TV Talk: Workout Season 3 on Bravo

Ok, I am going to write about a show I have probably not mentioned before because after watching this week's epissode I just need to let a view things out. I think I might try to be more regular with my TV Talk because I do have a lot of opinions on TV and I try to watch a variety of shows, not always just what everyone else is watching.

So today I am going to talk about "Workout: Season 3" on Bravo TV. I tend to watch it in the off hours because I have my tivo tape it in the middle of the night but I believe it is on Tuesday Nights at 10pm.

This year it is the shows 3rd season. I started watching it on a whim during the first season because I think it came on after something else I figured I would give it a shot. I thought it was interesting to see the "drama" but also the little odds and ends related to working out and I am a sucker for this type of show (person builiding their business, etc). Here is a brief decription from the Bravo Website (www.bravotv.com):
"Following an emotionally charged second season, Bravo's docu-series "Work Out" starts its anticipated third season on Tuesday, April 15 at 11:00 PM ET/PT, catching up with fitness maverick Jackie Warner as she prepares to tackle her personal relationships and business endeavors with a newfound maturity. The third season introduces the four skilled trainers Warner recently hired at her exclusive Beverly Hills gym Sky Sport & Spa, and her new live-in love, Brianna. "

I really enjoyed the first season and the second season I was reeled in with the banter between trainer Rebecca (who I recall from The Amazing Race) and Jackie as well as the tragic unexpected death of one of the trainers, Doug. I did feel Jackie seemed to have changed a bit from the first season when I could appreciate how she seemed down to earth and really into building a strong business and helping people by sharing her information with others who needed to learn. But, that was Season 1.

Season 2...I started to notice the way Jackie had changed and seemed to have more of an ego than the previous season but I chalked it up to that is what happens when you have a TV crew following you around. The season was still interesting and heartbreaking with the death of Doug but overall I enjoyed it.

This season, Season 3, I still find interesting when Jackie is not on screen. I find that I get more annoyed each time she talks or is shown on screen. I also think the addition of her new assistant, Lisa, who is totally there to be her eyes and ears and "tattle" on the trainers really degrading to the quality of the show. I think this year Jackie's attitude towards the trainers and people in general seems to have just gone down and she tries to cover it up with how she is doing such a good thing with her Skylab clients and how they "need" her help and its just the way her ego has enlarged I think. It may be because in the earlier seasons she tried too hard to be chummy with the trainers and has realized that running a business that does not always work and now she tries to distance herself but overall it seems like she has little respect for the people who work for her.

If you are still with me at this point, let me give you a few examples of how I think the show has started to take a turn for the worst when it comes specifically to how Jackie is shown on the show. Let me also preface this with the fact that I do understand that the show's producers and editors really have the final cut with what we see and what we do not see but as with any "reality" tv or "unscripted drama" there is some qiggle room in maybe not getting the who picture but there is also truth to what you do see.

First example is with the cruise Jackie took the female trainers on. I don't recall exactly why she was going but I believe Jackie was asked to speak or something and was holding "boot camps" on the cruise for people who were interested. On one of the mornings she had Erica and Rebecca run a boot camp for cruise guests. Partway through it, Jackie comes in and starts changing it up. This confused and offended Rebecca and Erica a bit and rightfully so. When it was brought up to Jackie her only answer was "this is my boot camp and if I want to come in for 30sec (although on tv it did seem like a few moments at least!) I can do that". It was an "all about me" type of response and she had no time for her trainers to be offened and couldn't imagine why they would be since "its all about jackie".

The next big example is from the most recent episode where Jackie fires Brian Peeler. Some quick back story for anyone who has not watched the show, Jackie and Peeler (as he is referred to most commonly) have always butted heads. It became even more evident an episode or so ago when she was having a meeting with this guy Don who set up a charity in rememberance of the trainer, Doug, who died last season. Peeler thought he was to be a part of that meeting because he was involved in this charity event, and Doug was his best friend. Jackie completely shut him out of the meeting and seemed offended that Peeler even thought he would be included. He genuinely seemed perplexed as to why he was shut out because it was something about Doug and not something personal. This past episode (befor the firing incident) Jackie's assistant "tattled" on Peeler that he had called Don to complain about being excluded. Talk about being someone's pet!

Anyway, so back to this most recent event that has completely shown to me the true colors of Jackie Warner. Peeler was training a client one evening and Jackie and her assistant Lisa were watching through the glass and Lisa made a comment about the clients breasts that was inappropriate. The clients boyfriend/husband heard it and was offended and let them know that she was a cancer survivor and that he was offended about their comments. Lisa suppossedly apoligized and that was all that was said. We later learn that the client's husband/boyfriend told him about it after the training which basically says it was still upsetting to them and so Peeler felt it was best to go and talk to Jackie about it. (And I have to say I agree with him on that. If I were him I would have done the same thing.)
So, Peeler goes into Jackie's office and says he wants to talk about his client and what happened the night before and she basically tells me she is not going to talk about it. And he didn't want to drop it because he thought it was important and she threatened to fire him if he kept trying to talk about it and he said to do it and so she did. Jackie tries to play it off like Peeler was just picking a fight that was not important and she really didn't seem to see how it did matter and that even if she didn't make the comments, she allowed Lisa too and it makes sense he would go to her first to get the situation cleared up.

I think she totally took that opportunity to fire him because as much as she disliked him he has not given her a real reason before and she felt she could. I actually wnet to the Bravo website and saw her reaction on her blog and I have to say that she did not help herself. It seems to me she tried to play the "Editing" card and that we didn't see the nice stuff but honestly, we DID see the conversation and the way she told him she wasn't going to talk about the incident was not the way she tried to play it. Her comments made it sound like she tried to say "not at this time, I am busy" type of reply to Peeler but on camera it was an "I am NOT going to talk about" reply and then a "if you continue to try and talk about it your are fired" statement.

I was comforted to see that the comments on her blog for the most part seemed to agree with my observations about how her "Character" has changed from the first season and how put off a lot of fans currently are after the last episode especially and even that many felt she handled the situation completely inappropriately.

Overall this season I am unimpressed and a bit turned off by Jackie on the show. I do think it would be interesting if Bravo go Peeler his own show because I tend to think it would get a lot of viewers, even if just out of curiosity. I am not one to let one episode stop me from watching, I do like to give a show a chance to redeem itself and in all honesty, as much as I don't like Jackie, I do enjoy other people on the show and the pure curiosity I have of seeing how things turn out is often my downfall in watching shows that have annoyed me. We will see where it goes...

ta ta for now...

TV Talk: Survivor Fans vs Faves 5-8-08 *spoilers*

I will keep this short and sweet but I had to make some mention of how fantastic of a show I thought this past week was. No one in Survivor history has ever given up individual immunity, especially when having it will guarentee you a spot in the Final Four...until now!

This past episode had Erik giving up his immunity necklace to Natalie thinking that she and Cirie would vote out Parvati and not him. Boy was he mistaken! I don't think the girls who got him to do it ever really believed he would fall for it and yet he did.

I am excited to see who is the one to win tonight on the finale-I am sure I will have tons more to say then.

But for now, I also want to point out this site the CBS has with video clips of the jury after they are voted out and sent to "Ponderosa" aka the place with food and things to do while they wait to vote! Its really interesting to see and hear some of their thoughts after being voted out. I hope they do it again next season and I think it might even be interesting to see a little about the people before the jury and where they go too but I don't want to push my luck!
Check it out here: http://www.cbs.com/primetime/survivor16/video/ponderosa.php

ta ta for now...

TV Talk: American Idol Results *spoilers* 5-7-08

Tonights show is the Results where we go from Top 4 to Top 3. I predict a bottom two of Jason and Syesha. Either could go and I am not really sure who it will actually be.

Ryan starts the show by saying it was the highest number of votes (51 million) and that the top 3 are all within 1 million votes of each other. Exacting!!!

They top four are now singing "reeling in the years". The corny choreography is really cheesey if you ask me. Its actually a bit distracting but oh well. It is what it is and it IS American Idol. Its like watching an old episode of The Brady Bunch singing group! I think half of the smiles on the contestants were because they too knew it was so silly!

First safe....David A.
Second safe...David C.

Up next who is staying and who is going....
But before that...questions from the audience. They were ok-entertaining but nothing overly exciting although I did like the question about why Simon hasn't been Knighted yet by the Queen.

Next up was Maroon 5...I didn't really watch it. The lead answering questions was a little silly but whatever. We tend to fast forward through the performances. Up next was Bo Bice...didn't care for hhim either. Didn't think he had a whole lot to say that was overly interesting either.

Staying....Syesha

and the one going home is....Jason.

I like the montage he had because I think it really shows his personality and it just didn't always fit on stage. I still expect a David-David finale and so in all honesty I don't think it mattered who went home. I will miss Jason but I think he was a little relieved. He even said he didn't know what he would have done next week when they have to sing 3 songs and he could barely do 2!

I think he did make it interesting and now all my love is going for David Cook to win it all. David A will do fine in 2nd and he can still go do Disney, Syesha will do broadway and David Cook will win and the world will be right with itself.

Til next week....

TV-Talk: American Idol Performances "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" (live blog)

Ok...its that time again for American Idol and I am going to try again to "live blog" my thoughts.

Tonights theme is Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. An interesting theme but gives a bit of a variety to choose from so it should be interesting.

Up first....
David C-He sang "Hungry like a Wolf" (Duran Duran) and for us it was not one of his best. It wasn't bad but it was ok. I think that while he does make a lot of songs his own, his voice and singing style is consistant through those songs. You can identify it against others. I think this is something that makes him strong but can also be difficult because on a show like this it can make him "predictable". He is still one of our faves and I will be giving him so lovin votes tonight. I am hoping he does a slower song like when he did Music of the Night for his second song because a night like this where they get two songs is a good opportunity to show the "rock" side but also the "ballad" side and hit both types of audiences desires.

Syesha-Sang "Proud Mary". It was an ok performance. She does better when she can "act" and sing but she falls into characters instead of making things her own or being her own person. I still think she has a nice voice but I am not interested. She is definately talented and I really think she will excell on broadway but I just don't get excited or interested in her performances. I do think Simon described it well when he said it was a "bad impersonation of Tina Turner". That hits it because all she did was impersonate, she didn't make it her own. Let's see what she brings with the next song....

Jason-Sang "I Shot the Sherif". His "intro" was very cute and I have to say right off the bat he already seems like he is having more fun with this song/performance than he has in a few weeks and I think if nothing else that is cool. I don't know if he will be able to pull it off with things being so tight but I still personally like him better than Syesha or David A and I will through a little vote love his way. It was in no way his best, but I don't think it was his worst either and I don't think its as bad as the judges tried. I personally think they were just upset about the way he liked it because it was Bob Marley. We will see what is next...

David A-Sang "Stand By Me'. I think it was "ehh". I really like that song and I was not into it at all. I am not even sure what to say about it I was so unimpressed and I really wanted to like it. I really do think the judges are trying to pit a David-David finale (and even Simon's comments reflect that theory).

Round 2:
David C-Sang "Baba O'reilley" I LOVE this song and think its a good choice for him. It allows him to show some soft and some hard singing and I enjoyed it. I even got chills and this season I didn't get them nearly enouhg (although my fave of his is still Music of the Night!) But I did enjoy this, especially since they have to chop the song to make it fit the show. I am happy with his performance and the judges are just annoying me tonight:)

Syesha-Sang "A Change is going to Come" by Sam Cooke. Of course her interview starts out a little odd to me when she compared being in the top 4 to the civil rights moment. No, Syesha, you are NOT full of yourself like I have thought all season:) Ben thought it was great but I still am just not overly impressed with her. I say it again and again, she has a nice voice and she is talented but she is just not as good as I think they are trying to make her. I really think this week they want her to knock Jason out because I think the judges are just tired of him and how "laid back" he is. I will make a special spot about the judges at the end of this.

Jason-Sang "Mr Tambourine Man" Another song I like and I think that whether people like Jason or not, it is going to be a bottom of two of him and Syesha (although I wouldn't mind seeing a bottom two of him and David A, I could deal with that but I know it won't happen.) I think honestly, Jason picked the songs he liked and wanted to sing because he had nothing to lose. He probably has a pretty good feeling he is on his way out one way or another and why not pick things you like and go out (if you do) by performing something you enjoyed performing instead of killing yourself to sing something to make the judges happy but you could care less about.

David A-Sang "Love me Tender" Ok, How is this kid still in it and NOT know Elvis songs (or the Beatles songs if anyone recalls). Seriously. And he turned it into another one of his "inspirational type" songs that is his sound. For me, it was nice when he did Imagine and it was the first time. I even liked the Phil Collins one he did "another day in paradise" but you don't do this to Elvis. Not such a recognizable song. And it ticks me off the way the judges coddle him and his songs yet didn't like when Jason changes up a notable song. Not impressed and I REALLY don't think he is as good as the judges are trying to make him sound. I think they are trying to hard to make it David David and need to emphasize David A "being so good" so people will believe it. I don't. I liked him early on but now I am over him.

Ok...so overall for me I thought the show was not bad. Not the best, not the worst. I thought the judges were overally critcal of Jason this evening and overly praising of David A. I think they are trying to "stack the deck" and I am un-impressed by that. I personally did not mind Jason's songs that they thought were so "awful" but I do think they were not his best. I also think that the judges just didn't like the song choice and were taking it out on him. I think Randy is trying to be "Simon" but he is not, I think Paula is useless and continues to be useless and I think Simon is still very honest but I do think he decides different reasons for liking people than just their singing but he is also a good person who knows who is profitable and who is not quite as profitable.

So that is my thouhts tonight...we will see if America gets it right tomorrow!

Happy Anniversary....to ME!

So today is my 4th anniversary! I can't believe its been 4 years already, where does the time go?

So in honor of my anniversary, I thought it would be fun to post some photos from that day. Most of them are scans and not the best quality but you can get the idea!

On my way to get married....

Our candle favors label

Our location

Our cake cutter











































I know I posted a ton (and have tons of others!) but I wanted to keep them here for save keeping! I know I have my wedding scrapbook but I have been thinking about maybe making a storybook (one of the bound books I did for Buffalo and our Honeymoon) to keep handy too. Decisions decisions!!!


Ta ta for now....

TV Talk: American Idol Results *spoilers*

I realize this is a day a late but I still wanted to post my thoughts on last night's episode of American Idol.

The show itself was ok. The results shows are never really anything exciting to be honest, except when they get to the results. I do like the way of "bringing them out" instead of just standing up on the couch bit they did before.

Basically, the way it all played out was that David A, David C and Jason were all safe. That left the bottom two being Syesha and Brooke. The idol going home was Brooke.

I think America got it right. I would have been fine with either girl going. I really think the top three will be Jason, David A and David C with a "David vs David" final. I am *slightly* concerned with the David A fanbase pulling it out and somehow beating David C and while I have had no problems with Savid A, I do think David C is a better choose for the winner. To me, he won it with his performance of Music of the Night". I am hoping that all the people who were Jason, Brooke and anyone else fans will pull it out for David C to win in the end.

For me, David A is nice. But I don't see him as the "American Idol". I feel like he does sing well vocally but he doesn't connect with the songs the way others do and I think that really can just be attributed to his age and lack of life experience. He has a nice story (overcoming vocal paralysis and all) but you need more than that. David C has a nice story too (his sick brother) but David C does NOT use that story to help him which I really respect because he could have really played things for the sympathy vote if he wanted to and it is respectful that he does not do it. I think all in all, that David C is the most talented in showing his ability to choose arrangements and know when to perform a song straight up and show the audience that as well. I will be honest here and say my husband liked David C from the begining and it took a few weeks for him to grow on me. I never not liked him but it was a few weeks in before I appreciated his talent.

I guess that about wraps up my thoughts on the results show. See you next week for more!!

TV-Talk: Survivor *SPOILERS AHEAD* (You have been warned)

As I try to get into a regular habit of "blogging", I don't always know what to write about as I don't feel everything is all that interesting in the day to musings of my life, however, I LOVE Tv and I always have tons to say about what I watch! So, with that in mind....some thoughts on Survivor!!

I REALLY enjoyed this evenings episode of Survivor. I have not been a big fan of Amanda throughout the season and early on I was pulling for a fan to win just out of principal however the "fans" this year are not really likeable or that enjoyable to root for. Erik, the young kid, has been at the top of my fan list however after this evening he isn't as high up there but I haven't written him off completely, yet!

Now about this evening's show, it was fantastic. I have not cheered or clapped like I did tonight when Amanda pulled that idol out! About time somone got to play it and what better place to play it then tonight. She completely blind-sided them without having to lie to them and I was impressed with her acting ability. She was very convincing and did not over do it but had those obnoxious girls snowed! I had really hoped she might have taken Cirie out simply because Cirie didn't want to make things a tie and in all honesty, that is a cop out but in reality, she was probably smart to keep her and get rid of Alexis because next to Alexis in a top 2 or 3, she would have been tough to beat since Alexis hadn't really DONE anything to the people on the jury (other than vote them out but come on, everyone has that happen!) But I did appreciate that she clarified that she did not have the idol at the time she told them because that gives the jury information too although I honestly thing she got all the jury's vote tonight when she blind-sided all the people who screwed them because she was NOT one of the ones to screw Ozzy.

At this point, I think if Amanda can find a way to stay in it, she would be smart to pull in Cirie and Parvati with her to the end. I do not think they will against her, purely because they both screwed at least one person on the jury so far AND the way Amanda got them tonight. The question will be whether or not she can pull it off.

I had been pulling for Erik up to this point but like I said tonight I was not as impressed with him when he went against her but I think she helped herself in a good way when she basically called him out on his not helping her even though she has helped him tonight at tribal. People will remember that.

I was also glad she made it clear she didn't lie because she did not have it when she told them she didn't and she didn't find it until after they all had told her they were voting her off anyway. She did lie about not finding the clue in the water and they could try to call her out on that but she could easily say she figured it out with the other clues.

Cirie is going to be pissed. She is going to be made because she thinks they were a tight three but then again Cirie things she is running the show. She is going to feel "betrayed" but Come On....she voted Amanda out! Too bad it didn't work.

I think if Amanda can get Erik over to her and Parvarti they could pull in a final three but they need to get rid of Natalie and Cirie, HOWEVER, in all honesty, and I like Erik a bit more than the others, if Amanda can score a final three with ANY of the woman she will be a shoe-in to win but she needs to be careful because they are going to view her as a big threat because of tonight, she will have lost trust with them and they ARE going to be gunning for her so she needs to win immunity next week.

One more note on this evening's show: I was disappointed that James had to be medically removed (a bit much of that this season and it really took out some good competitors) but I do think it was wise (its not worth losing a hand over that is for sure) and in the bigger picture, he can always say he wasn't voted out. He still gets to be on the jury and let's be honest here, he was not going to make it to the end, he had one of the biggest targets on his back and it would have been him not Amanda tonight (or in reality, Alexis) if he had not won immunity.

So all in all, I really enjoyed this evenings espisode and it was great to be so interested in an episode again, especially since this season has been a slower one compared to some others. I am anxiously awaiting the next episode and seeing how this all plays out!!!

Til next time....