And that's what I (and it seems you too), so enjoy about these sorts of programs. I know the folks that get on these shows are talented, even if their output on said shows never amounts to much. While I fully acknowledge that because it's TV they're chosen on personality as well, I think that the best of these types…

I definitely would've avoided it too, but apparently it was coded as a new PR episode because my DVR recorded it without me setting it (I never remove series settings for shows like these, because I'm really bad at remembering when new seasons start that aren't on the traditional TV schedules). My wording probably…

I always feel like Young gets the START of great ideas and finds the most (faux-)intellectual way of verbalizing them, doesn't explore them fully in his planning or execution but does make sure his work is polished, then relies on the judges to take it from there and he just rolls with whatever depth they express with…

I would totally agree that the show's not setting realistic parameters for the creation of Art (capitalization intentional), but it isn't totally unfamiliar for anyone who's attended art school to be expected to have a complete, well thought-out piece ready in just a few days (and - in my brief experience in the field…

Well then, forget all the nice things I've ever said about you. Now that Todd - what a genius! HE'S really going places! Just kidding, of course. It does make me like Todd even more, though, because they never fail to make me giggle in a really obnoxious way.

I don't check them on other, non-Teti recaps, but the ~secret~ captions on the pictures that top your recaps are always a special treat.

THANK YOU. I love a perky opening score or cheesy as hell 80's theme, but hands down The Muppet Show has always been my first choice as the greatest opener of all time.

Oh, I know that you two are completely right in that he's a talented mofo. You don't have insanely successful, lasting restaurants if you aren't. I was more questioning it because I guess I just don't see his persona as one that fits the TC mold. It's totalyy a personal thing, but I always prefer when they bring in…

I think he said "literal" too, and that makes more sense, as that's one of those words that, when paired with "too," is like the kiss of death (much like on Project Runway, but replace "literal" with "commercial").

"The artists do a good job of acting like they are psyched to receive zero percent of the take." I was so hoping you'd note this, because I got a good laugh at all the faux-enthusiasm. Not that these folks don't support charity, but c'mon. The adjective most often preceding "artist" isn't "starving" by chance.

Here's hoping! Love this feature. Not only is it always dependably clever and interesting, but it saves me the shame of ever being caught owning books like these that I've always kind of wanted to read for guilty pleasure purposes.

Seconding the first season suggestion. Bravo was rerunning (part of?) season two yesterday, I think, and I forgot how much I enjoyed that one too. Granted there were some shitty chefs, but also some real talent, memorable challenges and interesting personalities.

My impression of the "culinary artist" thing was that it translated to "I am not, nor have I ever been, nominated for anything James Beard-related, but we're on the TV and just saying for which prestigious restaurant I work is apparently not enough, soooo…here's a fancy made-up title!"

I'm pretty certain it was on the Time-Life video releases of the best of The Muppets, which I got as a Christmas gift a few years before the seasons were released on DVD. Don't hold me to that, though, as I haven't watched them in years.

Good call. Plus let's just face it - in terms of posturing on the internet, you get way more "cred" spouting your opinions as if you're a know-it-all about what makes great comedy as opposed to who's a more deserving winner of yet another fairly unimportant reality competition. (If that makes any sense.)

I think you're totally right. I read the recaps for most of the Thursday night NBC shows religiously as well, but I'll freely admit I'm way too intimidated to post there. I noticed immediately when I started reading John's recaps last year that the "atmosphere" here, like you said, is a lot different. Not only because…

People saying "fustrated" is one of my biggest verbal pet peeves. Athletes are usually the worst perpetrators of this, but Josh's was worse because he says everything in that tone that implies how noteworthy he thinks everything he says is.

"Your readership and conversation is a huge part of what makes this gig fun. Thank you."
 
Your reviews, and all the amazing hilarity of everyone's comments, is the only thing that's made this season fun, so thanks, everybody. I'm really new to commenting here, but a LONG time reader, and I couldn't help but feel…

Aw, man, Zach DID end up winning? As a fellow cripple with CP, I'm proud. And I agree with all you said about him; many friends sent me his audition and I thought he was great. And I can't deny that his idea was really appealing to me for reasons that are totally selfish (c'mon, it'd save me SO much time in attempting…

You may be crazy, but you're not crazy alone. I love this feature too. I was really looking forward to this one, and wasn't disapointed at all (as a plus, it seems like it was less dreary to have to tune in to than the ION one).