'The Amazing Race 10' - Ep. 9 -or- "Don't they wear wooden shoes in Finland?"

Five teams remain. Who will be eliminated next?

Yes, that is the question.

Teams had their mandatory rest period at the Madagascar Pit Stop where we last left them. As they arrived first, Dustin and Kandice (Evil Beauty Queens) were the first to leave at 2:56 AM. The Alabama Moms, Lyn and Karlyn, were the last team to leave at 3:55 AM, so we're talking an hour between first and last place. It's still a tight race at this point.

The clue they received directed them to fly to Helsinki, Finland. They had a total of $265 for this leg of the run. But flying to Helsinki isn't as easy as it sounds like it should be. Due to the lack of flights out of Madagascar, the show would arrange for flights to Paris and then the teams would be responsible for making the connecting flights to their destination.

Upon reading the destination, one of the Beauty Queens said, "Don't they wear wooden shoes?" I just looked at my cat and sadly shook my head.

At the airport, it didn't take the teams long to figure out there may be a quicker way to Helsinki. They found out that a flight to Johannesburg could connect them more quickly to Helsinki than the Paris connection, so all teams made a go at it. The 'Bama Moms barely squeaked aboard to the delight of the ChoBros (Erwin and Godwin), but to the chagrin of the Beauty Queens and the Rehabbed Model Boy Toys (Tyler and James).

Once in Helsinki, teams had to locate the Kapeli Restaurant where they'd face the inevitable AOL "You've Got Mail!" clue of the season. This year it wasn't so much of a clue as it was a taste of home -- video messages from family and friends. I know it's all touching and emotional, but didn't I just go through the same ordeal (or similar) on Survivor this week? Sheesh. After they saw the videos, the next clue was given to them by the restaurant manager.

They had to take a train to a school which I couldn't spell if my life depended on it. Shoot me now. Despite varying degrees of manners and lack thereof, all the teams ended up on the same train. Oh, the ChoBros were the polite ones, just in case you couldn't guess. Alabama just cut in front of the queue at the taxi stand and made me cringe once again. I know they're in a race. But they're also Americans in a foreign land. I must say it again. Sheesh.

Once at the school, they followed markers which led them to a Detour, a choice between two tasks the teams must perform to receive the next clue. Detours always have some connection with the local area, its people, or its customs. The choices this time were Swamp This or Swamp That. I guess it must be swampy there, eh? In Swamp This teams had to use cross-country skis to ski through a mile-long mud course. In Swamp That teams had to go through a muddy (sometimes up to their waists) obstacle course. It wasn't too cultural of a challenge, but it did get down and dirty!


Although Rob and Kimberly got lost on the way to the mudbath, they made good time of it and passed by both the ChoBros and 'Bama.

From there, teams had to take a train to Turku, then drive to a limestone mine in Lohra. It was there that the teams faced a Roadblock - a task only one member of the team must complete. This Roadblock, dubbed "A Miner Inconvenience," looked like fun going down, but work returning as they had to ride a motorbike down into the mines, find a limestone hunk, then bring it back uphill (which the bikes couldn't handle and had to be walked), then break open the limestone to reveal their next clue. Tyler/James and Dustin/Kandice were the only teams on the first train heading in, so they got in and out of the mine first. Rob and Kimberly got lost trying to find the mine and the ChoBros actually got a bit nasty in deliberately losing them. Good. Now lose 'Bama, ChoBros.

The Boy Toys and Beauty Queens were off to the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki where the boys found their clue after a bit of searching. Uh-oh. Bad news for those who have a fear of heights. That would include my favorite team, the Chos. Eep. Teams would have to rappel face-first down the tower at the stadium. The Beauty Queens arrived and started making their way up the tower as the Boys went down one at a time.

Back at the mine, Rob was a driven man... driven to get by 'Bama and the Chos, too. He made it by 'Bama and was tailgating the ChoBros. "Get off my ass, Rob. I will slam on my brakes." Go for it ChoBros, then leave 'em in your dust! They get to the stadium and then it happens. No, not a round of fisticuffs between the Chos and Rob, not at all.

"Keep racing. This leg isn't over."

Argh. I know they do this every season. I even figured that it would take place about halfway through tonight's episode as the timing wasn't going right for a Pit Stop. You know when no one has made the Pit Stop within fifteen minutes of the show ending time or was heading to one even before that, chances are there won't be one.

So, it's not until next week that we'll know who was eliminated next.

The Evil Beauty Queens weren't so evil this episode, but I still can't forgive them for not driving the car they smashed up last week and leaving it for another team. What if it had broken down due to the damage they caused and made another team lose the race? That move on their part was totally out of line and beyond just being competitive.

As the field narrows down, I'm still rooting for the Chos and am rather ambivalent about the rest of the teams. Both the Beauty Queens and the Boy Toys are strong teams, but I just don't care so much for them. I admire 'Bama and Rob/Kimberly for doing as well as they are, but neither team thrills me. But, the ChoBros? They rock my world. They just need to get a smidgen meaner. Just for the race, of course.

'The Amazing Race 10' East Coast Update - 11/12

"Keep on racing, this leg isn't over."

Yes, it's the "to be continued" leg. Model Boy Toys are currently leading the pack. A full recap/review of the show will be posted later tonight. Stop on back!

Better Than Big Pants, Coming This Week On Letterman

I must confess. I have to confess.

I love David Letterman.

Oh, no -- not like that woman who kept breaking into his house in the '80s or, more recently, the woman who thought he was sending love messages in code to her. Not like that at all. This is more of a sane sort of love. Or, is it?

I've been a Letterman fan since his early appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and can even boast to watching his rather short-lived morning show circa 1980 or so. Through his NBC Late Night with David Letterman days into the present, he's my late-night fodder. Campy, zany, though oddly intellectual, I've spent my adult life with his show(s) on my must-see list.

Last week's highlights for me were the Jack Hanna segment (always a favorite with me) and Jorge Garcia (Hurley on Lost) reading the Top Ten Signs You're Obsessed With Lost. In particular, I enjoyed Number 10: "After each episode, you do an all-kitty reenactment in your basement." I have to admit that my two cats balked at playing all the characters and wanted to hold out for more money per episode.

The week ahead boasts Mr. Letterman's second rather unusual week-long programming event for the season. Earlier, it was Ventriloquist Week. This time we'll see Impressionists Week. Yep, you've got it! I'm not sure if it will match the excitement of the ventriloquists, but it'll be neat to see Rich Little once again. I didn't know he was still around.

Here are the guests scheduled for this week on the Late Show with David Letterman:

• Monday, Nov. 13: Robin Williams, Impressionist Rich Little, George Jones
• Tuesday, Nov. 14: Jack Black (promoting the new movie Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny which I misheard a while back as the "Pig of Destiny." I like it that way, don't you?), Impressionist Fred Travalena, Tenacious D
• Wednesday, Nov. 15: Christopher Guest, Impressionist Gordie Brown, +44
• Thursday, Nov. 16: Ellen DeGeneres, Impressionist Frank Caliendo, The Game
• Friday, Nov. 17: Senator John Edwards, Impressionist Kevin Pollak, Will Arnett

Okay, ventriloquists and impressionists... what's next? Tap dancers? Magicians? I don't know, but I'm sure to be watching. As for Leno, I watch or tape him when he has the Blue Man Group on. Dave should do more Blue Man Group.

TV Newsy Bits - Sunday, November 12, 2006

Ah, Sunday. For me, it's "Race, Case, and Trace" night. You know I'll be posting an East Coast update on the Pit Stop arrival order and a full review/recap of tonight's Amazing Race episode. But, that's hours away and it's a rainy day here. So, what's that mean? Well, other than a leisurely bubble-bath and hot chocolate kind of day, it's a perfect day for writing and watching television.

I shouldn't have stayed up until 3 AM watching Clerks on Comedy Central, but I did. You only live once and all that, y'know. Somehow, I had missed that movie when it was out and about in the theaters and video stores. When I saw it was on, I had to watch it. I can see why it brought Kevin Smith to the attention of the world at large and, to be honest, I liked it more than some of his more recent works since he hit the big time.

Tomorrow night Court TV's new series Murder By the Book premieres. I've been a mystery novels buff for years (and have even failed at writing my own really bad mystery novels), so this series intrigues me. This is a five-week series featuring mystery novel writers investigating a real-life case which holds a special interest to them. In the first show, it's author James Ellroy looking into the murder of his own mother. If you're an Ellroy fan like I am, you're aware that his mother's 1958 murder remains unsolved and that the case has always been a part of his own life as he pens his books. Other authors in the series include Michael Connelly, Faye Kellerman, Jonathan Kellerman, and Lisa Scottoline. The only author out of that group I haven't read is the last one. The series airs on Court TV Mondays at 10 PM ET/PT. I'll be watching.

In other news, Studio 60 fans will be happy to hear that that I read an AOL Television article which announced that nine new episodes of the show have been ordered despite iffy ratings. I'm still not getting into the show, but know several blog readers who enjoy it, so crack open the champagne!

David and Mary Conley of 'The Amazing Race 10'

The link I gave to a local article about David and Mary is already off and doesn't seem to be archived. Yikes! That was quick. It was only online for a day.

So, for those interested, here are some more articles:

• Lexington Herald-Leader 11/08/2006 Out of race, in the money
• 'Race' couple Dave and Mary Conley given new car, home, and more - Reality TV World - News, information, episode summaries, m...
• PRESS RELEASE Champion Enterprises Donates Modular Home to "Amazing Race" Contestants Dave and Mary Conley
• Interviews & Features - From Amazing Race to The View: Team Kentucky Recalls Their Wild Ride TVGuide.com

TV Newsy Bits - Friday, November 10, 2006

It's Friday night, Meerkat Manor night!

On tonight's episode, nature probably made the best decision, but it's still sort of sad. Hopefully Mozart will be accepted at home once again. I'd say mean nasty Commandos, but I think the Whiskers probably are just as ruthless. After all, it's not an easy life for any meerkat. On the other hand, I have two merely cats and they live the good life.

In other TV Newsy Bits:

• Brad Virata, the most recent Survivor castoff, was interviewed by Reality News Online. In the interview he refers to his horrible fantastic experience. It's an interesting read.
• RNO also has a transcript of Brad's The Early Show appearance.
• A Kentucky online newspaper has a nice write-up about David and Mary, Team Kentucky from The Amazing Race.
• American Idol's Kellie Pickler Gets Sitcom - Why am I not surprised? After all, she's a little minx, y'know.

Always remember, man is not more powerful than a locomotive.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - Ep. 8 -or- "Double Mutiny and Early Jury"

Twelve are left. Who will be voted out tonight?

Finally, a bit of excitement! Not one, but two new twists happening before show's end promise to kick the rather lackluster season into gear. Remember, this season was touted as oh-so-controversial. Since the racially separated tribes merged into two mixed tribes, the show has been okay, but that's about it.

Tonight's show opened looking in on the Aitu tribe on Day 19. Jonathan was campaigning against Ozzy once again. I personally think that Jonathan keeps focusing on Ozzy to keep the target off of himself. Either that or he's delusional about all the trust he thinks others have in him. Yul kept nodding, as did Candice, but neither trust Jonathan. But on and on he goes about voting Ozzy out before the game becomes an individual one instead of competing tribes. From one week to the next, he wants Ozzy gone much like sand through the hourglass or something equally monotonous.

Jonathan also told Candice that he wants to team up with her, Adam, and Parvati for the Final Four, the four remaining members of the Caucasian tribe. She's not too keen on that. Heck, she doesn't trust him.

Over at the Raro tribe, they're pretty confident. After all, the tribes are six members each and they're surely the stronger tribe. Or, so they believe. Ah, but there's dissension in the ranks. Brad, already on the hot seat with his tribe mates over choosing to do the puzzle instead of swim last week, claimed it's "every man for himself." Nate, the bandwagon leader of the anti-Brad party, took immediate offense. "Hey! We're a team!" Fo-shizzle wit dat bizzle.

And then, the first twist of the night happened as the tribes gathered for the Rewards Challenge. Jeff Probst announced that anyone who wants to mutiny to the other tribe can do so. He gave them ten seconds to decide. Candice, not unexpectedly, stepped forward. Then, with a second to spare, Jonathan joined her. So now Aitu has four members (Yul, Ozzy, Becky, and Jenny). The other eight are all on Raro.

The Reward Challenge was fun to watch, but I don't think I'd want to be rolled and jostled in a barrel. Only four members could compete, two women and two men. The women were rolled through a course while in a barrel; buoys had to be gathered; there were barrels floating in the lagoon, flags, axes, you name it. I'd say more fun than a barrel of monkeys, for sure!

In the end, the Tribe o' Four kicked butt against their competitors. Yes, Aitu won. They sent Candice to Exile Island without even skipping a beat. Aitu won a leisurely time in fluffy white robes quaffing coffee and orange juice, eating muffins and danishes, all while reading letters and seeing pictures from home. It was definitely a bonding session and certainly made them feel stronger and more like a team. They decided they will go to the Final Four.

Alone in his newly-chosen tribe, Jonathan tried to work his way in. He talked, and talked. Then he talked some more. Then he gathered coconuts, built fire, and went fishing. He took Adam aside and told him how tight he was with Candice, and all about the Final Four plans. Adam listened. Nate bristled. "He must be smokin' some good stuff if he thinks he can just walk in here. He sold out his own tribe. He thinks we're that dumb?" Well, at least it got his mind off campaigning against Brad for a while.

The Immunity Challenge had four tribe members from each tribe (well, Aitu only has four members) row out in a glass-bottomed boat which had a target design and a hole in its bottom. Don't ask me why the boats didn't take on water, it was a fancy hole. They had cannonballs and had to locate underwater targets, then nail them to release buoys. Finally, a challenge which is fresh and new. Or, so it was until the end which was yet another puzzle.

Over in Raro boat, it looked like Jonathan was lousing up left and right, getting more frustrated as time went on. As Jeff gave his inevitable play-by-play, Jonathan muttered, "Oh, please." So, of course, Jeff included that in his play-by-play. "Jonathan is getting frustrated with me." Aitu won Immunity, strengthening their bond even more.

Raro, needless to say, was bummed out. Candice told both Parvati and Adam here true feelings about Jonathan - she didn't trust him. Nate was on the anti-Jonathan wagon, too. "We gonna cradle a traitor?" But, then, as they discussed things, they seemed to be leaning more towards the idea that they could string Jonathan along and that Brad was more of a threat in the long run. Nate said he'd lead Brad to think the plan was still one to vote off Jonathan.

And, so it went down. At Tribal Council, answering Jeff's questions, Brad admitted he didn't trust everyone on the tribe. That's all they needed if their minds weren't made up already. Brad was unanimously voted out with the exception of his own vote for Jonathan. He took it well.

And, then there was the other twist. Brad became the first member of the jury. Not only is that early for the jury, but it will make for a jury of ten members. That, but of course, could lead to a tie situation at the finale. Interesting, huh?

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Update 11/09 - Castoff

Voted out and first member of the jury (you heard me - early jury) is Brad. The vote was unanimous except for Brad's own vote (Jonathan).

A full review/recap will be posted later tonight.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Update 11/09 - Immunity

Aitu won Immunity.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Update 11/09 - Mutiny and Reward

Candice, then Jonathan, mutinied and joined Raro.

Reward was coffee, danishes, muffins and letters from home.

Aitu won Immunity and immediately sent Candice to Exile Island.

TV Commercials: Ding, Dong, the Mac Guy's Gone

It's official, the Mac is history.

"I'm a PC."
"I'm a Mac."
"Not anymore, you're not."

Justin Long, the actor who plays the Mac in Apple's latest rather mean-spirited series of commercials, is no longer doing the ads.

It seems public opinion, along with his movie acting career, dictated the changes. Long, known for his role on television's Ed a few years back, as well as roles in movies such as Dodgeball and Herbie: Fully Loaded apparently was just a bit too much of a Mac in the biased ads and the audience sympathized with the PC, played by John Hodgman.

Although the ad spots caught my attention, as a PC user I was a bit offended. I'm a creative sort into photography, photo-editing and more. The series of commercials brought back all the snobbiness, smugness, and self-appointed superiority I've seen in Mac/PC debates for well over a decade. I kind of wanted the PC to just cuff the Mac atop the head and send him for a timeout.

An article from Fresh Intelligence: Radar Online about the commercials ending was even a bit more strident about it. They claimed the audience wanted to push the Mac under a bus. Well, yeah. I could see that, too. The article quotes an ad critic from Slate as saying, "[Long is] just the sort of unshaven, hoodie-wearing, hands-in-pockets hipster we've always imagined when picturing a Mac enthusiast. It's like Apple is parodying its own image while also cementing it."

Hodgman, the PC, and the director of the spots, Phil Morrison, will be back to do a new series of commercials for Apple. While this has been confirmed, no details regarding content for the ads have been released.

I'm a PC. And, if I were a Mac, I wouldn't slump in a hoodie with a five-o'clock shadow that probably took two weeks to grow.

TV Newsy Bits - Thursday, November 9, 2006

It's Survivor night! As usual, I'll post East Coast Updates for the big happenings as they air here in the NYC area. Those events usually include Reward, Immunity and the boot. Judging from the promos they've been showing, there is another event happening on the show tonight, too. If that isn't in conjunction with the events mentioned above, I'll let the West Coast folks know that East Coast spoiler in a separate update. Late tonight a full review/recap will be posted.

It's also C.S.I. night for me. Another minature crime scene has been featured in their promos. I hope that the case involved threads through the season and we see even more.

In other television happenings:

• My friends over at BuddyTV.com have an Exclusive Interview: Hank Steinberg, Creator of The Nine up and posted.
• K-Fed's Money Ploy - TMZ.com - What? He wants her money? I'm so shocked, aren't you?
• Residents to Plan to Secure The Borders Next Week on "Jericho" - Well, duh. They should have done it long ago.
• "Heroes" Star Jack Coleman Discusses His Role on the Show - It's the Horn-Rimmed Eyeglasses Guy! No real spoilers, he doesn't admit to being either good or bad, but says he can be creepy. I knew that.

'Lost' - "I Do"

This was it, the last Lost until February 7. I know I'll appreciate the lack of reruns through the spring, but it feels like we barely got a taste of the series this fall. Six episodes ain't nuthin', Freckles.

Tonight's episode, "I Do," had its interesting points and moved a few things forward, but there were no grand surprises overall. Well, there was the Jack Finally Wised Up bit, but that wasn't until near the end of the show.


The flashback sequences were all about Kate this week, Kate and her husband. Or, Monica and her husband, as she had an alias. Who knows? Maybe she's not Kate, either. The island scenes mainly featured those captured by the Others - Jack, Kate, and Sawyer. We saw a bit of Eko's funeral, but mostly the captives.

The Kate Flashback Sequences
The opening had Kate in a hotel room as her soon-to-be groom, a Miami-Dade cop named Kevin, visited. Oh, there was the wedding, kiss scenes, and all was rosy-keen with the bride and groom. Until Kate's background caught up with her. Well, perhaps it was more the fear of her background being exposed and caring about her love.

She panicked. She called the U.S. Marshals to see if they would leave her be, but the vibes weren't right, not at all. What to do? What to do? Hey, let's drug the cop-husband and confess once he wants her to get a passport for an Oceanic flight to Costa Rica! So, she did it. She told him that she wouldn't want his career ruined, that she was being sought after for blowing up her father and she hit the rowdy road. And, she told him her name wasn't Monica.

See. That's what happens when you marry too soon. You marry a fugitive, silly cop boy. I rank this backstory flashback an "eh." Big deal, what's happening on the island?

On the Island, Requiem for Eko
Locke, Sayid, Paulo (who still just mysteriously appeared and doesn't do or say much for all the hooplah about him joining the cast), and Desmond were still with the very dead Mr. Eko. Locke, claiming that the survivors have seen enough death, decided they should bury him without bringing him back to the campsite.

When asked, Locke said Eko died for a reason, but he doesn't know what that reason is. But, heck, there's a reason. He also claimed that the monster killed Eko, but didn't know what or whom the monster is. Okay, that's perhaps too much knowledge to take in all at once, eh?

The most vital incident during the funeral was as Locke was giving his eulogy. He started talking about Eko's Jesus Stick, then saw words carved into it: "Locke, lift your eyes and look north." (Insert Lost thump noise here.)

On the Island of the Others
Okay, I'm warming to the thought that there may be two islands. I'm not totally convinced, but there was another clue pointing to that tonight.

In the dolphin tank, Jack told Ben and Juliet how critical Ben's need for surgery really is. After giving him the terror talk that indicated not long to live at all, he refused to do the surgery which could save Ben's life. He said he wanted him to understand how he's going to die, but he wouldn't help save him. Ben told him he was disappointed in his decision. Jack told him he wouldn't have to be disappointed long.

Over at the bear cages where Sawyer and Kate were being held captive, Danny and his Thugs were about to take Kate off to work breaking rocks (saying that Sawyer had the day off) when alarms sounded. "Compound Breached!" It was Alex (Rousseau's daughter) with a trusty slingshot. She warned Kate that they would kill her boyfriend just as her own was killed.

Alex was easily captured as a slingshot is never a great match for guns. Danny threw a hood over Kate's head and, next we knew, she was in the dolphin tank talking to Jack through the plexiglass. The Others told her to tell him they'd kill Sawyer if she couldn't convince Jack to perform Ben's spinal surgery. No go, Jack refuses Kate's pleading. "We're done here." Uh-oh, Sawyer!

Ben was monitoring it all in the room with all the closed-circuit monitors.


Back at the bear cages, Danny and Thugs were pushing around Sawyer, furious that Jack had refused to do the surgery. Once they departed, Kate told Sawyer about seeing Jack and Ben's need for surgery. She crawled out of her cage and broke the lock to his, telling him to escape. But he refused to go. He told her they were on a separate island and there was no escape. Then they had hot giant polar bear sex... or perhaps a human equivalent of such.

In the dolphin cage, a sleeping Jack was awakened by the mysterious intercom. It told him (Juliet's voice?) to check the door. Oh, by gosh and golly, it was unlocked. Set up alert! He found the monitor room and, gee willikers, there was a feed to Kate and Sawyer snuggling in the bear cage. Jack also found guns. And he held one to Ben when Ben entered the room.

He told Ben he'd do the surgery tomorrow, but Ben had to keep his promise - he'd get off the island. He had to leave the island. Ben, of course, assured him he'd keep the promise. Yeah, right. Trust Ben? I think not!

Pre-surgery, Ben asked Juliet if Alex asked about him. She told him that he had taken her home. Ben told Jack, "Whatever happens, things will be very different." And, they certainly were as Jack finally had a trick up his sleeve.

He purposely nicked Ben's kidney sac and then created sort of a medical hostage. Over at the bear cages where Danny and Thugs were about to off Sawyer in front of Kate in retaliation for Danny's girl Colleen's death, the walkie-talkies burst to life. They had an hour to make their escape as Jack had an hour to fix the damage he did to Ben.

Jack told Kate that in an hour, she'd have to call him on the walkie-talkie and relate the first story he told her as she stitched him up on the beach. If not, Ben would die.

Here are the points to ponder for this week:

• Why I'm thinking there could very well be two islands: I think the clue on the Jesus stick telling Locke to look north may lead to the sighting of an island. Plus, Danny wondered how Alex got "over here." Something about the way he said it indicated two islands. The same sort of indication when Juliet mentioned taking Alex home.
• I have a "much ado about nothing" feeling from the Kate flashbacks. Only if that cop emerges on the island in some capacity or the necklace she wore comes into play somehow will this bit be critical at all.
• Whether Juliet will sabotage the surgery or Jack will on the down-low is moot now. I have a feeling Jack won't kill Ben, but that's only my guess.
• My memory of the story Jack's seeking from Kate is a bit fuzzy. I recall it was something about fear. "Do you know what real fear is?" He then told her of botching an operation on a teenaged girl, sort of similar to his nicking of Ben's kidney sac. The significance? I'm not sure.
• No smoke monsters this week, but a focus on both Eko's cross necklace and the one Kate (as Monica) wore.

I guess we wait until February. I don't know if I'll be interested enough in the new show they'll be airing in the time slot to watch for sneak peeks.

What Do The 'Amazing Race' Contestants Win?

In a recent comment, someone (you know who you are, Anon!) asked if the contestants on The Amazing Race who aren't the final team win anything.

Well, it's obvious that David and Mary won a lot from their appearance on The View, but that's not the norm for contestants. They seemed to just strike a chord with the folks on that show and reaped the benefits.

Of course, the true reward for being on The Amazing Race may be just the whole amazing whirlwind adrenalin trip. Contestants receive prizes for placing first, but do the others receive money?

Yes, but it's certainly not a get rich quick scheme. Not at all. The winners do welll with the million, but it goes drastically downhill from that point. I can't vouch that these figures are truly accurate, but here's the breakdown I found at answers.com:

1. $1,000,000
2. $25,000
3. $10,000
4. $7,000
5. $6,000
6. $5,000
7. $4,000
8. $3,500
9. $3,000

The lowest figure is probably more than a few would make at their day jobs for thirty days time. But, of course, the experience of being a contestant on the show is indeed priceless.

Tonight On The Box

Tonight, tonight, isn't like any other night...!

For starters, tonight is the last new Lost episode for the "fall season." Ah, yes, that seems to be something new out there in Television Land. A short taste of the series for the fall, then the rest starting in the winter running through into late spring. From what I've read, it seems to be formatted that way this season due to complaints about all the blocks of repeats during the actual season last year. I'm not sure which format bugs me more. With Lost, there's so much going on that a two or three month hiatus and my increasingly lost memory may make me forget what has happened before on the show. It will return February 7. I guess we'll see, and I most certainly will be watching tonight's episode and blogging it, too! ABC - 9 PM ET/PT

Before Lost, I'll be in Jericho. I've grown a bit iffy on this one, but continue to follow it. No, I haven't been blogging so much about it, but there are only so many shows I can cover in-depth before my head explodes. Or something. As we learn more about the background of some of the characters, I have to know what role they'll take on as the world of an isolated nuclear survivor town goes on. CBS - 8 PM ET/PT

Competing in that 8 PM time slot are Bones (FOX) - a show I enjoy but will really have to pick up in the reruns this season; The Biggest Loser (NBC) - a show I've never watched yet know a lot of folks really love it, and Dancing With The Stars (ABC) - a show I've caught now and then, but all I can really say is that I was relieved when Jerry Springer finally was voted off. I should note that The Biggest Loser is a two-hour episode tonight. (Thus noted!)

Up against Lost (though I'm a hands-down Lost watcher) is Criminal Minds on CBS. That's another one I really have to try to get into during reruns. I know I should like it, but I've only seen it once and it didn't jump out and grab me. The new season of The O.C. (FOX) also starts. Now, I don't watch that one at all.

At 10 PM ET/PT, the major networks have C.S.I.: NY (CBS), Dateline NBC, and The Nine (ABC). The Nine has lost me as I've become lackadaisical about watching it the past few weeks. I was excited when it first started, but the series took a nose-dive for me by the second episode. I actually enjoy many of the Dateline segments (I can be a newsy-hound at times), but I'll probably go with C.S.I.: NY for my hour.

In late night viewing, tonight is a new Letterman complete with Dustin Hoffman. Woohoo! I'll be watching while wearing my fuzzy bunny slippers and robe.

Um.

Maybe that was too much information.

What will you be watching tonight? Remember when Wednesdays didn't offer us such a great array of shows?

TV Newsy Bits - Tuesday, November 7, 2006

Well, tonight's a good night for the more political-leaning readers of the blog. But, not so much for me. Letterman is scheduled way late here and it's a rerun. Nothing really struck me tonight. I watched Law and Order: Criminal Intent, but kept getting distracted, so don't ask me what happened. Right now I have an rerun on Law and Order: SVU on the USA network on in the background.

Several blog readers mentioned today's The View with the appearance of David and Mary, the most recent team to be Philiminated on The Amazing Race. I was at work, so I missed it. But, thank you for filling me in! I found the show's official recap mention of it on the official website. I'm happy for the couple - if anyone could use a hand up, they can. I think the show has probably really changed their lives for the better.

The other day I wrote an article exclusive to Blogcritics about AOL's Gold Rush and its final rounds this week on Entertainment Tonight. I really had high hopes that one of the blog readers would have made it. It's not the same as if I were to win a chunk of money, I'd still get warm fuzzies. Maybe next time, eh?

Another article I wrote for there and didn't post here (because I really had no interest in the show - it was against Lost and Criminal Minds and one of those would snag me before yet another quiz show) was about The Rich List. Oops! Yanked from the schedule and even the FOX website after one episode as if it never existed!

By the way, the reason the articles were written for there was because they asked for them. I'm not really hiding stuff. If I write something specifically for them, I can post it here a few days later or link it, as I just did.

Welp, that's about it for tonight.

Did you watch anything interesting besides election coverage?

TV Newsy Bits - Monday, November 6, 2006

Ah, another good episode of Heroes tonight. Now Micah is turning into one of them, too. The teaser for next week was about whether the Horn-Rimmed Glasses Guy was good or evil. I've been thinking evil, but since they mentioned it, I'll change my vote to good.

If I were to have a superpower, I'd go for flying. I have no need to be the Incredible Hulk or certainly not the Beast. But, flying? Well, that would beat NJ traffic and be a heck of a lot cheaper, too!

In other television news:

• Yahoo! Top Stories - Virtual "Big Brother" to be launched in Second Life - Um, call me dense, but I'm just not getting this, not at all. Is it like Big Brother gone Sims? Help.
• Next Week's Amazing Race - Mild Spoilers
• Why Race outpaces reality - I really liked this article about how The Amazing Race is different from other reality television shows. I think you'll enjoy it.
• FOX Announces American Idol Season 6 Premiere January 17th - Last year had a different group of competitors, to put it mildly. I wonder what we're in for this season?

I watched How I Met Your Mother tonight, too. Oh, he's gay. He admits it. So what? It was a cute episode. I loved the name bit with Barney and I like the show more when Lily and Marshall are together. Are you watching?

Remember - 'The Bachelor' and 'Nip/Tuck' <-- join the discussion!

'The Amazing Race 10' - Ep. 8 -or- "Cow's Lips, They're Not Just For Breakfast Anymore"

Six teams remain. Who will be eliminated next?

In last week's non-elimination leg, David and Mary were once again saved, but marked for elimination. They must finish in first place tonight or suffer a 30-minute penalty which could very well cost them the game.

So, how did it all pan out?

The teams left Mauritius, the site of the seventh Pit Stop in the game, twelve hours after they arrived. Dustin and Kandice (Evil Beauty Queens) left first at 3:00 AM and the last team, David and Mary (Kentucky), departed at 4:08 AM. So, we're talking about a bit over an hour between first and last. That's not a huge time gap at all.

Having crashed their own car, the Evil Beauty Queens appropriated one of the cars belonging to another team. Their car was indeed drivable, but they apparently just didn't want to drive it. In the end, the ChoBros (Edwin and Godwin) ended up taking the damaged car.

The Six-Pack alliance between the ChoBros, Kentucky, and Alabama (Lyn and Karlyn) took an early hit when Alabama separated from the group heading for the airport. The ChoBros remained loyal to Kentucky, waiting for them and then leading the way. Of course, Kentucky is always loyal to their friends, but they're better for moral support than they are for leading the way.

The clue instructed them to drive to the airport where they would board a flight to Antanarivo, the capital city of Madagascar. Once there, they would have to find a statue entitled the Black Angel. Oh, there's a hitch. It was recently painted white. But the teams don't know that. All of the teams ended up on the same flight, so even the hour betwixt first and last no longer mattered.

Once on the ground, the teams all rushed about looking for a statue in a lake of a black angel. Too bad it's not black. I got a few smiles when Mary was so excited about being in Madagascar - "I've only seen the cartoon. I never thought I'd be here!" And, Lyn (Alabama) didn't know why they even had to look for a black angel - "I'm right here. Look no more!" On the other hand, Rob and Kimberly went on about exhaust fumes ruining the minds of the locals. Okay, if they say so. Have they never been to NYC or Los Angeles?

It took a while, but the teams finally figured out that the Black Angel was the white statue in a lake they kept passing by. Once there, we found out another new twist to the game. This is in addition to the surprise elimination of Bilal and Sa'eed and the changes for non-Philimination legs. It's an Intersection. What it means is that two teams must work together to perform the next clue's task. In the clue, there was also a Fast Forward.

Tyler/James (Rehabbed BoyToys) and Rob/Kimberly (Bickering Couple) were the first two teams at the clue and they jumped on the Fast Forward. If they successfully complete the FF quickly, they can go directly to the next Pit Stop, so I don't blame them. They also mentioned that they didn't really trust the Beauty Queens.

When the Evil Beauty Queens came along and realized that their "friends" had teamed up and left them behind they were miffed. They begged the ChoBros to team up with them as the Six-Pack Alliance arrived. And, so it was to be... Evil and the Shining Light of All that is Good and Kind, teamed together on a Detour.

Although Mary really wanted to give the Fast Forward a shot, no one knew how long ago the first team of four had been at the clue. It was a given that the first group would probably go for it as the numbers are dwindling and this would be the final Fast Forward in the race. So, the remaining teams headed to a Detour.

A Detour is choice between two tasks relating to local culture or practices. This Detour had the teams choosing between Long Sleep or Short Letter. In Long Sleep, teams had to cover, then deliver eight mattresses on foot through the city streets. In Short Letter, they would have to produce and decorate 28 ornate sheets of paper following a particular design. No one chose the latter.

As the teams struggled with unwieldy mattresses on busy streets and through narrow alleys, what were the FF bunch doing? Well, they had to eat a local delicacy. Cow lips. You heard me. I'm talking cow's lips with some hair and teeth for even extra fiber and texture! At least they looked fried and they had plenty of water to wash them down. The task turned stomachs and turned it into one of the slowest Fast Forwards ever seen on the show.

As they gagged their way through their unexpected gastronomical goody, the mattress-haulers had two different approaches to the task. The ChoBros/Evil Beauty Queens broke down the load to four each team of two and helped each other. Kentucky and Alabama tied all eight mattresses together with the straps from their fanny packs and tried to lug them all at once.

Once the mattresses were delivered, the Intersected Teams could once again split up. Dustin/Kandice made quick work of snagging a cab and getting ahead of the ChoBros. Kentucky and Alabama were desperately trying to keep their stacked mattresses moving towards the delivery point, but neither the mattresses nor the local street traffic was cooperating.

Oh. And the cow lip eaters were still eating and gagging. But they were so cocky about getting that Fast Forward, boasting how far ahead of the other teams they were and how they could take their time. Little did they know, a few teams were really making time.

Dustin/Kandice hit the next clue first. It was a Roadblock, a task only one member of a team can complete. This one wasn't all that physical unless running around like madmen looking for rubber stamps of a boat, plane, train, and car qualifies as physical. In a crowded marketplace, it was more exasperating than anything else.

The non-participating team members in the Roadblock waited for their partners right at the Pit Stop with Phil. The Evil Beauty Queens finished the task first and even beat the Fast Forward crowd to the Pit Stop. Then the FF group finally made their way to sneak on in before my favorites, the ChoBros.

The Pit Stop arrival in Madagascar was:

1. The Evil Beauty Queens, Dustin and Kandice - They also won a trip to Hawaii for placing first in the leg.
2. Tyler and James
3. Rob and Kimberly
4. Erwin and Godwin Cho
5. David and Mary - However, they had to wait out their 30-minute penalty as they were marked for elimination.
6. Lyn and Karlyn - Knocked David and Mary out of the race ten minutes into the penalty.

So, David and Mary, saved twice, couldn't be saved thrice. They took it well and Alabama cried over their departure. I knew this team couldn't make it to the end, but it was refreshing to see a team approach strange lands with the joy and thrill they showed throughout the race. They argued and yelled at each other, but I could tell they're a perfect match for each other. They had the time of their life and did their family proud.

Okay, I've switched my least-favorite team. Instead of the previous Rob/Kimberly, I now want Dustin and Kandice gone next. They're sneaky and they're strong - this is the second week in a row they've placed first in a leg. It's time for them to stumble and fall. Oh, perhaps not literally, but fall from the ranks of the racers.

Make it happen.

'The Amazing Race 10' East Coast Update 11/05 - Pit Stop Arrival/Philimination

This was the order to the Pit Stop:

1. Dustin/Kandice - Won a trip to Hawaii
2. Tyler/James
3. Rob/Kimberly
4. Erwin/Godwin
5. David/Mary - Had to wait 30 minutes as they were marked for elimination
6. Lyn/Karlyn - Arrived ten minutes into Kentucky's penalty and knocked them out of the race.

David and Mary, marked for elimination twice, were eliminated.

A full review/recap will be posted later tonight.

Tonight's 'Amazing Race' Blogging Schedule

Due to a football delay, The Amazing Race is just starting now in the NYC area. Expect an East Coast Update about 9:30 PM ET and a full review/recap will be posted late tonight.

Stop on back and visit!

Sneak Peek: TBS's 'My Boys' to Premiere November 28

Baseball and sex have been tied together in the ways of adolescent boys since the dawn of time (well, perhaps not quite that long) as they attempted to make it to second base, or even to third base. We know they didn't mean in the ballpark!

And, who could forget the play-by-play in the song "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" by Meatloaf? We know that wasn't really about baseball, either.

Taking that ball and running with it is the new original comedy show My Boys from TBS, the Very Funny cable television network. Set to premiere Tuesday night, November 28th at 10 PM ET/PT, I was fortunate enough to get a sneak peek at a handful of episodes and I'm here to report back on them.

The premise of the show is relatively simple to explain. PJ Franklin, played by Jordana Spiro, is a sportswriter in Chicago. She's in a male-dominated field and, not only that, has a male-dominated field of friends. Oh, yes, she does have one good female friend, Stephanie, played by Kellee Stewart. But her boys are near and dear to her heart. She works amongst the boys, plays cards with the boys, goes out with the boys, and often tends to be considered one of the boys by her boys. I've worked in a male-dominated field and know that feeling all too well. Sometimes you want to shout, "Hey! I'm woman! Roar!" but most of the time, it's great fun just to be friends with the guys.

Although it's easy to draw comparisons with Friends or Sex and the City, this show isn't really all that much like either. Urban settings, a focus on relationships and twenty-somethings are the common grounds between the shows. I think fans of both shows will enjoy My Boys.

I found it a fun little romp through the lives of the characters and their dating trials, tribulations, and the friendship shared by PJ and her boys. I particularly enjoy all the different ways the character of PJ ties in baseball with sex and relationships in the voiceovers which are featured in each episode. Just when I thought she'd have to run out of analogies, she'd spring a new one on me.

Certainly not sexually explicit, I feel My Boys will do well with the late-teens through thirty-something demographic. It's a delightful light-hearted comedic departure from the crime and drama shows in its late evening time slot. And, of course, I want to know just how many relationships/sex analogies there are to sports out there. That's a creative challenge all on its own!

The cast includes Jordana Spiro, Jim Gaffigan, Kyle Howard, Reid Scott, Michael Bunin, Jamie Kaler, and Kellee Stewart. The Executive Producers are Jamie Tarses, Gavin Polone, and Betsy Thomas. The show will air Tuesday evenings at 10 PM ET/PT on TBS. For more information about the show, you can check out the official My Boys website.

TV Newsy Bits - November 3, 2006

It's Friday! Does that mean that Friday Night Lights was on? Of course not, that's now a Tuesday show or Sunday or Wednesday.

Sigh. I watched Meerkat Manor's latest episode earlier tonight. I like the show, but was already saddened a week or so back when news reports revealed that Shakespeare is indeed dead. (Silly, not William Shakespeare... Meerkat Shakespeare!) And now little Blossom. At least she didn't just vanish and not get any sort of mention like Shakespeare did. Rest in peace, little Blossom.

Adding to my ways I don't want to die: I don't want to be eaten.

Are you a fan of The Class? The first episode or two didn't really snag me in, but I've been growing more comfortable with the show as of late. BuddyTV has an interview up with David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik, the show's creators. Here's an excerpt:

How did you guys come up with the idea for The Class?

Jeffrey: We were actually cleaning out our basement (laughs) and we found a big box of old photographs that had belonged to David and we were looking through them and they were a whole bunch of pictures from his old 3rd grade class…

David: And we were looking at one of those pictures that has all the different pictures of all the little kids, and Jeffrey said to me, don’t you wonder who all these kids are today? I mean, they're all in the picture and they’re all 8 year olds with smiling faces and now they’re all in their late 40’s, and it’s like, “Who did they turn into and who’s happy?” And that basically turned into what the show became which sort of asks the question, “OK, who were you in 3rd grade and who are you now, and who gets to be happy?”

Oh, my. I'm trying to think back to the person I was in third grade. That was the year of my first eyeglasses and, if memory serves, the year I started reading Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys books. I was going to be a child crime-solver, yes I was. Happy? Hmmm... that answer would have to go into different levels for different aspects. When I was in third grade, I didn't realize that life has its complications. I'm not a perky person. But, that doesn't mean I'm not happy.

In other TV Newsy Bits:

• All New Episodes of "The OC" to Air Wednesday and Thursday
• Prison Break Preview Clips For November 6th
• Oh! If you liked the season premiere of C.S.I. this year, the mystery continues with the in-depth promo for this week's show. And, on another note, what's with them continuing all the health problems for Grissom? He went through the deaf bit and now migraines?

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - Ep. 7 -or- "Peanut Butter Love"

Thirteen are left. Who will be voted out tonight?

After last week's entire recap show, we saw an extended recap of the previous week. They must think our memories fail us, eh?

The show opened with the Aitu tribe on Day 16 and with JessFlicka feeling blindsided by the vote to boot Cao Boi in the last Tribal Council. "No one ever tells me anything, fuss, fuss." And, of course, she was saying it all in front of Nathan, the kidnapped Raro member spending some time with the Aitu tribe. Not too cool; Nathan was all but taking notes and the other tribe members caught onto issues with her loose lips, as well.

In strategy talks at the tribe (most not around Nathan), it looks like the tribe members are having trouble trusting Jonathan. Fueled mainly by JessFlicka, but even his alliance members (Yul, Becky, Candice) expressed increasing doubts about him.

In the tree mail, the castaways received a Survivor's Catalogue and were instructed to pick two items. If they win Reward, they will receive the chosen items and the opportunity to send a member of the opposing tribe to Exile Island. The hidden Immunity Idol was found long ago by Yul and, while only Becky and Yul know it, the rest are pretty sure someone has it.

On Raro, Brad was pushing for potatoes as they'd stay fresh longer than bread, the item which the rest wanted. Peanut butter was a hit for both tribes and chosen without argument. No one listened to him, so their choice was bread and peanut butter. Aitu, on the other hand, went along Brad's school of thought and chose potatoes and peanut butter. There were spices, sewing kits and more in the catalogue, but the peanut butter had cast its spell.

The Reward Challenge had the tribe members grabbing a club, swimming a distance, climbing to a platform, and then jumping off swinging the club at a wooden box to break it. A key within the box then falls in the water. They must dive down and retrieve it, then return to shore. Then it's repeated by others. The keys open chests to puzzle pieces and the tribe who completes the puzzle first wins.

It was very rigorous, especially diving down to retrieve the key. The girls, in particular, were spent. Although Aitu had Nathan (a good swimmer) through the challenge, they didn't quite trust him and had to sit a member out. So, he sat. For Raro, Brad wanted to do the puzzle solving instead of the physical part of the challenge. Oops, Raro lost. Aitu chose Adam to be the Exile Island exile.

Back at the Raro camp, they were all up in arms about Brad choosing to put together the puzzle. Nathan, in a confessional spot, called him "puzzle boy" and "such a Nancy boy." Ouch. Then Nathan went fishing and providing so the women could rest.

Adam didn't even search for the Immunity Idol on Exile Island. A nasty storm moved in and he spent the night huddled in the broken hull of the abandoned ship on the island.

Returning to Aitu, the tribe members awakened to Ozzy carrying a bird he had caught in his hands. Although Jonathan was a bit reluctant, it was decided that the bird was food. They seemed very respectful about it, but I'm sure that someone will be upset. I couldn't kill a bird unless I was starving, but Yul can. Finger-licking good!

Ozzy's "Jungle Boy" abilities continue and the tribe members appreciate them more and more. Ozzy himself seems to have changed a bit and I don't see that huge chip on his shoulder he was carrying in the past. Oh, yeah, there's still a chip on his shoulder, but he's wise enough to put it in his pocket when talking to the others.

The Immunity Challenge had tribe members building a staircase with logs of ascending heights. Once built, they had to climb them to a ramp, take a zipline across the water, and retrieve a bag of puzzle pieces. (Have I mentioned how much I love ziplines? I do, I really do.) Another puzzle? They're having way too many puzzles this season, methinks.

In a shocking conclusion to the challenge, Raro actually won. Yes, you heard me right. Raro won something. So, they're safe until the next Tribal Council and Aitu must lose a member.

Once again, the discussion was regarding trust issues with Jonathan and flaky issues with JessFlicka. Ozzy thought he was pretty safe this time around. He called it right. At the Tribal Council, despite editing to make it look like Jonathan would leave, it was JessFlicka. All votes except for her own vote (Jonathan) were for her exit. Another performance artist bites the dust.
I had some major issues with the editing of tonight's episode. Perhaps I've just watched the show too long or something. But I could tell that Aitu would go to Tribal Council because they focused much too much on the tribe discussing the vote while nary a mention of it from the Raro camp.

I also knew the vote was almost unanimous when they showed JessFlicka's vote for Jonathan first. I didn't have to see any more votes. I recognized the handwriting and knew that since they showed her casting the vote for him and then pulled that vote first, it had to be the only one for him.

I'm not all that sorry to see her go, although she's strong in challenges. If I had to hear how "left out" she was one more time again, I was planning to sneer at her. I'm liking Ozzy and Nathan more each week, while waning my cheering on of Jonathan. I'm ambivalent about Adam and most of the women. Yul is still the one I like for the win.

I think I want to see more sneakiness. I need more. It's Survivor, right?

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Update - 11/02 - Tribal Council

JessFlicka was voted out.

Her own vote for Jonathan was the only vote not for her.

A full recap/review will be posted later tonight, stop on back!

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Update - 11/02 - Immunity

Are you sitting down?

Go sit down.

Raro won Immunity.

'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' - East Coast Update - 11/02 - Reward

Aitu won reward - potatoes and peanut butter chosen from a catalogue.

They chose Adam from Raro to go to Exile Island.

Tonight's 'Survivor 13: Cook Islands' Blogging Schedule

Tonight's show will begin shortly here in the Northeast. As important events occur (Reward, Immunity, Boot), I'll zap up a quick East Coast Update. Later this evening, I'll post a full review/recap.

Remember, you may need to refresh the page or use the November Archive link in the right sidebar of the main page to bring up the most current entry.

Also, don't forget there are discussion posts for those readers who enjoy 'Desperate Housewives', 'Grey's Anatomy', and 'The Bachelor' and 'Nip/Tuck'

Survivors ready?

'Lost' - "The Cost of Living"

The action is getting fast and furious as Lost aired its next to last episode until winter. What is the cost of living? Well, it seems that death is the cost of living, at least on the island.

Oh, and I really think there's only one island despite what we saw last week. I believe Ben showed Sawyer some sort of illusion. Had there been another island that close, how could they have not seen it?

Back to the island and the latest about those kooky fun-loving castaways and their demons...

This episode mainly centered around Eko, in flashbacks and on the island in the present. Last season, we saw a bit of Eko's backstory. Remember, his brother Yemi apparently died in a plane crash of some drug smugglers. When he found the plane on the island, Eko kept the cross that caused the smugglers to think Yemi had been himself. Oh, perhaps you had to be there. Anyway, the flashbacks told more of the story of Yemi, Eko, a bit of their childhood, and the violence which ultimately would be the cost of living.

The show opened with an Eko/Yemi childhood bit in which Eko stole food and was admonished to apologize. "You have sinned." He thought he did what he had to do; he was hungry, he ate something.

Cut back to the "now" on the island, Eko's still in grave condition from the hatch blast and Charlie, Hurley, and Sayid are concerned about him. Drifting in and out of consciousness, he has his own flashbacks to the drug running and his brother Yemi appears onto him. Yemi told him it's time to confess, time to be judged. Uh-oh. That doesn't sound so good and I don't think a Jesus stick is going to help him.

Eko came to only briefly enough to mention his brother to Charlie, then he vanished without a trace from the camp. Locke, meanwhile, wanted to gather a group to head to the Pearl Station (hatch) in hopes of finding a clue which would help them find Jack, Sawyer, and Kate who are still in the clutches of the Others. Desmond thought the computers there could communicate with other computers. While others (not THE others) wanted to find Eko, Locke said that he'd be going to the same place. Locke knew Eko would head to where the drug plane crashed right near the Pearl Station. So, two birds, one stone, and all that. "Don't mistake coincidence for fate," warned Locke.

In Eko's Flashback Sequences
After the initial childhood sequence, they focused on Eko after he "took over" for Yemi at his village. Yes, as the "new priest." An altar boy saw him washing his hands in the holy water and Eko told him he was "washing away his sins." Right then and there the kid had to know he wasn't the real deal.

The armed militia men with whom Yemi had a deal to give most of the vaccine supplies in return for protection came around and Eko refused to deal with them. To prove their seriousness (and ruthlessness), they shot a village woman just to make their point.

When the militia thugs returned after the vaccine shipment arrived, Eko still refused to deal with him. Lead Thug said that he was superstitious and couldn't kill a man of God. Thus, he was going to cut off his hands instead. Eko fought back and (seemingly) killed the men. "You do not know who I am," he said.

The last flashback sequence was Eko preparing to go to London as Yemi was set to do. The locals were boarding up the church. The altar boy's mother warned Eko to repent and to start making his peace now.

On the Island With Jack and the Others
Jack got a personal invite from Ben to Colleen's funeral (the one Sun shot). He wasn't told he was going to a funeral, but he did get a nifty gauzy-white flowing shirt. He started asking Ben questions about his health and the tumor in the x-ray he had seen. Ben played dumb and said he felt fine, didn't know what Jack was talking about. Sure, Ben.

The funeral itself was different from your basic funeral. Colleen's body was on a raft set out to sea, then set afire. And, all the while, tinny loudpeakers played a song which I know that I know, but can't place. It's an older jazz/blues tune about an aching heart and holding someone tight. I guess I'll have to wait for the website with Lost Music to reveal it. (It's driving me crazy!)

At the funeral, we found out that the spine tumor x-ray is indeed Ben's. He told Juliet that she wasn't supposed to tell Jack about it.

After returning to the dry dolphin tank he's called home since being captured by the Others, Jack was visited by Juliet bearing a cheeseburger. Ben arrived and wanted to speak alone with Jack citing doctor/patient confidentiality. He told Jack about some plan they had to "break" him, get him to want to do the surgery and so on. He mentioned that Juliet resembles Jack's ex-wife. Then he claimed he wanted Jack to want to save his life. He asked, "Do you believe in God? I do. Two days after the tumor was found, a spinal surgeon falls out of the sky."

After Ben left, Juliet went back in to the dolphin tank, this time bearing a video she claimed was To Kill a Mockingbird. But, it definitely wasn't. Jack said he didn't want to watch, yet she insisted on putting it on and leaving the volume off. Hidden from the closed-circuit monitors and microphones, the video itself was a series of messages to Jack. Juliet held up a series of signs which said that Ben was evil, a liar, very dangerous and that some on the island want a change. They want Jack to do the surgery and for Ben to unfortunately die. After all, it's a serious surgery with complications. No one would know. She told him it was up to him. He didn't commit.

The Pearl Station Hatch and Eko on the Island
As Eko headed to the hatch and drug plane crash site, we got glimpses of the black smoke wisps. Oh, no! When he saw a huge smoke more-than-a-wisp, all of a sudden it went away and there was Locke, new dude Paulo, Sayid, and the rest of the party heading to the Pearl Station. Later, Eko would ask Locke what he saw. Locke saw a beautiful bright light. "That's not what I saw," said Eko. Me, neither!

While the rest of the party headed down the hatch, Eko remained above. Down in the hatch, new gal Nikki gave them the idea to try to get the other monitors in the bank going. Nothing was on them until... eep! A man with an eye-patch looked into a camera, then blocked it. Yay, a new mystery! (I say with sarcasm.)

Yemi once again appeared to Eko. Yemi told him he's ready to hear his confession. Eko followed him to a stunningly gorgeous spot where he showed Yemi the cross necklace. When Yemi asked him if he was ready, Eko told him he asked for no forgiveness. He didn't sin. He did what he had to do to survive. "When I was a young boy, I killed a man to save my brother. I didn't not ask for this life. It was given to me and I've done the best I can."

Yemi just turned to him and said, "As if I were your brother."

Eko shouted, "Who are you?" Then the smoke monster grew, snagged and dragged him. The folks in the hatch heard a ruckus and found Eko dying in the woods. He whispered something to John Locke, then died.

What did he say? Well, John said he said, "You're next." Yikes!

Answers? Questions?

• An answer - We now know the tumor x-ray subject is indeed Ben
• A question - Yemi indicated that he wasn't Eko's brother. So I have to think that he's not really Yemi?
• A question - Why did that smoke monster look like an elephant snagging Eko? Was that just my impression or did others see the resemblance?
• A question - Wasn't there a glass eye found in one of the hatches at one point? Is it Patch-Eyed Man's eye?
• A question - I don't think that Jack will botch a surgery to appease Juliet, but what if Juliet gains control of the Others?
• A question - What if the whole Juliet asking Jack (secretly) to off Ben is part of Ben's plan to "test" Jack?
• A question - Why did one of my digital shots taken during the episode superimpose Jack over Juliet (see above)? Was it coincidence or fate? It wasn't on the screen. Oh, don't tell me it was just shutter lag!

As usual, there are more questions than there are answers. They think just because they're Lost, we should be, too.