Top Chef Recap

It only took me about half the season, but I've finally gotten caught up with Top Chef which is easily one of the most entertaining shows on television. How can you argue with food, crazy challenges, food, drama, and food? That's right. You can't.

Anyway, I figured I would offer up my thoughts about the week's past episode and keep it up through the end of the season because I know that everyone is curious about my Top Chef analysis. Two things to keep in mind: first, my favorite chef by far is Tiffany. She just seems like she's having fun and, most importantly, she's a really good (and really smart) chef. Second, I've said this before, but I'm pretty sure Padma has close to zero clue how to cook. She's basically hosting this show because she's hot. Can you believe that?! Outrageous.

Now that that's out of the way, let's get to this week's episode...

"Covert Cuisine"

The highlight of this week? That douche Alex finally got eliminated. I couldn't stand that fool. Remember at the end of last week's Restaurant Wars episode when his team won but he basically did nothing? And the things that he did try to do (i.e. cut meat and filet fish) he failed at so his teammates had to fix all his work? And he was a complete ass to the wait staff? And then Kenny and Kevin ripped into him during the judging saying that it should be him going home? So yeah. I'm pretty glad he's gone.

But the truth is that every season, there's a guy like Alex -- that guy who is clearly not as good as everyone else and who has a bad personality so no one likes him, but he manages to hang around deep into the show. It freaking drives me crazy, but thankfully "that guy" has never won the competition.

On a more positive note, my homegirl Tiffany won both CIA-themed quickfire and elimination challenges. Yessss! She's been on a roll lately and looking more and more like the chef to beat. But I always worry about contestants on reality shows who keep winning challenge after challenge leading up to the finale. A lot of times they lose steam, can't quite get back on track, and eventually fail to win the whole thing. I call this "Mychael Knight Syndrome." For those who do not know, Mychael Knight was a contestant on Season 3 of Project Runway. He was a fan favorite and was winning a lot of the challenges leading up to the finale of the show and basically looked like the front-runner. However, he started to come undone in the last few weeks, made some questionable decisions, never fully recovered, and ended up finishing in fourth.

Reality show competitions are like sports. You have to peak at the right time. Who cares if the Cavs won 66 regular season games in 2008-2009? Or if the Mariners won 116 regular season games in 2001? The Cavs lost in the Eastern Conference finals and the Mariners lost in the ALCS. Neither team came through when it mattered most.

(Also, I realize I just made a reference to Project Runway followed by a reference to professional sports. You might be confused as to what the hell kind of blog this exactly is. So am I, my friends. So am I.)

Anyway, we're down to six chefs! It's getting real. Stay tuned...

P.S. Since we're talking about TV, two quick things...

1) I watched the Parks and Rec "Hunting Trip" episode and heard one of the funniest lines ever: Tom Haverford asking how mad Ron Swanson is that someone shot him, "On a scale of one to Chris Brown, how pissed is he?"

2) Friday Night Lights season four came to an end a couple weeks ago. All I can say (again) is that FNL is seriously one of the best shows out there right now. How are more people not watching it?!?! Only one season left! Nooooo!

Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose!

Music for You!

Three songs that I'm enjoying right now...

Lauryn Hill - "Doo Wop (That Thing)"

Lauryn Hill needs to make a comeback. Immediately. This song was a classic off of an album that was equally classic. (I also really like this video.) It's too bad she went Dave Chappelle on us by getting fed up with the commercialization of the industry, going a little crazy, and deciding to go into hiding. Come back, Ms. Hill.

Michael Jackson - "Man in the Mirror"

An undercover Michael hit that gets easily overshadowed by other songs like "Billie Jean" and "Thriller." Positive message too! High five!

P.S. The video for this song is... interesting. I know that it reflects the lyrics of the song, but still. It goes from children suffering from famine, to terrorists, to Asian kids with Santa, to Baby Jessica getting saved from the well, to whales. The video is in its own world and kind of naive by thinking that it's not strange or awkward at all. Kind of like Michael Jackson.

Katy Perry - "Teenage Dream"

No shame.

Okay, maybe a little shame...

Watch Parks and Recreation. Now.

I know what many people say about Parks and Rec, that it's exactly like The Office, just in a different setting and not as funny. Okay, I admit that maybe to some extent that's true. After all, both shows were created by the same people. But after a so-so season one, Parks and Rec has found its footing in season two and has quietly become one of the funniest shows currently on television. That's right. I said it and I stand behind it. Amy Poehler is hilarious and the supporting cast for P&R is superior to that of The Office. I know this sounds blasphemous coming from a loyal Office fan, but it's the truth. Also, let's face it -- The Office isn't what it used to be. Ever since Pam and Jim got married, the show has been semi-scuffling. And if Steve Carell really is leaving the show after this season, then I think it's about time to close up Dunder Mifflin Scranton.

But we're getting off topic. We're here to talk about P&R. So now is your chance to find out how right I am about it since NBC has started to replay all of season two online. The first four episodes are up now, but they're only online until Monday when they put up the next four episodes. Here's the Hulu link for Parks and Rec. So hurry and watch it. Now.