phoenix780

Nope. Nope. Nope. I'll just say it, I think they were dismissive of Denali because of her heritage. They overlooked cultural references in her looks others would have been praised for. She doesn't fit with vh1. Just my opinion. Rose for the win. Or Symone. Or Utica. This season is so the opposite of last year. Oh well. At least this will be buried by an all stars and Australia soon.

All I know about Bob Ross is the phrase "happy little tree," which may or may not be accurate. So, I was expecting way more answers that were just painting demonstrations, direct to camera, with the words "happy little" before the answer. Perhaps a weird question, but is Snatch Game as a celebrity impersonation challenge still relevant? I'm not sure how we're supposed to gauge the accuracy of the impersonation. The old celebrities are, well, old, and either they've been done before ore who they really were has been forgotten, though memories of their characters remain (like Rue McClanahan- I have zero idea what she was really like but I know Blanche). Finding newer celebrities who aren't niche is difficult since we all live in our own little pocket universes. So, unless you know who they're doing, it's not really about impersonation skill anyway. (Plus, it's only a matter of time until we've canceled every famous person, leaving even fewer impersonation options.) Which I think means the whole challenge really is just 1) Make Ru laugh and 2) be witty. Why not test them at that in their drag personas? Arguably, that's what they'll need to be good at to succeed on the show and afterwards. I guess my point as I dodge work by thinking about tv is...drop the celebrity impersonation part, make this an earlier challenge with a multiple elimination off the back of it (if you can't pull this off...this is not your path to fame). Side note on the character thing- I'm glad BBC doesn't seem to have the same copyright issues, because someone did an impersonation of Kath ("Kath & Kim") that was amazing, and I don't remember it being labeled with the actor's name. We need to loosen up.

Gottmik earned that, from her first joke. I was surprised at how good this was, didn't expect that. Then in the preview there's Loni Love again, and I'm annoyed. I guess it's OK to be a racist jackhole about mixed race people. I know it's my issue, she triggers me, but...ugh. I'm glad Denali and Rose were in the top, and I was relieved to see Kandy not dominate. I think Elliott would have been smarter to play the Rue from Mama's Family, more ditzy not the iconic golden girl.

When I found out this was happening, I added a calendar reminder so I wouldn't forget. It's probably the first thing I'm excited to watch on CBS All Access, now Paramount +, and I wish they had more of what I consider the good seasons on demand. Heather B needs to have a talk show, or a podcast if she doesn't already. I've always loved her for the "they use what you gave 'em" line at the reunion with 3-4 Real World casts, and she was just awesome energy on this episode. I want her suitcase bar. As someone said upthread, I'm probably most interested to see Kevin and his interactions, though I hope we also get more general "this has been my life" moments. I need an escape from the real real world, with some meaningful conversation for flavor, not meaningful conversation with a hint of escapism. I also hope that it stays true to the spirit of the first season of the show, without a lot of the modern-day tricks reality producers have to incite drama and emotionally manipulate participants. I'm sure there was some of that the first time, but also they had a great cast. Hopefully they let the cast do the work. Also, I feel like Norm was probably one of the first gay people I saw on television. I didn't realize that until seeing him again. That's....crazy. There's probably something interesting in a comparison between him and Kevin, because I don't remember Norm talking about being gay that much, whereas Kevin was an activist talking about race. Which ultimately had more impact on people/pop culture, if either did?

I really liked this season, most of the cast, and the reunion. I felt like they generally communicate in a more coherent, respectful way than in the other cities, with the exception of Jen, and that was nice. Jen's default of implying others are racist bothers me, I think it undermines an important movement, but others have said that more eloquently than I could.Besides that, she reminds me of Tamara from OC, because she just seems desperate to be the star of the show and the one who brings things to air. And, like Tamara, she's unhinged in a way that's gets old fast. Who knows, maybe without that there'd have been nothing. Hell, she's half of what I'm commenting on. I'd still rather she not return. Heather is definitely feeling herself. I always watch episodes late so I missed discussions and had no idea how any of them were perceived. At least in her head she's the favorite, to me she was fine but not awesome enough to justify her level of smug at the reunion. I don't think season 2 will go well for her. In a way I wish this were a one and done. I want to keep liking them, not sure that'll happen if I keep seeing them on this kind of show.

Confession-I didn't realize Tina's character in the musical ish thing died. Totally didn't grasp that, I'm not the swiftest. I'm glad someone mentioned Anne Hathaway! I was surprised how much fun she was. Hopefully they'll do more like that.

Who could she possibly play? I know Ru likes when people lean into stereotypes, and Kandy gives that character, or she's edited that way, but...in an impersonation challenge what could she bring? By talking about her I'm part of the problem.

What in the actual fuck. I'm happy Denali and Rose got acknowledged but...I was so relieved Kandy was eliminated before I legit disliked her. Guess we know who's in the top for the season.

I feel like this season is more about the production and storyline than the contestants, maybe because I've been watching so many of those chats with former America's Next Top Model contestants, but also because I'm another one who can't understand the judging unless it's based on storyline. It sucks, because last season felt so...pure, to me, in terms of showcasing the talents of charismatic people. To me, they're trying to give Rose the Jan edit, which I was into initially but the more I see of Rose the more I like her. I think Denali is kind of being put in the same box, but with her I also have a non-evidenced-based feeling that it has to do with her ethnicity. She doesn't fit neatly into a box for the ethnic stereotypes generally featured in mainstream pop culture. Again, I have zero facts to back that up, it's just what my gut tells me. To be fair to production, Rose and Denali aren't giving a lot of drama. Maybe for "good TV" they need to be overlooked until they snap. Or, they needed to come in weaker so they could have a growth arc- winning these shows is usually about making the judges feel like they've made you better, and showing that to the audience. Hard to do with performers who come in as solid as them. With Kandy, I think they believe she's another polarizing Silky archetype. She totally is, as they're editing her, but since I didn't enjoy it the first time I'm just turning it off this time. I don't need to hear her opinion on literally every performance, and she was blown away the moment Seymone stepped into the scene. I still almost feel bad for her, because she's probably fun to watch in person. Uttica had to be in the bottom this week because the story was that you need to fight for what you want. Olivia did, she won. Uttica did not, she lost. With the bottom 2, I was genuinely surprised with Elliott. I don't think she was supposed to win- they even had her on the side of the stage where the loser generally stands. One day they should spin-off and do one-episode competitions between queens of different genres, because I'd love to see a fashion walk-off with Seymone vs. Gigi Goode vs. Aquaria vs. Raja.

I almost feel bad for Kandy, because the producers are playing her brilliantly by praising her just enough that her ego inflates, but not so much that she's actually winning. During the argument in Untucked, I wasn't sure she knew what "arrogant," meant, and she did my least favorite modern day trick where someone simultaneously denies being something while saying they'll keep being it. I think she's fine to keep around for now, but I hope she doesn't last to Top 4/5 without some kind of redemption arc. Overall, I enjoyed the episode. Feels like we've seen a lot of looks already this season, I wonder if that will keep going and whether it will impact anyone who may not have brought enough stuff. I'm with those who thought Utica should have won because making sleeping bags look like something other than a bunch of sleeping bags is a cool trick, but I'm not mad at Gottmik taking it. I was more bothered that Denali wasn't in the top, but I'm already stanning her (ice skates, her YouTube videos, that lip sync last week, her looks...love it all). I was super disappointed to see in the preview that

I may be an episode behind. The drama with Asia has shifted my opinion of the most if them. How hard is it to grasp that different people communicate differently? Asia should talk to them, eventually, but why on their schedule, the way they demand? The only on stage impact Derrick could come up with was that Asia wasn't watching her and smiling, which...seems like not a real thing. Whatever. If this is all semi scripted or amped up for TV, they cast the wrong people to pull it off. It's not even a good commercial for the Vegas show. I feel like there are so many easy ways to crank out content for this show, and while I'm hopeful that when they get to quarantine it'll be more interesting, so far I'm wishing I skipped this.

I think this was a good first season with a very solid cast. It was also, for me, marred by bad judging, and a winner I don't think deserved to have been in top three, or to have won once she was there. Aside from her fabric choice, I thought Priyanka's performances were the least memorable of the three. I also have a problem with the winner not being out to their family. It's absolutely her personal choice and I respect it in the real world. It makes me uncomfortable, for lack of a better word, in this context. Besides that, I didn't find her to be that genuine. She yelled a lot when delivering interviews, she was production's helper, especially the last episode, in getting certain things on camera. That's all I got from her, really. I'd see her in a club and probably love the performance, I'm just not into her as the winner of a season with Rita, Jimbo, and Lemon, who I think all showed more creativity, range, and star power. Though I don't think she should have been top 3 either, I thought Scarlet took the finale. Did she ever give Jimbo credit for helping with the cape? That said, I think I get Canada's version of the show now and will be better prepared for next season. I think it's more weight on the runway, but not with the insane creativity and skill of Thailand or the expensive polish and padding of the US. And, the judges are the villains, so I shouldn't get too into any of the contestants, or take what I think are bad eliminations out on those who remain.

I'm ready for the inevitable Shea vs. Sasha battle to just happen already. I don't think Shea is particularly overconfident, but I also feel like this is her season to lose so if she's assuming it is, I'd agree. I found her snatch game to be uncomfortable, because I tend to feel like Flava Flav is a character based on a bundle of old stereotypes that need to be retired. A good impression, of something I don't enjoy, I think Shea could have brought something better. And, I thought Juju edged her out. As to the drama, I believed India, and it doesn't make me think less of Alexis. It's a game, the producers made it Survivor, plotting is how it works. India held back the reveal until she needed it, also a fine play, I think, in this game.

I appreciate the storytelling on this episode. Juxstaposing the reveal of Teresa's role in the ponytail incident with a showcase of the aftermath of Joe's crimes neatly suggests that maybe she had more to do there as well. She's the one in the background, encouraging people to follow their worst instincts. Doesn't excuse either Joe or Danielle, but she's no innocent victim. That's what I think they were communicating with the story, anyway, but I like pretending Housewives is Shakespeare. Makes me feel better about my entertainment choices.

I like Victoria. I didn't enjoy her when she had her tantrum, I fully recognize that she makes the same thing repeatedly, but overall I feel she's harmless, I'm usually entertained, and I think there's a client for her one look. The one I need gone is Sergio. I react badly to people with his combination of arrogance, actual ignorance, and feigned ignorance (like when he said he didn't know he made the Celine Dion tuxedo). Idiots who preach the way he does...not fun for me. The dresses this episode were fine, but then I started thinking...weren't they given a lot of money at Mood, like $400? None of them really looked expensive to me, except for Nancy's. Someone should have gone home. I love that the "real women" challenges no longer come with any whining from designers. They might mention that certain things about the body are challenging, but it's not a huge part of the show like it was in the past.

I agreed with almost nothing that happened. Britney and Delvin in the back-- thought they were spot on. Nancy's dress was cool. Other than that? This felt like a Lifetime version of the show. Disappointing.

I think it was as a friend that Luann had a naked man in her bed on vacation, and she gave us the "don't be all, like uncool" line. I'll be (pleasantly) surprised if Tamra doesn't return at some point. They want to boost ratings on what's not just an aging franchise but a tired genre. I don't know if you can even find fresh-seeming reality show people anymore. As viewers we all know the schtick, the participants do, too. Point is, it'll take a lot to boost ratings with someone new, so I expect someone old to come back in a future attempt to keep this thing going. It's too bad they haven't followed what MTV did as Road Rules and Real World died, and consolidated their better characters into one show. Tamra vs. Nene or Kenya, with Ramona, Teresa, and some random one from Dallas or Potomac or Miami? I'd watch that. Or, I would have a couple years back, before these shows got weirdly dark.

I have to give her credit for sticking around so long without ever being the primary villain. I'm mildly curious what it'll be like without her, because she was pretty decent about making story happen. Like when she pretended to be friends with Gretchen for part of a season to prevent their feud from getting too stale, or when she helped create the Shannon-is-crazy story Shannon's first year. Anyone else think she and Vicki will shop a spinoff of sorts? For some reason I imagine them doing a "Simple Life" kind of thing. Or at least trying to sell that.

The guest judge was like an SNL character from the late 90's, and also really authentic. I'm conflicted. I'm in no way qualified to judge Sergio for possible cognitive or social issues. I don't know him as a person. I can only say that as a villain on a reality show he's pretty perfect, because he delivers arrogance really well. Last week he wouldn't even talk to Christian about his design because Christian wasn't Latino and therefore wouldn't understand it until it was more complete. This week he's representing the journey of a transgender person, which as far as I know he is not. That's amazing to me, that he can do that without flinching (until he wasn't praised). I really like Delvin, he's coming off as really...layered, and I'm into it. I clearly know nothing of fashion because I thought his look was just fine. Dayoung. Her mother asked about her health which makes me wonder if there's something up, sometimes it seems like she may not just be eating properly. I have no idea what's happening, but I love the way the others are reacting to it. I don't know if I'd be that patient and helpful in this setting. I still enjoy Victoria. We'll see how much longer that lasts.

I feel like Sergio's dress reflects something interesting in contemporary culture because I think you're absolutely right about how that conversation would go if someone wore it. To me, it's almost...the fashion equivalent of a retweet. Minimal effort, and the real goal is showing someone that you care about something, not actually engaging with that topic. Like, you buy the dress so someone can ask you about the writing on it and you can take 20 seconds to show that you care about something important by telling them the one or two names you remember and a quick "so sad" version of what happened to them. I kind of feel bad for him though, because I didn't think his tears on the runway were fake. I don't know if he's capable of what he wants to do, with the political commentary aspect of his work. I think he's too self-focused- the whole thing with Christian not being Latino and therefore not being able to understand until the design was closer to completion was insane to me. If you're trying to communicate a message about your community, why not get feedback from someone outside of it to see if your message is being received? I can agree that Victoria is riding along because of her character and sewing skills as much as her designs, and I'm also strangely OK with it. It's early enough that I don't feel like anyone else is being cheated, and, if I'm honest, I'm kind of mesmerized by the amazing hair, accent, and the way she seems to me like she's from another time. I'm also mesmerized by Nancy. I find her inspiring, and it's not just her age. She's one of the first reality TV contestants in a while that I just flat-out like.

I really wish at least one contestant had a more pleasant, less somber personal connection to Cyndi Lauper. I appreciate Geoffrey's story, I identify with it, and I also wish an episode about 80's fashion had a little more fun and joyfulness in it, as though there's a freedom in the kind of self-expression they said her style represented. Sergio is a pretty decent villain, I fully expect him to last until Top 3 or 4. I'm fascinated that he stood up on stage and declared that his fashion aesthetic is whatever people pay for. He has the kind of arrogance that makes me wonder if he's bankrolled by someone, and an insincerity that makes me conclude he's a conman. Delvin reminds me of the season 2 winner of RuPaul's Drag Race: extremely capable, not super engaging. Because he reminds me of a reality show winner, I'm assuming he'll win this one, too.

I fully enjoyed the season. I didn't see it as two disconnected stories, but maybe I'm not being critical enough because I liked the pacing, the writing, and I think the acting was brilliant throughout (especially the girl who played young Annie a couple episodes back). It entertained me so much, I'm probably not going to see flaws. Have they announced another season? It's not a show I'd want to see drag on forever, but I'm curious where they go next.

Tim Robbins has been my least favorite part of the show only because of his fame level and how that's pulled me out of the story at times, but he really is a great actor. That last scene between Pop and the doctor...brutal. All the other tension and violence, and that's the scene that I remember most. I'm not sure how I want this to end, assuming next week is the finale. They've managed to get me to care about these characters, so I want happy endings. I also know that happy endings wouldn't fit. I want answers too, about the "angel" and why some didn't hear the sound. But, I also want more story around these things without knowing exactly what's going on. I very much appreciated and enjoyed the scene with Annie and the guy tied to the bed. Great reference to how I know the character from before, but without feeling cheesy or overemphasizing the reference.

I'll give it to them--I keep thinking about the finale. How did Brooke know that Jingles went to Alaska and had a kid? As far as Ramirez and the hotel, wasn't there something in the first season about ghosts getting to go anywhere on Halloween, and he was in hotel for that Halloween party with the other killers? So...maybe there's one night he gets away? If this was rewritten halfway through airing, to the extent of swapping out actors, I'm really curious what the original plan was. Hopefully that gets out some day, in a way I notice.

Didn't they also give Emma Roberts more exaggerated lines around her mouth? They stood out to me, for some reason. The whole explicit final girl conversation that kept happening- was that term an 80s thing? I thought it was from the 90s, coming from studies of the horror movies from the late 70s/80s, popularized because we don't just enjoy stuff anymore we dissect it.