New 'The Amazing Race 9' Cast: A Closer Look at Wanda Lopez-Rochford & Desiree Cifre

This is the last team in my "A Closer Look at..." series for the upcoming 'Amazing Race 9' which premieres on Tuesday, Feb. 28 in a two hour special -- 9 PM - 11 PM ET/PT in most viewing areas. You can find the entire series listed on my 'Amazing Race 9' Blog Entries page.

Wanda Lopez-Rochford is a 44 year old corporate trainer who calls Smyrna, Georgia her hometown these days. Her daughter, Desiree Cifre, is a 24 year old writer living in New York City. Obviously, we're talking the MOTHER/DAUGHTER team of the race.

Here's what I learned about them (and why they're in the Race) from their official CBS show bio:

They believe they have a great sense of humor and both enjoy traveling, shopping and cooking. (Whoa... women ChaChas!) Wanda is fluent in Spanish and has lived in both New York City and Puerto Rico. While raising Desiree she earned two college degrees. Desiree is an NYU grad who works as a writer (but does she make a living at it?). She's in a steady relationship and considers herself passionate and artistic. She thinks her mother tends to be overprotective of her. While they both want to win the race, they're also looking forward to experience other cultures while seeing the world.

On the web:
NYU > Athletics - Apparently Desiree is a great fencer. Swordplay may come in handy on 'The Amazing Race' -- you never know!

I think I'm going to like these two. How 'bout you?

TV Newsy Bits - Weekend Edition (2/11-12/06)

Frosty bits! Snowy bits! Get yer bits hot from the oven on a cold, wintry day! (Hey, I'm snowbound... what can I say?) Here's the television and entertainment newsy bits links I found exploring the web over the weekend --

• Preview Clips for "24" February 13th Episode
• Preview Clips for February 14th Episode of "House"
• NBC Olympic Opening Ceremony’s Ratings Drop
• Television with a twist - baltimoresun.com
• CANOE -- JAM! Television: Conan wants sauna inspector post
• CANOE -- JAM! Television: NBC apes Eurovision Song Contest
• TV's "Project Runway" wraps at Fashion Week show
• Philadelphia Inquirer 02/12/2006 Newsmakers Local 'American Idol' contestant's shoplifting rap plays on Web site
• It took years, but Idol's' Bice finds music magic before 30
• TMZ.com: News - 'Idol' Cher Impersonator Sings to TMZ

'Love Monkey' Canceled :-(

Oh, fine. I start liking a show which is different, refreshing, not in the crime/government/etc., genres and they cancel it after three episodes!

'Love Monkey' was in the time slot for the premiere of 'The Amazing Race.' I knew that. I thought that they'd juggle; one would be on at 9 PM, the other at 10. It didn't matter to me. I love TAR and was falling in love with the Monkey. But, no... with the announcement of the new drama 'The Unit' -- I thought 'Love Monkey' would move to another night, another time slot.

They didn't even give it a chance.

CBS Cages "Love Monkey" - Feb 09, 2006 - E! Online News

Catching up on LOST Blogging... Feb. 8 Episode

Yay! Looking out the window here, I see about 20 inches of snow with drifts well over three feet high. I'm in for the day and have a chance to catch up on some of the blogging delayed by life earlier in the week.

Yes, I watched 'LOST' this past Wednesday. Of course I did. And, finally, here's my take on the episode named "The Long Con." Me? I'd call it "What the hell are you up to, Sawyer?"

We learned a bit more about Sawyer's con man background in flashback sequences throughout the show. This time his "mark" wants to be taught how to con. Sawyer falls for this one, but his old con buddy refuses to let him not con her.

Meanwhile, back on the island Locke and Jack are gathering all of the guns to lock them up fearing that if everyone started toting around guns, folks would be shooting each other by mistake. Talk, mainly instigated by Ana Lucia, of forming an army created tension in the camp. Locke tells Jack they ought to safeguard the medicines, as well... and then he tells Jack that Sawyer had some pills stashed in his camp. Jack goes for them and Sawyer confronts him. Hurley tries to get closer to Sayid who's been very somber since Shannon was killed. Hurley has a small radio which eventually picks up a signal and ballroom dancing music. Hmmm... don't know where that subplot is going.

Oh, no! Sun got attacked and apparently was the victim of a kidnap attempt by The Others. But was it the Others or one of their own? She managed to escape her captors, but Sawyer makes it known to some that he suspects Ana Lucia of setting it up (or doing it herself) to make the army a done deal.

And, EEK! Sawyer breaks into where the guns are stored and steals all of them! He decides he's in charge and anyone wanting a gun must ask him.

Well... I see no answers per se to previous mysteries. I have a few questions myself. In my old age (heh), is my memory going? Didn't Vincent the dog vanish some time back or am I just misremembering? Sun didn't seem surprised to see him just before she was attacked. Nor did the others, not to be confused with The Others, seem surprised. But I thought the dog had gone missing. Someone help me out with this, please. Is there a significance to the music chosen for the radio broadcast? We had some more number combinations in this episode, but there have been so many that I think many are just red herrings.

Overall? I enjoyed the episode despite no answers (once again). There was action and interaction between the characters enough to keep me entertained. You know I'll be watching next week. What did you think of this one?

New 'Amazing Race 9' Cast: A Closer Look at Monica Cayce & Joseph Meadows

Monica Cayce is a 23 year old student hailing from Fayetteville, Arkansas. Joseph Meadows is a 23 year old homebuilder from Forth Smith, Arkansas. Their TAR-dubbed relationship? They're a DATING couple.

From their official Amazing Race bio:
Ah, they met at a bar (always classic) and have been dating for three years. The say they're fun-loving. I'm sure we'll find out just how fun-loving they are! "Joseph describes himself as confident and funny, while Monica is independent and tenacious." They both like country music, wakeboarding and traveling. Monice has an excellent incentive to win the million dollars -- she wants to pay off her student loans. They both hope the race will bring them even closer together and bond them for life.

Well. I'm not getting a ton of insight into them from the bio. I think I like them, but I don't know for sure. I don't think they'll be a bickering couple (phew!), so that's a good thing. They seem to be wholesome, feet on the ground kind of folks. I guess we'll see!

On the web:
Today's THV KTHV Little Rock

Remember! All of my 'Amazing Race' blog entries are linked on 'Amazing Race 9' Blog Entries for ease in reading. :-)