Sunday 8 p.m., UT Ch. 2
What happened?
Hubris, meet karma: After winning the first three legs, a cocky Rob and Amber were eliminated after a disastrous leg through Chile and Argentina. Rob couldn't spell "Philippines" when making a signpost, then he was slow sorting mail. Oswald and Danny hit the mat first.
Best whine & cheese moment
Amber used to be so nice, but under Rob's influence she's become a meanie: lying to Mirna about finding a clue, then lying about lying to her. Buh-bye, Boston.
American Idol
Tuesdays, 7 p.m.; Wednesdays, 8 p.m. KSTU Ch. 13
What happened?
Are 16-year-old girls and 80-year-old grandmas the only people watching "American Idol"? That's the only explanation for why cuddly but out-of-his-league Sanjaya Malakar is still in this competition. The boy just missed getting booted when Brandon Rogers (right) was offed after receiving the fewest votes.
Best whine & cheese moment
It has to be the funky exchange between Ryan Seacrest and judge Simon Cowell that got America's jaws talking the next day. Melinda Doolittle complained about her heels, prompting Seacrest to ask Cowell: "Simon, any advice on the heels?" "You should know, Ryan," Cowell fired back. Then Cowell said to the host, "Come out!"
What happened?
America's Nex Top Model
Wednesdays, 7 p.m,KUCW Ch. 30, encore Sundays 8 p.m.
So, OK, it's the infamous makeover episode, and staying true to form, a few of the girls had a real problem with Tyra's vision for their new look. The girls modeled nude as candy toppings for ice-cream sundaes in the photo shoot. Jael struggled to keep it together after she got the terrible news that her friend died of an overdose. And Cassandra got the heave-ho after the judges decided she needs more experience posing.
Best whine & cheese moment
Brittany (above left) won't stop crying and complaining: Brittany's weave hurts, Brittany doesn't want to model nude, Brittany, Brittany, Brittany! All the girls are getting sick of it, and if she doesn't learn to shut her yap, we may see a group beating next time.
There's such a barrage of reality shows swallowing up our television time, it's hard to keep track of who's schmoozing whom and who's been doing the backstabbing. Here's the cooler talk about last week's episodes of some of your favorite reality fare, written by The Salt Lake Tribune's resident unscripted-TV buffs. (Warning: Spoilers ahead. If you didn't watch last week, read at your own risk.)
Contributors: Alicia Greenleigh, Sean P. Means and Vince Horiuchi
