Recently in tv Category

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