On Censorship, Justice, and Irony - and sandwiches!

By now a lot of you know about the escalating PayPal brouhaha. This financial institution has taken upon itself the position of moral arbiter and are strong arming sites such as Bookstrand and others to comply with their fascist demands - or else. I'm blogging on that subject today at my friend Margaret West's blog - if you want join in the fray, go there. I'm going to discuss other things here.

Top Chef Texas is down to the final three, but I've been too disheartened to blog about it since the show before last when two bad things happened - as I feared, Bev was brought back into the competition via the Last Chef Standing showdown. And the chef that was eliminated was Edward. I was so pissed, especially as I felt that Last Chef second chance deal was bogus.Bev was eliminated, she should have stayed that way. But Karma came back last week and bit her in the ass, eliminating her for a second time.  Lindsay won the quick fire challenge and was passed into the last show. Then Paul secured a spot, and it came down to Bev and Sarah. Sarah came through, and Bev's gone and she'll stay gone this time. That leaves the final three - Paul, Lindsay, Sarah. I like all three chefs, so I won't be disappointed, no matter who wins, but I think I'm leaning toward Paul as the winner. In the meantime, I'm mourning Edward's loss. He should have been there too.

A brief Vampire Diaries note - the show is off again until March. I don't really care. I'm sick to death of Klaus and his family, and if it weren't for Damon, I wouldn't care if I never saw the show again. Tired of martyr Stefan - yeah, we all knew that he's being a hardass for Elena. Not that I wanted her with Damon, 'cause I don't. But I want to see him happy. Paradox.

Poor Hank! He keeps getting blamed for stuff he didn't even do! Trying to protect Karen's new hubby by claiming the stripper Richard banged as his own girlfriend just didn't work out so well. Now Karen and Becca are mad at him without reason, and he was forced to agree to read the first ten pages of Becca's handsome but no-good boyfriend's screenplay. One good thing - at least Mia isn't in the picture any more. *quickly throws salt over my shoulder*  I'm really loving the fifth season, things are always happening, and you gotta love Hank Moody, right?

In other news, the Sandwich King is back! The second season of Jeff Mauro's show premiered Sunday, and this season is already off to a good start. In the first episode, Jeff visited a deli there in Chicago, and showed us how to make grilled cheese two ways - one for children, one for adults, along with a hearty tomato soup, and then he made a meat loaf sandwich. Everything looked delicious! All the recipes can be found at the Food Network site, and I for one intend to grab them. I'm glad Jeff's back. I think he's more self-assured in front of the camera, and I really enjoy this show.



**SPOILERS AHEAD**

Things are heating up in The Walking Dead, which came back after a brief hiatus. There is growing dissension, and hard decisions are being made. When Herschel disappears, they find they need him for a girl who's gone into shock, so Rick and Glenn track him to the bar in town, where he's tying on one. While there, two men show up, one of whom is Raymond Michael James, late of Terriers and True Blood. The two draw first, and Rick has to shoot them. Unfortunately, they weren't alone, and they end up taking a wounded young man back to the farm. Now they fear to release him because he might give away their location. Shane is more and more unhappy with the way things are going, and Lori suspects he had something to do with Otis' death. Which he did. She tells Rick that Shane is obsessed with her, and is convinced the baby is his, but that she says it's Rick's regardless. That tells me it might be Shane's and she's just not going to deal with the possibility. Their son Carl is growing up far too fast, seen things he should never have seen. When Shane blurts out about the baby in front of him, he asks that if it's a girl, she be named Sophia, after his late friend.

Out of everyone, the character that is developing the most is Glenn. He's come a long way from the innocent young nerd he was at the beginning of the series, and I think there is a definite chance for him and Maggie to forge a lasting a alliance. I really do not like Lori, and the best thing would be if she and Shane ran off, but I don't see that happening, as she's starting to see him as a psycho. It's a really rough world, and I'm not sure things will ever get better, at least not in the foreseeable future.

Alcatraz keeps on delivering, this week's episode involving Johnny McKee, a guy who specialized in poison. In order to learn something about him, Rebecca wants to talk to the prisoner who occupied the cell next to his - Jack Sylvane. When she wants to go to the prison where he's being held, Hauser stalls, and says he'll bring him to her, which he does. There's a lot that she and Diego don't know about what's going on, but I predict someday it'll come out. It's coming closer all the time. For one thing, the fact that Lucy comes from the same time as the prisoners. They know Hauser worked at The Rock then, but not about her, not to mention she looks the same as she did then. Hauser has moved her from the hospital where she was at to the facility where the prisoners are housed. Rebecca is trying to get to the bottom of the mystery surrounding her grandfather, but Hauser seems determined to keep her from up. Keep up the good work.

All for now, gotta get back to editing and writing. I have an idea for an open call at DSP, but I don't want to jinx it by talking about it!

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie

Hawaii 5-0, Sweet Genius and diverse sundries

The second season of Hawaii 5-0 began with a real bang! **********potential spoilers********* If you'll  recall from the end of the first season, the members were in quite a pickle. Steve McGarrett was framed and arrested for the governor's murder, which was actually carried out by arch enemy Wo Fat. Danno's ex-wife informed him she was pregnant, and moved back to New Jersey. Chin was reinstated on HPD, with a higher rank, cleared of the charges against him. And Kono is the subject of an IA investigation regarding her part in the little scheme which garnered them the money to buy Chin's life.

Season 2 begins there, with Steve in prison, and Danno learning the truth about Rachel and her plans, and with everyone determined to prove Steve innocent and get the group back together again. It seems a tall order, right? But not for these people! I won't tell you exactly what happens, as that is too much spoilage, but it's certainly exciting, and mostly plausible, and a great start to the new season.

One thing that I'm particularly happy about is seeing more of Masi Oka's character. He plays the coroner, and am I allowed to squeal even a little bit because his name is Max?  I think so, so I will!  Squeeeeeee! I always liked him as Hiro on Heroes. He acquits himself very well here as the slightly nerdish but big-hearted Max. He gets to play a pivotal role in the season opener. I hope to see a lot more of him this year. As for villain Wo Fat, it's hard not to think of Kitchen Stadium when I see him as he plays the Chairman's nephew on Iron Chef America. Whereas his "uncle" had a signature pepper eating move, the nephew is more into apples! Seeing him on Hawaii 5-0 reminds me that he is an actor, and that there is no real Chairman of Kitchen Stadium. I still don't like Iron Chef America near as much as Iron Chef Japan, but I've come to accept it more. Alton Brown certainly helps with that. He is personable and interesting to listen to. I got caught up in one of his shows the other day, which I hadn't intended to do, and learned a lot about cupcakes. It was really fasciating stuff.

Last night was the season finale of Hell's Kitchen, which I'll probably watch tomorrow morning and talk about Thursday. Tonight is the last of the regular Chopped Champions. This night's winner will join the other three and next should should be the end of that. It's only five shows long. Top Chef Texas should be starting soon, I believe, but I'm not sure. All I've seen is a brief promo featuring Padma, so she'll be returning.

We've watched all of the Sandwich King episodes so far, and I have to say I'm really enjoying them. Jeff Mauro, winner of Network Food Star, is personable and knowledgeable, and he makes damn good looking sandwiches. Last one we watched was a chicken Vesuvio, and a Polish sausage sandwich. I love how he goes to places in Chicago and visits with the restauranteurs and we get to see behind the scenes of the dishes he is recreating. If he has a few pauses while he searches for words, it's understandable - he's still new at this. I think he's off to a great start, though, and I hope to see him develop himself, and perhaps branch out beyond sandwiches.

A new show begins Thursday night and I am already intrigued by the promos and stoked to see it. In fact, I was mesmerized by the very first one - caught up in the eyes of the host. Lovely eyes they are, too. His name is Ron Ben-Israel and the show is Sweet Genius, a sweeter version of Chopped. Although this is the first I heard of him, apparently he is well known for his beautiful wedding cakes, which are highly sought after. Alas, as I learned after doing some investigating, he is also gay. Story of my life, right? But hey, guys, he's single and looking! He has a very lovely accent, very intriguing. I am so looking forward to this show!


Vampire Diaries began season 3 but I'll save my thoughts on that for later. Tomorrow is another Flash Fiction day, I hope to have two more tales for your delectation!

Comments? Questions? Anything at all? Don't hesitate to speak up, I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie

Hell's Kitchen is Trying to drive me insane!

So I just watched last night's two hour Hell's Kitchen, and damned if I didn't think my wish was gonna come true, to see Elise sent packing, never to hear her big mouth flap again!

Ah, sweet dreams, gone too soon!


********spoilers ahead***********


At the end of the first hour, Carrie was given the boot. It didn't pain me to see her go as much as it pained me not to see Elise go. I could have thought of others that should have gone before Carrie. But I kept the hope alive that Elise would follow her at the end of the next episode.

No such luck. We lost Natalie. Now the teams are even again. I think, though, that before Natalie went, Tommy should go. He brings dumb to a whole new level. Ah well, I don't believe that Elise will run the course. My prediction for the final two, at least as I see it, is Jennifer and Will. I think they're the two most serious contenders.

Great news for Jim Longworth and The Glades - Callie has finally filed for divorce! I hope this means my two favorite people on the show will be getting back together again! Although judging from previews of next week's season finale, Jim's gonna have competition. Should be interesting. I really love that show and I hope they pick it up for a third season. Right now that's all I watch on A&E. It's fallen a lot in my estimation over the past few years. It used to stand for quality programming. Not so much now.

Sarah and I watched the first episode of Sandwich King, with Jeff Mauro. As you'll recall, he was winner of Network Food Star. And judging by his first show, their judgment was not wrong. He made a home-made Italian sandiwch, and a hybrid foccacia/panini, and something else, I forget what it was. But everything looked delicious. He went on location to a sandwich shop in Elmwood Park, Illnois, and we saw how this guy made his sandwiches. Jeff's version looked quite delicious, and easy for the home cook to make. The recipes are all on Food Network's site. Nicely done, Jeff! I look forward to seeing more from you.

All for now, got a couple deadlines to make. Tomorrow is Silver Flash Wednesday, and I have something new to show off. Hope you like it.

Got any questions or comments? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie

Hell's Kitchen, Network Food Star and More

****Spoilers ahead*****
Things are heating up in Hell's Kitchen, and I'm not talking about the food! It's only a matter of time now 'til one  of the problems in the red kitchen - or both - has to go. Chef Ramsey teased us last night, giving us hope that he was ridding us of the two continually fighting foes, but no such luck. Instead of either Elise or Carrie (or both), Jamie was sent out the door, so we'll have to wait another week to see that particular dream come true. Last night's service, which was the first date night at Hell's Kitchen, saw a hair in the food, burnt fish, returned entrees... Tommy should be grateful his team won, because I think he's next to go on that side. He's worse than scatterbrained, I'm beginning to think he's just plain stupid. I don't see him surviving much longer. Or Elizabeth, if she doesn't step up to the plate and put herself out there, instead of hanging out in the background.

Sunday night saw the end of Network Food Star, after the reunion show, which had me in stitches. They  brought back everyone for that, some we haven't seen since the series started. To begin the finale, they had three finalists. By tradition, each was to make a demo of their show, but they changed it up with an elimination challenge, which Vic lost, sad to say. I was hoping it would be Vic vs Jeff. If it had been, I'd have been conflicted to pick a winner, because I like them both. I didn't think Suzy had what it takes, but Vic does. So it was a face off between Suzy and Jeff and I'm happy that Jeff won! His new show starts Saturday morning, we are so gonna tape it!

Master Chef has its two part finale this week, but I haven't seen last night's yet, so the only comment I'll make is that I want Christian to go down, in a big way.

Sarah and I are watching Heat Seekers, which comes on Friday nights, with Aaron Sanchez and Roger Mooking running to different places around the country to taste their hottest foods. Most of the time, neither guy is up to the challenge. It's an interesting show, but I'm glad it's only half an hour. I don't think it could hold my interest longer than that. I can't imagine it having more than one season, but who knows.

The Glades just keeps on getting better. This week's episode had to do with a survivalist, and a man being found in a boar's belly. Jim and Callie are finally beginning to talk about things, so I'm hopeful they'll be on the same page again soon. I'm glad Jim's ex is long gone and I hope she stays that way cause I couldn't stand her, and have no idea what he saw in her. I love the way everyone works together, and I love the dynamics between them. Again, I think making Callie a forensics nurse was a great move, gets her involved with cases. I hope we never see her jailbird husband again, except for the divorce.

I miss the Borgias, and Californication. Can't wait for new seasons to begin. Also to be able to watch the new True Blood, but I don't have HBO so I'll have to wait. I have two books I'm waiting to hear about acceptance on, so cross your fingers for me!

Flipping Out is better without Sarah. I haven't watched last week's episode yet, I'm behind, but I have to believe more work will get done. I know the deadline for Chaz is coming up. I trust Jeff will make it.

What are  your favorite shows, what do you like to watch? Any comments, or suggestions? I'd love to hear them!

Until next time, take care!

♥ Julie