The Face on Oxygen

This is based on me having seen the first two proper episodes of The Face. Don't ask me how since I don't get the Oxygen network.

Heard about The Face awhile ago on Fashion Police, and it's finally started on the Oxygen channel.

I appreciate that they didn't have whole episodes dedicated to the audition process - instead it was a quick cut of who the coaches (Naomi Campbell, Coco Rocha and Karolina Kurkova) picked to be on their teams. I didn't know that anyone on the planet can apply, which is a refreshing change. Neither did I know that Nigel Barker would be hosting this show as his post-ANTM gig. Good on him - haven't seen a decent male host a reality competition show in a while... okay, besides Colby Donaldson on Top Shot.

The format is (fortunately) is not too similar to shows of its ilk: the individual Test Shot challenges are conducted by one of the three coaches in their respective "specialties" (Coco's posing lesson; Naomi's styling class). At least the team challenges are actual shoots for actual brands.

I don't know how objective the supermodel coaches are gonna be on this show because they seem to be taking it personally when they have to send one of their own to be eliminated by the winning coach of the week's team challenges. Naomi keeping the less experienced contestant over the more experienced one (who's one of Karolina's team members) just seem like she's getting her revenge after having one of hers cut by Karolina in the previous episode. 

Luckily it's a limited engagement (8 episodes long), so it won't be so drawn out or all crazy like on ANTM.

Random thoughts:

• It's so weird to hear the phrase "Team Coco" when it's got nothing to do with Conan O' Brien :D Also, she's only 24 and has been modelling for 10 years? Oy vey :P
• Ulta Beauty? Really? I've probably come across the name in passing, but really?! They got to start someplace, I suppose...
• Margaux? Really? Huh...

Related articles

• 5 Reasons To Watch Oxygen's "The Face" (Plus A Sneak Peek At The New Modeling Show Starring Naomi Campbell, Karolina Kurkova & Coco Rocha!)

The Taste - Foodie version of The Voice?

A while ago, we all only know that Bourdain and Nigella were involved in some cooking competition show for ABC. It finally made its appearance, and it's called The Taste. Top Chef alum Brian Malarkey and Top Chef Masters veteran Ludo Lefebvre were announced later to round out the judging/mentor panel. 

Reading about the format, it reminded me of The Voice, but with food. I admit I don't watch The Voice, but I heard about how the auditions go.

Watching the audition stage, I found that it's interesting quite a number of professional chefs are getting passed over the home cooks for each mentor's kitchens. Not to mention the vegan/vegetarian cooks that try to slip the judges non-meat product unto the spoon, haha :D 

Am I the only one that thinks it a little weird that everyone else except (Brian) Malarkey go by first names? It's probably just me.

After watching the auditions, I don't quite understand how the judges "messed up" and didn't pick someone for their kitchen whose food they liked. What the...?! Maybe they had to vote so quickly, that's why they "screwed up" like that? I don't know...  Interesting that Bourdain picked the pretty ladies for his kitchen/team, but that's just a random observation. At least they have their 4 person teams and the competition begins!

Sucker that I am for food and cooking shows, I'll keep watching to see how the competition part plays out.

PS. Trust Bourdain to come up with these gems: "vomit in terror", "chute of terror".

Thoughts on...Asia's Next Top Model

This is after attempting to catch first airings (not sure who would bother uploading these on YouTube okay, you can find full episodes on the official YouTube channel...) of the nine episodes aired (as of this week)... I definitely missed a few, especially the makeover part, which I enjoy a little too much because it's fun to see some people's bad reactions to getting their hair cut short.

• There's a good mix of contestants - not too many people from the same places from the same countries, etc. Considering how many countries in this part of the world does not have its own Top Model show, that is.
• Can't help but snigger at some of these contestants' names, but I give Bei Si props for not picking her own English name (if her parents already hadn't) to go by in the competition.
• The blatant sponsor placement was a bit atrocious, but an evil necessity.
• Despite it being shot in Singapore, the Malaysian in me was gleeful that the Singaporean got booted first.
• There's a whole lot of fainting and panic attacks going on :P
• After watching America's Next Top Model judging go cray cray in recent cycles, it took some getting used to watching this panel really take things seriously.
• I think the producers' idea of "must also understand and speak English" is a lot looser than my own interpretation.
• To all the people who complained about how the half-white people are still in the competition - about half the eliminated contestants don't exactly fulfill the previous point.

Team Edition Project Runway

At a production meeting...

Producer 1: Season 11, and we're still on the air! Whoda thunk?

Producer 2: I know, right? So what's the gimmick for this one?

Producer 1: Viewers LOVE watching the contestants suffer - so instead of team challenges every few episodes, why not have them EVERY SINGLE EPISODE! The numbers would be through the roof!

Producer 2: Genius! That's settled... let's go for lunch!

[Disclaimer: That was just really fictionalized BS as to how they might have conjured up with the team challenge-only season of Project Runway. Please don't sue me - it was meant to be tongue-in-cheek.]

Just as PR fans are still reeling from the news of Kors' departure (but excited to see what Zac Posen will do - that's just me personally), the PR blog on Lifetime announced (which I found out via Tim Gunn on his official Facebook page) that Season 11 will be all team challenges. And I thought it was just a rumour :P

This move will definitely bring out the human drama, but will the numbers be any better? Also, would the designers be in The Fashion Show-esque "fashion houses" all season long, or would they be drawing buttons out of the velvet bag every elimination challenge?

Which begs the question - why don't they draw scissors out of a box like how they draw knives on Top Chef? LOL. I guess oversized buttons out of the velvet bag is cheaper and safer all around :P

Guess the only way to find out is to watch :P

Related articles

• Kors out, Posen in?

Kors out, Posen in?

Just as we're getting into the swing of the current season of Project Runway: All Stars, news broke out that Michael Kors will be stepping down as full time (or permanent) Project Runway judge due to "scheduling issues" (I wonder if it's code for anything, or he just wants more time to travel around to inspect/attend store openings overseas...or does he know something the rest of us doesn't?). All the other headlines you read about it online make it sound like he got fired, and not that he just doesn't have time to do the show. Besides, he's supposed to be back for the next season finale, so he won't stay away for good.

His snarky insights will be missed (some), but I know I won't miss seeing the Oompa Loopa skin tone on there anytime soon.

I can't wait to see what Zac Posen brings to that erm, table next season. 

PS. I read that next season is gonna be mostly team challenges? If that's true, I would hate to be a contestant on THAT season.

Related articles

• Project Runway Shocker: Kors Out, Posen In!
• Zac Posen In, Michael Kors Out On 'Project Runway'

Thoughts On: Next Iron Chef: Redemption

Finally sat through an entire season of Next Iron Chef Redemption; I just finished the finale and I'm glad Guarnaschelli won. I did have my concerns about Iron Chef Zakarian being on the judging panel this past season because she is usually one of his sous chefs whenever he gets called to battle. But he seems pretty objective, for all intents and purposes.

Only bothered to watch this season to see which of the former Next Iron Chef rejects were coming back. At least Spike wasn't the first booted this time round and Marcel made it to the final four, but I seriously doubt that Food Network would let Top Chef alum be Iron Chefs. Prove me wrong, Food Network.

She's only like the second female Iron Chef ever. I hope to see her first battle soon.

If there's ever a next season, who's going to compete? You would think they ran out of people already... I'm ready to be surprised.

Related articles

• 'Iron Chef' returns to Japan
• The Next Iron Chef Winner Spills Secrets From the Season of Redemption

Bye, Dirty Jobs

Got the shock of my life going through the Twitter feed (@brieftvrants) when I saw a Tweet that Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs is cancelled after eight seasons. Mike Rowe says so himself here on the Huffington Post.

First response: WTF.

Second response (after some thought): Well, I think they've exhausted every dirty job to be had in the continental United States. It might be a little more interesting if it went global, but that'll make the show really expensive to make, which might give Discovery cause to cancel for that reason.

I wonder how much online backlash will there be if the same fate happened to Mythbusters. Of epic proportions, I imagine.

Related articles

• Discovery Channel Cancels Dirty Jobs
• Mike Rowe: A Turkey Without a Pardon: Bidding Farewell to Dirty Jobs

CBS's Elementary - Liked it enough

I think I remembered being open to the idea of the American version of Sherlock Holmes.... sort of. Well okay, I had my concerns. Checked out the pilot and I don't hate it. While probably not as visually stimulating as Sherlock, but you have to bear in mind that it takes over a year for Cumberbatch and co to shoot three 90-minute episodes, and with both Cumberbatch and Freeman in the Hobbit movie trilogy and doing other projects, who the heck knows when the next series will happen.

One of my main concerns was that this Holmes would be American. So I was glad that Jonny Lee Miller finally gets to speak in his own English accent (or some version of it) after Eli Stone and that other show he was in that I can't remember now. Can't wait to see who his father is, and to see how long this goes. Aidan Quinn playing another cop so soon after failed American Prime Suspect was a bit of a *facepalm* moment.

I'll keep watching. Will you?

Thoughts while watching the Emmys...

• Opening sketch with Jimmy Kimmel getting hit by the female nominees in the bathroom to undo the botox "damage" was a bit funny. Even with Ellen offering him her pants to wear. Not sure why Lena Dunham was eating cake in the nude in the same bit, but whatevs.
• Barely heard the first few minutes of Kimmel's monologue. I don't know if it's them or the video I'm watching it from.
• Isn't there usually some guy who helps the ladies up the stairs, or am I confusing it with some other awards show...?
• I was hoping Louis CK win more Emmys than he did. That's just me.
• Most of the guys in Modern Family against one of the New Girl guys? WTF.
• The acceptance speech switch between Poehler and Louis Dreyfus? No wonder she got played off :P
• Not surprised The Amazing Race won.
• I laughed when Gervais went, "Not again.." when The Daily Show won for the kazillionth time at this point. Laughed even harder when Stewart so red-faced after being wrestled on the aisles by Fallon and Colbert.
• It's so sad that the 10 episode long show, Missing is considered a "miniseries, movie or dramatic special" in the Emmys. But at least it got nominated.
• I appreciated the little bits of injected humour into the proceedings.
• Give Ellen props for actually coming out sans pants. 
• I give Costner props for always getting away with the exposed chest look :P

ANTM: College Edition

Is anyone watching this college cycle of ANTM? I'm watching just to see how it'll turn out. 

Having this one be the college cycle reminds me of when they were searching models for the Victoria's Secret  Pink sub-brand comes to mind... you know, the one targeted at college-going women? It's too soon to tell how things will go this cycle, but having the public opinion count in the judging (through proxy Bryanboy) is certainly ONE way to revive this old hag of a show. Having young British male supermodel Rob Evans (conveniently also around the contestants' age) on the judging panel is another.

There's TWO things I personally look forward to:  watching the girls react to the makeover and the nude photoshoot - someone always says no and/or cries about it. Even the makeover part of the season is pretty low-key: now the contestants get to choose whether they want the makeover or not, but before they find out what it is. So shrewd, these producers. Also, so anticlimactic. Besides one breakdown, everyone else was happy with their makeovers. You would think that these girls would KNOW by now about the makeover stage of the season. Sigh.

I know I'm behind the times when it comes to YouTube celebs, but I didn't know the hairy fat guy is one of them. 

I'm such a sucker for trainwreck-y shows.

Thoughts While Watching The London 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony

Finally got around to watch the Olympics closing ceremony. Didn't watch it live, so I had to stream the show on YouTube on the official Olympics channel. Yes it's there, it might not be available to all countries, I think.

• I can't imagine having to sing (or lip sync) on top of a fast moving vehicle that's going around the stadium, so I give some of these people props. Speaking of which, the show would be way longer if some of the acts weren't driven to the middle of the stadium by motorised means. I was excited when some of them were driven there by the famous London black cabs.
• Love the STOMP! cast, and the use of the song, A Day in the Life.
• The athletes marching back into the stadium was a little long, but what are you gonna do about it.
• Even the British born models couldn't walk fast enough from their transport at the edge of the stadium to the middle and they walk for a living.
• I Am the Walrus isn't a sing-songy song, so one can argue that Russell Brand did an okay job miming it along with bond (the all female string quartet, not 007).
• Fat Boy Slim:  the octopus he came out on was left me wondering what was the point of it. At least he played his classic tunes: Right Here, Right Now and The Rockafeller Skank.
• At least Taio Cruz, Tinie Tempah and Jessie J got to do their songs and then some Bee Gees. Just because Americans don't know who they are, doesn't mean the rest of the planet doesn't.
• Was half expecting Annie Lennox to sing Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These). One can always hope.
• The Spice Girls didn't exactly sing entire songs in their set. They should definitely only be together on special occasions :P
• I don't think I've never seen Liam Gallagher perform sans eyewear before... his siderburns are nothing compared to Supergrass guys. Yes, the estranged brother wrote the song, but he was the vocals on this, so..
• I wonder how many people under 25 know who Fatboy Slim, the Spice Girls or Oasis are...
• Eric Idle confused by the bhangra dancers while singing Always Look on The Bright Side of Life was hilarious.
• I like how they didn't really pause in between acts because the show's pretty long and pausing to introduce the different acts would take up too much time.
• Muse: Love Matt Bellamy's see through and metallic looking piano. Did the bassist lose weight? Love the pyro work during the Olympic song.
• I only just noticed that Jessie J only has one sleeve and one leg of her nude-coloured unitard.. O_o But I don't exactly hate her for singing We Will Rock You with the elderly members of Queen - the song's been covered to death over the years, why not the London Olympics?
• Just as I thought I'd missed Alessandra Ambrosio, there she was. Why her, and not any of the other Brazilians like Gisele or Adriana? Just wondering...
• Pele? Whoda thunk?
• I thought Robbie had rejoined Take That? Why is it just four of them? Was that song during the Robbie-less years?
• Is the cauldron ever gonna burn out? Oh, there is goes. Wouldn't touch them petals right away..
• As far as some people are concerned, Baba O' Riley will always be known as the CSI: NY theme song.

This was an Anglophile's wet dream come true. 

End of The Closer, Start of Major Crimes {Spoiler!}

If you've not seen the very long awaited series finale of The Closer and the beginning of Major Crimes, then I suggest you go do that and then come back. I also suggest watching Major Crimes, at least this one time.

If you're a long time viewer of The Closer, you would remember that,

a) It's the last episode, and

b) It would be about finally getting that scumbag rapist lawyer Stroh.

I thought the episode was just okay. Brenda identifying Stroh by his walk from behind? It could've been Christian Bale for all anyone cared. You knew when she went nuts on Stroh at the station it wasn't just because of he said about her mother - you know it was because she needed DNA samples and breaking his nose would do it. What I didn't expect was the nose bleed to be all over her. I know (not first hand) that nose bleeds are messy, but really...?!

I didn't even shed a tear even when Brenda did as she was saying goodbye to the guys in the last five minutes. Perhaps it's just that we've known the news that Kyra Sedgwick is calling it quits so long ago, we've been bracing for landing ever since. I was more shocked seeing Brenda shoot Stroh through her handbag (oh no, they didn't!) than anything. But it was sweet (literally) when the guys gave her a replacement bag all filled with candy. I wonder how many of those bags do they still have around in the wardrobe department.

At least she didn't die or anything bad happened to her - as far as we (the audience) know, now she works at the DA's office with Gabriel. Even the last shot of her in the elevator eating the Ring Ding (or Ding Dongs?)? I found it an apt ending. At least she could guest star in Major Crimes down the road... and she left better dressed than she did coming in. Like, really.

Of course with Major Crimes right after that, at least some loose threads from the previous hour were addressed, like the Rusty angle. Remind me again why can't Brenda and Fritz take him in? Oh yeah, because Rusty had been attacked at Brenda's place. Whoops, forgot that.

You've got to feel a little bad for Provenza, having control of the division for only a week before he got supplanted by another woman he doesn't like right away (Raydor) as his boss. As anyone would've called it, it just reminded me of The Closer's pilot episode way back when. Even down to the one black person that liked the new boss right away - anyone remembered that? Uh huh. Well okay, it's practically The Closer, except in name :P

My only laugh out loud moments was Raydor finding Brenda's candy drawer and Fritz with the brown paper bag clearing it out at the end of the case, haha.

This new plea bargain angle would take some getting used to. I was okay with the episode, but not in love with it. But sucker me will keep watching to see how it goes.

Asia's Next Top Model

Until I read on the social media that Tyra Banks is (was?) in Singapore to promote Asia's Next Top Model, I honestly didn't know that it was an idea, let alone it actually happening.

I don't follow the other Top Model shows (because there are too many on my local pay TV subscription as it is), but this I would give a go only because the mothership has already jumped the shark in terms of how ridiculous it's gotten in recent cycles.

I guess calling it South East Asia's Next Top Model is too long and awkward to say really quickly. I don't know which countries are eligible to apply, but I would have to guess whichever South East Asian countries that don't already have their own Top Model show...

From the website...

Hosted by Nadya Hutagalung, the show charts the transformation of aspiring models into successful top models. With fashion director Daniel Boey, fashion photographer Todd Anthony Tyler and model mentor Joey Mead King guiding and mentoring the top model hopefuls, these young women will see themselves competing in a highly-accelerated modelling boot camp to top model fame.

One of the things I'm glad to see was that "You must also understand and speak good English" requirement. Which rules out Ris Low, I guess....LOL.

And the leak on The Closer is... {SPOILER}

To anyone who guessed correctly who the leak was on The Closer before the episode aired, give yourselves a pat on the back. 

You know it really cannot possibly be any of the guys in Major Crimes division - at least, not intentionally. So it had to be an indirect source - wives, girlfriends, etc. But none of them would have any contact with Goldman for any legitimate reason... until it was revealed that Gabriel's girlfriend was studying for the bar. *dingdingding!* Motive and opportunity!

The idea sounds pretty farfetched, but having her as Goldman's inside source took some of the weight off Gabriel being the main source of the leak, but that had got to be the proverbial knife to the gut, no?

They probably should've put Corey Reynolds in the Major Crimes promos (even if he's not continuing) to throw us off, not make it less harder to guess who the leak was.

I had my guesses spread out so much and so long ago here, so I guess I can give myself partial credit.

Anyone got it right?

TNT's Monday Nights are Unforgettable?

Just bothered to watch TNT's new promo for their Monday night back-to-back dramas - Major Crimes and Perception.

I personally haven't seen Perception yet, but it's just a matter of time.

As for Major Crimes - I'm guessing that after Brenda's departure (early retirement?), Cpt. Raydor gets promoted and "inherits" the Major Crimes crew? Based on the promo, it appears  to start off like The Closer did way back when - the guys resenting the female boss. The lack of Gabriel in the promos does explain why people think he's the leak. Then there's also the absence of Pope, but that's easily explained. Doesn't explain why the black chick is there, besides for diversity...? Good to see Fritz in the promo, but I don't know if it's on a regular or recurring basis. We still have a couple weeks to wait and see.

Sorry if it sounds a little obvious - I didn't want to kill my own excitement by reading every single fan theory and news story out there about Major Crimes. 

Random thoughts while watching the Olympic opening ceremony

It took me a few days (crappy internet connection), but I finally got through the entire opening ceremony, which is nearly four hours long. With the time difference, there was no way I was going to stay up to watch it live, if it was going to be by myself.

Saw some of BBC Sport's coverage, and one posted on YouTube on the Olympic official channel. Here's Benedict Cumberbatch kicking off BBC's coverage of the event. And no, he's not in his Sherlock character - you can tell by the hair :P

Here's the full thing - watch only if you've better internet connection than mine; it keeps dying every few minutes... really annoying.

[Can't embed, but here's the link - have fun]

• Holy shit - that's (Sir) Kenneth Branagh! 
• I could've sworn I saw Muse when they aired the torch relay segment... yeah, they got to hold the torch in their hometown, Devon. 
• "Bond" and "Her Majesty" jumping out of the helicopter cracks me up. The corgis are adorable. 
• Mr Bean and the Chariots of Fire segment - hilarious, but best enjoyed in small doses. Also, never get him to be in your orchestra during a major global celebration, haha. 
• Voldemort! J.K. Rowling! Mary Poppins-es! All the literary heroes and villains! Woah...! 
• How come no Roald Dahl? Don't kids like his work? Well okay, J.K Rowling is one of the biggest selling authors on the planet.. 
• Haven't heard Prodigy's Firestarter for years til now. 
• Parade of Nations kicking off to Chemical Brothers. Heh. 
• Man, there are some tiny contingents marching in the stadium. 
• Why were the Czech Republic contingent wearing blue rain boots? In case of rain? 
• Independent Olympic Athletes? Wow. 
• Said parade even ended on another Chemical Brothers song. Haha. 
• David Beckham steering the boat with the torch, all suave and smirky. 
• It was nice to have the young athletes light up the cauldron instead of the usual suspects. 
• I admit, the Olympic cauldron was SO COOL. Well okay, it's different... 

It has its moments; I thought it was okay. Can't wait to see the closing ceremony.

Fourth dose of Top Chef Masters

Yay, Top Chef Masters is back! Always nice to see Curtis Stone after a long spell of not seeing him in reruns of his pre-America shows since the last time. 

• HOLY SHIT - Art Smith lost a shitload of weight! 
• Nice to see them bring back the people from earlier seasons who got the boot too early in Kelly Choi-era seasons. 
• How did Curtis Stone end up as host and judge and not be a contestant himself? Too well-known to be on regular Top Chef, but not acclaimed enough (since he doesn't have restaurants to his name) to be on Top Chef Masters, probably. But at least he's an actual chef on the judging panel, and not just a food writer/critic.
• Wasn't Cosentino booted on one of the earlier seasons or something? I'm confused now. 
• What is a pistou? 
• "I cook for billionaires. I don't have a budget. I JUST BUUUUY!" Oh, Art, you diva.

Jeanne Tripplehorn joins the BAU (Criminal Minds)

I was beginning to wonder who they were bringing in to replace Paget Brewster on the eighth season of Criminal Minds, if she was getting replaced at all. After all, Paget came in to "replace" Lola Glaudini way back when.

Then news broke that Jeanne Tripplehorn is confirmed for next season as a profiler. In the grand CM tradition that the departing cast member is replaced with someone with similar-ish features. 

I don't know why people don't like to use the word "replace" in this context. They are replacing someone with someone else. I wish the network and the fandom would just get over it.

Personally, I can't complain. But I can't wait to see what they do with her character this coming season. I haven't seen Jeanne Tripplehorn on a screen of any size since erm, Waterworld? Yeah, that long ago. Never saw Big Love myself.

Related articles

• Criminal Minds Scoop: Big Love's Jeanne Tripplehorn Joins Cast as a Series Regular

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• Paget Brewster Makes A Post-'Criminal Minds' Move

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Bourdain and Nigella?! Holy crap!!

I love reality competition food shows.

I like Anthony Bourdain.

I have a thing for Nigella Lawson.

Well... they both are hosting an upcoming reality cooking show for ABC with the (presumably working) title, ABC Cooking Show. Here's the promo video beckoning people to audition.

I'm not sure how much different is it going to be from say, Masterchef, but because it's both Bourdain and Nigella (people I've seen on pay TV for years) on the same show, I will watch when it's out.

Adios, Awake

The final episode of Awake was upon us this week. It tied up most of the loose ends okay, and the ending I can live with. 

You know it's the last episode when the show's premise is no longer mentioned in the opening sequence. 

It was hard for me to see how they could keep going had they gotten another season, so while I was sad about its cancellation for a little while, but I knew it was for the best. At least they got 13 episodes before cancellation - it would really suck if it ended abruptly without settling some things.

Come to think about it, the only thing I cared about was the baby subplot in Wife World.

Goodbye, Awake.