bluepiano

I didn't think so. GR actually gave her one of the nicest send-offs I can ever remember. Not even the usual snarky voice-over as she took her final walk. All he said was that she wasn't ready to be a head chef. He seemed to genuinely like her.

Was pleasantly surprised (delighted, actually) to see Lexie go. So sick of her pleading poverty every week. I came from a military family and it's really insulting, because while lower grade servicemen aren't making six figures, they can certainly feed their families well. It's also insulting to people really living in poverty who are literally struggling to put food on the table. You can't afford turkey? Rubbish. Especially when you can shop at a base PX. Glad she's gone before she told us that her family eats off paper towels because they can't afford dishes.

Interesting point. I actually can't ever remember a team challenge where it wasn't tied or within one point with one dish left to go. Which has always seemed to fake and scripted. I know this kind of thing is old news, but Gordon throwing a plate of rib eye steak in the garbage can because of how it wasn't sliced correctly rubbed me totally the wrong way.

Agreed. Though I'm having trouble keeping track of who is vegan or vegetarian. Aren't there a few? Hasn't seemed to come up in recent episodes. Emily could be a sleeper, though I still think we're going to break the streak and get a male winner. (Though I have noticed Brynn not winning her glasses now). That's possible, though I've never heard of any time limit for contestant to defend themselves. Not my favorite part of the show, as they all say the same thing. (I'm a leader, I'm a fighter, I'm not finished yadda yadda).

I thought that this Young Guns season would have lots of drama because of the youth of the chefs, but I think they're actually a more mature and down-to-earth group than in a lot of previous seasons. Looks like now the producers are trying to get some personality conflicts going for more drama. Has anyone else noticed that during the elimination portion of the show, GR is always constantly looking at his watch, as if his valuable time is being wasted and he can't wait to get out of there? How many years has it been since a male chef won? At this point Steve and Trenton look like front runners and none of the women appear that strong. Brynn might be a good chef, but seems too full of herself to be a team player or leader.

No, because what I said is based on personal experience, not reading news articles, having been to the home of a friend who is an Air Force sergeant (not a general), living with his family of four in base housing.

More likely, as someone else posted, she's playing a character that was created for her by the producers. Also, I know active military people with families, and while they don't live in luxury, they are far from having to live on a subsistence level with a $40 weekly food budget. Not only is that a lie, but it's also kind of insulting to the military. Some people seem to have a need to feel that they belong to the "in group." A few years ago the New York Times did a story saying that a cup cake shop on the lower East Side had the best cupcakes in the city. Shortly after I happened to walk past the shop and there was a line all the way down the block. It was summer and probably about 90 degrees that day. And I thought, no way are their cupcakes that much better than any other bakery that it's worth standing out in the heat. (With wait lists at least you're not literally standing on line).

I was at a restaurant last week where I swear they came up with recipes by posting lists of ingredients on the wall and throwing darts. I'm no chef, but so much of it seemed random to me. I'm sure it's all "inventive" and "edgy" and over my head. When I lived in NYC many years ago I loved going to the old school Italian and Spanish restaurants. But I think that many have a heard time surviving, even pre-Covid.

According to an online search, there is something called "San Francisco chowder," but it's actually a New England chowder served in a sourdough bread bowl, so the incorporation of sourdough bread, very popular in California, is what it makes it "San Francisco." Sounds dubious, but there are apparently some restaurants in SF that have been serving that for decades. So is "California cuisine" the same as "spa cuisine?" To me, all these new additions to the food lexicon are amorphous and almost meaningless, since they seem to mean different things to different people. Not like classic French or Italian or Spanish cuisines (for example), which were well defined. I guess I'm an old fuddy duddy, because in the very hip city where I live, it's hard to find a classic dish that hasn't been "reinvented" or "deconstructed," and in probably 9 out of 10 cases I'd rather eat the classic. There's a reason they became classics.

I hated Joe throwing the dish across the counter. Suddenly I felt I was watching Hell's Kitchen. (And just when I was staring to not dislike Joe, as I have in the past.) Autumn and Suu at this point seem to be the teacher's pets. I thought they made chowder in San Francisco, which has (or did, in the old days) a seafood centric cuisine.

Yes, dinner for four was generous. But again, if you have to pay for your own transportation and New York hotel room (crazy expensive) that will be the most expensive "free" dinner ever. I've also had some very good jerk pasta dishes!

I believe it was actually dinner for 4, but I had the same thought. They've been giving dinners at the "legend's" restaurant as a prize, but unless you happen to live in the area, who could afford it? If the show isn't springing for airfare/hotel it's a meaningless prize. And if they were springing, I would think they'd mention it. ("The most amazing trip to New York). I've spent time in South Florida and have eaten at a lot of traditional Cuban restaurants and don't ever remember seeing pasta on the menu. As you said, rice is the main starch, but they also use potatoes or even cassava. As for "Cuban pasta," no reason you can't incorporate Cuban flavors into a pasta dish, as cooking is about being inventive, but it is not authentic Cuban food.

I say that is impossible if she feeds them any kind of meat, whose cost, even for low end cuts, has gone through the roof in the past year. Even chicken is several dollars a pound now. (My father was retired military and we used to shop at a PX. Yes, less expensive that the supermarket, but they're not giving food away). I think her story is a sympathy ploy. (Though it wouldn't surprise me if the show's producers are behind it.) People in the military don't get rich, but their salaries enable you to live at more than subsistence level. It reminds me of Melissa D'Arabian when she was on Next Food Network Star, who also had a sob story about her dire financial situation, which was later proven to be total BS. In other news, why does Autumn from Boston have what sounds to me like a very strong "New Yawk" accent? I hear way more Brooklyn than New England every time she speaks. I felt bad for Tay. I was actually surprised that they stuck to the letter of the challenge's rules, rather than send home the cook of a really bad dish. Joseph dodged a bullet for sure.

I was really surprised that Tyler didn't bring that up. He praised the dish but they didn't even cook the chicken, so that seems like cheating.

Sadly I feel he's in it for the long haul just to supply drama. Considering that the videotape already revealed he's a total liar I'm sure he will do more things that cause confrontations and team friction. He's also the oldest looking 23 year old I've ever seen. (As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm calling BS on many of the stated ages of the contestants. Morgana is another one who's 30 if she's a day.) Maybe it's because a lot of the chefs are really older that this seems like a fairly typical Hell's Kitchen season. In a sense, that's a relief. I was expecting it to be like America's Got Talent or American Idol, where the 16 year old contestants talk about how they've wanted this their entire life. Agreed with others that so far Steve seems head and shoulders above the other guys. I believe a woman has won Hell's Kitchen the last 7 seasons in a row. Since he seems like an early, obvious favorite I guess that means he probably won't win.

Matthew should've gone first, but he went second, at least. A "food vlogger?" Cripes, well I guess that's consistent with the youth team. But as he said himself, someone posting videos to YouTube has endless time to perfect his dish and do "retakes." He should never have been on this kind of show, but I'm sure the producers knew he would eff up and be one of the first to go. Totally agree about Tyson. Surprising to see that in this "me too" era. There are other boxing greats they could've brought on this show that don't have his kind of checkered (to say the least) past. GR practically treated him like he was Gandhi.

I had the same thought. I am ready to call BS on the age thing, because several of the contestants they say are 21 look mid to late 20s. If that Antonio is really 23 than he will die of old age by the time he's 40. There's another contestant that's already losing his hair, not impossible at 22-23, but extremely rare. I'm wondering if they shot themselves in the foot by announcing this concept, then couldn't find enough decent contestants 23 or younger, so took older contestants on the condition they go along with the lie. It's hard to believe that GR would think any 21-23 year old is ready to be a head chef. I notice they're hedging the language and not saying exactly when the winner gets the job. But even if it's not for another couple of year seems weird, as GR talks a lot about how much he values experience, and that culinary school doesn't give you some training but doesn't prepare you for the real world.

I would agree with that. I just don't get America's love affair with little girl singers, especially as none of them are anything special talent-wise. Just nice kids who can carry a tune. I remember someone posting here that the most talented girl singer ever on AGT was Darci Lynn, and she sang with her mouth closed. Something like, "I know it's not PC, but the mom is beautiful." So, nothing really offensive, but just stupid to be offering a gratuitous comment on the looks of someone who wasn't even in the act. I think that Heidi was thinking about that when she mentioned Howie drooling over the sisters. I also wonder if she might've been reacting to something he said off camera?

A thousand times yes to this. Three tween girl singers out of 10 finalists??? And none of the other singers was anything special. The only standout act this entire season has been Bad Salsa, for me the best dance duo AGT has ever had. But they have no chance of winning, because America seems to have a hard time identifying with them. If AGT were really about talent they would win, but most people vote on the basis of who they identify with. Saying that this was "world's got talent" probably didn't help them, but they weren't going to win anyway. I bet they come in close to the bottom in voting. Did Howie have to diss the Bello Sisters to try to make up for his comment about their Mom last week? Kind of doesn't seem fair that Alan Silva is doing his Cirque de Soleil act. Isn't he really a ringer? I understand that AGT has always had professional performers, but doesn't seem right that someone is doing an established Vegas act. Given that Bad Salsa has no chance, I'd like to see Archie win. A small compensation for unjustly spending 37 years in one of America's worst prisons. And I actually do like his singing. He touches me emotionally. Christina Rae doesn't, no matter how many high notes she hits. Sounds like a perfectly reasonable response to the worst season ever.

Granted regarding observing the 14 day quarantine. But I'm still saying there are special exceptions, because an average citizen of any EU country is not allowed into the US even under a quarantine protocol, and same for any average US citizen wanting to visit the EU. So there are privileged classes (athletes, entertainers) who have their own set of rules. (I know, because I had to cancel a long planned for dream trip to Spain). Well, since the Max Major debacle showed that all these mentalist acts are a fraud, not much. Since there were pre-taped videos of Shin Lim, Darci Lyne, and Kody Lee performing, of course they knew what object or song the judges were going to pick. I actually think they went too far with those pre-recorded videos, because there was no conceivable explanation other than advance notice. It's like they weren't even trying to fool us. I have tons of respect for sleight of hand magicians who practice for years to perfect their craft. (I've had the experience of one making things appear and disappear for me in person, so no editing possible there). But zero respect for all these "mind readers" and mentalists who apparently have no other talent than slinging a line of hooey.

Why am I not surprised that Bad Salsa, the best act of the night, needed a judges' save, while two boring but cute tween girl singers were voted through? I hate to say it, but I just don't think that a lot of Americans can relate to a couple of young Indians with accents that the AGT producers think require subtitles. "Wokeman" is in no way, shape, or form a Vegas act, and if you're going to vote based on social justice issues, who deserves to win more? A young dude name checking current events or a black man who was unjustly sentenced to 37 years in prison for a racially charged crime in Louisiana back in the '60s? The Bello Sisters arguably might be a Vegas act but I wonder if they have enough variety to sustain an ongoing show. Christina Rae seems a likely winner. Among the singers I would be okay with that, but I'm so tired of 6 or 7 out of 10 finalists being singers. I'm still pulling for Bad Salsa, but based on results from the other night there's probably no chance. .The US Open (tennis) was just held in New York City, and there were players from countries all over the world, including Germany. So it looks like there are exceptions made.

Serous question for the people out there who understand stage magic. Are all the mind reading and mentalists acts built around the judges or "randomly selected" audience members being accomplices? I know it's not real mind reading or clairvoyance, but I'd like to think there's something more clever involved than just telling people in advance what to say or write down. I've read comments here that she has a great voice, but if so, why bury it under background singers and echo effects as they did last night. Well, that was what I heard in the first 30 seconds, because I fast forwarded through the rest. As I do with almost every singer on this show.

Watching Bad Salsa makes me happy, and isn't that what "entertainment" is supposed to be about, and not guilt tripping people into voting with social issues or sob stories? Bollywood movies have amazing dance numbers, and watching those two is like watching a Bollywood movie come to life. Their skill level, given their ages, especially the girl, is amazing. I hope they win. They've been the ray of sunshine on the show this year in the midst of a lot of doom and gloom. (And not just from Covid) The Bello Sisters thankfully had less smoke this time so you could see them better. (Can we kill the cheesy smoke machine entirely?) I like them because they are also just trying to entertain, with no sob stories. (ie "It's hard being pretty, no one takes you seriously, and the ugly kids in school were mean to us.") So if people are calling out Max Major as a fraud, does that mean until now they really believed he could read minds, or control people's thoughts? I just watched this again, and what didn't make sense was that the 14 was in a red circle. Shouldn't the power ball number have been the highlighted one? And shouldn't the numbers have been called in the order they were on the lottery ticket? That would've been more impressive. If MM is a "fraud," what about Jonathan Goodwin? Despite the phony screams of the judges, nothing he's ever done has made me feel for a second that he's in any real danger. Is Howie breaking under the pressure of not having Simon around? He was a train wreck tonight, even worse than usual, with his "confusion" about the mentalist's act and his lusting after the Bello Sisters' mom. Then there was his question to the Bad Salsa girl about her knee brace, and trying to save face by pretending he knew it was for the act and was only asking for the sake of us poor stupid people in the audience. Also, since everyone knows that Howie is a huge germaphobe, even pre-Covid, Brett was crazy to use him onstage. It was completely predictable that Howie would act with disgust to anything having to do with bodily functions, which didn't help the act.

Don't forget, "Wokeman" (great nickname) has his own sob story too. His first (Golden Buzzer winning) piece was about his dead little sister. And wasn't he wearing her picture on his shirt? Can't quite put my finger on why, but to me he seems like an opportunist and not really sincere. I feel it's like he sat down and thought, okay, in the present moment, what's the message that's going to win AGT for me? I may be in a minority on this site, but putting back story aside, I really enjoy Archie's singing. My favorite type of singer is the story-teller, who connects with the meaning of the lyrics and communicates that to the audience. That's what I hear from Archie. I'd much rather listen to that than a singer who acts like every song is a platform for them to show off their vocal range, or how long they can hold a note.

Yeah, that's where I was going with that. It's not like she grew up in the Bible Belt. (and even the "Bible Belt" is not what it used to be). Howie is clueless and also off in his own (very affluent) world.