Survivor Week 6 - Have a Rice Day

Champions League

Jack

Artis (Tandang) -27: Immunity (+8), W6 (+16)= -3
Russell (Matsing) -79
Roxy (Matsing) -20
Zane (Matsing) -60

Last week: -186, Now: -162

Mags

Pete (Tandang) -107: Immunity (+8), W6 (+16)= -83
Dawson (Kalabaw) -68
Carter (Kalabaw) -84: Reward (+4), W6 (+16)= -64
RC (Tandang) -5: Immunity (+8), W6 (+16)= +19

Last week: -264, Total = -196




Me

Malcolm (Tandang) -149: Immunity (+8), W6 (+16)= -125
Angie (Matsing) -149
Dana (Kalabaw) +5
Abi-Maria (Tandang) +38: W6 (+16)= +54

Last week: -255, Now: -215

Jaydon

Michael (Tandang) -107: W6 (+16)= -91
Jonathan (Kalabaw) -69: Reward (+4), Votes (-4), W6 (+16)= -53
Jeff (Kalabaw) -59: Reward (+4), W6 (+16)= -39
Katie (Kalabaw) -117: Reward (+4), Votes (-16)= -129

Started at: -352, Total = -312




Developmental League

Marsh

Malcolm (Tandang): Immunity (+8), W6 (+16)= +24
Jonathan (Kalabaw): Reward (+4), Votes (-4), W6 (+16)= +16
Roxy (Matsing)
Carter (Kalabaw): Reward (+4), W6 (+16)= +20

Week 6: +60, Total = +180

Tippy

Michael (Tandang): W6 (+16)= +16
RC (Tandang): Immunity (+8), W6 (+16)= +24
Katie (Kalabaw): Reward (+4), Votes (-16)= -12
Angie (Matsing)

Week 6: +28, Total = +146

Larry

Pete (Tandang): Immunity (+8), W6 (+16)= +24
Dana (Kalabaw)
Russell (Matsing)
Abi-Maria (Tandang): W6 (+16)= +16

Week 6: +40, Total = +133

Rizzo

Jeff (Kalabaw): Reward (+4), W6 (+16)= +20
Denise (Kalabaw): Reward (+4), W6 (+16)= +20
Dawson (Kalabaw)
Zane (Matsing)
Week 6: +40, Total = +84

Survivor Week 5 - I'm So Sick

Champions League

Jack

Artis (Tandang) -50: Reward (+4), Immunity (+8), W5 (+11)= -27
Russell (Matsing) -79
Roxy (Matsing) -20
Zane (Matsing) -60

Last week: -209, Now: -186


Me

Malcolm (Tandang) -182: Found Idol (+10), Reward (+4), Immunity (+8), W5 (+11)= -149
Angie (Matsing) -149
Dana (Kalabaw) +25: Removed (-20)= +5
Abi-Maria (Tandang) +23: Reward (+4), W5 (+11)= +38

Last week: -305, Now: -255

Mags

Pete (Tandang) -130: Reward (+4), Immunity (+8), W5 (+11)= -107
Dawson (Kalabaw) -48:  Votes (-20)= -68
Carter (Kalabaw) -95: W5 (+11)= -84
RC (Tandang) -28: Reward (+4), Immunity (+8), W5 (+11)= -5

Last week: -301, Total = -264

Jaydon

Michael (Tandang) -130: Reward (+4), Immunity (+8), W5 (+11)= -107
Jonathan (Kalabaw) -80: W5 (+11)= -69
Jeff (Kalabaw) -70: W5 (+11)= -59
Katie (Kalabaw) -128: W5 (+11)= -117

Started at: -408, Total = -352



Developmental League

Marsh

Malcolm (Tandang): Found Idol (+10), Reward (+4), Immunity (+8), W5 (+11)= +33
Jonathan (Kalabaw): W5 (+11)= +11
Roxy (Matsing)
Carter (Kalabaw): W5 (+11)= +11

Week 5: +55, Total = +120

Tippy

Michael (Tandang): Reward (+4), Immunity (+8), W5 (+11)= +23
RC (Tandang): Reward (+4), Immunity (+8), W5 (+11)= +23
Katie (Kalabaw): W5 (+11)= +11
Angie (Matsing)

Week 5: +57, Total = +118

Larry

Pete (Tandang): Reward (+4), Immunity (+8), W4 (+11)= +23
Dana (Kalabaw): Removed (-20)= -20
Russell (Matsing)
Abi-Maria (Tandang): Reward (+4), W5 (+11)= +15

Week 5: +18, Total = +93

Rizzo

Jeff (Kalabaw): W5 (+11)= +11
Denise (Kalabaw): Votes (-4), W5 (+11)= +7
Dawson (Kalabaw): Votes (-20)= -20
Zane (Matsing)
Week 5: -2, Total = +44

Survivor Week 4 - Swan Song

Champions League

Jack

Artis (Tandang) -65: Immunity (+8), W4 (+7)= -50
Russell (Matsing) -71: Votes (-8)= -79
Roxy (Matsing) -20
Zane (Matsing) -60

Last week: -216, Now: -209

Mags

Pete (Tandang) -145: Immunity (+8), W4 (+7)= -130
Dawson (Kalabaw) -55:  W4 (+7)= -48
Carter (Kalabaw) -102: W4 (+7)= -95
RC (Tandang) -35: W4 (+7)= -28

Last week: -337, Total = -301



Me

Malcolm (Matsing) -193: Votes (-4), W4 (+7)= -182
Angie (Matsing) -163
Dana (Kalabaw) +18: W4 (+7)= +25
Abi-Maria (Tandang) +16: W4 (+7)= +23

Last week: -322, Now: -305

Jaydon

Michael (Tandang) -145: Immunity (+8), W4 (+7)= -130
Jonathan (Kalabaw) -87: W4 (+7)= -80
Jeff (Kalabaw) -77: W4 (+7)= -70
Katie (Kalabaw) -135: W4 (+7)= -128

Started at: -444, Total = -408




Developmental League

Larry

Pete (Tandang): Immunity (+8), W4 (+7)= +15
Dana (Kalabaw): W4 (+7)= +7
Russell (Matsing): Votes (-8)= -8
Abi-Maria (Tandang): W4 (+7)= +7

Week 4: +21, Total = +75

Marsh

Malcolm (Matsing): Votes (-4), W4 (+7)= +3
Jonathan (Kalabaw): W4 (+7)= +7
Roxy (Matsing)
Carter (Kalabaw): W4 (+7)= +7

Week 4: +17, Total = +65

Tippy

Michael (Tandang): Immunity (+8), W4 (+7)= +15
RC (Tandang): W4 (+7)= +7
Katie (Kalabaw): W4 (+7)= +7
Angie (Matsing)

Week 4: +29, Total = +61

Rizzo

Jeff (Kalabaw): W4 (+7)= +7
Denise (Matsing): W4 (+7)= +7
Dawson (Kalabaw): W4 (+7)= +7
Zane (Matsing)
Week 4: +21, Total = +46

30 Rock 701 Review - Dunston Checks In

Many shows seem to return to their former glory once an actual end is in sight. It gives the writers a new-found purpose, and that may be the case for 30 Rock here in season seven.

"Governor Dunston" continued the longer arcs of Jack trying to tank NBC and Liz's attempt at pregnancy nicely, while adding some hilarious moments with Tracy Morgan as the eponymous politician, along with a couple of guest appearances by Catherine O'Hara and Bryan Cranston.

Morgan as the aloof Vice Presidential candidate, who looked exactly like Tracy Jordan, was funny enough in and of itself - with the "okey dokey doo" and ripping his pants off at the podium - but the fact that it was a direct call back to Tina Fey as Sarah Palin made it even better.

To read the rest of my review of last night's 30 Rock, head over to TV Fanatic.

The X Factor 210 Review - Teen Titans

Well... we all have to wait until next week to find out who has made it into The X Factor's Top 16.

Fortunately, we were held over with a whole bunch of talent from the Old Geezers and Teens categories. Sure, there were a couple of misses here and there, but like I've said many times already this season, there just seems to be much more talent this year than in 2011.

Let's take a look at who is in good shape to make it through to the live shows, and who might be in danger of heading home. Remember only four can make it through from each category...

Old Geezers

1. David Correy: While I still think The X Factor isn't as good of a strategy for finding his birth mom as actually going somewhere to find her, I still love this guy. That was a fantastic audition. He has the extra factor, AND a great voice. Loved him. Bieber's manager said it was pure passion.

To read the rest of my review of last night's The X Factor, head over to TV Fanatic.

Nashville 101 Review - Welcome to Music City

With a quickly established set of complicated characters, engaging original music built within this authentic setting and endless possibilities for intriguing stories down the road, Nashville is the best new show of 2012.

No matter what stories you tell, if you don't have truly interesting characters, nobody is going to care. Fortunately, Nashville has created a number of them in just the one hour of its pilot.

Between Charles Esten as songwriting legend Deacon Claybourne, Eric Close as mayoral candidate Teddy Conrad and Clare Bowen as poet-turned-songstress Scarlett O'Connor, the supporting cast will be fun to watch develop as the first season moves forward.

Having said that, it's still the two leading ladies who are going to carry much of the burden of the series. Thankfully, both Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere seem up to the challenge as fading country star Rayna Jaymes and up-and-comer Juliette Barnes, respectively.

To read the rest of my review of last night's series premiere of Nashville, head over to TV Fanatic.

The X Factor 209 Review - Oh The Drama

The X Factor announced its Top 21 this week, put us through some incredibly fake drama before revealing the true Top 24, continued with more faux anger when L.A. Reid was given the Over 25s... and finally concluded with some singing on Wednesday!

This year's categories are different from last season. We have the Young Adults (roughly 18-24), the Over 25s (what I will affectionately refer to as the Old Geezers from here on out), the Groups, and the Teens (17 and under).

Who made it through? Who got the cut?

Young Adults
Cece Frey
Willie Jones
Jennel Garcia
Nick Youngerman - Who?
Paige Thomas
Jillian Jensen - She broke Demi's heart.

To read the rest of my review of Wednesday's The X Factor, head over to TV Fanatic.

The Voice 310 Review - The Battle Zone

The Voice was in full theft mode Tuesday night, as the new "steal" option was utilized once again by the coaches.

With an hour of airtime, we only got to witness three battles. I'm not complaining that we missed Celica vs. Lisa and Rudy vs. Charlie, because they probably weren't all that interesting, but maybe a little less practice time and they could afford to show ALL the battles!

Let's see who won and who lost this time around in the Battle Rounds...

Team Cee Lo - Cody Belew vs. Domo - "Telephone"

The Battle: It's difficult not to want Domo to fail due to the fact that there seems to be no limit to her arrogance. She definitely didn't fail nearly as much as she did in the blind auditions, but it was obvious once again that she just doesn't have the vocal chops to be interesting in this competition. Her performance wasn't enough to compete with Cody's voice, even if this song was way out of his comfort zone.
My Choice: Cody
Cee Lo's Choice: Domo Cody, wow I literally typed Domo while Cee Lo was speaking because I thought she was a lock.
Battle Grade: C+

To read the rest of my review of last night's The Voice, head over to TV Fanatic.

The Voice 309 Review - Steal Away

The Voice began its Battle Rounds on Monday, but this time there was a new twist that benefited a few contestants and certainly everyone watching.

One of the major problems with the Battles in the past was that it seemed they would purposefully pit two really talented contestants against each other in order to create an awesome performance that would make that specific episode more enjoyable for fans.

The problem ended up being that after that great moment, one of those two extremely talented singers was completely out of the competition (see: Anthony Evans). That wasn't good for the future of the season. Thanks to the new "steal" option after one coach picks his/her winner, that issue is moot.

In essence The Voice gets to have their moment of cake, and then eat it too as the rest of the season goes on. Let's see how much better that made this week's first episode of season three battles...

Team Blake - Casey Muessigmann vs. Terry McDermott - "Carry On Wayward Son"

The Battle: I'm not one to disagree with Michael Buble, but why would you want Casey to change out of his country style if that's who he is? Both of these guys did really well, but it seemed like Casey was singing the song, while Terry just WAS the song. Just because Terry seemed more comfortable with the song, that doesn't mean that it was more impressive. The difficult task the Casey was given was not something to take likely.
My Choice: Terry
Blake's Choice: Terry
Battle Grade: A-

To read the rest of my review of Monday night's The Voice, head over to TV Fanatic.

Homeland 202 Review - Via Text Message

After only two episodes of its second season, it is crystal clear that Homeland is going to keep coming at viewers with non-stop pulse-pounding and surprising television.

Between the meet-gone-bad with Abu Nazir, Carrie running for her life through the streets, the Marines questioning what happened with Tom Walker and that final video clip Saul started watching, "Beirut is Back" was a perfect example of this show at its Emmy-winning best.

Let us begin with the fact Carrie was indeed right about her intel. Her instincts were correct, which means she's even closer to her old self. That certainly isn't to say that she's back at the top of her game. As she noted, being wrong about Brody f*cked her up.

Listening to her talk about that, and then watching her go up on the roof during a major freak out, was disconcerting. In just one short season, it has been incredibly easy to let Carrie Mathison into our lives. Witnessing her struggle so much shouldn't be easy on us.

To read the rest of my review of last night's Homeland, head over to TV Fanatic.

The Office 903 Review - You're Not Jim!

When I first saw the cold open as a promo for "Andy's Ancestry," I laughed my face off. When I saw it again, it was still hilarious. By the time this episode of The Office aired, the joke had lost most of its punch, but that doesn't mean it wasn't one of the best openings we've seen in a long, long time.

What a prank! Jim and Pam took some pretty great strides to get Dwight's goat with this one. Between informing their actor friend on the ins and outs of Jim's job, getting him Jim's voicemail password, Pam kissing him straight on the mouth and taking the time to shoot a brand new family portrait, I'd say this one might have taken the most planning ever.

Once the heart of the episode began there were a number of plots going on at once. The one that worked best was Nellie and Pam's bonding intertwining with Jim and Darryl's bonding. I know readers have taken issue with Nellie in the past, but I continue to enjoy her style of comedy. Her being a terrible driver...not funny. Nellie taking joy in lying to Andy...very funny.

To read the rest of my review of this week's The Office, head over to TV Fanatic.

30 Rock 701 Review - Tanking It

The seventh and final season of 30 Rock began this week, and "The Beginning of the End" started the abbreviated run out with a bang. Classic one-liners and references were joined by a hilarious plotline that ended with Jack and Liz teaming up to tank NBC.

The idea that Jack - and now Liz as well - wants to tank NBC so that Hank Hooper will sell the company to the guy who makes the only successful Easter Egg dyeing company in the world is funny in and of itself.

It also creates an atmosphere rich with opportunities for humor, like Jack coming up with ridiculous new shows for the network. God Cop may have had the most play here, but Homonym may have been funnier, and Tank It was certainly more idiotic.

To read the rest of my review of this week's 30 Rock, head over to TV Fanatic.

The X Factor 208 Review - Don't Forget the Lyrics

They are just racing through these eliminations on The X Factor, as Thursday's Boot Camp Battles seemed to be the final test before cutting the 60 remaining contestants down to 24 for the judges' houses.

Other than speed and efficiency, this season of The X Factor also seems to be doing a much better job at finding talent...or at least showcasing it. There was a wealth of it on display tonight, so let's recap what all went down with The Good, The Bad, and The Judges...

The Good

Tara Simon vs. Jennel Garcia: Both sounded good, but Simon hated the song choice of "Landslide" because it was too mellow. It's really not fair to some that another contestant can bully them into a song, but that's how the game is being played, and life isn't always fair.  Even though Jennel wasn't comfortable with the performance, I think she has done enough to make it to the next round.

Carly Rose Sonenclar vs. Beatrice Miller: I don't remember seeing Beatrice before but she started "Pumped Up Kicks" with a nice tone. Yikes, when Carly jumped in though, the game was completely changed. For a 13 year-old girl, she has such great tone, power, and style.

To read the rest of my review of this past Thursday's The X Factor, head over to TV Fanatic.

Bi-Monthly Power Rankings

This is really half-assed, but the rankings have to come out...

Rank. Show (Last time, Highest ranking) green = moving up, red = moving down

Honorable Mentions

30 Rock (16, 2) Thursdays on NBC

Ben and Kate (-, -) Tuesdays on FOX

Boardwalk Empire (14, 12) Sundays on HBO

Go On (-, -) Tuesdays on NBC

Key and Peele (-, -) Wednesdays on Comedy Central

The L.A. Complex (-, -) Mondays on The CW

Last Resort (-, -) Thursday on ABC

Nashville (-, -) Wednesdays on ABC

New Girl (-, -) Tuesdays on FOX

The Voice (-, -) Mondays and Tuesdays on NBC

Top 20

20. Shameless (18, 16) Sundays on Showtime

19. Cougar Town (20, 19) Unknown on TBS

18. Sherlock (17, 17) Sundays on PBS

17. Survivor (19, 14) Wednesdays on CBS

16. Dexter (-, 9) Sundays on Showtime

15. Mad Men (13, 3) Sundays on AMC

14. Parenthood (15, 13) Tuesdays on NBC

13. Big Brother (-, 7) Summers on CBS

12. The Vampire Diaries (11, 11) Thursdays on The CW

11. Fringe (10, 10) Fridays on FOX

10. Wilfred (12, 10) Thursdays on FX

9. Sons of Anarchy (9, 3) Tuesdays on FX

8. Curb Your Enthusiasm (8, 1) Sundays on HBO

7. Game of Thrones (7, 2) Sundays on HBO

6. Happy Endings (6, 6) Tuesdays on ABC

5. It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (5, 5) Thursdays on FX

4. Homeland (3, 3) Sundays on Showtime

3. Community (2, 2) Fridays on NBC

2. Breaking Bad (4, 2) Sundays on AMC

1. Justified (1, 1) Tuesdays on FX

Survivor Week 3 - Snuggle Time's Over

Champions League

Jack

Artis (Tandang) -69: W3 (+4)= -65
Russell (Matsing) -71: Votes (-4), W3 (+4)= -71
Roxy (Matsing) -20
Zane (Matsing) -60

Last week: -220, Now: -216



Me

Malcolm (Matsing) -197: W3 (+4)= -193
Angie (Matsing) -151: Votes (-12)= -163
Dana (Kalabaw) +6: Immunity (+8), W3 (+4)= +18
Abi-Maria (Tandang) +2: Found Idol (+10), W3 (+4)= +16

Last week: -340, Now: -322

Mags

Pete (Tandang) -149: W3 (+4)= -145
Dawson (Kalabaw) -59:  W3 (+4)= -55
Carter (Kalabaw) -114: Immunity (+8), W3 (+4)= -102
RC (Tandang) -39: W3 (+4)= -35

Last week: -361, Total = -337

Jaydon

Michael (Tandang) -149: W3 (+4)= -145
Jonathan (Kalabaw) -99: Immunity (+8), W3 (+4)= -87
Jeff (Kalabaw) -89: Immunity (+8), W3 (+4)= -77
Katie (Kalabaw) -139: W3 (+4)= -135

Started at: -476, Total = -444




Developmental League

Larry

Pete (Tandang): W3 (+4)= +4
Dana (Kalabaw): Immunity (+8), W3 (+4)= +12
Russell (Matsing): Votes (-4), W3 (+4)= 0
Abi-Maria (Tandang): Found Idol (+10), W3 (+4)= +14

Week 3: +30, Total = +54

Marsh

Malcolm (Matsing): W3 (+4)= +4
Jonathan (Kalabaw): Immunity (+8), W3 (+4)= +12
Roxy (Matsing)
Carter (Kalabaw): Immunity (+8), W3 (+4)= +12

Week 3: +28, Total = +48

Tippy

Michael (Tandang): W3 (+4)= +4
RC (Tandang): W3 (+4)= +4
Katie (Kalabaw): W3 (+4)= +4
Angie (Matsing): Votes (-12)= -12

Week 3: 0, Total = +32

Rizzo

Jeff (Kalabaw): Immunity (+8), W3 (+4)= +12
Denise (Matsing): W3 (+4)= +4
Dawson (Kalabaw): W3 (+4)= +4
Zane (Matsing)
Week 3: +20, Total = +25

The X Factor 207 Review - The Whitney-Off

For weeks now, The X Factor has been improving on not only its own mistakes from last season, but also the bad habits that American Idol has developed over the years. That didn't change this week, as the first night of Boot Camp was short and sweet - and nobody got hurt.

Well... the 60 or so contestants who were eliminated were certainly hurt, but because The X Factor decided to just show us some of the highlights, some of the train wrecks, and then get to the first round of cuts, the viewers at home were left unscathed by the boring middle rounds that these singing shows have forced on us year after year.

Boot Camp started with around 120 contestants. We are already down to half that amount, and it will end with just 24 hopeful acts. Let's take a look at who impressed us, and who had us looking away with The Good, The Bad, and The Judges...

The Good

Diamond White: She is just a complete professional. She was so girly and friendly while talking, but as soon as that music started it was go time! She put a nice little spin on "I Have Nothing," which is a song that everyone says you shouldn't sing.

To read the rest of my review of last night's The X Factor, head over to TV Fanatic.

The Voice 308 Review - Had Me at Thang

The extended teams of 16 may end up paying dividends down the road in the third season of The Voice, but for right now, they just seemed to make the blind auditions last much too long.

All four coaches added their final two team members on Monday night, which means next week we move onto the Battle Rounds. The superstars had some funny bits and the performers had some serious talent, but Carson Daly's awkward behavior was definitely the highlight of the night.

Between his "I knew it!" when the coaches turned for Nathalie - clapping like he's Brendan Fraser - and the look of such concern when he uttered "Come on Cee Lo!" when the coach wouldn't turn around, Carson made for a bunch of unintentional comedy on this final night of auditions.

Most of us were watching for the singers, though, so I digress. Let's take a look a how the coaches rounded out their teams, who has the best squad moving into the next round, and which was the most successful at securing performers throughout the season...

To read the rest of my review of last night's The Voice, head over to TV Fanatic.

Homeland 201 Review - Locations, Locations, Locations

Between the critical acclaim, its abundance of fans and one of the most impressive nights at the Emmys ever*, Homeland is coming off of one of the best seasons in television history. That's a lot to live up to.

"The Smile" did an astounding job, not only at returning with the excitement, suspense and heart we were used to from last fall, but also at sidelining some of my worries that the idea of season one was so good that the writers might not be able to re-imagine the magic a second time around.

* Homeland was the first show since Cagney & Lacey in 1985 to win four out the big five drama awards (Garnering series, actor, actress and writing, but failing to earn directing honors). There have been a lot of great series over the last 25 years or so that failed to accomplish what Homeland did at last Sunday's Emmys.

The season premiere wasn't in-your-face impressive in the way most pilots have to be in order to grab our attentions. Rather, it dropped us back into this world with characters that we grew to know, love and/or hate last season. Most of them were in new situations, but because all of them were strongly written and acted, everything felt very familiar.

To read the rest of my review of last night's season premiere of Homeland, head over to TV Fanatic.