I apologize for my recent lack of updating on America's Next Top Model. As for the last two weeks, the girls received their makeovers (my favorite episode of the season), Victoria Marshman got cut last week, and Janet was cut this week from the show. The judges liked Victoria's look, but wasn't too fond of her personality and as for Janet, the judges thought she needed too much coaching during her photo shoots.

Some makeovers went really well while others did not. My pick for best makeover would probably be Janet's. I thought it looked amazing on her. They didn't do much to her hair except cut it a little shorter and dye it much darker, but I still loved it. They shaved Bianca's head! (which seemed like a complete disaster at first, but it actually turned out looking pretty good). They also gave her a "Beyonce style" wig. They changed basically nothing on Heather, which I would agree with because her dark hair looks good and contrasts with her pale skin. I don't like how they did Jenah's hair at all. It's now very blonde and very long and it looks extermely fake. I'm not a fan of it. I'm also not a big fan of Saleisha's new makeover. I think her hair looked better before. Now it's a bob cut and it just doesn't look right on her, in my opinion. And is it just me or does Saleisha remind you A LOT of Rihanna? (except the hair looks better on Rihanna) The other makeovers included:

• Ambreal- extremely cropped, "almost no hair," as Tyra put it
• Sarah- very short, kind of bobbed, blonde with highlights
• Victoria- fuller and edgier hair
• Chantel- straight blonde hair with bangs (kind of fake looking, as well. Also, kind of reminds me of Britney Spears)
• Lisa- a Halle Berry type of haircut, reminiscent of Jaeda's in cycle 7
• Ebony- a Naomi Campbell cut, as they called it

What did everyone else think of the makeovers?

On another completely random note according to the New York Daily News, apparently Heidi's (star of The Hills on MTV) website got hacked into. Somebody posted "Me and Spencer did spread the false rumors about Lauren's sex tape" on the page. Although, it should say "Spencer and I." Maybe the person did that on purpose, knowing that Heidi would have probably wrote it that way. In that case, I feel like giving that person a high-five and apparently the author of the article in Newsday agrees with me.

Top Chef host "dishes out"

There was recently an article in People Magazine called "Eat, Play, Love." The article featured the reality show Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi talking about her new cookbook and her life after her divorce from author Salmon Rushdie. I thought it was an interesting article for anyone who's a fan of the show so I figured I would share with you guys. Padma shared with People Magazine that they have "teeth checks" on Top Chef after she tastes one of the chef's delicious dishes. "There's nothing worse than seeing me with a wad of spinach in between my teeth," she told People. Her second cookbook Tangy Tart Hot & Sweet features recipes inspired by her travels to Tanzania and Spain. This latest venture of hers was as much about society as it was fine dining. "With food, there's more that unites us than divides us. Take Asian and South American cooking- there's tamarind. cumin, cilantro, in both," Lakshmi told People. The book is dedicated to her then- husband author Salman Rushdie. The couple recently divorced. "He tasted every dish," said Lakshmi. For now, Padma Lakshmi is putting all her energy into Top Chef, the article says. "I can go into Chanel and walk out empty-handed, but if I go into a kitchen store, I'm in trouble," she told the magazine.

A New Reality "Phenomenon"

NBC picked up a new reality show called Phenomenon, starring Criss Angel and Uri Gellar. The series will be a competition to find the next great mentalist. The series premieres on October 24. According to NBC, 10 contestants will compete each week through a series of challenges in front of a panel of celebrity judges and a studio audience. Angel and Gellar will provide their insight and help the contestants, but the viewers at home are the ones who get to vote and decide the $250,000 prize winner.

This actually seems like a really interesting show. It does seem kind of repetitive and monotomous that all these reality shows on television feature contestants competing for a prize through basically any talent you can think of. However, people seem to be completely fascinated with the unexplainable and the unknown. I, myself, find it extremely fascinating. I feel like this show is going to reach a big audience. It's definately a new genre and something we haven't seen before, as far as reality series go. Don't forget that this is also being done on live television in front of a studio audience where anything can happen, which makes it all the more interesting.

Reality Shows this Fall

This is a little late, but I researched and found a list of the Fall 2007 reality TV show list. Even if you aren't a big reality fan, some of these may interest you:

• The Real World: Sydney (MTV)
• The Hills (MTV)
• The Contender- a boxing competition series (ESPN 2)
• Tim Gunn's Guide to Style- Project Runway's fashion expert now has his own show (BRAVO)
• The Biggest Loser (NBC)
• Beauty and the Geek (the CW)
• Kid Nation (CBS)
• America's Next Top Model (the CW)
• Survivor: China (CBS)
• Dancing with the Stars (ABC)
• The Bachelor (ABC)
• Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC)
• DR. Steve-O- staring the Jackass and Wildboyz star, it will chronicle his attempts to toughen up men across the country with a medicine bag full of stunts and dares. (USA Network)
• I Love New York 2 (VH1)

And that's probably not even half of them. I'm sure at least one of those will spark people's interests.

Reality TV Website

I've looked at quite a few websites and blogs that are based on reality TV, but the best and most useful one I've found is a website called Reality TV World. The first thing I really like about the website is that when you first enter the homepage it has a ton of links to articles on the "latest reality television news headlines." This is extremely helpful if you're looking for the latest scandels and controversies in reality TV. These news headlines include everything from who recently got eliminated on America's Next Top Model to news on the Osbournes or Paula Abdul. It's also really useful if you missed the latest episode of your favorite reality show. The website includes some recaps on shows. The other thing I liked about the website is that it includes links to all of the popular reality TV shows at the top. It's easy and accommodating if you're looking for a particular show. When you click on the link to the show it will provide you with the most recent news on that reality show. Reality TV World also includes spoilers and speacial features, as well as other entertainment news headlines. I highly recommend this website if you're big reality television fan. Even if you're not a big fan, check it out. Until next time...

"Kid Nation" could end up like "Lord of the Flies"?

According to United Press International, a U.S. psychologist says the new reality show Kid Nation could end up like "Lord of the Flies" if the camera crew wasn't around.

Psychologist Dr. Gregg Steinberg said this in a UPI News Service article:

"The show asks the same basic questions as the novel, 'Lord of the Flies,'
with one major difference: The show has adults overseeing the action.

The Psychologist believes that if the show didn't have the camera crew around then the results would be the same as the ending of William Golding's book: violent and severe.

"Children do not have the cognitive abilities to grasp discipline, hard work,
and integrity," Steinberg said in a statement. "Without parents to guide them
down the right path, we would see tragic consequences with bullying turning into
more savagery and lack of discipline turning into to utter chaos."

http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/psychologist-likens-cbs-new-kid-nation-lord-of-flies-1013164.php

Osbourne Auction

According to ABC News, the former reality stars, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, are selling art, furniture and collectibles from their homes in Malibu, Beverly Hills and England. The auction will include items from their MTV reality show The Osbournes. Some items from the show include Jack Osbourne's black leather bedroom furniture and a cast-iron crucifix from Ozzy's den in various episodes. Part of the proceeds will go towards the Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Foundation. Ozzy will perform a benefit concert at the Staples Center in Los Angeles the first night of the sale. Sharon is very enthusiastic about the auction , saying it's "refreshing." On the other hand, Ozzy is not so enthusiactic. His wife commented, saying that "Ozzy gets very attached to things. He doesn't like change at all." The sale, administered by Julien's Auctions, will be held Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at the Gibson Guitar Showroom in Beverly Hills. Bids can be placed in person, by phone or over the Internet.

Here is what AP Entertainment Writer from ABC Sandy Cohen wrote in her article "Osbournes to Auction Contents of 3 Homes":

"With their three children now grown and out of the house, the
couple have changed their style and moved to a new home, she told The Associated
Press, adding that parting with hundreds of items has been 'one of the most
refreshing things I've done.'"

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=3703176