Harry24

Vijay A was a beautiful player and (I’m sure still is) a lovely guy. I was a big fan. Is anyone else starting to get excited about Seb Korda? It seems a number of big time observers (including one Rafa N) think he’s going to win majors. He has a beautiful game. *Plus he won his first tournament earlier today. As superb as the current young guns are (Tsitsipas, Zverev, Medvedev, Shapavalov et al) and as clearly superior as they are to the previous generation of young guns (Dimitrov, Raonic, Nishikori et al), they are STILL struggling to assert themselves against the Big Three, particularly in best of five. (Thiem is the outlier. He’s a bit older, and is clearly on par with RN and ND, as well as superior to RF. Plus he’s won one. So disappointing that he’s plummeting at the moment.) But this goes to show, I think, that those incredible Big Three are the exceptions to almost every rule, the once-in-a-generation examples of all-time great tennis talent, athleticism, durability, competitive drive and plain old luck (hello JMDP). Except that they’re, well, thrice in a generation.

EXACTLY. It’s not like I haven’t tried. And, sorry to say, I STILL don’t understand whether Jade has the opportunity to be part of the team event and all-around as well as the event finals. I got the impression because of the broadcast team's focus on her improvement on UPBs and Beam that she has the opportunity to be considered for them too. Is it possible that the exact rules still have yet to be determined?

I liked her better for that, actually. In addition, I suspect I would like her a LOT more if she cut back the laughter at least 80%. Clearly she’s super talented, but her constant laughing in the THs distracts me so much. And I feel as though it makes it hard for us as audience to get a sense of who she actually is.

Plus, not great for the environment compared to electric: https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/otm/segments/fight-over-natural-gas-stoves-are-wedge-issue-on-the-media This episode was a prime example of one where I would have LOVED to have known exactly what guidelines the chef/testers were given. For instance, were they instructed 1) to follow the recipe to the letter as fast as they could and plate what they had at 90 minutes (I wish they had gone with this option); 2) adapt the receipt as necessary to get something close to it on the table; or 3) given no specifics at all?

So does that mean that Jade cannot do the all-around? Has she qualified in only floor and vault? And does that mean that there are four additional gymnasts on the team, so five American women gymnasts all together?

The only problem there is that OG Mary has no sense of humor, and OG Emma is prone to losing hers. Still ... awesome.

I understand what you’re saying about the history of what acrobats and gymnasts have worn, but ... why don’t the males wear skin tight clothing if it’s so essential? Why not have the females wear shorts like the males do or those stirrup pant things the males do? Why do we accept this unthinkingly?

In recent years I’ve wondered why the hell do female gymnasts have to wear leotards that are skin tight, including the genital areas, and often don’t actually cover their butts. Why? It can’t be only for body line. The males wear shorts and pants that aren’t skin tight and that revealing. So, again ... why? For the pleasure of Larry Nassar et al? At a certain point, most teen girls want to look and feel sexy (and also to fit in with their peers), so I’m sure it’s rather easy to convince them to wear such revealing attire. But, again, a question for the adults in the room: why?

Agreed to a point. But ... what do you think about his dyed hair? I wish he’d get an expert stylist who would guide him into a more natural color situation. Then he’d be off the charts suave and handsome. But then I also enjoyed Nancy’s dress, mostly because I loved the neckline (didn’t notice the bra sitch), and wish Marcus would tone it down just a touch. I love his bold colors, but the over accessorizing borders on cartoonish. He’s a small man and he verges into elf territory, when he could be just as attractive as Ming.

What other shows has NS judged on?

That was so weird! I’m not very knowledgable about food, but even I can tell that the name Romanov is, you know, RUSSIAN. And I remember that borscht is, you know, RUSSIAN. So wtf with Austria, Maneet? Am I missing something? Nancy Silverton certainly went with it, although Marcus queried the borscht.

The judging being blind is the reason I’m into this show. If it turns out that’s phony, I’m out. I want to know what (most of) these judges REALLY THINK.

The voice is somewhat similar to the one he used for the Alex Jones takeoff. I’m totally blanking on the name of the character at the moment, but, man, was that an awesome feat of comic acting. And the Gaetz voice wasn’t half bad either.

Honestly, I enjoyed it too. But the problem is they won’t know if there are cases as a result until 7-10 days later, and whether the public knows or not will depend on how well known the person(s) who got the virus are, whether they are looking to publicize it, and whether or not media is pursuing the story. What if 12 unknown staffers/hotel workers/lower level skaters/lesser known coaches come down with it at various levels of intensity? Probably we’ll never know, and there will always be questions about where exactly they got it. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a spreader event. It’s just very hard to identify those. And then harder to publicize that they have happened. And then harder still to get the public to understand that they’re happening all the time. Sigh. So IMO they really shouldn’t have held it. But I blame Sweden for allowing it. Australia and the city of Melbourne were very, VERY strict about what was going to be allowed in order to field the Australian tennis Open. That’s their job. IMO Sweden and Stockholm should have refused to have the championships unless the ISU abided by far stricter restrictions than it did.

She was on Chopped. I know! Yay to the blind tasting.

I've found this to be an annoyingly recurring theme with former ice dancers turned commentators, even good ones (Tracy Wilson, Tanith Belbin for instance): they are just too damn measured in their comments. If there’s one discipline where it would be helpful for a commentator to actually tell it like it is it’s ice dance where it’s so damn difficult to see where the mistakes happen. Quite right. However, I remember being so impressed with how generous the fans in Saitama were to Chen. There were certainly hoards of Fanyus present, as demonstrated by the Pooh Onslaught, but after the ice was cleared and Nathan came on and skated lights out, the audience was remarkably warm and supportive, even though he was clearly on the way to beating their man. Lovely.

I'm so glad you mentioned Takahashi. I think he’s a true master. Back to Sinnerman, IMO Chan and Hanyu may have the physical skills to pull it off, but I don’t think either man would “get” the vocabulary of movement to do it. Daisuke would totally get it; although he doesn’t have JB’s flexibility and long limbs, he is an even greater dancer on ice and IMO skated with even more soul. I also would have loved to see Kurt Browning or Robin Cousins in their respective heydays do something like it.

I’m surprised no sabermetrician has come up a PBDF (Pitcher Batting Delight Frequency).

I always loved how she referred to it as, “My Jean Naté.” Details like this made the show.

Interesting. I only know him from his Chopped appearances. His original Chopped episode was one of the most exciting ever, as it was the first time I could remember the judges being blown away by the skills of a cheftestant. Actually two cheftestants, along with Lance. My impression is that he hasn’t hooked onto a long-term gig; maybe what you’re sensing is the reason why. Also, I wonder why the other Chopped Grand Champions haven’t found more presence on the various channels: Danielle (impressive NY chef, can’t remember last name), Jin (handsome London guy, can’t remember last name), large, bald White chef with Jewish last name who seemed skilled and really nice too.

I know! Nancy Carroll. I was very disappointed she was given so little to do.

(Deleted because I basically said what Bastet did two posts above and I completely overlooked!!!)

IIRC, last season they constantly changed up the Randomizer. Cross your fingers!

I’m not a huge fan of Brooke’s personality, but I don’t dislike her at all. However, it seems that she is truly an extraordinary chef. My impression from having watched most seasons of Top Chef is that there are a few chefs who stood above the rest. The ones who spring to mind are M Voltaggio, Kevin the southern guy (on his original season, at least), Brooke, Kirstin and Paul (who so sadly turned out to be an awful person - or at least became one when his substance abuse issues took over.). These chefs seemed to have a fairly consistent ability to blow the judges away. There are probably others I’m forgetting. But Brooke seems to be truly an exceptional talent. Will I be rooting for her? Probably not. But I can’t believe how excited I am at the prospect of her going head-to-head with Antonia and/or Michael V. I can’t remember how the bracket stacks up. I must say I’m concerned that a former Chopped favorite, Madison, is likely going to be cannon fodder. Has he even been cooking anywhere? I’m rooting for him, but I have a feeling he will break my heart. Another favorite of mine is now Darnell. He seems delightful, and he is so adorable/sexy (my favorite combination with sexy!). I find it hard to believe he’s going to beat the stronger, motivated fine dining chefs, though. Did Simon explain why he thought he’d win?

You raise a great point: it would have been TOTALLY in character. But I don’t think the writers of a 30-minute sitcom would have wasted such a juicy plot-point. I would lay money that the possibility was discussed at the writers’ table, though.