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There are no "vets" on that list. I know they've all (I think) had seasons before so they are technically vets, but those are all newbies as in they haven't been around for more than a year or two. I can absolutely see how this would be a breath of fresh air for a lot of viewers, but I need a stronger tie in. I'm not going to say I'm not going to watch it, but I probably won't watch it in real time. It'll probably be a season I binge at some point later when I'm sick in bed.

Thank you! This is going to sound like a weird thank you, because I actually loved this book. But, I think you just cleared something up for me. I listened to this on audio, and I've known for a while that there is a common theme (though not absolute!) that people who listened to it liked it, people who read it with their eyeballs hated it. Your description just made me understand that the voice actors are indeed doing a lot of the work the author didn't. The audio version of this is so, so good, but this confirms that the book itself isn't. This makes sense to me, because I've read two other of Don't-Reid's books and thought they were both absolute drivel. So I really appreciate this description of the book as written.

I overall loved this show, but there were some things I ended up very puzzled over: Beard marrying his abusive girlfriend. He was in an abusive relationship, and they tried to make it cute. No. Michelle realizing her boyfriend was a dweeb because of his immatureness during the final game. No. The problem was that he was an unethical predator, not that he was a doofus. While I hated the therapist character, I doubt he would have been so emotionally blind in that room. And they still never labeled this as the abusive relationship it ALSO was. The whole Danny turns insane storyline. I suppose it was just to get the Zorro payoff, but it wasn't worth it. Yet another abusive relationship - Danny, from what it sounds like, purposely hit him in the face and broke his nose, causing him real trauma. You can't make up for that with a mask. It's like breaking my legs and getting me bejeweled crutches. I would have preferred you not cause me to need crutches in the first place. It ruined Danny's character for me. Roy being a manipulative fuck towards Jaime to get him to lay off Keeley. That was AWFUL. I've loved Roy, so much, but between that, asking Keeley who the video was for, and then making sure Jaime knew he had recently slept with Keeley, he was awful. And again, the show didn't even acknowledge that Roy playing on Jaime's need for his approval as being problematic. Jaime telling Roy the video was his. Jaime had done so well through out the whole storyline - it really showed his growth. But then they had him backslide to get back at Roy. Not a fan of that writing choice. No resolution to the love triangle. If they weren't going to have Roy and Keeley get back together, they should have had a break up that made sense. When the boys showed up saying she "could" choose, I was 100% hoping for a Reverse Kelly Taylor and she choose BOTH. I would have been thrilled with a throuple, but I would have also been ok if she had been more clear she was moving on from both of them. Jason's acting choice during the musical scene. I adored the number, but he looked so uncomfortable. Like he was having to watch his friend's kids do a play. Having Rupert have a humanizing moment just before his ultimate takedown. I didn't feel gratified during the WANKER moment - I just felt sad. Not like he didn't earn it, just that... I don't know - it's a show about compassion. And they JUST gave me a tiny sliver of reason to feel compassion for Rupert. It even flickered on Rebecca's face - I honestly thought she was going to go and have A Moving Talk with him, but instead, that was just the end of him. On the same note, I thought when he came striding (and limping??) on and off the field, Nate would somehow do something. Don't ask me what, just not the staring as Rupert went by each time. It was odd. I'm actually fine with Nate. I don't think he is redeemed, nor do I think she show expects us to think he is. I think he's on a PATH of redemption. Other shows would have had him as the new coach. Last we saw him he was the assistant kit man. (Correction - assistant TO the kit man!) Another thing I really liked that I barely caught - when Rebecca came to the airport, Ted something like it was a rom-com meet-cute, and I thought, "what? No, do you now know what a meet-cute is?" Only to have it end up being a meet-cute with the Dutch guy. That was well played. I really enjoyed this show as a whole. I enjoyed the finale quite a bit overall - I laughed and teared up both. But a lot of the things I listed above - I feel like there was a lot of abuse in this show that was never labeled as abuse and that's a big deal to me.

As an NCSU fan, I've loved the Valvano poster in Ted's office since episode one!! Sorry, absolutely couldn't resist, I'm just being cheeky, I promise. And I'll fully admit I was hoping they would have Ted run around the field trying to find someone to hug, a la Valvano after the '83 championship. Even though I'm a State fan, I do have a ton of respect for Smith unlike some *other* former head couches 'round here.

Aw, my mom and I used to watch this on Saturday mornings when I was in like 8th/9th grade. I don't remember much about it, or what had us hooked on it. I'll definitely have to catch this series.

FWIW, temporary restraining orders are very easy to get, as they should be. I agree that there was some sort of physical altercation on Scheana's part, which would be (and should be) enough to get a temp restraining order. Honestly, I think she probably would have gotten a permanent* one if she had gone to court. It doesn't seem in question that Scheana put her hands on Raquel. *Permanent is rarely permanent. They are normally set for a certain amount of time and have to be renewed, except in cases where it's a lifelong restraining order.

I also caught in either season one or two - Schwartz caught Sandy having lifts in his shoes, for when "Kristen wears heels." There was actually something funny with Sandy's language, which I think was on purpose. He said something like, "There was the first time...then we stopped." I feel like that ellipses is doing "dipped out" work.

I thought this show had fully written itself into a corner with Nate. I wasn't buying his redemption, at least not on the timeline we're being shown. But then they pulled an ace out of their sleeve and had the chance at redemption come as a gift from Beard. You don't earn gifts - just like Beard hadn't when Ted gave him another chance. But sometimes you live up to them - just like Beard did when Ted gave him another chance. No, Nate hasn't earned his redemption, at least not yet. But I appreciate the way they made the story work. Nate can live up to his gift over time - I think we what we have been shown so far is hope and potential. It was incredibly well played to have it be about Beard passing forward a gift he himself had received, rather than about what Nate has actually earned. I also have loved, loved, loved seeing Jim Valvano's poster on the office wall through the series, since Ted put it up in the first episode. I'm a lifelong NCSU basketball fan (I'm literally a result of my parents celebrating the '74 NCAA championship, lol) and Raleigh native, and I cannot overstate how loved he is here. Never give up! Jaime Tartt is a blessing.

I'm rewatching old seasons, and Sandy complained that when he first met James, he (Sandy) paid for everything, while James apparently hoarded his money and bought a BMW while Sandy was still driving a Honda Civic. Hilarious! Also, while I'm 100% Team Arianna in this scandavol, watching old seasons reminded me how very, very, very much I loathed Arianna when she came on the scene. I'm pretty sure I disliked her more than any of the other women on the show to that point, and that is really saying something.

OK, it's not funny that AJ was killed. I cannot be clear enough about that. But he was shot after filming had wrapped and the season was currently airing. Bravo legit put up a card for the remainder of the episodes that the footage aired was filmed before AJ died. Y'all. I have never laughed so hard. Again, nothing funny about the man's death. But the idea that Bravo thought their audience couldn't figure it out? Hilarious, fucking hilarious. I've always wondered if they thought people would think it was evidence he wasn't truly dead, or that he was a ghost.

Oh, man. What a tough episode. I thought the reveal between Tricia and Sam was actually going to be much worse than it actually was, because the first place my mind went was that Holly might still be alive if she hadn't tried to "beat it naturally" first. And that if Tricia had told Sam, Sam might have been able to force her into treatment earlier. I hope it doesn't go there. But although I'm loathe to second guess how a dying person behaves, it's tough for me to not to feel Sam was owed the truth when she came to help her sister die. (Owed the truth from Holly, not Sam. Holly was in a fucked up position either way.) And then, my goodness, I saw so, so much of myself in Sam with Joel. I wouldn't care if my friend got a date/boyfriend, but let's say I did. I would know intellectually I have no right to be mad that my friend met someone, and that I have to suck it up and pretend not to be upset. But then you lied to me about it? (And to be clear, Joel didn't just fib, he flat out lied to her face on more than one occasion.) Oh boy, that's the ONLY thing I'm going to focus on, because you gave me something to latch onto that isn't crazy. It just gives me an out to be angry, so I totally felt Sam. I'm not saying it's healthy or mature - just real.

I enjoyed the rest of the season, and I understand this had to happen at some point, but unfortunately I don't think the show is worth continuing. I hate saying that, because I have absolutely loved this utterly depraved show. It has made me laugh out loud at some SERIOUSLY non-funny subjects. If you had told me not only would I watch, but I would enjoy, a show that features having sex with someone's mother's corpse...Well, regardless, I don't think there is enough left to carry the show. This is not a knock at all against Elle Fanning. I would have said the same thing if Catherine's character wasn't going to be in the rest of the show.

@LadyChatts thank you for posting those AND doing so with spoiler bars. I think we are allowed to post who has been cast for a season, but not the results of eliminations (though I assume w/ spoiler bars it's ok).

I cannot wait. I was cracking up at Arianna calling them "sub-human" and then James chimes in "poo poo heads." Dead. I cannot wait. (Even though I know they're going to make it eleventy billion hours long with only 20 minutes of juicy footage.) Does anyone know what Andy gives Scheana? ETA: Hmmh, it looks like Raquel and Scheana aren't on the stage at the same time.

If you truly hate her, you'll enjoy watching her get treated like shit by some douchecanoe whose name I've managed to forget. The one who told Lisa she had a great ass. I didn't always like Stassi, but I haaaaaated watching her get treated that way. (I prefer my comeuppances to come from someone OTHER than your partner.) I didn't watch VPR in real time, but when I did watch it, I had no idea what was going to happen. I had no idea if Jax and Kristen hooked up, and it was fabulous watching that all play out. I'm proud to say I hated both Toms, esp FI, right from the beginning, or at least close to it.

I agree with this so much. I've grown to really dislike adult Shauna. Last season I couldn't understand why Adam was so enamored by her. She was a dour asshole. And now, her stupidity is beyond reason. She let her underage daughter be questioned by the police alone. Without a parent and without a guardian. It's breathtakingly stupid. I don't know who needs to hear this - but if the police want to question you about ANYTHING, EVER, get a lawyer. 100% of the time, regardless of how innocent you think it is. The only think you should ever say to the police is "law" and "yer."

While she's boring, I don't think this is fully a fair statement. I don't think you can say she was dragged to the final when she won the final HoH and chose who to sit next to for the jury vote. She also won another HoH, and five Power of Vetos. She wasn't a goat. I started this episode disliking Sarah more than Emily, though I really don't like either of them. But seeing Sarah's husband gave me a new perspective - he doesn't want her to have fun. He sees this as a vacation that she gets to off and have fun while he's stuck at home, and she buys into that. It's stupid. If she has fun on The Challenge, it doesn't make his workload at home any different. I'll admit, knowing she has (what appears to me, based on 20 seconds of screentime, lol) an unsupportive husband at home. I think he's fine with her going off and getting them money, but she better not have any fun while doing it. That kind of resentment really sucks. And over the last two episodes, I grew to intensely dislike Emily. I just find her very self-important. I'm neutral to negative on Yes, so I was glad to see them go home. I also really enjoyed Troy shutting Yes down when yes tried to say he was sorry for pulling their flag. It irks me how Yes wants to see himself as above everything. I was WAY too invested in the elimination, and was pulling HARD for Kaycee and Troy, despite the fact I care little about them. I'll admit I was surprised Emily got past Kaycee even once, and I was full on cringing at Emily's breakdown over losing. The second hand embarrassment I felt over that was intense. I find Tori to be too much of a golden retriever puppy to dislike her, and I have enough good will leftover from the last Challenge for Danny to root for them. Jordan has been so much better, except for the last episode when I wanted to punch his smug, condescending face for being so rude to Taz. Kayee and Troy are nothingburgers to me, but I wouldn't care if they won. I think I'm only pulling AGAINST Sarah, despite generally liking Theo. And even that, Sarah's husband kinda ruined me hating on her. Meh.

I wonder if Jade is in London on a work visa. I don't see Rupert simply hitting on her. Buying the restaurant, firing her, and causing her to be deported seems more his speed.

I reread the book in anticipation of the movie coming out, and the version I bought from Amazon had adhesive pads. When I first read the book in the early '80s, I not only didn't know what the hell the belts were, I didn't understand what a PERIOD was. I was reading way above my grade level, lol. But I read this probably a dozen times throughout my childhood, and while I eventually knew that the belts were an outdated way to use pads, I never understood how they worked. To be honest, I don't think I still do!

Keely just had a big spread in Vanity Fair not long before this. I think it's reasonable to assume she's a B or C list celebrity, and I absolutely think her hack would have been covered. That said, I agree that the PR person should have known how to handle this. It could have been a better storyline for sure.

I cannot believe that human thumb showed up without his wife to HER work event. He's going to miss the cameras far more than his wife or kids. I honestly was embarrassed for him. Wait, Marlo's 47? I would have put her more with Kenya and Sheree. She doesn't look old, that's not it. I'm just surprised she's a year younger than me, I suppose. And Kenya's so goofy, trying to age shame someone only a year older than herself.

Y'all, I'm going to share what I suspect is going to be a very unpopular opinion... I love this show! I really do. And I think Bridget Everett has a great voice, and I thought she sounded the best she has so far singing for her voice teacher. She has a really, really good singing voice. But...it's not the voice of an angel. The way everyone talks about her and her singing, I was expecting her to sound like Adele. Even in this episode, I thought her singing was so good, and then cut to her teacher, who was moved to tears and I'm just like...? I dunno, I enjoy the show so much, but I get stuck on this point because everyone makes SUCH a big deal out of her singing.

I'm honestly baffled at the choice to pair Michelle with her former therapist. I agree that Ted should move on, but I don't know why they made her pairing so incredibly problematic. Ted should be moving on, yes. But Ted should also be extremely concerned that someone he cares about is dating her therapist, and I would have a problem with someone who has shown themselves to be so unethical being around my child. I just don't get why they made a choice with Michelle that is impossible to accept as a good or healthy thing. If someone told me they were dating their therapist, I would be alarmed and I would have no problem saying so. I would be extremely worried for my friend, and I would hope very, very much that the relationship would end as soon as possible. I might eventually shut up about it (after maybe a decade, lol), but I would forever be distrustful of the former therapist. I'm also glad the show took the stance that Keely did nothing wrong. I've seen a lot of people say that they aren't judging her, but in today's environment, one should know better. Yes, you have to be aware of that, but the problem was never in making the video. The problem was in someone stealing the video. To me, this is the same as the problem is never that a girl got drunk while wearing a short skirt at a frat party.

I cracked up at the rewinding, fast forwarding, and doddering Ken. Absolutely cracked up. But there were so many moments in the rest of the episode where I had to pause the TV and collect myself, the cringe was so intense. It's stunning to watch this play out. I honestly thought we would be looking for hints in the background, not seeing multiple lies fall apart on screen. I am so ashamed how riveted I am by this nonsense.

They probably do have a dress code, but it looked like the restaurant was closed for filming. I wouldn't be surprised if they were having "dinner" in the middle of the afternoon, which would help explain his attire. Not fully explain it, because in my opinion, D was right - he did look like a village person!