janeyjay

Still watching last night's episodes. It's going slowly because I keep rewinding to watch Stephanie Izard's face when Michael Symon announces that the guest judges for the team soup and sandwich are Malarkey (does he even need a last name) and... Carlos Anthony. She is so not enthusiastic and it's written all over her face. I laugh on every rewatch.

For me, this is tied for being the biggest crime with having (Tony Award winner)André De Shields in the episode without having him sing.

I only know her from occasional sightings on FN shows and by reputation but I have a feeling that the longer she lasts in this thing, the more unravelled Damaris will become. PS: We know you're a southern chef from Kentucky. No need to mention it in every. single. talking. head. Sorry to see new-to-me chefs LT and Laurence go out; it's nice to see new blood, so to speak, in these big competitions.

Not shocked to see that Ilan has not matured nor learned, well, anything, since he was last on my tv screen 18 years ago. Arrogant and ran right over his partner, Goggles Dude. Also not sad they lost. Buh-bye. Elia got a pass from me this round because she paired up with my favorite Voltaggio, Bryan.

This was one of the funniest episodes of this show -- period. Pain Meds Dave was a riot and the Gemma/Tina baby hijinks had me laughing out loud.

I've liked Antonia since her first season on TC, so I was thrilled that after coming so close, she took that belt and the title. Even got a little teary when she realized she won. I've also seen her in the judge role -- Wildcard Kitchen comes to mind -- and she's very good in that capacity as well, so I look forward to hearing her comments in next year's tournament.

Massimo's Unintentional Arson is my new pretend band name.

Brava for Suzie for taking the notes she received and changing up her schtick to be more accessible and less niche. This is the most likable I've found her all season -- that's not saying a lot but at least I didn't want to yank her ridiculous wig off her head.

Just starting to watch and I am going to need more Dia going forward. Her imitating Gregory's walk was cackle-worthy.

Between the cold open's "Cell Block Tango" and Nathan Lane, beturbaned and singing "Losing My Mind' into a hair dryer, this episode was a musical theater female queen's (me) dream. I laughed, I cried laughing, it was better than Cats.

Law Roach hitting on Onya's dad was Something I Never Knew I Needed. I was cackling as Law was practically drooling.

On topic: I want to like Lexi because I find her charming when she's not getting in her own way. Onya is still my fave but Sam is growing on me (in a good way -- not like a fungus)

New item on my bucket list: Sing karaoke with Mr. Johnson

As time goes on, Danielle sounds more and more like a slightly unhinged Mafia hitman. Yes, we know she thinks Britney is her girl and has her back. Blah blah going to annihilate Gabby at the round table. ACTING when she's at the breakfast table or trying to banboozle someone (looking at you, Dylan.) Rant, rinse, repeat. I found the entire episode tedious, as I was anticipating the whole Seer thing to be part of it. As much as it was way past Sandoval's time to go, his antics would have at least livened things up a bit.

I'm An Old so I watch my shows with the CC on and soap captions used to include the character names along with the lines, even if they were seen on screen. This feature would be super-helpful in these first days of the show.

I was a longtime As The World Turns viewer and loved Tamara Tunie's role as Jessica. It's so fun to see her back on a soap after all these years as the matriarch of a big anchor family. And Clifton Davis is a worthy partner for her and he has aged WELL. Hoping we get more storylines going in addition to the big old "Dani's ex is a big fat cheater and he and his new-to-be wife are giving the ick to everyone in the community."

Aged Theater Diva here and I personally was impressed with how the "Oz" musical things were blended with the "A Chorus Line" framework. I know "Chorus Line" like the back of my hand, having been obsessed with it during my teen years late in last century and whoever wrote this did a marvelous job. Onya should have won; bless Acacia's heart; and Adam Lambert's top appeared to have shoulder pads from the Dorothy (Zbornak) collection (however he was a great judge and such a voice!)

I keep trying to like this show, in deference to how fond I am of "Young Shelton" but Show keeps letting me down. I like Georgie, Mandy's OK and then of course Cece but the rest of the McAllisters... meh. The writers are not providing Rachel Bay Jones and Will Sasso anything worthwhile to work with, as they are (IMO) much better than the material they're being given. This episode was a prime example of this -- coulda, shoulda, woulda -- but wasn't. I had a hard time believing that Audrey was all that in high school because she's so not that as an adult. I just want the show to be better than it is.

If banishing Danielle is not a likelihood at the next Round Table (PLEASE OH PLEASE let it be so, though) I would like to cast a vote to get rid of Danielle's Hat. I am a fashion hat fan but that one is too big and not stable and meh.

Intense Roundtable. Danielle and Carolyn yelling trying to toss each other under the bus. Silence for the most part from everyone else as they watch and process. You're certain that all the votes will fall on one side or the other. And then Tom and Dolores pop up and throw their beef onto the table, Spy vs Spy style. The cackling from me when they both had essentially worthless votes... this feud is one I never knew I needed. What I know I will never need again is a dramatic over-reaction from Danielle. This is just a game -- no one is going off to war or actually being murdered. Take it down several notches, woman. Me thinks (and probably Gabby as well) thou dost protest/emote too much.

I feel like he's the person version of "fetch" -- stop trying to make Carlos Anthony happen.

The whole evening -- nay, the whole anniversary weekend -- was a delight. Must give enormous props to the writers for providing such good and funny material for the beloved (mostly... looking at you Kim K) performers to deliver. Love that people like Tina Fey and Paula Pell and John Mulaney and Seth Meyers jumped back in to help with this project -- their voices were obvious, at least to me.

I'm old enough to remember the ESCANDALO when Kennedy opted to portray Little Richard, which I believe was the first time a male celeb had been attempted on Snatch Game. She nailed it (IMO) and that seemed to open the door for things like Thorgy and Michael Jackson and DeLa with Paul Lynde. And rather than having a Snatch Game veteran like Alyssa (who I adore) give Werk Room pre-game comments, bring in someone like Quinta Brunson who could give solid suggestions because when the Snatch Game performances are elevated, we all win.

I was cackling so much during the challenge, I had to hit pause because I was actually wheezing and didn't want to miss anything. Britney's peanut gallery commentary about Sandoval was worth the price of admission -- not a fan of hers but she does give good talking head. I don't watch VPR but every time I see Tom Sandoval, I am baffled that he had enough rizz to wreak havoc on the show and with not one, but two women. He's a moron but my stars he's quality entertainment. Ivar and Sam and Dylan have become quite the braintrust and I say that with all sincerity. Who knew (hint: not me) that Sam was capable of solid critical thinking like he displayed at the breakfast table?

I would assume there's something in contracts that prohibit Sam or the show from mentioning his ex-wife with any frequency but seeing him with the snake around his shoulders caused me to make COPIOUS numbers of "I'm A Slave 4 U" jokes to, well, myself.