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This is so confusing because Tim Gunn just instagrammed he and Heidi are casting for a fashion design show on Amazon. I think there’s room for 2 fashion design shows, bring it, but ish is gettin’ blurry.

Not much remorse. The closest he got was that he said he didn't intend to make her cry. I think Tim also asked if he had the chance to apologize and he said he didn't but Angela said he did have a chance right before the runway show. Not intending to make someone cry is the same as "i'm sorry you were offended" non-apology bs vs. a proper apology which is phrased as " i'm sorry i offended you". I liked Michaels more now 12 years later than I did when it aired. I think the white and animal prints are so not my style but now I can appreciate other styles better. What a lovely man he was though. So much trash talking from everyone else and he didn't go there.

Another marathon today on New Years Day. Thanks Bravo! I loved this season’s designers, even if some only nostalgically. I want to sew more this year so this is inspiring. This season was still in the still early days of competition reality and the “not here to make friends” ppl like Jeff weren’t characters yet. Like it wasn’t a strategy to get IG followers he was just an asshole.

The pretzel bread stuffing today looked really good. Love idea of bringing in beer and mustard, give it a bit of tang. I generally love all stuffing though. I'm not a traditionalist by any means but cake instead of pie at Thanksgiving? Wha? Not my first choice for the meal but could be fun for a Friendsgiving or make them into cupcakes for a potluck. (I don't want to get too off topic here but I accidentally watched some of the Martina's Table and saw some awful marshmallow/pimento cheese/pineapple thing and i feel a little ill because of it.) Those chocolate hazelnut donuts looked good. I have a donut pan too (I think, not sure where i put it) I'll have to try them.

The motel Carrie took Franny to looked familiar. I think that’s where Dana Brody worked for a while. Isn’t it? I know Locations are likely reused but I thought it was going to be a plot point . She drops off Franny with Dana-“here’s your half sister, later”

Wrong episode oops!

I was thinking the same thing, they reordered. Probs because FN felt a Cajun show had to have gumbo in the first episode. I get that, but now that it’s out of the way, I’m enjoying seeing foods I’m not as familiar with. I want to make that La Bouie pie. OMG.

Everything looked really good, especially the gumbo and salad. I like the trick of roasting the chicken first and using whole thighs. I also have never had the patience to get a roux to a chocolate brown I only have the patience for a medium caramel color but I’ll give it a shot next time using the hot oil trick. I would like to know what’s in their Cajun seasoning mix. I understand they might not want to share their secret but that seems to be a key to all their recipes. (I’ve been using Slap Yer Mama but if anyone has any other recommendations? ) I like both of them, she’s cool, he’s a little dorky. Would love to spend a day cooking with them in that amazing outdoor kitchen.

I've been mulling over the idea that this episode was exploitative of this group. For me, most of it was no, but there was a point that I felt yes. I felt a twinge in my stomach when they were at Bubby's parents house for dinner. The way that all went down didn't feel upfront. The mom wasn't the one who said/implied that barbecue sauce was homemade, it was Bubby & the dad - "straight homegrown, down old country cookin'" (Bubby to camera) "your mother in law made it" (to Taiya). So showing the empty bottles of sauce (Sweet Baby Ray's based on the bottle shape) behind them on the counter was kind of a dig at her expense but ultimately caused by the two men. They thought they were being complimentary but within the context of the show that scene was used in a sleazy way. The mom also said because Taiya is so picky she can (paraphrase) only serve certain things. So who even knows! Maybe when she's not cooking for all these picky eaters she'd like to eat a damn kale salad. I don't know. I just feel bad for the mom, I feel like she got dragged into this mess. I'm also fairly certain she fed the camera crew because that was a lot of chicken, 2 bottles of sauce and she used a disposable pan. Maybe she normally does make her own sauce but because she had company she took some short cuts. Point is I don't know. But it felt, unkind. Sorry i'm getting so detailed but it's the process of unpacking my feelings. If this episode was shorter (old format) we would never have had this scene. The show has always been based on judging others - whether its the bride directly or their big day vision. Literally that's the point of the show. But by adding all this extra backstory with the grooms and the family situations there's this whole other part now - we're not only judging the wedding but kind of judging the people, the family. We don't get enough information to have the whole story, but we get too much to not consider it. Add to this, the 4 friends set up. Before - they were all meeting new people - going to events where they didn't know anyone but the other brides. Basically new experiences, seeing lives outside of yourself. So we the viewers were and they were. That's why it worked. With the 4 friends it doesn't have that same balance somehow, because they already know each other and we don't get the other brides' 'objective' opinions like we did with the old format. Noticed on that menu "Sun-Dried Tomato and Feta Stuffed Chicken Breast Topped with a Tomato Alfredo Sauce". lol. BTW, Fun fact. In the US, Feta can be goat, sheep or cow milk (In Europe only sheep or goat - or a blend - is allowed cow milk is not allowed to be called feta in the EU). The ingredient label here will indicate which milk it is. Both President and Athenos have products that are labelled just "milk" and thus are cow milk (I can't say if all of theirs are). Trader Joe's has a few kinds of feta. Some sheep, some goat, some cow - you have to read the label. If the label doesn't say goat or sheep you can assume it's cow. Point being!!! If this caterer used a conventional brand of feta cheese, it might not even have been goat cheese.

Donald Keith eta: People who still have their fb posts/profiles set to public confuse me.

So many random thoughts.... The whole time i was just thinking to myself - sometimes stereotypes are true. Kentucky looked beautiful. (Landscape-wise) What was Rachel's fiance/husband's accent? It wasn't like the others. There were moments when it sounded like a country Jackie O with a bit of a speech impediment. I still don't really get what tractor pulling is. Is it based on weight length or speed, or all? I think it's fine to serve BBQ if that's what you like to eat, it's a really cost effective way to feed a crowd. But maybe expand your palette a little bit? And don't hate on others quite so hard. Did you get food poisoning? No. A 1 is uncalled for. That goat cheese chicken looked like maybe it had sundried tomatoes too? This is not a new or edgy flavor profile. They have both goat cheese and sundried tomatoes at Walmart. Taiya's maid of honor is an angel. But also a foot taller than her. That dress did not fit. Neither did her bra that she wore with the tank top. The winners - Chelsea & Klayton(?) are going to have to get passports in order to take their honeymoon. Curious what other venue options in that area are. For me it was the low class snobs but that's likely due to current events. Both were uncalled for. I got them. West Coaster/California here. It wasn't all his words but Bubby was captioned a few times.

What is it that bugs me about Colton?.... I feel like he has a strong sense of duty and obligation which can usually be good things. But with him, there’s nothing to support them. It’s not fake necessarily but it’s not true either. It’s weird to hear the word “competencies” in the context of this show. I feel like I’m at work. Jason.

LOL. I worked in an ice cream shop when I was younger and I always loved seeing what was popular and what people chose. Sorry, back to show...But being that it was her fiance's favorite she could've considered it! We also didn't find out what beer Kat/Dom chose. Forgot about that. Not that I actually care but to spend 3+ minutes on beer tasting and then not let us know what they chose bugs me, Storytelling 101. Oh and Dom looks like Jersey Shore's Vinnie to me so once I saw it I couldn't not see it.

I'm enjoying this show a lot. I've been following her on pinterest for her baking recipes/cakes for a while but didn't know that much about her (didn't read her blog) and I find her very down to earth and funny. Between the small but cute kitchen, her electric oven/stove and the big ol' Buick land boat - for now I am glad she's keeping this idealized view of farm life a little more real. It's not a direct Jewish connection but I think her hummus comes from recreating the dish she ate in her travels to Israel. Also the Challah. But I know what you mean. No one is immune from FN's "who are you in 1 sentence" intros. In the intro they're teasing images of dumplings so looking forward to seeing that when it airs eventually.

...And then they can give their spice rub to guests as a favor. I presume you were joking but it's actually not the worst idea. I've seen worse on this show. So glad for this board because I felt the same. Granted, Maggie seemed aloof too. Or medicated. I know TV sucks energy from people, you have to be more animated on tv to read as yourself, and maybe it was just that, but the vibe was odd with them. AND we didn't even get to hear what ice cream flavor they picked. AND what's wrong with cookie dough ice cream? It's delicious. Anyway, I liked her dress, but the bust needed to be fitted better. You could've taken in at least 2 inches so she wouldn't have been sloshing around so much. However! I didn't find it to be boho, but I think people use that word "boho" indiscriminately. Ashley's dress was my favorite. I don't normally like strapless but it was simple, light and seemed good for dancing. Agree that the new format overall is not working. 2 hours is way too long. I guess they're trying to have us get to know the couples. But you know what? I don't really care about the couples, I just want to see their weddings. Regarding the winners: With only 2 examples - this wedding winner, Kat, and that other random episode in January (?) "...and a Texas showdown" with the Art Museum bride - both did seem like the best of the bunch so maybe this knowing each other thing works to get at the best wedding but time will tell. As you all said, from a guests perspective a good wedding is pretty simple: good food & booze, and if I may add an obvious one - on time. What makes one great IMO is it has a comfortable setting that encourages guests to interact with each other (whether that's dancing, chatting whatever). Things like sand art (or whatever people call it) and personal vows are for the couple.

Yay Maddie! I told a friend (who judges me a bit for still watching this show) that I watch it for Maddie because she’s something special. I hope the deal turns out for her. Not always a blessing but I think it can work - She knows who she is. And that’s why she won. That’ll help. Cute that they’re dating.

Aaron posted the shortbread cookie recipe on his website . Going to try Making it tomorrow - it’s a rolled melt away cookie but Duff basically drooled over them so im in. http://manversuscake.com/recipe/melt-in-your-mouth-shortbreads/

I'm agree re: Jurnee. This may be simplistic but I think it's just maturity, more life experience etc.. I have to remind myself she's only19. She's certainly mature in some ways. Married. military spouse etc. But 19 is young. It'll come. Actually I think that it's there, depth, but the maturity comes in how to let it out. She's still very controlled. I just want to say how much I love Maddies voice. One week she's kinda Patsy Cline, the next kind of Angela McClusky (not familiar? Look her up!) But still very distinctly her. I'm happy with the Top 5.

I love that song. I’m familiar with the Alison Kraus version. Such a beautiful song. I want Cade to do either Let’s Go Fly a Kite from Mary Poppins or Bare Neccesities.

The judges comments about ‘america’ and how we voted are annoying. 1) There are 6 slots ‘we’ picked. 14 performed. That’s less than half, about 43%. So we didn’t choose more than we did. You know, Math. So it feels like a lot of people weren’t picked because they weren’t. 2) ...And we didn’t come up with this nutty structure so don’t blame us. 3) Song choice, song choice. And Hitting notes. I went into this wanting Michelle, Jurnee and Marcio to do great and their performances were off last night (or whenever they filmed it pre Coachella?) Glad Jurnee and Michelle were saved. Jurnee’s song tonight was more what I want from her. oops 14 performed. Fixed my math.

So funny! I know exactly what you mean. I’m watching for Maddie and Michael. They make me stop and listen. I haven’t expected or gotten that in a while from AI. I was really rooting for Marcio but bad song choice sung in a forgettable way is not gonna cut it. Barry Manilow? Really? I hope he has a support system. I worry about him.

I liked both rooms and felt that both Vern and Gen spent the 2k. Those were big rooms. I liked Gen’s a bit more but she’s always been my favorite. Vern’s was really great too, he’s so precise and thoughtful but his colors tend to be very cool (lots of silver) And I prefer warmer colors. This episode really highlighted for me what seasoned creative designers can do. When you compare these rooms with Hildi /Doug week 1 with small rooms, it doesn’t seem like the same amount of money at all. Doug’s wasn’t awful but if you told me that was 1k I’d believe it. And hildi? Any “luxe” she got from the fabric she ruined with the egg pull.

Omg Yes! More specifically her character Cookie Fleck from Best in Show.

Maybe they know something we don't about available real estate nearby and they're planning to go into the parking lot business too: Magnolia Parking. Each parking stall/slot looks like a horse stable but for your car ;)

Omg yes! I thought she looked familiar but didn’t bother to check. Awesome! I’m sure Tyra will take some credit.