Thursday, March 27, 2008

Trace vs. Piers! - Celebrity Apprentice Finale

Kim Reis

It’s down the finale in Celebrity Apprentice.  Trace Adkins vs. Piers Morgan.  As I watch the show and HOPE Trace wins, I’m glad to see that Piers is in the Final Two.  He deserves to be here (even though he was sometimes mean in the process). 

As the previous celebs were voted off (sometimes two at a time), each person had many strengths and weaknesses.  14 celebrities started, but Trace and Piers were the last ones standing and both earned their spot.  As Trump said, “Good vs. Evil.  England vs. US.“

Trace’s team had Lennox Lewis & Mary Lou.  Piers had Steven Baldwin and Carol.

Piers’ strategy was to gather the best auction prizes to raise the most money (and to get the celebrities drunk quickly so they will spend lots of money).  Trace’s strategy was to bring in more celebrities at the event and to organize a great event.  My opinion: Money Talks.  Although I do love Trace, I think Piers’ strategy is a language that Trump understands loud & clear.

Sidebar: Trump is not good at reading scripts on live TV.  He doesn’t sound comfortable.  Choppy.

Back to the action…

Piers actually apologized for being rude to Steven Baldwin.  I don’t think it was a sincere apology.  It was all shrewd business.  Piers sure was raising some serious auction items to raise some serious dollars.  Steven was not doing well in selling tickets to the event and Piers was sweating it.

Trace was portrayed as doing duties that were useless.  Like, he had to find black nail polish for one of the Backstreet Boys.  Give me a break!!!  This show did not showcase the BS Boys in a good light.  It made them look like total pre-madonnas.  I loved how Trace commented about the B.S.B.  So funny!!!  Trace was able to bring in some country stars who were going to attend the event. (and hopefully spend lots of money on the auction).  But, I’m surprised that he didn’t bring in more powerful country stars.  The country community seems like such a family, and I can’t believe he couldn’t bring in some heavy hitters like Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Martina McBride, etc.

Trace’s children and wife surprised him during the heat of the organizing moment.  It really showed a humble side of a genuinely nice guy.  So sweet!  Showed his soft side.

Where do these people get this kind of money for the auction??  I mean, seriously!  They could share some of their money with me!!  One guy bid $200,000 for two items.  WOW!!!  Piers raised over $300k in the auction.  He kicked Trace’s butt on that.  Holy moly!

The B.S.B. performed.  I guess it was “OK”.  It just looked so “90s” to me.  I didn’t like B.S.B. before and their attitude sure did solidify my opinions.

Trace’s focus was on the event and ticket sales, but unfortunately that didn’t raise big bucks.  In the end, Piers won Celebrity Apprentice and that’s what Trump had to do.  Piers’ big win was well deserved, although I’m sad because I really liked Trace in a personal way.  What a gracious guy!  If you saw his performance of “You’re Gonna Miss This”, it sure does explain my life.  I can’t believe I have a 16-year-old and a 10-year-old.  Weren’t they just born??  If you haven’t heard Trace’s song, you’ve just got to take a moment to check it out and reflect on your own life for just a moment.

BOY!  I sure did want to be on The Apprentice back in 2005!  Now that I work at NBC, I think my chances of being on the show have been shattered because I think the rules say I can’t work at NBC.  DARN!

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Dancing With the Stars - Week 2

Kim Reis

Dancing with the Stars - Week #2.  This is their last chance to WOW America before two couples get voted off the show.  Here’s how I see it:

Steve Guttenberg is so darn CUTE!!  Last week he lip synced “HI MOM!“  This week he mouthed “HI DAD!“  So cute!  He had nice footwork this week too.  He’ll go pretty far.

Christian de la Fuente needs help.  He’s a latin lover with no rhythm.  Poor dude.  He improved from last week, but still not one of the best. 

Monica Seles danced the Mambo this week.  She’s much more feminine than her tennis days, but not sure she’ll go very far once the vote off process begins.  She’s a little stiff. 

Wait a minute!  Listen to me giving opinions like this!!  I can barely do a box step and - those bodies on those women!  WOW! 

OK - back to my opinions (like they matter in any way- he he he he). 

Penn won’t make it past this week.  Poor, poor Penn.  He’s such a big lug.  Just not a dancer.  But, at least he tried. 

Priscilla Presley: Not sure of her age, but I’m sure she’s over 50.  Maybe even 60?  What a body!  She’s so athletic and she has some unbelievable moves.  She sure is a sexy grandma!  She’ll be around for a while. Her Mambo reminded me of Charro with a little ARRRRRIBA!!!

Shannon Elizabeth: Who is she??  She’s very pretty, very tall and she did well.  Don’t think she’ll go far because she’s not as recognizable.  But the judges loved her for sure.

Jason Taylor: Very light on his feet for a football player.  He did a nice job with the Mambo.  And, I’d hope so since he’s representing MIAMI!  Hot stuff!

I LOVE Marissa (known best for her leading role in Hairspray on Broadway).  I was almost in tears at the beginning of her “story” portion of the show.  She felt like she couldn’t compete with the other dancers.  She’s so darn cute and feels that she has to compete with those tall, slim model figures.  I love her energy, but I predict that she’ll be going home soon.  She got some sympathy votes from the judges tonight.

Adam Carolla - he’s in the same class as “poor” Penn. Adam is a funny guy and dances that way too.  Buh bye Adam.

Still in AWE that Marlee Matlin can dance.  She’s DEAF!!  WHOA!  Her teacher must be an AMAZING leader.  She has the great chance of going far in this competition.  Unfortunately, my poor husband tries to lead when we dance and I just don’t give the poor guy a chance.  He tries to zig, I zag and drag him with me.  I’m trying to learn how to let him lead.

Kristi Yamaguchi is BY FAR the front runner and I predict that she will take the entire thing.  I know it’s only week #2, but she’s got it. 

Mario is RIGHT BEHIND HER.  So she better not look in her rearview mirror cuz he’s on her tail.  He’s a HOT dancer. 

Once the few weaker dancers get voted off, this contest is going to get TIGHT.  Some great dancers this season!!

 

American Idol - It’s All About the Top Ten

Kim Reis

Tonight’s Idol theme was “Songs from Year They Were Born”.  I didn’t recognize most of the songs and I thought the song choices were poor.

Ramiele: She san “How Do I Get You Alone” by Heart.  Unfortunately, the whole time she was singing, I was comparing her to Carly who sang it much earlier in the competition.  Carly did a MUCH better job (by far), so it made Ramiele sound worse.  She screeched a bit and she didn’t hit the big notes.

Jason: I thought he sounded really good.  My husband said “WOW”.  The judges said they weren’t impressed.  WHAT??!!  I thought he sounded fabulous.  But, at the end of the show, when I compared to the other singers, he was one of the weakest.

Syesha: Sounded solid.  Liked her performance.

Chikezie: The word I would use to describe the performace is “OK”.  Not fab - not horrible.  I don’t think he’s going home, but he wasn’t the best.  Compared to the others, also one of the three weakest.

Brooke:  “Every Breath You Take” was the song.  She made it her own.  LOVED IT!!  When she first started singing, she almost had a hiccup and started the song twice.  Sounded rather weird.  I still stand by my opinion that I think Brooke might take it all.  I think conservative voters will continue to vote her through.  I was disappointed that the judges didn’t love her performance.  She’s going to have to step it up if she wants to stay because the judges are looking for her to out-do herself.

Michael: We had a rocker in ‘da house!!  “We Are the Champions” is the song and that’s what he did.  Rocked me!!  He definitely got the crowd “whooing”.  Michael sounded pretty good, but the background singers sounded horrid.  He’ll be around another week for sure.

Intermission - WHAT was up with Paula’s gloves???!!!  Ugly - with a capital UG!  And, Simon wasn’t wearing a BLACK SHIRT!  Wow!  And, at the beginning of each show, Ryan Seacrest starts at the rear of the audience and says (very dramatically) - “THIS is American Idol!“  The audience screams.  And then, in short order, she comes out from behind a wall on the stage.  How does he get back there so fast???!

OK - back to the show…

Carly:  “Total Eclipse of the Heart” - as soon as I heard the music begin I thought to myself - Ooooh.  This should be good.  And, I was right.  WOW!  Killer!  She rocks.  As it began, she was already making me grit my teeth with excitement as she sounded like she was ready to belt the notes.  She sounded fabulous.  That’s her sound and she rides that type of song very well.  She’ll definitely be in the top four for sure - maybe even top two.  I’m torn between her and Brooke to take it all.  Randy must have had cotton in his ears!!!  I felt like he made his negative comments just to get a reaction.  She sounded great.  Although, Randy was right on one thing.  The run at the end was a little out of tune. 

David: He’s being called the “Golden Child”, but I don’t love him.  Not sure why.  He doesn’t blow me over each time he sings.  I mean, he sings in tune.  But I don’t find him to be as amazing as the judges say he is.  They continue to put him on a pedestal.  I had never heard that song before and it sounded kind of “gospelly” {is that a word?}  Didn’t love it.  He sounds very young. Side note: Did you hear the stories on TMZ about his father being a horrible stage dad?  You should check it out.  Interesting story about how his dad acts backstage.  Not that I’m judging David on that story, but it’s definitely interesting. 

Kristy: Great song choice.  “God Bless the USA” - pulled at the heart strings of America.  She realizes that she’s the weakest singer and she picked a song that people love.  She did get some nice comments from the judges (for the first time).  Simon finally gave her a positive comment and he thinks it was enough to keep her in the competition. 

David Cook: Did they save the best for last?  Could be.  He’s the Bo Bice of 2008.  The real rocker.  His tone reminds me of Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam.  He sang Billie Jean, a Michael Jackson song, as a rock song.  Kind of weird rendition.  But, I think it worked.  He definitely went out on a limb with originiality.  Very bold, very brave.  The judges think he’s a possible winner.  I think he’ll be in the top 4 - not sure he’s going to win it though.  Simon said it was “amazing”.  Great job!

OK - here’s my prediction:  Three weakest performances were Chikezie, Ramiele and Jason.  I think Ramiele and Jason will be in the bottom two with Ramiele going BUH BYE.  Will I be right?  Hmmm?

Saturday, March 22, 2008

“Deal…Or NO Deal”

Kim Reis

Now - you might not think “Deal or No Deal” is a reality show.  It’s really a game show.  BUT - I consider it a reality show because real people have the opportunity to become millionaires and that’s so exciting to me.  As a matter of fact, when I married my husband 12.5 years ago, the only thing I asked was for him to win Powerball.  YUP!  Still waiting.  I mean, how selfish can he be???  I asked ONE small thing when we got married and he can’t even deliver.  He’s probably waiting for LUCKY year 13.  Yeah, yeah - that’s the ticket.  Patience.

Anyway (why do I always go off on tangents in these blogs??) - NBC10 is sponsoring a casting call for “Deal or No Deal” on Saturday, April 5th from10am-1pm at Twin River.  It’s so exciting!!  In other markets, the DOND casting director said that thousands line up to win a chance to be on the show.  I love these kinds of things!  I tried out for The Apprentice once.  Didn’t make it (obviously). - yes, another tangent.

Although they will shut down the line at exactly 1pm, every person will be guaranteed to be seen in groups of 10 (as long as they arrive before 1pm).  Contestants will have 20 seconds to impress the judges on why they should represent the Southern New England market on the show and win a chance to become a MILLIONAIRE on “Deal or No Deal”!

Here’s the most exciting part!  One lucky person will win a DOND briefcase that contains a golden ticket.  Could it be you???  This golden ticket allows them to meet the casting director FIRST.  No need to wait in line all night in the freezing temperatures.  Not only do they get to meet the casting director FIRST, but they also get to meet him ALONE.  One-on-one.  Not in a group of 10.  Want the chance to win this golden ticket?  CLICK HERE. 

Not only do we have ONE golden ticket, but we also have FIFTEEN VIP tickets.  What is a VIP ticket?  Well, this ticket also allows you to cut the line.  But, this is very different to the golden ticket.  You still meet the casting director in a group of 10.  It’s not a one-on-one event.

And, even if you don’t win a golden ticket OR a VIP ticket - you still can go to Twin River and wait in line.  EVERY PERSON in line is guaranteed to meet the casting director (as long as you arrive BEFORE 1pm).  GOOD LUCK!  I’m anxious to see how RI and SE MA impress the director!  We’re a great area of the country with some great, interesting people.

Now, if you’re a typical “Rhode Islander” - you might be too nervous to drive ALL THE WAY to Twin River.  It’s ALL THE WAY in Lincoln.  Just pack a lunch, make sure you have your cell phone and make arrangements for overnight accommodations (if you feel compelled).  It’s really not that far away and well worth it.  You could actually make a nice day of it.  Win the chance to be on “Deal or No Deal”, have lunch or dinner, see a great show at “Catch a Rising Star” and maybe even play some slots.  Hope to see you there! “Take me to the river….“ {insert music notes here}

As a matter of fact, someone from Barrington has already been picked by DOND and she’s going to Los Angeles where she might be picked to go up on stage.  She didn’t get this opportunity through NBC10.  She actually won the opportunity by purchasing a DOND scratch ticket.  Way cool!  You can read the story by CLICKING HERE.

Come on Southern New England!!!  Let’s represent at the “Deal or No Deal” casting call and SHOW THEM WHAT WE’RE MADE OF!!!

Celebrity Apprentice - The Final Showdown Begins

Kim Reis

I’m so glad that Trace and Piers are in the final showdown together.  I like Trace A LOT and I think Piers deserves to be there.  It was definitely unfair the way they picked the final two, though.  I mean, if I were Carol or Lennox, I’d be rather upset that I didn’t have the chance to prove myself in a final challenge.  Oh well.  I guess that’s how it goes in the real business world.  Sometimes, things just aren’t fair.

I am a big fan of country music, but didn’t know Trace very well.  I knew his work, but never really heard him speak or saw him in concert.  What an interesting guy.  I recently took the Myers Briggs Personality/Style seminar and found out that I’m an ESTJ.  Basically, the ESTJ tells me that I’m an extrovert who likes order, I think way more than I feel and I like to get things done immediately (check it off my list as you might say).  For those of you who have never heard of the Myers Briggs test, you can take one here for free: 

Anyway - as you might be thinking “WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH CELEBRITY APPRENTICE???!“  Well, if I were to guess, I would think Trace is the complete opposite of me.  He’s more of an introvert and I envy that personality style.  He’s a smart guy, but he doesn’t feel like he always has to talk.  He thinks before he speaks and, when he does make a sound, it makes a whole lot of sense.  I really envy that!

Trace vs. Piers should be an interesting showdown next week.  They have to put together a fundraiser with the Backstreet Boys as the headliners.  They will be judged on three criteria: Number of tickets sold, money raised at the celebrity auction and how well they ran their piece of the event. Trace feels that he can win two out of three goals for the challenge (sell the most tickets and best run piece).  Trace is focusing on the event and his celebrity roladex to bring in more celebrities to sell more tickets.  I can’t wait to see what country stars show up.  That should be HUGE!  One of the things he had to do to make sure his part of the event went smooth was make sure the Backstreet Boys’ backstage dressing rooms are to their liking (they are SUCH pre-Madonnas!!!) 

I think Trace is going to win it all - but I think Piers did a great job and really proven himself as a shrewd businessman.  Trace is working to raise money for the The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network.  His daughter suffers from severe food allergies and I hope he gets to raise the $250k for the cause.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

I’m a Big Loser!

Kim Reis

I just got a chance to watch Biggest Loser from March 4th!  I know, I know.  It’s already March 15th and I’m only blogging now.  But, I just haven’t had time, which makes ME a big loser.  So - as I watch it - I get more and more aggravated with my own station (NBC10) for breaking into the show at the high points of the show (like weigh-in results) to give me primary updates.  Couldn’t they just put it in a squeeze back and scroll along the bottom??  Don’t get me wrong, their coverage was great.  But, if I have a choice to watch Biggest Loser or news coverage - Biggest Loser takes the cake!

OK - I’ll get off my soap box now and get into the meat of the show. 

First, why does Biggest Loser do food challenges?  If you’ve ever watched Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew on VH1, he’d never do a drug challenge.  Food is an addiction for most overweight people.  My goodness!  That upsets me.  Especially since I am someone who lost 125 lbs and struggle everyday to keep it off.  I think the food challenges are horrible.

Danny ate 1100 calories to win $9500.  Was it worth it???!!  OK, it was worth it.  What’s a few more minutes on the treadmill.  HAHA HA HAHA!  But, even though he won $9500, it still makes me mad.

The challenge prize was weird this time.  They had to pull themselves across a canyon on a zip cord and collect flags.  It was a difficult challenge and took a lot of upper body strength.  But, the prize was odd.  The winner won a ride in a fighter jet.  If I were a contestant, that would not motivate me one bit.  No desire to ride in a fighter jet.  I would probably puke.

In the end, Bernie used his immunity coupon to save his friend Brittany.  In the end, that caused him to fall below the yellow line with Kelly.  He was perceived as more of a threat, so he went home.  When Bernie first came to the Ranch, I didn’t like him at all.  But he has grown on me.  I felt bad that he went home. 

The contestants are now singles (no more teams).  So, they really need to focus.  My guess is that Danny will be the last contestant standing, but Mark will be the Biggest Loser overall.  I just don’t see a woman taking it…AGAIN!  What is your guess?

Real Life

Kim Reis

I’m so upset!  I’ve been so busy with work and all of the chores that life brings that I haven’t had a chance to watch “my shows”.  Although I have them in my TiVO, I haven’t been able to watch them.  And, it makes it tough to watch any news, read magazines or listen to the radio for fear that I’ll hear what happened before I get the chance to watch it.  Like, for example - I heard that some Biggest Loser “cast-offs” were invited back onto the show.  WHAT???!!  WHO???!!  WHEN???!!  UGH!  I have to hurry up and watch it before someone blows the whistle and ruins it for me.  So, today is a rainy Saturday and I’m gonna take the day to catch up on Biggest Loser, Idol and Celebrity Apprentice.  I’ll blog later.  Although old news - I’ll give my thoughts and opinions (in case you care). 

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Gone Country - Finale

Kim Reis

What a dramatic ending to Gone Country.  For those of you who don’t know - it’s a show on CMT where John Rich (from Big & Rich) is trying to find a new country star.  The catch is that the contestants are already stars.  They are:

Maureen McCormick (AKA Marsha Brady)
Bobby Brown (R&B artist from the 80s/90s)
Diana DeGarmo (former American Idol contestant)
Julio Eglesias Jr. (Julio Eglesias’ son)
Sisqo (R&B singer - big claim to fame is The Thong Song)
Dee Snider (Twisted Sister)
Carnie Wilson (Brian Wilson’s daughter - Beach Boys, and singer from Wilson Phillips)

Maureen McCormick was always known as the “perfect child” while playing Marsha on the Brady Bunch, and she was the most fragile throughout the show.  Bobby Brown is a mess and drinks too much.  He also walks in his sleep and pees where ever he feels like it.  Rather disgusting.  They all had quirks, but those were the two rarest.

These people lived in a house together and prepared to perform in front of John Rich to win a recording contract in country music.  They wrote a country song and spent time on a ranch where they had to become COUNTRY.

What amazed me about this show was how the contestants reacted when it was time to perform.  They are already “stars” in their own right, but they were so nervous about getting on stage to perform.  Over the past several weeks, I’ve watched the show and I actually got nervous for them as they got on stage.  WHY?  They are professionals.  Being someone who has “dabbled” in standup comedy, singing and acting, I felt the same nervousness that they showed on TV.  But I thought stars don’t get nervous.  Obviously - I was wrong.

Amazingly, in the final showdown, they all did a GREAT job.  They all wrote country songs from the heart.  I’m a fan of country music and listen to Cat Country 98.1 and Sirius Channel 60 all the time.  They really did a great job.  I would have picked Diana DeGarmo to win it all.  I can totally see her becoming a country star.  But - John Rich picked JULIO EGLASIAS JR as the winner of the house.  WHAT???!!!  I mean, don’t get me wrong, he sounded great.  A real Latin Lover.  But country star???!!!  I just can’t see it happening.  Time will tell.  John Rich is going to produce an album for him.  I’ll be very surprised if I hear it played on my stations.  Bobby Brown also left the show saying that this won’t be the last time country fans will see him.  Hmmm?  Only time will tell.

Friday, March 07, 2008

Idol After Eliminations (March 7, 2008)

Kim Reis

Well - I was right in my last blog.  Bye bye Luke & Kady.  I didn’t realize they were voting off two last night or I would have made another pick in each gender.  BUT - I must say - if I had picked two more “eject-ees”, I would have lost.  I would have picked Kristy Lee Cook and David Hernandez to go home this past week.  NOT Asia’h or Danny!  Although Asia’h and Danny were not the strongest, I still feel they deserved to be in the top 12.

SO - my picks for next week’s show will be - Kristy Lee Cook and David Hernandez

I still think Brooke will win it all - with David Archuleta, Carly Smithson and Ramiele Maluby going pretty far.

Who are your picks???

Thursday, March 06, 2008

Idol (March 5, 2008)

Kim Reis

I’m sorry it’s been so long since I’ve blogged.  My TiVo is so backed up that I think it may explode.  Busy, busy, busy week. 

OK - enough about excuses.  Let me comment about this week’s Idol.

For the guys - I liked most of them.  Not sure why all the hype about David Archuleta.  Cute kid, nice voice, not sure he’s strong enough to win it all.  But he’ll definitely go far.  This week, I think Luke Menard is heading home.  There are other voices that are stronger than he is.  We’ll see if I’m right tonight.

As for the girls.  Interesting night, dawg!  I thought they all really sounded strong.  I think the girls had a much better night than the guys.  Buh bye Kady Malloy.  Just not strong enough compared to the others.  Although I like Amanda a lot (blonde streak in the front her hair for those of you who don’t know their names), I don’t think America will think she’s mainstream enough to push her through all the way.  But I think she’s unique and she’ll go far.  Next week, I hope she just sings.  I’d like to hear her vocals without the screaming.  I never felt that Syesha Mercado ever “found the note”.  She was all over the place and flat—a lot.  I LOVED Brooke’s performance last night and I really liked Carly’s performance.  Although, Carly’s tattoos have gotta go.

There’s no total standouts yet - but I’m going to go out on a limb and say that I think the next American Idol will be Brooke White.  Who is your pick???