reality TV

Slowly but surely, I have been sucked in. It started off with American Idol. One day Lou was flipping channels, heard this girl singing fabulously, called me in to watch the rest (it was Tamyra, who really should have won ... or at least come in second), and we've been hooked ever since. (Current season, I'm personally rooting for Jordin, although I have also been enjoying the performances of Melinda, Blake, Chris R., and Gina.)

Next, friends and coworkers raved about this awesome show, The Amazing Race. The show that actually requires the contestants to use their brains. So we watched the fourth season, which contained some of my favorite racers of all time—Colin and Christie (sadly missing from the All-Star Season) and Chip and Kim. See above re: hooked ever since! (Current All-Star Season—after the oh, so disappointing self-destruction of Rob and Amber, I have my hopes pinned on Oswald and Danny, although I wouldn't mind seeing the Guidos or the Beauty Queens win.)

Then, on a sleepy hot afternoon at the Cape, while I sat in the house with a napping baby and everyone else played at the pond (my choice, not complaining!), I started flipping channels and ended up on a Project Runway rerun. The drama! The fashions! The aufing! I was hooked. I watched the rest of the season (and was saddened to see Jeffrey win, as I disliked his personality and most of his designs ... although I have to admit Laura was a bit too one-note and Michael a bit too inexperienced to have been the final winners).

Once PR was over, it was time for Top Chef. Figured, why not give it a try. Caught up on the first season, and was quite impressed. (And only some of it was Harold's hotness!) So I delved into the second season. Other than terminal host issues, I really enjoyed it. Although I was not impressed with Ilan's win (or, again, his personality).

And then, to make it a Bravo sweep, I thought I'd give Top Design a try. What a disaster that has been! Contestants dismissed on the whims of the judges, contestants winning challenges for rooms that don't fit the specific parameters of the competition, judges playing such obvious favorites that they rib each other for it during the panel discussions. This one, I am not hooked on. Once the travesty has been completed, that's it.

Which should leave plenty of room in my schedule for the next season of Project Runway!