Sunday, 7 p.m., KSL Ch. 5
What happened?
Finally a live show, as the 12 graduates of Grease Academy and two callbacks were paired for sing-offs. Provo dance instructor and off-Broadway vet Jason Celaya, left, got dinged by Judge David Ian for his "pop moves," but seemed an audience fave. But what made the show really cook was the prospect of voting performers out of the mansion.
What were they thinking!
Ober Sandy, a very Botoxed Olivia Newton-John, wears her niceness crown well, but didn't offer valuable critique from her guest judge throne, while the the softball queries from the Sandy wannabes were as embarrassing as beauty pageant questions.
Best whine & cheese moment
Giving all the Sandys and Dannys (Small Town Sandy and Slacker Danny) nicknames, although helpful, is cheesy. But it was beyond silly for Judge Jim to ring up next week's surprise guest, theater impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber, and have them both pretend to have a spontaneous moment.
Who should get booted
The callbacks didn't deserve a second chance. And based on song selection alone, Juliana Hansen ("First Cut Is the Deepest") and Kevin Greene ("Walkin' in Memphis") didn't highlight their performing chops. Hasn't anyone learned anything from "American Idol"?
The Apprentice
Sunday, 8 p.m., KSL Ch. 5
What happened?
Arrow, featuring Frank, right, finally pulled a win out of the fast-food bag by selling more of the Chicken Tortilla Bowl it created for a chicken chain. Kinetic had to move out of the mansion after its bowl, which featured mango-pineapple salsa, bombed.
What were they thinking!
Kinetic, led by the once-golden Heidi, didn't seem to have any idea how to promote its product, other than handing out lame fliers. Maybe Marisa's idea of people in chicken suits wasn't so bad.
Best whine & cheese moment
Marisa just couldn't let go of her name idea - what the hell does "Vibrato" mean anyway, when applied to food? - and her mouthing off continued in the boardroom. Don't try to outtalk The Donald.
Who should get booted
After watching Marisa purse her pouty little lips in the boardroom, it was easy to see why everyone ganged up on her. Who wants to live in a tent with someone who doesn't know when to shut up?
American Idol
Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 7 p.m., KSTU Ch. 13
What happened?
The crew went to Birmingham and Hollywood, and we thought Alabama would be the place of more great singers (a la Ruben and Taylor). But no, we heard more horrendous singers and wacked-out wannabes. At least lovely guest judge Olivia Newton-John (who I say is not getting Botoxed!) was along for the ride.
What were they thinking!
Los Angeles contestant Cavett Carr, below, serenaded Simon, including a flirty wink or two. Yikes, are our "Idol" hopefuls that desperate?
Best whine & cheese moment
A 65-year-old man who just lost his wife to an illness came in to honor her with a song and an audition. There probably wasn't a dry eye in America at that moment.
Who should get booted
We're thinking everyone's going to get booted this season if the quality of the singers doesn't pick up soon. There's clearly been a higher ratio of bad to good this year.
Beauty and the Geek
Wednesday, 7 p.m., Sunday, 8 p.m., KUCW Ch. 30
What happened?
Each team got a new member: dogs! Probably the cutest teammate yet. The boys had to use their furry friends to get the most phone numbers, and the girls built a doghouse. Megan won her first competition, and my favorite team, Mario, right, and Nadia, got the heave-ho. Nate finally made his move on JennyLee.
What were they thinking!
Cecille chose the Chihuahua as her team's newest addition, decided to put plastic bracelets around the dog's neck, and then couldn't get them off! The poor dog was yelping.
Best whine & cheese moment
After the bracelet-Chihuahua fiasco, Nate said even though he doesn't like confrontation, he "had to put [his] foot down," which meant he quietly took off the bracelets with some scissors.
Who should get booted
Cecille and Nate or Neils and JennyLee. They're the most selfish and annoying teams. It seems they only do things for their own benefit, and don't think about others.
Contributors: Ellen Fagg, Anne Wilson, Vince Horiuchi and Alicia Greenleigh
