Lois Sandborne

Aw, I think Dan deserved his win this week. Once you cancel out the technical, which was a hilarious travesty in general, his signature and showstopper were both very highly rated. A green curry creme caramel sounded odd, but it must've been delicious. And I loved his blue dot bombe. Even though that whole challenge was a bit odd. Between that and next week's showstopper it looks like the construction projects are making a comeback. They really focused on Cristy being in danger, but I thought Matty could've easily been on the chopping block. Either way though, the writing was pretty much on the wall for Saku. Sad to see her go, and they should consider keeping her around to throw lemons and eat raspberries.

I don't know actually. I'd guess you can find it in most metropolitan areas. Years ago I used to only see it at Whole Foods, but now it's next to the Lindt bars etc at my regular store.

So much so that I'd have sworn LWT already did this exact story. But like you said, it's certainly not a stale subject. And it definitely is great timing raising the issue profile right before Halloween and the holidays. I do buy a lot of Tony's, but they don't seem to understand that I don't want all my chocolate to be salted.

I just thought it was a good time to remind everybody that PIKITIS!!!

Wasn't that episode in like season 2? Maybe the first time we saw Freddy? He ended up getting Martin's point and giving Freddy the "cool" toy. I just don't think unrealistic or mismatched expectations or disappointment in who Freddy was is where his and Frasier's relations with each other ended, and it's hard for me to buy into or enjoy the idea that for some reason 20 or 30 years later Freddy is this resentful and hostile. I don't expect to change anyone else's mind, but it doesn't make sense to me, and it's making it really hard for me to accept this version of the character.

This episode was fun. There were some great lines. ("I bet you thought that All's Well that Ends Well business had ended. Well ...") ("Take that, Occam's Razor!") I can accept that this new show is going for more emotion and sentimentality than OG Frasier, but those scenes haven't been landing for me. The heart-to-heart with Eve felt a little leaden. The jokes were cracking though. I'm guessing the fire crew is supposed to serve the function of the KACL crew. That's a good way to get more recurring characters and personalities in the mix, especially if the entire Harvard psych department is just going to be Alan and Olivia. It's hard for me to believe the fire department and apparently all of Harvard just so happen to frequent the same bar, but it's very sitcommy, and very Cafe Nervosa. I still really hate Freddy. The writing for him is so one-note, the characterization is bad. And I think the actor is making it worse with his choices. He pulls so many faces and little hammy poses when he's delivering his lines that it just heightens my focus on how smug and negative the character is. He's hot though. Come on arms. This is probably an unpopular opinion too, but I like David. There are problems with his character. He's inconsistent; is he an absent-minded book nymph or some sort of child in an adult suit? And they've underwritten whatever his roles are supposed to be in Frasier's life and Freddy's life. But I think he has promise. He's obviously supposed to be holding up the "farce" torch of the original show all on his own, and that's an easy way to get on my side. I just think he's been poorly served by the writing. I don't think this new crop is up to the challenge. Like this week, the whole orphan thing. Frasier Prime definitely drew a lot of water from the mistaken identity well, but ... okay, the fire crew all sit there 6 feet away as David walks into the firehouse, has a long conversation with Frasier, and gives him groceries. Then because he says hello to Freddy, they conclude he's an orphan? And a homeless orphan? Who's at least 20 years old? That was not well done. Especially since they spent the first act hitting us over the head that "firefighters are smarter than you think." Frasier eating the chili was funny, and I laughed at it. But Frasier Crane is a man who tastes as he goes. No way would he have been surprised by how spicy that chili was. Wow, this is such a wall of text. But anyway, tl;dr I liked this episode the most so far. The puppy is adorable, and I welcome it.

That's my point though. OG Frasier didn't tell or show us this. Or it certainly didn't in any way that was communicated to me.

I don't remember this being the case. The new show is certainly telling us this, but it's not the character development I remember for either of them or the lasting impression I had from their relationship in original recipe Frasier. Frasier certainly was a snob (as was Lillith), but he didn't carry that into his relationship with Freddy. There really wasn't even much of a chance for him to do that. The only times Freddy was really in conflict with Frasier's expectations were when Freddy only wanted to play video games so Frasier takes him camping, and when he was in his goth phase. The camping episode had some tween style rebellion and them coming together as Crane men because it turned out Freddy was actually getting interested in girls. The goth episode had some teenage style rebellion, and a lot of jokes from everyone about how weird it was, but I don't remember the jokes being to Freddy's face, or coming from Frasier to Freddy as criticism. Frasier was disappointed that Freddy didn't want to spend time with him on his trip, not in his actual choices. And here again, Frederick's goth style and his wanting to spend time elsewhere was because of a girl, which is a very typical teenage boy thing, not a sign of a damaged relationship. The characterization of Freddy and of Freddy and Frasier's relationship in this new version to me is really out of nowhere, and I don't enjoy it.

Alison is just the best. She's so warm and down to earth, and still so funny. It's a real return of Mel and Sue energy to the tent, and I celebrate it. I laughed out loud when she admitted to Noel that she wasn't wearing a watch and was just looking at her wrist when he said the signature time was half gone. And then, "You had me at marzipan." The judges seemed really harsh this week. Some of the bakes looked and seemed pretty bad, so I guess they had reason, but I've been liking the positivity. Cristy is so worried about everything, all the time; it was nice to see her have a successful episode and get a handshake and Star Baker. Hopefully that will boost her confidence a bit. Glad to see Tasha back even though she didn't really shine this week. And glad to see Dan getting back to fighting strength. Maybe all he needed was a sharp haircut. Josh dedicating his showstopper to his late grandmother made me misty. And it was so gorgeous. I wasn't too enthused by his flavors/fillings, but apparently it was delicious too. Well done. I hate that they're bringing back Botanical Week and they've already cut Abbi. I've never heard "pithivier" pronounced out loud before. I guess it's possible I still haven't.

I don't know why, but of all the hideous things this show has covered, this topic was the grimmest. The only thing I really laughed at was Jim Jordan's notes asking "what was the reason?" I came away nauseated by the thought of all that nebulous, ignorant, venal energy out in the world with that much power. That didn't even happen last week when John literally talked about fecal matter being sprayed on our vegetables.

I've enjoyed these first few episodes on their own terms. I've laughed at each one, and even though some parts are really dumb (looking at you, the entire Harvard plot) I want to see where it goes. But I'm not sure I'll go back and rewatch them. Guess we'll see when the season's done. I really, really, really don't like Freddy. (And it should go without saying, but quitting an unfulfilling job is not the same as dropping out of school, so wipe that smug smirk off your face, you inexplicably antagonistic twerp.)

On the Bakedown podcast, former contestant Jane noted that they were filming in early April and it seemed pretty chilly in the tent. And cold air can slow down the proving process. So it might've been that they gave them plenty of time, but didn't account for the environment. Shades of Chocolate Week. And I agree with the thought that some of the bakers got a little over-ambitious too, which probably made them rush some things. No one had a chance of outdoing Paul's iconic bread lion; they should've relaxed a bit more there.

Did they all get paid per innuendo this week? I don't think Abby was the right choice to go home either. She was very sweet on Extra Slice though. I'd be surprised if she didn't get a book deal or an offer to present a show featuring local/wild/seasonal ingredients. Another week, another set of challenges I really liked. Way to go, GBBO.

Yeah, it's definitely worth watching. All the way through Amber doing the jazz hands thing with her face. My favorite thing about everybody coming back is how obviously giddy they are to be there. I mean, Seth, Jenny, and Amber were pretty much floating through that whole segment and I just loved it.

I loved the comeback Closer Look extravaganza. My favorite things Seth imitating all the former presidents on a podcast, and seeing Wally with the 200 cue cards. My only regret is that I don't think there were any animal references, so there's no reason to do an Animal Flubs segment on Corrections.

I can't understand how Marsau can be such an enormous, wretched asshole but still have so many people in his corner. Also Tisha is right about one thing and one thing only: there's no need for her to throw anymore ess-pos.

SPICE!!!

Is it something worn on the body?

Yay, Bake Off is back! What a good first episode. I like all of the contestants so far, and what feels more momentous to me, I think I actually managed to get some impression of each one of them. I love Tasha already, and I want to hear Nicky talk forever. I liked Amos too; sad to see him go. I read ahead of the season that the producers have promised to get back to basics and get rid of all the construction and cooking and 3D type challenges. This was a good start toward proving that; a pretty simple set of classic, but interesting challenges that still let all of the bakers show off their individual skills and styles. I especially loved the technical with them having to make the cake from the intro. Dan's rhubarb and custard vertical cake from the signature was the standout to me. There do seem to be a few front-runners, like Dan, Abby, and maybe Cristy. But who really knows. I might as well save my predictions for after we hit Patisserie Week. I was puzzled by Paul and Prue insisting that blueberries don't have any flavor. Does the UK have some particularly wimpy variety? They're delicious here without a lot of dolling up; that's why they end up in everything from muffins to pies to cheesecake. But anyway. I love Alison Hammond, and she and Noel were cute together so far. I think they're going to make a good team.

Oh no, I think there's plenty to pin on Sheree for what he's talking about. This man most certainly should not have been fooling with Sheree Whitfield -- for any job, but especially a rush job with extensive labor -- without a signed contract and payment upfront. I do think he got caught up assuming he was gonna be paid in clout and exposure if nothing else, and that's on him. But the root of the problem? Is Sheree. The root of the problem is most definitely Sheree being lazy and disorganized so she can never put anything together on her own and is always working last-minute; it's her being cheap, broke, and trifling so she never wants to give anybody their due; and it's her being dumb so she can't figure out how to pay the right people and give the right clout to keep her name out of the blogs and the streets. And the worst of it all is she's insecure, so she's always fronting trying to keep up appearances and tell stories about her life, and chasing all that just leads her into this kind of situation again and again where she comes out looking like a fool.

At this point, just give me The Allison Project. I don't need any of the rest of this.

I'm from W. Louisiana, about 15 minutes from East Texas. I didn't think Uma's accent was so bad. Maybe she grew up in Longview. Anyway, she sounded way better than whatever it is Daniel Craig is doing in the Knives Out movies. There's your Foghorn Leghorn. This movie was cute, but I kind of ran out of patience with it. I saw the climax conflict coming a mile a way, and I guess I just got tired of waiting to get there. I fast forwarded through a good 40 minutes and then watched the last 10. I didn't feel like I missed anything.

I've read that Johnny had not finished his recording for the reboot before he passed. I'm sure the team is grieving now, so it will be a while before we hear any official decisions. But I really hope they don't try to substitute a voice for whatever is left to record. I know there's a lot of time and money already invested, and there are a lot of people depending on the new show coming out. But I'd still rather they scrap the whole thing. Or I'd settle for them giving Dale a hasty (but respectful) (or at least funny) departure.

I thought the same thing from my couch. The internet has been making a mogul out of She by Sheree for the last 15 or so years; too bad the IRL version is such a flop.

Probably because his hair was clean for once.