June, 2008
June 7th, 2008, 7:44 p.m. - It's that time again
Book roundup time, that is. Here's what I read on vacation (the all Laura Lippman edition), followed by TV talk:
22. Butchers Hill (Laura Lippman)
23. In Big Trouble (Laura Lippman)
24. The Sugar House (Laura Lippman)
25. In a Strange City (Laura Lippman)
26. Every Secret Thing (Laura Lippman)
Up next: When You Are Engulfed in Flames (David Sedaris)
And TV stuff:
The Mole - "One Down, Ten to Go": I'm so glad this show is back! I love a show that doesn't talk down to the audience - in fact, this one actually challenges the audience. Of course, I have no idea who the mole is, or even what the hidden clues are, but it doesn't matter. So far this looks like a good cast, and I liked Jon Kelley as the new host. He's no Anderson Cooper, of course, but he did really well, and I think he'll wind up being a good choice. So far, a good start to what I hope is a good season. Rating: 4 clues that I'm sure were in there but went right over my head
30 Days - "Working in a Coal Mine": Love this show. I can't decide which episodes I like better, the ones where Morgan is involved or the ones where someone is thrown into a situation that's completely the opposite of what he or she is used to. The show is just so well done. This episode was more informative than I ever expected it to be. Rating: 4 more episodes in the season, because sadly, there are only six
So You Think You Can Dance - Even more auditions and top 20 announced: I would complain about not getting to see enough of the top 20 dancers in the audition rounds for the competition to be fair to them, but Sabra was completely out of sight last season until they picked her for the top 20, and she won, so obviously that didn't hurt her at all. I'm really excited to see how the top 20 do in the performances, and overall I'm happy with the picks, at least the ones I recognized, like Joshua, Chelsie, and Kherington. (My poor spellchecker.) But freaking Katee�man, she shouldn't have been put through. I feel bad for Natalie. Rating: 4 minutes too long that Liz talked
Top Chef - "Puerto Rico": Lisa is still in over Antonia. Lisa. Is still in. Over Antonia. That's all I have to say. Oh, and Team Stephanie, all the way! Rating: 3 plantains
June 8th, 2008, 10:36 p.m. - I guess the lesson here is to never suck on a lozenge on a plane
27. When You Are Engulfed in Flames (David Sedaris)
Up next: The Last Place (Laura Lippman)
June 12th, 2008, 8:12 p.m. - You got me, Katee
June 13th, 2008, 8:50 p.m. - You win this round, Jessica
7:34 p.m. - Team Stephanie prevails!
The Mole - "Two Down, Nine to Go": I've found myself really liking Victoria, so I was glad she didn't get eliminated this week. I was worried she would since they featured her a lot in the episode and that's what tends to happen when someone is featured heavily in an episode. I loved the idea of offering Mark and Kristen exemptions, though they would have to give up money from the pot. But why bother to offer them a ride up the mountain when they wouldn't get the exemptions and they would lose even more money? They wouldn't get anything out of the deal. That was poor planning. I liked Liz, so I was sorry to see her go, not least because now we're left with a bunch of young, pretty people, but the game is very physical, and I don't know how much longer she would have lasted. Speaking of that, watch your backs, Bobby and Craig�. Rating: 4 exemptions hidden in pigs
30 Days - "30 Days in a Wheelchair": Once again, both informative and entertaining, though I wasn't as interested as I've been in previous episodes. I liked Ray and his family, but it all just seemed a little too...easy for him. I think I would have liked a little more time with Shannon, since she was awesome. I just have a feeling that the people who would benefit the most from a show like this don't watch it. Rating: 3 mentions of the word "retrofit."
So You Think You Can Dance - Top 20 perform and two go home: I was all prepared to dislike Katee, since I was really annoyed with her after the way she answered the judges' question to her about whether or not she would come back if she were cut before the top 20. I was actually sorry that she was paired with Joshua because I really liked him and was afraid that she would bring him down. I'm SO glad I was wrong. They were AWESOME. Also awesome: Kherington and Twitch. Wow. I wonder if he'll be able to go farther than Hok, who beat him out for the top 20 last season.
I was sad to see Jamie and Rayven go, as I liked them a lot better than Kourtni, Matt, Jessica, and Will. I thought they both had great personalities and would have been very interesting to keep watching, as there are no other swing or ballet dancers in the competition. I also don't like Jessica, for some strange reason I still don't understand. And why couldn't they get rid of one of the girls whose name starts with C or K? It's getting annoying to try to remember all their names. Rating: 4 fake diamonds
Top Chef - "Finale": I've liked Stephanie since the very first episode of the season, so I was really glad that she won. She definitely deserved it. Despite a couple of bobbles, she's been an excellent competitor all season, and everyone knew it. Of all of the women to possibly become the first female top chef, I'm happy it was her. And not just because that means it wasn't Lisa. But seriously, can you imagine the chaos if Lisa had won? Well, as much chaos as people can cause on the Internet. Rating: 4 glasses of champagne
June 15th, 2008, 7:43 p.m. - Hey, wait - why was it called The Last Place?
28. The Last Place (Laura Lippman)
Up next: By a Spider's Thread (Laura Lippman)
June 19th, 2008, 8:52 a.m. - Hush, Mia
10:03 p.m. - Twitchington 4-eva
The Mole - "Four Down, Seven to Go": Wow! I was really surprised that Ali took the money and ran. I guess she wasn't really in the game for the experience, huh? And how ironic that Bobby said he wouldn't take the money even if he were one of two people left and wasn't sure he was safe, and then, you know, he wasn't safe. You can't plan that kind of irony, people.
Other than Paul (and sometimes Nicole), I really don't dislike anyone in the game, which I find refreshing. Usually there are a number of people in each reality show I watch who I really can't stand, even just a few episodes in. I'm sure that'll probably change, but right now I can at least tolerate everyone. I could even tolerate Paul until this week. Sheesh, what a jerk. Learn how to read a room. I mean, if you have a problem with someone, that's one thing, but if a bunch of people have a problem with you? You're probably annoying.
I liked both of the challenges this week, the first because it forced the partners to rely on each other and the second because I love it when they offer them a clue or solution that they could figure out if they just pay enough attention. It reminded me a little of the challenge from the second season where they had to get a car into a greenhouse (I think that's what it was), and the odometer gave them the code to the padlock they could unlock to get into the greenhouse. This really is a game that gives the smarties an advantage. Rating: 5 pieces of fruit
30 Days - "Animal Rights": I got bored and stopped watching halfway through. So...better luck next week.
So You Think You Can Dance - Top 18 perform and two go home: Mia needs to be REALLY careful about her critiques of personal performances. When she did the piece last season about her dad, she got no negative feedback when, frankly, I thought the piece was underwhelming and would have been more harshly critiqued if the story behind it hadn't been revealed. Yet Mia was the first person to speak negatively of Kherington after she danced such a wonderful routine. And I still don't understand her critique. Kherington was...too joyful? In a routine about being joyful? The nerve! Maybe I'm just biased - I love Twitch and Kherington to bits, possibly more than I love Katee and Joshua. I will defend them to the end.
I was really worried that Thayne would be sent home tonight, so I was relieved he was safe. I can't say I'm sorry to see Marquis and Susie go. I actually kept forgetting Marquis was there; he never made that big of an impression on me. And honestly, I never liked Susie that much. I was surprised she made it through to the top 20. Sucks to go out on your own style, though. Rating: 4 really ugly clown outfits Chelsea had to wear
Top Chef - Reunion: Usually Bravo's reunion shows are pretty boring, but I liked this one. There was very little uncomfortable tension, no big fights, and some good clip packages. Though I have to say, I wish they'd put the chefs' names on the screen, because I'd forgotten than one guy's name. You know? That guy? The one who went out on...um...that one challenge? You know who I mean! Rating: 4 novelty T-shirts people will wear exactly twice
June 21st, 2008, 12:19 p.m. - Crossover!
29. By a Spider's Thread (Laura Lippman)
Also nice - the way Lippman slowly lets out information in the main plotline. She gives you a little, then mixes it into the story, and then gives you a little more, until finally, about 45 pages from the end, she gives you the connection between characters that was never referred to before. I love that. I hate it when writers give you all the info in one big blog (usually at the climax, when the killer is talking too much just before he tries to murder the protagonist). This was very well done.
Up next: No Good Deeds (Laura Lippman)
June 22nd, 2008, 6:16 p.m. - Starring Crow
30. No Good Deeds (Laura Lippman)
Up next: What the Dead Know (Laura Lippman)
June 26th, 2008, 6:09 p.m. - Team Koshua! (Jatee?)
June 27th, 2008, 7:48 p.m. - Dr. Karen Boyle is my homegirl
The Mole - "Five Down, Six to Go": Ahhhh! Victoria was my favorite! Uncool. At least Craig will make a good substitute. Watch, now he'll be the next go. Paul was at least a lot less annoying this week (though it looks like next week that won't be the case). Nicole still grates. I feel like she thinks everything she says is so clever. People like that irritate me so much. By the way, what's up with Kristen and Alex? I keep forgetting they're there. They never say anything. They're even quieter than Clay (who I think is mostly quiet because it's his strategy AS THE MOLE). Under-the-radar threats? Socially awkward shy people? Or not interesting enough for camera time? You be the judge. Rating: 3 gold bricks
30 Days - "Same-Sex Parenting": Dear Kati, there is a different between disagreeing with someone and hitting him or her over the head with your viewpoint. If you go into someone's house and say over and over that you believe the opposite of that person, you should not be surprised when that person doesn't feel comfortable listening to you. Also, when you are surrounded by a group of people who believe the opposite of you, it might be a good idea to not act morally outraged by them. It also might be a good idea not to do all of this on TV, because you will come across looking like an intolerant, offensive nutjob, probably even to people who agree with you. Please try talking less and listening more. Love, the world. Rating: 4 rainbows
So You Think You Can Dance - Top 16 perform and two go home: I've already said how I feel about Thayne, so it's no surprise that I'm happy he got to stick around. Pairing him with Comfort, though…I don't think that's going to work out well for either of them. I wish Matt had gone home, even with his good solo, because then Kourtni and Thayne could partner and Thayne might have a better chance of sticking around. (Why were Kourtni and Matt in the bottom three in the first place, though? Jessica and Will had visible screw-ups. Stupid judges talking up Will for the final four, making the audience want to keep him around. He can't be in the final four! Kherington, Twitch, Katee, and Joshua have to be in the final four!)
Mark and Chelsie were absolutely my favorite pair of the week. I loved their routine, and their personalities are just coming out all over the place. Twitchington and Katee and Joshua were my next favorites (no surprise there), and everyone else I was kind of lukewarm about. I would have kept Chelsea over Comfort. Comfort is just not going to be able to hack it, unfortunately. Compare her with Katee, Kherington, Chelsie, and even Kourtni. There's just no comparison. Rating: 4 bright orange prison jumpsuits
Hopkins - Episode 1: I watched most, if not all, of the original Hopkins 24/7 series years ago, though I don't remember most of it. I liked this version, too. Some of the patients were even more interesting than the doctors, though Dr. Boyle might be my new favorite person in the world. She can join my fantasy shopping trip, which already features Kristen Bell, Jennifer Garner, Cat Deeley, Jordin Sparks, and Nancy Lee Grahn. Rating: 4 arteries that squirt into your eye. Ewwww
June 28th, 2008, 12:22 p.m. - Toomanycharactersitis claims another victim
31. What the Dead Know (Laura Lippman)
Up next: Another Thing to Fall (Laura Lippman)
This was the first of Lippman's books where I sort of figured out who the culprit was before the end. I'm not sure if that's a good sign or a bad one. Eh, I'll go with good, since I'm really enjoying her books.
This was my favorite of Lippman's books so far. Even though there were a lot of characters, I felt like the story wasn't overloaded, and the characters who were there were enjoyable to read. I'd like to see Rick and Kristina pop up again in a later book.
Maybe I'm just tired, but I've already forgotten most of this book. Not quite that memorable, unfortunately. Oh, wait, I do remember Tess going undercover. That was cool. And I like how she relies on her connections (such as Whitney's mother) to help her gather information.
I used to not like Crow very much, but I'm liking him a lot more. This story was pretty middle-of-the-line as far as Lippman's go, but still pretty good. I was actually kind of upset over who the culprit turned out to be, because I thought he was a good character and wanted him to stick around. It just goes to show that Lippman can write her villains three-dimensionally.
Every Secret Thing is Lippman's first stand-alone non-Tess novel, and I really enjoyed it. I'm glad she stepped out of the series for a little while because she got to tell a good story with some interesting characters she wouldn't normally get to use. Though there were a few too many characters for my taste. Still, I'm really liking Lippman's books and I'm glad I tried them out.
I have to admit that I was kind of disappointed by Sedaris' last book, Dress Your Family in Courduroy and Denim, so I was a little apprehensive about When You Are Engulfed in Flames. Fortunately, I didn't need to be. I think I enjoyed every essay, and if I didn't, I at least can't remember not enjoying them, which I guess is a good thing. I just wish he didn't take so long to write his books.
I'm glad I'm reading these all one right after the other because this way I remember more about previous books, which came in handy for this one. It answers a couple of questions left unanswered after Baltimore Blues, the first in the series. Other than that, it wasn't the best in the series, but I was mostly pleased with it.
I was expecting some sort of crossover from the Tess series into Lippman's stand-alone books, like when I read Every Secret Thing, but it happened the other way around, with Nancy Porter from Every Secret Thing making a cameo appearance in By a Spider's Thread. Nice fakeout, Lippman.
Yeah, but...why?
You know how in elementary-school math classes sometimes you look at word problems and instead of solving them, you have to state whether there's enough info to solve the problem, not enough info, or too much info? This book had too much info. And too many characters. But you know, in another author's hands, it probably would have been poorly written, so I'll just move on in this case.