Here's what I think: The Bachelorette makes me cry

SPOILER ALERT: If you haven't watched last night's episode, probably don't want to hear this yet. And I have a lot to say!

This season of The Bachelorette has been so emotional. At the beginning of the season I was a little wary. I wasn't sure Emily had a big enough personality but I'm so happy to have watched her come out of her shell and put everything she has in to the process of finding her husband. That being said, I'm getting really anxious watching the previews for the upcoming weeks!

Emily has two really great guys left and I think she has done a great job of asking tough questions, being realistic and following her instincts, I hope more than anything that she finds someone in the end to continue a relationship with. It would be perfectly understandable if at the end of all this she isn't ready to get engaged. Even if you truly believe you're going to be together forever, marriage is a big commitment and not something to be entered in to lightly. An engagement is a promise of marriage, so personally, I wouldn't be at all upset if she decides to date her choice in the end a while longer before making that promise. The sneak peak leading up to the final episode, which will air Sunday, July 22nd, made me so uncomfortable because it made it seem like she could walk away from both of them and I really hope that doesn't happen. It would be so sad for her to have come so far and have these two great guys, both of whom obviously love her, and to just give all that up and have to start from scratch. It makes me so sad just thinking about it!

I feel like I'm pretty even keeled, I'm cynical about some things and not overly romantic, but I believe that if Emily chooses either Jef or Arie that she has every chance of creating a loving marriage. I don't always feel that way about these shows (Ben & Courtney come to mind - what's happening with them anyway?). I really want to talk about the two guys that Emily has left but first let's talk a little about this week and Sean leaving.

Emily was right, she had three amazing dates this week. I wouldn't want to be in her shoes at that rose ceremony. I was really sad to see Sean go. I felt like they had a really great beginning to a relationship. She seemed so happy to be with him and was so excited when he told her he loved her. That letter that he wrote to Ricki might be the most precious thing I've ever seen on The Bachelorette. It  was so heartfelt and I could tell he put a lot of thought in to the prospect of becoming her step father. Sean's departure was heart-breaking. I felt so bad for Emily because she was so emotional about letting him go. I even worse for Sean thinking about how he was so sure she was going to be his wife. I might be a little partial because Sean was my favorite and if I were the bachelorette there's no way he would have left. But Emily had a hard choice to make, all three of these guys are great and she'll be lucky with any one of them.

Who do I think Emily will end up with (assuming it's anyone at all)? Probably Arie. I think Jef is a great fit for her and I was excited to hear her say that when she pictured her every day life and who fit in it with her and Ricki that it was Jef. However; I think her connection to Arie has been so strong this whole time and when she said he was her "light at the end of the tunnel" since their first date, I was pretty sure he had it in the bag. I don't agree with all the talk out there that says Arie is a player and that she shouldn't pick him. It seems like they do have a real connection and that if she chooses to pursue a relationship with him they would be a nice fit. Even so, I hope she surprises us and picks Jef. They seem more real to me and like they both said on last night's show he get's her.

I'm really impressed by the quality of people on this season of The Bachelorette. Not just with Emily but with the guys. If she follows her heart and has a little faith, I think she and whomever she picks to move forward with will be very happy.

I can't wait for the "Men Tell All" next week and I'm especially looking forward to the final episode and "After the Final Rose" on July 22nd! There's light at the end of this tunnel but not with out a little drama!

Here's what I think: Becoming Famous

For Christmas a friend of mine received the book How to Be Famous by Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt (of The Hills and various other happenings that I'm sure you can find out about on TMZ or Wonderwall). The book was intended as a "gag" gift but in good fun she read it and happily passed it on to me to spread the word about becoming famous. Okay, to be honest it's really just a guilty pleasure and moderately entertaining; but it was short enough for me to read in one night and I have to say as much as you may dislike Spencer and Heidi, aka Speidi, they sure know what they are talking about!

The overwhelming theme of this book is creating a character and sticking to it, as well as making yourself as visible as possible. Think about it, this is completely dead on! They are famous for nothing and you can't turn on E!News or TMZ or open an US Weekly without seeing a picture of Spencer with his villainous flesh colored beard and Heidi with her ever changing face and body glued to his side. So in the spirit of extending their fame (since that is clearly their expertise and goal in life) here I am compelled to blog from Iowa about Speidi and How to Be Famous!

I don't delude myself into thinking the reach of this blog is more than about 20 people, but congratulations Speidi we're talking about you, you've obviously done something right. And for everyone else out there, if you're looking for an entertaining quick read go pick up a copy of How to Be Famous - I guarantee you will be surprised to find that Heidi and Spencer aren't as dumb as they look no matter how much we'd all like to think so!

Here's what I think: American Idol What's Happening to You?

For the past nine seasons, American Idol has dominated the ratings and captured audiences around the world; but with the announcement of Simon Cowell's last season the show as a whole has taken a downward turn that looks to me like the end of the American Idol Era.

When Paula Abdul left the show after last season and it was announced that Ellen DeGeneres was going to be taking her place, I was excited! Ellen is a wonderful positive influence and a hilarious personality. True, she does not have music industry experience, but she has been up front with audiences from the start stating that she is judging based on what she would like to hear on the radio or what she would look for in an album as a consumer or fan.  She is judging on entertainment value. Her launch to the show in Hollywood week was promising, she seemed to really hold her own and Hollywood week appeared to result in amazing talent from the contestants!

As season nine progresses, the once promising cast of contenders has diminished, not living up to the expectations they set during Hollywood week. Going into the Top 12 we lost three of the contestants with the most potential (Lily Scott, Alex Lambert and Katelyn Epperly). The remaining hopefuls have lacked the kind of star quality that we come to expect from American Idol.

Now dwindling in ratings it's hard to see the show that has brought us such amazing talent as Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson, and David Cook, struggling to develop another "Idol". Despite the talent of the contestants, the judges' confusing, clashing "advice" appears to be draining competitors like Andrew Garcia who broke out with an inspiring version of "Straight Up" during Hollywood week and has been beaten down by judges over the past weeks with criticism of either doing too much with his arrangements or not enough.

With the future abandonment of Simon Cowell, it is my opinion that the other judges and in particular Ryan Seacrest have an attitude of "it's the end, so who cares." I love Ryan Seacrest, I think he is hardworking, precious and funny; but this season it seems like he's gone a little crazy. His contrived arrangements for announcing the bottom three are worse than ever and his constant down talking to judges comes off as arrogant.

While I think there is some good talent this season, particularly Lee Dewyze and Crystal Bowersox, the overall production of American Idol has taken a serious turn for the worse. I can't imagine the show lasting without Simon and I'm not sure they should even attempt it. No one cares about what Randy has to say (let's be honest, he doesn't say much), Ellen is funny but again lacks credibility as a music industry judge, and while Kara does have some good thoughts, comments and advice her likeability is lacking. Simon is the glue that holds the judges together and without him the pieces will fall apart.

As a parting note, I'd like to implore you to PLEASE PLEASE stop voting for Tim Urban. He is cute as a button and sweet as pie but others deserve to be there more than him. Don't let more talented contestants go just because you have a crush on Tim. Thank goodness the judges saved Big Mike last night, as much as he bothers me he deserves to be there a heck of a lot more than Tim. Because the judges used their save this week, two contestants will leave us next week - please let Tim be one of those two!

Here's what I think: Jon Plus Kate Equals Does Anyone Really Care Anymore?

This morning I watched a weepy Kate Gosselin on the Today Show talking about how her soon-to-be ex-husband took $230,000 out of their joint bank account leaving her with close to nothing as far as accessible funds for paying her bills. Now, initially when this whole Jon & Kate split happened, I sided with Jon. Frankly I thought Kate was kind of a nightmare of a wife from what I could tell on TV and I sympathized with Jon wanting to get away from her.

As the whole thing has unraveled, with Jon's obvious mid-life crisis and subsequent transformation, I'm finding myself joining Team Kate. She is clearly a stabilizing force in her kids lives, despite her witchy demeanor. However, I'm so tired of hearing about every detail of their divorce! Everytime something new happens Kate is on some talk show giving a statement. Honestly, we don't all need to know. It's all just sour grapes and "Look at me, I'm right and he's wrong. Be sad for me!"

Hopefully, their kids aren't allowed to watch TV or read magazines because it can't be healthy to see the bitterness between their parents in the public eye. They should do this privately and get it over with. Once the divorce is final maybe then Jon wont be able to steal money from his wife and kids. Seriously, what the heck is he spending $230,000 on? Probably a whole closet full of those disgusting Ed Hardy shirts.

"Sorry kids, mom can't pay the house payment, but at least dad can look like an idiot in his sweet panther shirt."

Here's what I think: Summer TV

I'm so disappointed with summer television! There are very limited television shows that I find worth while to watch this summer and it's a little sad that the only ones that I'm enjoying at the moment are More to Love and Dating in the Dark. In preparation for this blog, I watched the most recent episode of Dating in the Dark at hulu.com. If you haven't checked out Hulu yet, you really should. It's amazing! And speaking of amazing let's talk about Dating in the Dark.

Here's the premise: Three men and three women are chosen each week to participate in the dating experiment. They all live in the same house, however it's not co-ed, the men have a side of the house and the women have another side. They never see one another outside of the total darkness of the date room. The first meeting takes place with all six contestants. They talk and try to make a connection with someone, all the while the room is set in complete darkness, they cannot even see their hand in front of their face, let alone the potential suitors.

After the initial meeting they all decide whom they would like to invite on a one-on-one date. The daters, get to have three dates before the big reveal when they find out what their partner looks like. After the big reveal, we find out if looks really matter, and the contestants decide whether they would like to continue to date now that they can see each other in the light of day.

The first time I saw this show I thought it was ridiculous. Amazing and wonderful, but ridiculous. It seemed like a lot of the contestants used the darkness as an excuse to make out with each other and then get out of it by ditching at the end and using the excuse that they didn't connect. I haven't seen anyone come right out and say "Woa! He/she is way uglier than I imagined" they always come up with a less shallow excuse not to follow through with a real life date.

However, since those first few contestants that were make out happy, I've found that most of the people are very reluctant to do more than a sweet little "first kiss" type of peck during these "dark dates." That makes me appreciate the show a little more, I mean I'd watch it regardless because it's hilarious, but it's good to know that they aren't recruiting floozies.

All-in-all, I think this is a pretty fun "experiment" and for the most part it seems that these people are truly open to finding a match based on personality and less on looks. But I really can't wait until the fall when good television returns and I don't have to be so lame watching these sick "reality" game shows. Bring on The Office and Lost!

Here's what I think: The Bachelorette and Shows Like it

Monday night I watched the season finale of The Bachelorette with Jillian. I had not watched this season and was only familiar with Jillian from the comments made on The Soup about her having a good personality. Not a looker that one. But I wasn't busy on Monday and was sitting around reading. A lot of times when I read I like to have the TV on in the background, I think it's part of my multitasking compulsion.

Moving on, as I watched Jillian choose a husband and giddy-up her way into the sunset on his back, I thought about all these dating shows and how sad they are. Sure, they are entertaining. It amazes me that after only a brief first meeting these girls and guys "feel a connection" and have "found the woman/man of their dreams". Really? Cause as far as I can remember there has only been one lasting relationship resulting from one of these shows and that was Trista and Ryan. Pretty sure they are the exception, not the rule.

What is even more disturbing is that the vast majority of these people are in their early twenties! Oh poor 23 year-old who has no hope to find love in the future. She's always "This is my last chance, I just want to find a husband!" I imagine she's probably thinking, "Well, I went to high school, then college and I haven't found anyone, there's clearly no hope for me!"

Now I really have no room to talk because I did happen to get lucky and find the perfect person (for me) in high school, maybe I'm a Trista, the exception. But honestly, these women just need to get a social life. I'm sure it is hard to find someone when you're in the working world and all you see are people you work with. Not too keen on making a love connection in the office. But I'm sure there are ways, going on a dating reality show is not your only option ladies... and gentlemen. Most of the women and men that go on these shows are very attractive and clearly outgoing so I find it hard to believe that they have absolutely no alternative.

There is an exception to the freakishly good looking cast on The Bachelor and Bachelorette, my new favorite summer show, More to Love. Same basic format as The Bachelor but with average to plus sized people. LOVE IT! These women are even more desperate than the pretty 23 year-old girls who think that they have no dating future. Poor girls with little to no self esteem due to being tortured their whole lives by petty people who make fun of their weight. But with that in mind, there is sure to be plenty of drama. I anticipate hearing the phrase "WHY WONT YOU LOVE ME?!" shouted at least a few times this season.


Hopefully More to Love will satisfy the many Bachelor fans until the newest season comes out. Personally, I'm hoping that Bachelorette reject Reid is chosen to be the next Bachelor. He's clearly not over loosing Jillian yet but maybe he can try to rebound with 25 eligible ladies. Really, I'm just hoping to see him loose it and fall to his knees crying and shouting "You're not Jillian!" sniff, sniff, sob, sob. That would be an entertaining show!

Here's what I think: Allison was Robbed!

On the America's Next Top Model (ANTM) season finale last night, my poor Allison was beat out for the top spot by Teyona. I typically have an uncanny knack for picking out top contenders on shows like this. Maybe I'm just a good guesser, or maybe I have some amazing pyschic intuition, but I often think I should bet on my predictions because they are spot on!

From the beginning of this cycle, Allison was my pick. Sure she's a little buggy eyed, but that makes her interesting. She's edgy, and knows how to work her face and body for amazing pictures. If you look at Allison and Teyona's pictures side to side, Allison's are consistently stonger and she pulled herself together at the runway show-down.

Even the judges critiques led me to belive that Allison would ultimately take the prize, especially after Teyona's terrible commercial performance.

Not that I'm surprised that the judges decision didn't make sense, Tyra Banks rarely makes much sense. Tyra Banks is by far the most self-centered person on television. Each week she gives critiques to the girls that firstly are inconsistent with the panel discussion and secondly compare the girls to Tyra and her perfect modelesque self! I think because she has to elimiate someone she has to try to think of something good and bad to say about each, when all she really needs to do is say "We like Person X better." Because that's what it really comes down to, who the judges, a.k.a Tyra, likes better.

Maybe ANTM should pull and American Idol type season and let the viewers vote for the model they like the best- but I suppose that would throw the dynamic of the show way off balance because it would no longer center around Tyra and her all-knowing model mind.

Here's what I think: Starting out

This is my first blog attempt, let's see how it goes.

My name is Heather. I'm 25 years old and I live at home with my parents. Awesome, I know. I moved back to my parent's house a little over a year ago in an attempt to pay off some bills and save up money for when I get married and have to support my student husband (no I'm not engaged but let's not open up that can of worms.)

Now that you know a little about me, here's what I really want to say:

Stop voting for Scott on American Idol!

Okay, so he's blind. So he's a nice enough guy. So he plays the piano marginally well. That does not make him an American Idol, or even a good singer for that matter.

I don't want to be mean, I feel for him. I feel sorry for him every week during the judging. Could the judges drag on longer with him standing there looking confused and clearly not understanding sarcasm or the playful banter between Paula and Simon?

Here is a little re-cap of what Scott has done with is opportunity on American Idol. He starts with a slow rendition of the song, twinkling notes on the piano, and teasing us to believe he's going to sing a ballad. Then after the first verse, he mixes it up. The tempo increases and his vocal abilities go down the drain. He shouts out the songs in the same key he sings every song in. His mouth strains uncomfortably making his pitch bright and his appearance unsettling. This happens every week.

I'm not saying he isn't a decent singer. If he would like to stand up at church and sing with the choir, by all means, that's a good avenue for him. What I am saying is that he is not American Idol material and I'm disappointed he has made it into the Top 10 and will tour. Good luck with that.

Please, we all know he's a great guy, but let's not delude ourselves and go teary eyed over his situation and prolong his time on Idol. There are better contestants and I'm sure they would like an opportunity to advance.

Don't vote for Scott!