Did anyone catch what Marshall's shirt said in the Atlantic City/Vegas cutaway? I missed the duckie tie trying to make out what it said (and ya no, no PVR in this house).

As would I.  I think they had to introduce the diner for the story's sake - Barney couldn't wait around in MacLaren's past closing time, so it made sense to have the rest of the Scooby gang go there and wrap the episode up.

Fucking Tyce
I'm so glad that everyone (here, Nigel, Donna) have called out his "Fosse-esq" number, and I have to go one step further with "What the Fuck, Tyce?" He started to explain his concept and if I had something to throw at the TV I would have. You, sir, are not Bob Fosse, and I am getting quite sick of you…

Ha, I only saw the episode with the gentleman who vogues, but the … graininess? The low lighting? It felt like public access TV. Which shouldn't be a reason to not watch, so for that I point to Leah. That said, one of my coworkers swears up and down that the quality of the dancers is amazing, so I should maybe be…

I don't even watch the Canadian one on account of Leah. She takes grating to new levels. That, and the audition episodes couldn't be of a lower production value. The BF was watching the first or second of this season with me (the only one we watched) and was like "What's wrong with this one? Why does it look like…

My mouth fell open when he started to lay out the story for this dance. It was so absurd. Like Christopher Guest made a movie about a dance reality show. I mean, it's serious enough a topic and all, but these two middle class kids from America doing a dance about it? Sort of amazing, really.

If my memory serves me correctly, wasn't either Rachel or Janelle (or both?) a "VIP Waitress"? I have taken, with that in mind, to mean it's a waitress who wears a slightly classier version of skimpy clothes and serves douchebags in cordoned off areas, who may or may not get to touch them.

Porche? Portia?
I really wasn't watching - please tell me her name isn't actually spelled like the car - but come on. "I didn't want to tell people my real job, because it sounds luxurious and I don't need to be here." Are you serious? Yes, what a luxurious job VIP waitress sounds like. Everyone in the BB house,…

i and 1, your reasoned defence and explanation of Brendan and Rachel is spot on. They amuse me, particularly Rachel, endlessly. I had completely forgotten her "no one gets between me and MY MAN!" until she whipped that one out with "Banana." I certainly don't object to their kicking around for a while.

At least once per episode I can't help but say that Caitlynn's body is sick and I want it. I'm Pro Melanie all the way here, but … that body! It's sick! I want it!

To quote the late, great Corky St. Clair, "I just hate you and I hate your ass face." My dislike for her is growing irrationally each week entirely because of that face.

Short-Haired Dancer from Auditions Week
Was soooo thrilled to see the short-haired woman who's father had died make it through to the party lounge at the end. She barely got a lick of screen time all night, though having, IMO, one of the best auditions last week.

@littlealex - Right fucking on.

Seriously, last one to the party here (I'm in Canada; it … takes a while for the episode), but I just wanted to chime in as well. These recaps have been aces - John Teti, you're awesome.

Well they shouldn't give it to Paltrow because she's attractive or seems like a nice person, either. She's a dumb twat who was out-acted by Blanchett that year, if you want a real reason from 10 years ago.

@ Coldstream - I'm with you on this one. And looking at her IMDB page, she has quite a bit coming out in the next two years that has a chance at being pretty high profile.

I'm on and off with watching this show, so I have a question: does everyone have to do the quickstep eventually? If it's usually such a shit show and a "kiss of death" (or a just a "really bad kiss" - shut up, Mia), why the hell is it on the show?

I loved this episode as well, and was thinking the same as Todd. At the very least, I haven't had the same emotional reaction to any episode since The Constant. Loved it.

Thank you, The Alexing, for what is surely to be my biggest laugh of the day.

Joining in on The Prisoner love. Great review, Zack - I can't wait for your next write-up!