Grommet

That was a wonderful interview. Thanks for the link! Now I want to move to Montana, even if it is too wide.

I totally agree on the inspiration stories - they just get ridiculous. My inspiration for baking is that I like to eat baked goods.

My DVR picked up a new episode on HGTV, young couple in south Dakota with 3 kids under 4 years old. Hated hated hated them. I hated the repeated use of the word "kiddos" and I hated that they didn't address the safety issue with the lofts. All because the chick didn't want to clean more than one bathroom.

Thanks, Kromm! I hate that CBS website, I can never find anything.

Was anyone able to watch the extended version of the credits? I tried Colbertlateshow.com or whatever it was Steven said but my anti-virus program had a heart attack so I stopped. And there's nothing on the CBS website that I could find. I watched most of last week's episodes over the weekend and I'm still finding the interviews to be very uneven. Some are great, but most are choppy and rushed and leave me feeling I've learned nothing about the guest. Most of the comedy bits fall flat for me, too. The only parts I consistently like are the desk segments so I pretty much skip everything else now. It's disappointing, but those desk segments are so good that I'll keep watching.

I like Maeve more and more. I laughed at her saying "and by huge I mean pleasantly nerve wracking." I like that she takes chances with her ingredients. Hailey seemed exhausted so she may be relieved to go home. She seems like a lovely woman and many of her desserts looked very tasty. I think the finale will be fun.

I enjoyed tonight's episode. I'm starting to like Maeve so I'm glad she won. And Haley's cookies looked delicious, with my kind of flavors. She should have had Erin help with construction, not filling!

I've never watched this before and stumbled on tonight's episode. I enjoyed it. The contestants and the judges were likable and the fast pace was fun.

I'm right there with you, Mumbles. I miss Dave's interviews. Colbert has been a disappointment in that regard.

This is a pale imitation of the British original, but it's entertaining enough - and nowhere near as annoying as the Holiday Baking thing on the Food Network (why am I watching that??). I do think it would be better if the bakers themselves were better. Kromm, that's an interesting point about Brits using comics as hosts while the US does not. I love Sue and Mel but I can't think of a US equivalent except maybe Amy Sedaris and someone (Dave!) but she's way too quirky, of course.

Oh good god. I don't watch any Top Chef shows (or any reality shows other than these baking shows) so I had never heard of him. His critiques are okay, with some useful information. And he seems to get along with Mary, so that's good enough for me. I didn't know about Paul Hollywood's backstory until after I watched seasons 4 and 5, so I'm going to stick with my original assessment of him. I'll admit that the accent helps.

I have a huge crush on Mary. She's just lovely. Should I know the other judge? He's okay but I actually prefer Paul Hollywood.

I missed Dave's Thanksgiving episodes. Christmas is going to be tough! I'll have to recite the Lone Ranger story myself.

I recently discovered the Great British Baking Show and binge watched the Season 5 eps on PBS (just the last 5, unfortunately) and then Season 4 on Netflix. Coming off that to this show was a shock. I had to FF over every bit with Bobby because he's so awful and I skipped over most of the contestants' personal stories because I just don't care. I'm not sure why GBBS is so much more compelling but I watched every minute and was never bored. This show seems short on enjoyable content and long on filler. I liked Padua and am sorry he's gone. Steve bugs, Haley looks like a scared bunny. Maeve is a bit too intense, the other woman (Melody?) is pretty bland, but Adalberto seems sweet and charming. And he seems like the best baker left, so I hope he wins.

Once again, I profess my love for Cecile Richards. I must disagree with Rachel about Ted Cruz, though. He's in an awkward position only vis a vis reality, where he does not live.

Debbie's "Never ask that again" response to the son asking what they were talking about was my favorite line of the episode. She's such a great character.

Ah, well, I'll admit that my exposure to British reality tv is this show, Hotel Inspector, and Life Laundry (the latter 2 from ages ago). Oh, and those ladies who helped people living in squalor. The US versions of all those shows were far inferior. I'm halfway through the season that's on Netflix. What is caster sugar??

I just found this show and watched the episodes still up on the PBS website. It's just fantastic. I was rooting for Kimberly but was okay with Frances winning. All the contestants seemed lovely, as did the hosts and judges. I hate American reality tv but the Brits do it right.

My DVR caught a couple of new episodes last night. One was a divorced father with joint custody of his 10 year old daughter. He was a kindergarten teacher so probably didn't make much and wanted no mortgage so they would have money to travel. He bought a horrible windowless shed. So annoying. His realtor pointed out that he could have used his "budget" as a down payment and gotten a small mortgage, so he could afford a decent house for his daughter, who seemed like a great kid. His "best friend" looked like she wanted to slap him. I know I did.

I miss the show so much. I like Stephen but it's not even close.

Is David Vitter the one whose wife stood by him in the skin tight leopard print dress? I loved that. But he needs to go away forever. So he'll probably win.

I now have a girl crush on Claire McCaskill. I liked her before but now I want to move to Missouri, even though I'm not sure I know where it is. Below Ohio? Or above Louisiana? I thought it was pronounced "best"iality but Google tells me Rachel was using the American pronunciation. Either way, no.

I agree about Brokaw.I enjoyed his appearances on Letterman when he talked about his vacations, but his political bias was increasingly evident. Rachel shouldn't let NBC force her to have him on.

I thought the same thing about Brokaw. His voice sounded rough. I wish Chris Christie would stop doing things that make me think he's not all bad. I know it's a trap!

Things like the First Responders bill always make me think of Jon saying "these fucking guys!" in abject frustration (said in another context, but it fits so many situations - unfortunately). And I just watched a 9/11 show that I taped on the anniversary and was reminded me of how many first responders there were amid all that chaos. I wasn't paying attention 100% to the story about the Hastert portrait. Did Rachel explain what the process was to get it taken down? I'm thinking a zillion people had to get involved. Another former head of the state legislature here (yay, NYS!) got convicted of paying off some crony and yet we still have a local stadium named after him.