A Reality Check With ... Shauna Noland & Cedric Gardner (FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance")

On last night's live elimination episode of "So You Think You Can Dance", we said goodbye to a couple who had its ups & downs since coming on the show. 18-year-old contemporary dancer Shauna Noland and her partner, 23-year-old hip hop dancer Cedric Gardner danced for their lives but it wasn't enough to save them. The duo sits down with RealityCheckByGina to talk about their experience on the show & why they weren't surprised it was their time to go.

RC: Shauna, can you tell me a little about your dance training & background?

Shauna: I got started dancing when I was, like, three. My mom put me in a little combo class. Of course, I loved it so I continued. It grew on me since that age and I never really stopped.

RC: Cedric, you have no dance training. Where did you learn your dancing abilities?
Cedric: I copied people, learned how my body moved, and tried to understand how I move as an individual … and watching cartoons.

RC: Was it intimidating coming into this competition without the training?

Cedric: A little bit, because everyone is really good. Even the dancers that people think don’t have training do. I was the only one that I felt had no training.

RC: Is this your first year trying out for “So You Think You Can Dance”?

Shauna: Yes, I was finally old enough!

Cedric: Yes, it is.

RC: What was the audition process like for you? How were you received by the judges early on?

Shauna: When I first auditioned in L.A., I got cut before my solo round. I went to Atlanta and ended up making it through there. In Atlanta, they said positive stuff but they also said they weren’t sure if I was what they were looking for but they wanted to see what I had to give in Vegas. I felt, in Vegas, it was really hard to make yourself seen. I danced for my life in Vegas & I felt that was the first time the judges really noticed me.

Cedric: Mary Murphy screamed at my audition. To date, Hok & I are the only people she screamed for in auditions. The actual audition process was a lot of fun.

RC: It has been a roller coaster of a journey for both of you since making the top 20. How did you stay positive throughout your time on the show?

Shauna: I try to think of everything in a positive way. The times I got down or stressed, I would stop and think: the reality of it is that I’m on a television show. This could eventually open up more doors for me.

Cedric: First of all, roller coasters are fun! The way I look at it is like a teacher being hard on a student. People think the judges were mean to me but they saw I could take it. They knew I could handle it. When you see something in someone, you really want to bring it out.

RC: Shauna, were you surprised that you went home?
Shauna: Actually, not really, to tell you the truth. I had a feeling earlier that day that it might be me. I have no idea why but the vision was blurry & it didn’t seem like this was supposed to happen.

RC: Cedric, Nigel said the judges saved you twice. They wouldn’t save you a third time. How do you go out there & dance for your life, knowing it probably is you going home no matter what you do?
Cedric: I looked at it like this: I said, “Well, I know I’m going home because Nigel told me that & he told the nation that”. To go out there & just stand there … that would be stupid.

RC: Is there a competitive spirit among the dancers or would you say it’s more supportive of one another?

Shauna: Everyone is so supportive of each other. Of course, everyone wants to do well but at the same time, it’s our little family.

Cedric: The competitiveness just kicked in last week. Before that, everybody was just like, “Oh I’ll help you” but now it’s competitive. They’ll support but it’s like playin’ your cousin on the basketball court. You love him but you wanna beat him.

RC: Shauna, Lacey in particular looked upset that you were leaving last night. Were you two close?
Shauna: Lacey was my roommate so that was hard because we’ve roomed together since day 1. That’s the saddest part of leaving: not being involved in their lives anymore at this point.

RC: Which dance piece did you find the most challenging to pull off?

Shauna: Definitely the mambo was the most challenging for me because I’ve never done it before but I’m so happy I got to experience that.

Cedric: All of them were difficult. I’d say Mia’s piece was the hardest. The real choreography was the most difficult thing, the most physical. It wasn’t a usual Mia Michaels piece.

RC: Do you have a favorite piece that another couple performed?

Shauna: I liked so many of them! I really liked Lauren/Neil’s piece that they did with Wade. I liked the contemporary by Mandy that she did for Dom & Sabra.
Cedric: Hok & Jaimie’s piece – the hummingbird. It was very innovative the way Wade put that together. I like different things instead of things that are normal.

RC: Will you look to pursue dance professionally?

Shauna: Yeah, definitely. Before this, I had done some professional jobs & I’d like to continue pursuing that & training.

Cedric: I was dancing professionally before I joined the show but in my genre. I just want to learn a lot more & be confident in doing that.

So You Think You Can Dance airs Wednesdays & Thursdays on FOX

Get your dancin' links on sirlinksalot.net

A Reality Check With ... Carol Journey (CBS's "Big Brother 8")

On last night’s Big Brother 8, 21-year-old Carol Journey became the first houseguest to be evicted from the house. She attends University of Kansas and is the daughter of Kansas Senator Phil Journey. When Carol arrived at the big brother house, she found that her high school rival, Jessica Hughbanks, was also in the house. Carol spends time with RealityCheckByGina to talk about old rivals & new housemates.

RC: What made you want to be a part of Big Brother? Were you a fan of previous seasons?
Carol: Honestly, I had never watched a season before the whole audition process. To be frank, I had no intention of ever being on a reality show. I just wanted to finish my degree, get on with my whole, and be an adult. This was never something I intended to do.

RC: Was it hard to adjust to being confined to a house & cut off from the rest of the world?
Carol: It wasn’t necessarily being confined that was hard. It was being followed by cameras, having no privacy, and being paranoid the entire time

RC: When you heard housemates had rivals in the house, did you think you would be the one to have a rival?
Carol: I had no idea that I would be one of the ones to have a rival. I couldn’t think of anything that would be entertaining, in my opinion, about a conflict in my life. I really did not think it would be me.
RC: What is the main problem between you & Jessica, besides you once owed her five dollars?
Carol: I have no idea what the cause of the conflict would be. We were best of friends in middle school. In 8th grade, we got into a fight about I don’t know what. Apparently, five dollars. It was 7 years ago, I was 13. It had to be something so pathetic & petty that it wasn’t even significant. I just remember a fight on my front porch, we were yelling at each other, and I went in the house & slammed the door. We went to school the next day & ignored each other.

RC: You handled yourself well sitting with host Julie Chen last night watching the nasty things Jessica said about you. What was going through your mind?
Carol: When I saw the things that Jessica said about me, at first, I was angry. I was like, “Are you kidding me?” I never said one thing about her while I was in the house. I gave her the benefit of the doubt. I felt bad for her, she showed America how immature she is, and that’s sad that that’s how she wants to show herself.

RC: What friendships did you form in the house during your time on Big Brother?Carol: I had a great time with Jen & with Kail. I think those two girls are amazing & I wish them the best of luck. I’m so excited that Jen is HOH. I hope she kicks Jessica outta there! The boys were sketchy though, not so much friend-types.

RC: You only received 1 vote to stay in the house. Were you hurt or were you just up against a tougher competitor, Amber?
Carol: I did not think that Amber was a tough competitor at all! Nobody wants to be the odd man out, nobody wants to cause that vote that would make them a target for next week. Everyone wanted to vote me out because they didn’t want to stir up competition or make it a close vote, like a 5-6.

RC: What do you think contributed to you being the first one evicted from the Big Brother house?
Carol: It was simply the fact that, to the other players, I was willing & able to go home & okay with it. Amber was crying every 5 minutes saying, “Please, please, I can’t go home” where as I was saying I was homesick. I was ready to go home the minute I walked out my front door. It’s okay, I didn’t go for the money, I went because I thought it would be fun.

RC: Have you watched any of the show yet & were you surprised to learn anything once leaving the house?
Carol: I have not been able to watch any of the shows until after my interviews. You can call me back after I watch them & I’ll tell you what I think!

RC: What are your future plans?
Carol: I am going back to college. I’m on summer vacation so I didn’t have to take a break. I’m going back to University of Kansas, then I’ll get a job, and be an adult. I’m a business/marketing major. I have a dream of becoming an executive CEO of a marketing firm & dominating!

A new episode of Big Brother airs this Sunday on CBS

Get your Big Brother links at sirlinksalot.net

A Reality Check With ... Kelli Brook (NBC's "Age of Love")

On the last episode of NBC's Age of Love, bachelor Mark Philippoussis eliminated one kitten and one cougar. That one cougar was 40-year-old Kelli Brook, a former Los Angeles Raiderette. She sits down with RealityCheckByGina to talk about her tumultuous ride on Age of Love.

RC: Can you remind the readers how old you are?

Kelli: Yes, I’m Kelli & I’m 40.

RC: Do you feel your age? You certainly don’t look it!

Kelli: I don’t know how I’m supposed to feel. When I was a kid, I thought you should be doing certain things by the time you were 40 but no. I feel young, energetic, I’m outside all the time, I’m athletic. I’m not ready to hang up my hat yet.

RC: What was your first impression when you met Mark?

Kelli: Of course he was gorgeous: tall, dark, and handsome. I didn’t know he had never dated an older woman. He was shy & obviously a little shocked. I felt bad for him!

RC: Were there real feelings there for him?

Kelli: He’s a sweet guy, he’s a real gentleman. When we were all together, he never tried to show favoritism. Yeah, you start to feel like, “This guy is really great & I would love to date him”. I was not head over heels but I wanted to see where it would go.

RC: Did you mind all the unexpected twists that came your way during your time on the show?

Kelli: I predicted every single thing that came. The producers kept saying, “Kelli, I know you know what’s going on & figured things out but that’s not good television”! I predicted the 20 year olds would be coming. NBC is not stupid. They set him up dating an older woman he’s not used to dating. They want him to fall for SOMEONE. I was saying, “Yeah those 20-somethings are coming!”

RC: Did you feel like the 20s were portrayed very one-dimensional?
Kelli: Who knows what they were told before they met us? That’s one thing that comes with maturity. Some of the thing that the producers caught them saying, they didn’t catch us saying. We’re older, wiser. I feel bad for them, they’re being portrayed negatively.

RC: Have you talked to the other women or can you not speak to each other until the show is over?
Kelli: We can’t talk until we’re eliminated. I talked to Lynn, I talked to Angela. I’m dying to talk to Maria.

RC: The women in their 40s seem really close.
Kelli: We were, we definitely were, especially when we were put in this position of the underdog. We were set up to possibly fail. I like the idea that Mark opened up to us. He really had fun with us.

RC: What was it like to watch yourself back on tv & what did your family & friends think?

Kelli: There were some moments that I was like, “Ooh God, I smiled way too big!” and you can see my wrinkles. I made the mistake of going on NBC’s website & reading the posts about me. Most were nice, but some were just cruel. I think I came across well, I was honest & I was true. My friends, of course, are giving me glowing reviews. I had fun being on there and I had no regrets!

RC: Were you surprised how forward everyone was? Mark got a lot of kisses on the last episode!
Kelli: I wasn’t surprised. The show was all about making twists, turns and changes. That outside elimination was really impersonal. It was hard because you end up standing out there and it was really cold. Some of those reaction shots were just of us freezing. I like the apartment elimination way better, it was more intimate. I wish I had said a few more things, though.

RC: You seemed surprised at the fact that you were eliminated. Did you feel someone else would go instead of you?

Kelli: Yeah, I don’t know specifically who. I jut wasn’t ready for it to be me. I can’t say who I thought it would be because I love all those other girls. Tessa said she wanted to go, she was sick of being there, and didn’t feel a connection with Mark. So we all knew Tessa was going. We didn’t think it would be Jen because he had a connection with her so I guess I thought it would be between Jayanna & Maria. Jayanna felt he had no connection with her and was more into Amanda when they were on the boat.

RC: What are your future plans now that the ride is over?

Kelli: Who knows what the show will lead to? I used to do acting & modeling so those feelings come back up. Who knows? I would love to get back into some kind of entertainment thing. I’m testing the waters.

Age of Love airs Mondays on NBC at 9pm EST

Get your Age of Love links at sirlinksalot.net!

A Reality Check With ... Jeff Ballard (Bravo's "Hey Paula")

Just out of high school, Jeff Ballard formed Jeff Ballard Public Relations in 1982. JBPR has handled public relations for both new and established actors and actresses, not only from motion pictures and television, but in the recording industry and on the Broadway stage as well. RealityCheckByGina sits down with Paula Abdul's publicist, Jeff Ballard, one of the stars of the new Bravo reality show, "Hey Paula".

RC: How does someone become a publicist?
Jeff: I started out, when I was in high school, I started interviewing people on television shows for my high school paper. Back in the day, you could just pick up the phone & call Robert Wagner or Angie Dickinson & they’d come to the phone! I sucked those people in, they didn’t have agents! I’d go interview them & then hang out to wander the studios. I ended up on the show “Eight is Enough” as their publicist. I was still in high school! Everything kind of snowballed from there.

RC: When did your working relationship begin with Paula?
Jeff: I met Paula when I was in high school. She was dating a friend of mine. When she did her album, she had a publicist. I think that publicist left to go do something else. She called me saying, “You’re the only publicist I know!” I’m not a music publicist, that’s a very specialized thing. We’ve worked together for 6 months & then, when American Idol came around, I was handling Ryan Seacrest & she hired me for Idol.

RC: Have you or do you currently represent other celebrities?
Jeff: I’ve worked with Charlie Sheen, Martin Sheen, Matthew Perry, Forrest Whitaker, Zach Efron, different soap opera stars … quite an eclectic bunch.

RC: A publicist isn’t used to being the one at the center of attention. How did you adjust when the camera crews came in for “Hey Paula”?
Jeff: It was very awkward to me because, as a publicist, you have a peripheral vision where you see the cameras. You’re more about keeping the cameras away. I’m not an actor & there’s a reason why I’m behind the camera. But I’ve improved since the first episode. After a while, you get used to them. It’s hard when you’re in a limo with a camera, light person, sound person there in your face. But when you’re walking around, you get used to them.

RC: Is the show accurate?
Jeff: Reality isn’t real, bottom line. It’s all scripted. What they did with her show was shoot for 3 or 4 months before they knew what each episode was going to be. They look over all the footage & say, “Oh here’s a good storyline!” There’s stuff that I did in January or April & it looks like it’s the same day. I wanted to cut my hair for the summer & they said I couldn’t. It had to match. But the show pretty much accurately portrays here. There’s always drama & they tie it up really nicely at the end with a bow on it.

RC: Whose idea was doing “Hey Paula”?
Jeff: I think that she had a producing partner & came up with the idea. They thought it would be a good forum to show Paula other than the judge on American Idol. It shows her enterprises & endeavors: her jewelry line, her perfume, her clothing line. This was her chance to show people, “I’m more than just that image on American Idol”. It also gave her a chance to explain why people think she’s a little whacky. This girl goes 24 hours a day.

RC: I imagine with someone like Paula, that’s this is a 24 hour a day job for you as well.
Jeff: It is at times! For dramatic purposes, it looks like I’m much busier than I am. But she lives 2 miles up the street so I can be at her house in 5 minutes. We have a very good relationship. We fire each other every other week but at the end of the day, I really like her. It’s not about a check. I can make plenty of money handling not nice people. I choose to work for nice people.

RC: Paula has a new season of Idol coming up – what else can we expect from her?
Jeff: She’s got a whole new line of jewelry. She’s in London working on that & selling it over there on their version on QVC. She’s got her new perfume called Sexy Thoughts. Idol starts in a few days starting with the auditions in San Diego. She’s got some other shows coming up. Next week, she’s got Letterman, and she’s co-hosting The View.

A new episode of Hey Paula airs tonight on Bravo at 10pm EST

Get your Paula links at sirlinksalot.net!

So You Think You Can Dance: The Top 14 (7/11/07)

As the old saying goes: the show must go on! After the firestorm over Jessi’s exit last week, the top 14 dance on along with judges Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy, and guest judge Adam Shankman (director of “Hairspray” the movie). It’s also Nigel’s birthday today so happy birthday, Nigel! He was asked about Jessi’s exit and mentioned the petition, signed by over a thousand fans. He dances around the issue, saying it wasn’t easy but someone had to go. And so, we dance on…

Lacey/Kameron – Hustle choreographed by Maria Torres (“Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Inner Life): Lacey & Kameron keep the chemistry alive with their sassy routine. Usually, disco routines don’t do it for me on this show but I thought they pulled it off nicely, showing a lot of personality & getting the crowd excited. Adam loved their showmanship, Mary was a fan of the choreography, and Nigel worries that Lacey is outshining her partner. To vote for Lacey & Kameron, call 1-888-TEMPO-01.

Shauna/Cedric – Mambo choreographed by Alex Da Silva (“Flauta Y Timbal” by Tito Puente): Cedric has a lot to prove after Mary’s harsh words to him two weeks ago saying she wanted him O-U-T! It almost looks, though, as if Shauna is dancing around him. Cedric has shown some growth but a leading partner he is not. Adam felt Cedric stepped up, Mary comes around & wants Cedric to stay, and Nigel was proud of the pair. To vote for Shauna & Cedric, call 1-888-TEMPO-02.

Anya/Danny – Contemporary choreographed by Tyce Diorio (“Apologize” by One Republic): While Danny is excited to be dancing in his comfort zone, Anya is nervous. Though it’s danced well, I’m not sure the emotion is believable. These two definitely need to win America over to get themselves out of the bottom three, despite being brilliant dancers in their own right. Adam felt Danny was slightly disconnected, May called it “tremendous”, and Nigel says that they have to find a way to get America to vote for them. To vote for Anya & Danny, call 1-888-TEMPO-03.

Sara/Pasha – West Coast Swing choreographed by Benji Schwimmer (“The Rockafeller Skank” by Fat Boy Slim): It was great to see Benji on the show as a choregrapher this season along with Heidi (also from season 2). Sara & Pasha have to form a quick bond as this is their first week dancing together now. Sara continues to show growth each week & Pasha is, of course, a perfect partner. Nigel calls their routine “the magic”, Adam says they’d have a job with him, and Mary loved Benji’s choreography. To vote for Sara & Pasha, call 1-888-TEMPO-04.

Sabra/Dominic – Hip Hop choreographed by Shane Sparks (“Make It Work” by Ne-Yo): Not gonna lie, I was REALLY looking forward to this dance. Sabra & Dominic deliver, showing off their dance skills & their chemistry together. Adam loved that Shane made the dance about story & emotion, Mary says (once again) that they’re a force to be reckoned with, and Nigel thought it was terrible … that it only lasted a short time! To vote for Sabra & Dominic, call 1-888-TEMPO-05.

Jaimie/Hok – Waltz choreographed by Toni Redpath (“Angel” by Sarah McLachlan): This is definitely not what I would expect from the two but I was really interested to see what they’d bring to the table with a waltz. Being the strong couple that they are, it’s difficult to imagine they’re going anywhere but it’s not their strongest routine to date. However, they danced it well. Adam was really pleased with Hok, especially being so far out of his element. Mary was looking for a better quality of movement in Hok, and Nigel feels they’ll just scrape through. To vote for Jaimie & Hok, call 1-888-TEMPO-06.

Lauren/Neil – Jazz choreographed by Wade Robson (“Night of the Dancing Flame” by Roisin Murphy): Neil & Lauren work to climb their way out of the bottom three with this fun routine about a villain & an innocent girl. The show some chemistry, which was something they lacked in the early episodes, and the piece is very interesting! Adam says they’re what this competition is about, Mary was happy that Neil pulled off the villainous character, and Nigel felt it was beautifully executed. To vote for Lauren & Neil, call 1-888-TEMPO-07.

Time to vote, America!

The results will be revealed tomorrow night at 9pm EST on FOX.

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Big Brother 8: The House Gets Trashed (7/10/07)

It’s Day 5 in the Big Brother house & eviction nominations have just been handed to Amber & Carol. Kail, the Head of Household, nominated the two for performing poorly in the HOH competition. Amber is upset because she & Kail are both mothers & felt they should look out for each other. She also feels that God put her on the block to teach her something. Carol feels guilty campaigning against Amber … but does it anyway.

Different strategies start to creep up throughout the house. Dick uses his sensitive parental side to bond with Kail while Nick uses his body & “inviting smile” (as he puts it) to romance the ladies of the Big Brother house. Jen tells the housemates that Nick tried to make out with her, which is apparently a big lie. Joe stirs the pot & causes a big fight between the two. I smell a plot to get rid of Jen ASAP.

It’s time for the Power of Veto competition. The HOH, two nominees, and three random housemates will compete for immunity. Danielle, Nick, and Jameka are also selected to participate. If a houseguest wins Power of Veto, they have the opportunity to change the nominations or keep them as they are. The houseguests competing are each given a veto to hide throughout the house. The object of the game is to have your veto found last. Once your veto is found, you are out of the game.

While the players ransack the house, the remaining houseguests have to sit in the HOH room & tensions run high quickly between Jen & Dick. The house is completely trashed but someone did the best job hiding their veto. Daniele’s veto (hidden in the slop) was the hardest to find & she wins Power of Veto in the Big Brother house. Amber jumps on Daniele right away, trying to get Daniele to save her & put up Jen instead.

America’s Player, Eric, has been given his first assignment. He must make up a traumatic story from his past and tell it to Kail. Eric, the new actor of the house, threw some Visine in his eyes and ran to the HOH room to share his sob story. I have to say: the story was a little lame. He said his high school girlfriend, who reminded him of Daniele, had a serious eating disorder and broke up with him. Ummmm … no death? Disease? Is it just me? Eric, you gotta get a little dirty here, buddy.

The boys continue Amber’s mission to get Jen out of the house by getting in Daniele’s ear about it. However, Daniele stays strong and keeps the nominations the same. Who will be the first houseguest evicted? Which nominee do you want Eric to vote out? Check out cbs.com/bigbrother for all the details on how you can play a part in the game!

Big Brother is back Thursday night at 8pm EST on CBS

Get your Big Brother links at sirlinksalot.net

Checking In On ... Jessi Peralta (FOX's "So You Think You Can Dance")

Since being eliminated 2 weeks ago, Jessi Peralta has created a firestorm on the internet. Fans (and critics) have come out by the thousands to voice their opinions and try to learn more about the dancer whose time on "So You Think You Can Dance" was cut abruptly short. Readers submitted questions & Jessi made a stop back at RealityCheckByGina to answer them & clear up those nasty internet rumors.

RC: How much have you read of the fan reactions and what are your thoughts on it?

Jessi: I’m kind of embarrassed to say this because the people from the show encourage us not to see them but I’ve probably read most of the comments. I’ve read 70-80% of them – the good and bad. I’m grateful people even took the time to give their opinion. Even some of the bad comments were coming from a place of concern, for my health. Hey, any publicity is good publicity!

RC: What has the last 2 weeks been like for you?

Jessi: They’ve been boring! I had this dream job, this opportunity to dance every day of the week. I suck at being bored & I pull my hair out at not having anything to do. If you need a dancer who can type, let me know because I need a job!

RC: Did any of the judges speak to you after your elimination that night?

Jessi: Unfortunately, I didn’t get to talk to them. Mary & Nigel didn’t approach me & I’m sure they have their reasons for that. Debbie Allen was the only judge to come up to me & give her condolences. She said, “Girl, I was pullin’ for you!” I knew then that she was the one judge that was the other vote. I really appreciated her support.

RC: Many people want to know how your health is. Are you back to being 100%?

Jessi: Yeah, absolutely. I just want to say: I did not have a pre-existing heart condition, I do not do drugs, I’m definitely not pregnant. A lot of people were dogging me saying I should have kept myself hydrated. No matter how much Gatorade I drink, it’s hard to keep up. I went from sitting at a day job 8 hours a day to dancing 8 hours a day. I’m totally fine, I was fine that day. I kept saying I didn’t need to go to the hospital but it was taken out of my hands. It’s protocol to take someone to the hospital if they complain of chest pains.

RC: We asked fans to submit questions & chose some for you to answer. Carmel from Alberta, Canada wants to know if you’ll be attending any tapings of SYTYCD?
Jessi: Good question! I’ve been asked that question so much. Right now, my main focus, not to take away any enthusiasm for the rest of the dancers, is finding a job. I have to pay my rent & keep living out in LA before I can go back & be a fan for the rest of the kids. As soon as I take care of my business, absolutely! If fans don’t see me the first few weeks, it’s because I’m hittin’ the pavement. I’m a single girl, I don’t live with my parents & I have to make my living.

RC: Sarah from California wants to know what’s currently playing on your Ipod?

Jessi: I would say right now, just because it’s summertime, I’m listening to a lot of Bob Marley. Summertime & Bob Marley go together … with a pina colada! Of course, Lauryn Hill, I’m a big fan! I’m a huge fan of reggae in general. I love Akon right now, too!

RC: Autumn from Washington DC asks, “What is your ethnic background?” and says you’re stunning!
Jessi: My dad is Spanish, his family is from Spain. My mom is good Southern girl, from Georgia. If people think I’m pretty, they should see my unbelievably beautiful sister. She looks like Jasmine from Aladdin!

RC: Ideanna from Orlando wants to know what 3 things you would take with you if you were stuck on a desert island?

Jessi: My bible, a toothbrush because I’m particular about my dental hygiene, and my Ipod. But I’m gonna need battery power. As long as I have music around me, I’m a happy girl!

RC: Emmie from Alabama asks, “Do you have a webpage or MySpace where your fans can contact you or see what you’re up to”?
Jessi: Yes, I do! I’m new to the whole technology thing because I can’t really afford a computer. But there are some people working on that for me. I do have jessiperalta.com. It’s nothing right now, it just leads them to a MySpace page. I read all of the messages & comments & I’m learning how to respond, I promise. The full website will be up soon.

RC: Our featured reader is Linda from Alberta, Canada who wants to know if you’re going to go back to your day job or if you’re going to pursue dance full-time.
Jessi: My day job was something I had to resort to. I’ve always pursued dancing professionally sine I was a teenager. Living on my own in LA is expensive. They replaced me at my day job, so there isn’t a job available. I’m absolutely pursuing dance with more fervor than I ever have in my life. I have a springboard to jump off of, a really small one, but I’m going to use it as best I can. I’m going to do the Vagina Monologues in Toronto in March of 2008. I need a job before then though! I have auditions for movies coming up. No more day job!

A very big THANK YOU to Jessi Peralta who took the time to stop back & answer fan questions.

An all-new episode of So You Think You Can Dance airs tonight on FOX at 8pm EST

Get your dancin' links at sirlinksalot.net!

Pirate Master: No Ballots For Mutiny (7/10/07)

The pirates are hungry … for food & for gold! At their next treasure hunt, the crews are once again split into black and red. On the black crew along with Captain Azmyth, Ben, and Jay are Laurel & Jupiter. Opposing them are Louie, Kendra, Nessa, Joe Don, & Christa. Crews must row to the western tip of the island looking for a floating marker which will lead them to a map. As usual, the black crew gets a nice head start but the red crew is hungry for a shift in power.

Now that they have a map, they must row to Skull’s Point and search for a cannon with two hidden ropes. The crews must now find a X with the key to the treasure hidden below it. The red crew figures out where to go first while the dirty black crew follows. After uncovering their keys, they must find the treasure then use a dial to figure out the combination to open that treasure. The crews are neck & neck, but the black crew once again pulls off a victory.

The black crew returns with a nice sized pot & Azmyth decides to keep his officers in tact. Their next task is to hand out black spots and Nessa, Louie, and Joe Don are all put up for elimination. Their best plan for survival is a mutiny but the idea is shot down quickly by Christa & Jupiter. Joe Don & Nessa, the showmancers, are caught in a bad situation as one of them may be cut adrift tonight.

At pirates court, Azmyth must explain why each of the pirates were nominated. Nessa has been nominated for her dissatisfaction with her time on the ship, Louie is nominated as a “place holder” with Azmyth hoping he won’t be the one to go, and Joe Don is once again put up for being a fierce competitor. Before the results can be announced, we first find out who will now hold the royal pardon. Since Joe Don is the seller, he is ineligible. With a bid of $5000, Nessa buys a royal pardon she didn’t need. The pirates decide to cut Joe Don adrift.

Check back as Joe Don will be talking to RealityCheckByGina about his time on Pirate Master

Pirate Master airs at its new time, Tuesdays at 10pm EST, on CBS

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A Reality Check With ... Melissa Firpo (FOX's "Hell's Kitchen")

29-year-old Melissa Firpo is a line cook from New York City. She was spared elimination last week and was moved to the men's team by Chef Ramsay. This week, she ran out of chances, becoming the latest chef to get the boot. She sits down with RealityCheckByGina to talk about her time in Hell.

RC: What is your cooking training & background?
Melissa: I graduated culinary school in ’95 & worked for different catering companies after that. I opened a gourmet deli in Long Island and ran that for 4 ½ years then worked with many Michelin star chefs at different restaurants. After that, I moved to NYC to work.

RC: There are so many cooking shows out there. What drew you to Hell’s Kitchen?
Melissa: I was actually on Craig’s List trying to send out my resume for Chef Ramsay’s restaurant, London NYC. I saw something that said to apply for the show. My mom watches the show & loves it. I decided to try & see what happened but I never thought I would make it!

RC: Is the show, with the drama & yelling, a lot more stressful than you anticipated?
Melissa: The yelling didn’t affect me so much as only getting 3 hours of sleep & being filmed 24 hours a day. That took some getting used to.

RC: You had a strong start in the competition. Did you think you’d go all the way?
Melissa: I thought, in the beginning, I had a good start. I thought my background would really help me. I just know how to do this. I know how to book customers, order food, do payroll & taxes, I had my own business.

RC: Do you generally get along better with men or women in the workplace?
Melissa: In 13 years, I’ve only worked with one female. I haven’t really worked with girls and I can see why. It’s 130 degrees in the kitchen, 6 days a week, working 16-18 hour days. You get burned, you get cut, and you can’t cry about it. I think women are more emotional and tend to take things more personally. I was trained in New York – you yell, you scream, but then the night is over and it’s a new day.

RC: Your dismissal from Hell’s Kitchen was pretty abrupt. Do you wish you got to respond?
Melissa: I think I’m actually the first contestant that didn’t get to say something. That’s probably for one of two reasons. One, because I was so horrible that I didn’t deserve to explain myself or two, I’d have a LOT to say and I’d be able to redeem myself. I wish I got to say something, I would’ve had a lot to say!

RC: Do you have a signature dish you make?
Melissa: Yes, it’s duck actually! My whole family likes it. Meat is really my forte. I like making sauces as well.

RC: What’s in the future for you? Are you back in New York?
Melissa: I’m back in New York working at a culinary school and pursuing opportunities. I’m very open to anything. I didn’t win Hell’s Kitchen but I’m hoping that it opened some avenues for me!

Hell's Kitchen airs Monday nights on FOX at 9pm EST

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Hell's Kitchen: Melissa Runs Out Of Chances (7/10/07)

When we last left the chefs, Gordon Ramsay shocked everyone by sending Melissa to the blue team with the men. Rock is not thrilled with the new addition and looks to get rid of her quickly. The other women are more than happy to see Melissa off the team and try to rally to pull of a win the next day. We learn that Jen is not who she says she is. She tried to play it off to her competitors as a small town pastry chef but she accidentally lets it slip that she's cooked in major cities.

First things first though, it's time for one of Chef Ramsay's challenges. They competitors will be working with lobster, which immediately freaks Bonnie out. Because Josh couldn't identify scallops from lobster in a previous challenge, Chef Ramsay sits him out. The teams have one hour to complete three lobster dishes that will impress Chef Ramsay. Both teams pull off decent dishes and the red team is chosen as the winners. The three girls (Jen, Bonnie, and Julia) receive a photo shoot and interview with In Touch Magazine.

For their punishment, the blue team must recycle everything out of every garbage can throughout the restaurant. Rock was so angry that he began throwing things around the kitchen, while his team tried to calm him down. After his blowout, both teams begin prepping for dinner service and are equally happy to have Melissa and not have her on their respective teams.

The blue kitchen gets off to a slow start while the red crew works harmoniously. The red team's customers love their appetizers while the blue team's customers just wish they had any food at all. Just when it seems nothing can go wrong, something does. Bonnie starts a fire in her kitchen but her minor setback in nothing compared to the mess in the blue kitchen. Chef Ramsay finally gets fed up, shutting down the kitchen.

As the losing team, the men (and Melissa) must decide as a group which two people will be up for elimination. After debating, the blue team is ready to give Chef Ramsay their decision but he makes one for them, getting rid of Melissa before anyone can say anything. Chef Ramsay isn't done yet though, calling Brad & Josh forward, sparing Rock. Both are given another chance to stay.

Stay tuned as I'll be talking to Melissa this week on RealityCheckByGina!

Hell's Kitchen airs Mondays on FOX at 9pm EST

Get your Hell's Kitchen links at sirlinksalot.net.

So You Think You Can Dance: Jessi Peralta Responds To Her Fans

The fans have cried out for an explanation & Jessi Peralta is responding. Thousands of fans have posted on forums such as Fox's official site & Television Without Pity, venting their frustration over Jessi's sudden dismissal. Tomorrow, I will be interviewing Jessi a second time, asking her to respond to her fans ... and her critics. Please post your fan questions in the comment section of this story & be sure to include your name & home state. If you want, you can also email me a photo of yourself along with a question & you may be featured on RealityCheckByGina. The interview will appear on the site Wednesday, July 11.

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Big Brother 8: When Hating Your Picture Is The Worst Of Your Problems... (7/8/07)

When we check in on the houseguests, they're still reeling from the news that some of them will have rivals in the house. Carol & Jessica are former high school rivals, Daniele & Dick are an estranged father & daughter, and Dustin & Joe are bitter ex-boyfriends. Daniele takes the news the hardest, having a very shaky relationship with her dad. She hasn't spoken to him in years but she won't be able to avoid him anymore. Dick tries to smooth things over but Daniele isn't ready yet. Dustin & Joe are also unable to talk things out & Joe campaigns to have Dustin immediately removed. Carol attempts to put high school behind her but it looks like Jessica is still roamin' the halls!

Kail is HOH (Head of Household) and will have a tough decision to make in putting up people for eviction. First, the housemates' pictures go up on the wall, making Jen very emotional. She's never taken a worse picture! We should all have such problems. Joe provides some comedy, saying she acted like someone died & then throwing in that he loved his own picture!

Back to strategizing: Kail & Mike form a quick alliance and try to pull in 2 more. Zach is pulled in to the group as well as Nick. Before nominations are thrown down, a veto competition must take place. The housemates are split into two teams who must transfer as much butter from a pump into a giant bucket of popcorn by scraping it off each other. Winners get food for the weeks, losers get Big Brother slop (which may just be the nastiest food created in a lab). The red team creams the blue team, very much earning their food for the week.

Time to check in with America's Player, Eric, and see what assignment America has given him this week. Eric's got to tell a traumatic story from his past & America will decide which houseguest he will tell that story to. You can vote free online at www.cbs.com/bigbrother.

Speaking of America's Player, Eric is the first to be called out as being safe at the nomination ceremony. Joe, Zach, Daniele, Jen, Mike, Jameka, and Nick are also safe. Dick, Jessica, and Dustin all have immunity this week so that leaves Carol & Amber without keys to safety. Kail calls out Carol & Amber for being the first ones out in the HOH competition, therefore being weak players.

Who will win the Power of Veto? How will Eric's first task as "America's Player" go down? Check out Big Brother's next episode, Tuesday at 9pm EST.

Don't forget I'll be talking to the first evicted houseguest this Friday!

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