was lame. Plain and simple.

Kovacs and Elizabeth - Another no-brainer. He has been with our resident crazy girl for months. Even though she has screw loose, as Kovacs outs it, she is also his hookup in the house. Hard to compete with that!

Jesse B and Peyton - Our resident brother/sister relationship. I am still disappointed their showmance went south during their date in the hangar. It's nice to see they still get along. Hope it takes them to the end!

Dave and Natalie - Yet another showmance hookup. A wild night in Vegas isn't going to get trumped by three single women. I'm sure everyone would agree with me.

That left Nikki, Gwen and Ashley still single...and headed straight for the limo ride back to the airport. I wonder if the Weatherman is still available? There's a second chance for everything!! :)

I don't want to sit here and dissect every little thing on the show...but a few things stood out for me last night...

Kovacs and Elizabeth - Watching them go over how much (or in Elizabeth's case, how little!) they know about each other was ridiculous. Kovacs clearly knows a lot about her...but Elizabeth couldn't remember her name, let alone where he went to school, personal information about family, etc. Maybe if she took some Ginkgo Biloba (Liz...if you can't pronounce it...I don't think you really take it!), she wouldn't have looked like such a goof. Get a clue, sweetheart! Definately time for her to go home...

As much as I think Tenley and Kiptyn look cute together, I had my gag reflexes tested last night. Between the pool PDA and Tenley's Kip-Ten comment, I was wishing I could fast forward to another scene. That's all I have to say about them.

I would much rather talk about Peyton and Jesse B! How many people either howled or gagged over Jesse picking at an ingrown hair with a drywall screw!? OMG, hysterical! I wanted to say it's the screw that Kovacs said Elizabeth had loose...but I'm pretty sure people don't have drywall screws in their head. Hmmm..maybe it would help her seem less psychotic...but I digress. Anyway, I love the dynamic between Jesse and Peyton. While she isn't too happy about their partnership, as the other pairs are more like actual couples, I like them and their dynamic seems really genuine.

The next challenge came straight out of Frosh Week (for my Canadian friends...or for those in the US..Orientation Week for first year students at college). What the hell was the budget for these challenges!? Did everything get blown on the reward for winning the contest? I'm thinking yes. The water balloon tossing challenge came down to sticky fingers and clumsy catches. The last couple standing was Natalie and Dave, who won roses and immunity from the next elimination round, along with a 1-1 date. Shame Kovacs and Elizabeth had to mark their territory on the yellow Lamborghini waiting outside for Dave and Natalie. I feel like someone should have thrown some water balloons on them to cool them off.

I loved watching Dave rip out of the driveway on that hot sportscar! Better than seeing a kid in a candy store...unless the kid is joyriding in a car that cost six figures! Tell me you weren't jealous of their drive on the Pacific Coast Highway..I dare you! The part of the date that got to me was when Dave opened up about his parent's divorce and how he had a blowout with his father that caused them to stop talking. That's the first time we have seen Dave show any real emotion on the show. Nice to see that he's not just about the man code and bromance. Dave and competition without him around to shake things up! One thing I didn't see him as is a 'daddy's boy'. I guess anything is possible.

Dave talks strategy with Nat and wants to figure out where her head is at. Natalie wants Kovacs and Elizabeth out of the game, but Dave opens up to her about the pact he and his boy Jesse made before they came into the house. Nat tells him that at the end of the day...there is $250,000.00 on the line. Sometimes a lot of zeros cancels out the bromance...but that remains to be seen.

Back at the casa, everyone is busy getting some PDA in the pool...or just getting busy! Honestly...were any of you surprised that Kovacs and Elizabeth snuck into the Fantasy Suite and broke the bed!? Aaahhh...I love how Elizabeth wanted to talk to Kovacs about the night they met...and all he wanted to ask her was "Wanna get naked?" LOL. Liz...you saying "Screw Dave and Natalie" is so ironic....especially naked in the big girl bed! The icing on the cake was Tenley sneaking up to find Kovacs and Elizabeth. I loved how she ran back to everyone and lets them know the lights are out and it smells good. Jesse B knows what time it is with that news...and I preferred what he said over Princess Tenley's comments.

Getting back to the Fantasy Suite...did anyone else think that Elizabeth should have stopped talking 20 minutes earlier!? Clearly, Kovacs was there for one reason...and it didn't involve a long discussion about love, relationships or romance. He wanted to get in, get out and have some fun. Elizabeth...you need to win the money if for no other reason that to buy a CLUE! The guy just is not into you like that. Sorry I had to break it to you...please don't cry....and go postal...and act psychotic. Wait a sec. You have done all these things already. OK...never mind.

Let's just skip to the plotting and scheming going on before the next elimination vote and rose ceremony. I love how Tenley and Natalie had their 'woman code' established, but didn't go through with their talk of saving Peyton and Jesse from elimination. I was really hoping that they would be saved, and Kovacs and Elizabeth would be hitting the dusty trail. They are a favourite by those who knew them outside of the game, but not necessarily the best couple to be in the final six to win. Unfortunately, we know that it's usually a popularity contest in these types of situations.

All the talking and deal making couldn't save Jesse and Peyton from going home at the end of the rose ceremony. My favourite part of the ceremony was at the end of the show was Jesse calling out 'a few fake people' in the house. I totally agree with him...but at the end of the day, I guess you do what you have to for the chance to win a pile of money and save your showmances, bromances and anything else that will carry you to the season finale.

I don't know about you...but I am pumped for the season finale next week! I seriously hope that the people who were kicked out the game that are back for the final episode make the final two work for their votes and for the money! Twists and drama are what makes shows like this more enjoyable to watch. We all love to get lost in the hysterics, tension and drama that exists on Bachelor Pad...so please ABC...bring it next week and don't disappoint us!!

Take care, have a great week and let me leave you with a final thought. If we didn't have crazy shows like this to make us laugh and dissect every juicy detail the next morning, our Monday nights would be boring. I would also have nothing interesting to blog about! I have no idea what I am going to do after next week! LOL...;)

Until next time...XO