Recently in tv Category

Is there such a thing as too many Jane Austen adaptations?? Of course not! So bring it on, baby! Premiering January 24-February 7, 2010 on Masterpiece Classic is Emma. Check out the trailer.

If you are a fan of Food Network's "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" be sure to catch the Sept 9th episode. Bobby Flay challenges Fr. Leo (from Grace Before Meals) to a Steak Fajita matchup.

Bob Tuschman's blog announced the following about that runner up NFNS Jeffrey Saad:

OK, OK, we heard you! Despite Melissa's win, there are still a lot of Jeffrey fans out there. As I've always said, Jeffrey is bursting with knowledge he wants to share. You wanted more and Jeffery was game, so we produced a mini-series of videos based on Jeffrey's pilot episode. Presenting: The Spice Smuggler.

Jeffrey Saad takes you on a journey with Anise seed spice, Paprika, Garam Masala and Five Spice powder. He takes spices off the rack and brings them center stage. And as always, Jeffrey makes you need to taste the food.

Perhaps if it gets enough positive feedback we can get Jeffery on FN too!

Well, the finale finally came and Brian and I were so proud of both Melissa and Jeffrey. They did great! But when the final announcement was made I couldn't have been happier - unless they gave both of them their own show! :-) I can't wait to watch Melissa's new show next week. Be sure to check it out on Sunday at 12:30pm/11:30c. It'll be called "Ten Dollar Dinners with Melissa d'Arabian." Watch the trailer here. Sounds promising! :-)

Wow, I am barely getting a chance to comment on Sunday's show right now, but what a show it was! Brian insists that the current FN stars would never make it through the challenges these new guys have to go through! It was funny but online Bobby Flay was asked how he'd do on the NFNS and he laughed that he'd be the first or second person kicked off for having a bad attitude (or something to that effect.)

Anyway, the previews were deceiving and I was worried for Melissa but she actually pulled her own and did well. Debbie was bright and bubbly but she got the same "Korean/taste" criticism. Jeffrey was painful to watch because he was going so strong but got killed with the risotto. When it was time for the elimination I literally did not know who was going home and am still shocked that Debbie was sent home. (I think all the negative feedback FN received about her played a part in the decision.) However it happened, I am excited about the final two and would watch either show. As to who will actually win? My vote is on Melissa. Brian thinks it'll be Jeffrey. We'll have to wait and see!

Okay, last night I finally had a chance to catch up on the last two episodes of the Next Food Network Star. (Have I ever admitted out loud that I love my DVR??)

Episode 6: Bye-Bye Michael - Brian and I were going crazy with this episode! First of all I was literally stressing out for the contestants because my major weakness in the kitchen is getting all the food cooked and on the table in a timely manner. I always underestimate how long it will take me, then stress out when things aren't done. So I was in a tizzy just watching them!

Second, my amusement with Michael reached it's limit. One more, "Who loves you?" and "Mama's working it!" and I was going to scream. (Maybe it's the pregnancy hormones.)

Third, Debbie, Debbie, Debbie. What were you thinking? I remember after the very first episode I was miffed when Debbie said she stayed in budget but never explained that it was only because she didn't buy so many of the other contestant's needed ingredients. But that was nothing compared to the martyr role she played at the elimination when she actually left her team out in the cold. I didn't think she'd be voted off for it (assuming Michael would be next) but it certainly didn't win her any popularity points. (Brian is still lamenting she was not let go.)

Episode 7: Jamika's Crash and Burn - I feel so bad for Jamika. She has such a warm way and contagious smile and seemed to be doing so well at the beginning but this week she spent most of her time frowning and being ticked off. She was not my favorite but I wanted so badly for her to do well and really shine. Oh, well.

So who will actually win it in the end? Melissa is still my favorite (and Jeffery my second choice) but I think it'll come down to Melissa and Debbie. However, I'm not sure if Melissa could win it all. It just seems like Debbie has a greater uniqueness and won't seem like another Robin Miller or Sandra Lee. I hope I'm wrong.

Since I was gone last weekend, I had two episodes to watch of The Next Food Network Star. (And I had to avoid all news of the show since I hate knowing the outcome before I watch the show! I like to savor the as-it-happens drama. LOL!) But it was no surprise when Teddy went home. The guy was so annoying on camera, you felt bad for him. This week's dismissal of Katie was sad but I think it was obvious she was next in line. (Bella is still upset since she was her favorite.)

As for the rest of the bunch, my favorite is still Melissa even though she can be so hyper and spastic at times. If she could calm down and take a deep breath, she is enjoyable and I'd be most likely to cook her food and relate to her. I also really love Jeffery and don't think he is "too zen," but then again, I am used to the California vibe. However, it seems that lately there is something missing with him and I hope he can pull it together and at least get to the top two.

Debbie is funny and friendly and seems to be a fave of the judges but I don't think I'd ever cook her food. Jamika seems so sweet and has a nice personality but she is definitely next if she doesn't snap out of the funk she is in. Again, I'm not sure if I'd cook her food but she is enjoyable to watch, or at least she used to be. Lastly, Michael is a character and he cracks me up with his weirdness. I don't think I'd watch a cooking show with him but he'd be fun to watch (at last for a while) on one of those "educational" cooking shows that interacts with different people and places, sort of like Adam Gertler does.

Speaking of Adam, do you watch his Armchair Judge videos. He is hilarious. Love it! Well, we'll see what happens next week! ;-)

Brian and I absolutely LOVE Masterpiece Mystery! We enjoyed the last two Poirots and can't wait for the new season of Miss Marple on Sunday. It'll be interesting to see how the new actress playing Miss Marple takes over.

Brian and I watched the first episode of this season's Next Food Network Star. Brian knew who was going home before the (difficult!) challenge was over. It took me longer to guess. It looks like it'll be an interesting season, although I don't have an immediate favorite. If you want to find out a little bit more about the contestants, the Food Network Addict has mini-interviews with each. Plus, Bob Tuschman's blog is always a favorite for behind the scenes insight and humor. Enjoy (and let me know who you are rooting for!)

Danielle Bean has an interesting post at Faith & Family about Michelle Duggar called The Force of Femininity. Michelle has taken a lot of abuse from the secular world, regarding everything from her giving birth to 18 kids to her hair style. When I first started watching the show I thought she seemed a little fake - how could someone be so "sweet" and calm in the midst of family life chaos? But after watching the show for a year or two, I can see that it is not fake. That's the way she is and how she lives her life as a wife and mother.

It brings to mind the other reality show Jon and Kate Plus Eight. I used to love the show when it first started. Watching the kids grow up was fascinating but I had to stop after awhile because I couldn't stomach the nastiness of Kate towards her husband and the lack of charity all around. It is heartbreaking, but not surprising, to see the situation they are in now.

You can't help but notice the stark contrast between these two ladies and how they react to their husband and children. No one is perfect but Michelle is a humbling reminder to me that I need to be more like her... I need to bite my tongue when the sarcastic remark is about to escape or to take a deep breath before I lose my cool when Andrew dumps out the trash can...again. It is a reminder that my vocation as a wife and mother is a gift from God and I serve Him by serving them. I may never be as calm and patient as Michelle seems to be, but Ive learned that adding a little more sweetness to family life can make things run a heck of a lot smoother and happier!

To go with the previous Kris Allen post, here is a video of him singing. (He was the worship leader at his church.) I didn't know that when I first started voting for him but makes me love him even more. :-)

Congratulations to Kris for winning American Idol last night. I had been cheering for him since the beginning but I honestly didn't think he'd actually be able to beat Adam. I was ecstatically surprised when they announced his name. (I even forgot how sore my fingers were from all the texting and redialing I did on vote night. :-) Way to go!

This morning I saw Alex make a recipe for an Apple Brown Betty on Food Network's Cooking Loft and it looked so tasty! Guess what we're having for dessert tonight?!

Apple Brown Betty

Ingredients
6 apples, Granny Smith or Braeburn, peeled and cored
3 lemons, zested and juiced
1 1/2 cups unseasoned bread crumbs
1 stick unsalted butter, melted, plus 1 additional tablespoon for greasing the baking dish
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 1/4 cups dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
Equipment: 5 creme brulee dishes, shallow and oval
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F with a rack in the center of the oven.

Place the apples on a flat surface, cut them in half, and then into thin slices. Put them in a medium bowl and coat them with a light layer of zest from 1 of the lemons and all of the lemon juice.

In a separate bowl, mix together the butter and bread crumbs. Season with salt. Set aside.

In a third bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and cloves. Mix to blend and add the apple slices.

Grease each baking dish with the remaining butter. Layer the bottom with the apples and cover with the bread crumb mixture.

Cover the dishes tightly with aluminum foil and place in the center of the oven. Bake until the apples are tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 30 to 45 minutes. Remove the foil, raise the oven temperature to 425 degrees F and bake until the top browns. Serve immediately.

I watched the documentary The Nun on EWTN this weekend and it was so interesting and beautiful. I also enjoyed learning about Marta's family, as well as her vocation. Check it out if you can.

THE NUN
Get an inside look at a religious vocation taking shape in the rich environment of European Catholic family life in this unique documentary look at a Swedish Catholic family and their daughter Marta who has decided to become a Carmelite Nun. (1 hr)
Sat 8/23/08 8:00 PM ET & 5 PM Pt
Sun 8/24/08 2:00 AM ET & Sat 11 PM PT
Thu 8/28/08 1:00 PM ET & 10 AM PT

Congrats to Aaron "Big Daddy" McCargo, Jr. for wining the Next Food Network Star! (I usually wait until Monday night to watch with Brian since we watch Masterpiece Mystery on Sunday nights but he knew I couldn't wait!) At this point, there wasn't a clear-cut front runner so I knew it could be anybody's game. After watching their pilots, I thought it was between Lisa and Aaron. Lisa really won me over after her pilot, and although I'd never cook style of food, she seemed to make herself accessible and she looked great. However, Aaron has been my favorite since the beginning. Half way through the season, I didn't think he'd come near the end, but he got it together and pulled it off. Congrats again, buddy! Check out Aaron's videos and info about his new show Big Daddy's House, premiering Sunday at 1:30pm.

As a postscript to the last post, I turned on the TV this morning to check the time of a show I was recording and noticed that on the Rachael Ray Show they had the NFNS contestants doing 4-minute live demos. It was fun to watch them and see a different side once they were live with an audience. I don’t have time to get into it but I thought Kelsey was a bit off and Aaron and Adam did better than expected. (There may be some life left in Aaron! Yeah!) Shane left me undecided and Lisa, well, I’m still in shock that she thinks it is a bargain that a homemade dinner for three costs $30. For us, that’s a splurge! (At least while I’m still paying $4.60 for a gallon of gas, it is!) You’ll have to wait until Sunday’s show to get the real evaluation!

Okay, I have ten minutes to myself so I’ll make one more quick post for the day. Last night I had a chance to watch my recorded episode of Sunday’s show. It’s funny that the ones I originally liked at the beginning of the show have fallen to the bottom of the heap (except Kelsey) and the ones I didn’t like have risen higher.

Of the guys, I liked Aaron and Adam but Adam went from cute, funny guy to annoying guy who can’t cook well. Aaron seems like a cool guy to hang out with but he doesn’t seem to have the chops to hold a show. Of the girls, Jen seemed to have a great concept – making kid friendly meals but she just never got off the ground. (It was painful to watch her this week and I hope she doesn’t regret at least trying!) My other fave was Kelsey. I didn’t think I would care for someone so perky but something about her is appealing and I think she could have a successful show for beginning cooks.

My surprise movers are Shane and Lisa. Shane started out knowledgeable but dry and stiff. Since then he’s really loosened up and seems more natural. I predict he’ll be in the top three with Kelsey. Also on top will be Lisa. Before the show even started weeks ago, when I saw Lisa’s photo I immediately liked her simply by her style and I had great hopes. Then she talked about her fancy French food and just seemed too uptight. But I think her humiliating spill last week was the perfect opportunity for her to show a more natural and personable side. So if she can continue to make herself accessible, I think she could win the whole thing. There’s definitely no one else like her on FN.

Okay, so my current score is as follows: Who do I want to win? I’d love a miracle and see Aaron rise from the ashes. Who do I think will make the top 2? Kelsey and Lisa. Who will ultimately win? Hmm…..that’s a hard one. My buddy Eileen wants to bet a Starbucks that Lisa will win. I don’t feel strong about it but what the heck, I’ll play. I’ll vote Kelsey.

Disclaimer: All critiquing of the contestants is done knowing that I couldn’t do squat in comparison to them. (I have boiled eggs to the point of explosion and have yet to finish preparing a meal in the allotted time.) So I commend them for making it on the show and giving it their best shot!

Last night I was sitting on the couch lamenting my tooth ache and fearing a root canal and needed a little diversion so I check my DVR for something to watch. I had forgotten about The Next Food Network Star show and happily watched. It is too early to have a front runner favorite (unlike Season 2 when I was rooting for Guy) but of the girls I like Jennifer and Kelsey and out of the guys I like Aaron and Adam. On the top of my “gotta go” list is Nipa (pain in the) Bhatt. I’m just hoping that after her break down that she learns to be less arrogant. With a little humility and enthusiasm, I’m sure she could have an interesting show!

Speaking of cooks, Andrew is learning his way through the kitchen. The other day he was trying to sauté a building block. Perhaps there's a Food Network star in the making!

Well, last night was the big AI finale. I resisted the urge to check online to see who won since I didn't want to spoil the surprise. Unfortunately, that also meant I had to FF nearly 2 hours of music performances that I didn't care about much. But when the big moment came I hoped against hope and was ecstatic when Ryan announced the results!! If Andrew hadn’t been asleep in my arms I would have been jumping up and down on the couch screaming WOOHOO!! And not to mention Brian was already in bed and would think I was going insane if I started yelling. (But he knows this is my "superbowl" so he cuts me some slack. I'll do the same for him in fall when Green Bay is on!) Instead I cheered silently and cried with David. So touching! (And don't tell anyone but this morning I waited until the house was empty and rewatched the end of the show and cheered my head off. Haha!)

Last night I was rushing around to get all my chores done and bottles washed and diapers changed so I could relax and enjoy the last AI dual between the two Davids. I must admit that I think they both are incredibly talented and genuinely nice guys but I am a Cookie through and through! I love David C and hope he wins – so much so that my fingers are still sore from all the text messaging and phone dialing I did. (Not to mention having to wait until midnight to get thorough!!) But you know, if David A wins instead, I won't be too upset. Little D is a sweetheart and has an incredible voice. Either way, both will benefit and have a record deal soon!

After watching American Idol last night, I was ecstatic that David Cook was safe another week and I finally found out why he cried after his performance. It just makes me root for him (and his family) even more!

"American Idol" finalist David Cook sang in tribute to his brother Adam, who is battling advanced brain cancer and was in the audience for the first time Tuesday night. Adam thought he would never be able to make the trip, but then his community rallied together to make the impossible happen. The performance of Mariah Carey's "You Will Always Be My Baby" was a star-making turn for David, resulting in raves from the judges. "That was the best performance all year," judge Randy Jackson said as he finished the song. David couldn't hold back the tears as he looked to his brother in the audience…

This is my first year of tasting the American Idol phenomenon. I knew the basics but this is the first year I actually got into it. (I was surprised to discover that Ryan bugs more than Simon.)

I was shocked when Michael John’s was voted off last week and was eager to see how my favorites performed tonight. My AI fave David Cook rocked! My fave out of the girls (Brooke) was a little weak. I am worried she may be off next. We’ll find out tonight!

Here is a cool pro-Catholic Church commerical put out by CatholicsComeHome.org