LoveIsJoy

@CrazyInAlabama thanks for the recap. My Hulu recordings always cut off the final 30 seconds of the show so I never know the full outcome. I was confused by the layout. If they have 2 primary suites with bathrooms attached to each, then which bathroom do the other 2 bedrooms use? Heather’s mom urged them to make the upstairs a full suite, because creating a 5th bedroom would mean the primary bath would have to be shared with the 5th bedroom occupant. But isn’t that the case with the primary suite downstairs sharing a bath with 2 bedrooms? Or was there a 3rd bathroom that I just don’t remember?

This show reminds me of “House Hunters.” For those not familiar, viewers were led to believe that buyers were shown 3 houses, weighed the pros and cons of each, and chose one to buy at the end. Several years in, it came out in the media that the show was pretty much fabricated. The “potential buyers” had already chosen and were under contract for their home. The other 2 homes they toured were decoys not even in consideration. Still enjoyable to watch even knowing the truth, but not exactly reality. I think that’s why I watch this show with a jaundiced eye. I don’t quite believe much of anything we see is truly as presented (exhibit A - Natasha exclaims about burned bake yet opens oven door and removes pan with bare hands). There are other questionable things I’ve noticed, but overall I still enjoy the show and figure any of the finalists are deserving of the win. I just take it all with a grain of salt (pun intended) 😆

I got the biggest unintended chuckle watching the obviously staged “mishap” with Natasha. I can’t remember which bake it was, but one of the guys yelled out that he smelled something burning. Turned out to be in Natasha’s oven. She opened the oven door, exclaimed that her bake had burned, and pulled out the pan with BARE HANDS! 🤣 No oven mitts seen anywhere. Natasha then plopped the pan on the counter, confirmed it was burned and said she’d have to remake it. I am suspicious that much of this show is staged. I’m not even convinced that the final gingerbread houses were distributed randomly. I had a strong hunch that Steven (Stephen?) was going to win based on the editing. Then when he got the easiest house to construct, I was certain of it. I didn’t have a favorite finalist so I’m okay with his win.

Thanks for the details @KeithJ. I’m curious as to how much she’s paying in holding costs while she’s waiting for the perfect offer. Even if she manages to sell at her desired price, it seems to me that the profit will be offset by the total amount she’s had to pay each month it hasn’t sold. But then I’m not a realtor or a “bad-ass” designer/flipper/renovator like Allison, so what do I know.🤷🏽‍♀️

Unless I missed it, was there any explanation or resolution about the Atlanta deal falling through at the last minute? It seems one segment she was upset with the agent on the phone call, and then it went to commercial. After the commercial, it seems that we were back watching the progress of the house. Maybe I zoned out, because I don’t remember an explanation about the Atlanta bombshell. Especially since earlier in the show she had decided to move forward with buying the million dollar condo she wants to flip. I assumed using proceeds from the Atlanta sale was practically a done deal. I did feel sorry for the problems the family encountered for their dream home. I sometimes like Allison’s designs, but the result turned out so been-there bland IMO. I suppose there really wasn’t enough money left for the design budget. And I thought the shower tile in the kids’ bathroom was strange. Looked to me like a bit of dark herringbone tile randomly placed on the shower wall amidst the white subway tile. I thought it looked odd.

I watch on Hulu, but haven’t seen it yet. Was curious if it would ever be shown. Maybe it’ll show up sometime.

This show makes me mental sometimes. Even though Alyssa (IMO) has always shown herself to be a true conservative (total opposite of my thinking), I did always like her even when I rarely agreed with her. I’d never forgotten that she worked for Trump/Pence and that she was estranged from some family and friends for resigning and testifying against Trump. Maybe they’ve all forgiven her now. And there were 3 to 4 other hosts to effectively rebut her. To which I give Ana, Sunny, and Whoopi props👏🏽 for doing just that on numerous occasions. They spent the whole political season supporting, first Biden, and then Harris. The show gave numerous friendly interviews with vocal Harris supporters and Biden, and even Harris herself. Alyssa’s conservatism was basically swatted like a gnat unless she was in agreement with the rest of the table. Often by Whoopi who got the last word before throwing to commercial. Conversely, I agree with Ana much of the time, but I don’t like her personality at all. She seems like the popular mean-girl type. Ana identifies as R, but shows pics of herself beaming at Biden and was on the same page as Never Trumpers. I still find her personality unlikable. I feel most sorry for Sunny. I know she gets a bad rap by some for always bringing up race, but that is her perspective as a WOC. It had to be so painful to hear the other side demeaning Puerto Ricans (her ethnicity) and Haitians (her husband’s ethnicity) “eating pets” while half of Americans shrugged. In addition to her being a former prosecutor and watching this indicted felon get away with countless serious crimes because, you know, the price of eggs and kitchen table issues. To me, the problem isn’t Alyssa. She actually serves a purpose for what the show has become. The real problem is that millions of voters didn’t find his actions disqualifying. And the show was weighted heavily in Harris’ favor. I’m taking a little break from the news because it’s so depressing now. But I’m not in the mood for popcorn or waiting to see what happens. Sadly, I think I already know.

I always have a hunch that there is prior approval given when these shows decide to craft a personalized “surprise” featuring the homeowner’s personal possessions. And it was no surprise to me that the couple wasn’t looking for a smaller house. I figured they just wanted a renovation to their property. I agree, Bob didn’t seem very impressed with the reveal. It was better than the before (anything would’ve been better than that carpet and igloo shower in the bathroom), but I wasn’t that impressed either, tbh.

I guess I’m in the minority (or also naive…heh), but I took it to mean the opposite. That the consequence of voting for Harris (who lost) means you end up with Trump (who won) and his appointments. All the pundits have been saying “elections have consequences” and I think the phrase may not have come out as she intended. I do think she is a Pollyanna type, maybe a little right-leaning, but I don’t see her as outright lying for months about her vote. I do find her sincere, whether I agree with her or not. Actually, AFAIK no panelist was required to divulge who they voted for, so I I don’t have any real feelings about who voted for whom. Alyssa said she voted for Harris, and then Republican down ballot. If she did, okay; if she didn’t, fine by me. She’s always been a conservative so it wouldn’t surprise me either way. Her personality is just generally likable, unlike an Ann Coulter or Megan McCain type. I bet there are a lot of likable people who voted for Trump.

Can someone explain the purpose of the black gloves that (some) of the bakers (sometimes) wear? Since watching these baking shows I’ve noticed that some wear them when they’re kneading or handling dough. Others don’t wear them at all. I even spotted one baker who just had a glove on one hand. I’m guessing it’s personal preference, but are they meant to keep your hands warm, are they massage gloves for repetitive motions, do they help keep dough from sticking to your fingers, used for sanitary purposes, or something else? Just a question I had as a non-baker. Thanks.

Can anyone explain to me who exactly is Billie? I must have missed (or more likely, forgotten) what her role/title is. For the longest time I thought she was the VP (until Allison Janney showed up)! Also, what Billie’s connection to Stuart? I seem to remember a conversation or two where Billie seemed to be more personally concerned about Stuart than she would for a colleague. I got the impression they were closer in some way. Maybe not, just curious if anyone knows. Thanks.

This may be an unpopular opinion, but I’m beginning to tire of this show. The so-called “spooky” desserts looked more like messy blobs of green, red, and black with amateurish decorations sloppily sculpted and plopped on top. They simply don’t have enough time to create anything worth watching. Since I can’t taste anything, I rely on the appearance to help make sense of the competition. The other problematic issue for me, is the description and pictures of each contestant’s dish. There’s always a long list of ingredients that rolls off the tongue—“I’m making an almond.flour.swiss.roll.with.a.layer.of.chopped.pineapple-bourbon-flambééd.banana.and.a.layer.of.feuilletine.and.pistachio crumble.for.crunch.covered.with.an.espresso-chocolate.mirror.glaze [breath] served.with.a.dollop.of.marscarpone.mixed.with.red-chili.ice.cream.that.needs.to.blast.chill.to.set.in.time.” (of course it won’t). Then they each explain their decorations that consist of mostly inedible blobs that vaguely resemble body parts scattered across the dessert. I can barely keep up and I really don’t know what they’re trying to make because it rarely looks like the picture they flashed for half a second. And I really doubt they are making up these desserts on the spot. It’s too convenient that they have every ingredient available, no matter how obscure. Looking forward to the holiday baking shows. At least they’re pretty to look at.

I’m watching. Mostly for Retta and her reactions. I do have to wonder why anyone would buy some of these houses. Most need a lot more work than just an Allison makeover.

IIRC, Hildie was responsible for the flowers and hay on the walls. Genevieve had the bright idea of moss on the walls and stone pavers on the bedroom floor. Trading Spaces was appointment tv for me back in the day. 😆

Minnie Driver!! That’s who she is! I had been wracking my brain trying to place the actress since she first appeared onscreen. I kept thinking, “boy, she looks familiar,” but I honestly didn’t recognize her and never bothered to look it up. That’s so funny to me. Either the makeup and acting is really good or I’m just getting old.