EllenB

I kinda loved Tanner's snark on Krystaaaal.

These are some rough-ass looking ninth graders at whatever summer camp show this is. Wait, wait -- they're adults? Shoot me now.

This was a sad splat-fest for so many of my old favorites. I almost fell off my chair when Joe M. fell, and I actually teared up a little watching how devastated he was.

I could feel some of my brain cells fizzing out and committing suicide while Chris and Jordan were talking. That's more stupidity than I can take. Why would any woman be attracted to Chris? He's dumb and ugly and lacks any charm.

The taco truck toys were cute, but the actual truck, while built well enough, looked so sloppy. The geometric one looked very professional and was different and interesting. Wish I'd kept a blouse I wore in 1964, because it was identical to the one Amy had on.

She's a pretty vocal Hillary supporter, and also at least some liberal issues, so the "viewpoint mirrors hers" isn't true beyond any percieved ego issues.

I REALLY hate the reenacted sappy back stories, when it's obvious whover was at death's door a few years ago wasn't filmed in their hospital bed at the time.

Of course there's a judge with a British accent. Of course. There must be a law making that mandatory. The filler bits were fun but took a lot of time away from the projects. I can't tell if this is a legit competition or a scripted spoof.

Are they going to Virginia to have another sledgehammer date at Arie's fiancee's house? Damn, that blond was so boring, I've forgotten her name. There is beautiful scenery in the Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge area of Virginia, and wonderful historic sites all over the state, but those are the kind of places Hubby and I go on road trips, not what I think of as TV-level glitz resorts.

I'm well over 60 and I can't think of any singer who sucks more than Wayne Newton. Ugh.

Alyssa!! Three women finishers! This may be more excitement than I can take!

There's a new Mighty Casey and it's not spelled with a K!! And go Michelle!! I fell in love with Drew a little when he moved closer to coach Casey on her final wall attempt.

Yeah Flex! Caldero looked really young without the facial hair. And the comment about joining a country club almost made him lose concentration, but it was funny - as was his reaction. I blinked and missed Brian Arnold.

If they can keep calling the Catanzaro "Mighty Kacy" years after being a first, they should DEFINITELY give Geoff more credit for his first. Heck, I still think of Roger Bannister as breaking the 4-minute mile, although others have beat his time since, just because he was first.

Jessie! Jessie! Jessie!

I can't believe Drew missed on the big wall, but this season has seen some other stars crash and burn, too. This looks like a fun course tonight, hard but not as painful as some other cities.

Garrett's an adult, not some kid straight off an isolated farm with no world experience. I refuse to give him a pass on his behavior, it smacks too much of "I'm sure there were good people on both sides" to defend him.

Nah. Corrine seems to like sex for herself and her partner of the moment. Jordan would probably have sex with a woman, then grab a mirror and ask his reflection "Was it good for you?" He reminds me of a live-action version of the conceited Prince Charming in Shrek 2.

Yeah, it seems like David Campbell should get his full run shown, he was one of the stars for so many seasons. And what has poor Nicholas Coolridge done to get shorted AGAIN? Glad Grant made it to the next round; in spite of his sad backstory, I watch him for the sheer joy he displays. This season's qualifier feels like previous years' city finals courses with all the upper-body challenges.

There are still waaay too many square-jawed, stiff-haired meatheads for me to tell them apart. It makes me like Leo just for looking different - and he's kind of funny, too. Was Blake the guy on the smash & dine date? He seems decent, but that Whack-an-Ex part may have put him in the friend zone, since it was about Ari instead of him, like something you'd do with a chick pal.

I love Jon Stewart, but having just watched the rerun tonight, all I could think about was his hair. Is he coloring it now? It looked so fake, I thought there were going to be streaks of color running down his face. And the schmucky backstories seem to be an NBC thing. It gets really bad during the Olympics, "Joe Blow had a hangnail when he was seven, but he has courageously overcome this debilitating disease and with hard work and the support of his church and family, he is here today competing not just in his sport, but for the hearts he has touched with his bravery in the face of adversity." Cue shot of Joe Blow on his knees, with rapturous expression and a halo, while inspirational music plays. Blech.

I wonder if the adult kids have all built on the same property. I had some distant cousins who did that, and also knew another family that all built near the parents' house. Urgh, that church he's with is all raptury. Maybe they're not allowed to leave the nest in case one of them escapes.

Yay for Jon Stewart! Also for Quest and the 39-year-old woman, both very impressive. I wish there had been a more even mix of known course veterans and rookies; seems like this was about 75% rookies. I enjoy them, but I want to see my old favorites, too. Boo on all the ooey gooey backstories. They don't tug my heart, but activate my gag reflex. Go AWAY, Kacy. And the new look with all that make-up was kind of creepy. But I still get fangirl goosebumps when this show is on. ❤

I just looked at the guys' pictures. Did they all go to the same dentist and stylist? So many of them are really interchangeable. And very few to my taste, sadly. Even cute Joe.