The Biggest Loser Fakery - Please Say It Aint So

I am a huge Biggest Loser fan and, no, that has no reference to my weight. That is why when I just read this story I had to come over here to vent.

As we saw last night, Dane Patterson was the next to be eliminated from the competition. And if you watched his follow up segment, you saw him and his wife take part in a marathon. Well it turns out that his marathon result and appearance were produced for the show. Why I have no idea?

Doesn't the fact that he now holds the record for the show for losing 100 pounds in 8 weeks, enough for the producers?? I mean losing the equivalent of a young starlet in under two months is nothing to sneeze at and should be commended. But I find that it's absolutely morally wrong for the producers to have picked him up and raced him to the finish line all in the name of a production time crunch but why not just let him do the marathon on his own and film finishing it for real and then get some extras to recreate the start of the race? At least Dane and his wife fessed up about the situation while NBC tries to scramble to save their asses. There I feel better now that I got that off my chest.

American Idol - WTF America!

Tonight's result show of American Idol 8 started off on the wrong foot. As the contestants sang "Just Can't Stop," here at TVholics we yelled, "Oh yes, you can." What the hell were they thinking? That was painful to say the least. You see, I couldn't record the show thanks to Ugly Betty (yes, I am still watching but I'm not sure for how much longer) and Survivor Tocantins keeping the old DVR busy, thus, I was subjected to a very long sixty minutes ahead of me.

My girl, Allison, is up first and I have no doubt that she's safe and I am right. I like to see my carpal tunnel development wasn't in vain. Was there much doubt of that not happening? But at least, they got one of the more obvious ones through first.

After way too much banter between Ryan and the judges, the next contestant through is narrowed down to Kris and Megan. OK, this looks like I might have been completely right but then I am slapped in the face with Kris Allen getting through. WTF! Do I need to get my freaking hearing checked??? You can not be serious!!!! Of course, they get him to sing again and it's just as craptastic as it was last night. I just don't get it. Someone please explain this to me. All I have to say is that Adam had better damn well be the other pick for the night or I am quitting cold turkey what has been a seven year addiction of watching this show.

Of course, the producers torment us with more commercial breaks as it's narrowed down to Nick and Adam. Please don't let the Sanjaya Effect take over this season. OK, the moment arrives and my boy Adam is through. Phew!!!!

So there you have it. What did you think of the results??? Would you have rather seen Nick get in instead of Kris? Were you disappointed like us that Megan will now have to wait until the Wild Card round for her shot at what should have been rightfully hers?? Let us know.

The Bachelor - Another Spin on the Conspiracy Theory

SPOILER ALERT! If you do not want to know what the possible outcome of this season of the Bachelor is, we highly suggest you do not scroll down. Consider yourself forewarned!

With the countdown to the season finale of The Bachelor now only 4 days away, the internet is buzzing louder than a hornet's nest about who exactly is playing new mommy to Jason Mesnick's little Ty. As thousands have read and watched Reality Steve relay the spoiler of the century that ABC planned for Jason to propose to Melissa only to inform her that he made a mistake and is going to ride off into the sunset with Molly during the After the Final Rose episode, I just learned of another take on the breakup.

Per a commenter over on Reality Steve who claims to be an ex-ABC employee with a few contacts for the show, it turns out that Melissa's parents didn't approve of her doing the show in any way, shape or form and do not support her decision to marry Jason. Remember, these are the parents that most of her friends and us, viewers, didn't get to meet during the hometown visit. Melissa does the respectable thing and tells Jason that she wants to take the relationship a little bit slower and that's when pathetic Jason loses it as evidenced in the promos that we have seen since episode one. Turns out Jason was in love with both of them and based his decision on who wanted him most. So what does he do, he breaks up with Melissa and rings up Molly for a booty call. Now that's a great role model for little Ty, don't you think. The sordid threesome will come face to face during the After the Final Rose show and duke it out for all our viewing pleasure.

So there you have it the very latest version of what goes down on Monday's episode. Regardless if this new spoiler or the other one is true, one thing is for certain, I think we are all understanding why Deanna picked Jesse and dumped this jerk last year and just why Jason is still a bachelor. What a schmuck!

Top Chef Finale - I demand a recount

Did you watch the second part of Top Chef Season 5's finale last night? Were you as stunned and shocked as we were? Do you think the producers fixed this season to generate controversy? I know so many questions and so few answers.

I have watched every single episode of Top Chef since Season 1 Episode 1 and just like my former love of that other Magical Elves' production, Project Runway, I'm starting to think that Top Chef has finally run its course (no pun intended). This season just seemed so drawn out to me: far too many contestants this year, lackluster challenges, asinine decisions on who won challenges and a plethora of product placement each episode that seemed to borrow a cue from The Biggest Loser, but the pinnacle of all the disappointment had to be last night's crowning of Hosea as the ultimate Top Chef.

I get the fact that they base the winner of each challenge on that specific meal but in this instance, they should have really looked at how the final three performed throughout the show. Sure, Carla was the dark horse who escaped the cutting block for many weeks and then out of nowhere started showing Tom, Padma and Gail that she really did know a thing or two about cooking. Sure, she resembles a lemur with her kooky eyes but the girl has hutspah. Did she totally screw up her last meal? ABSOLUTELY! Why she ever listened to sous chef, Casey, whom I have never liked, is beyond me. Did she gracefully accept the fact that she lost? A resounding yes. Did I think she might just beat Stefan for the title even with her souffle-less dessert? Yes, because as Tom Colicchio said she cooked with soul but, alas, it was not meant to be.

As to Stefan, yes, I agree he was an arrogant ass most of the time, but the guy kicked some major foodie butt this season. Challenge after challenge, he slaughtered the others. His freezer breaks, what does he do, create his own. But my main issue with Stefan was that he let his ego outshine his talent. He got lazy and a little too comfortable and that was part of his downfall. Was his final meal a prime example of what he's capable of? Yes and no. I agree that it did illustrate perfectly the type of chef he is, but at the same time it wasn't a wow meal. Don't get me wrong, I thought his alligator soup was genius and just showed everyone that even when faced with a nightmare new ingredient, he can still create a delicious dish. Put that in your chef's hat and smoke it, Hosea. Should he have won the show? HELL YES!

But no, Hosea, somehow, was crowned winner. Here's a guy, who I didn't care for from the beginning of the season. A man who should have been eliminated a lot earlier in the competition. A man who works in a seafood restaurant, yet, lost his fair share of challenges that were seafood related. Do I think the producers kept him and that idiot, Leah, in the competition so long because they were trying to create a shomance? ABSOLUTELY! Was it a complete cop out for him to not make a dessert for the final challenge? HELL YEAH! As one of the guests said, a chef should be able to make a dessert especially at this level and he was 100% correct as was Toby Young when he said that a proper meal has a beginning, middle and an end and Hosea's meal did not follow that simple formula. Which leads me to think that this wasn't an unanimous decision by the judges. If you noticed Tom's simple shrug when he was asked if they reached their final decision, it seemed to appear that he wasn't overjoyed with the result.

Will I still watch next season, yes. Top Chef didn't break my heart like Project Runway did. With any luck, it will be a better season. So will you be watching the next installment? Do you agree that Stefan and Carla were robbed? Weigh in with your thoughts, down in our comment section. We would love to hear from you.

This just in, Casey aka the saboteur has spoken out about what really supposedly happened at the finale with Carla's dishes. You be the judge if she's trying to take credit or is trying to ruin Carla's good name. Follow the link and remember to leave us a comment on what you think about it all.

Peace Out - Wendy Richards

It's a sad day here at TVholics Anonymous. British acting legend Wendy Richards lost her battle with cancer. For those of you not familiar with Wendy's work, she has appeared on some of the most quintessential classics of British television with roles on Dad's Army, Up Pompeii!, and the Likely Lads but her fame shot through the roof as the cheeky sales girl, Shirley Brahms on Are You Being Served in the 70's. Then in the 80's, she landed the role as the strong matriarch, Pauline Fowler, on the long running soap, EastEnders. When Wendy learned that her cancer had returned a few years ago, she decided to quit EastEnders and her character Pauline was killed off in one of the most lackluster exits the show has seen despite it being the Christmas special. Needless to say, Albert Square has never been the same since. So peace out, Wendy. You will be missed. And if you are in the UK, tonight's episode of Eastie will be dedicated to Ms. Richards and the BBC has just issued a moving tribute. Check it out here.

American Idol - The Second Dozen

Another week, another round of twelve over at American Idol. I was very pleased that the producers came to their senses and got rid of those boring, coddling and puke-worthy post-performance interviews with the relatives. Seriously, having to hear moms blindly disagree with the judges when their child gets a negative review was almost too painful to watch last week. But apart from that no other significant changes took place. So on with the show.


Jasmine Barry wobbled all over the place with Love Song by Sarah Bareills. It was a forgettable performance. I had had high hopes for her since she did stand out for me during Hollywood week. The worst part is the girl was comfortable on stage and had presence. Perhaps, she should try again next year.

Matt Giraud opted for Coldplay's Viva la Vida. A crap song choice if you ask me. I didn't remember this kid in the least from earlier episodes and after this showcase, I wouldn't recognize him if he knocked on my door right now. However, it appears that the judges were impressed from his earlier performances and I have a sinking suspicion that he will make the Wild Card round.

Jeanine Vailes must have thought she was still at a bar doing karaoke because that is the only way to describe her rendition of Maroon 5's This Love. Sure she looks great on stage but that won't be nearly enough to get her through. Buh Bye, Jeanine.

I've been a Nick/Norman fan since his audition. I absolutely detested his comedy schtick but I could see the drag queen underneath it all and when he finally sang, I bet the farm on him. Sadly, tonight, he disappointed the hell out of me. He picked the right song with the obvious drag choice of And I am Telling You from Dreamgirls. The vocals were good but he had to go into his comedy routine again and that's where he lost my backing. However, I can totally see him getting through tomorrow night, after all, he is this week's choice over at Vote for the Worst and even though it didn't work out to Tatiana's benefit, it could do for Nick what it did for Sanjaya. With any luck, he will get picked up for Last Comic Standing when he does eventually leave Idol.

I was impressed by sixteen year old Allison Iraheta during Hollywood week and I am still amazed that she's so young and agreed entirely that she could be one of the dark horses of this competition. She went with a gutsy move with her song choice of Heart's Alone and she rocked it! Best of the night so far hands down! Not only are her vocals incredible but she just has IT!!! I finally have a definite favorite for the competition and, yes, I will be getting carpal tunnel when I start texting in my vote.

I guess Kris Allen didn't pay attention last week when Steve Fowler picked a Michael Jackson song. Kris opted for Man in the Mirror and bored the hell out of me. He picked it up a tiny bit in the last 20 seconds but it was horrific to say the least. I suggest he start packing my bags as soon as he gets back to his room. What the judges saw and heard is another matter. Paula and Simon really liked him and it is sounding like another one for that Wild Card round. Sometimes I think a lot must get lost in translation from seeing it live and watching it on television.

Megan Corkrey wisely chose Corinne Bailey Rae's Put Your Records On and definitely made it her own but I can't say I was overwhelmed by her like I was with Allison. Yet, I absolutely liked her. She's different, fresh and herself and seems to be confident with her awkwardness and uniqueness. An absolute shoe-in for a Wild Card position if she doesn't get the votes tonight. Another contestant worthy of developing carpal tunnel for.

Matt Breitzke went with Tonic's If You Could Only See. Not the best of song choice but if memory serves me this guy did stand out during Hollywood week but tonight's performance was a yawn fest. Matt looked uncomfortable on stage in a constipated kind of way and just lacked any star quality. Another one who should be packing tonight.

Jesse Langseth, who is a dead ringer for Lauren Ambrose, decided to take on Kim Carnes' iconic Bette Davis Eyes. She has a Carly Simon type tone to her voice and did a good job with it but there's just something that wasn't right about the whole performance for me. I didn't hate it but I don't think I will remember it by the end of the show but I think she will be a contender in the Wild Card round.

I didn't recognize Kai Kalama in the least. He sang Jimmy Ruffin's What Becomes of the Broken Hearted. I found it just blah. Safe, if I am being nice about it. I literally wrote down that I would expect to see this at a wedding seconds before Simon uttered those exact words. I love it when that happens. Yet another forgettable performance tonight. Buh bye

Mishavonna Henson, whose name would take up the entire marquee when and if she hits the concert circuit, chose Train's Drops of Jupiter. She can definitely sing but I don't know what the problem was. I think it was the arrangement that was just awkward, while at the same time she felt reserved and disconnected.

Adam Lambert closes the show. I have been a fan of his since I noticed him during Hollywood Week. Sure, I know that he toured with Wicked in the role of Fiyaro, but I don't care. I love him! He has it all, the voice, the charisma, the personality, the stage presence - the total package. So, when he picked The Rolling Stone's Satisfaction, I was in hog heaven despite the band sounding horrific and a little bit of oversinging on his part. I'm thinking they need to do a duet round and pair him with my girl, Allison and watch them tear up the stage. Needless to say, Adam, too, will be to blame when I can't type up the results show tomorrow.

Our predictions for tomorrow's night:

Top Female: no doubt about it, hands down, carpal tunnel worthy Allison Irehata
Top Male: Adam Lambert
Runner Up Vote: Megan Corkrey, if it's based on talent; Nick Mitchell, if the Sanjaya effect takes place

So what'd you think of tonight's show???

The Real Housewives of New York City - My Eyes Are Still Burning

Just when you thought it was safe to turn on your television, the season premiere of The Real Housewives of New York City turned out to be a hazard to your eyesight along with your mind and sanity. Seriously, there are things that none of us ever needed to see in our lifetimes but last night we were tormented with images of the most despicable, arrogant, full of themselves, obnoxious, holier than thou couple in the entire country if not the world, the McCords aka Alex and Simon. And to make matters even worse, we were subjected to seeing them in various states of undress!!!!

Honestly, was there any need for the close up of Alex's coochie when she was trying on what I can only imagine was a bathing suit. And let's not even bring back that image that nightmares are made of, Simon stripping down to a Speedo on the beach because apparently having to watch Simon try on a dozen or so neon colored slip on sneakers wasn't enough for us. Simon, we get the fact that you have taken metrosexuality to a whole new level and we will even accept the fact that you are one of the most effeminate "straight" men on TV but really Simon, on an overcast day in the Hamptons, one does not, repeat not, don Speedos! That's fine in Saint Barts as you kept reminding us but you are not there, so get over it.

And if that wasn't enough, the producers of the show decided that they would torture us even further when during the previews for next week's episode, they zoomed in way too close on Simon's nipple as he was getting massaged. EWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

Alex and Simon just need to go away. Their contrived relationship complete with puke worthy PDA's every two seconds is just an absolute farce! Why do couples, like this one, think that they are fooling anyone into believing that they are so in love when they have to overcompensate with the "I love you's" and the constant petting of each other. It's a toss up which is grosser - Simon in the Speedo or watching these two paw at each other constantly like grooming chimpanzees.

With any luck, Bravo won't subject us to witnessing Simon getting a back/crack/sac waxing any time soon! The mere thought of that just made my coffee come up my throat but that will not dissuade me from tuning in next week.

To view the trainwreck for yourself tune into The Real Housewives of New York City, which airs on Tuesday nights at 10pm on Bravo.

Octomom's Dad on Oprah - God's Will My Ass!

I've never been a fan of Oprah. She's just a little too preachy for my liking but on the odd occasion that she has a controversial interview, I will tune in and today was no exception. I have found myself obsessed with Nadya Suleman aka Octomom since she had her litter of test tube babies. So, without hesitation I hit the record button to see what the man, who spawned this breeding creature had to say for himself.

For the most part Ed Doud came across as caring and compassionate but the moment he said that this was God's will and Oprah gave into that asinine reasoning, I lost it. How the hell is this God's will when that bitch was infertile to begin with, which is what God had intended for her all along. Yes, that meant NO KIDS, I guess sometimes the almighty gets it right but humans intervene and screw it all up. Yet no one has shown enough candor to just say just that. Sure they argue that the doctor was in the wrong (absolutely!) and that she's nuttier than a fruitcake but no one has addressed the issue that here is an infertile woman who tinkered with nature five too many times and who should not receive an ounce of pity. This was self-inflicted. If there was such a huge void in her life than why not buy yourself a cat or a dog or a parakeet or better yet adopt a child!

The only possible explanation that I can even dream up apart from just saying she's freaking crazy is that maybe she's a huge Simpsons fan and she just wanted to emulate Apu's wife, Manjula who received an overdose of fertility drugs. I mean that would make a little more rational of an explanation as to why anyone with an iota of a brain would do something like this! And this crazy who'e supposedly studies psychology and worked in the medical profession! This is what type of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest employees are in our health care system! I shudder to think.

And while I am on the subject of residents who live in Cloud Cuckoo Land, what the hell is up with Oprah. One minute she's all serious and the next she's talking to her audience like they are in preschool. I'm thinking that Tyra isn't possessed by her weave after all and is just taking her plans to overthrow the big O very seriously.

So did you catch OctoGramps' interview? What'd you think?

TV to Own: The Week of February 23rd

Another week and another host of your favorite TV shows coming to DVD here in the US and the UK. This week's editor's choice goes to the Most Haunted series. Sure I know it's all fake and scripted but how can you not get sucked into all the terror. Yvette Fielding's nervous energy coupled with her egging on the evil spirits is must watch television and in case you didn't know Most Haunted is aired every Friday here in the States on The Travel Channel.

Another recommendation that I would like to make even though I haven't watch it yet is Breaking Bad. Somehow I missed this show when it first aired on AMC. I just can't imagine a series that centers itself around a high school chemistry teacher who is supporting his handicapped son and pregnant wife who then finds out he has lung cancer and recruits one of his students to set up a meth lab. Seriously, this sounds brilliant and has proved to be quite a hit with the critics.

UK Releases on PAL:

Futurama - Into The Wild Green Yonder [DVD] [2008]

Doctor Who: The Rescue & The Romans [DVD]

WWE - The Twisted, Disturbed Life Of Kane [DVD] [2008]

Most Haunted - Season 7 - Complete [DVD]

Most Haunted Series 8 [DVD] [2006]

Most Haunted Series 6 Part 1 [DVD] [2005]

Most Haunted Series 6 Part 2 [DVD] [2005]

The Feathered Serpent - The Complete Series [1976] [DVD]

Hardware - The Complete Series [2003] [DVD]

Will Shakespeare - The Complete Series [DVD] [1978]

Born Survivor Bear Grylls - Mountains [DVD] [2008]

The Venture Brothers - Season One (Adult Swim) [DVD] [2003]

Charlie and Lola: I Can't Stop Hiccupping and Other Stories [DVD]

Beyond Boundaries - Series 1 [2005] [DVD]

Sofia's Diary - Series 1 and 2 [DVD] [2008]


New in the US on NTSC:

Breaking Bad - The Complete First Season

Canterbury's Law: The Complete Series

Cities of the Underworld: The Complete Season Two

Dirty Jobs Collection 4

Enemy at the Door Set 1

Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder

Girlfriends: The Sixth Season

Jacked! Auto Theft Task Force: Season One

Just Shoot Me: The Complete 3rd Season

The Lair : Season 2

Make Room for Daddy: Season 6, Vol. 1

The Mighty B!: We Got the Bee

My Wife & Kids: Season 1

Oliver Twist

Painted Lady

Summer Heights High

The Universe: Collector's Edition Megaset