becauseIsaidso

Just a follow up on what I had posted earlier about the consequences of not taking precautions. The latest I have seen reported is that the person who died of Covid after that wedding was NOT at the wedding but in contact with someone who was. The wedding was only 65 people. There have, so far, been 60 known cases of Covid traced back to that wedding. Only 38 of the 60 infections have been traced back to people actually at the wedding. This outbreak has been linked to a nursing home and a jail that are 124 miles apart. It is not yet reported whether or not the venue owner was actively enforcing or attempting to enforce masks and social distancing. What angers me the most is that someone who was not even at the venue is dead. To those who demand their rights to not wear masks and not social distance or engage in any other medically/scientifically recommended precautions I can only say, your rights end where they violate mine. Rights come with responsibiities. To all the couples and MAFS production PTB who seem to have great fun showing off irresponsible behaviors - are you going to record and air in-depth details if any of the couples, their families/friends contract Covid?

I'm in the northeast too. Maine to be specific. A short time ago, just a matter of weeks I think, there was a wedding in a small town north of me. The other day on the news it was reported that one of the wedding guests had just died of covid. Whether that person caught it at the wedding or already had it and brought it with them, the result is there is a whole bunch of people who have been exposed and should be doing a voluntary 2 week quarantine - but I betcha few if any are. We have good numbers here, but the population is quite small and particularly spread out in the northern half of the state. Still, go to any Walmart on any given day and you'll absolutely see about 50% of the shoppers with no masks and many of the rest will have their noses exposed. It really is true: you just can't fix stupid.

This episode infuriated me. I had been a fan of Beth/Jamie, but this goes beyond the pale. A spoiled brat, a stupid trip, NO precautions and I'm supposed to feel sorry for someone who tested positive when I know for a fact (actual friends and family who live in the 'Carolinas') that masks and social distancing are avoided, ignored, discarded, and ridiculed! For B/J to travel home (if that is what actually occurs) without benefit of any testing is stupid heaped upon stupid. I will withhold a nano byte of judgement until next week. JOtis - WOW, that must be THE fastest EVER recovery from PPD!!! Never had it myself, but those I know who did have it DID NOT just snap out of it! I guess they must have thought they needed a JOtis resume sex!!!!! episode for all their fans. Please. No. Really, NO! And, really, WHAT fans? Sorry Doug - you're the only mostly real one in those segments. I was happy to see the JAustin and KKristine segment at least paid some attention to the fact that there is a damn PANDEMIC in this country! Also liked JAustin stepping back from a real estate purchase that looked a lot like impulse from the start. Good on them. I am sure they will find the perfect starter home in the not too distant future. And Rex will be much happier, too. SAFSteph/AJ are still my faves (along with JAustin), but I was stunned to see them fall in to the same trap as people in my own neighborhood - namely that just because someone is family/close neighbors with whom they've had interactions in the past, they MUST be safe and precautions be damned!. NO NO NO NO!!! I don't relax precautions with ANYONE who doesn't live in the same dwelling as me. Seriously. Really. OK, I'm old and just don't want someone else's stupidity to be the end of me. No problem with AAshley - but they didn't have to go anywhere to advance their storyline...which I'm kinda liking right now - it's just so 'normal', as it were. The part that makes me so angry is: I had come to like Jepthe again after the screwing around during Shawniece's pregnancy phase, but he has gone back on my sh*t list. During their season, I would watch Shawniece curled up in a ball crying every time Jepthe threw the 'stranger' word at her and wanted to scream at him that whenever he said 'stranger' all she heard was ' I'm rejecting you', so there MUST be a better way he could phrase his intention. He IS a smart guy. BUT he is also apparently caught up in the culture of his personal upbringing of no marriages, no father figure in the home, and doesn't seem to be able to see beyond it. His behavior this season of CouplesCam has shown no growth...he is stuck in the misogynistic dynamic that (-implied-) women have to give up everything and men get to screw around whenever and wherever life at home with wife and child/ren gets a bit intense or demanding, or just because he can't handle what life really is for new parents. And, of course, he always presents a calm and reasonable facade to anyone outside of their family unit - cameras included. I want to call him a pig, (all caps. of course) but will hold back a bit longer. Shawniece needs to build some self esteem and I don't know who beat it out of her. But she has got some really good ideas of how to expand her business and impact in the esthetic industry (which Jepthe would see as a plus if he weren't SUCH an A**HAT) and should have the opportunity (AND support of her partner) to explore them. Sadly, at this point, Jepthe is perfectly fine with whatever Shawniece wants to do AS LONG AS she takes care of Laura, the house, and Jepthe's needs (whatever he decides what they are). I abhor the idea that he thinks taking their daughter away is the solution. Shawneice does not want Laura gone....she wants Jepthe to actually BE there...with BOTH of them. At this point, I am saying Run Shawniece, Run. And I hate that I think this.

Damn...as much as I love Jaustin, SAFSteph/AJ, and KKeith, it's Jepthe and Shawniece who just seem to hit it out of the park every time! I never would have imagined a discussion over breakfast cereal could turn into a profound discussion about men/women/husbands/wives/father's/mother's places individually and together in the the lives they are working their ways through. More power to them. No surprise to Asthony and the new babe on the way - and I'm very glad for them - I've been thinking that would happen since the resumption of this season of Couple's Cam. They, plus Danielle and RickyBobby are a pleasant bit of relief from the harsher stuff going on out there. Jamie/Beth need to find something uniquely 'them' to keep me interested - and I really like them! I am happy that Jaustin have a bit of a reprieve from the harsh realities of Covid - hope they don't have to face a 2nd surge, this thing is devastating! PLEASE!!!!! LESS JOTIS!!!! PLEASE!!!!

As a socially awkward introvert, I have a soft spot for Henry - especially having to do it all on camera. I do like him and hope he is able to open up and relax more with Christina once the cameras are gone. The second they emphasized Christina's negative side with the pre-ceremony TH and the nonsense about missing earrings, I've been wondering who she pissed off in production, and am now giving her the benefit of a very big doubt.

Glad someone clarified about Jaustin and Greonna not being there this time....for a while there I thought I had been napping at just the wrong times. I found Jepthe and Shawniece's comments about the kind of 'talk' they will need to have with Laura as she grows up very touching and sad...and necessary as long as racism runs rampant. KKeith, SAFStef/AJ (really liked that he's managed to retool his career - good on him), Beth/Jamie were more like quickie fillers this time - and I'll have to catch this one again 'cuz I just can't recall Ashthony's bit. Did not much care for the announcement that J/D have been cleared to resume sex. Wouldn't put it past her to be going full bore for #3 now that Danielle is on her own 2nd pregnancy. Surprised she didn't make a comment or 20 about how much beer is OK for nursing moms...I've heard of this, but find it hard to believe she passed up an opportunity to demonstrate what a supermom she is. Didn't much care for the shot of her nursing interjected during one of the new MAFS season episodes. Dare I hope jamieO will ever be rotated out? Oh, wait.... ...not by the hair on her chinny chin chin But I'm still really glad this is back. Wonder if they will add couples from new seasons and have some of these originals drop out to keep things fresh.

YAY!!!!! They're coming back!!!! For once I was so glad I was so bored that I actually watched the JO hosting MAFS Highlights - highlighting her whenever possible, of course - and got to see the announcement - twice. 7/23 is on my calendar.

OH NO!!!!! No Couples Cam fix last night!!!!!!!! Unbearable Cruelty!

I'm up in the air about this episode. Sexy Will in the alley was too reminiscent of Sidney/Amanda and I don't like the idea of Will being made into Sidney 2.0 Mrs. C. surprised me - she lived in an era where marriage (good, sometimes bad, often in-between) was the end-all for women, so major props to her for adhering to her strict moral code (which still bothers me for the lack of gray area). I have to admit I was mega surprised when she married what' his name (sorry, I just don't remember it). Unfortunately, I think this may bode ill for poor Leonard. I see a foreshadowing for Leonard. It seemed a bit out of character, yet totally understandable for someone who has FINALLY been able to experience the love of another person, that he would sneak around about it - social mores notwithstanding - this is dear Leonard who only wants to be able to give and experience the joys of love everyone around him seems to have. He and Mrs. C are bound to clash and I fear both of them will lose something vital in the process. My best hope is that after discovery, confrontation, screaming and crying they both find the way to forgive each other for the things they can not understand.....and they go on. Cuz, when all is said and done....I kinda like this show....I think I want to see how things play out with Geordie/Kathy et familia, minus the mother! LOVE Esme! I had thought last season that Geordie was gaining some depth of understanding of the role of women in 'his' world, but now I am thinking he really needs a kick in the pants. A big one.

Well, gee golly whizzo! Zeke dies AND is resurrected. Al-Zaurus = La Zurus (minus one measly little vowel). Are we to believe that ALL the 828s will die and immediately come back to life? Crappy, predictable writing if that's the endgame, which I doubt only because I have actually become invested in the lives of these folks (even Grace whom I originally had no use for whatsoever) and would hate to think that people actually get paid for writing such stupidity. So, 828 disappeared for 5 years...then it landed safe and sound...then it exploded after all the passengers deplaned. So, they've got me for the first couple of episodes of the next season (since I see it is going to have one), but that could be it as, no matter how covid-bored I am, there IS a limit to what I am willing to make excuses for.

First time I've watched since Sidney left....I think I was burned out on the show because of Sidney-of-the-neverending-Amanda-with-no-happy-ending-in-sight drama. Anyhow, I did like it. At first I was confused over the ending sermon played over Leonard's secretive liasion - I get that in that time/place there was pretty much no hope for a happy ending for him and his partner (no pun intended) - but now I see it as a foreshadowing of something to come. So sad, I really like Leonard and, by extension, like the guy who loves Leonard. When the hell are we all going to accept that you love who you love and their private lives are nobody's business? Not in my lifetime, I fear, because I am old and have enough trouble wrapping my mind around the crapfest my country has become.

JOtis - I'm feeling SO inundated with their "unchartered territory" that I can't look away fast enuf when they come (eternally, it seems) on camera, I really like SAFSteph/AJ and am happy he has found a way to resurrect his career. They just seem so spontaneous in their interactions (for the most part - I actually laughed watching the 'staycation' on rerun) I have to believe the affection is genuine. Strangely enough, Jamie/Beth of the office/guest room actually struck a chord this time - I may just come to believe they are really in it for the long haul. Beth, especially, seemed to give unconditional props to Jamie for sharing his 'office'. JAustin made me smile the whole time they were on - as they always do. They are the real deal (along with a few others on this series) and I could take following them long-term. I loved that they included Rex in the 'graduation' ceremony. KKristeith are really hitting their groove. It always amazes me that amid all the BS, MAFS actually makes some pretty great matches. They definitely are. Danielle/RickyBobby confuse me. I could have sworn that at least one episode ago Danielle said her 'aunt flow' was LATE....but this time, she said the day she was taking the test was the exact date she should have started....which is it? The use of at least 4 different pee tests reminded me of an episode of Don't Be Tardy (I confess, I do occasionally watch this ridiculousness - mainly 'cuz I can't believe such people REALLY exist, so I guess I need the reality check). I am still unsure of her PG status. But, RickyBobby did seem a bit more of his old self - just a tad less surly than previous episodes. I still like them. And after all the flack Danielle got for her eyebrows during their season, I can easily forgive the lack of any makeup....I am one who always wears certain eye cosmetics for my own ego so I can easily understand the same in others (which is NOT to be confused with full on glamour makeup aka JO). I liked seeing Ashley/Anthony coping with her family business reopening....it reminds me that it must be as full of uncertainty for the business owner as it is for the customer. We enjoyed a visit to our favorite eatery 3 weeks ago and much appreciated their observance to distancing and safety rules...we plan to go back next week. This segment made me understand the concern for the owners/employees as much as for the customers. So many places have opened only to have to close again after a new outbreak. Shawniece and Jepthe just seem to be getting better and better. I really liked the comments Jepthe made acknowledging that Shawniece's niche is to be an entrepeneur/business owner as what will be most fulfilling for her for her own sake as well as in her role within their family. Deonna and Greg continue to grow on me. I appreciated her acknowledging to Greg that her baby-urge could be a bit much for him....just as I enjoyed her obvious (and private) delight at his change to thinking it might be a good thing to start trying for a baby. I think they are getting more in sync. Geez, I really hope this is an open-ended series. I hate to have to wonder how many episodes are left! Maybe when the new MAFS starts on 7/15, but hopefully TPTB will realize they have a good thing going with Couples Cam. One can only hope.

THIS 1000 times....and then some. With Rights comes Responsibility....and anyone who doesn't understand this needs to go back to the sandbox and let the responsible adults run things. Including stassi.... especially stassi... I pity her spawn simply because (as far as we know) we do not get to choose our parents.

My feeling was that even though Keith is spending his working hours in the support trenches, providing the important equipment/supplies for the hands on medical folks (like Jess in her hospital unit), he felt deprived at home - because helping with the renovations is the only thing he gets to do with Kristine to support her in her current non-working-for-money situation. I think all Kristine wanted was a little praise/appreciation, and all Keith wanted was to feel needed at home (as he definitely is on the job). If the previews are any indication, they worked it out. Which makes me happy as they are one of my 3 most favorite couples.

Al-Zuras? Obviously a riff on Lazuras. So disappointed. Been enjoying this season until now, but all I see is bad heaped onto worse and the 828s too dumb or too distracted to see it. Taking a couple of days off before I watch anymore.

Finally saw the whole show - but only heard the J/D segments as my knitting gives me a valid excuse to ignore the screen, which I always implement. Since it's already been all over every media outlet possible that the kid is fine, had a name change already, I fail to understand why we had to be inundated with so much drama. JAustin - two words: crate training. Especially with Austin at home, it should be relatively easy to get Rex comfy with his crate, and on a schedule, which will help greatly reduce incorrect behaviors, help the pet-parents not become frustrated and resentful, and let all three enjoy each other more. Friends with crate-trained dogs don't even need to close the door - the furrbabies seem to regard their crates as their private space and act happy and relaxed when in their crates and actually seek them out during thunderstorms which scare them. I want to look up the recipe for the drinks Deonne made. His cooking and her bartending went well together - as did the mutual compliments. She seemed a trifle more relaxed this expisode, which makes her more likeable. Loved Jepthe and Shawneice and Laura (as usual). Even with Shawneice's frustration with Laura, they all seemed to be enjoying each other. I liked Ashley/Anthony's movie making. If nothing else, it shows an ability to be playful. Beth/Jamie was again fairly contrived. I can't believe they don't see the ability of having the 2nd bedroom serve a double purpose - the whole argument only served to make Beth look more selfish and inconsiderate, which she either is or can't think of anything else to show us. Staycation for SAFSteph and AJ was cute - they were so into it, it was damn near believable. He's gotten more likeable, probably because he is more in control of what gets filmed and when. I think I did Bobby an injustice - someone mentioned how his present attitude may be more attributable to social isolation and inability to carry on with his normal occupation - and he did seem a bit less cranky this time - although I suspect there was no real concern about a pregnancy. It made me wonder why anyone would pick this particular time to try for a baby. I really felt bad for Kristine! Not to trivialize Keith's transfer to what sounded like the supply-support side of what Jess is doing. Kristine is quite impressive with her DIY talents and I'm glad the previews show a happier time. Her statements about how much she likes her work, is good at it and has so much frustration at not being able to do it were really heartfelt.

I scared the cat right outta my lap (have the claw marks to prove it) when I jumped up yelling "YES!!!" I was biased in favor of Melissa from the start, so throughout the season I had to suffer with my self-inflicted sense of imminent sabotage/unjust PYKAGing, which made it all the more suspenseful. Then along came the surprise of Stephanie and I really didn't' know what to think, except that when the show started last night, I could have accepted Stephanie, but would have wondered how Melissa's clear advantage (in my eyes) could have been overlooked. Then came the crying butcher and that said it all to me. Especially with all the references to honoring the ingredients, soul, cook your food. I was grateful for the lack of sous drama and the clear regard all three finalists had for each other. I have never been a fan of All-Star seasons (TC or PR, they have both pretty much sucked before now) but I think I'll rewatch this entire season as soon as I can. And hope they can find a way to do a new season with covid in mind. The logistics would be mind-boggling, but if my favorite restaurant can reopen deliciously and within quidelines, I don't see why a controlled atmosphere wouldn't work for TC.

I was thinking about this batch of still-marrieds (largely because I have pretty much nothing better to do) and examined why I like certain couples. Then it came to me that my faves, Jess and Austin, are simply in sync with each other, I mean really in sync. I thought back to as much of the entire season that I could remember and it all fell into place. They are unabashedly honest about their mutual geekiness. They not only laugh with each other, but can actually laugh AT each other without giving offense, which I think is a rare quality between recent strangers. They always look to the other when expressing an opinion for both, and not only has there never been a contradiction that I recall, but they were either in complete agreement or they simply have each other's back - always - that's loyalty. The only awkwardness I can recall is in situations where they are being pressed for more than they care to share - like the L word. They both kept as much to the script as possible, but Jess looked as uncomfortable as Austin did about being hounded to say the word. Austin's concerns about Jess's safety is obvious - he wears his heart on his sleeve. Jess's reassurances to Austin never demean him - I think the fears she showed in her solo clip about the lack of PPE's and having just one face mask for an entire shift are not what she shows Austin, but only because she knows he does not have a medical practitioner frame of reference, and that's how she shows her heart. He's geeky cute and she's level headed and has the self-assurance her profession requires. Damn! I never intended to like them this much. Then I turned my mind to what ever couples I could view as being so much in concert with each other and only two came to mind. : first (ultra-surprisingly for me) Keith and Kristine and second, SAFSteph and AJ. I didn't even like K&K in their season - the princess and the grandma's-lazy-boy - but they are just so good together. Hope the next episode (foreshadowed by the previews, so I'm not trusting THAT too much) doesn't make a fool out of me. SAFSteph and AJ I did like during their season, but I had felt he would be just TOO MUCH for her to tolerate in the long run. But they seem to have found their niche - during a pandemic no less..more power to them. Actually, more power to all of them. I do like Shawniece and Jepthe, but I'm on the fence about them as I don't think they've had enough time to put the past in perspective and raise a toddler...Greg and Deonna because in their season, I did NOT like Deonna and there are a lot of times in Couples Cam when she just seems to be trying too hard, but for what, I don't know. Insecurities? Anthony/Ashley are, to me, vanilla ice cream - very good, but just not exciting. I'd like to see them in another season of Couples Cam before I pass judgement. Beth/Jamie...time will tell...I think they need to stop looking outward and concentrate on what they do or do not have together. Bobby/Danielle...there's something going on there, maybe they are struggling with what they really have now that they are dealing with real life....they both have things they need look at in relation to each other. J/D....well, a made for TV couple who has one partner out for the fame (at any cost) and the other trying to fit in. Kinda sad if you ask me. But bottom line, if it were a show about just them, I would not be watching.

Knowing what little I do know (and definitely much more than I would ever care to) about stassie, I think she is positively joyful to be able to declare her knocked up status before brittany, and happily guestimating how many $$$$ this will generate for her. The race for biggest famewhore is on. Normally I would just sit back and grimace as stassi comes out on top as queen bitch once again, but there's something about not-so-li'l-ole-brittany that makes me think meemaw's grandspawn may have some sneaky wheels turning. She did (seemingly) come out of nowhere and snag herself and great big ole TV star, didn't she... Oh, wait.... never mind.... my poor brain must be so starved for intellectual pursuit that it'll glom on to just about anything to keep the little gray cells happy.

Haven't cared for stassi at all since season 1 when she went after Sheana and made it clear she/stassi could be mean and bitchy and push to force someone out simply because she could. She was not a 15 year old high school mean girl with no real life experience then or now. She's a 30-some year old narcissist who still thinks her crap doesn't stink and the world owes her adoration and money. Her so-called apology was too little, too late, and stunk of hypocrisy. She cares only for covering her own ass and not at all about the harm (professional, financial, emotional) she has done to others. I'm not a fan of Kristin either, but somehow her belated regrets don't ring as hollow. Maybe because she has seemed like a follower rather than the main instigator - which is certainly no excuse. Has either of them reached out to Faith PRIVATELY - or are they only interested in the good-will they can glean for themselves by pseudo-sincere, public, vetted-by-some-poor-PR-person-who-seeks-the-correct-shade-of-lipstick-for-the-pigs statements? Haven't checked on Sheana's status yet, but I think it poetic justice if she survives while bitches one and two end up gone forever. I'm tempted to call it karma, but I just don't believe stassi thinks she did anything 'really' wrong and therefore hasn't learned anything.

Pandemic Pizza!!!! How could I have forgotten! It did make me smile.

If it weren't for she-who-will-not-be-named this would be such a winner of a show. Full make-up? Really? Even when it seems that one couple or another are really reaching for something to show us, I pretty much feel I am watching real folks who signed up for a relatively easy gig and got hit with a Covid whammy. By and large, they are delivering nicely in a pretty difficult situation. And I don't care if JAustin are nerdy or boring - their emotions and concerns for each other and (especially in Jess's case) fears for family, co-workers and patients come across without any extra pearl clutching drama. Formal Night????? LOVED IT!!!! What a great morale booster. SASFSteph/AJ in a competitive situation was pure fun...especially the StephShirt. Maybe this is their forte - it sure seems to be the way they are most comfortable interacting. Especially AJ. I liked seeing another side of Ashley/Anthony outside of their home. As much as it highlighted a big slice of reality for supposedly 'non-essential' businesses, (by which I mean I think they're pretty damn essential for the people who lost income and are navigating a sea of financial/emotional insecurity) it gave more depth to the stories each of them have to tell about life in the real, after MAFS, world. Without all the shriek level hyperbole, Beth/Jamie were kinda cute this time. Enjoyed Kristine/Keith and the poker/gambling lesson. I like them more and more. I also liked the reminder that the behind-the-scenes medical support staff are having a pretty difficult time of it. Trust Greg of the gorgeous eyes and double ovens to come up with the best birthday present for Deonna. Hope she really does appreciate the life she has. Hope it really is as happy and fulfilling as it appears to be for them both. I don't recall a lot about RickyBobby/Danielle or Shawniece/Jepthe this time - I'll have to watch again. Maybe each episode showcases certain couples and has others step back a bit til next time? This is the time I wish I had DVR - then I could fast forward - cuz sometimes, there's just not enough eye-bleach in the world.

Went looking for the Instagram mentioned above, not sure if I found it...but what I did love was the one of Tommy singing to baby Shams. Who know the guy could be so sweet and even quiet! Now I have to rethink my strictly show-based opinions. At least it gives me something new to do.

I wondered about that too. All I could come up with was creative editing to make it look like either each cheftestant understood Italian, or the native-speakers were suddenly fluent in English.

I am hoping for Melissa - I have not been able to get over the Voltaggio season since Michael won, mainly because it was unabashedly telegraphed from the get-go that one of the 'brothers' was ABSOLUTELY going to be the winner. I am hoping (most likely futilely) that it will be Melissa or Stephanie (VERY surprised she got this far knowing the TC penchant for glorifying any and all male chefs over the females (why else would Tiffany in her first season and Lisa F in her first and All Stars challenges get such a crappy edit when their respective behaviors have not been any worse and actually MUCH better than certain male contestants ( aka the win-at-all-costs-Hung for anyone and Dale [iirc] for Lisa). In any event, it will likely be the token female who loses to the 'macho, macho' man, Kevin, which seems to be the set up since the first episode. And it will be Oh So Sad that brother Voltaggio just couldn't quite cut the mustard. Boo Hoo. Not. Can we please have a season of newbies? I know I would not like another All-Stars season of anything (self-fulfilling prophecy and all that notwithstanding) but some really new newbies would be quite refreshing. The only positive thing about this season: who knew Padma was fluent in Italian?!??!!??!?!?