The Ponderings of Dizzz

Television has changed dramatically since when I was young. Once Survivor started, apparently producers realized that these reality elimination shows are a goldmine. They were correct because a plethora of them exist now. No matter what channel you turn to, you see Tyra Banks, Donald Trump, or Paula Abdul cheering on these hopeful stars in the attempt to find “The Best” at whatever they are peddling.

All of these shows share the “survivor mentality”, meaning each week some poor fool is cut and has to go home with their heads hanging low. An interesting type of program, but seriously, HOW MANY OF THESE TYPES OF SHOWS DO YOU NEED!?! Is creative muse gone to the point that this is all we can watch anymore? Does the world truly care who is the best singer, dancer, model, bachelor(ette), fashion designer, especially when 3 – 4 of the same type of “talent show” air simultaneously. Pick one of each, and call it a day please!

Although there are more than just 3 "types" of these shows, for the sake of not having a 5 page blog, i limit my critique to the top three i have thought about watching personally: talent, modeling, and dancing shows.

American Idol

Let’s start with a show that gets lots of attention, American Idol. From a media perspective, the judges rouse more attention and controversy than the contestants themselves! After 8 seasons of this “drivel”, one would think that a person would be used to the judges’ drama and sometimes cutting remarks about the contestants and each other. Ranked #1 Most Popular TV Show, according to TV Guide, really does entertain the crowds. And yes, they even have lots of talented singers who are working hard to make it in the business. The only other good quality besides the judges’ interaction is the auditions, they are HILARIOUS!


I do not frequent this program, when I do watch it I love hearing Simon Cowell’s opinions and interaction with the others. His bio on American Idol’s website states he is “Honest to a fault” and I feel that describes him perfectly! My question is “Would American Idol be as interesting if he were not a judge?” I would never tune in, personally. Starting with other talent shows such as “Popstar” and “Pop Idol” (This is where American Idol spun-off from); he also is involved in the “Britain’s got Talent” and “X Factor” So he must be the ideal talent scout!


As for the opposite end of the spectrum, judge Kara Dioguardi needs to just keep her mouth shut. Every time it opens something stupid comes out of it (on the show). On the other hand, her singing voice is amazing. Why can’t she bring some of that to the show? I have no clue whatsoever! If only, right? Wait, you may not know what she sounds like, right? If you go to her website, you can hear her for yourself. J I was blown away at first, because she seems like such a sap on the show!

Another show of similar type is America’s Got Talent which is the 16th most popular show according to TV Guide. Obviously they got nothing on American Idol. Perhaps there are too many shows to watch, and not enough DVR/TEVO time. I know nothing of this program, except for the title and what the show features. So my drivel time for this one is short and sweet.


Dancing with the Stars

Now this program uses some creative energy. Let’s have a show that features a famous person linked with a professional ballroom dancer, and have them compete to see who comes up on top! From what i have gathered as a non-watcher, a type of dance is picked for the contestant couples and they have to show what they can do with it. Kind of like a Soul Train (that might reveal how old I am, damn) but with kick. Ranking #6 show according to TV Guide, people seem to really love this one too. Well why not? This program has snazzy costumes, sexual innuendoes, interesting dance combinations and more! Having never seen it, there is only so much I can go on about it. But once again, we can vote, so we pick the top couple (along with the judges), per say.

Considering the fact that So You Think You Can Dance is all the way back as #81 on the TV Guide list, dancing with the Stars must have something good that the other show does not have? Famous people, THAT’S IT! Well the world loves celebrities, don’t we?


America’s Next Top Model

What girl does not dream of being a model one day? All girls want to feel beautiful and adored! I write about this program with mixed feelings, as I do watch it. However I think it gives girls the wrong idea about what a woman should look and act like. From temper tantrums to love triangles, this one is my favorite of the “elimination shows”. My favorite part is the photoshoots. As an amateur photographer, it is fascinating to see what they come up with for these girls to do in a shoot, although I believe lots of these shoots are designed after ones that Tyra had done personally during her career as a model.

This #7 ranked show adds a “real world” aspect, as the girls live together (and fight together) while competing to be the next “top” model. The dynamic between the models is interesting to watch but on the flip side they really can be bitches. Each week contains at least one photoshoot and a challenge, which gives the winning girl some sort of “prize”. After the 13+ weeks of watching these girls love/hate each other, the winner emerges. Why is it that out of the 12 seasons this show has aired, I have only liked the winner two or three times at most? Some of the girls are just not pretty. It makes you wonder what they see honestly.

Who was my favorite winner? I know you are all dying to know! This is my favorite photoshoot picture of Eva Pigford (is that seriously her last name ~ GADS my condolences). Yes that IS a tarantula on her hand, I get heeby-jeebies looking at it. It turned out great, and she was petrified of that spider. She had a panic attack, cried, the whole nine-yards!


And they posed the nasty thing on her hand, on her face, etc. Give the girl credit, seriously. I would NEVER, NEVER EVER let one of those creepy freaking nasties on me anywhere!!! on her face near her eyes, I am getting goosebumps just thinking about it. GO EVA, you rock!


She is gorgeous! I can’t believe she won, because she was my favorite in cycle #3 and my favorites just don’t win. Thus the reason I no longer watch.


~The last portion of this blog (on Project Runway) has been changed due to my lack of knowledge on the subject. Consider this a retractment, LMAO!

During my usual morning Internet time, I found a few nice pics from a GQ photo shoot of Robbie boy. This one made me think of the blog I wrote about the Twilight cast smoker's club. FC, my expert-blogging SIL, was extremely dissatisfied with the pic I used for poor RP, so I figured I would make amends to her and anyone else who thought the photo did not do him justice.


Is this better sis?


Please note I do not claim this as my own pic (I wish I could get photo ops like this one ~ as an amateur photographer I notice in many of his photo shoots they do not really capture Robert as well as they should be able to) , it was taken by photographer Nathaniel Goldberg, for a GQ magazine photo shoot. Funny thing, he seems to have lots of photo shoot pics of him smoking.

And I am not referring to just smoking hot! After doing some slightly obsessed research on New Moon (and doing some Robward ogling) I found some interesting set pics posted on http://www.movie-moron.com/ . After the first pic of Robert smoking a cig I gasped! Not this gorgeous icon of sexiness, a smoker??? INCONCEIVABLE! I quickly email FC (my sister-in-law) on this revelation, and a small chink in his armor of sexiness was made in my mind. (we can buff that out later of course)

After the initial shock faded, a small shrug swept me past this discovery and on to the next set frames. In the pages and pictures that followed, pictures emerged of Bella, Carlisle, and Emmett ~ and guess what ~ they were ALL SMOKING CIGS!! And here i was under the impression that the world did not think smoking was cool anymore... So in the end the moral to the story is, in your ideal Edward fantasy, would you mind kissing him if he tasted like an ashtray??? Hmmmm... I think i already know the answer to this hypothetical inquiry.

On a side note, for additional Rob love, Pattinson starred in

"Little Ashes" as Salvidor Dali. It sounds like a pretty artsy film, no pun intended. Good for you Robert! Show the world you are not only Edward Cullen! And i must say he even pulls off that creepy mustache without looking creepy doing so, lol!

It’s movie review time, from the Dizzzz perspective. Took my kids to the movies Monday, yes the 18th month old’s first. He was such a good baby and watched the movie quietly the whole time! We saw the new Night at the Museum movie. I was expecting a bit of disappointment, after all it is a sequel and they can be pretty bad. However I was pleasingly surprised with how good this movie was! Since I really dislike the main character, yes folks I am NOT a Ben Stiller fan, I am surprised when I see a movie with him in it that I like (The Focker Movies, Night at the Museum).
If you enjoyed the first movie, you should love this one! Ben Stiller was his usual goofy self (ok some people think he is funny – I don’t like him). Putting that aside he was great as Larry Daley, the former night guard at the Museum of Natural history. I refuse to ruin the story, but I will critique it as much as possible without giving any juicy details.

Our favorite exhibits are being shipped to the Smithsonian archives…. Which mean what????? Lots of excitement when the monkey steals the gold Egyptian thingie! Can Larry Daley save his clay but somehow living friends? Will Teddy Roosevelt meet General Custer? What about the girl? Who gets the girl? You will have to see the movie to find out all these juicy possibilities.

Owen Williams and Steve Coogan play our funny miniature cowboy and roman soldier, and they are funnier than ever!!! Amelia Earhart (played by Mary Adams) was sweet and likeable. The story was interesting, and I don’t think I was bored for even a couple minutes, well maybe the first few minutes, but that starts off the story so it is ok. They could have picked a more believable looking Capone, but I suppose for the amount of time he appears in the movie, we could have done worse.

The thing in the movie that annoyed me the most (and I loved even this) was the accent that Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria) used during the movie. He lisped and sounded “fancy” as my daughter used to call it. He is Ahkmenrah’s (Rami Malek) big brother, and has quite a chip on his shoulder. You’ll find out if you see it. I bet you hear some of the actor’s and say who the hell is that? Well there are some people we all know and maybe love. Robin Williams returns as Teddy Roosevelt, The Jonas Brothers are the voices of cherubs, George Foreman does a cameo appearance, and even Oscar the grouch shows his can on the big screen.

I give this movie two Dizzzz Thumbs up! Would I see it again? ABSOLUTELY! As a matter of fact I will buy it when it comes out on DVD (for my kids of course). If you want some PG rated fun at the theatre, head out and see Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. You will be in for lots of laughs, an enjoyable storyline, and possibly even the popcorn.