Wednesday, August 1, 2007

A Reality Check With ... Rocco DiSpirito (BRAVO's "Top Chef")

RealityCheckByGina chats with Rocco DiSpirito, tonight's special guest judge on Bravo's Top Chfef.

RC: When did your interest in cooking begin? Is it something that you were always passionate about?
Rocco: I started when I was 11, I wanted a summer job & a little more money in my pocket. I asked my mom for an increase, she told me to get a job. My job was in a pizzeria, I fell in love with the industry right away.

RC: Where did your training begin?

Rocco: When I was 14, I started working at a pretty serious restaurant. It wasn’t a 3 star restaurant but they were very serious & very busy so everyone needed to be on point. That was one of the most intense experiences of my life

RC: There are so many chefs out there. How do you separate yourself from the pack and get noticed?

Rocco: I think what’s interesting about any art or craft is that: if you have a point of view as a craftsman, you can become an artist. You start to discover that you’re feeling things innately. There’s a sincere point of view & it starts to come out if you free it instead of saying, “Well, it has to be like this.” If you go with your gut, all of a sudden, you stand out.

RC: What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Rocco: There have been a lot of highlights, epiphanies, and great moments: getting 3 stars from the NY Times, being on magazine covers & television. I never imagined I’d author a book. There are a lot of moments I’ve felt very fortunate for.

RC: You have done a reality show yourself before (NBC’s “The Restaurant”). How difficult is it to focus on what you’re doing when you have lights, sound, and cameras following your every move?
Rocco: It’s very difficult, I won’t say it was fine & easy. There were an enormous amount of challenges. I’m grateful for the experience. What’s interesting about Top Chef was that it’s very structured & my role was very defined. It’s fun to be part of something that was so different.

RC: Have you watched the previous seasons of Top Chef before?
Rocco: I’ve seen a few episodes, especially this season.

RC: What do you feel separates Top Chef as the superior cooking show?
Rocco: Well, I’m pretty sure in the ratings, it’s the number one cooking show. What makes it superior is the credibility that Tom lends to the show. Sure, there’s drama but the cooking is taken very seriously. There’s no need to amp it up. You look at the other cooking shows out there, and there tends to be a lot more drama than cooking.

RC: What is your involvement in this upcoming episode of Top Chef?
Rocco: It’s a supersized episode & I’ll be the guest judge. I’ll help with the quickfire challenge where they deal with frozen food. It’s very unexpected & surprising. When you mention frozen, most chefs go, “Ugh!” But that’s a reality for home cooks.

RC: What is next for you?

Rocco: I just finished my 4th book, Rocco’s Real Life Recipes, which is getting the home cook to find fresh food, cook it, and get it on the table. In real life, we don’t have any time but we want to eat well. It’s a shame when people order out five nights a week. It will be out in November.


Top Chef airs tonight at 10pm EST on BRAVO


A Reality Check With ... Alonzo Bodden (NBC's "Last Comic Standing")

RealityCheckByGina talks to Alonzo Bodden, the former winner of Last Comic Standing, and this season's judge.

RC: Where did your stand-up career begin and how old were you?
Alonzo: I started in L.A. and I didn't know you weren't supposed to start there. I did open mic nights anywhere I could - bowling alleys, coffee houses. I started late, I was 30. I used to fix airplanes ... before they started drug testing.

RC: What was the biggest struggle on your way to the top?
Alonzo: I don't know if there was a struggle because I always loved doing it but the hustle of it was trying to make a living. I was a truck driver for the Power Rangers, which was cool because I ended up doing monster voices. I installed televisions. I would take any gig.

RC: What was the experience like when you were a contestant on "Last Comic Standing"?
Alonzo: It's stressful. Imagine going to work and every Tuesday, someone's gettin' fired. I look back and see the enormity of it, though. I just focused on the room that night, otherwise you go crazy. I would just try to kill every time.

RC: What's the biggest perk of being the winner of season 3 & doing extremely well in season 2?
Alonzo: Besides the money? The money was great but I'd have to say becoming a household name. There's job security: the jobs come a lot easier. People recognize you, sometimes you get to go to the front of the line. Last week, I went to a motorcycle race in Monterey, CA and I got to sit in the Michael Jordan Hospitality Tent. That was pretty cool. I'm still waiting for my date with Halle Berry.

RC: What made you want to come back as a judge for season 5?
Alonzo: It was a great gig to be back on tv every week. We're all trying to make this season better than ours was. Working with Kathleen is great and Ant ... well, being Ant must be a 24 hour job. He cracks me up.

RC: You seem like the toughest judge to make laugh. What are you looking for in a good comic?
Alonzo: Well, I'm looking for someone who's funny, of course, and originality. I want someone who has a different take on things. It's hard to explain, some people just have it. Sometimes, there's good comics who choose the wrong material for auditions and it's such a mistake. I need someone who's sustainable, not the same jokes we've heard.


RC: This show is now on it's third host. What does Bill Bellamy offer that sets him apart?
Alonzo: Bill is phenomenal. He's so enthusiastic about the show. Jay Mohr was a smartass. I liked it but a lot of people didn't. Anthony Clark didn't seem too into it. The funniest thing Bill would do was tell the comics we cut, "I wanted you to make it!" Man, Bill, don't be blamin' it on us!


RC: Who are your comedic influences, past & present?
Alonzo: My all-time favorite is Bill Cosby. Now, I love Louis Black. The highest compliment I ever got was I got written up in Playboy as a modern George Carlin.


RC: You are someone who always gets out on the road. Where can your fans find you?
Alonzo: This month, I'll be in Ontario, Miami, and Omaha. My fans can always find my on my website & MySpace. My agent wears a furry hat & drives a Cadillac!



A new episode of Last Comic Standing airs tonight on NBC!



Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Exciting Changes For Gina!

Hi everyone. I want to thank everyone who has been reading this site since it started earlier this year. I've been given the opportunity to write full-time for BuddyTV (BuddyTV ID: BuddyTVGina) & therefore, will not have the time to maintain my site as much as I once did. For those of you who enjoy the interviews with your favorite reality stars, you'll still be able to see them here & on RealityWanted! Check back each week to hear from contestants from: Big Brother, So You Think You Can Dance, Hell's Kitchen, Top Chef, Last Comic Standing, Age of Love, and more! I hope you'll stick with me & keep reading! I'm so grateful for all the opportunities I've been given & am very excited to embark on this new journey!

Sincerely,
Gina

A Reality Check With ... Jen Yemola (FOX's "Hell's Kitchen")

On last night's Hell's Kitchen, Chef Gordon Ramsay got rid of Jen Yemola, leaving her out of the finals. Now, Bonnie Muirhead and Rock Harper are left to battle it out. A 26-year-old pastry chef from Pennsylvania, Jen became infamous for pulling pasta out of the garbage to serve to patrons during one dinner service. She bounced back and made it to the final 3. Jen is here with RealityCheckByGina to talk about her time in Hell.

RC: Have you always had an interest in cooking?
Jen: Oh my God, yeah! I started washing dishes when I was 14. I loved the excitement & I just moved up from there.

RC: What is your formal training?
Jen: I went to culinary school for 2 years & took some courses in pastry.

RC: Did you always want to be on Hell's Kitchen or is this something you did on a whim?
Jen: It's so weird. I wasn't anything in high school but I always knew I was going to be something someday. I watched Hell's Kitchen last season & just knew I belonged there. I had to be there. I feel so blessed, I had a goal & I accomplished it.

RC: What was the hardest part of being on a reality show?
Jen: The schedule! I had no idea how grueling it would be. You don't get any sleep, you're not eating properly and I just wasn't used to it.

RC: Did Chef Ramsay intimated you with his screaming & swearing?
Jen: No, it's just words. I was never worried. It was just motivation to keep going.

RC: Are you surprised Bonnie & Rock are the final 2?
Jen: I'm not gonna lie, I am surprised. They have their reasons for choosing them though. Maybe I didn't have something they were looking for.

RC: Chef Ramsay was extremely complimentary to both you & Julia when you were eliminated. That had to feel good to go out that way.
Jen: He was so good to me! There were times I felt like he hated me. He knew I had a love for food. He was great.

RC: What was your proudest moment on the show?
Jen: Last night's episode when I won the challenge unanimously. I was so nervous! Last night was my favorite episode.

RC: You got a nice shopping spree as a prize for winning that challenge. Did you go nuts in the store?
Jen: I did! They didn't show it but the first thing I did was buy Bonnie & Rock a set of knives each. I bought tons of cake pans. I had so much fun!


RC: Do you think you'll get away from being "the girl who picked pasta out of the trash to serve"?
Jen: You know, I think I have. I was really remorseful for that. A lot of people didn't recognize their mistakes when they were on the show. I felt huge pressure, he wanted it now, but I'm not going to make excuses. I don't want people to associate bad food with me. I still feel crappy about it.

RC: What was the most shocking elimination to you?
Jen: I think when Brad got voted off. I was shocked, he was really good. I love Bonnie but I was really shocked.


RC: What's next for Jen?
Jen: I want to start my own business doing cake design for weddings & events. I still have a lot to accomplish. I have goals, dreams, and aspirations.


Watch the final two battle it out on Hell's Kitchen next Monday at 9pm EST on FOX


Get your Hell's Kitchen links while they're hot at sirlinksalot.net!

Monday, July 30, 2007

Hell's Kitchen: From Three To The Final Two (7/30/07)

At last week’s surprising nomination ceremony, Bonnie put up Rock & Julia. Chef Ramsay chose Julia to leave Hell’s Kitchen but promised to personally send her to culinary school. No one expected Julia to leave and everyone takes the news hard. There are tears all around – even from Rock!

It’s time for the chefs to dry their tears because a challenge is coming their way. He brought his mom for this special challenge. For tonight’s challenge, they’ll have to take comfort food and turn it into fine dining. Bonnie is given franks & beans, Jen chooses fried chicken, and Rock must do a take on spaghetti & meatballs. Their mothers are brought in as surprise judges and without knowing whose dish they tasted, Jen’s dish was unanimously chosen as the favorite. For her prize, Jen & her mom get a meal with Chef Ramsay & his mom.

At dinner service, each chef must take a turn running the kitchen. Before they start cooking, the chefs take a turn going through a quick training in being assertive. Apparently, swearing makes you assertive. The sous chefs are sent in at service to fill the gaps and must purposely mess up to see if the contestants catch it. Jen misses her first quality control test but quickly catches on, picking up on other mistakes.

Rock passes Chef Ramsay’s quality control test but does not do well with time management. With half the restaurant left to be fed, Bonnie steps up to the quality control challenge. She does well maintaining the standards while Jen screws up by overcooking the risotto. However, they manage to finish dinner service and now, Chef Ramsay has the tough task of eliminating someone, thereby choosing the final two.

Chef Ramsay is faced with a tough decision and first, chooses Rock to go to the finals. He chooses Jen to leave Hell’s Kitchen, moving Bonnie into the finals along with Rock. Chef Ramsay commends Jen on a job well done and sends her on her way. Who will win Hell’s Kitchen? Find out next Monday at 9pm EST on FOX.



Get your Hell’s Kitchen links while they’re hot at sirlinksalot.net

"Pirate Master" Contestant Found Dead

Pirate Master cast member Cheryl Kosewicz was found dead in her home this past Friday from an apparent suicide. According to KOLO-TV in Reno, NV, the death is still under investigation but cast members have stated on various websites that it was suicide. Cheryl had been troubled by the death of her boyfriend two months ago and was upset over the cancellation of Pirate Master. She was the fourth person eliminated on the show. Her interview, following her departure from the show, can be found HERE. A funeral service is schedule for tomorrow in her home state of Nevada. People may leave condolences for the family at: www.waltonsfuneralhome.com

Sunday, July 29, 2007

Big Brother 8: An In-Jen-ius Nomination (7/29/07)

Dick is convinced that Jen went against him, attempting to vote out Kail. Actually, it was Eric but as America's Player, he has to keep that under wraps. Nick and Amber speculate that it was Jessica who went against the house. Amber really thinks it's Nick. Paranoia is spreading throughout the house. Lucky for Eric, his name hasn't been mentioned once. Dick decides it must have been Nick and is now gunning for him.

As Head Of Household, Dustin is after Jen, Kail, Zach, and Nick. Amber is so excited for Dustin and, not surprisingly, can't contain her emotions about it. In his HOH room, Dustin is so happy to see all his pictures of his family and receives a letter from his brother. Dustin breaks down and he very much misses his family. It must be hard for their families to see them on tv but for them not to see their families and be so out of touch with the rest of the world.

At dinner, Dick and Amber get into a huge fight because Amber says that her dog is like her child. Amber continuously says, "Love is love" and defends herself while Dick won't drop it. He continues his reign of terror in the house by playing practical jokes in the middle of the night. Also running against Dick in the unpopularity contest is Zach, who doesn't appear to have many fans in the house. Daniele sums it up by saying: "I would rather eat slop for a month than have to sit with Zach for an hour." Ouch.

When Dick tries once again to talk things out with Daniele, it doesn't go well. Daniele is frustrated and emotional and doesn't feel like being in the house is worth it anymore. She doesn't want someone putting her down and his words over the years have really damaged her. Dick goes back and forth between trying to be understanding and getting very defensive. He ends the conversation, consoling her and vowing that things will never go back to the way they are.

It's time for the food competition and of course, everyone is looking to steer clear of slop. The houseguests partner up and while some are happy with their partnerships (i.e. Jen & Amber, Nick & Daniele), some are less than thrilled (i.e. Dick & Kail, Eric & Zach). Partners must find pieces of a puzzle to put Humpty Dumpty back together again. Jameka & Jessica, partners, have been on slop for 2 weeks and look to finally have some real food. They end up winning and couldn't be more excited.

As the winners, Jameka & Jessica must choose five people to put on slop for the rest of the week. Dick was chosen first, since he hasn't been on slop before. They put Zach on slop next and then Kail, Nick, and Jen. Jen is actually happy to be on slop because it will help control her indulgence in food and perhaps she'll shed a few pounds. That's a new way to look at it!

Kail goes to Dustin, asking to be put on the block as a pawn to get someone else out of the house. She's fully aware it could backfire but she takes that risk. When Jen goes running to Dustin in order to save herself, he calls her out, thinking that she was the one who voted for Kail. She at least gets him thinking of putting up Zach.

Let's check in with America's Player, Eric, to see what he has to pull tonight. He needs to try to get Jen nominated for eviction, which he's happy about. Dustin tries to figure out who he should put up: Jen, Nick, or Kail. Everyone is on board for Nick & Kail but Eric keeps pushing for Jen. At the nomination ceremy, Eric gets his wish as Jen & Kail are nominated for eviction. Both are worried but it seems only Kail needs to be, as Dustin lets us know Kail is no pawn. She's the one the house wants out.

Who will win Power of Veto? And who will leave the Big Brother house? Find out this week on Big Brother 8 on CBS.


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