This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated.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?
The four teams flew to Guam and hung out with the U.S. military - washing a B-52 and taking part in search-and-rescue and package-drop training exercises. The Barbies took first place again going into tonight's finale, while Oswald and Danny were eliminated.
Best whine and cheese moment
Charla and Mirna lost precious time taking part in a C-17 cargo drop, but little Charla in military gear evoked the best one-liner, from Oswald: "Oh, my God - the Teletubbies go to war."
American Idol
Tuesdays, 7 p.m.; Wednesdays, 8 p.m., KSTU Ch. 13
What happened?
It was two-for-one week as two finalists were booted with the fewest votes of a whopping 135 million cast. It also was Bon Jovi week, which took us back to the wavy, feathered-hair days of our youth - and reminded us how cheesy the songs were then. Phil Stacey and Chris Richardson got their walking papers.
Best whine and cheese moment
Had to be Jordin Sparks frizzing her hair and doing her best rocker impersonation for the crowd. Um, she probably wasn't a glint in her folks' eyes when Jon Bon Jovi rocked.
... Top Model
Wednesdays, 7 p.m., KUCW Ch. 30; encore Sundays, 8 p.m.
What happened?
Still partying it up Aussie style, the girls visited top designers in hopes of booking a job, hypothetically. Jaslene got the most positive remarks and was the challenge winner. Brittany and Natasha were late and got disqualified. The judges felt Brittany's icky personality trumped her beautiful pictures, and she was sent home.
Best whine and cheese moment
Miss Brit's tantrum after being disqualified from the challenge was almost too much to bear. She was swearing, shouting, making excuses and, of course, crying on the patio, but could be heard loud and clear by the others.
Survivor: Fiji
Thursdays, 7 p.m., KUTV Ch. 2
What happened?
The grossest and most primal challenge yet! Contestants had to chew off chunks of hanging pork with their hands tied to win the reward challenge, which probably left everyone bait for indigenous tigers. Alex ended up being kicked off, which might be a good thing - at least he got to shower.
Best whine and cheese moment
More like the most desperate moment. Alex, knowing he was the last of "the outsiders" to be voted out, tried his best at diplomacy to turn the tide, to no avail.