This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated.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?
Action movies were the theme of a stop in Hong Kong, as Oswald and Danny (who won the leg) took part in a stunt car crash while the other three teams kicked down doors and climbed a scaffold past battling ninjas. Eric and Danielle came in last in the non-elimination leg.
Best whine & cheese moment
Like any traveler, the Racers are most testy at the airport. You have to feel sorry for the ticket-counter clerks who have to referee between Charla & Mirna and the Barbies.
Tuesdays, 7 p.m.; Wednesdays, 8 p.m., KSTU Ch. 13
American Idol
Tuesdays 7 p.m.; Wednesdays 8 pm. KSTU Ch. 13
What happened?
It looks like little Sanjaya Malakar's wavy brown locks could only take him so far. The 17-year-old singing puffball - sporting a shirt that said "life is beautiful" - realized life also can suck as he was booted from the show after a brief love affair with the nation. Now it's time for The Happy Dance!
Best whine & cheese moment
Sanjaya, below, gushed all over himself when he saw the farewell video of his incredible/not-so-kind journey on the show. He was a sap to the very end.
America's Next Top Model
Wednesdays, 7 p.m., KUCW Ch. 30; encore Sundays, 8 p.m.
What happened?
The girls got a surprise trip down-unda! The photo shoot and challenge this week was to pick up an Aussie accent and as much culture as possible and parlay that into a winning Cover Girl commercial. Judges felt Jael's inability to articulate left her behind the pack, and she was the first to get cut.
Best whine & cheese moment
Britney instantly started to cry when she realized she was in the bottom two. Suck it up. This isn't America's Next Top Baby. Even the judges thought she needed to have thicker skin.
Survivor: Fiji
Thursdays, 7 p.m., KUTV Ch. 2
What happened?
Blindsided! Edgardo's strategizing to form a strong alliance proved to be for naught when Dreamz backstabbed him at tribal council and helped vote him out. And this after Dreamz persuaded the alliance of men to play and waste their hidden immunity idol. It's getting quite ugly on the beautiful Fiji islands.
Best whine and cheese moment
It really was about wine and cheese. Cassandra, left, the winner of the reward challenge, got to pick three others to go on a yacht and enjoy the good life for a day with plenty of drink and food.