Lonesome Rhodes

I don't much care for any of them. Way too much BS from all of 'em in the narrations/voice overs. The one I respect least is definitely Paul. A close second is the Hard Merchandise owner (Dave?). Paul is not reliable. Period. He has the most outsized sense of self. I've known too many guys like him. He is, however, the most fun to watch on this show. The HM dude cries the most about the economics, and he keeps on. How is it rational? If he makes his money running charters, why isn't he doing that full time? Of all of them, I most respect the Hot Tuna guy. To me, he seems to have gleaned the most from veterans, including his dad and applies it. There is very, very, little angst in his v/o's and just watching him aboard his vessel, he rarely gets hyped. He strikes a nice balance with his crew between demanding intelligent effort while appreciating a good prank or joke. I haven't seen him bitch at them yet.

Loved, loved, loved the Prince and Leonid! Ameriker will never be ready for the intentionally outrageous. That's Ameriker's loss. I absolutely can NOT wait to see how the edit monkeys deal with Nick's appearance at Madison Square Garden for a Knicks game. He tried to do an "open" for a show with the help of the crowd who was to applaud and such. Instead, they booed him without mercy. It was tremendous. They were not playing. He tried at least twice to do his thang and the crowd would not let up. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!! They wanted no part of the phony marketing. I don't see how AGT can top last year. I fear a bunch of singers being the story. It's an easy, and super cheap, way out.

I think the show is on a natural break until new eps will come online. I noticed on the news that a Skyzone (remember the trampoline place?) is being sued because a mom didn't like how one boy was going after her little angel. She held him and told all the others to bomb away at his face. They did. How great is that? I always thought the liability insurance would be too damn prohibitive because of whack jobs like that mother.

Didja notice the subtle reason as to why, most of all, we are supposed to look at the Duluth Lt. like he is an asshole? He did not wash his hands after being on the toilet. What a great touch. I am not understanding why Malvo has been so intentionally careless. He let Gus go. He drags that dude away in front of the entire world. Of course, it's because he wants to be caught/questioned. I just don't get why this is so. I can scarcely wait to find out, though! Any bets as to if Sioux Falls is the raison d'être for next season? I also wonder if Malvo is undercutting his bosses by ruining the King, or if that is part of the plan. If he is going rogue, his superiors would be pissed to lose a "client" like the King who reliably pays them tribute. Man, I never wanted this ep to end. TV at its' best.

I wonder if Caleb will be given credit by those who believe him to be "arrogant" or otherwise not cool for voting to stave off an elimination? Conversely, I wonder if voters will turn against either Alex or $$$JEEEEEENA$$$ for selfishly voting their relative strength? Me? I've never seen Caleb be anything other than kind and aware of others on stage. I applaud the two no votes, too. I want an all-male finale this year. The guys are demonstrably better than the gals.

One of the no votes was most certainly Alex. He had as strong a night as he can have. He was living in Ft. Knox, baby. Of all the personalities left who would be unwilling to roll ice generally? Alex. No question. Fox audio was crap again. How do you mix things so Urban's voice is drowned out by back-ups? Unless done at KU's request, it is stupefying. TPTB figured out they'd win whichever way the vote came. If delayed, their pet Sam lives. If not, they get a bump in buzz and they create hard feelings amongst the survivors. Harmony is not good for them, y'all. Of course, the jidges were not forced to give their opinions on any of this. Me? I'd have had Sprinkles poll them just prior to revealing the actual votes. I can totally see the conspiracy to keep from revealing Jena as B2, but I am pretty well convinced that it was Jess.

Slezak says an Idol source told him that the contestants were given several choices. I say someone lied to Slezak. No way in Hades did Caleb choose the asteroid song. None. That being said, crown him already! Nobody else has the chops and the stage presence he does. It's a metaphysical knockout, y'all. Now, if it is about being "current" and appealing to the kids? Alex is the only genuine artist who might eek out a career in that niche. Everyone else is absolutely not ready. At. All. I was surprised that Jessica made out as well as she did. I thought for suuuuure TPTB would break out the long knives for her this week. I think she'll be B2 with Sam, but she may live to see another show. Now, I haaaaaaaated almost every song tonight. None of them were tuneful. It's that modern claptrap that passes for music. Harry made a tragic joke when he invoked Cole Porter. Yes, I am old. The show is not for me. There is no particular reason any of y'all should even read my posts. YMMV. It's all such a dang shame, though. Now that the pretension of mass appeal has been shattered, AI has an opportunity to re-invent itself and identify real singers who can sang real music. Let HCJ run the actual musical aspects of the show and watch what magic can happen. AI could trigger a new wave of appreciation for the American Songbook. The rights for that music cost next to el zilcho, too. /end rant

I'm pretty sure the "transformation" we've seen in Maks is due to one simple cause: Meryl. Maks is a BIG one when it comes to giving respect. You want props? Earrrrrrrrrn them! Well, who came in with a better resume than Meryl? She is everything Maks respects - most especially she is all-day tough (I love using a football term!). Then, he immediately sees that she is all about getting better and she does not care what it takes to be better. Perfect attitude. So. Maks knew instantly that he had the bell cow (!) and he could just let things happen. He did not need to add any energy off the floor. The jidges and the public would give Meryl full marks for anything she did. I am more convinced than ever that the harsh treatment of Charlie, especially by Len, is designed to create buzz for the show and for Charlie. It's the old Simon Cowell ju-jitsu. Unless Charlie is actually a jerk behind the scenes, the chances of which are .00000001%, the only way Len would be so cold towards Charlie would be to help him.

Boy, did I love this ep. Old school. Once again, we see how Bill reacts when his crew gives him their all. No attitude from them. No excuses. No blaming. Just real guts. Didja see how much he cared that the crab weren't there? But boy, did he care about how his crew was responding. How great was it to see the greenhorn respond with such character? That is what it is all about. We saw this on the T/B, too. Family, or not, you do the job. You go further than you think you can. You put it on the freaking line. Or, you go home. Lots of schadenfreude for me seeing Elliott have to eat his boasts and watching Junior go through more travail with almost no reward. Tough on their crews, though. We saw Jake being assigned another lousy job and we didn't see any issues. The man did his job without complaint. Excellent. When I saw that storm months ago on the weather maps, I knew it would make for some darn compelling DC. I wondered which captains might risk more than the others. It seems they all reached their limit at about the same point. Of course, that could just be the edit monkeys at work.

JJ forever laments how so much of her time is wasted. Today, she wasted everybody's. She had the slam dunk rear-ender by the lady who didn't own the car. She had no jurisdiction or concern whether there was insurance. None. The only issue was how to make the plaintiff whole. What does JJ do? She wants to hear all about, in the most minute detail possible, the irrelevant actions by everyone after the accident. Huh? What happened to wasting time? So, the only thing the defendant insisted was that the amount sought was outrageous. Seems a fine time for JJ to whip out the Wapner-patented minimum two, preferably three, estimates. Nope. She goes against a long history of demanding proof of actual damages. JJ could not imagine why the defendant did not want to go through her insurer? Really? How about 1) She fully expected a cost within her deductible, and 2) Reporting an accident by an unauthorized driver would lead to a big spike in her premiums. Perfectly reasonable and valid reasons, eh? I will agree the defendant was a fool to not deal with this aggressively and get it handled. If the plaintiff was gonna try to soak her, then yes, time for court. My sense is that he wasn't exactly pure in this whole deal.

Huzzah! NeNe is Bye Bye. We had true history on both sides made in the group dance. Derek's team destroyed La Vida Loca and a single dancer was exposed as never before (NeNe). Now, I think it was a totally unfair advantage for any dancer or team to have been given Loca. Fie on Conrad for that. But, watching the last third of the gallows team where two couple were going all out with a darn good and difficult synchronized salsa, NeNe just stood on stage, intentionally out of camera view, waving her arms to and fro. I've never seen such a thing for such a long period of a group dance. Wow. She must have been horrendous in practice for that kind of relegation by the others. They still deserved 9s. I haaaaate that I think this, but I do: The problem with Charlie is not Charlie. It is Sharna. Ugh. I love her. She's just overmatched going for a trophy. She only knows one speed: All out. Erin had the best night any female host ever had on DWTS. Her post-dance interview with Meryl and Maks is the single best I've seen. She went right at Meryl's emotions having come off a super sexy performance, well out of her element. It was real. Then, messing with Maks and getting a hilarious and clean response was the cherry on that sundae. No other previous host could have done that. I bet that was the actual bottom two and that Charlie was not 3rd lowest. James and Danica will be B2 and each will be gone within two shows. YMMV. ETA: I laughed when I saw they put Len between Bruno and Ricky. Poor Bruno. Hahahahaha.

Anyone else buying that JJ was ignorant of the marketing being described by the Defendant? She just drew it out and used it as a device to get the bailiff involved if you ask me. I was waiting and waiting for her to go off on these pyramid operations and she never really did. I would have more enjoyed taking the time hearing evidence of how this one ensnares fools like the Plaintiff. I sat for several of these come-ons because it was more important to me to support a friend than to stay away on principle. Besides, it can be great fun. Then came the magic time when we had to pony up some up front cash - usually for "samples" to use while selling. I always said, if you think I can be such a success, you front the fees and/or samples and we'll go from there. Funny, never once did anyone believe enough in me.

All true. However, the "handicap" is assigned before play, not after. Handicaps can change, but everyone knows before a stipulated round begins what it will be for that round.

If you have separate standards, you have no standards. As a viewer, I had to swallow TPTB scoring shenanigans a long time ago. Doesn't mean I likes it. I can much more easily accept an "accommodation" in scoring if it's about elimination. I most definitely want to see an Amy continue over a Nene or some older guy who can't move, like Bill E. or Drew. However, when you are scoring in such a manner that you are messing with the top couples? Hate. As for questioning advantage...we may not be there yet, but we will be. Science will create improvements to our bio limbs. It's a matter of time. This being true, NOW is the time to create the ethos and morality of "advantage." At what point does a human become a machine? What defines, in toto, what a physical/bio human is? You say we don't have any sport where the difference is now meaningful and all this kerfluffle is moot? Good luck winning a running marathon against those using wheelchairs. What if, instead of blades, Pistorius somehow were given wheels? How about, in dance, if someone opts for some kind of surgery that allows them to maintain posture? I am betting that could be done right now. All credit to Amy and to all who strive to overcome disability with so much grace. However, (and here comes that nasty S word) standards simply must be adopted else any competition become farce. Conrad drew his line to favor Amy. Maybe the next Conrad won't do such a thing. Who would be wrong? Why?

Well, I just saw prime reason #1 why the air/harpoon method is BS: They killed a fish and didn't harvest it. Complete waste of a precious commodity. The "contest" narrations are reeeeeeally starting to get on my last nerve. Of COURSE the number one thing these guys think of is beating out the other guys. Never mind they are losing their collective asses and won't have anything to show for all their hard work. I noticed on the huge catch, they lost 240 pounds when they dressed it. That's a heck of a drop. Almost 1/3 of the fish was basically worthless to them. It was great TV to finally see an actual cost to having a bunch of boats clustered together. I was wondering how often the second guy refuses to cut his line. Another interesting aspect of that particular fight was a demonstration of how they show these things out of sequence. The weather was vastly different and it was the only time the whole ep we saw such a big fleet. Gotcha edit monkeys!

Given she lacked the voting base, somehow, of Nene and others, she was a goner this week or next anyway. I'm glad she came on the show and I wish her the best.

Is this the first time Malvo and/or his "company" had business in Duluth? I ask because the small postal facility makes sense because Malvo needed to be able to intimidate the one guy. In a standard facility, there would be too many employes and they would never give in like that. So...was this the first time Malvo showed his face there? Or, was this a regular mail drop? If it was, I'm pretty sure the clerk would have had to go through this before. I'm also trying to figure out why the clerk didn't already notice the odd addressee on that package. It was a big deal to the clerk when he supposedly first saw it.

Not ep specific observation: Is it not in a crook's interests to maintain a low profile? I totally get that Malvo does.not.care. But, what about the Fargo hit men? They most publicly took on that jerk in the titty bar. When said jerk comes up missing, any doubt that the fringe jacket dude would be remembered by most in that bar?

Shocker! NOT. JLo looking olllllld tonight. Her make-up did her zero favors. I can't wait to see the lengths TPTB go to boot Jessica and save Sam next week.

Keith didn't "feel" the heartbreak when Alex sang Willie? First time this season I wonder if he is under TPTB orders. It worked. Alex was low man for each poll reveal. I thought it was brilliant. Usually, I can not stand songs re-imagined to such a degree. This, however, completely worked for me due to Alex's artistry. Whatever happened to making a song their own? Oh. That narrative is not operable for tonight only. Got it. Caleb destroyed that rock song. Easily the performance of the year; his Zep tune being #2. Gotta hand it to Jena on 'Cuda. Excellent tonality and energy throughout. Girl mos def has talent. She just isn't in Caleb's league. None of them are (Alex plays a different sport. ;)). I note that, per usual, the director and/or the camera critters blew the best moment of the show (Caleb chasing after the mic). I know I can rely on them to mess up this one-car funeral each week. Swallows and Capistrano, baby.

No mention anywhere in the ep that the quota was increased by 9%. We sure heard it each year when the quota was reduced or remained static. Narratives can be a bitch, y'all. Yes, it was a tough break that the shutdown resulted in a delay. Now, let's put a price on the vessels for the USCG protection they get. Let's see them pay that. They about had a collective orgasm when someone mentioned they had already paid for their licenses. Maybe if they paid a price that was more reflective of the cost to us I would care about their measly fees. Junior is a lying POS and I have zero sympathy for him. He is a slave to the $ idol. So be it. Suffer, fool. Jake made a very poor choice to leave the NW. He wanted to fly like Icarus. Well, he done got singed. Pick yourself up. Take your medicine. Get better. Learn all you can. It's ALL still there for you! By the by...anyone doubt that Sig thinks of Jake as for-realz family? No mention of how Elliott owns the Saga? Maybe that's cause he don't. Never did. Lord, how I detest Disco's choice of music to open and close the ep. Hip hop beat? Really? WTF is wrong with Wanted????? Only 16 bars? I haaaaated that they inserted Josh at the front and close of the ep, as well. Who the hell cares about him? How and why and in what universe is he considered anywhere near equivalent to Jake A? Disco-usting! The Hillstrands in cahoots with Sig was as funny and awesome as any side story this series has ever seen. The vic paid a price and took his medicine. Now, he will be respected and remembered for a long time. So cool. Poor Bill. Man, another mechanical not of his making (lack of commitment to maintenance) and another greenhorn who simply can't cut it. Didja notice how the edit of Bill radically changed? HE was the voice of reason and sympathy as the crew ripped the greenhorn on deck. HE was shown calmly explaining the way of the world, in a a respectful manner, to the hurting dude. The thing about the Bill's of the world is that so long as you give them your level best, and you give him the respect due his position, they will back and support you. Bill simply is not the ogre Disco tried to make him out to be. Is it a coinkydink that when they reeeeeeeally needed him this season because they couldn't find enough captains willing to put up with their intrusions that they gave him a fair edit? Uh huh. Suuuuuure, it was. Anyway, I hated it for all of them that their first string was such a bust. Man.

I so love this Malvo character. I also love the no-nonsense and no apology violence. You in da way? Move. Now. You still here? Bye. Removing the deputy from the case right in front of her father? Awesome. Regardless how correct in her theory she may be, she either follows the directives of her superior, or she does not. Again. Wham! Consequences. I was totally fooled when Max? rolled up in his Cadillac. I thought HE was the badass. The small signs in the basement were fun to see. Yes, indeed. Go for the life you imagined! Follow your dreams! When they whipped out that tool, it sure didn't augur well for the dude in the trunk, eh?

Meryl's scores last week were garbage. I'm glad we got to see her be real about it. I am betting there were a boatload of folks who have waited season after season after season to hear Maks give up the ghost (pride and pressure). He was more of a man in the montage tonight than he has ever been on this show. Erin has seen it and was not kidding around when she probed Meryl for her secret in finally drawing him out. They really did do a tango for the DWTS pantheon. They did this on an excruciating schedule for Meryl. I'm with the above poster who sees Meryl as "cold." However, I have got to give it to the lady. She, to date, is as good as anyone we've ever seen on this show. Charlie's routine was much more difficult than Amy's. He killed it every bit as much, if not more. I want a gold medal final, but I bet we get Amy and Meryl. Drew was never very giving this season. He had a ceiling beyond which he refused to risk. Cheryl felt it and it drove her crazy. Bill E. he was not. Glad he is gone per his unstated, yet obvious, wishes. Cheryl deserves so much better than Drew. She really does. I was prepared to detest Redfoo. Instead, he showed me he was in on the joke and played it out well. I never want to see him again, but I appreciate his self-awareness and good will.

I was struck today, having not watched JJ in awhile, at how matter of fact the cases were. One where the "charming" parolee she banished was beyond simple and she pretty much kept to it. Did plaintiff have reasonable cause to end the lease agreement? Yup. Did she buy furniture? Receipts say yup. Witness, too. Did defendant have receipts for any furniture? Nope. Case closed. Have a nice day. I thought fer sure that JJ would have more fun at the parolee's and his loser GF's expense. Then, the mileage tampering. The defendant kept saying that he, himself, had nothing to do with that. OK. Fine. Then, he says he believed the evidence the plaintiff presented. Instead of doing the right thing and refunding the money, he fought her. They get to court and he's all about making her whole? Huh? Why didn't JJ go off on him for forcing her to go through all this? What's with this kinder, gentler, JJ?

I lived within a couple miles of this place. Never saw it. Never went in. Riverside Dr. is not a street where you want to look to the side. You gotta concentrate on the road as it is treated like a go-cart track by many drivers. It is decidedly not in an upscale area. Ventura, just down from across the highway, is. In reading Yelp reviews, this is confirmed. They sell pitchers, after all! Who knew? :) Now, how on earth do cocktails mix with sloppy BBQ? BBQ requires a lot of liquid to help it go down. It just does. Beer is the natural alcohol to pair with it. I watched pretty closely and I did not see a single beer of any kind during the open. That is cray cray. It is also intentional. Diageo got their money's worth outta Taffer. We finally got a great look at an open where mixing ridiculously complicated drinks results in a huge backlog. The stress test was a sham, too. ANY small bar could not withstand a sudden rush like that. Yes, they needed a second well. No argument. But, chaos would reign anywhere when 100 customers converge all at once. Jimmy, the "manager," is perhaps the most genuinely dense boss in this series' history. How did he ever get that sharp lady to marry him? He is absolutely a product of an upbringing where nothing was ever his fault. There is a LOT of that in SoCal. Taffer's approach was meant to pierce the malaise, and to create hot TV. Yet, he never once exaggerated. Jimmy comes back on Taffer with this false pride I have seen over and over and over. His seemingly deep-seated pledge to do better had the weight of a canary turd, eh? Had this dude ever really been made to confront harsh reality? That owner seemed to be a classic enabler. I'd love to know from where his high regard for Jimmy comes. I'd be shocked if this place actually turns any profit whatsoever. *The sports bar "Champs," is about 5 miles NE of this place in the western-most edge of Burbank. It was featured in a BR episode called "Chumps" which was repeated just a few hours after this ep debuted. It was the very first bar I ever went to in that area as I was scouting a potential home. All the shortcomings revealed were absolutely true, and then some. But, if I needed to see some sporting event and could not get it on my home DirectTV, I would go there. Cold beer at a reasonable price, and pretty good satellite system to bring in sports programing. Any pretension at more than this was/is a joke.