This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
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.)
Amazing Race
Sundays, 8 p.m., KUTV Ch. 2
What happened?
Flying from Poland to Malaysia, Uchenna and Joyce were eliminated when they missed their connection in Frankfurt and landed a day behind the other four teams. The Barbies won the leg, after teams made batik banners, chewed through cookies and collected newspapers for recycling.
Best whine and cheese moment
Why does everyone hate hunky Eric and whiny Danielle? Charla and Mirna wouldn't let them use the hotel computers, and the Barbies threw up a Yield to delay them.
American Idol
Tuesdays, 7 p.m.; Wednesdays, 8 p.m., KSTU Ch. 13
What happened?
Jennifer Lopez steamed up the week with Latin music vibes, but the contestants couldn't have generated the same heat onstage if they'd had a blow torch. Though Haley Scarnato, left, tried her best with a new set of revealing clothes, it wasn't enough to prompt male viewers to pick up their phones. The Lady With the Long Legs was ousted.
Best whine and cheese moment
This week's whine is ours - why does the results show have to be an hour? The flab showed, and those who recorded it were the lucky ones: They could turn a one-hour show into five minutes with the fast-forward button.
America's Next Top Model
Wednesdays, 7 p.m., KUCW Ch. 30; encore Sundays, 8 p.m.
What happened?
The girls got a crash course in acting from special guests Tia Mowry and Efren Ramirez (Pedro in "Napoleon Dynamite"). Renee won the challenge, choosing Dionne as her prize buddy, and their families came to visit. It was the end for Whitney. Tyra seemed especially upset, emphasizing that Whitney was beautiful as well as intelligent and articulate.
Best whine and cheese moment
When Renee and Dionne were reunited with their babies, Natasha had an emotional breakdown about not being able to see her baby. She cried uncontrollably, but pulled it together at the end for a great photo shoot.
Survivor: Fiji
Thursdays, 7 p.m., KUTV Ch. 2
What happened?
The big merge! Ravu and Moto finally became one only to end up competing as two teams again for the immunity challenge, which involved rowing in a boat and solving a puzzle. The winners got a steak dinner while the losers had to go to tribal council immediately (with no time to strategize) and vote someone out. Michelle Yi, the fashion designer, was booted.
Best whine and cheese moment
The merged tribes moved back to the luxurious camp - only now with the luxuries removed - and the complaining erupted immediately. Guys, it's that other show, "The Apprentice," where contestants get to live in a mansion.
Contributors: Sean P. Means, Vince Horiuchi, Alicia Greenleigh and Stephen Hunt