LBS

When the camera had that shot of her and the clue, my husband and I (both mid-40s) yelled out ‘Boobs’ at the same time which completely debunked the theory that with age comes maturity. 🤣 This episode was kind of let down from last week but you can’t win them all (except if you are Arun and Natalia who seemingly have the Race gods on their side). ETA: I hope I didn’t come across as being objectifying or disparaging of Raquel’s body. It was just a funny reaction that we had at the same time. I didn’t even notice the rest of the episode.

I was cracking up at Rachel (I think. A blonde anyways) was struggling to think of nice things to tell Clayton after the roast: ”I like your smile” ”Um… I like the dimple when you smile” Me:

My favorite part was when the FA were spoofing R&D taking off all their gear to go bear chested and the Amazing Greeter did too and then they both caught each eyes and laughed. I thought this was a great episode all in all. I didn’t mind Akbar and Sheri even with the bickering but they got eliminated at the right time. They just weren’t up to it on a cardio level. I flip flop on who I want to win. When Arun yelled ‘I’m having so much fun’ after zip-lining, my heart melted a bit. All the remaining teams have so much enthusiasm that I’m torn. So I’m just team #gladtheraceisback

I know this is a little thing to nitpick when there are so many more flaws (I.e pulling Mark out of the school instead of, I don’t know, focusing on why he turned to drugs as the best solution in the first place) but when Neville causally mentioned they were going to the ‘Michigan dunes’ to hike, I screamed. I hate when writers lump all of the Midwest states together and are too lazy to actually consult a map. The show has established that Lanford is an hour outside of Chicago. Since they’ve mentioned going past Joliet before, it’s south of Chicago. So taking a day trip to the Michigan dunes is at best with no traffic 2.5 hours one way. It’s not a ‘let’s go for a mid-day hike’ kind of a trip. If the show wants to establish local flavor they could of gone with Starved Rock State Park or even just said the forest preserves. Plus it’s winter! While the dunes are still open, they are on Lake Michigan. Not the best time to be hiking on sand dunes! Ugh. Sorry for the stupid geographical inaccuracies rant. It is just a pet peeve of mine. 😆

I feel as if I’m watching a parody of the show. Like the SNL skit @Amy Beth posted was real. Maybe I forgot how bad the Bachelor is after two seasons of reasonably sane people but my god….. Cassidy and Shanae have to be in on the game. The “villain” tropes they are acting out are too on the nose. It’s cringey. Also the screeching from all the women when Jesse Palmer/Clayton/the ghost of Chris Harrison enters the room makes me think of a puppy pen in an animal shelter. So loud and high-pitched. Other things that annoyed: 1. Does Clayton want a wife or a Handmaid? We get it. You want kids. That’s the arc this year but maybe tone that down a bit because a woman is more than her baby making parts. Which leads to: 2. “This is Hilary Duff. Famous actress, singer, producer but most importantly a mother”. WTF show. I almost threw my remote at the TV 3. Why oh why is the hoodie under a blazer a thing? The women are dressed to the nines and he looks like a kid who grudgingly compromised with his parents to wear something nice to his grandparents retirement party. Ugh. Stupid show. Off to listen to podcasts and seethe because I just can’t quit it.

Are they on-site like alternate jurors? I can understand if someone backed out or got COVID a day or more beforehand to call in the reserves. But this was 5 hours before the limo entrances. The extra was already on site with her evening gown and luggage ready to swoop in? The dramatic moment of turning down a first rose offered before the show even started is dramatic enough to be the Why. Reality Steve said it was actually 3-4 days before. But regardless, so manufactured to create drama. Also Clayton you don’t have to do exactly what the producers say. Like don’t eat the yellow snow in Iceland just because they say so.

I would like recognition for not throwing my remote at the tv when the 33 year old called herself a ‘cougar’ and the stupid show made sure they highlighted her age.

I watched a lot of comedy specials during the pandemic and IMO the style they were going for was very reminiscent of Tig Notaro , Daniel Sloss, and Hannah Gadsby. All their specials I laughed and cried through. I found Che’s snippet to be funny and poignant. I guess I’m a huge unpopular opinion but I like the episodes so far. I definitely don’t feel like they are too woke. People grow up. Attitudes change. Obviously your miles may vary.

Super cute episode. I didn’t realize I missed it so much!

To be fair - nothing on the MTA is spontaneous. Tayshia knew that was coming to segue awkwardly into the Rodney section. I felt bad for both of them. They don’t have enough clout yet with producers to say no. The whole MTA was the worst producer contrived show in a long time starting with the fake fight/making up between Will and Peter. The only thing that felt real was Olu defending himself and Michelle talking to the men.

I loved how Amanda was like “no sh^t, I’m playing a selfish game” to Devin who was playing his own selfish game to get her to not infiltrate his team. It’s a million dollars at stake. Good for her for not backing down. Women are usually conditioned to take one for the team whereas men are usually congratulated for playing alone and sticking up for themselves.

If anything reality steves site has gotten worse with the pop ups- im not abtechnical person but its really annoying - is it so he can make money by running a ton od ads? I just cant look at it anymore . I don’t get why his site is so bad still. It’s still straight out of the early 2000’s interface. And he gets really defensive when people ask him about it. I have no idea how much he makes on ads but I do know that if an ad pops up and causes his page to freeze , I don’t go back to read it again so it’s not effective. Plus he posts most of the spoilers on Twitter and Instagram so it’s kind of a moot point to actually read it.

@alexa I haven’t seen anything but I’m in your camp!

The fight between Will and Peter seemed so fake to me. Peter didn’t seem actually mad in the classroom but rather like a bad actor trying to look mad. (Look at me! I’m acccttttiiiinnnngg). Will also kept on looking directly at the camera. I can’t wait for Peter to leave. I also think that Jamie wanted to be kicked out and that’s why he started the rumor mill conflict.

I got distracted a bit and I thought I heard Iman was dancing to “Up”. The mental gymnastics I went through to justify that to the theme rivaled their choreography! All in all, this has been a great season so far. Everyone is dancing like they want to be there and not just for a paycheck. I’m having trouble articulating because it’s a feeling not a fact but it just looks fun in the studio again. Last season I felt some of the contestants couldn’t wait to be eliminated. This year feels different. My favorite dances last night were JoJo, the Miz, Iman, and Jimmie. My least were Amanda and Cody but honestly they were still good! It’s going to be hard watching the eliminations from now on because I’m invested in them all. Even Olivia. I’m getting soft.

Nayte is the winner and I believe Joe is runner up. He wasn’t entirely sure

Ed is on Bananas podcast this week and it’s pretty interesting. He comes off extremely likable and smart. Two points he made that pertains to this episode: 1. He didn’t think Kyle should of been DQ’d and 2. Editing made it look like he knew it was going to be the pole challenge before he picked Kyle but actually TJ announced it after the pick. He also said if he gets to come back, he’ll be not so much the nice guy.

Freya will use the non-vegan ingredients in the technicals only. I think because it makes the playing field even. I’m intrigued by her vegan bakes and was surprised that her tofu chocolate set so hard since I’ve had that before and it was silky. Oh Juergen - you keep making me love you more……

My favorite moment was when Amanda said her showstopper looked like one of her crime scenes. My guilty pleasure are British* police procedurals so I have a soft spot for her although I think she’s the next to go. *British, Scottish, Swedish, Norwegian, Irish. Hit me up if you want fun, quick books recs to read that are usually free/under $5 on Prime unlimited. I dove deep in that genre since I couldn’t travel these past 18 months.

I hope they put Matt and Jonathan in the same TOC game so Matt can beat him because I am a petty person. 😂 Despite her slowness, I really wanted Connie to win. I liked her steadiness. I ran the book category and the movie category but could not figure out FJ. I also said Jungle Book.

Because her son can do no wrong in her eyes. I pity the woman who ends up with him. 😀

I actually wonder if he has the Bachelor Nation support. A lot of that fan base blamed his season for Chris Harrison being ‘cancelled’. It’ll be interesting to see. Personally my favorite male dancer is The Miz and I hope he goes far. He brings such energy and commitment to learning. BAG is my least favorite male dancer because he does the exact opposite. I really loved Melora’s dance yesterday although I thought it was overscored. All in all, I don’t have a dancer that I want to leave yet even Olivia as she is dancing well.

I think the ratings were low because it was 3 hours long. I’m not sure how they get the ratings now but I know I DVR’d it and split it because it was too tedious to watch at once. For the couples who last I think it’ll be Mari and Kenny and Riley and Maurissa with an extra nod to R/M. Both Mari and Maurissa are moving to Chicago*/NYC soon. Serena and Joe are going to split time which to me seems like a retreading of his last relationship obstacle. I also think R/M actually had some serious and productive talks on and off camera. They seem to be in sync like Jade and Tanner. I also think they both are fine riding out their 15 mins of fame and then fading back to normal. Their social media presence is light even with being on the show so it seems like they actually did it for the right reasons (right reasons). I also spent way too much of my morning thinking of this. Procrastinating is fun! *Palos Hills, IL not Chicago. As a true Chicagoan if you live an hour outside of the city and have your own mayor, you don’t get to call Chicago home. (I know it’s easier to say to say Chicago as people know that but crabby)

I so wanted Cory to leave especially after his post show rant that he can’t go to the reunion because he’s not vaccinated. I hope he goes next. And he had me root for Ashley since he nothing concrete against her. Ughhhhh

Me: ugh 3 hours of this BS. How am I only an hour in?? also me: