I’m not going to be home tonight, so I may not see this till this weekend – but I feel compelled to start the thread anyway.
They’re going for the geek crowd – um, “us” – tonight – the task is to promote a sci-fi movie by designing a parade float. (A parade float? 
)
Let’s hope someboyd does something of interest, so we have a reason for watching – other than to be able to follow the Raj Ratings on the morrow…
Because geeks are always up for a good parade? Really, that is baffling.
I hate to say it, but these girls don’t know dick about marketing.
For the love of all that is good and melodious:
Trump raps must stop!
Speaking of which… anybody know where/how to buy a copy of that “Trump rollin’ up” song from last season? That was a hoot.
“Zenthura?”
Kristi had sort of grown on me the last couple of weeks. I was sorry to see her go. Jen M. was clearly incompetent and whiny and almost started crying because Kristi didn’t like her.
CEOs don’t get upset to the point of tears because a coworker is “too bossy?” Kristi sure as hell wouldn’t have done it. I think the Donald fired the wrong person this time.
Markus is still the same braying jackass he ever was, though. As soon as his team loses he is so gonna get fired.
I’m sure that there’s a Trump: The Soundtrack in the future. I had successfully banished Trump’s Rollin’ Up from my memory banks until the recording session tonight brought it all flooding back.
I think that there was less incompetent boobery this episode than we normally see, which is both good and bad for the Raj Ratings. Good because I didn’t spontaneously combust at someone’s idiocy. Bad, because it makes it tougher to write the ratings. But, much like Markus in search of fresh Moo Goo Gai Pan, I shall perservere. This wasn’t a bad task at all. The corporate tie-ins didn’t feel overwhelmingly forced, the task was more than cold selling on the street, and any time we get to see dorky white dudes try to put forth rhythm is comedy gold. And be sure to visit zenthura.com to see all about the new movie directed by the man who ate Jon Favreau.
** Looking for Love: Bachelorettes in Alaska** - Or, these people are in a cold, lonely place with no hope for love or revival
Melissa, Chris, Jennifer W, Toral - In case you forgot, the previouslies served to remind us that Toral really, really, really sucked.
Kristi (BB)- I feel some vindication in her firing since I have pointed out her crummy attitude since week 1. But, I also feel compelled to say that this was the first incorrect firing. While her attitude was bad, it wasn’t so bad as to derail the team and she did work hard. I don’t think she would have won this competition, but she was certainly better than Jennifer.
Boot Camp - Or, in major need of a butt-kicking, but actual physical contact isn’t allowed
Markus (BC)- You won’t be moving from this spot in a while. You’re not the teflon candidate. You are the flubber candidate, unfortunately in your case it happens to repel quality and competence.
Jennifer M (N:N&J)- Please show me the N in Zathura. It’s not a hard name to say. Really, I know the director said that, but I think he was just making small talk. You can’t lead a group of strong-willed people and that pageant training clearly fails when it’s time to talk about more than using your breasts to promote world peace. Frankly, Tootie and Mrs. Garrett would have a greater chance than you of winning this thing. Also, it couldn’t be more clear that Carolyn despises you. You can’t get past that.
Big Brother - Or, beginning the downward spiral into ultimately being canceled
Adam (N:N&J)- Sort of like last week, you drop because other players stepped up on your team and your sole contribution so far is singing in two episodes. This isn’t American Idol.
Felisha (BB)- Minimal air time means you didn’t do much to redeem a pretty weak prior week.
James (N:N&J)- Adam 2:Electric Boogaloo. Other than some flirting with Jennifer, you haven’t shown any reason to expect great or average things.
Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica - Or, ultimately harmless and forgettable fluff in need of a shot in the arm
Clay (N:N&J)- You confuse me. A couple awful weeks, a PM win but oddly run, then you disappear. I think you could slide into a final 4 spot, but pretty much without merit. I still think you completely flame out at some point though.
Mark (BB)- No real air time, no real change.
Rebecca (BB)- I thought I would move her up this week, but I still harken back to her saying she and Toral were the only two women that had a chance to beat the men, and saying that in front of the rest of the time. Incorrect assumption, bad timing, and poor choices. It’ll take a couple more good deeds to move that out of the old memory bank. The hopping was a nice touch though.
** Brian ** (N:N&J)- Too bad this wasn’t a Rick Moranis directed picture, because we could have had “Honey, I shrunk the Project Manager.” Also, anyone that inspires the phrase “Markus fluid injection” really deserves some kind of beating.
American Idol - Or, mostly positive so far but still in major danger of falling apart when a tough theme night comes around
Alla (AI)- Same as before, seems solid. Plus, with a lot of women showing severe weakness she keeps looking like a potention Amy from season 1. On a team of weaker players, even an average person can look good.
Survivor - Or, when they’re good, they are really good. But, there are enough rough spots to keep them from the top spot
Marshawn (S)- It seems like Trump views you as a voice of reason on the team. This is a good thing.
The Amazing Race - Or, the king of the hill. A well oiled machine that shows no signs of slowing down unless a taxi gets in the way
Randal (TAR)- That was a major boost to your stock. The women pick you in a heartbeat. The men know it kills them. Alla unintentionally insults her team by basically saying you immediately become the strongest player on their team. Trump notices this stuff and gives a lot of free passes because of it.
Josh (S)- Josh makes the jump. I think he’s Nick from season 1. Pretty solid, serves as a major show narrator, destined to finish highly but not quite at the top. He is a major force on his team. Really, it all rides on his PM gig.
The Rancic-Perdew Corollary – Markus is done, but we all knew that. Jennifer is also out of the running, you can’t screw up something so simple so often, be mocked for it, and survive. Everyone else is still alive, but some only becuase they refuse to speak.
Seasonal Rankings This season isn’t bad. The candidates seem worthwhile, the tasks are a little better. Still trails the first in quality though.
This is the first time this season I haven’t agreed with Trump. Jennifer was horrible. Her constant mispronunciation of the name of the movie would have sunk even the best float. She clearly annoyed the heck out the judges. Kristi may have been shrewish and irritating but she is not the reason her team failed tonight.
Jennifer M was bad, but I wouldn’t go so far as to call her incompetent. Even Marshawn admitted that Jennifer was doing a good job until late in the game. She wasn’t incompetent, but she did make a lot of terrible blunders, and that nearly spelled her downfall.
Trump was right to dismiss Kristi. For all her failings, Jennifer did at least have a strong track record up to this point. Also, I could see Jennifer ultimately overcoming her shortcomings to date. I can’t say the same for Kristi though, who was clearly imprevious to criticism and correction.
Some have insinuated that Trump kept Jennifer because she was pleasant to the eyes. Maybe, but I don’t think it’s fair to jump to that conclusion. Jennifer may have been ultimately responsible for the team’s failure on this task, but Kristi has been more problematic since the get-go. Kristi’s attitude was poisonous to the team, and so she absolutely had to go.
As mentioned last week, there is one line in the Raj Ratings every week that just makes them for me. This time it is:
I don’t know where you come up with these things half the time, but they’re priceless. Also, The Man Who Ate Jon Favreau should be an alternate float assignment, IMO.
Put me down on the “Kristi was a bitch, but shouldn’t have been fired last night” team.
Side question: I recall reading somewhere that the contestants really don’t get much time outside the suite while not on tasks, in an effort to reduce “outside influences” (news, etc). So…how do these ladies maintain their perfect manicures? For that matter, there are times on The Amazing Race where it’ll be halfway through the season, yet some of the female racers have these tidy French manicures, which I personally find impossible to do myself. Can anyone explain the availability of manicure services to reality TV ladies?
Yes! Not only did the producers emphasize that this was a marketing task, but that the name had to be the most important part.
You can’t properly market a product if you can’t even pronounce it. That was total incompetence. Period.