Reality, Reviews, and Randomness

I haven't posted anything lately, and I don't really have anything in particular that I wanted to blog about, so this is gonna be pretty random.

Firstly, let's do a little reality recap.

The Bachelorette
I know, right??? That was over so long ago, but I need to dish about it one last time! I had a feeling DeAnna would pick Jesse just because she always seems to do what we wouldn't expect her to. And I think it's funny that she keeps saying how important her family is to her, because I'm pretty sure she picked the guy her family liked least out of the final two. I mean, Papa Pappas didn't exactly look brimming over with joy when they announced their wedding plans on national network television. It will be interesting to see what happens.

And of course the part of the special "Where Are They Now" episode that made my jaw drop was the very, very end of the show, where we see good ol' Brad Womack (who DeAnna seems to have forgiven because now she realizes there is no way you can go on this show and NOT make someone feel they have been led on) sitting in a recliner in what I guess is supposed to be his bach pad, eating a sandwich and watching TV. Cut to an over-the-shoulder shot of what's on the TV (a teeny little flatscreen--we know Brad's REAL bach pad would have one much bigger), and it's DeAnna, self-proclaimed happiest woman in the world, getting engaged and having all her dreams come true. Cut to commercial. WHAAAAAAT. How would they ever get Brad, who they've been bashing all season, to agree to shooting that? Well, I found out that they didn't. This article explains where the sandwich-eating footage came from and how it was originally supposed to be used. Annnnd that's why they make you sign your life away to be one one of these shows. So they can humiliate you later, and you can't do a thing about it.

Legally Blonde: The Search for Elle Woods
I think in our heart of hearts, we all knew from the beginning that Southern belle Bailey would nab the role of Elle by the end of the show. And I really, really feel for Autumn; how much does it suck to be told by the director of a Broadway show that you have the best voice of anyone in the entire competition, and then NOT get cast? I guess that's why that industry is so tough. Just having a kick-ass voice isn't enough to get you a show. But the cool part is how awesome it must have been to perform three Broadway numbers on a Broadway stage for your family. Whether you end up winning or not, that's still awesome. Although it would be much more awesome if you won so Mom and Dad could see you do the whole show.

And Bailey debuted this week! If you visit the show's site, you can see a video of her recording "So Much Better," which is now available on iTunes. And typical of Bailey, the song sounds a little too perfect. But I mean, she's good. I can't hold a note as long as she does at the end of that song, that's for sure! I just think when Bailey talks she has this sort of animated Disney princess quality that's a little less believable than Laura Bell Bundy's quick, quippy raspiness (which I didn't particularly like either...I guess I just wish they could put Reese Witherspoon onstage instead; I'm just a die-hard for the movie version). I'm trying to find a review of Bailey's first performance, but I haven't had any luck.

Speaking of reviews...

We got one for HSM in the Journal and Courier. I guess it was good considering who wrote it--apparently the guy has it in for our director and our Miss Darbus, and both of them knew that--but luckily Cody, Issa, and I were described as "notable" performers, and the rest of the young cast was spared from any of Mr. Jaeger's snarky remarks. I've never been reviewed for doing a show before; it was kinda weird. But I think the important thing is that no one really cares what's in the review; they care more about what friends, family, and respected theatre patrons have to say. And all of THEIR reviews were pretty good. I know the 12-and-under crowd was happy with it anyway!

What else is new? Oh! I am helping a friend of mine who coaches the Twin Lakes color guard. He needed a "movement technition"...basically someone to help teach the girls better dance technique, and asked me if I'd do it. Now, I have never been in color guard, so I know I am going to learn a LOT. So far the girls are doing great; they have been working really hard and picking things up quickly. But I'm sure after a couple of weeks my novelty will wear off and they will stop liking me...lol I just remember that you always liked a new coach or director for like a week and then you stopped thinking they were fun. So I'm just kind of waiting for that to happen! They call me "Miss Stanforth," which is really weird but I guess I'll just have to get used to it. Meanwhile, I'm just worried about whether I'm teaching them the right things in the right way. I've just never really coached anything, and I like it, but I just worry about doing a good job. I am, however, totally excited to get to go watch them at football games and competitions! In high school I had a lot of friends who were in marching band and I was always fascinated about how they got everyone to move into those formations and everything, so I'm stoked to get to see it from the other side.

Lastly, people are leaving!!! :(

My on-stage brother (he played Ryan to my Sharpay) is now gone. He's doing a grad school/dorm director program in Illinois and he left Tuesday. We really bonded and I do actually feel like he's my brother, and I miss him a metric ton. And the weirdest part is, I don't talk to him every day now, and so I feel like it's been ages since we've spoken! I did get to talk to him Wednesday night and I was already going "It's so good to hear your voice!" Geez, I sound like my parents! But I am sure he is super-busy getting ready for the school year to start and for all of the undergrads to get there! Everyone else from the HSM group is still in town, but now we're all leaving on vacations, so we're not doing the "big group" activities so much anymore. In a way, though, it's nice because I'm getting more one-on-one time with people and getting to know them better, which is very awesome. I think we're going to try for one more big group day/night before the rest of the kids head off to IU and Butler and wherever else. And then, I know the Purdue kids will still be in town, but I also know their schedules will fill up, and they'll get back in the swing of things with their college friends and roommates, and I won't see them as much, so I'm trying to treasure moments with them now too. Although, it sounds like we will all see each other at tailgates on game days, which will be SO much fun! So that will be good. Also, one of my friends from the station is leaving for a new job in Oklahoma, and although I know it's going to be great for her, I am bummed that she won't be around anymore. The thing that stinks about TV is that people come and go very quickly. Thank God for Facebook!!!

Well, this is getting longer and longer, so I guess I'll just stop here before I think of something else to talk about!

Until later!
lis

he knew

Graham knew he was going home this week.

I just finished watching the newest episode of the Bachelorette, and was it a good one or WHAT! The stakes are much higher, with four guys left, each taking Deanna home to meet their families.

All of the hometown visits went unbelievably well, except for Graham's. First all was fine, as Graham finally got to relax with Deanna and be in his own environment, and she was excited that he was more talkative. But you could see that Deanna was in major puppy love...she was practically wagging her tail when she got out of the car to meet him. After the conversation with Graham's mom, though, reality kicked in and Deanna could see that Graham still was a long way from the super-attentive, totally committed person she was hoping for in a husband. Then they left the house and sat on that bench in the woods and you could just tell...he wasn't there. And here is my theory:

Graham wasn't into the show. He wasn't into bunking with a bunch of other guys and dating the same girl as all of them. He wasn't into the cameras. And he wasn't into falling all over himself to keep Deanna's attention. And I respect that. I said before that Graham seems like a real person, and what is he doing on this show? I think this episode proved that beyond a shadow of a doubt. My theory is that he got quiet on that bench because (a) he's a quiet guy and (b) all those cameras were around and he realized, this is what the deal is until they get ENGAGED. They will never truly be alone with each other in the moment until after this show is over, and by then it will be proposal time! And he's probably not ready for that. Then when she starts trying to pick his brain (which I would've done too, I admit), he realized, this is what the deal is until she DIES! Deanna will never be content with Graham handling things internally; she'll just insist that he's "running away." And he knew in that moment, I think, that it wasn't going to work.

And when he showed up to the rose ceremony in jeans, I KNEW that he knew he was headed right back out that door again.

The scene on the bench broke my heart, but only because I know what it's like telling someone goodbye when you know it's absolutely the right thing to do even though you think you want to keep him around so badly. And I'm not a big Deanna fan, but I was kind of "proud" of her for putting Graham in that limo. They weren't for each other, which was clear, but she wanted him to be The Guy so badly that it was hard to admit it wasn't the right thing. I've definitely been there, and I know that while she was second-guessing herself in that moment, she'll look back at that now and be glad she let him go. I may be projecting a little bit. Yeah, I think I am. But I also really think that's what went on there.

And the way Graham turned away from her, obviously crying...that was a sure sign that he wasn't at that point where she wanted him to be, if he couldn't cry in front of her. That's just not who he is...or maybe she's just not that person for him to feel like he can cry in front of, hence another sign that it was over. But you could see in his face that he knew he had blown his chance. And then the NOTE!!! OMG...I think he had that note ready because he knew he was going home. And I honestly felt for both of them at that point because I think they both wanted it to work out, but just knew down in the bottom of their hearts that it wasn't going to pan out. She held out her hand to walk him to the car, he didn't take it. He held out the note to her, and she didn't take THAT. He sets it on the bench. And then he says, "This is for you to read ONLY. Not for some show..." AGGGGHHH!!! Does that not seal it? This guy was not ready to let his guard down and let his feelings out in front of a girl, in front of a camera! And then his brimming tears and that subtle shake of his head as he drove away...ohhhh it just broke my heart. It was like watching a real break-up. Maybe it's just because I'm PMSing. But GEEZ!!!

Oh, and I can't WAIT to see next week's episod when they go on the exotic dates. Jesse totally sold me when they showed what happened when she gave him the card for the fantasy suite. (In case you don't know how this gameshow works, the "exotic" dates end with the possibility of Deanna inviting the guy to stay with her in the fantasy suite overnight, rather than stay in their own separate rooms.) So they preview Jason, who I love, who starts reading the card and stops mid-sentence, throws the card to the side and says, "Yeah!!!" (Which is cute.) And then they show Jesse, who reads the card and says, "I don't know if I can do this until after I've met your father." YES YES YEEEEESSSSSS!!!! This guy is A+ Excellent quality! (Just not physically attractive to me personally.) But oh WOW, has that ever happened in the history of this show??! This guy won't make it past next week, but I love him and I think he has proven time and time again that he is the ultimate in chivalry. Any girl would be lucky to marry this kid.

OK, the pool is calling. Oh, and WTF, MTV? Thanks for not posting last night's episode of "The Search for Elle Woods!" Luckily, they did post the audition sequences and I think Lauren and Rhiannon did exceptionally well. Pleeeeeaaase tell me Celina went home. No, don't tell me. I can wait till Thursday when they post the episode. I didn't buy Cassie's performance either...I think she'd be better in a goofy, comedic supporting role than as a leading lady. Plus, she has some serious pitch/hearing issues. And Bailey did the song like a clone of Laura Bell Bundy :-P Boo...she sounded good though. OK, I'm done talking about this because I'm going to the pool!!! Bye!

reality check

***Disclaimer! I started writing this on Thursday and I kept dozing off, so I had to finish it tonight, seeing as Monday night is just around the corner and I don't want to get behind!***


Wow, I actually haven't blogged yet this week. It's Thursday! I'm so excited! OK, I feel the need to recap my two current reality obsessions.

The Bachelorette

I'm gonna save the you the trouble of pretending to be entertained by my comments when everything I have to say wouldn't compare to Lincee, queen of the Bachelor recap blog domain. It was a killer episode, but I'll just leave it to the pro.

Moving on...

The Search for Elle Woods
First of all, can I just say that I know at LEAST 10 girls that I could put on this show who would be more talented than this bunch? With a few exceptions. I think a few of them are really tough. But most of the time, I feel like I'm watching high school theatre.

We get a flashback of the last episode, in which Nikki Snelson of the LB Broadway cast dropped lines on the girls, and Cassie O. was sent home. Then we see what's going to happen...and it can be summed up with one fitting word: Da-RAMA!

The girls are starting to realize after the first of the top ten left, it became clear that this is truly a competition...not just musical theatre camp.

The two remaining of the "bottom three" return. Everyone is glad to see Lindsay, but less thrilled about stage poodle Cassie S. Cassie observes to the camera that Lindsay got way more hugs than she did, followed by, "Oh, it is ON!!!"

Oh. My. Gosh.

I would also like to point out at this point that all these girls are wearing matching LB sweats. What? They are wearing these stinking things all the time. It's like the only time they AREN'T instructed specifically on what to wear is when they receive their cryptic "call sheets."

Speaking of the call sheet, it sends them to a gym where they meet their vocal coach for some exercise/singing rehearsal. This is actually a pretty awesome way to show how talented some of these girls are. I mean, I can hardly carry a conversation on a spin bike, much less belt a song. So, props to these girls...except Cassie S. Who, by the way, the producer has decided to hate on this episode. I don't mind, if you don't. She is the ONLY person who is vocally all over the place with her pitch...like, is this even real? And then cut to Cassie confessing to the camera that she is sooo impressed with how good she was.

Hayley Duff comes in to help the vocal coach announce the winner of the workout/singing session. Lauren wins for fierce belting, and she picks Cassie S. to share the prize with her in an effort to show friendship to the girl everyone hates...how Elle of her! Cassie is pissed to be picked out of "pity." The reward is "a mani-pedi" with Orfeh, who plays Paulette in LB on B'way.

The girls make good use of their time by asking Orfeh for advice. Orfeh makes good use of OUR time by attempting to dig into the dirt on what goes on inside the house. Cassie tells the camera how stupid it is that everyone says they get along in the house. Here's what I know about girls---the ones who say we're all getting along are the ones who are trying to create a positive atmosphere. The ones who say it's catty are the ones who are making it catty.

The girls say goodbye and Cassie tells Orfeh to "watch the nails" like she and O. are best buds. Ugh...

The tension is high when Lauren and Cassie get back. Everyone is jealous of their mani-pedi treatments. Emma tells us how unhelpful it would've been for her to meet a Broadway star because she grew up in a Broadway family. "Whatever." Many of the girls express to the camera that Emma should've won. Too bad she wouldn't have cared about the reward.

Next morning, the call sheet arrives just in time to give the girls a big pink panic attack because they only have a half-hour to get ready for their call time. Some girls brag about how quickly they can get ready in the morning.

The girls show up at the rehearsal studio to find out they will not only be learning Elle's part for the audition song, "Omigod," but they will also learn the chorus parts to perform for each other's auditions. Vocal dude notices how much the girl half-ass it when they're not singing Elle's part, and predicts some serious "biotchery" in the house.

The girls head back to the loft where they decide to run the piece and give everyone a chance to run it as Elle. Flashback to elementary recesses when my little friends and I would "take turns" singing songs from Disney movies...and it was the same thing. Everyone wants to sing the princess part. No one wants to be Aladdin, or the Beast, or Sabastian, or Zazu. We see the girls dwindle away, until finally it's Cassie's turn and Bailey decides to rest her voice...along with three other girls who aren't called out for not participating.

The girls are soooo nervous for the auditions. I would be, too. They each go through the piece with "local actress" Nicole who plays the shop girl's part.

Haylie Duff keeps saying "at least" one of the girls will go home after the audition...hmm?

Autumn goes first. I kind of love this girl...she cracks me up in her little camera confessionals. She is good; she messes up the words, but she totally covers herself. She is much older than most of the other girls, and her maturity puts her on a whole different level than the other girls competitively. She's not even worried about whether people hug her or not. Poodle, please!

Rhiannon is next. She is so adorable, but so young in contrast to Autumn that it makes me have a hard time believing her as a college grad. The judges think she is a "joyologist." Cue Molly Shannon, anyone? "I love it I love it I love it!!!"

And I would like to mention at this point that Cassie S. can be spotted "giving 100%" for all the other girls in the background...but I know what this is. She's not being helpful and selfless. She's trying to be noticed. We used to have a girl in the PMO Kid's Choir who was always overdoing everything, including her reactions to other people's solo parts, in an attempt to keep all eyes on her. It's not helpful. It's a-freaking-nnoying, and she needs to cut it out. But that's why we love to hate her, right?

Anyway, on with the auditions. Bailey is too Disney. Emma is too harsh. Natalie does pretty stinkin' well...we see a pleased smile from Bernie. Cassie S. does a good job...and then the judges put her on the spot: "Do you think you should go home?" She makes the brilliant move to say she thinks other girls should go before her. The judges ask for names, and she cops out by saying she wants to say a name but not on a personal level. Then the judges ask a question written down by the producers of the MTV reality show..."Do you think other girls weren't supporting you when you practiced in the house last night?" Of course, Cassie tells the truth and the girls backstage get pissed and coin the title of this episode: "Omigod, She Threw Us Under the Bus!"

Back to the auditions! Lindsay gives a high school theatre-level performance. Lauren starts every phrase of her song with an "H." Celina is too sexy. And scary. And mean. Seriously, what is she DOING here?!

The judges give Celina some criticism and then she cries to the camera about being talked down to and not being treated like a person. Um...welcome to show business?

The judges do their deliberating and then Haylie brings the girls out to tell them FOUR of them will go to the casting office today...dun dun dun. The List of girls who are safe for the week are Autumn, Bailey, Rhiannon, Natalie, and...Cassie!

WHA????!!!!

OMG, are all the girls pissed or WHAT! Celina, Lindsay, Emma, and Lauren all head to the casting office. But the best part is the "photo finish" moment when Cassie walks into the dressing room, revealing Bailey's reaction when she walks in. Total shock and horror...Priceless.

The judges do their best to deliver the lines written by the MTV producer in as natural a form as possible. "You're here today because your auditions didn't soar." "Your dream of becoming Elle Woods may be over."

After giving their criticisms to the girls, the judges tell Emma they want to see more colors. They tell Celina she has potential. They tell Lauren she is wasting their time. They tell Lindsay she's cut.

Lindsay has a great exiting speech to the camera. She is hopeful for a career on Broadway in the future. It's ok, Lindsay, I don't know why they sent you home and kept Celina either!

OK, that's it. I'm ready for the next installment! And I can't wait to see Bachelorette hometown visits this week! :)

Until then!
Lis

reality recap

I didn't have time earlier to rant about my two current reality shows, so I'm gonna do that now before I have to go to work.

The Search for Elle Woods

Quick recap: We're down to 10 girls in the running for the role of Elle Woods on Broadway. I still can't get over how ludacris this concept is. But that's ok...that's entertainment!

Today it's all about the acting; the girls have a workshop with an acting coach and a reading partner, where they read a scene from the show between Emmett and Elle. They each get pointers. Just like in ANTM, the acting coach picks a "winner" who he thinks was the most impressive in the workshop. He picks Bailey, who is able to cast off her thick southern accent while reading the scene. Bailey gets to pick a friend (Lindsay) and they together go enjoy their reward, which is meeting and working with Nikki Snelson, one of the stars of the Broadway show. The girls also find out that Nikki will be doing the audition scene with them later for the judges, so Bailey and Lindsay have a serious leg-up on the rest of the girls.

First, let me say...I love Bailey. She looks the part, and she has a lot of the warmth and friendliness that the character of Elle Woods is known for. I think Lindsey is also perfect for the part, but needs to step up her game a little bit or she'll be cut.

In this episode, we get to see the loft where the gals are living together during the show. Of course, everything is pink, and there is a piano and a barre (like the girls are gonna do some rond des jambs before bed???). So the girls spend the rest of the day at their loft rehearsing the scene they have to have memorized for the elimination audition later.

At the auditions, the judges ask Nikki to purposely drop a line to see how the girls do in a "think on your feet" situation. This to me seems a little cruel, but whatever. Most of the girls don't get what's going on and we are treated to hours and hours of awkward silence. But a few of the girls go for it and save the scene. The one who, in my opinion, does the best job, is Autumn, who until that point I wasn't too sure about. But she really stepped it up and so now I'm rooting for her.

Seven of the girls are put on "the list" and told they are safe for this week. Three are left, and Hayley Duff (the host) tells them the judges were disappointed in them and wanted to see them in the CASTING OFFICE!!!! Dun dun dun!!!

The two Cassies and Lindsay go to the casting office, where each of the girls' portraits are hanging on the wall. A true BB fan, I know what this is! A memory wall! And I say, "I guarantee the little light turns off over the picture of the girl that gets cut!"

The judges tell Lindsay she needs to step up her game because she totally looks the part but isn't being very impressive. They tell Cassie S. that she needs to cut the crap and show them something genuine. This is soooo ture. Cassie S. told us in Episode One that she is from a performing family, and it's so evident. She's a total show dog; everything is spot-on, but way too refined. She's like a little stage robot. Ugh...she bugs me.

I don't even remember what they told Cassie O...I just knew she was going home. She doesn't look the part, or...anything. I think they said she had the best voice there but that was it, so they cut her and (I knew it!!) the little light over her headshot clicked off.

Next week, we see the girls working on the dress shop scene of the opening number, "Omigod!" and we see Cassie S. being a little stage snot...what fun! I have it in for Celina...I don't know for the life of me why she's on this show. So I'm probably gonna hope she goes home.

The Bachelorette

Deanna, what is WRONG with you??! She got rid of two of my favorite guys, Brian and Fred. I was especially upset to see Fred go, because he just kept showing what a terrific guy he is. I seriously may look him up in Chicago. No, just kidding. Maybe. Brian never really stood a chance, but at the same time, I don't think Deanna made any real effort to get to know him. I guess he's headed back to Texas to coach his high school football guys...sigh. And what the hell is Twilley still doing there??!

OK, here is the part I don't get. Yah, maybe she did the right thing by getting rid of Fred rather than leading him on, but what IS it about Twilley that is keeping him around? I would have definitely said goodbye to Twilley before letting Fred go! Also, poor Fred got the rug pulled from under him because he went on the two-on-one date with Robert and saw Deanna send Robert home, so he KNEW he was getting the rose and staying safe and in the house for another week. Then Deanna came back and totally put him in the Friend Zone. Aggh!!! But it was good in a way because Fred was sooo sweet and gracious about it, and he didn't cry or act awkward about it. And he didn't say anything bitter or stupid. You can tell, too, from what the other guys said about him that he was a great guy.

Robert, on the other hand, acted like a little girl, which is exactly what I am convinced he is, and wouldn't even look Deanna in the eye when she told him goodbye. Then he slouched all over the back seat of his limo and whined about everything, and then a tear rolled down his cheek and he TOTALLY turned his face to the camera to make sure they got that. Get a clue, guy. You asked to kiss her, and she gave you the dodge. You think you can sing, and you pop your collars, and your hair is so 90s. You give me d-chills. Goodbye!!!

Um, also I have mucho respect for Graham, who Deanna pulled aside during a group date for a make-out session and he was soooo not having it because he didn't just want to be one of a bunch...or whatever he said. Basically, she's all over him and he's like, "Chill, lady, I know I'm hot, but if you're just keeping me around as man candy, forget it." He seems like an actual real person to me. Why is he on this show?!

At least Jason is still there. Single-dad Jason is either going to the final two, or going home next week. He WILL make out with Deanna, and totally did when she came home from dumping Fred and Robert and he was the only guy left in the mansion. So I think she will keep him around to cuddle with and then decide at the final two that she doesn't want to be Ty's mommy just yet and send him home. OR she will continue to surprise all of us and get rid of the good guys, keeping her focus on Jeremy and Graham. I think Jeremy will be one of the final two, and I think Graham will as well if Jason doesn't make the cut next week.

OK, that's out of my system. Time to get ready for work! Until later!

Happy Birthday, Blog!

My blog is one year old today! Happy birthday, Blog!!! :)

Things are going great. I'm having a blast with HSM rehearsals and making lots of friends. People there are so friendly, talented, and fun! I know this summer will go so fast.

I watched the premiere of MTV's "The Search for Elle Woods." That's right, they are casting the lead in a Broadway show using a cable reality TV show. I know. But it is entertaining, and I think it will be a good way to give people a closer look at musical theatre. But so many of the girls on that show are SOOOO full of themselves. Here are some things they actually SAID on camera:

"I would say on a scale of one to ten, my voice is...a ten." (PS, the girl who said this didn't make the top ten cut.)
"I love the sound of my voice. I love hearing it, I love how it feels...It's like heaven."
"I feel like I really zen with Elle Woods." (What???)
"I think Elle Woods and I are like twin sisters but with different hair color."

OK, so that should be a blast to watch, and I'm sure I'll learn a lot about auditioning and what it really takes to get on Broadway. Besides getting cast in a reality TV show.

Also, the Bachelorette had yet ANOTHER 2-hour episode last night...they are really moving these guys through! I only lost one of the guys I liked--Richard, the science teacher. But I think it was a good decision for Deanna to make; they were both talking a lot about feeling chemistry between them, and she obviously wasn't feeling it (by the way, did NOBODY at ABC pick up on that pun, with him being a science teacher??!! Get on the ball, people! I was expecting some cheesy line about "chemistry with the science teacher" but not once did I hear it!). It was so awkward when he was trying to find a way to plant a kiss on her and "brushed her hair out of her face" when her hair was in a ponytail and her bangs were back, which equals no hair actually IN her face...I almost couldn't watch, I felt so bad for him because it was so obviously awkward. Almost as awkward as when Deanna stopped their Cinderella pumpkin carriage in the middle of a street in LA to LITERLLY kick Richard to the curb. A taxi was there to pick him up, and I was like, "How do they do this, do they have like walkie-talkies so they know where they are and can call the cab to pick him up?" Creepy.

Single-dad Jason did much better on his one on one date. He finally told Deanna about his son Ty and she was very receptive to it. What I loved was how much he could be himself now that the most important thing in his life was out in the open. And what was so great was that a fantastic exchange followed--Jason asked Deanna about her mom, and she really opened up about the actual experience of losing her mom and how it's affected her personality. Then she said no one she dated had ever wanted to know about her mom. What? Whatever, as long as that means Jason gets to stay! The next great part was when they were both feeling the mutual attraction in the observatory and he asked her if he could kiss her. I LOVED that. I think there is something so sweet about a guy asking to kiss you because A) it's polite and respectful, B) it eliminates that uncomfortable, awkward, and potentially disastrous effect of trying to just "feel out" the right moment, and C) if a guy asks, it's a lot more likely (in my opinion) that the girl will be like, "Aww sure, what the hell?" because she doesn't feel pressured. Deanna does a really great thing later and gives Jason a certificate that says she's had a star named after Ty. Jason is so visibly touched that I almost cried watching this. And Deanna played it super-smart and sensitive here because this could go one of two ways--he doesn't make it to the end but has this great thing to take back to his son, OR they get married and have this great story to tell Ty about what happened when they started dating. Besides that they met on national television. Ok, anyway...

Fred got a rose when they went to see Ellen, which I was so pumped about! Ellen had some surprisingly mature and insightful advise for Deanna about the boys. I was so glad she kind of pulled Fred out of the background, because he seems like such a sweetie and I feel like he's getting lost in the shuffle, and he has yet to have any true one-on-one time with Deanna...there's always another guy around.

I was glad Brian made it back, because I haven't seen really any one-on-one interaction with him and Deanna yet either, but I like him from what I've seen.

I'm soooo glad that Mister Older and Wiser, Guy's Guy, Motivational Speaker Ron didn't get a rose this week. I love how he gave HIMSELF a motivational speech on his way back to his barber shop down by the river: "Deanna didn't reject me; she chose other guys." Also known as, she rejected you. He and Deanna has this talk before the rose ceremony that was like...

Deanna - We always talk in depth and serious and I want to have fun with you. So tell me something fun about you.
Ron - Where do I even begin? Everything about me is fun. Long pause, looooong, smug stare from Ron.

I would've been like. "Ok, so...go. Like what? What's fun? This isn't fun."

Also, Canada Paul went home. Frankly, I'm surprised he lasted as long as he did. Twilly continued to surprise America by winning another rose and living to tell another long-winded, pointless story. (I shouldn't make fun of him; my stories tend to be of the same quality.)

Jesse is growing on me more and more, and I think he's really playing it smart. He shows up dressed weird, acting wild and crazy, and we're all like "no way." But I guarantee ABC was like, "Deanna, if you keep this guy around for a week or two, we'll give you a helicopter ride." And then we find out that this guy is actually pretty cool and a little bit of a sweetie-pie, and that he looks like when the Beast turns into the Prince in Beauty and the Beast...surprisingly handsome. THEN he shows up this week in a very nice suit and tie. Now that we already love his personality, he's showing us that he can be a gentleman and dress to impress so we don't have to be embarrassed in public with him. (I'm using the royal "We" to include Deanna and all of us watching.) So, go Jesse!

OK, I think that is all I've got. I just thought my blog deserved a nice big blog entry on its birthday! I can't believe it's been a year!

Until later!