Dancing With The Stars

Since I'm not watching Idol his year I had an opening in my reality TV schedule. Having been a fan of So You Think You Can Dance for many years, I thought I'd give Dancing With The Stars a try. Midway through the season I have to say I am enjoying it! 

However, I'm still trying to figure out how the judges scores get combined with the viewers' votes and why last night was the first dance where lifts were allowed. The show is a bit complicated for a new viewer. 

I am one of the few people who have been cheering on Kate Gosselin. Like a fish out of water Kate often flopped across he dance floor, but for her dancing was new, performing was new, the live audience was new...I would probably look just as uncomfortable. She's had a tough year and it was fun to cheer on the underdog, even if she didn't have a snowballs chance in h-e-double hockey sticks of winning.

I think one of the other reasons I enjoyed cheering her on is that she reminds me of myself...Moody, ornery, temperamental, sensitive,demanding...you don't think this is an accurate description of me? Just ask my sister...especially about Sunday's. 

Of the remaining contestants, here is who I'm really digging:

Erin - love her and Maks. Loved the purple dress she wore last night too!

Check out other images from last night here.

Nicole - she's an amazing dancer but she has the advantage of a dancing and performing background going into the competition, so I want someone else to win.

Pamela - I'm a closet Baywatch fan...really! I used to stay up late on Saturday nights to watch. The lifeguards were good looking and they made me want to jump from a speeding boat to save someone. They made life guarding sexy. I wonder if anyone ever became a lifeguard because of the show? I'm sure if they did they quickly realized that while important, real life guarding isn't as sexy as Baywatch! If you can no longer be my friend, I'll understand. 

Who I'm ready to see go home:

CHAD - I have this strong dislike for cocky professional athletes. Go home Ocho Cinco and may you always play football for any team but my beloved MN Vikings.

Jake - I enjoyed you on The Bachelor, but you often look awkward with Chelsie (one of my favorite SYTYCD alumni)...maybe it's because Vienna is always 15 feet away. Glad to see you 2 are still together.

Tonight's another results show and if you're like me you'll spare yourself the painfully long results show and just tune in for the last 10 minutes to see who goes home. 

Are you watching?

Are you watching?: The Biggest Loser

My name is Mandy, and I'm a reality TV show junkie!  

One of my favorite shows over the past few years has been NBC's The Biggest Loser.  In case you're not familiar with it...The Biggest Loser brings obese contests to the ranch to compete to lose weight (become the biggest "loser").  By working with trainers, Bob & Jillian, learning to eat healthy, and competing in challenges, all under the watchful eyes of Dr. Huizenga and his medical team, contests lose weight at a rapid rate.  At the end of the season, the person who has the highest percentage of weightloss is the biggest loser.  It's an inspiring show that taps into the lives of the contestants to get to the bottom of the issues that caused the weight gain.

From contestants being sent home after the very first challenge, to bringing them back 4 & 12 weeks later after they've lost weight at home, this season has been full of surprises.  This season most of the contestants are playing from their heart, all except Melissa.  She's all game play.  I normally don't like the "game players" in each season and Melissa is no exception.  While Melissa is definitely not my favorite contestant, I haven't picked a favorite yet.

The Gray Team - Koli & Sam: I like these guys, but they remind me of the previous Tongan contestants, Sione & Philipe.  I guess I can't hold that against them.

The Yellow Team - Sunshine & O'Neal: These two are towards the top of my list.  They spent their first month losing the weight at home before winning their way back onto the ranch.  Part of my love for them comes from the fact that they're from Minneapolis, MN.

The Orange Team - Daris: I haven't really connected with Daris.  I think it's the curly mop on his head. :)

The Pink Team - Ashley: Ashley is one of the biggest girls at the ranch.  So I'm cheering her on.

The Black Team - Andrea: I really loved watching Andrea with her dad, but now that her dad's gone, I don't connect with her as much.

The White Team - Michael: I wasn't a big fan of Mike in the beginning.  He was a slacker.  But now that he's working hard and dedicated, he's been growing on me.  

The Red Team - Melissa: See my thoughts above.

The Blue Team - Victoria: Victoria recently won her spot back on the ranch after going home on the first day.    She seems to be a hard worker, but I haven't seen enough of her personality yet to know if I like her as a contestant yet. 

With all that said, I think my front runners are Yellow, Gray & White.

As much as I love watching the contestants and hearing their stories, I love watching Bob & Jillian kick there butts even more!  Knowing that if I were to ever work out with Bob & Jillian I would be the one puking in the corner.

Whether you're overweight or not, this show is an inspiration.  It has inspired me to eat better and get myself in shape.  While I could still use a lot of work on both, the important thing is that I'm moving in the right direction towards a healthier life style.  


So if you need some inspiration to get off that couch...check out The Biggest Loser Tuesday nights on NBC. :)

Happy Easter (Monday)!

Unlike my Thanksgiving and Christmas traditions, my Easter “traditions” have changed from year to year. 

When we were kids, we would always have an Easter egg hunt and an Easter basket filled with goodies.  We would run around the house in our Easter dresses, trying to find all the eggs.  When Spring came early, we were able to have Easter egg hunts outside.  Here is me and my sister L in 1986 on the hunt.  As you’ll see, I was already the know-it-all big sister! 

What are your Easter traditions?